Product processing apparatus and its program

Abstract

This will enhance the deterrent effect against fraudulent practices such as the misuse of discount stickers. [Solution] The product processing device includes an identification means, a detection means, and a control means. The identification means identifies the product. The detection means detects a bonus medium on which bonus information is recorded from an image of the product. The control means displays the image in which the bonus medium was detected on a display device, associating it with the information relating to the product identified by the identification means.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 Embodiments of the present invention relate to a merchandise processing apparatus and a program therefor. 【Background Art】 【0002】 In retail stores that handle fresh food, such as supermarkets, it is widely practiced to reduce waste loss due to leftovers by having store employees attach discount stickers to products nearing their expiration dates and offering discounts. In relation to this, there is a merchandise processing apparatus that recognizes the information on the discount sticker from an image of the product and automatically discounts the price of the product based on the information on the discount sticker. When this type of merchandise processing apparatus is applied to a full-self service method in which the customer performs everything from product registration to checkout, there is concern about fraud due to the misuse of discount stickers. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-177419 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a merchandise processing apparatus that has a deterrent effect against fraud due to the misuse of discount stickers. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0005】 In one embodiment, a merchandise processing apparatus includes an identifying means, a detecting means, and a control means. The identifying means identifies a product. The detecting means detects a privilege medium on which privilege information is recorded from an image of the product. The control means causes the display device to display the image in which the privilege medium is detected in association with the information related to the product identified by the identifying means. 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0006】 [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an accounting system using a fully self-service POS terminal. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a fully self-service POS terminal. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the discounted products. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main memory areas formed in the main memory of a fully self-service POS terminal. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example layout of a registration screen displayed on a touch panel. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the main information processing steps that the processor performs according to the product processing program. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the specific steps of the product information update process in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the specific steps involved in updating the discount information in Figure 6. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of the registration screen after the update. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows another example of the updated registration screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0007】 The following describes an embodiment of the product processing apparatus with reference to the drawings. This embodiment uses a fully self-service POS (Point of Sales) terminal, which is used in fully self-service accounting systems introduced in supermarkets and the like, as an example of a product processing device. 【0008】 [Overview of the Accounting System] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the accounting system 1 using a full self-service POS terminal 10. The accounting system 1 includes multiple full self-service POS terminals 10, attendant terminals 20, a store server 30, and a communication network 40. The communication network 40 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). The accounting system 1 is constructed by connecting the multiple full self-service POS terminals 10, the attendant terminals 20, and the store server 30 to the communication network 40. 【0009】 Each fully self-service POS terminal 10 is installed in a separate checkout area from the sales floor where the products are displayed. Customers who have finished shopping in the sales area go to the checkout area and operate an available fully self-service POS terminal 10 to register their purchased items and complete the payment themselves. 【0010】 The attendant terminal 20 is installed near the exit of the checkout area. The attendant terminal 20 is a monitoring terminal used by store employees referred to as attendants. The attendant terminal 20 is equipped with a monitor screen, on which images showing the status of each full self-service POS terminal 10 are displayed as appropriate. Note that the number of attendant terminals 20 is not limited to one. Multiple full self-service POS terminals 10 may be divided into two or more groups, and an attendant terminal 20 may be provided for each group. 【0011】 The store server 30 is a server computer that provides various services as a higher-level device for each full self-service POS terminal 10 and attendant terminal 20. The store server 30 may be physically installed within the store, or it may be virtually installed on a network such as the internet as a cloud server. 