Product sales data processing system and store exit management device

Abstract

To enable efficient detection of fraudulent activity when using fully self-service product sales data processing equipment. [Solution] In a product sales data processing system that performs product registration processing and settlement processing in response to customer operations, the product sales data processing device comprises: an input receiving means for receiving input of information about products to be registered in response to customer operations; a registration status determination means for determining the status of product registration by the customer based on the operation status when the input receiving means is receiving input of information about products to be registered; and an output means for outputting transaction-related information including the product registration status determined by the registration status determination means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a product sales data processing system and a store exit response device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a technology of a self-checkout terminal (full self-checkout) in which a customer performs various operations for executing product sales data processing by himself / herself (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a full self-checkout product sales data processing device, there may be fraud such as performing an action to read a code symbol attached to a product but actually not reading the code symbol. For example, regarding a full self-checkout product sales data processing device, it is also possible to configure it to determine the occurrence of fraud based on an image obtained by imaging a customer with a camera or the like and to give a notification in response to the determination of the occurrence of fraud. However, in this case, since the full self-checkout product sales data processing device does not always give an error notification fraudulently, confirmation by a store clerk occurs. For this reason, inconveniences such as an increase in the workload of the store clerk or a decrease in the efficiency of customer checkout in the full self-checkout product sales data processing device may occur.

[0005] In consideration of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to enable efficient confirmation of fraud occurring when using a full self-checkout product sales data processing device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a product sales data processing system including a product sales data processing device that performs product registration processing and settlement processing according to a transaction in response to customer operations, wherein the product sales data processing device comprises an input receiving means for receiving input of information about products to be registered in response to customer operations, a registration status determination means for determining the product registration status by the customer based on the operation status when the input receiving means is receiving input of information about products to be registered, and an output means for outputting transaction-related information including the product registration status determined by the registration status determination means. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a network configuration diagram of the POS system in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of POS terminal installation in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the appearance of a POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the exit gate in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a probability fraud pattern in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a warning notification displayed in a POS terminal in the first embodiment in response to a pseudo-scan operation. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a warning notification displayed in a POS terminal in the first embodiment in response to a scan failure operation. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a processing procedure performed by the POS terminal and management device in the first embodiment in relation to information management in response to the occurrence of a probability fraud pattern. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a processing procedure performed by the exit gate and management device in the first embodiment in response to a customer leaving the sales area. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a notification display method corresponding to the occurrence of a probability fraud in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of a processing procedure performed by the exit gate and management device in the second embodiment in response to a customer leaving the sales area. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] <First Embodiment> [Example of a POS system configuration] Figure 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point of Sales) system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The POS system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises three POS terminals 20 (20-1, 20-2, 20-3), a store controller 10, a management device 30, and an exit gate 40, each of which is connected to the others via a LAN 11 for communication.

[0009] The store controller 10 is installed, for example, in the back room of a store and stores product master data. The product master data contains information about each product sold at the store. The POS terminal 20, for example, uses the product master data to register product names, prices, and other information when registering products.

[0010] The management device 30 stores, for example, the accounting records from the POS terminal 20. In this embodiment, "accounting" is a concept that includes, for example, the registration of goods in a transaction, and the settlement (payment) of the registered goods. Furthermore, the management device 30 may perform control to realize predetermined functions such as the POS terminal 20, exit gate 40, and store controller 10. The management device 30 may be installed in the store or may be provided as a cloud server outside the store.

[0011] The checkout gate 40 is a gate provided at the location where a customer who has completed checkout in the store's sales floor exits the sales floor.

[0012] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an installation example of the POS terminal 20. Figure 2(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 and the like as seen from the customer side. Figure 2(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 and the like as seen from the store employee side. As shown in Figure 2(A), a counter is placed on the right side of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side.

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an appearance example of the POS terminal. Figure 3(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side. Figure 3(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the store employee side. Figure 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the POS terminal 20. In Figures 3 and 4, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0014] Hereinafter, while referring to Figure 3, the configuration example of the POS terminal 20 shown in Figure 4 will be described. The POS terminal 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer-side display unit 205, a customer-side scanner unit 206, a card reader 208, a change dispenser 209, a store employee-side display unit 210, a key operation unit 211, a store employee-side scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, a communication unit 215, and a surveillance camera 216. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0015] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the POS terminal 20 by reading out and executing the programs stored in the ROM 202. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various kinds of information used by the CPU 201 including programs.

[0016] RAM203 is a read / write memory that stores various types of information. For example, RAM203 stores information obtained from external sources (e.g., product master data obtained from the store controller 10) and information generated during processing (e.g., registration information generated during the registration process, settlement information generated during the settlement process). In the following explanation, either or both of the registration information and settlement information may be referred to as transaction information.

[0017] The hard disk 204 is a storage device that stores various types of information. For example, instead of the ROM 202, the hard disk 204 may store programs executed by the CPU 201. Alternatively, instead of the RAM 203, it may store information obtained from external sources or information generated during processing. In addition, a storage device such as an SSD may be provided instead of the hard disk 204.

[0018] The customer-side display unit 205 is a touch display for customers, which displays various information to customers and accepts various inputs from customers. The customer-side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for the customer and optically reads code symbols such as barcodes (product codes, etc.) attached to products.

[0019] The customer-side scanner unit 206 is used when the customer registers products, but the customer may register products by other means. For example, if the customer-side display unit 205 displays an order button for a product, the customer can register the product by operating (pressing) the order button.

[0020] The card reader 208 is capable of reading information from various cards (credit cards, transportation cards, etc.) and performing payment processing. The card reader 208 is also capable of reading information from membership cards, point cards, etc. The card reader 208 in this embodiment may include, for example, a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit, but it is sufficient that it includes at least a card recognition unit.

[0021] The change dispenser 209 (cash settlement unit) is a cash settlement mechanism that has slots for inserting banknotes and coins, and slots for dispensing banknotes and coins. It calculates the amount to be inserted into the slot, calculates the amount of change which is the difference between the inserted amount and the purchase amount, and dispenses the change from the dispensing slot.

