Product sales data processing system and program

Abstract

To allow currency to be efficiently discharged in a case where the stored currency is discharged from a commodity sales data processing device that can store currency for changes.SOLUTION: A commodity sales data processing system includes a storage unit that stores currency, a first discharge unit in which the currency as changes corresponding to a change amount generated in settlement processing is discharged from the storage unit, a second discharge unit provided separately from the first discharge unit, in which the currency is discharged from the storage unit, and discharge control means that allows one of the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit to discharge the currency in discharging the currency for the purpose of other than discharging the currency as changes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product sales data processing system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Self-checkout systems that include a deposit / withdrawal unit for change and a settlement device and that are used by customers to settle their bills are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-119613 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a product sales data processing device capable of storing change, it may be necessary to dispense the stored change during operation. In such a case, it is required that the dispenser can dispense the change efficiently.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to enable efficient ejection of coins when ejecting coins stored in a product sales data processing device capable of storing coins for change. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a product sales data processing system comprising a storage unit for storing coins, a first discharge unit through which coins are discharged from the storage unit as change corresponding to the amount of change generated under a settlement process, a second discharge unit provided separately from the first discharge unit through which coins are discharged from the storage unit, and a discharge control means for discharging coins to either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit when discharging coins for purposes other than discharging coins as change.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer in a product sales data processing system having a storage section for storing coins, a first discharge section through which coins are discharged from the storage section as change corresponding to the amount of change generated during a settlement process, and a second discharge section provided separately from the first discharge section through which coins are discharged from the storage section, to function as a discharge control means for discharging coins from either the first discharge section or the second discharge section when discharging coins for purposes other than discharging coins as change. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation of a POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a POS terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a near-full resolution operation screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a discharge section selection screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 8]10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal in the first embodiment in relation to discharging money to resolve a near-full state. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal in the second embodiment in relation to discharging money to eliminate a near-full state. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display regarding the state of a POS terminal in a settlement-only mode, which is displayed on a POS terminal in a registration-only mode in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a subplanar surface in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a near-full resolution operation screen in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by a POS terminal in a semi-self-service mode in the third embodiment in relation to discharging money to eliminate a near-full state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment [Example of POS system configuration] Fig. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The POS system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes three POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, and a store controller (store computer, management device) 10, which are communicatively connected via a LAN 11. Hereinafter, when there is no particular distinction between the POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, they will be collectively referred to as the POS terminal 20.

[0010] The POS system 1 can be introduced into various stores, but in the following description, an example in which the POS system 1 is introduced into a convenience store will be described.

[0011] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the installation of a POS terminal. Figure 2(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20, etc., as seen from the customer side. Figure 2(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20, etc., as seen from the store clerk side. As shown in Figure 2(A), a counter is placed to the right of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a POS terminal. Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side. Fig. 3(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the store clerk side. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the same parts are given the same symbols.

[0013] An example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20 shown in Fig. 4 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. The POS terminal 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer display unit 205, a customer scanner unit 206, a card reader 208, a change dispenser 209, a store clerk display unit 210, a key operation unit 211, a store clerk scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, and a communication unit 215. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0014] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the POS terminal 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 . The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

[0015] The RAM 203 is a read / write memory and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores information acquired from the outside (e.g., a product master acquired from the store controller 10) and information generated in the process (e.g., registration information generated in the registration process, settlement information generated in the settlement process, etc.). In the following description, either or both of the registration information and the settlement information may be referred to as transaction information.

[0016] The hard disk 204 stores various information. For example, the hard disk 204 may store programs executed by the CPU 201 instead of the ROM 202. Also, instead of the RAM 203, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from the outside and information generated during processing.

[0017] 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 use by customers, and optically reads, for example, bar codes (product codes, etc.) attached to products.

[0018] Although the customer-side scanner unit 206 is used when a customer registers a product, the customer may register the product by other methods. For example, if a product order button or the like is displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, the customer can operate (press) the order button to register the product.

[0019] Card reader 208 is capable of reading information from various cards (credit cards, transportation cards, etc.) and executing processing corresponding to payment. Card reader 208 is also capable of reading information from membership cards, point cards, etc. Card reader 208 of 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.

[0020] The change machine 209 (cash settlement unit) is a cash settlement mechanism that has an input port for banknotes and coins and an output port (currency output port) for banknotes and coins. It calculates the amount of money inserted into the input port, calculates the change amount, which is the difference between the input amount and the purchase amount, and outputs the money as change from the currency output port.

[0021] The store clerk's display unit 210 is a touch display for the store clerk, which displays various information to the store clerk and receives various inputs from the store clerk. The key operation unit 211 is made up of various keys (buttons) and receives various inputs from the store clerk. The store clerk scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for use by the store clerk, and optically reads, for example, bar codes (product codes, etc.) attached to products and store clerk codes attached to the name tags of store clerks.