【0012】 The store server 30 manages the product master file 31. The product master file 31 is a collection of product records created for each product. A product record is a data record that describes product-related data such as product code, product name, classification code, and unit price. The product code is a unique code set for each product to identify each product individually. Typically, each product is assigned a barcode symbol that represents its unique product code as a barcode. 【0013】 [Configuration description of a fully self-service POS terminal] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the full self-service POS terminal 10. The full self-service POS terminal 10 includes a processor 101, main memory 102, auxiliary storage device 103, clock 104, communication interface 105, touch panel 106, camera 107, image processing unit 108, printer 109, cash handling machine 110, and system transmission line 111, etc. The system transmission line 111 includes an address bus, data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system transmission line 111 connects the processor 101 to the other parts directly or via signal input / output circuits and transmits data signals exchanged between them. 【0014】 The fully self-service POS terminal 10 is configured as a computer by connecting the processor 101, main memory 102, auxiliary storage device 103, clock 104, and communication interface 105 via a system transmission path 111. The fully self-service POS terminal 10 then connects devices such as a touch panel 106, camera 107, and printer 109, as well as an image processing unit 108 and a cash handling machine 110, to this computer via the system transmission path 111. Note that the devices connected to the system transmission path 111 are not limited to the above-mentioned devices. For example, various devices related to POS terminals, such as a keyboard, display, and handheld scanner, may be connected. 【0015】 Processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. Processor 101 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the full self-POS terminal 10 according to an operating system or an application program. Processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). 【0016】 Main memory 102 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. Main memory 102 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area, main memory 102 stores an operating system or an application program. Main memory 102 may store data necessary for the processor 101 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the non-volatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 102 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 101. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). 【0017】 Auxiliary storage device 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) etc. can be the auxiliary storage device 103. Auxiliary storage device 103 stores data used by the processor 101 to perform various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 101, etc. Auxiliary storage device 103 may store the above application program. 【0018】 Clock 104 measures the date and time. Processor 101 processes the date and time measured by clock 104 as the current date and time. 【0019】 The communication interface 105 controls data communication between the store server 30, attendant terminals 20, and other external devices connected via the communication network 40. 【0020】 The touch panel 106 is a device that combines an input device and a display device. The touch panel 106 displays information to the customer, who is the operator of the full self-service POS terminal 10, and accepts operation input from that customer. 【0021】 Camera 107 is an imaging device for photographing the product held over the reading window. Images captured by camera 107 are sequentially transferred to the image processing unit 108 for processing. 【0022】 Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a discounted product 50. As shown in the figure, a discount sticker 70 is attached to the discounted product 50 in addition to the barcode 60. The barcode 60 may be printed on the package of the discounted product 50, or it may be printed on a price label and affixed to the discounted product 50. The discount sticker 70 is affixed by an employee to a product that is discounted, for example, because it is nearing its expiration date, in a position that does not overlap with the barcode 60. The discount sticker 70 may be affixed to the same side as the barcode 60, or to a different side. 【0023】 The image processing unit 108 processes the image captured by the camera 107 to detect the barcode 60. The image processing unit 108 also processes the image captured by the camera 107 to detect the discount sticker 70. The technology for detecting the barcode 60 or discount sticker 70 from an image is already well known, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. When the barcode 60 is detected, the image processing unit 108 outputs a barcode detection signal to the processor 101. When the discount sticker 70 is detected, the image processing unit 108 outputs a discount sticker detection signal to the processor 101. 【0024】 The discount sticker 70 has information related to the discount printed on it. The processor 101 performs a discount on the product price based on the discount information. For example, if the processor 101 detects a discount sticker 70 that says "Half Price," it will discount the product price by half. For example, if the processor 101 detects a discount sticker 70 that says "10 Yen Off," it will discount the product price by 10 yen. For example, if the processor 101 detects a discount sticker 70 that says "5% Off," it will discount the product price by 5%. The discount sticker 70 is a type of promotional material. Here, the image processing unit 108 functions as a detection means to detect a promotional material on which promotional information is recorded from an image of the product. 