[0022] The employee-side display unit 210 is a touch display for employees, which displays various information to employees and accepts various inputs from them. The key operation unit 211 consists of various keys (buttons) and accepts various inputs from store staff. The employee-side scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for employees, and optically reads, for example, barcodes (product codes, etc.) attached to products or employee codes attached to employee name tags.

[0023] The employee-side scanner unit 212 is used when an employee registers a product, but employees may register products by other means. For example, if the key operation unit 211 has keys corresponding to products (for example, a key corresponding to a sports newspaper), the employee can register the product by operating (pressing) the key. Also, if the employee-side display unit 210 displays preset keys corresponding to products, the employee can register the product by operating the preset key.

[0024] The printing unit 213 is a printing unit that ejects media, and for example, prints and issues various media such as receipts. The printing unit 213 is a single printing unit whose orientation (direction of the media output slot) can be freely changed from the employee side to the customer side and from the customer side to the employee side. The orientation of the printing unit 213 may be changed manually, or it may be changed automatically (mechanically controlled, etc.) according to the transition of the operating mode. The correctness of the orientation of the printing unit 213 may be detected by a sensor or the like.

[0025] The audio output unit 214 outputs sound. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs voice guidance, etc. The communication unit 215 transmits and receives information between it and other devices (other POS terminals 20, store controller 10).

[0026] The surveillance camera 216 is installed to monitor for fraudulent activity while customers are registering products. For example, the surveillance camera 216 is installed to capture images of the customer's hands and the products while the customer is registering products using the customer-side scanner unit 206. Furthermore, if the customer-side scanner unit 206 is configured to read code symbols by imaging, the customer-side scanner unit 206 may, instead of the surveillance camera 216, image the customer's hands and the product while registering the product using the customer-side scanner unit 206, along with the code symbol attached to the product. Alternatively, both the surveillance camera 216 and the customer-side scanner unit 206 may be used to image the customer's hands and the product while registering the product using the customer-side scanner unit 206.

[0027] Although not shown in the diagram, the POS terminal 20 may be equipped with a signpost or lamps, and may be capable of providing predetermined notifications by lighting up the signpost or lamps.

[0028] [Overview of each operating mode] Next, the operating modes of the POS terminal 20 will be explained. The POS terminal 20 has multiple operating modes. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 has four types of operating modes (normal mode, full self-service mode, and semi-self-service mode). Note that the operating modes described below are operating modes related to accounting during normal business operations (operating modes related to product registration processing and settlement processing), and do not include aggregation modes for aggregating and checking sales and inventory, maintenance modes for when store employees or maintenance personnel perform setup and maintenance work, or training modes for when new employees are being trained. In the following explanation, as an alternative to the classification of the four operating modes described above, the mode in which the POS terminal 20 performs product registration processing may be referred to as registration mode, and the mode in which it performs settlement processing may be referred to as settlement mode.

[0029] [Normal Mode] The normal mode is an operating mode in which the store clerk performs the registration process and the customer performs the payment process. In other words, in normal mode, the store clerk is in registration mode and the customer is in payment mode. That is to say, the POS terminal 20 operates in registration-payment mode from the perspective of the entire process from registration to payment.

[0030] In normal mode, the store clerk registers the customer's purchased items on the clerk's side (clerk-side scanner unit 212, clerk-side display unit 210, key operation unit 211). In other words, the POS terminal 20 performs the process of registering purchased items based on the clerk's operation (operation of the clerk-side scanner unit 212, clerk-side display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.).

[0031] Once the store clerk has completed the registration process, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the clerk's display unit 210, inserts money into the change dispenser 209, or operates the card reader 208 to complete the payment. In other words, the POS terminal 20 performs the payment process based on the customer's actions (inserting money into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208).

[0032] Customers may wait until the store clerk completes the registration process (until the total amount is finalized), but they may also insert money into the change machine 209 before the registration process is complete. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can accept deposits while the registration process is underway.

[0033] Furthermore, the store clerk may wait until the customer has completed payment (until the customer receives their change and receipt), or they may register the items purchased by the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can register the items purchased by the next customer while payment is being processed. Also, the store clerk may be absent while the customer is paying. In other words, they may finish assisting the customer while the customer is paying.

[0034] Furthermore, if there is change to be paid, the POS terminal 20 controls the dispensing of change by the change dispenser 209 to prevent customers from forgetting their change. After the sensor or other means recognizes that the customer has taken the change, the printer 213 controls the issuance of a receipt. The same applies to other operating modes. As mentioned above, in normal mode, there may or may not be a store clerk in front of the customer receiving their change. If a store clerk is present, the above control does not necessarily have to be performed (i.e., the dispensing of change and issuance of the receipt may be performed simultaneously, or the receipt may be issued first). In addition, the timing of dispensing change and issuance of the receipt may be controlled depending on the current operating mode and the presence or absence of a store clerk (for example, the presence or absence of a store clerk is recognized by a sensor).

[0035] [Full Self Mode] Full self-service mode is an operating mode in which the customer performs both the registration process and the payment process. In other words, in full self-service mode, the customer is in both registration and payment mode. That is, when viewed as a whole from registration to payment, the POS terminal 20 operates in registration and payment mode.

[0036] In full self-service mode, the customer registers the purchased items on their end (customer-side scanner unit 206, customer-side display unit 205). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process for purchased items based on customer operations (scanning with the customer-side scanner unit 206, touching the customer-side display unit 205).

[0037] Once the registration process is complete, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the customer-side display unit 205, inserts money into the change dispenser 209, or, in the case of credit card payment, operates the card reader 208 to complete the payment. In other words, the POS terminal 20 performs the payment process based on the customer's actions (inserting money into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208).

[0038] As mentioned above, in full self-service mode, the customer performs both registration and payment processing, but this does not mean that the store staff are unable to do anything. In other words, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in full self-service mode, the store staff's scanner unit 212 can still scan the store staff code. Also, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in full self-service mode, the store staff's display unit 210 can still display various information. For example, when operating in full self-service mode, the employee-side display unit 210 may display the same screen as that displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, corresponding to the registration and payment processes being performed by the customer. In other words, the employee-side display unit 210 may display a mirrored version of the content displayed on the customer-side display unit 205. This allows the employee to understand what operations the customer is performing and the processing status of the POS terminal 20 in full self-service mode.