[0022] Although the store clerk's scanner unit 212 is used when the store clerk registers a product, the store clerk may register the product by other methods. For example, if a key corresponding to a product (e.g., a key corresponding to a sports newspaper, etc.) is arranged on the key operation unit 211, the store clerk can operate (press) that key to register the product. Also, if a preset key corresponding to a product is displayed on the store clerk's display unit 210, the store clerk can operate that preset key to register the product.

[0023] Printing unit 213 is a printing unit that ejects media, and prints and issues various media such as receipts. Printing unit 213 is a single printing unit that can be freely rotated to face from the store clerk side to the customer side and from the customer side to the store clerk side (direction of the media issuing port). The orientation of the printing unit may be changed manually, or may be changed automatically (mechanically controlled, etc.) in response to, for example, a transition in operating mode. The correctness of the orientation of the printing unit may be detected by a sensor or the like.

[0024] The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs audio guidance and the like. The communication unit 215 transmits and receives information to and from other devices (other POS terminals 20, the store controller 10).

[0025] The POS terminal 20 is also provided with a currency storage container 220 (FIG. 3(B)). The change dispenser 209 stores currency inserted by customer payment when settling with cash, for example by denomination, but at a certain stage, the number of stored currency corresponding to a certain denomination may reach the upper limit that can be stored. In this state, even if more currency is inserted, the change dispenser 209 will not be able to store any more currency (storage limit state). Therefore, when it is determined that a storage limit state has occurred for a certain denomination, the change machine 209 executes an overflow handling process, for example, to automatically discharge a predetermined number of coins corresponding to the number of coins inserted into the coin storage container 220 without any operation by a store clerk or the like. Such overflow control may be executed corresponding to each denomination after a threshold value is set for each type (denomination) of coin. Furthermore, in such overflow control, the inserted coins may be discharged directly into the coin storage container 220 without being temporarily stored in the change machine 209. The currency storage container 220 is used to store currency discharged from the change machine 209 by such overflow control. In this case, the inserted currency is not stored in the storage unit of the change machine 209, but is discharged to the currency storage container 220, for example, via a path different from the path for storing the currency in the storage unit.

[0026] Also, as described above, the dispenser 209 may manually discharge money to avoid the storage limit state. In this case, the POS terminal 20 may execute control so that a notification is given to a store clerk when the number of coins stored in the dispenser 209 for a certain denomination reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, which is considered to be close to the storage limit state. For example, a store clerk who has learned from such a notification that the dispenser 209 is close to the storage limit state performs an operation on the POS terminal 20 to instruct the dispenser 20 to discharge money to avoid the storage limit state. In response to this operation, the dispenser 209 discharges a predetermined number of coins from among those stored in the denomination for which the number of coins stored has reached or exceeds the predetermined number, into the money storage container 220. Note that, when instructing the dispenser 209 to discharge money, the store clerk may be able to perform an operation to specify the number of coins to be discharged from the dispenser 209 to the money storage container 220.

[0027] In addition, in this embodiment, the currency storage container 220 can also be used to store currency to be discharged from the change machine 209 to resolve the near-full state when the change machine 209 becomes near-full. Like the storage limit state, the near-full state is a state in which the number of stored coins in the change dispenser 209 is equal to or greater than a certain number, but exceeds a threshold value set to be smaller than the threshold value corresponding to the storage limit state, for example. As with the storage limit state, a threshold value may be set for each type (denomination) of coin, and a determination may be made for each denomination. Furthermore, the determination of the near-full state may be performed by the change dispenser 209. When it is determined that a certain denomination of currency in the change machine 209 is nearly full, a notification is made in the POS system 1. As a mode of notification of the near-full state in the POS system 1, for example, the notification may be made in the POS terminal 20 including the change machine 209 that is nearly full by displaying a message on a display unit (the store clerk display unit 210, the customer display unit 205), lighting up a sign pole, etc. Also, the notification may be made in a POS terminal 20 other than the POS terminal 20 including the change machine 209 that is nearly full. In addition, a store terminal provided in the back room of the store or a store clerk terminal carried by a store clerk may be configured to notify which POS terminal 20 has a change dispenser 209 that is near full.

[0028] The currency storage container 220 is also used when a store clerk collects currency stored in the change machine 209 (currency collection) during store closing processing. The store clerk ejects currency to be collected from the change machine 209 into the currency storage container, removes the currency storage container 220 containing the currency to be collected from the POS terminal 20, carries it to the safe, and stores the currency in the safe.

[0029] Currency collection from the change machine 209 during closing processing can be total collection or leftover collection. Total collection refers to collecting all currency stored in the change machine 209. Leftover collection refers to collecting currency other than that which is leftover. Leftover refers to leaving in the storage of the change machine 209 the number of currency of each denomination that is set to be stored in the change machine 209 as change during closing processing, for example at the start of the next business day, without being collected.

