Payment device and its program

Abstract

The system accurately notifies store employees operating the input device if they have forgotten to collect their change, and also prevents the loss of the forgotten change. [Solution] The payment device comprises an acquisition means, a calculation means, a cash payment means, a notification means, and a prohibition means. The acquisition means acquires information relating to a transaction with a buyer, which is entered by the store clerk's operation of the input device. The calculation means calculates the payment amount necessary to settle the transaction based on the transaction information acquired by the acquisition means. The cash payment means settles the transaction on the condition that the cash inserted into the change machine by the buyer is equal to or greater than the payment amount, and if change is generated, it dispenses the change from the change machine. If the change machine detects that the change has been forgotten after the transaction has been settled by the cash payment means, the notification means notifies the store clerk operating the input device that the change has been forgotten. The prohibition means prohibits the buyer from operating the device while the notification of forgotten change has been made.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a settlement device and its program.

Background Art

[0002] As a product sales system for large retailers such as supermarkets and home centers, there is a system in which an input device and a settlement device are separated. The input device is a device for inputting information related to purchased products such as barcodes attached to products. The settlement device is a device for processing sales data of purchased products based on the information input via the input device and settling transactions with customers. By separating the input device and the settlement device, the store clerk endeavors to operate the input device, and for the settlement device, the customer can operate it himself / herself to pay the price, enabling self-checkout.

[0003] To enable such self-checkout, usually, the settlement device has an automatic change dispenser. A customer who pays in cash only needs to insert cash more than the price into the automatic change dispenser, and the transaction will be settled. Therefore, after finishing the settlement, the customer can take the receipt issued from the printer of the settlement device, and if there is change, take the change paid out from the automatic change dispenser and leave the store.

[0004] Here, rarely, there are customers who forget to take the change paid out from the automatic change dispenser. When the customer forgets to take the change, a warning sound is emitted from the automatic change dispenser by its detection function. However, by the time the warning sound is emitted, the customer has already left in front of the settlement device, so in most cases, the customer does not notice. On the other hand, the store clerk may also be concentrating on operating the input device or the warning sound may be drowned out by in-store broadcasts, etc., and may not notice the warning sound. For this reason, the forgotten change may be taken home by the next customer, causing trouble.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-096151 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a payment device that can accurately notify a store clerk operating the input device if they have forgotten to take their change, and can also prevent the loss of the forgotten change. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the payment device comprises an acquisition means, a calculation means, a cash payment means, a notification means, and a prohibition means. The acquisition means acquires information relating to a transaction with a buyer, which is entered by a store clerk operating an input device. The calculation means calculates the payment amount necessary to settle the transaction based on the transaction information acquired by the acquisition means. The cash payment means settles the transaction on the condition that the cash inserted into the change machine by the buyer is equal to or greater than the payment amount, and if change is generated, it dispenses the change from the change machine. If the change machine detects that the change has been forgotten after the transaction has been settled by the cash payment means, the notification means notifies the store clerk operating the input device that the change has been forgotten. The prohibition means prohibits the buyer from operating the device while the notification of forgotten change has been made. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a product sales system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main storage areas formed in the main memory of the payment device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the payment device's processor. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of the first information processing performed by the payment device's processor according to the payment program. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of the second information processing performed by the payment device's processor according to the payment program. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of the third information processing performed by the payment device's processor according to the payment program. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the registration screen. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a sub-plan layout. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of a payment availability notification screen. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of the total screen display. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of the payment selection screen. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of the payment support screen. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows an example of a payment completion screen. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows an example of a pop-up window display in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows an example of the display on the "Calling a Store Clerk" screen. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of the third information processing performed by the processor in accordance with the settlement program in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows an example of a pop-up window display in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows an example of a pop-up window display in the third embodiment. [Figure 20] Figure 20 shows an example of a pop-up window display in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] Figure 21 shows another example of a pop-up window in the fourth embodiment.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, several embodiments of a settlement device that can accurately notify a store clerk operating an input device of forgetting to give change and can also prevent the loss of forgotten change will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a merchandise sales system including an input device and a settlement device will be described.

[0010] [First Embodiment] [Description of the Configuration of the Merchandise Sales System] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a merchandise sales system 1 according to an embodiment. The merchandise sales system 1 includes an input device 2 and a settlement device 3. The input device 2 and the settlement device 3 are connected by a transmission cable 6 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable (see FIG. 2).

[0011] The input device 2 is attached to a checkout counter 4. The checkout counter 4 is arranged along a checkout lane PA along which a customer who purchases goods, that is, a so-called purchaser, walks and moves in the direction of the illustrated arrow. The input device 2 is attached to substantially the center of the top surface of the checkout counter 4. And, the upstream side of the checkout lane PA from the input device 2 is used as a space for placing purchased goods before inputting the product code, and the downstream side is used as a space for placing purchased goods after inputting the product code.

[0012] As an input / output device, the input device 2 includes a stationary scanner 21, a handheld scanner 22, a first touch panel 23, a keyboard 24, a display 25, and a speaker 26 (see FIG. 2). The input device 2 arranges the stationary scanner 21 so as to protrude upward from the top surface of the checkout counter 4, and arranges the handheld scanner 22, the first touch panel 23, the keyboard 24, and the display 25 around the stationary scanner 21.

[0013] More specifically, the input device 2 fixes a stationary scanner 21 to the top surface of the checkout counter 4. The stationary scanner 21 is vertical and fixed so that its barcode reading window is on the side opposite to the checkout lane PA. The input device 2 also attaches a handheld scanner 22 to one side of the stationary scanner 21. Furthermore, the first touch panel 23 is mounted on the top of the stationary scanner 21 so that its operation panel surface faces the same direction as the reading window of the stationary scanner 21. A keyboard 24 is also mounted on one side of the first touch panel 23 so that its key surface faces the same direction as the operation panel surface of the first touch panel 23. In addition, a display 25 is mounted on one side of the stationary scanner 21 so that its display screen faces the checkout lane PA.

[0014] With this arrangement of input / output devices, a store employee standing in space SP on the opposite side of the checkout lane PA from the checkout counter 4 can operate the stationary scanner 21, the handheld scanner 22, the first touch panel 23, or the keyboard 24 to input information about the items purchased by the customer, such as the product code and quantity. At this time, the store employee can confirm the product name, unit price, etc. of the purchased items by looking at the information displayed on the first touch panel 23. In other words, the first touch panel 23 functions as a display unit for the store employee. On the other hand, the customer can confirm the product name, unit price, etc. of the purchased items by looking at the information displayed on the display 25. In other words, the display 25 functions as a display unit for the customer. Note that the display 25 may be a touch panel.

[0015] The speaker 26 is installed, for example, inside the housing of the stationary scanner 21. The speaker 26 outputs a reading sound when a barcode such as a product code is read by the stationary scanner 21 or the handheld scanner 22, and an error sound when an error occurs. Store staff can distinguish whether the barcode was read correctly or whether an error occurred by listening to the sound emitted from the speaker 26.

[0016] The payment device 3 includes a keyboard 31 and a second touch panel 32 as devices integrated with the main unit 30. The payment device 3 also includes a handheld scanner 33, a third touch panel 34, a printer 35, an automatic change dispenser 36, a cashless payment terminal 37, etc., as devices attached externally to the main unit 30. The payment device 3 is mounted on the top surface of the cash register counter 5, which is located on the opposite side of the checkout lane PA near the downstream end of the checkout counter 4.