[0039] [Semi-Self Mode] The semi-self-service mode is an operating mode using two or more POS terminals 20, in which the registration process is performed on the employee side of at least one POS terminal 20, and the payment process is performed on the customer side of another POS terminal 20. In other words, in semi-self-service mode, one or more POS terminals 20 are in registration-only mode, and one or more other POS terminals 20 are in payment-only mode.

[0040] In semi-self-service mode, the store clerk registers the customer's purchased items on the POS terminal 20 in registration-only mode using the clerk's side (clerk-side scanner unit 212, clerk-side display unit 210, key operation unit 211). In other words, the POS terminal 20 performs the purchase item registration process based on the clerk's operation (operation of the clerk-side scanner unit 212, clerk-side display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.).

[0041] Once the store clerk has completed the registration process, the customer moves to the POS terminal 20 in payment-only mode, checks the total amount of purchased items on the clerk's display unit 210, inserts money into the change dispenser 209, or operates the card reader 208 to complete the payment. In other words, the POS terminal 20 performs the payment process based on the customer's actions (inserting money into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208).

[0042] When the registration process is completed at the POS terminal 20 in registration-only mode, the customer moves from the POS terminal 20 in registration-only mode to the POS terminal 20 in payment-only mode, and the destination POS terminal 20 is supplied with the information necessary for payment processing (such as the registration information generated at the POS terminal 20 in registration-only mode).

[0043] The destination POS terminal 20 (the POS terminal 20 in settlement-only mode that will perform the settlement process) may be specified in the POS terminal 20 in registration-only mode. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 in registration-only mode may issue a medium (a medium on which a barcode or the like is printed to obtain the information necessary for settlement processing), and the POS terminal 20 in settlement-only mode that reads the medium may be designated as the destination POS terminal 20.

[0044] In semi-self-service mode, after submitting the customer's registration information, the store clerk can register the next customer's purchases. Furthermore, the clerk may be absent after submitting the registration information.

[0045] [Example configuration of the management device] Referring to Figure 5, an example configuration of the management device 30 will be described. The management device 30 may be configured with hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and storage devices such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The management device 30 may also be equipped with a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) as hardware. The functions of the management device 30 shown in the figure are realized by the CPU and GPU provided in the management device 30 executing programs.

[0046] The management device 30 in the figure comprises a communication unit 301, a control unit 302, and a storage unit 303. The communication unit 301 is connected to various other devices via the LAN 11 so that it can communicate with them.

[0047] The control unit 302 performs various controls corresponding to the functions of the management device 30.

[0048] The memory unit 303 stores various types of information corresponding to the management device 30.

[0049] Referring to Figure 6, an example configuration of the exit gate 40 will be described. The exit gate 40 may be configured with hardware such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and storage devices such as an HDD or SSD. The exit gate 40 may also be equipped with a GPU as hardware. The functions of the exit gate 40 shown in the figure are realized by the CPU and GPU provided in the exit gate 40 executing programs.

[0050] The exit gate 40 includes a communication unit 401, a lamp 402, a scanner unit 403, a sound output unit 404, a display unit 405, a gate mechanism unit 406, and a storage unit 407.

[0051] The communication unit 401 communicates with various other devices via the LAN 11.

[0052] The lamp 402 provides notification of a predetermined content by lighting up in a predetermined lighting pattern in response to control by the control unit 408.

[0053] The scanner unit 403 reads the code symbol. The code symbol that the scanner unit 403 can read may be a one-dimensional code (barcode) or a two-dimensional code.

[0054] The sound output unit 404 outputs electronic sounds or voices in accordance with the control of the control unit 408.

[0055] The display unit 405 displays an image.

[0056] The gate mechanism 406 includes a gate installed in the path through which customers exit the store's sales area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the gate. The gate mechanism 406 opens and closes the gate under the control of the control unit 408.

[0057] The memory unit 407 stores various information related to the exit gate 40.

[0058] [About fraud prevention features] In the POS system of this embodiment, the POS terminal 20 is configured to operate in full self-service mode. When the POS terminal 20 operates in full self-service mode, there is a possibility of fraud, such as customers taking goods without paying. Therefore, in the POS system of this embodiment, an exit gate 40 is provided on the path that customers take when leaving the store's sales floor, and once it is confirmed that the customer has completed payment, the gate of the exit gate 40 is opened to allow the customer to pass through.

[0059] Furthermore, when POS terminal 20 is operated in full self-service mode, even if a customer completes the payment, there is a possibility of fraud (registration fraud) occurring where items that should be registered are not registered during the product registration stage before payment. Regarding fraudulent registration, the POS terminal 20 can determine this based, for example, on images captured by a surveillance camera 216 installed on the POS terminal 20 or on customer actions related to product registration. In this case, the POS terminal 20 may notify the customer by sound, a signpost, a light, etc., when it determines that fraudulent registration has occurred, and a store employee may go to the POS terminal 20 upon receiving the notification to check the customer's product registration status. However, if the POS terminal 20 is notified of fraudulent registration as described above, a store employee will have to go to the location of the POS terminal 20 each time a notification is made, which will increase the workload of the employee. In addition, at the location where the POS terminal 20 is installed, verification work will be performed, for example, by comparing the breakdown of registered products with the breakdown of products actually possessed by the customer. During this verification work, other customers will not be able to use the POS terminal 20, which will reduce the efficiency of customer service. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described below, notification regarding fraudulent registration is made at the exit gate 40 when the customer leaves the sales floor. With this configuration, store staff do not need to go to the POS terminal 20, and fraudulent registration can be checked efficiently. In addition, the POS terminal 20 becomes available for use by the next customer, improving the efficiency of customer handling.

[0060] Referring to Figure 7, the types of fraudulent registration (fraudulent patterns) that are subject to determination in the POS system of this embodiment will be explained. In this embodiment, the fraudulent patterns that are subject to determination may be intentional acts by customers, but they may also occur unintentionally by customers without malicious intent, and are not always definitively determined to be fraudulent. In other words, the fraudulent patterns in this embodiment are merely patterns that suggest the possibility (probability) that fraud has occurred. Therefore, in the following, the fraudulent registrations subject to determination in this embodiment will be referred to as probable fraud.