[0030] The currency storage container 220 can also be used for cash recycling. During business hours, the currency for change stored in the change machine 209 may fall below a certain level and reach a state called near-end. In this case, it is possible to eliminate the near-end state by dispensing (ejecting) currency from a change machine 209 that is not in a near-end state and depositing (storing) the dispensed currency into a change machine 209 that is in a near-end state. Such depositing and dispensing between change machines 209 is called cash recycling. By performing such cash recycling, a store clerk need only move between change machines 209 in the store to replenish cash to a change machine 209 that is in a near-end state, without having to go to the back yard, for example, and the near-end state can be efficiently eliminated in a short time. When cash recycling is performed, when discharging currency from change machine 209 that is not in a near-end state for dispensing, the currency can be discharged into currency storage container 220. A store clerk can remove currency storage container 220 containing the discharged currency from change machine 209 and move it to change machine 209 that is in a near-end state, and deposit the currency stored in currency storage container 220.

[0031] In this embodiment, the currency storage container 220 is provided so as to be attached to a specified position within the POS terminal 20, as shown in Fig. 3(B). In addition, the currency storage container 220 is designed to be removable from and attachable to the POS terminal 20. The POS terminal 20 includes a currency container sensor 221. The currency container sensor 221 detects, for example, whether the currency container 220 is currently attached to the POS terminal 20 or removed from the POS terminal 20. Based on the detection output of the money storage container sensor 221, the POS terminal 20 can store (manage) a history of when the money storage container 220 has been removed from the POS terminal 20 in the past (removal history).

[0032] [Overview of each operation mode] Next, the operation modes of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The POS terminal 20 has a plurality of operation modes. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 has four types of operation modes (normal mode, full self-service mode, double scan mode, and semi-self-service mode). Note that the operation modes described below are operation modes related to accounting during normal business (operation modes related to product registration processing and settlement processing), and do not include a counting mode for counting and inquiring sales and inventory, a maintenance mode for when a store clerk or maintenance staff performs setting work or maintenance work, a training mode for when a new employee is trained, and the like. In this embodiment, the concept of "accounting" includes, for example, from product registration in one transaction to settlement (payment) of the registered product. In the following description, a mode in which the POS terminal 20 executes a product registration process may be referred to as a registration mode, and a mode in which the POS terminal 20 executes a payment process may be referred to as a payment mode, as a different approach from the above-mentioned four operation mode classifications.

[0033] [Normal mode] The normal mode is an operation mode in which the clerk side executes the registration process and the customer side executes the settlement process. That is, in the normal mode, the clerk side is in the registration mode and the customer side is in the settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode when viewed from the entire process from the registration process to the settlement process.

[0034] In the normal mode, the store clerk registers the purchased items of the customer on the store clerk side (store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the operation of the store clerk (operation of the store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.).

[0035] When the clerk has completed the registration process, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the clerk display unit 210, and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change machine 209 or operating the card reader 208. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change machine 209, operating the card reader 208), etc.

[0036] The customer may wait until the registration process is completed by the store clerk (until the total amount is finalized), but may also insert money into the change dispenser 209 before the registration process is completed. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can accept deposits during the registration process.

[0037] The store clerk may wait until the customer completes the payment (until the customer receives the change and receipt), but may also register the items purchased by the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can register the items purchased by the next customer during the payment process. The store clerk may be absent while the customer is paying. In other words, the store clerk may finish serving the customer while the customer is paying.

[0038] Furthermore, when there is change, the POS terminal 20 controls the dispenser 209 to dispense the change and the change note to prevent the customer from forgetting to take the change, and controls the printing unit 213 to issue a receipt after detecting by a sensor or the like that the customer has removed the change and the change note. This is the same in other operation modes. As described above, in normal mode (also in double scan mode), there may or may not be a store clerk in front of the customer who receives the change. If a store clerk is present, the above-mentioned control does not necessarily have to be performed (i.e., the dispense of the change and the change note and the issue of the receipt may be performed simultaneously, or the receipt may be issued first). Furthermore, the timing of the dispense of the change and the change note and the issue of the receipt may be controlled depending on the current operation mode and the presence / absence of a store clerk (for example, the presence / absence of a store clerk is detected by a sensor).

[0039] [Full self mode] The full self-service mode is an operation mode in which the customer side executes the registration process and the settlement process. That is, in the full self-service mode, the customer side is in both the registration mode and the settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode when viewed from the entire process from the registration process to the settlement process.

[0040] In the full self-service mode, the customer registers the purchased items on the customer side (customer side scanner unit 206, customer side display unit 205). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the customer's operation (scanning by the customer side scanner unit 206, touching the customer side display unit 205).

[0041] When the registration process is completed, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the customer side display unit 205 and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change machine 209 or operating the card reader 208 in the case of credit card payment. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change machine 209, operating the card reader 208).