[0017] More specifically, the payment device 3 is positioned on the cash register counter 5 such that the key surface of the keyboard 31 and the operation panel surface of the second touch panel 32 face the space SP where the store clerk stands. Around the main unit 30 of the device are a handheld scanner 33, a third touch panel 34, a printer 35, an automatic change dispenser 36, and a cashless payment terminal 37. The handheld scanner 33 is positioned so that it can be operated by a store clerk standing in space SP. The third touch panel 34 is positioned so that its display screen can be seen by a customer standing in the checkout lane PA. The printer 35 is positioned so that a customer standing in the checkout lane PA can easily receive a receipt.

[0018] The automatic change dispenser 36 has a coin slot 361, a coin outlet 362, a banknote slot 363, and a banknote outlet 364 on the surface of its casing. The automatic change dispenser 36 also has a safe inside its casing. The automatic change dispenser 36 counts the coins or banknotes inserted through the coin slot 361 or the banknote slot 363 and calculates the amount inserted. The automatic change dispenser 36 sorts the inserted cash by denomination and stores it in the safe. The automatic change dispenser 36 also takes coins or banknotes equivalent to the change amount from the safe. The automatic change dispenser 36 then dispenses the coins or banknotes as change through the coin outlet 362 or the banknote outlet 364. The automatic change dispenser 36, which has these functions, has a coin slot 361, a coin outlet 362, a banknote slot 363, and a banknote outlet 364 positioned in a location where it is easy for a customer standing in the checkout lane PA to insert cash and take out the dispensed change. The automatic change dispenser 36 is also equipped with a coin sensor 365 (see Figure 2) that detects coins dispensed into the coin outlet 362 and a banknote sensor 366 (see Figure 2) that detects banknotes dispensed into the banknote outlet 364. The automatic change dispenser 36 is configured to emit a warning sound if the coin sensor 365 or banknote sensor 366 detects that coins or banknotes have remained in the dispenser for a certain period of time after being dispensed, recognizing that the change has been forgotten.

[0019] The cashless payment terminal 37 is a device specifically designed to process cashless payments such as credit card payments, electronic money payments, and QR code payments. The cashless payment terminal 37 is positioned in a location that is easy for shoppers standing in the checkout lane PA to operate when making cashless payments such as credit card payments, electronic money payments, and QR code payments.

[0020] With this device arrangement, the keyboard 31, second touch panel 32, and handheld scanner 33 are operated by store staff. The third touch panel 34, printer 35, automatic change dispenser 36, and cashless payment terminal 37 are operated by customers. In other words, the second touch panel 32 functions as a display unit for store staff. The third touch panel 34 functions as a display unit for customers.

[0021] In large retail stores such as supermarkets and home improvement stores, it is common to install multiple units of this product sales system 1 in parallel at the checkout counter (cash register), which is separate from the sales area where the products are displayed. On the other hand, in smaller retail stores such as specialty shops, only one product sales system 1 may be installed within the store.

[0022] [Description of Payment Device Configuration] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment device 3. As shown in the figure, the payment device 3 is equipped with the following circuit components in the device body 30: a processor 61, main memory 62, auxiliary storage device 63, clock 64, communication interface 65, scanner interface 66, touch panel interface 67, printer interface 68, payment terminal interface 69, change dispenser interface 70, and input device interface 71. The payment device 3 connects each circuit component with a system transmission path 72. The system transmission path 72 is a transmission path that includes an address bus, data bus, control signal lines, etc.

[0023] The payment device 3 is configured as a computer by connecting a processor 61, main memory 62, auxiliary storage device 63, clock 64, communication interface 65, scanner interface 66, touch panel interface 67, printer interface 68, payment terminal interface 69, change dispenser interface 70, and input device interface 71 via a system transmission path 72. The payment device 3 then connects a keyboard 31 and a second touch panel 32 to its computer via the system transmission path 72.

[0024] The processor 61 corresponds to the central part of the computer described above. The processor 61 controls each part in order to realize various functions as a payment device 3 according to the operating system or application program. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 61 is a multi-core processor that includes multiple processor cores and is capable of executing multiple processes in parallel.

[0025] Main memory 62 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 62 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area of ​​main memory 62, the operating system or application programs are stored. Main memory 62 may also store data necessary for the processor 61 to perform processing to control each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 62 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor 61. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0026] The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. For example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be auxiliary storage devices 63. The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used by the processor 61 in performing various processes, data created by the processing performed by the processor 61, etc. The auxiliary storage device 63 may also store the application programs described above.

[0027] Clock 64 measures the date and time. Processor 61 processes the date and time measured by clock 64 as the current date and time.

[0028] The communication interface 65 is an interface for data communication with the store server connected via a communication network. The store server is a computer that has a product master that stores product data such as the product name and unit price of each product sold in the store, and collects and aggregates sales data of products processed by the payment device 3 to manage the overall sales, inventory, etc. of the store.

[0029] The scanner interface 66, touch panel interface 67, printer interface 68, payment terminal interface 69, and change dispenser interface 70 are all interfaces for data communication with devices externally attached to the main unit 30. Specifically, the scanner interface 66 communicates data with the handheld scanner 33. The touch panel interface 67 communicates data with the third touch panel 34. The printer interface 68 communicates data with the printer 35. The payment terminal interface 69 communicates data with the cashless payment terminal 37. The change dispenser interface 70 communicates data with the automatic change dispenser 36.

[0030] The input device interface 71 is an interface for data communication with the input device 2 connected by the transmission cable 6. Specifically, the input device interface 71 communicates data with the stationary scanner 21, the handheld scanner 22, the first touch panel 23, the keyboard 24, the display 25, and the speaker 26, respectively.

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main storage areas formed in the main memory 62. The settlement device 3 uses a portion of the volatile storage area in the main memory 62 as the areas for the first transaction file 81, the second transaction file 82, the first flag memory 83, and the second flag memory 84. The first transaction file 81 and the second transaction file 82 are both areas for storing sales data of purchased goods to be processed as a single transaction. Sales data of purchased goods is an example of information related to a transaction. The sales data includes items such as the product code, product name, unit price, purchase quantity, and sales amount of the purchased goods. The sales amount is the amount obtained by multiplying the unit price by the purchase quantity. The first transaction file 81 stores sales data of purchased goods from the time the input of the product code, etc., of the purchased goods to be processed as a single transaction is started until it is finished. The second transaction file 82 stores sales data of purchased goods from the time the input of the product code, etc., of the purchased goods is finished until the transaction is settled.

[0032] The first flag memory 83 is an area for storing the payment in progress flag PF. The payment in progress flag PF is a 1-bit data for identifying whether or not payment is in progress at the settlement device 3. In this embodiment, the payment in progress flag PF is set to "1" to indicate that payment is in progress, and the payment in progress flag PF is set to "0" to indicate that payment is not in progress.

[0033] The second flag memory 84 is an area for storing the change flag CF. The change flag CF is a 1-bit data for identifying whether or not change has been dispensed from the automatic change dispenser 36. In this embodiment, the change flag CF indicating that change has been dispensed is set to "1", and the change flag CF indicating that change has not been dispensed is set to "0".