【0025】 The printer 109 issues receipts by printing various text strings or images onto receipt paper. Examples of such printers 109 include thermal printers and dot matrix printers. 【0026】 The cash processing machine 110 is for processing cash. The cash processing machine 110 has a banknote input slot, a banknote output slot, a coin input slot, and a coin output slot. The cash processing machine 110 processes banknotes inserted into the banknote input slot. The cash processing machine discharges banknotes as change from the banknote output slot. The cash processing machine accepts and processes coins inserted into the coin input slot. The cash processing machine discharges coins as change from the coin output slot. 【0027】 In a fully self-service POS terminal 10 with such a configuration, the processor 101 has the functions of a locating means 121, a control means 122, and an output means 123. 【0028】 The identification means 121 is a function for identifying products. For example, the identification means 121 identifies a product by obtaining a product code based on the information of the barcode 60 detected by the image processing unit 108. The identification means 121 may also identify a product by obtaining the product code of a product selected from a list of products without barcodes displayed on the touch panel 106. The identification means 121 can also identify products by other methods. 【0029】 The control means 122 is a function that, in the image processing unit 108, displays the image in which the discount sticker 70, which is a promotional medium, has been detected, in association with the product information identified by the identification means 121, on a display device. The display device is typically a touch panel 106. The control means 122 may also display the image in which the discount sticker 70 has been detected on a display device other than the touch panel 106. 【0030】 The output means 123 is a function that outputs the information displayed on the display device to a monitoring terminal. The monitoring terminal is typically an attendant terminal 20. 【0031】 The functions of the image processing unit 108, and the functions of the processor 101 as the identification means 121, control means 122, and output means 123, are all realized according to the product processing program. The product processing program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. The method of installing the product processing program in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 is not particularly limited. The product processing program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed via communication over a communication network and installed in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. 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. 【0032】 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main memory areas formed in the main memory 102 of the full self-service POS terminal 10. In particular, the main memory 102 contains the latest buffer 1021, the details buffer 1022, and the total buffer 1023. 【0033】 The latest buffer 1021 is an area for storing at least the product code, product name, unit price, quantity, discount amount, total amount, and image of the most recently registered product. 【0034】 The details buffer 1022 is an area for storing the product code, product name, unit price, quantity, discount amount, total amount, and image of products registered before the most recent registered product, associated with a sequential number (No.) starting from "1". 【0035】 Total buffer 1023 is an area for storing the total number of registered items and the total price. 【0036】 Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing one example layout of the registration screen 80 displayed on the touch panel 106. As shown in the figure, the registration screen 80 has a latest information display section 81 and a details display section 82. The registration screen 80 also displays a payment button 83. Note that the button image displayed on the registration screen 80 is not limited to the payment button 83. Button images with other functions may also be displayed. 【0037】 The latest display section 81 is an area that displays the product name, unit price, quantity, and total amount of the most recently registered product, as well as the total quantity and total amount of all products that have been registered. In addition, if a discount is applied to the most recently registered product, the discount amount and an image related to the discount are displayed. In other words, the latest display section 81 is an area for displaying the data stored in the latest buffer 1021 and the data stored in the total buffer 1023. 【0038】 The details display section 82 is an area that displays the product name, quantity, unit price, discount amount, image, and price of products registered before the most recently registered product, in a list format, associated with a serial number in the order of registration. In other words, the details display section 82 is an area for displaying the data stored in the details buffer 1022. 【0039】 The payment button 83 is an operator used by the customer to indicate that they have finished registering their items and are now proceeding to payment. In other words, a customer who has finished registering their purchased items using the full self-service POS terminal 10 can proceed to payment by touching the payment button 83. 