[0061] Figure 7 shows an example in this embodiment where six probable fraud patterns are defined. The six probable fraud patterns are pseudo-scan operation, scan failure operation, product quantity input operation, registered quantity change operation, registered product cancellation operation, and product external appearance discrepancy registration.

[0062] A simulated scan operation is an action performed by the customer only to allow the customer-side scanner unit 206 to read the product code symbol (product code symbol) attached to the product, in such a way that the customer-side scanner unit 206 cannot read the product code symbol. More specifically, this includes an operation in which the customer covers the product code symbol attached to the product with their hand and then passes the product over the customer-side scanner unit 206 without scanning it.

[0063] The POS terminal 20 may determine that a pseudo-scan operation has occurred if, for example, a scan operation is detected from the image captured by the surveillance camera 216, but the customer-side scanner unit 206 does not read the product code symbol at the timing corresponding to the said scan operation.

[0064] If such a pseudo-scan operation is performed, a warning notification may be issued to the customer via the POS terminal 20. Figure 8 shows an example of a warning notification displayed on the customer-side display unit 205 in response to the POS terminal 20 detecting the occurrence of a pseudo-scan operation. In this figure, the warning notification corresponding to the pseudo-scan operation is shown on the pseudo-scan operation notification screen WD10. The pseudo-scan operation notification screen WD10 in this figure is shown as an example of a pop-up screen superimposed on the product registration screen. A confirmation button BT10 is placed on the pseudo-scan operation notification screen WD10. The pseudo-scan operation notification screen WD10 is dismissed when the customer operates the confirmation button BT10.

[0065] The customer can recognize that they have performed a simulated scan operation through the displayed simulated scan operation notification screen WD10. A customer without malicious intent will operate the confirmation button BT10 to dismiss the simulated scan operation notification screen WD10, and then perform the scan operation again on the product code symbol attached to the target product.

[0066] Return to the explanation in Figure 7. A scan failure operation is a scan operation in which the customer-side scanner unit 206 reads the code symbol, but for some reason, it fails to be properly recognized as a product code symbol. Such scan failure operations correspond to events such as reading errors caused by failure to correct errors in the code symbol read by the customer-side scanner unit 206. Specific examples of scan failure operations include cases where part of the product code symbol attached to the product is obscured by the hand during the scan operation, or where the product is moved too quickly in front of the customer-side scanner unit 206 during the scan operation.

[0067] If such a scanning failure occurs, the POS terminal 20 may issue a warning to the customer. Figure 9 shows an example of a warning notification displayed on the customer-side display unit 205 in response to the POS terminal 20 detecting a scan failure. In this figure, the warning notification corresponding to the scan failure is shown on the scan failure notification screen WD20. The scan failure notification screen WD20 in this figure is shown as a pop-up screen superimposed on the product registration screen. A confirmation button BT20 is located on the scan failure notification screen WD20. The scan failure notification screen WD20 is cleared when the customer operates the confirmation button BT20.

[0068] The customer can recognize that they have performed a scan failure operation through the displayed scan failure notification screen WD20. A customer without malicious intent will operate the confirmation button BT20 to clear the scan failure notification screen WD20 and then perform the scan operation again on the product code symbol attached to the product in question.

[0069] Return to the explanation in Figure 7. The product quantity input operation is not a product registration operation that involves reading a product code symbol, but rather an operation that registers a product by operating the product selection buttons located on the customer-side display unit 205 to select a product and then inputting the quantity of the selected product to be purchased. If the product quantity input operation was performed, there is a possibility that fraudulent activity occurred where the customer entered a purchase quantity less than the number of corresponding products they currently possessed.

[0070] The operation to change the registered quantity is an operation to change the number of registered items purchased. If this operation is performed, there is a possibility that fraudulent activity may occur where the number of items purchased is reduced to a number less than the number of items the customer currently possesses.

[0071] The registered product cancellation operation is the process of canceling the registration of a product that has already been registered. If a registered product cancellation operation is performed, there is a possibility that a customer may attempt to leave the store with the canceled product in their possession without returning it to the sales floor.

[0072] A product external appearance discrepancy registration is a registration in which the product type estimated from the external appearance of the product to be registered, as captured by the surveillance camera 216, differs from the product type identified by reading the product code symbol of the same product to be registered through a scanning operation. Specifically, such product external appearance discrepancies occur when, for example, the product to be registered is a bundle of multiple individual products packaged together (a bundled product), and the product code symbol attached to one of the individual products that is exposed from the packaging is scanned by the customer's scanner unit 206.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, each of the above-mentioned probable fraud patterns may be assigned probable fraud pattern identification information. The probable fraud pattern identification information uniquely identifies the corresponding probable fraud pattern.

[0074] It should be noted that the probability fraud patterns are not limited to the five examples mentioned above. For example, probability fraud patterns may include the number of times discounted items were registered during store operating hours.

[0075] [Example of processing procedure] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 10, an example of a processing procedure performed by the POS terminal 20 and the management device 30 in this embodiment in relation to information management in response to the occurrence of a probable fraud pattern will be described.

[0076] First, let's explain an example of the processing procedure performed by the POS terminal 20. The processing performed by the POS terminal 20 in the diagram corresponds to accounting, including the procedures from product registration to settlement for a single transaction. Step S100: The POS terminal 20 determines whether the product code symbol was successfully read in response to the customer's scanning operation.

[0077] Step S102: If the product code symbol is successfully read in step S100, the POS terminal 20 executes the product registration process. For example, the POS terminal 20 obtains the product code (product identification information) from the read product code symbol. The POS terminal 20 obtains the product information associated with the obtained product identification information from the product master. The product master may be stored in the POS terminal 20 or in a higher-level device such as the store controller 10. The POS terminal 20 includes the obtained product information in the product registration information. The product registration information may be stored in a storage device such as the hard disk 204.