[0034] [Description of payment device functions] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor 61 of the payment device 3. As shown in the figure, the processor 61 has the functions of an acquisition means 611, a calculation means 612, a cash settlement means 613, a notification means 614, a prohibition means 615, a reception means 616, a continuation means 617, and a release means 618.

[0035] The acquisition means 611 is a function that acquires information related to transactions with a buyer, which is entered by the store clerk through the operation of the input device 2. Specifically, the acquisition means 611 acquires sales data of the purchased goods, i.e., product code, product name, unit price, purchase quantity, sales amount, etc., as transaction information, based on data entered via input devices such as the stationary scanner 21, the handheld scanner 22, the first touch panel 23, and the keyboard 24.

[0036] The calculation means 612 is a function that calculates the settlement amount based on the transaction information acquired by the acquisition means 611. The settlement amount is the amount required to settle the transaction. For example, the calculation means 612 calculates the settlement amount as the sum of the sales prices of the goods purchased by the buyer.

[0037] The cash settlement device 613 settles a transaction when the amount of cash inserted into the automatic change dispenser 36 by the buyer is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, and dispenses change from the automatic change dispenser 36 if change is due. The automatic change dispenser 36 sorts the coins inserted into the coin slot 361 by denomination and counts the number of coins inserted for each denomination. Similarly, the automatic change dispenser 36 sorts the banknotes inserted into the banknote slot 363 by denomination and counts the number of banknotes inserted for each denomination. The cash settlement device 613 calculates the amount of cash inserted into the automatic change dispenser 36 from the number of coins inserted for each denomination and the number of banknotes inserted for each denomination. When the amount inserted is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, the cash settlement device 613 calculates the amount of change by subtracting the settlement amount from the amount inserted and outputs the change data to the automatic change dispenser 36. The automatic change dispenser 36 determines the number of banknotes and coins to be dispensed for each denomination based on the change data, dispensing coins to the coin dispensing port 362 and banknotes to the banknote dispensing port 364.

[0038] The notification means 614 is a function that, when the automatic change dispenser 36 detects that the change has been forgotten after the transaction has been settled by the cash settlement means 613, notifies the store clerk operating the input device 2 that the change has been forgotten. The automatic change dispenser 36 outputs a detection signal for forgotten change when the coin sensor 365 or banknote sensor 366 detects that coins or banknotes have remained in the dispenser for a certain period of time after being dispensed. When the notification means 614 receives this detection signal via the change dispenser interface 70, it outputs an image signal indicating that the change has been forgotten to the first touch panel 23 on the input device 2. The notification means 614 also outputs a warning sound signal to the speaker 26 on the input device 2. As a result, an image indicating that the change has been forgotten is displayed on the first touch panel 23. In addition, a warning sound indicating that the change has been forgotten is emitted from the speaker 26.

[0039] The prohibition means 615 is a function that prohibits the customer from operating the system while they are notified that they have forgotten to take their change. The prohibition means 615 displays an image of a store clerk being called on the third touch panel 34 while the first touch panel 23 or speaker 26 is notifying the customer that they have forgotten to take their change. When the image of a store clerk being called is displayed, the third touch panel 34 does not accept touch input, or the third touch panel 34 disables touch input. Thus, the prohibition means 615 prohibits the customer from operating the third touch panel 34, on which the customer acts as the operator.

[0040] The reception means 616 is a function that receives a command from a store clerk operating the input device 2 to resolve the issue of forgotten change. For example, the image displayed on the first touch panel 23 that notifies the customer of forgotten change displays a software key, such as a confirmation button, for the operator to issue a command to resolve the issue of forgotten change. Since the operator of the first touch panel 23 is the store clerk operating the input device 2, the reception means 616 receives the signal generated when the confirmation button is touched as a command to resolve the issue of forgotten change.

[0041] The continuation means 617 is a function that, when the automatic change dispenser 36 has detected that the customer has forgotten to take their change, and the reception means 616 has received a command to resolve the forgotten change issue, continues the notification by the notification means 614 and the prohibition state by the prohibition means 615. In other words, when the automatic change dispenser 36 has output a signal indicating that the customer has forgotten to take their change, and the confirmation button for the image displayed on the first touch panel 23 is touched, the continuation means 617 continues to display that image, that is, the image notifying the customer that they have forgotten to take their change. The continuation means 617 also continues to display the image of the store clerk being called that is displayed on the third touch panel 34.

[0042] The release means 618 has the function of stopping the notification by the notification means 614 and releasing the prohibition state by the prohibition means 615 when the automatic change dispenser 36 has not detected that the customer has forgotten to take their change, and the reception means 616 has received a command to resolve the forgotten change issue. In other words, when the automatic change dispenser 36 has stopped outputting a signal indicating that the customer has forgotten to take their change, the release means 618 will erase the image displayed on the first touch panel 23, that is, the image indicating that the customer has forgotten to take their change. The release means 618 will also erase the image displayed on the third touch panel 34 indicating that a store clerk is being called.

[0043] The functions of the acquisition means 611, calculation means 612, cash settlement means 613, notification means 614, prohibition means 615, reception means 616, continuation means 617, and cancellation means 618 described above are all realized by information processing performed by the processor 61 in accordance with the settlement program.

[0044] The payment program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63. The method of installing the payment program in the main memory 62 or auxiliary storage device 63 is not particularly limited. The payment program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed via network communication and installed in the main memory 62 or auxiliary storage device 63. The recording medium can be of any form, as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

[0045] [Explanation of information processing for payment devices] <First Information Processing> Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of the first information processing performed by the processor 61 of the payment device 3 according to the payment program. A customer who has collected their purchased items from the sales floor moves to the checkout area. The customer then places their purchased items on the checkout counter 4 in an empty checkout lane PA. When the customer arrives at the checkout area, the store clerk standing in space SP touches, for example, the start button on the first touch panel 23. This operation is a command to start input in the input device 2. In other words, it is a command to start registration in the payment device 3. Upon receiving this command, the processor 61 starts the first information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 5. The processor 61 sets the screen of the first touch panel 23 in the input device 2 as the registration screen SAa (see Figure 8) as ACT1.

[0046] Figure 8 shows an example of the registration screen SAa display. The registration screen SAa is divided into the current area AAa, the details area AAb, and the total area AAc. The current area AAa is the area for displaying the product name, purchase quantity, and sales amount of the most recently purchased product. The details area AAb is the area for displaying the product name, purchase quantity, unit price, discount amount, and sales amount of the purchased products in a transaction in a list format, in sequential order. The total area AAc is the area for displaying the total purchase quantity and total sales amount of the purchased products in a transaction. The registration screen SAa includes a subtotal button BAa. The subtotal button BAa is a software key. The subtotal button BAa is an operator for commanding the output of the subtotal of purchased products registered as a transaction in the settlement device 3.

[0047] After confirming the registration screen SAa, the store clerk enters the information of the purchased items placed on the checkout counter 4 into the input device 2. Specifically, the clerk scans the barcode attached to the purchased item using the fixed scanner 21 or handheld scanner 22 of the input device 2. By scanning the barcode, the product code of the purchased item is entered into the payment device 3 via the input device interface 71. If the purchased item does not have a barcode, the clerk displays a list of barcode-less items on the first touch panel 23 of the input device 2. The clerk then selects the purchased item from that list. Through this operation, the product code of the barcode-less purchased item is entered into the payment device 3 via the input device interface 71.