【0040】 [Explanation of operation of a fully self-service POS terminal] Figures 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the main steps of the primary information processing performed by the processor 101 according to the product processing program. Figure 9 is an example of a registration screen 80 that transitions during this information processing. The main operations of the full self-service POS terminal 10 will be explained below using each figure. Note that the operations described below are examples. The procedures or processing content can be changed as appropriate if similar effects can be achieved. Also, the screen layout, images, text, etc. are not limited to those shown in the figures. 【0041】 For example, a customer who has finished shopping in the store stands in front of the full self-service POS terminal 10 and touches the touch panel 106. This activates the product processing program, and the processor 101 begins processing information according to the procedure shown in the flowchart in Figure 6. 【0042】 First, the processor 101 resets the registered score counter N to "0" as ACT1. The registered score counter N is, for example, built into the processor 101. The registered score counter N may also be formed in the volatile area of ​​the main memory 102. 【0043】 Next, the processor 101 displays the registration screen 80 on the touch panel 106 as ACT2. At this point, the latest buffer 1021, the details buffer 1022, and the total buffer 1023 have all been cleared. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the touch panel 106 displays the registration screen 80 with blank fields for product information such as product name, quantity, and unit price. The processor 101, which controlled the display of the registration screen 80, activates the camera 107 as ACT3. 【0044】 After the customer confirms the registration screen 80, they hold the barcode 60 attached to the purchased item 50 over the reading window to self-register the purchased item 50. Camera 107 captures an image of the barcode 60 held over the reading window. At this time, camera 107 also captures an image of the surrounding product packaging as well as the barcode 60. Image processing unit 108 detects the barcode 60 from the image captured by camera 107. When the barcode 60 is detected, image processing unit 108 outputs a barcode detection signal to processor 101. 【0045】 Furthermore, if the purchased item 50 has a discount sticker 70 attached, the customer holds the discount sticker 70 over the reading window. Camera 107 captures an image of the discount sticker 70 held over the reading window. At this time, camera 107 also captures an image of the surrounding product packaging as well as the discount sticker 70. Image processing unit 108 detects the discount sticker 70 from the image captured by camera 107. When the discount sticker 70 is detected, image processing unit 108 outputs a discount sticker detection signal to processor 101. 【0046】 The processor 101, which has activated camera 107, checks whether it has received a barcode detection signal as ACT4. If it has not received a barcode detection signal, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT5. The processor 101 checks whether it has received a discount sticker detection signal as ACT5. If it has not received a discount sticker detection signal, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT6. The processor 101 checks whether it has received a payment signal as ACT6. The payment signal is a signal output from the touch panel 106 to the processor 101 when the touch panel 106 detects that the payment button 83 has been touched. If it has not received a payment signal, the processor 101 returns to ACT4. Here, the processor 101 waits in ACT4 through ACT6 to receive a barcode detection signal, a discount sticker detection signal, or a payment signal. 【0047】 When the processor 101 receives a barcode detection signal while in the waiting state of ACT4 through ACT6, it proceeds to ACT7. The processor 101 then executes the product information update process as ACT7. Details of the product information update process will be described later. After the product information update process is completed, the processor 101 returns to the waiting state of ACT4 through ACT6. 【0048】 When the processor 101 receives a discount sticker detection signal while in the waiting state of ACT4 to ACT6, it proceeds to ACT8. The processor 101 then executes the discount information update process as ACT8. Details of the discount information update process will be described later. After the discount information update process is completed, the processor 101 returns to the waiting state of ACT4 to ACT6. 【0049】 Once the customer has completed self-registration of all 50 purchased items, they touch the payment button 83. When the payment button 83 is touched, a payment signal is input from the touch panel 106 to the processor 101. In the standby state of ACT4 to ACT6, upon receiving the payment signal, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT9. As ACT9, the processor 101 stops the camera 107. Next, as ACT10, the processor 101 switches the screen of the touch panel 106 from the registration screen 80 to the accounting screen. The accounting screen is for accepting payment by payment method such as cash, credit card, or electronic money. For example, in the case of cash payment, the accounting screen displays the amount received, the amount of change, etc. 