[0078] Step S104: After processing in step S102, or if it is determined in step S100 that the product code was not read correctly, the POS terminal 20 determines whether or not one of the probable fraud patterns (Figure 7) has occurred.

[0079] Step S106: If a probable fraudulent pattern occurs, the POS terminal 20 generates fraud history information showing the history of the probable fraudulent pattern that occurred. If the probable fraudulent pattern that occurred was an operation to input the number of items to be placed, an operation to change the number of items to be registered, an operation to cancel a registered item, or a registration of an item with a different appearance, the fraud history information may include information indicating the corresponding item. The POS terminal 20 stores the generated fraud history information in a storage device such as the hard disk 204.

[0080] Step S108: After processing in step S106, or if it is determined in step S104 that no likely fraudulent pattern has occurred, the POS terminal 20 determines whether a settlement transition instruction operation has been performed. A settlement transition instruction operation is an operation that instructs the terminal to transition to settlement corresponding to the products registered so far. If the settlement transition instruction operation is not performed, the process returns to step S100.

[0081] Step S110: If it is determined in step S108 that a payment transition instruction operation has been performed, the POS terminal 20 executes the payment process according to the customer's operation.

[0082] Step S112: Once the accounting process in step S110 is complete, the POS terminal 20 generates accounting information. The accounting information includes transaction identification information indicating a corresponding transaction, product registration information indicating the product registration results up to that point for the corresponding transaction, settlement information indicating the result of the settlement process in step S110, and fraud history information stored up to step S106 for the corresponding transaction. The POS terminal 20 transmits the generated accounting information to the management device 30.

[0083] Step S114: The POS terminal 20 generates an accounting code symbol. The accounting code symbol includes transaction identification information that indicates a corresponding transaction. The accounting code symbol may be a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code.

[0084] Step S116: The POS terminal 20 issues a receipt showing the accounting result for the corresponding transaction. The receipt may include the contents of the product registration information and the settlement information included in the accounting information generated in step S112. Furthermore, the accounting code symbol obtained in step S114 is printed on the receipt in this embodiment. In this embodiment, for a customer to exit the store after completing payment, they must have the payment code symbol printed on the receipt read by the exit gate 40. The customer then receives the issued receipt.

[0085] Next, an example of a processing procedure performed by the management device 30 will be described. Step S200: The management device 30 receives the accounting information transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in step S111. Step S202: The management device 30 stores the received accounting information in the storage unit 303.

[0086] In this embodiment, fraud history information regarding probable fraud patterns that occurred at the POS terminal 20 in the accounting of a single transaction is managed to be included in the accounting information of the same single transaction and stored in the management device 30.

[0087] Referring to the flowchart in Figure 11, an example of the processing procedure that the exit gate 40 and the management device 30 perform in response to a customer leaving the sales floor will be explained. First, we will explain an example of the processing procedure performed by the exit gate 40. Step S300: When a customer who has completed payment at the POS terminal 20 leaves the sales floor, they are instructed to have the payment code symbol printed on the receipt issued by the POS terminal 20 read by the scanner unit 403 of the exit gate 40. The exit gate 40 reads the payment code symbol via the scanner unit 403.

[0088] Step S302: The exit gate 40 obtains transaction identification information indicated by the accounting code symbol read in step S300.

[0089] Step S304: Exit gate 40 sends an accounting-related notification request containing transaction identification information obtained in step S302.

[0090] Step S306: The exit gate 40 receives the accounting-related notification sent from the management device 30 in response to the accounting-related notification request sent in step S304.

[0091] Step S308: The accounting-related notifications transmitted from the management device 30 will be one of three: an accounting error notification, a probability fraud notification, or a proper accounting notification. The accounting error notification indicates that the accounting information for the transaction (target transaction) indicated by the transaction identification information obtained in step S302 was not stored in the management device 30 during the period from the present to a predetermined time in the past (verification validity period). In other words, the accounting error notification indicates that the accounting for the target transaction was not performed at the store during the verification validity period. Therefore, the accounting error notification indicates that, for example, an fraudulent act has occurred, such as a customer having the exit gate 40 read the accounting code symbol from a receipt for a past transaction. A notification of probable fraud is a notification that probable fraud occurred in the transaction in question. A proper accounting notice is a notification that the transaction in question has been completed properly. In other words, a proper accounting notice notifies that the accounting for the transaction in question was completed within the verification validity period and that no probable fraud occurred. In step S308, the exit gate 40 determines whether the accounting-related notification received in step S306 is an accounting error notification.

[0092] Step S310: If it is determined in step S308 that there is a billing error notification, the exit gate 40 executes billing error response control. As part of the accounting error response control, exit gate 40 remains closed without opening. Furthermore, exit gate 40 is controlled to notify the customer of an accounting error. Notification of an accounting error may be made by an electronic sound or voice notification from the sound output unit 404. Alternatively, notification of an accounting error may be made by the illumination of the lamp 402 in a predetermined pattern. Furthermore, notification of an accounting error may be made by a display on the display unit 405. In this case, the display unit 405 may display the transaction identification information acquired in step S302. Displaying the transaction identification information makes it easier for the store clerk to confirm whether the transaction in question has been performed in the past.

[0093] Step S312: If it is determined in step S310 that the received accounting-related notification is not an accounting error notification, the exit gate 40 further determines whether the received accounting-related notification is a likely fraudulent notification.

[0094] Step S314: If it is determined in step S312 that the notification is likely fraudulent, the exit gate 40 executes the likely fraud response control. As a measure to counter probable fraud, exit gate 40 is kept closed without opening. Additionally, as a measure to counter probable fraud, exit gate 40 is controlled to notify the customer if probable fraud has occurred in the transaction in question. Notification of a probable fraud may be made by an electronic sound or voice notification from the sound output unit 404. Alternatively, notification of a probable fraud may be made by the illumination of the lamp 402 in a predetermined pattern. Furthermore, notification of a probable fraud may be made by a display on the display unit 405. When such a notification is issued, store employees waiting at exit gate 40 can check the displayed list of registered items and the likely fraudulent patterns, and compare them with the items the customer possesses, thereby verifying the fraud.