[0048] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 5. If the first touch panel 23 screen is set to registration screen SAa, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT2. The processor 61 waits for the information necessary for registering the purchased product to be entered as ACT2. When the product code is entered from the input device 2 via the input device interface 71 as the information necessary for registering the purchased product, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT3. The processor 61 executes product sales data processing as ACT3. This process reads the product name, unit price, etc. of the product identified by the entered product code from the product master, generates sales data for the purchased product including the product code, product name, unit price, purchase quantity, sales amount, etc., and writes it to the first transaction file 81, that is, registers it.

[0049] After processing the product sales data, processor 61 proceeds to ACT4. Processor 61 updates the registration screen SAa as ACT4. Specifically, processor 61 displays the product name, purchase quantity, and sales amount of the sales data written to the first transaction file 81 in the current area AAa. At this time, if the sales data of the previously entered purchase product is displayed in the current area AAa, processor 61 displays the product name, purchase quantity, unit price, discount amount, and sales amount of that sales data in the details area AAb. Processor 61 also displays the total purchase quantity and sales amount of all sales data stored in the first transaction file 81 in the total area AAc.

[0050] After updating the registration screen SAa, processor 61 proceeds to ACT5. Processor 61 checks whether the information necessary for registering the next purchased item has been entered into input device 2 as ACT5. If the information necessary for registering the next purchased item has not been entered, processor 61 checks whether the subtotal button BAa has been pressed as ACT6. If the subtotal button BAa has not been pressed, processor 61 returns to ACT5. In this way, processor 61 waits for the information necessary for registering the purchased item to be entered or for the subtotal button BAa to be pressed as ACT5 and ACT6.

[0051] When the information necessary for registering the purchased product is entered while the system is in the waiting state for ACT5 and ACT6, the processor 61 returns to ACT3. The processor 61 then executes the processes of ACT3 and ACT4 in the same manner as described above.

[0052] Therefore, by operating the stationary scanner 21, handheld scanner 22, or first touch panel 23 of the input device 2 to input the information necessary to register each purchased item placed on the checkout counter 4, the sales data for each purchased item is stored in the first transaction file 81. The registration screen SAa is also updated. Once the store clerk has finished inputting the information necessary to register all purchased items, they touch the subtotal button BAa.

[0053] In the standby state of ACT5 and ACT6, when the subtotal button BAa is input by the store clerk's touch operation, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT7. As ACT7, the processor 61 sets the screen of the first touch panel 23 on the input device 2 as the subtotal plane SAb (see Figure 9).

[0054] Figure 9 shows an example of the subplanning screen SAb. The subplanning screen SAb includes a total area AAd that displays the total purchase quantity and total sales amount of purchased items in a single transaction. The subplanning screen SAb also includes a subtotal discount button BAb, a subtotal discount button BAc, a checkout button Bad, and a back button BAe. Each of the buttons BAb, Bac, Bad, and BAe is a software key. The subtotal discount button BAb is an operator used to instruct a discount on the total amount. The subtotal discount button BAc is an operator used to instruct a discount on the total amount. The checkout button BAd is an operator used to instruct that the input of purchased item information has been completed. The back button BAe is an operator used to instruct the user to return to the input of purchased item information.

[0055] After reviewing the sub-planning page SAb, the clerk checks whether any unentered purchase items remain at checkout counter 4. If there are any unentered purchase items, the clerk touches the back button BAe.

[0056] On the other hand, if there are no unentered purchase items, the clerk checks whether the transaction is eligible for a subtotal discount or subtotal reduction. For example, if the customer presents a subtotal discount coupon, the transaction is eligible for a subtotal discount. The clerk presses the subtotal discount button BAb and enters the discount amount using the numeric keypad on keyboard 24. This operation reduces the total amount. This process is called subtotal discount processing. Similarly, if the customer presents a subtotal discount coupon, the transaction is eligible for a subtotal discount. The clerk presses the subtotal discount button BAc and enters the discount rate using the numeric keypad on keyboard 24. This operation reduces the total amount. This process is called subtotal discount processing.

[0057] Once the clerk confirms that there are no unentered purchase items and that no subtotal discount or reduction is needed, they touch the checkout button Bad.

[0058] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 5. When the processor 61 displays the subplanning screen SAb on the first touch panel 23, it proceeds to ACT8. The processor 61 checks whether the back button BAe has been pressed as ACT8. If the back button BAe has not been pressed, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT9. The processor 61 checks whether the accounting button Bad has been pressed as ACT9. If the accounting button Bad has not been pressed, the processor 61 returns to ACT8. In this way, the processor 61, displaying the subplanning screen SAb, waits for either the back button Bad or the accounting button Bad to be pressed as ACT8 or ACT9.

[0059] Furthermore, if the subtotal discount button BAb or the subtotal discount button BAc is pressed while ACT8 and ACT9 are in standby mode, the processor 61 performs the subtotal discount processing or subtotal discount processing described above. After that, the processor 61 returns to the standby mode for ACT8 and ACT9.

[0060] If the back button BAd is pressed by the store clerk's touch operation while the system is in standby state for ACT8 and ACT9, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT10. As ACT10, the processor 61 returns the screen of the first touch panel 23 to the previous registration screen SAa. The processor 61 then enters standby state for ACT5 and ACT6. At this point, the store clerk can operate the stationary scanner 21, handheld scanner 22, or the first touch panel 23 of the input device 2 to input any missing information about the purchased items.

[0061] If the payment button BAd is pressed by the store clerk during the standby state of ACT8 and ACT9, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT11. As ACT11, the processor 61 checks the payment in progress flag PF. If no payment operation has been performed at the payment device 3, the payment in progress flag PF is reset to "0". If the payment in progress flag PF is reset to "0", the processor 61 proceeds to ACT12. As ACT12, the processor 61 sets the screen of the display 25 to the payment availability notification screen SBa (see Figure 10).

[0062] Figure 10 shows an example of the display of the payment availability notification screen SBa. The payment availability notification screen SBa includes a total area ABa that displays the total purchase quantity and total sales amount of the purchased goods in a single transaction. The payment availability notification screen SBa also displays the first text TXa. The first text TXa instructs the buyer to move to the payment machine because payment is possible. Upon seeing the first text TXa, the buyer moves to the payment machine, i.e., the location where the settlement device 3 is installed, and makes the payment.

[0063] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 5. After displaying the payment notification screen SBa on the display 25, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT13. As ACT13, the processor 61 copies the data stored in the first transaction file 81, that is, the sales data of the purchased goods registered as a transaction, to the second transaction file 82. Also, as ACT14, the processor 61 sets the payment in progress flag PF in the first flag memory 83 to "1". With this, the processor 61 completes the first information processing related to the transaction with the first buyer.

[0064] The processor 61 then proceeds to begin the first information processing related to the transaction with the second buyer. That is, the processor 61 executes the processing from ACT1 onward in the same manner as described above. At this time, the payment in progress flag PF, which was set to "1" in ACT14 of the first information processing for the first buyer, may not have been reset to "0" by ACT11 of the first information processing for the second buyer.