【0050】 The processor 101, which controls the display of the accounting screen, executes accounting processing as ACT 11. For example, in the case of cash payment, the processor 101 calculates the amount of change by subtracting the total transaction amount from the amount received in the cash handling machine 110, and displays the amount received and the amount of change on the accounting screen. The processor 101 also controls the printer 109 to print and issue a detailed receipt of the purchased items. 【0051】 Once the accounting process is complete, processor 101 proceeds to ACT12. As ACT12, processor 101 clears the latest buffer 1021, the item buffer 1022, and the total buffer 1023. With this, processor 101 finishes processing the product processing program for one customer. 【0052】 Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the specific steps involved in updating product information. When the product information update process begins, processor 101 increments the registration point counter N by "1" as ACT21. Then, processor 101 checks as ACT22 whether the registration point counter N is greater than "1". 【0053】 When the first purchased item is registered, the registration counter N is "1". At this time, both the latest buffer 1021 and the detail buffer 1022 are cleared. In contrast, when the second and subsequent purchased items are registered, the registration counter N becomes "2" or greater. At this time, at least the latest buffer 1021 contains the product code, product name, unit price, quantity, etc., related to the previously registered item. 【0054】 If the registered score counter N is "1", the processor 101 proceeds from ACT22 to ACT26. In other words, the processor 101 skips the processing of ACT23, ACT24, and ACT25. 【0055】 If the registered points counter N is greater than "1", the processor 101 proceeds from ACT22 to ACT23. The processor 101 retrieves the data from the latest buffer 1021 as ACT23. Then, as ACT24, the processor 101 adds the count value of the registered points counter N to the data from the latest buffer 1021 and writes it to the detail buffer 1022. The processor 101 clears the latest buffer 1021 as ACT25. After that, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT26. 【0056】 Thus, when registering the first purchased item, processor 101 skips the processing of ACT23 through ACT25 and proceeds to ACT26. When registering the second and subsequent purchased items, processor 101 executes the processing of ACT23 through ACT25 each time before proceeding to ACT26. 【0057】 Processor 101 detects a product code from the barcode detected by the image processing unit 108 as ACT26. Processor 101 retrieves product data such as product name and unit price stored in the product master file 31 in association with that product code as ACT27. Processor 101 creates product detail data including product code, product name, unit price, number of items, unit price and amount as ACT28. The number of items is "1" if no multiplication is registered, and the multiplier if a multiplication is registered. The amount is the amount calculated by multiplying the unit price by the number of items. 【0058】 Processor 101 writes the product details data to the latest buffer 1021 as ACT29. At this time, the discount amount is "0". Images are not included. Processor 101 updates the total buffer 1023 as ACT30. That is, processor 101 adds the number of points in the product sales data to the total points in the total buffer 1023. Also, processor 101 adds the amount of the product sales data to the total amount in the total buffer 1023. 【0059】 Processor 101 updates the registration screen 80 as ACT31. Specifically, processor 101 displays the product name, unit price, number of items, and amount from the latest buffer 1021, and the total number of items and total amount from the total buffer 1023, on the latest display unit 81. Processor 101 also displays the product name, unit price, number of items, and amount from the detail buffer 1022 on the detail display unit 82 in a sequential numerical order. 【0060】 Once the registration screen 80 has finished updating, the processor 101 controls the communication interface 105 to output the information from the registration screen 80 to the attendant terminal 20 as ACT32. This control transmits the information from the registration screen 80 to the attendant terminal 20. As a result, the monitoring screen of the attendant terminal 20 displays the same information as that from the registration screen 80. At this point, processor 101 exits the product information update process. 【0061】 Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the specific steps involved in updating discount information. When the discount information update process begins, processor 101 checks, as ACT41, whether the registered points counter N is greater than "0". If the discount information update process is entered without executing the product information update process, the registered points counter N is "0". In other words, this is an operational error where the discount sticker was read without identifying the purchased product, so processor 101 terminates this discount information update process as an error. 【0062】 If the registered points counter N is greater than "0", the processor 101 proceeds to ACT42. In ACT42, the processor 101 detects the discount information written on the discount sticker 70. Then, in ACT43, the processor 101 calculates the discount amount based on that discount information. For example, if the discount information is half price and the unit price of the specified product is 100 yen, the discount amount will be half of 100 yen, which is 50 yen. For example, if the discount information is 10 yen off and the unit price of the specified product is greater than or equal to that discount amount, the discount amount will be 10 yen. For example, if the discount information is 5% off and the unit price of the specified product is 100 yen, the discount amount will be 5 yen. 