[0042] As described above, in the full self-service mode, the customer executes both the registration process and the settlement process, but this does not mean that the store clerk cannot do anything. In other words, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, the store clerk code can be scanned by the store clerk scanner unit 212. Also, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, various information can be displayed on the store clerk display unit 210. For example, during operation in the full self-service mode, the clerk display unit 210 may display the same screen as that displayed on the customer display unit 205 in accordance with the registration process and settlement process being performed on the customer side. In other words, the clerk display unit 210 may display a mirrored version of the content displayed on the customer display unit 205. This allows the clerk to know what operations the customer is performing and the processing status of the POS terminal 20 in the full self-service mode.

[0043] [Double scan mode] The double scan mode is an operation mode in which the registration process is performed on both the clerk side and the customer side, and the settlement process is performed on the customer side. That is, in the double scan mode, both the clerk side and the customer side are in registration mode, and the customer side is in settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode when viewed from the entire process from registration to settlement.

[0044] In the double scan mode, the clerk registers the purchased items on the clerk side (clerk scanner 212, clerk display 210, key operation unit 211), and the customer registers the purchased items on the customer side (customer scanner 206, customer display 205). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the clerk's operation (scanning with clerk scanner 212, touching clerk display 210, pressing key operation unit 211, etc.) and the customer's operation (scanning with customer scanner 206, touching customer display 205).

[0045] When the registration process is completed, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the customer side display unit 205 and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change machine 209 or operating the card reader 208 in the case of credit card payment. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change machine 209, operating the card reader 208).

[0046] The store clerk may wait until the customer completes the payment (until the customer receives the change and receipt), but may also register the items purchased by the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can register the items purchased by the next customer during the payment process. Also, the store clerk may be absent while the customer is paying. In other words, the store clerk may finish serving the customer while the customer is paying.

[0047] [Semi-selfie mode] The semi-self-service mode is an operation mode for two or more POS terminals 20, in which the registration process is performed by the store clerk of at least one POS terminal 20, and the settlement process is performed by the customer of another POS terminal 20. That is, in the semi-self-service mode, one or more POS terminals 20 are in a registration-only mode, and the other one or more POS terminals 20 are in a settlement-only mode.

[0048] In the semi-self mode, the store clerk registers the purchased items of the customer on the store clerk side (store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211) of the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the operation of the store clerk (operation of the store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.).

[0049] When the clerk has completed the registration process, the customer moves to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, checks the total amount of the purchased items on the clerk-side display unit 210, and settles the payment by inserting coins into the change machine 209 or operating the card reader 208. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change machine 209, operating the card reader 208), etc.

[0050] When the registration process is completed at the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, the customer moves from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, and the information necessary for the settlement process (such as the registration information generated at the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode) is supplied to the destination POS terminal 20.

[0051] The destination POS terminal 20 (the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that executes the settlement process) may be specified in the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. Alternatively, a medium (a medium on which a barcode or the like for acquiring information required for the settlement process is printed) may be issued in the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, and the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that has read the medium may be set as the destination POS terminal 20.

[0052] In the semi-self-service mode, after the store clerk has transmitted the registration information, the store clerk can register the next customer's purchase. Also, after the store clerk has transmitted the registration information, the store clerk may not be present.

[0053] [Selecting the ejection section when ejecting coins] As described above, the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment dispenses currency of a certain denomination stored in the change machine 209 when the change machine 209 exceeds the number of currency of that denomination that can be stored. Also, when the change machine 209 becomes near full, a store clerk can cause the change machine 209 to dispense currency. Also, in response to currency collection during closing-out processing, cash recycling, or the like, the store clerk can cause the change machine 209 to dispense currency stored therein.

[0054] When dispensing the currency stored in the change machine 209 as described above, the currency storage container 220 can be used. However, when dispensing the currency using the currency storage container 220, a store clerk needs to stop the operation of the POS terminal 20, open the door, and remove the currency storage container 220. Such work is troublesome for the store clerk. Moreover, such work stops the operation of the POS terminal 20 for a certain period of time, and the inside of the POS terminal 20 is also visible. For this reason, it is preferable to avoid such work as much as possible when the store is open and customers are around the POS terminal 20. For example, in a situation where the number of coins to be dispensed is not particularly large, the coins can be dispensed from the coin outlet of the change machine 209, eliminating the need to temporarily stop the operation of the POS terminal 20 and the need to open and close the door to remove the coin storage container 220.

[0055] Therefore, in this embodiment, when discharging coins stored in the change machine 209, it is possible to select either the coin storage container 220 or the coin discharge outlet of the change machine 209 as the discharge section (destination for discharging the coins) from which the coins are discharged.