[0065] In ACT11, if the payment in progress flag PF is set to "1", the processor 61 proceeds to ACT15. In ACT15, the processor 61 sets the screen of display 25 to a payment waiting notification screen. The payment waiting notification screen displays text instructing the buyer to wait because payment is not possible. The second buyer, upon seeing the payment waiting notification screen, waits until payment becomes possible.

[0066] After displaying the payment waiting notification screen on the display 25, the processor 61 returns to ACT 11. As ACT 11, the processor 61 waits for the payment in progress flag PF to be reset to "0". The payment in progress flag PF is reset to "0" in the second information processing described later when the settlement process is completed. When the payment in progress flag PF is reset to "0", the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 12. The processor 61 then executes the processes of ACT 12 to ACT 14 in the same way as described above. That is, the processor 61 displays the payment ready notification screen SBa on the display 25. Upon seeing this display, the second buyer moves to the area where the payment device 3 is installed and makes the payment.

[0067] The processor 61 copies the data stored in the first transaction file 81 to the second transaction file 82. The processor 61 also sets the payment in progress flag PF to "1" and terminates the first information processing for the second buyer. Thereafter, the processor 61 continues to perform the first information processing for the third, fourth, and subsequent buyers in the same manner as described above.

[0068] <Second Information Processing> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the second information processing performed by the processor 61 of the payment device 3 in accordance with the payment program. The processor 61 performs the second information processing in parallel with the first information processing described above.

[0069] The processor 61 waits for the payment flag PF to be set to "1" as ACT21. During this waiting state, the second touch panel 32 and the third touch panel 34 display the initial screen. The content of the initial screen is not particularly limited. For example, the initial screen displayed on the second touch panel 32 is a screen with the same layout as the total screen SCa described later. However, no information is displayed on the initial screen. The initial screen displayed on the third touch panel 34 is a screen that displays text or an image, such as "Welcome." Alternatively, nothing may be displayed.

[0070] In ACT14 of the first information processing, when the payment flag PF is set to "1", the processor 61 proceeds to ACT22. The processor 61 calculates the settlement amount as ACT22. That is, the processor 61 calculates the settlement amount by summing the sales prices of the purchased goods stored in the second transaction file 82.

[0071] The processor 61, having calculated the payment amount, proceeds to ACT23. For ACT23, the processor 61 sets the screen of the second touch panel 32, which is the display unit for the store clerk, as the total screen SCa (see Figure 11). The processor 61 also sets the screen of the third touch panel 34, which is the display unit for the buyer, as the payment selection screen SDa (see Figure 12).

[0072] Figure 11 shows an example of the total screen SCa display. The total screen SCa has a first buyer area ACa and a second buyer area ACb. The first buyer area ACa is an area for displaying information about the first buyer who will pay the price. The first buyer area ACa displays the total number of items and the total amount for the first buyer. In other words, the first buyer area ACa displays the total purchase quantity and the total sales amount, i.e., the settlement amount, calculated based on the sales data of the purchased goods stored in the second transaction file 82.

[0073] The second buyer area ACb is an area for displaying information indicating the status of the second buyer. For example, if the input of information for the second customer's purchase has not yet begun in input device 2, the second buyer area ACb displays "Waiting". When the input of information for the second customer's purchase begins, the second buyer area ACb displays "Registering". Once the input of information for the second customer's purchase is complete, the second buyer area ACb displays "Waiting for payment". Then, when the first customer's payment is completed and the process moves to the second customer's payment, the display in the second buyer area returns to "Waiting".

[0074] Figure 12 shows an example of the payment selection screen SDa. The payment selection screen SDa includes a group of payment buttons BDa. The payment button group BDa includes a cash button, a credit button, an e-money button, a code payment button, a prepaid button, and a points button. The cash button, credit button, e-money button, code payment button, prepaid button, and points button are all software keys.

[0075] Furthermore, the payment selection screen SDa includes the total area ADa. The total area ADa displays the total number of items and the total amount for the customer who is about to make a payment. In other words, the total purchase quantity and the total sales amount, calculated based on the sales data of purchased items stored in the second transaction file 82, i.e., the settlement amount, is displayed in the total area ADa.

[0076] After viewing the payment selection screen SDa, customers touch the button corresponding to their desired payment method from the payment button group BDa. For example, a customer who wishes to pay with cash touches the cash button. A customer who wishes to pay with a credit card touches the credit button. A customer who wishes to pay with electronic money touches the electronic money button. A customer who wishes to pay with QR code payment touches the QR code payment button. A customer who wishes to pay with a prepaid card touches the prepaid button. A customer who wishes to pay with accumulated points touches the points button.

[0077] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6. The processor 61, with the second touch panel 32 screen set to the total screen SCa and the third touch panel 34 screen set to the payment selection screen SDa, proceeds to ACT24. The processor 61 waits for a payment method to be selected as ACT24. When a payment method is selected by a touch operation on the payment button group BDa, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT25. As ACT25, the processor 61 sets the third touch panel 34 screen to the payment support screen SDb (see Figure 13) for the selected payment method.

[0078] Figure 13 shows an example of the payment support screen SDb. Figure 13 shows the payment support screen SDb when cash is selected as the payment method. The payment support screen SDb displays a second text field TXb. The second text field TXb contains information to assist with cash payments. The payment support screen SDb includes a change dispenser information area ADb. The payment support screen SDb also includes a back button BDb.

[0079] The change dispenser information area ADb is an area that displays the total amount, the amount inserted, i.e., the total amount of cash inserted into the automatic change dispenser 36, and the remaining amount, i.e., the total amount minus the amount inserted. The back button BDb is a software key. The back button BDb is an operator that instructs the system to interrupt payment using the selected payment method and return to the state before the payment method was selected.

[0080] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6. The processor 61, with the third touch panel 34 screen set to payment support screen SDb, proceeds to ACT26. The processor 61 waits for payment to be received in ACT26. A buyer who has selected cash payment as the payment method inserts cash into the automatic change machine 36. Specifically, the buyer inserts coins into the coin slot 361 and banknotes into the banknote slot 363. On the other hand, a buyer who has selected credit card payment has the cashless payment terminal 37's reader read the credit card data. A buyer who has selected electronic money payment has the cashless payment terminal 37's reader read the data on the electronic money medium. A buyer who has selected code payment has the cashless payment terminal 37's scanner read the barcode or two-dimensional data code for code payment. When such a payment operation is performed by a buyer, the processor 61 determines in ACT26 that payment has been received.

[0081] If processor 61 determines that a payment has been received, it proceeds to ACT27. Processor 61 then executes the payment process as ACT27. For example, if cash payment is selected, processor 61 deducts the amount deposited into the automatic change dispenser 36 from the total amount. If credit card payment is selected, processor 61 authenticates the credit card. If electronic money payment is selected, processor 61 deducts the total amount from the electronic money balance. If QR code payment is selected, processor 61 deducts the total amount from the QR code payment balance.

[0082] After completing the payment processing, processor 61 proceeds to ACT28. Processor 61 checks whether change is due in ACT28. If cash is selected as the payment method, change is given if the amount inserted into the automatic change dispenser 36 exceeds the payment amount. If change is due, processor 61 proceeds to ACT29. Processor 61 dispenses the change in ACT29. Specifically, processor 61 outputs change data indicating the amount of change to the automatic change dispenser 36. The automatic change dispenser 36 dispenses the change according to this change data. That is, coins as change are dispensed to the coin dispenser 362. Banknotes as change are dispensed to the banknote dispenser 364.