【0063】 Once the discount amount has been obtained, the processor 101 retrieves the image containing the discount sticker 70 from the image processing unit 108. The image processing unit 108 stores frame images captured by the camera 107 in chronological order. The processor 101 knows the frame time of the image in which the discount sticker was detected. The processor 101 retrieves the frame image with the matching frame time from the image processing unit 108. 【0064】 Once the captured image has been acquired, the processor 101 writes the frame image to the latest buffer 1021 as ACT45. The processor 101 also subtracts the discount amount from the total amount in the total buffer 1023 as ACT46. 【0065】 Processor 101 updates the registration screen 80 as ACT47. Specifically, processor 101 displays the discount amount and image described in the latest buffer 1021 on the latest display unit 81. Processor 101 also changes the total amount on the latest display unit 81 to match the total amount in the total buffer 1023. 【0066】 Once the registration screen 80 has finished updating, the processor 101 controls the communication interface 105 to output the information from the registration screen 80 to the attendant terminal 20 as ACT48. This control transmits the updated information from the registration screen 80 to the attendant terminal 20. As a result, the monitoring screen of the attendant terminal 20 displays the same information as the registration screen 80, namely the discount amount and the image. At this point, processor 101 exits the discount information update process. 【0067】 Here, the processor 101 functions as a specific means 121 according to ACT26 to ACT29 in Figure 7. The processor 101 functions as a control means 122 according to ACT44 to ACT47 in Figure 8. The processor 101 functions as an output means 123 according to ACT48 in Figure 8. 【0068】 [Explanation of the effects of fully self-service POS terminals] Figure 9 shows an example of the registration screen 80 when three items are registered: item AAA with a unit price of 100 yen, item BBB with a unit price of 500 yen, and item CCC with a unit price of 300 yen. Item AAA has a 10 yen discount sticker 70 attached. Item CCC has a half-price discount sticker attached. In this case, the customer first holds the barcode of item AAA over the reading window. Next, the customer holds the 10 yen discount sticker 70 over the reading window. Then the customer holds the barcode of item BBB over the reading window. Since item BBB does not have a discount sticker 70 attached, the customer does not hold the discount sticker over the reading window. Next, the customer holds the barcode of item CCC over the reading window. Then the customer holds the half-price discount sticker 70 over the reading window. 【0069】 When the full self-service POS terminal 10 is operated using the above procedure, the first row of the details display unit 82 will show the number of purchased item AAA as "1", the unit price as "100", the discount amount as "10", and the discounted price as "90", along with an image 91 of the discount sticker 70 being photographed. The image 91 also shows the surrounding product packaging along with the discount sticker 70. Therefore, the customer can recognize that the discount sticker 70 has been correctly applied to purchased item AAA. 【0070】 Furthermore, in row No. 2 of the details display section 82, the purchased item CCC is displayed with a quantity of "1", a unit price of "500", a discount amount of "0", and a total amount of "500". Nothing is displayed in the image column. Therefore, the customer can recognize that purchased item BBB is registered without a discount. 【0071】 Meanwhile, the latest display unit 81 displays the unit price "300" and quantity "1" of the purchased product CCC, along with the discounted price "150" and discount amount "150," and an image 92 of the half-price discount sticker 70 when it was captured. The image 92 also shows the product packaging surrounding the discount sticker 70. Therefore, the customer can recognize that the discount applied by the discount sticker 70 has been correctly applied to the purchased product CCC. 【0072】 However, suppose a customer registers purchased item BBB but holds the half-price discount sticker 70 over the reading window before registering purchased item CCC. In that case, as shown in Figure 10, the latest display unit 81 will display the unit price, quantity, etc. of purchased item BBB along with the image 92 of the discount sticker 70. Therefore, the customer will realize that they made a mistake in the order of operations with the discount sticker 70, and that purchased item BBB, not purchased item CCC, was discounted. Incidentally, in this case, the full self-service POS terminal 10 can be returned to the state before the discount sticker 70 was read by performing a predetermined cancellation operation. 【0073】 Incidentally, there are cases where customers try to misuse the discount sticker 70. For example, if it is a half-price discount sticker 70, the discount amount will be maximized by applying it to the item with the highest unit price. In the example above, the item with the highest unit price is purchased item BBB. Therefore, it is conceivable that a customer might intentionally hold the half-price discount sticker 70 over the reading window after registering purchased item BBB but before registering purchased item CCC. 