[0056] In this embodiment, the selection of the discharge section when dispensing coins from the change machine 209 is performed by an operation of a store clerk. An example of the operation procedure for selecting a discharge section in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. In the following description, an example will be given in which each of the POS terminals 20 is set to normal mode, a store clerk registers products, and a customer settles the bill. Also, an example will be given in which, when the change machine 209 becomes near-full, the store clerk causes the change machine 209 to discharge coins to resolve the near-full state.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows an example of the product registration screen AR1 displayed on the store clerk display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20. As shown in FIG. The product registration screen AR1 in the figure has a structure in which sheets (product registration detail display areas) showing the product registration contents corresponding to each transaction are overlapped. Each product registration detail display area is provided with a tab (product registration tab: an example of a heading area). In the figure, three product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 are displayed. The product registration screen AR1 in the figure has a structure in which these three product registration detail display areas are overlapped. The product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 display numbers indicating the registration order numbers. The registration order numbers indicate the order in which product registration began. In the figure, the product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 display registration order numbers "1," "2," and "3," respectively. This indicates that the order in which product registration began was the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1, followed by the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-2, and then the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-3. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the individual product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, TAB1-3, etc., they will be referred to as product registration tab TAB1.

[0058] In this embodiment, the fact that three product registration tabs TAB1 are displayed as shown in the figure indicates that there are three transactions for which product registration has not yet been completed (product registration in progress) on the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. The store clerk can perform product registration for the corresponding transaction by operating the product registration detail display area that is located at the forefront among these three product registration detail display areas. Product registration is on hold for the transaction that corresponds to the product registration detail display area that is located below the forefront. By performing an operation (touch operation) on the product registration tab TAB1, the store clerk can move the product registration details display area with the operated product registration tab TAB1 to the front and perform product registration for the transaction corresponding to the product registration details display area that has been moved to the front. In other words, the store clerk can select the product registration details display area corresponding to any one of multiple product registration transactions to become active by operating the product registration tab TAB1, and perform product registration operations for the transaction corresponding to the active product registration details display area.

[0059] In the figure, a product registration details display area with a product registration tab TAB1-1 is shown in an active state. In the active product registration details display area, a product button area AR10 is arranged. In the product button area AR10, a product button corresponding to each product is arranged. For example, the product name indicating the corresponding product is displayed on the product button. In the product registration operation, the sales clerk can specify the product to be registered by operating the product button. Specifically, when a sales clerk wants to specify a product with the product name "Product B" as the product to be registered, the sales clerk can operate the product button labeled "Product B" among the product buttons arranged in the product button area AR10. By operating the product button for "Product B," "Product B" is specified as the product to be registered. Next, the sales clerk can perform an operation to input, for example, the quantity of "Product B." The sales clerk can register products sequentially by performing the above operations for each purchased product.

[0060] The product registration details display area in the figure shows that two products have been registered at the current stage. Specifically, the registered product list area AR11 in the product registration details display area in the figure shows that two products have been registered in the order of "Product A" and "Product B". The registered product area AR12 shows information about "Product B", which was registered last. The total amount area AR13 shows that the total number of products registered so far is "2", and that the total amount of these two products is 1,900 yen.

[0061] In addition, on the screen of the store clerk display unit 210, a common area AR20 (an example of a common area) is arranged together with the product registration screen AR1. The common area AR20 is arranged in an area different from the area of ​​the product registration screen AR1 in the entire display area of ​​the store clerk display unit 210. In this embodiment, the area in which the product registration screen AR1 is displayed corresponds to, for example, an area in which a main operation screen is displayed (an example of an operation screen area), and in this area, the display of the operation screen is switched according to the operation of the store clerk, the progress of processing, etc. The common area AR20 is an area in which the display is maintained in the same mode without changing according to the switching of the display of such a main operation screen. In other words, even if the function provided by the main operation screen on the store clerk display unit 210 is changed, the common area AR20 provides the same function without changing in response to this.

[0062] As shown in the figure, the common area AR20 is provided with a status notification area AR21 for notifying a store clerk of the status of the POS terminal 20. In the figure, the status notification area AR21 shows a state in which it has been notified that the change machine 209 is in a near-full state. In addition, a currency ejection button BT2 is arranged in the common area AR20 in the figure. The currency ejection button BT2 is a button operated to transition to the display of an operation screen that allows an operation to eject currency stored in the change machine 209 in order to resolve the near-full state.

[0063] In this case, the clerk can see that the change dispenser 209 is currently in a near-full state by looking at the status notification area AR21 while registering the product while serving the customer. Therefore, the clerk decides to have the dispenser dispense coins to cancel the near-full state when the clerk has finished serving the customer and the POS terminal 20 is in a standby state waiting for product registration. After that, for example, the settlement corresponding to each of the product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 is all completed, and the POS terminal 20 is in a standby state. In the standby state, the store clerk then operates the money ejection button BT2 to resolve the near-full state.