[0083] Processor 61, having dispensed the change, proceeds to ACT30. Processor 61 sets the change flag CF to "1" as ACT30.

[0084] On the other hand, if no change is generated in ACT28, the processor 61 skips the processing of ACT29 and ACT30. After completing or skipping the processing of ACT29 and ACT30, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT31. As ACT31, the processor 61 controls the output of the receipt. That is, the processor 61 generates receipt data showing the details of the commercial transaction based on the sales data etc. stored in the second transaction file 82. The processor 61 then outputs this receipt data to the printer 35. Thus, the printer 35 operates and a paper receipt is printed and issued. If an electronic receipt ID has been entered in the input device 2, the processor 61 sends the receipt data along with the electronic receipt ID to the electronic receipt server. Thus, the purchaser can obtain a receipt in the form of an electronic receipt by operating their smartphone.

[0085] The processor 61, which controls the output of the receipt, proceeds to ACT32. As ACT32, the processor 61 sets the screen of the third touch panel 34, which is the display unit for the buyer, to the payment completion screen SDc (see Figure 14).

[0086] Figure 14 shows an example of the payment completion screen SDc. Figure 14 shows the payment completion screen SDc when the cash button is pressed. The payment completion screen SDc displays a third text TXc along with the change machine information area ADb. The third text TXc is a message informing the customer that they have not forgotten to take their receipt and change. After confirming the payment completion screen SDc, the purchaser takes the paper receipt issued from the printer 35. If change is dispensed from the automatic change machine 36, the customer takes the change from the coin outlet 362 or the banknote outlet 364.

[0087] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6. When the processor 61 sets the screen of the third touch panel 34 to the payment completion screen SDc, it proceeds to ACT 33. As ACT 33, the processor 61 clears the second transaction file 82. Also, as ACT 34, the processor 61 resets the payment in progress flag PF to "0".

[0088] With this, processor 61 terminates the second information processing. Thus, the payment of the first buyer is processed at the settlement device 3. Then, when the payment in progress flag PF is set to "1" again in ACT14 in Figure 5, processor 61 repeats the second information processing. Thus, the payment of the second buyer is processed at the settlement device 3. Thereafter, the payments of the third, fourth, and subsequent buyers are processed sequentially at the settlement device 3 in the same manner.

[0089] <Third Information Processing> Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the third information processing performed by the processor 61 of the payment device 3 in accordance with the payment program. The processor 61 performs the third information processing in parallel with the first and second information processing described above.

[0090] Processor 61 waits for the change flag CF to be set to "1" as ACT41. In the second information processing step ACT30, when the change flag CF is set to "1", processor 61 proceeds to ACT42. Processor 61 starts the built-in timer as ACT42. Then processor 61 proceeds to ACT43. Processor 61 checks as ACT43 whether a signal indicating forgotten change has been output from the automatic change dispenser 36. If no signal indicating forgotten change has been output, processor 61 proceeds to ACT44. Processor 61 checks as ACT44 whether the timer has timed out. If the timer has not timed out, processor 61 returns to ACT43. In this way, in ACT43 and ACT44, processor 61 waits for a signal indicating forgotten change to be output from the automatic change dispenser 36 or for the timer to time out.

[0091] Here, the timer's timeout period is set based on the time required in the automatic change dispenser 36 from the time the change is dispensed until the change is detected and a signal indicating that the change has been forgotten is output. As mentioned above, when the coin sensor 365 or banknote sensor 366 detects that a certain amount of time has passed since the coins or banknotes were dispensed, the automatic change dispenser 36 outputs a signal indicating that the change has been forgotten. If this certain amount of time is "T", the timeout period is set to be slightly longer than "T". In other words, the timeout period is set to the time at which it can be determined that no change was forgotten in the automatic change dispenser 36.

[0092] If, during the standby state of ACT43 and ACT44, no signal is output detecting that change has been forgotten, and the timer times out, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT45. As ACT45, the processor 61 resets the change flag CF to "0". With this, the processor 61 terminates the third information processing.

[0093] On the other hand, if a signal detecting forgotten change is output before the timer times out while ACT43 and ACT44 are in standby state, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT46. The processor 61 executes the employee notification process as ACT46. The employee notification process is the process of displaying a pop-up window PUa (see Figure 15) on the first touch panel 23, which functions as an employee display unit, to notify the employee that a customer has forgotten to take their change in the automatic change dispenser 36. The employee notification process also includes the process of emitting a notification sound from the speaker 26 of the input device 2. The notification sound is the same as the sound when an employee is called by a customer's operation input to the third touch panel 34.

[0094] Figure 15 shows an example of a pop-up window PUa displayed on the first touch panel 23. As shown in the figure, the pop-up window PUa is displayed overlaid on the screen displayed on the first touch panel 23, for example, the registration screen SAa. The pop-up window PUa displays a confirmation button BEa along with a fourth text TXd. The fourth text TXd notifies the store clerk that the change has been forgotten in the automatic change dispenser 36.

[0095] Incidentally, on the registration screen SAa, if the store clerk has started registering the items of the second customer who was in line after the first customer who forgot to take their change, the information of the registered purchased items will be displayed. The store clerk can recognize that the change has been forgotten in the automatic change dispenser 36 when the pop-up window PUa is displayed on the first touch panel 23. The store clerk just needs to collect the forgotten change and press the confirmation button BEa.

[0096] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 7. Processor 61, which has executed the staff notification process, proceeds to ACT47. Processor 61 checks the payment flag PF as ACT47. If the payment flag PF is set to "1", that is, if the second customer has already finished registering their items and the checkout button BAd has been pressed, Processor 61 proceeds to ACT48. Processor 61 sets the screen of the third touch panel 34, which functions as a customer display unit, to the staff call screen SDd (see Figure 16) as ACT48. On the other hand, if the payment flag PF has been reset to "0", that is, if the second customer has not yet finished registering their items, Processor 61 skips the process of ACT48.

[0097] Figure 16 shows an example of the display of the "Clerk Calling" screen SDd. As shown in the figure, the fifth text TXe is displayed on the "Clerk Calling" screen SDd. The fifth text TXe instructs the customer to wait for a while as a clerk is being called. The third touch panel 34, on which the "Clerk Calling" screen SDd is displayed, does not accept touch input. In other words, it is in a state where the customer is prohibited from making any operation input. Therefore, the second customer, who has confirmed the payment availability notification screen SBa and moved to the area where the payment device 3 is installed, will wait until the "Clerk Calling" screen SDd is cleared.

[0098] If the processor 61 displays the SDd screen for calling a store clerk as ACT48, or skips the processing of ACT48, it proceeds to ACT49. The processor 61 waits for an instruction to clear the notification as ACT49. When the confirmation button BEa on the pop-up window PUa is touched, the processor 61 recognizes that an instruction to clear the notification has been given.

[0099] In ACT49, if the notification clear is not instructed, i.e., if the confirmation button BEa is not touched, the processor 61 returns to ACT47. In ACT47, the processor 61 checks the payment in progress flag PF. Therefore, if the payment in progress flag PF is set to "1" between the time the pop-up window PUa is displayed due to the clerk notification process in ACT46 and the time the confirmation button BEa of the pop-up window PUa is touched, the processor 61 executes the process of ACT48. That is, the processor 61 sets the screen of the third touch panel 34 to the clerk call screen SDd (see Figure 16).