[0095] Figure 12 shows an example of the content of a notification (probable fraud-related notification) regarding the occurrence of a probable fraud, which is displayed on the display unit 405. The figure shows an example where a list of registered products and a list of likely fraud occurrences are displayed as notifications related to suspected fraud. The registered product list is a list of products registered in the relevant transaction. In the registered product list, each product's corresponding list item includes the product name and quantity fields. The product name field indicates the name of the corresponding product. The quantity field indicates the quantity registered for the corresponding product.

[0096] The Probable Fraud List is a list of probable frauds that have occurred in the target transactions. In the Probable Fraud List, each list item corresponding to a single probable fraud includes the probable fraud pattern, the number of occurrences, and the corresponding product. The "Probable Fraud Pattern" field indicates the pattern of the corresponding probable fraud. The "Number of Occurrences" field indicates the number of times the corresponding probable fraud occurred in the transaction in question. The "Corresponding Product" field indicates the name of the relevant product from the registered product list if the corresponding probable fraud pattern is one of the following: product quantity input operation, registered quantity change operation, registered product cancellation operation, or product external appearance discrepancy registration. Furthermore, when the number of registered items is changed, the quantities before and after the change may also be displayed. Furthermore, as a notification related to suspected fraud, it is acceptable to display a list of suspected fraud occurrences but not the list of registered products.

[0097] Return to the explanation in Figure 11. Step S316: If it is determined in step S312 that no notification of suspected fraud was received, then the accounting-related notification received in step S306 is considered a valid accounting notification. In this case, the exit gate 40 executes pass-through control. Exit gate 40, as a pass-through control, controls the gate to open so that customers can exit the sales floor. Exit gate 40 may also provide notification, by sound, light, display, etc., that the accounting for the transaction has been properly completed. Specifically, a message indicating that the accounting for the transaction has been properly completed may be displayed to the customer in text or an image with a predetermined design. Exit gate 40 may also provide guidance, by sound, light, display, etc., to the customer to pass through the gate and exit the sales floor.

[0098] Furthermore, if the exit gate 40 performs pass-through control (step S316) in response to not receiving a notification of likely fraud (i.e., no likely fraud occurred), then the notification related to likely fraud, as illustrated in Figure 12, does not need to be displayed. Alternatively, if pass-through control is performed, the registered product list may be displayed instead of the list of likely fraud occurrences. Furthermore, at the exit gate 40, a threshold may be set for the number of occurrences of each probable fraud pattern. If the number of occurrences of a probable fraud pattern exceeds the threshold, a probable fraud-related notification including a list of probable fraud occurrences for the probable fraud pattern that exceeded the threshold may be displayed. In this case, if there are no probable fraud patterns whose number of occurrences exceeds the threshold, the registered product list may be displayed and the list of probable fraud occurrences may not be displayed.

[0099] Next, an example of a processing procedure performed by the management device 30 will be described. Step S400: The management device 30 receives the accounting-related notification request sent from the exit gate 40 in step S304.

[0100] Step S402: The management device 30 searches for accounting information from among the accounting information stored on the hard disk 204 within the verification validity period, which contains the same transaction identification information as that included in the accounting-related notification request received in step S400.

[0101] Step S404: The management device 30 determines whether the relevant accounting information was found as a result of the search performed in step S402.

[0102] Step S406: If the searched accounting information is not found, the management device 30 sends an accounting error notification to the exit gate 40 as an accounting-related notification. After the processing in step S406, the processing shown in the figure may be terminated.

[0103] Step S408: If accounting information is retrieved in step S404, the management device 30 determines whether or not the retrieved accounting information contains fraud history information.

[0104] Step S410: If fraud history information is included, the management device 30 sends a suspected fraud notification to the exit gate 40 as an accounting-related notification. Here, if the exit gate 40 is configured to provide notification via a display as illustrated in Figure 12 as a probability fraud response control, the management device 30 may include the product registration information and fraud history information contained in the retrieved accounting information in the probability fraud notification. The exit gate 40 may use the product registration information and fraud history information contained in the received probability fraud notification to display the display as illustrated in Figure 12 as a probability fraud response control. After the processing in step S410, the processing shown in the figure may be terminated.

[0105] Step S412: If it is determined in step S408 that the accounting information does not contain any fraudulent history information, the management device 30 sends a proper accounting notification to the exit gate 40 as an accounting-related notification.

[0106] <Second Embodiment> Next, we will describe the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the probability fraud response control and pass-through response control of the exit gate 40, which correspond to the presence or absence of probability fraud, are implemented without communication with the management device 30. Therefore, in step S114 of this embodiment, the POS terminal 20 generates an accounting code symbol in addition to the transaction identification information, which indicates the fraud history information stored in the previous step S106 for a corresponding transaction. In this case, the receipt printed in step S116 will have the transaction identification information and the accounting code symbol indicating the fraud history information printed on it.

[0107] The flowchart in Figure 13 illustrates an example of the processing procedure that the exit gate 40 and the management device 30 of this embodiment perform in response to a customer leaving the sales floor. First, let's describe an example of the processing procedure performed by the exit gate 40. The processing in steps S500 and S502 is the same as in steps S300 and S302 in Figure 11.

[0108] Step S504: Instead of sending an accounting-related notification request as in step S304 of Figure 11, the exit gate 40 sends an accounting confirmation request to the management device 30 to check for any accounting errors.

[0109] Step S506: Exit gate 40 receives a response in response to the payment confirmation request sent in step S504.

[0110] Step S508: The exit gate 40 determines whether the response received in step S506 was an accounting error notification or a proper accounting notification.

[0111] Step S510: If it is determined in step S508 that an accounting error notification has been received, the exit gate 40 may perform accounting error response control similar to step S310 in Figure 11.

[0112] Step S512: If it is determined in step S508 that a proper accounting notification was received instead of an accounting error notification, the exit gate 40 determines whether or not the information indicated by the accounting code symbol read in step S500 contained fraudulent history information.

[0113] Step S514: If it is determined in step S512 that fraudulent history information was included, the exit gate 40 may perform the same probability fraud response control as in step S314 in Figure 11.