[0064] In response to the operation of the money ejection button BT2, a near-full state resolution operation screen is displayed on the store clerk's display unit 210 as an operation screen on which the money ejection operation can be performed. 6 shows an example of a near-full resolution operation screen WD30. The near-full resolution operation screen WD30 shown in the figure is an example in the form of a pop-up window that is displayed superimposed on the product registration screen. The near-full resolution operation screen WD30 includes a currency storage status area AR30, a currency discharge command button BT31, and a back button BT32. The currency storage status area AR30 is an area that indicates, as the currency storage status, the number of currency pieces to be dispensed to eliminate the near-full state for each denomination stored in the change dispenser 209. Moreover, the currency storage status area AR30 in the same figure indicates that the 50-yen coin is in the near-full state. In addition, in the currency storage status area AR30, a threshold value corresponding to the near-full state for each denomination may be displayed. Furthermore, for a denomination that is shown to be in a near-full state, the number of coins that would be dispensed if currency were to be dispensed to resolve the near-full state (number of dispensed coins) may be displayed. The money discharge command button BT31 is a button operated to command the execution of dispensing, from the change machine 209, of money of a denomination that is in a near-full state. The back button BT32 is a button that is operated when returning to the display of the registered commodity screen without ejecting currency.

[0065] The store clerk operated the money discharge execution instruction button BT31 to resolve the near-full state of 50 yen coins. In this embodiment, in response to the operation of the money discharge execution instruction button BT31, the money is not immediately discharged, but an operation to select a discharge unit from which the money is to be discharged is performed, and the money is then discharged from the selected discharge unit. Therefore, in response to the operation of the money ejection execution instruction button BT31, a ejection section selection screen is displayed.

[0066] 7 shows an example of a discharge section selection screen WD40. The discharge section selection screen WD40 in the figure may be displayed in place of the near-full state resolution operation screen WD30 in a pop-up window format, for example, or may be displayed superimposed on the near-full state resolution operation screen WD30.

[0067] In the discharge section selection screen in the same figure, discharge outlet selection buttons BT41 (BT41-1, BT41-2) are arranged. The discharge outlet selection button BT41-1 is a button operated to select the change discharge outlet as the discharge section. The discharge outlet selection button BT41-2 is a button operated to select the coin storage container 220 as the discharge section. Further, the discharge port selection button BT41-2 displays a discharge possibility message MS indicating whether the currency can be discharged or not into the currency storage container 220. The discharge possibility message MS in the figure indicates that the currency can be discharged.

[0068] The state in which money can be discharged into the money storage container 220 means that the money storage container 220 is installed inside the housing of the POS terminal 20 and the money storage capacity of the money storage container 220 is not full. A state in which it is not possible to discharge coins into the coin storage container 220 refers to a state in which the coin storage container 220 is not installed inside the housing of the POS terminal 20, or a state in which even if the coin storage container 220 is installed inside the housing of the POS terminal 20, the coin storage capacity of the coin storage container 220 is full and no more coins can be stored therein. The POS terminal 20 is capable of detecting whether or not coins can be discharged into the coin storage container 220 as described above, based on, for example, the detection output of a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the coin storage container 220, a sensor (e.g., a weighing scale, a camera) that detects the amount of coins contained in the coin storage container 220, the history of coins stored in the coin storage container 220, etc. When it is not possible to dispense the currency into the currency storage container 220, the dispense port selection button BT41-2 may be grayed out to make it inoperable, along with displaying a message such as "Dispensing not possible" in the dispense availability message MS. Furthermore, when it is possible to discharge coins into the coin storage container 220, the discharge outlet selection button BT41-2 may be displayed in a predetermined manner so as to be highlighted relative to the discharge outlet selection button BT41-1. As an example, the discharge outlet selection button BT41-2 may be displayed in a larger size than the discharge outlet selection button BT41-1, or may have a background color that stands out more than the discharge outlet selection button BT41-1. In addition, for example, when it is determined that there is sufficient room to store coins in the coin storage container 220, and there is no particular need to eject coins from the change ejection outlet, the ejection outlet selection button BT41-1 may be made invisible or grayed out so that it cannot be operated.

[0069] Further, a back button BT42 is arranged on the discharge section selection screen in the same figure. The back button BT42 is a button operated to return to the display of the near-full resolution operation screen WD30 or the product registration screen without selecting a discharge section.

[0070] In addition, the discharge unit selection screen WD40 may display, for example, the number of coins of each denomination to be discharged to resolve the near-full state. The number of coins to be discharged to resolve the near-full state is determined based on the number of stored coins and a threshold value for determining that the coin is near-full and set for the corresponding denomination. For example, the number of coins to be discharged to resolve the near-full state (number of coins to be discharged) may be the number of stored coins minus a fixed number or a fixed percentage less than the threshold value for determining that the coin is near-full (target number of coins to be stored). Alternatively, the store clerk may be able to set the number of coins to be dispensed or the target number to be stored on the dispenser selection screen WD40.

[0071] The store clerk judges whether to discharge the currency into the change outlet or the currency storage container 220, for example, based on the number of coins to be dispensed and the current situation of customers in the store. For example, if the store clerk does not need to attend to customers for a while and the number of coins to be dispensed is relatively large, the store clerk can judge to discharge the currency into the currency storage container 220. Also, if the store clerk judges that he or she will need to attend to customers and operate the POS terminal 20 shortly or if the number of coins to be dispensed is small, the store clerk can judge to discharge the currency into the change outlet.