[0100] If a notification clear is instructed in ACT49, that is, if the confirmation button BEa is touched, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT50. In ACT50, the processor 61 checks whether or not the forgotten change has been cleared.

[0101] The change-forgotten detection signal stops when the coin sensor 365 or banknote sensor 366 stops detecting coins or banknotes. Conversely, as long as the change-forgotten detection signal is output from the automatic change dispenser 36, the change-forgotten status has not been cleared. Therefore, in ACT 50, the processor 61 checks whether the change-forgotten detection signal has stopped. If the change-forgotten detection signal has not stopped, the processor 61 returns to ACT 49. That is, the processor 61 invalidates the notification clear instruction and waits for the notification clear instruction to be given again. Therefore, if the store clerk touches the confirmation button BEa without collecting the change, that touch operation is invalid.

[0102] In ACT50, if the detection signal for forgotten change has stopped, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT51. The processor 61 stops the employee notification process. That is, the processor 61 clears the pop-up window PUa. The processor 61 also stops the notification sound that was being emitted from the speaker 26. In this way, when the employee touches the confirmation button BEa after collecting the change, the pop-up window PUa is cleared and the notification sound stops.

[0103] The processor 61, having stopped the staff notification process, proceeds to ACT52. As ACT52, the processor 61 checks the payment flag PF. If the payment flag PF is set to "1", the processor 61 proceeds to ACT53. As ACT53, the processor 61 erases the staff call screen SDd that was displayed on the third touch panel 34. If the payment flag PF has been reset to "0", the processor 61 skips the process in ACT53.

[0104] If the processor 61 either erases the "Calling a Shop Assistant" screen SDd as ACT53, or skips the processing of ACT53, it proceeds to ACT54. The processor 61 resets the change flag CF to "0" as ACT54. With this, the processor 61 finishes the third information processing. In this way, the "Calling a Shop Assistant" screen SDd displayed on the third touch panel 34 is erased after the shop assistant collects the change, so the second customer who was waiting in front of the payment device 3 can proceed to self-checkout.

[0105] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of an acquisition means 611 through the processing of ACT2, ACT3, and ACT5 in the first information processing. The processor 61 realizes the function of an arithmetic means 612 through the processing of ACT22 in the second information processing. The processor 61 realizes the function of a cash settlement means 613 through the processing of ACT26 to ACT29 in the second information processing. The processor 61 realizes the function of a notification means 614 through the processing of ACT46 in the third information processing. The processor 61 realizes the function of a prohibition means 615 through the processing of ACT48 in the third information processing. The processor 61 realizes the function of a reception means 616 through the processing of ACT48 in the third information processing. The processor 61 realizes the function of a continuation means 617 through the processing of ACT50 in the third information processing. The processor 61 realizes the function of a release means 618 through the processing of ACT51 and ACT53 in the third information processing.

[0106] [Explanation of the operation and effects of payment devices] As detailed above, the payment device 3 has the function of an alerting means 614. With this function, if the change is forgotten in the automatic change dispenser 36 after a transaction has been settled in cash, the store clerk operating the input device 2 is notified that the change has been forgotten. Therefore, the store clerk can quickly retrieve the forgotten change from the automatic change dispenser 36. As a result, the loss of change can be prevented.

[0107] Furthermore, the payment device 3 also functions as a prohibition mechanism 615. This function prevents the buyer from operating the payment device 3 themselves during the period in which they are notified that they have forgotten to take their change. Therefore, the second buyer who was in line after the first buyer who forgot to take their change cannot operate the payment device 3, where the change has been left, to complete the transaction. As a result, they will not accidentally take the leftover change home, thus preventing any problems related to change.

[0108] Furthermore, the payment device 3 has functions as a receiving means 616, a continuation means 617, and a cancellation means 618. These functions ensure that the notification of forgotten change continues until the change is collected by the store clerk. Therefore, any forgotten change is reliably collected by the store clerk.

[0109] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, even when the registration screen SAa is displayed on the first touch panel 23, if the automatic change dispenser 36 detects that the change has been forgotten, a pop-up window PUa is displayed overlaid on the registration screen SAa. In this state, there is no problem in the store clerk continuing the product registration operation for the second customer, but in reality, since the registration screen SAa is not visible, the store clerk has no choice but to interrupt the product registration operation and collect the forgotten change. Interrupting the product registration operation is inefficient. There is also concern that it may cause discomfort to the customer. Next, a second embodiment that can solve these problems will be described. Note that the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is a part of the procedure of the third information processing executed by the processor 61 according to the payment program. Everything else is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, Figures 1 to 6, 8 to 14 and 16 are applied as they are to the second embodiment.

[0110] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the third information processing performed by the processor 61 according to the settlement program in the second embodiment. For simplicity of explanation, the same reference numerals are used for processing elements that are common to the third information processing in the first embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0111] As shown in Figure 17, in the second embodiment, in the waiting state of ACT43 and ACT44, some of the processing when a signal detecting forgotten change is output before the timer times out differs from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the processor 61 determines whether or not product registration is in progress as ACT61. Product registration in progress means that the processing of ACT3 to ACT6 of the first information processing shown in Figure 5 is being executed.

[0112] If product registration is not in progress in ACT61, that is, if the system is waiting for the necessary information to be entered for registering the purchased product in ACT2, or if the subtotal button BAa has been pressed in ACT6, then processor 61 proceeds to the store clerk notification process in ACT46.

[0113] In contrast, if product registration is in progress in ACT61, processor 61 proceeds to ACT62. Processor 61 waits for the subtotal button BAa to be input as ACT62. Once it detects that the subtotal button BAa has been touched, processor 61 proceeds to the store clerk notification process of ACT46. Thereafter, processor 61 executes the processes of ACT46 to ACT54 as described using Figure 7.

[0114] Thus, in the second embodiment, the store clerk notification process is not executed while product registration is in progress, that is, while the registration screen SAa is displayed on the first touch panel 23. Therefore, the pop-up window PUa is not displayed on the first touch panel 23.

[0115] When the screen of the first touch panel 23 switches from the registration screen SAa to the subtotal plan screen SAb, a pop-up window PUa appears overlaid on the subtotal plan screen SAb, as shown in Figure 18. The clerk then collects any forgotten change and touches the confirmation button BEa. The pop-up window PUa then disappears, and the clerk confirms that there are no unentered purchased items and that there is no need for a subtotal discount or reduction, and then touches the checkout button BAd.

[0116] As detailed above, according to the second embodiment, the product registration operation is not interrupted by forgetting to collect change, so the store clerk can concentrate on the product registration operation. Therefore, the customer waiting for the product registration to be completed will not feel inconvenienced.

[0117] [Third Embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, examples were given of the case in which the pop-up window PUa is displayed on the first touch panel 23. In addition to the first touch panel 23, there is a second touch panel 32 as a display unit for store staff. The third embodiment is an example in which the pop-up window PUa is displayed on the second touch panel 32. The difference between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments is the content of the store staff notification processing included in the third information processing. Therefore, Figures 1 to 14 and Figure 16 are applied as they are to the third embodiment.