[0114] Step S516: If it is determined in step S514 that no fraudulent history information is included, the exit gate 40 may perform the same passage control as in step S316 in Figure 11.

[0115] Next, an example of a processing procedure performed by the management device 30 will be described. Step S600: The management device 30 receives the payment confirmation request sent from the exit gate 40 in step S504.

[0116] Step S602: The management device 30 searches for accounting information stored in the hard disk 204 within the confirmation validity period that contains the same transaction identification information as that included in the accounting confirmation request received in step S600.

[0117] Step S604: The management device 30 determines whether the relevant accounting information was found as a result of the search performed in step S602.

[0118] Step S606: If the searched accounting information is not found, the management device 30 sends an accounting error notification to the exit gate 40 as an accounting-related notification. After the processing in step S406, the processing shown in the figure may be terminated.

[0119] Step S608: If it is determined in step S604 that the relevant accounting information has been retrieved, the management device 30 sends a proper accounting notification to the exit gate 40. The proper accounting notification sent in step S412 in Figure 11 indicates that no accounting errors occurred in the target transaction and that no probable fraud has occurred. However, the proper accounting notification sent in step S608 of this embodiment indicates that no accounting errors occurred, but does not concern itself with whether or not probable fraud has occurred.

[0120] <Variation> Modifications of this embodiment will be described below. [First variation] In each of the above embodiments, if the exit gate 40 is configured to provide notification regarding probable fraud in the manner illustrated in Figure 12, for example, in response to an operation to select a list item of probable fraud, the image captured by the surveillance camera 216 when the relevant probable fraud occurred may be displayed on the display unit 405. Alternatively, in response to an operation to select a list item of a product corresponding to the occurrence of probable fraud (product quantity input operation, registered quantity change operation, registered product cancellation operation, and product external shape discrepancy registration), the image captured by the surveillance camera 216 when the relevant probable fraud occurred may be displayed on the display unit 405.

[0121] To display the captured images as described above, the POS terminal 20 may include, for example, captured images obtained by the surveillance camera 216 for transactions corresponding to the accounting information transmitted to the management device 30. In this case, a timestamp corresponding to the timing when a probable fraud occurred may be added to the captured images. When an operation is performed to select a list item for suspected fraud or a list item for a product, the exit gate 40 requests the management device 30 to capture an image of the time corresponding to when the suspected fraud occurred or when the product was registered for the selected list item. The management device 30 transmits the requested image to the exit gate 40. The exit gate 40 displays the received image on the display unit 405.

[0122] Furthermore, the exit gate 40 may be capable of displaying captured images (videos) corresponding to the start and end of the relevant transaction.

[0123] In addition, the POS system of this modified example may be equipped with a monitoring device to monitor the registration status and settlement status of the POS terminal. In this case, the captured image when the suspected fraud occurred may also be displayed on the monitoring device. The monitoring device may be connected to, for example, the exit gate 40 so as to be able to communicate with it, thereby acquiring the captured image when the suspected fraud occurred from the exit gate 40. Alternatively, the monitoring device may be connected to a higher-level device such as a POS terminal 20 or a management device 30 provided in the store so as to be able to communicate with it, thereby acquiring the captured image when the suspected fraud occurred from the POS terminal 20 or the higher-level device. When the captured image when the suspected fraud occurred is also displayed on the monitoring device in this manner, the captured image may be displayed on both the display unit 405 of the exit gate 40 and the monitoring device, or it may be displayed only on the monitoring device without being displayed on the exit gate 40. Furthermore, if a monitoring device is installed instead of the display unit of the exit gate 40, the status display of the POS terminal on the monitoring device may be switched to reflect the transaction corresponding to the read accounting code symbol when the exit gate 40 reads the accounting code symbol.

[0124] [Second variation] The management device 30 may determine the probability of fraud based on accounting information transmitted from the POS terminal 20. In this case, the accounting information may include product registration information, settlement information, and images captured by the surveillance camera 216 during the corresponding transaction. In this case, the code symbol printed on the receipt issued by the POS terminal 20 should include transaction identification information indicating the corresponding transaction. The exit gate 40 reads the code symbol on the receipt and transmits the transaction identification information obtained to the management device 30. The management device 30 searches for accounting information that contains the same transaction identification information it received. If no accounting information is found, the management device 30 sends an accounting error notification to the exit gate 40. If accounting information is retrieved, the management device 30 uses the product registration information and captured images contained therein to determine whether a probable fraud occurred when the product was registered. If the management device 30 determines that a probable fraud has occurred, it may send a probable fraud notification to the exit gate 40. If it determines that no probable fraud has occurred, it may send a proper accounting notification to the exit gate 40.

[0125] [Third variation] The POS terminal 20 may issue a medium with a code symbol printed on it, separate from the receipt medium. In this case, the POS terminal 20 may dispense the receipt and the medium with the code symbol printed on it sequentially, and there are no particular limitations on the order in which they are dispensed. In this case, the POS terminal 20 may also provide information, either through a display or voice prompt, that a code symbol will be issued separately from the receipt.

[0126] [Fourth variation] The configuration of the probability fraud notification in this embodiment can also be applied to a product sales data processing system in which a customer registers a product by having the camera function of their mobile terminal read the product code symbol attached to the product they intend to purchase while moving around in the store ST, and then settles the payment for the product registered by the customer using the communication function of the mobile terminal to make a payment using a credit card or the like (communication-based payment) or at a settlement device installed in the store. In this case, when a customer registers a product using a mobile device, a predetermined pattern of probable fraud is detected. This detection of probable fraud may be performed by the mobile device itself, or by the transaction management server that transmits information about the product registered by the mobile device. If payment is made via communication, the payment code symbol may be displayed on the mobile terminal after the payment is completed. Furthermore, if payment is made using a payment device, a receipt with the payment code symbol printed on it may be issued, similar to the embodiments described above. Customers who have finished paying may have the exit gate 40 read the accounting code symbol displayed on their mobile device or printed on their receipt when they leave the sales area.