[0072] If the clerk determines that the change should be discharged through the change outlet, he or she operates the outlet selection button BT41-1. In response to the operation of the outlet selection button BT41-1, the POS terminal 20 operates to discharge, through the change outlet, the number of coins to be discharged for the denomination that is in a near-full state and stored in the change dispenser 209. In this case, the clerk moves to the customer side of the POS terminal 20 and removes the coins that have been discharged through the change outlet. The clerk may store the removed coins in a designated storage location.

[0073] For example, the currency storage status area AR30 in FIG. 6 may indicate that multiple denominations are in a near-full state. In this case, as an operation for resolving the near-full state, multiple times of currency may be discharged per denomination each time a denomination to be discharged is specified among the multiple denominations in the near-full state. In this case, an operation of selecting a discharge unit for each denomination may be possible. Alternatively, an operation of instructing that multiple denominations in the near-full state be discharged at once may be possible. In this case, an operation of selecting one discharge unit to discharge all of the multiple denominations in the near-full state may be possible, or a discharge unit may be selected for each of the multiple denominations in the near-full state, and currency corresponding to all of the multiple denominations may be discharged from each of the selected discharge units at once. Also, an operation of specifying a denomination to which currency is not currently discharged among the multiple denominations in the near-full state may be possible.

[0074] In addition, when the currency storage container 220 is empty and a certain denomination of currency is to be dispensed, it may be possible to select the dispenser section and then to operate to instruct the dispenser to dispense the currency of that denomination. Furthermore, when the currency storage container 220 is empty and multiple denominations of currency are to be discharged, an operation to instruct the currency to be discharged to the same discharge unit and an operation to instruct the currency to be discharged by a specified discharge unit for each denomination may be possible. Furthermore, when the number of denominations of currency to be discharged is greater than the number of selectable discharge units, an operation to designate a denomination of currency not to be discharged at the present time may be possible, for example, in order to prevent the denominations of the currency to be discharged from being mixed. On the other hand, when currency is already stored in the currency storage container 220, and mixing of denominations is prohibited in the currency storage container 220, the POS terminal 20 may guide the user to perform an operation to allow currency to be discharged from the change discharge outlet. Even in this case, an operation to specify a denomination for which currency is not to be discharged at the current time may be allowed. In addition, when coins are already stored in the coin storage container 220, and a mixture of denominations is permitted in the coin storage container 220, it may be possible to simply operate to select the discharge section, or the coin storage container may be selected automatically. In addition, when the currency storage container 220 becomes full, an error state may be entered in which it is not possible to discharge currency from the change dispenser 209, or only the change outlet may be selectable as the outlet, or currency may be automatically discharged from the change outlet.

[0075] In the case of coins, there is a limit to the number of coins that can be received at the change outlet. This limit to the number of coins that can be received at the change outlet is also called the "maximum number of coins that can be received." Note that, since the size of each coin is different, the maximum number of coins that can be received differs for each coin. When coins are discharged from the change outlet, if the number of coins discharged is greater than the maximum number that can be received, the change outlet will not be able to receive all the coins and will overflow if that number of coins is discharged at once.

[0076] Therefore, when discharging currency from the change outlet, if the number of coins to be discharged is equal to or greater than a certain number, the number of coins to be discharged may be divided and the currency may be discharged from the change outlet in multiple installments. When dispensing the number of coins dispensed in multiple times (split dispensing) in this way, the POS terminal 20 first dispenses the maximum number of coins that can be received each time while the remaining number of dispensed coins is greater than the maximum number of coins that can be received. Then, when the remaining number of dispensed coins finally becomes equal to or less than the maximum number of coins that can be received, the POS terminal 20 may dispense all of the remaining number of dispensed coins. In addition, the change outlet is provided with a sensor that detects that the dispensed money has been removed. When the POS terminal 20 dispenses money once into the change outlet in divided dispensing, the POS terminal 20 dispenses the next money after the sensor detects that the dispensed money has been removed from the change outlet.

[0077] Furthermore, when the clerk decides to discharge the coins into the currency storage container 220, he or she operates the discharge outlet selection button BT41-2. In response to the operation of the discharge outlet selection button BT41-2, the POS terminal 20 operates to discharge the number of coins to be discharged, for the denomination of the coin that is in a near-full state and stored in the change dispenser 209, into the currency storage container 220. In this case, the clerk may open the door of the POS terminal 20, remove the coins from the currency storage container 220, and store them. Alternatively, depending on the situation, the coins discharged in response to this operation may be left stored in the currency storage container 220, and removed from the currency storage container 220 at a predetermined opportunity.

[0078] [Example of processing procedure] An example of a process procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment in relation to discharging money to eliminate a near-full state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S101: The POS terminal 20 waits for the money ejection button BT2 to be operated, for example, while a product registration screen is displayed on the store clerk display unit 210. Then, in response to the operation of the money ejection button BT2, the POS terminal 20 accepts the operation.