【0074】 However, in that case, as shown in Figure 10, the unit price, number of items, etc. of purchased item BBB, along with an image 92 of the discount sticker 70 attached to purchased item CCC, are displayed on the latest display unit 81. Therefore, from the information on the latest display unit 81, it becomes immediately clear that purchased item CCC with the discount sticker 70 attached and purchased item BBB, which was discounted by that discount sticker 70, do not match. In other words, it becomes difficult for the customer to commit fraud by misusing the discount sticker 70, and the deterrent effect against fraud is fully realized. 【0075】 Furthermore, the attendant terminal 20 displays an image with the same content as the registration screen 80 displayed on the touch panel 106 of each full self-service POS terminal 10, in near real-time. Therefore, the attendant, who is monitoring the attendant terminal 20, can easily detect the misuse of the discount stickers 70. From this perspective as well, the deterrent effect against the misuse of the discount stickers 70 is very significant. 【0076】 Furthermore, there are cases of fraudulent misuse, such as replacing discount stickers 70 with other products. In such cases, the image of the product with discount sticker 70 attached matches the product registered immediately before. However, from the customer's perspective, since the image of the product with discount sticker 70 is displayed on the touch panel 106, they might think that the fraudulent act of replacing the discount sticker 70, for example, by an attendant, could be detected. Therefore, from this point of view as well, it can be said that there is a deterrent effect against the fraudulent misuse of discount stickers 70. 【0077】 In addition, the information displayed on the registration screen 80 is generally stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 as journal data. Therefore, by analyzing the journal data, it may be possible to easily detect the misappropriation of the discount stickers 70. 【0078】 [Differentiation] The product processing device is not limited to a fully self-service POS terminal 10 that allows customers to register purchased items themselves. For example, in a store that rents out recording media containing content such as music and movies, the store may include a special media item with a discount on the rental fee or an extension of the rental period. A terminal that allows customers to register such rental items themselves at the time of rental may be considered an example of a product processing device. 【0079】 In the above embodiment, the image processing unit 108 was described as a function separate from the processor 101. In this regard, the image processing unit 108 may be provided as a function of the processor 101. 【0080】 The promotional material is not limited to discount stickers. For example, it could be a multiplier change sticker that clearly indicates a change to the service point multiplier, such as doubling it. 【0081】 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] 【0082】 1...Accounting system, 10...Full self-service POS terminal, 20...Attendant terminal, 30...Store server, 31...Product master file, 40...Communication network, 70...Discount sticker, 80...Registration screen, 81...Latest display unit, 82...Details display unit, 83...Payment button, 101...Processor, 102...Main memory, 103...Auxiliary storage device, 104...Clock, 105...Communication interface, 106...Touch panel, 107...Camera, 108...Image processing unit, 109...Printer, 110...Cash handling machine, 111...System transmission line, 121...Identification means, 122...Control means, 123...Output means, 1021...Latest buffer, 1022...Details buffer, 1023...Total buffer.

Claims

[Claim 1] A means of identifying a product, A detection means for detecting a bonus medium on which bonus information is recorded from an image of the aforementioned product, A control means for displaying the image in which the aforementioned bonus medium was detected on a display device in association with information relating to the product identified by the identification means, A product processing device equipped with the following. [Claim 2] The display device includes a latest display unit that displays information relating to the most recently identified product, and a detail display unit that displays information relating to products fixed before the most recently identified product in a list format. The product processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the latest display unit to display the image in which the bonus medium was detected. [Claim 3] The product processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means, when the image is displayed on the latest display unit, causes the next product to be identified by the identification means, to display the image on the details display unit together with information relating to the product displayed on the latest display unit. [Claim 4] Output means for outputting information displayed on the aforementioned display device to a monitoring terminal, A product processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the above. [Claim 5] The computer of the product processing device A means of identifying a product, A detection means for detecting a bonus medium on which bonus information is recorded from an image of the aforementioned product, and Control means for displaying the image of the aforementioned bonus medium detected on a display device in association with information relating to the product identified by the identification means, A program designed to function as such.

Images