[0127] Furthermore, programs for realizing the functions of each device in the POS system 1 described above (store controller 10, POS terminal 20, management device 30, and exit gate 40) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the processing of each device may be performed by loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system and executing it. Here, "loading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Also, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Also, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as HDDs and SSDs built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may also be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the recording medium includes internal or external recording media that can be accessed from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in an executable format on the terminal device. In other words, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in an executable format on the terminal device, the format in which it is stored on the distribution server is irrelevant. Furthermore, the program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on the terminal device, and each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" includes volatile memory (RAM) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when a program is transmitted over a network, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Moreover, the above program may be intended to implement only a part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be implemented in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system, such as so-called differential files (differential programs).

[0128] <Summary of Embodiments> [Technical field] This invention relates to a product sales data processing system. [Background technology] Technology for self-checkout terminals (fully self-checkout registers) in which customers perform various operations themselves to process product sales data is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-205023 [Overview of the prefecture] [Problems the invention aims to solve] In fully self-service product sales data processing systems, there is a possibility of fraud, such as customers making gestures to scan a code symbol attached to a product but not actually scanning it. For example, it is possible to configure a fully self-service product sales data processing system to detect fraud based on images obtained by capturing the customer with a camera, and to issue a notification when fraud is detected. However, in this case, the fully self-service product sales data processing system does not always issue an error notification in the event of fraud, so verification by a store employee is required. This can lead to inconveniences such as an increased workload for store employees and a decrease in the efficiency of customer service at the fully self-service product sales data processing system. In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to enable efficient detection of fraudulent activity that occurs when using a fully self-service product sales data processing device.

[0129] [Means for solving the problem] (1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system (e.g., POS system 1) that includes a product sales data processing device (e.g., POS terminal 20) that performs product registration processing and settlement processing according to a single transaction in response to customer operations, wherein the product sales data processing device includes an input receiving means that receives input of information about products to be registered in response to customer operations (e.g., product registration information based on reading product codes, information about products registered by quantity operations, information about changes to the number of registered products, information about cancellation of registered products, information about product external appearance discrepancies, etc.), a registration status determination means that determines the status of product registration by the customer (e.g., whether or not a probable fraud has occurred) based on the operation status when the input receiving means is receiving input of information about products to be registered, and an output means that outputs transaction-related information including the product registration status determined by the registration status determination means (e.g., transmit accounting information including occurrence history information).

[0130] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is the product sales data processing system described in (1), wherein the output means may output the transaction-related information including the product registration status and transaction information (e.g., product registration information, settlement information) that indicates the content of the corresponding transaction.

[0131] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system as described in (1) or (2), further comprising an exit response device (e.g., exit gate 40) that performs a predetermined process in response to a customer leaving the store after completing payment, wherein the output means may, after the payment processing, issue a medium (e.g., a receipt) on which a code symbol readable by the exit response device is printed, which includes at least transaction identification information indicating the corresponding transaction.

[0132] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is a store exit response device in the product sales data processing system described in (3), which may include notification means for acquiring transaction-related information corresponding to the transaction identification information indicated by the read code symbol, and controlling the system to provide notification based on the product registration status included in the acquired transaction-related information.

[0133] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is the store exit handling device described in (4), wherein the notification means may be controlled to provide notification when a probable fraud situation is indicated in the product registration status that has a high probability of being an fraudulent registration, by presenting a list of such probable fraud situations that occurred in a corresponding transaction.

[0134] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is a store exit handling device as described in (4) or (5), wherein the notification means may be controlled to provide notification indicating the number of times the probable fraudulent situation has occurred in a corresponding transaction when a probable fraudulent situation is indicated in the product registration status that has a high probability of being an fraudulent registration.

[0135] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is a store departure response device described in any one of (4) to (6), wherein the notification means may display an image captured by the imaging means in response to the occurrence of a product registration status indicating a high probability that the acquired transaction-related information is fraudulent. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0136] 1 POS system, 10 store controller, 20 (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) POS terminal, 30 management device, 40 exit gate, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 hard disk, 205 customer-side display unit, 206 customer-side scanner unit, 208 card reader, 209 change dispenser, 210 employee-side display unit, 211 key operation unit, 212 employee-side scanner unit, 213 printing unit, 214 audio output unit, 215 communication unit, 216 surveillance camera, 301 communication unit, 302 control unit, 303 memory unit, 401 communication unit, 402 lamp, 403 scanner unit, 404 sound output unit, 405 display unit, 406 gate mechanism unit, 407 memory unit, 408 control unit, WD10 Simulated scan operation notification screen, WD20 scan failure operation notification screen

Claims

1. A product sales data processing system including a product sales data processing device that performs product registration processing and settlement processing corresponding to a single transaction in response to customer operations, The aforementioned product sales data processing device is An input receiving means that accepts input of information about the product to be registered in response to customer operations, A registration status determination means that determines the status of product registration by the customer based on the operation status when the input receiving means is receiving input of information about the product to be registered, The system includes an output means for outputting transaction-related information, including the product registration status determined by the registration status determination means. Product sales data processing system.

2. The output means outputs the transaction-related information, which includes the product registration status and transaction information indicating the details of the corresponding transaction. Product sales data processing system according to claim 1.

3. The store is further equipped with an exit management device that performs predetermined processing upon the departure of a customer who has completed payment. The output means, after the settlement process, issues a medium on which a code symbol readable by the store exit handling device is printed, which includes at least transaction identification information indicating the corresponding transaction. Product sales data processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A store exit management device in the product sales system according to claim 3, The system includes a notification means that acquires transaction-related information corresponding to the transaction identification information indicated by the read code symbol, and controls the system to provide notifications based on the product registration status included in the acquired transaction-related information. Customer exit management device.

5. The notification means controls the notification to display a list of such likely fraudulent situations that occurred in a corresponding transaction when a probable fraudulent situation is indicated in the product registration status. The exit management device according to claim 4.

6. The notification means controls the notification to display the number of times the probable fraudulent situation occurred in a corresponding transaction when a probable fraudulent situation is indicated in the product registration status. The exit management device according to claim 4.

7. The notification means, when it indicates that the product registration status included in the acquired transaction-related information is likely to be fraudulent, displays an image of the customer captured by the imaging means in response to the occurrence of such fraudulent product registration status. The exit management device according to claim 4.

Images