[0118] In the third embodiment, the processor 61 performs the employee notification process as follows: The processor 61 displays a pop-up window PUa on the second touch panel 32, which functions as an employee display unit. The processor 61 also controls the speaker 26 of the input device 2 to emit a notification sound.

[0119] Figure 19 shows the state in which the pop-up window PUa is displayed on the second touch panel 32. In the third embodiment, when the automatic change dispenser 36 detects that a customer has forgotten to take their change, the pop-up window PUa is displayed superimposed on the total screen SCa, as shown in Figure 19. Although the total screen SCa has a first customer area ACa and a second customer area ACb, the pop-up window PUa temporarily obscures it, but does not interfere with the store clerk's operation. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the impact on the store clerk's operation due to the display of the pop-up window PUa can be minimized.

[0120] [Fourth Embodiment] In the first to third embodiments, a pop-up window PUa shown in Figures 15, 18, or 19 is exemplified as information for notifying a store clerk that change has been forgotten in the automatic change dispenser 36. In the automatic change dispenser 36, it is possible that coins dispensed from the coin outlet 362 may be forgotten, or banknotes dispensed from the banknote outlet 364 may be forgotten.

[0121] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, in ACT43 of the third information processing, when the processor 61 receives a detection signal for forgotten change from the automatic change dispenser 36, it determines whether it has received a first detection signal due to the detection of forgotten change coins by the coin sensor 365, or a second detection signal due to the detection of forgotten change banknotes by the banknote sensor 366. If only the first detection signal is received, the processor 61 displays a pop-up window PUb (see Figure 20) on the employee display unit in the employee notification processing to notify the employee that forgotten change coins have occurred.

[0122] In contrast, if only the second detection signal is received, the processor 61 causes the employee notification process to display a pop-up window PUc (see Figure 21) on the employee display unit to notify the employee that change has been forgotten.

[0123] On the other hand, if both the first detection signal and the second detection signal are received, the processor 61 causes the pop-up window PUa described in the first to third embodiments to be displayed on the employee display unit during the employee notification process.

[0124] Figure 20 shows an example of the display of the pop-up window PUb. As shown in the figure, the pop-up window PUb displays a confirmation button BEa along with a fifth text TXe. The fifth text TXe notifies the store clerk that a customer has forgotten to take their change coins from the automatic change dispenser 36.

[0125] Figure 21 shows an example of the display of the pop-up window PUc. As shown in the figure, the pop-up window PUc displays a confirmation button BEa along with a sixth text TXf. The sixth text TXf notifies the store clerk that a change bill has been forgotten in the automatic change dispenser 36.

[0126] According to the fourth embodiment, the store clerk can easily determine from the text in the pop-up window PUC whether coins or banknotes have been forgotten. Therefore, if coins have been forgotten, the store clerk only needs to collect the change coins from the coin dispensing slot 362, and if banknotes have been forgotten, the store clerk only needs to collect the change banknotes from the banknote dispensing slot 364, thus preventing any leftover change.

[0127] [Other embodiments] The above describes several embodiments of a payment device that can accurately notify a store clerk operating the input device if they have forgotten to take their change, and can also prevent the loss of the forgotten change. However, such embodiments are not limited to these.

[0128] In the third information processing procedure shown in Figure 7, the processor 61 checks the payment flag PF of ACT47 before executing the clerk notification process of ACT46. If the payment flag PF is set to "1", the processor 61 sets the screen of the third touch panel 34 to the clerk call screen SDd. After that, the processor 61 executes the clerk notification process.

[0129] Alternatively, the process of checking the payment in progress flag PF of ACT47 may be omitted. That is, regardless of whether payment is in progress at the payment device 3, if a customer forgets to take their change, the screen of the third touch panel 34 may be set to the staff call screen SDd.

[0130] The prohibition measure 615 is not limited to a means of prohibiting the customer from operating the third touch panel 34 by displaying the screen as a "Calling a Store Clerk" screen SDd. For example, the screen of the third touch panel 34 may be dimmed to prevent the customer from operating it.

[0131] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1…Product sales system, 2…Input device, 3…Payment device, 4…Checkout counter, 5…Cash register counter, 21…Fixed scanner, 22…Handheld scanner, 23…Touch panel, 24…Keyboard, 25…Display, 26…Speaker, 30…Main unit, 31…Keyboard, 32…Touch panel, 33…Handheld scanner, 34…Touch panel, 35…Printer, 36…Automatic change dispenser, 37…Cashless payment terminal, 6 1...Processor, 81...First transaction file, 82...Second transaction file, 83...First flag memory, 84...Second flag memory, 361...Coin slot, 362...Coin outlet, 363...Banknote slot, 364...Banknote outlet, 365...Coin sensor, 366...Banknote sensor, 611...Acquisition means, 612...Calculation means, 613...Cash settlement means, 614...Notification means, 615...Prohibition means, 616...Acceptance means, 617...Continuation means, 618...Release means.

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring information related to transactions with a buyer, which is entered by a store employee through operation of an input device, A calculation means that calculates the settlement amount necessary for settling the transaction based on the information relating to the transaction obtained by the acquisition means, A cash settlement means that settles a transaction on the condition that the cash inserted into the change machine by the aforementioned buyer equals or exceeds the settlement amount, and dispenses change from the change machine if change is to be made, If the change dispenser detects that the change has been forgotten after the transaction has been settled by the aforementioned cash payment means, a notification means is provided to notify the store clerk operating the input device that the change has been forgotten. A means of prohibiting the purchaser from taking their change while the failure to take their change is reported, A payment device equipped with the following features.

2. A receiving means for receiving a command from a store clerk operating the aforementioned input device to resolve a case where the customer has forgotten to collect their change, When the change dispenser detects that the change has been forgotten, and the receiving means receives a command to resolve the forgotten change, the notification means provides notification, and the prohibition means continues the prohibition state. The settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

3. If the change dispenser has not detected any forgotten change, and the receiving means receives a command to resolve the forgotten change, the release means stops the notification by the notification means and releases the prohibition state by the prohibition means. The settlement device according to claim 2, further comprising the above.

4. The payment device according to claim 1, wherein when the change dispenser detects that the change has been forgotten, if the acquisition means has acquired information relating to a transaction with a second buyer who will make a payment after the buyer who forgot to take their change, the notification means waits for the acquisition of information relating to the transaction with the second buyer to be completed before notifying the store clerk operating the input device that the change has been forgotten.

5. The payment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification means notifies the customer of the loss of change coins when it is detected that the customer has lost change coins, and notifies the customer of the loss of change banknotes when it is detected that the customer has lost change banknotes.

6. The computer of a payment device equipped with a change dispenser, An acquisition means for acquiring information related to transactions with a buyer, which is entered through the operation of a store employee on an input device. A calculation means that calculates the settlement amount necessary for settling the transaction based on the information relating to the transaction obtained by the acquisition means, A cash settlement means that settles a transaction on the condition that the cash inserted into the change machine by the buyer equals or exceeds the settlement amount, and dispenses change from the change machine if change is to be made. If the change dispenser detects that the change has been forgotten after the transaction has been settled by the aforementioned cash payment means, a notification means is provided to notify the store clerk operating the input device that the change has been forgotten, and A means of prohibiting the purchaser from taking any action while the failure to take change has been reported, A program designed to function as such.

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