[0079] Step S102: When the operation of the money ejection button BT2 is accepted, the POS terminal 20 displays the near-full resolution operation screen WD30.

[0080] Step S103: When the POS terminal 20 accepts an operation of the money discharge execution instruction button BT31 while the near-full resolution operation screen WD30 is being displayed, the POS terminal 20 displays a discharge unit selection screen WD40. Step S104: The POS terminal 20 accepts a discharge unit selection operation while the discharge unit selection screen WD40 is displayed. The discharge unit selection operation is an operation on either the discharge outlet selection button BT41-1 or BT41-2. In other words, the discharge unit selection operation is an operation to select either the change discharge outlet or the currency storage container 220 as the discharge unit from which currency is to be discharged.

[0081] Step S105: The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not the change discharge outlet has been selected by the discharge outlet selection operation accepted in step S104.

[0082] Step S106: If it is determined in step S105 that the change discharge outlet has been selected as the discharge section, the POS terminal 20 controls so that coins are discharged to the change discharge outlet by a number of discharges according to the number of discharged coins. In other words, if the number of discharged coins is equal to or less than the upper limit number that can be received, the POS terminal 20 discharges all of the discharged number of coins to the change discharge outlet in one discharge. Also, if the number of discharged coins exceeds the upper limit number that can be received, the POS terminal 20 discharges the same number of coins to the change discharge outlet in multiple separate discharges by the aforementioned divided discharge.

[0083] Step S107: If it is determined in step S105 that the currency storage container 220 has been selected as the dispensing unit, the POS terminal 20 causes the currency storage container 220 to dispense the number of coins to be dispensed.

[0084] <Second embodiment> [overview] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the store clerk selects a dispenser for discharging money to resolve the near-full situation. In contrast, in this embodiment, the POS terminal 20 selects a dispenser (discharge destination) for discharging the money, and then dispenses the money into the selected dispenser.

[0085] In this embodiment as well, the near-full state resolution operation screen WD30 (FIG. 6) may be displayed by the store clerk operating the money discharge button BT2 (FIG. 5) on the product registration screen. In addition, in this embodiment, in response to the store clerk operating the money discharge execution instruction button BT31 on the near-full state resolution operation screen WD30, the POS terminal 20 selects the destination of the money to be discharged, either the change discharge outlet or the money storage container 220.

[0086] The POS terminal 20 may select the discharge destination based on, for example, the result of the determination of whether or not discharge to the currency storage container 220 is possible, the number of discharged currency, the product registration status in the POS terminal 20, etc. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 may determine to discharge currency to the currency storage container 220 when it is determined that discharge to the currency storage container 220 is possible and the number of discharged currency is greater than a certain amount. Furthermore, the POS terminal 20 may determine to discharge currency from the change discharge outlet when discharge to the currency storage container 220 is not possible. Furthermore, the POS terminal 20 may determine to discharge currency from the change discharge outlet when discharge to the currency storage container 220 is possible but there is not enough time to discharge currency to the currency storage container 220 because, for example, there are a predetermined number or more of transactions in a pending state due to incomplete product registration.

[0087] When the POS terminal 20 selects the change outlet as the discharge destination, the POS terminal 20 causes the change outlet to discharge the number of coins to be discharged. At this time, if the number of coins to be discharged is greater than the upper limit number that the change outlet can receive, the coins may be discharged in portions. On the other hand, when the POS terminal 20 selects the currency storage container 220 as the dispensing destination, the POS terminal 20 causes the currency storage container 220 to dispense the number of coins to be dispensed.

[0088] In this embodiment, even if a store clerk is inexperienced and cannot properly judge which dispenser the currency should be dispensed from, the POS terminal 20 can select an appropriate dispenser destination, thereby assisting the store clerk in dispensing currency efficiently.

[0089] [Example of processing procedure] An example of a process procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment in relation to discharging money to eliminate a near-full state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processes in steps S201 and S202 may be similar to those in steps S101 and S102 in FIG.

[0090] Step S203: When the store clerk operates the money discharge execution instruction button BT31 while the near-full resolution operation screen WD30 (FIG. 6) is being displayed, the POS terminal 20 accepts this operation as a money discharge execution instruction operation.

[0091] Step S204: In response to receiving the instruction to dispense currency, the POS terminal 20 executes a process of selecting a dispenser for dispensed currency to eliminate the current near-full state. That is, the POS terminal 20 determines whether to dispense currency from the change dispenser or the currency storage container 220, based on the current determination result of usability, the number of dispensed currency, the product registration status in the POS terminal 20, etc.

[0092] Step S205: The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not the change ejection port has been selected as a result of the selection of the ejection unit in step S204.

[0093] Step S206: If it is determined in step S205 that the change outlet is selected, the POS terminal 20 controls the dispenser 20 so that the change is dispensed to the change outlet by the number of dispenses corresponding to the number of dispensed coins. The process in step S206 may be the same as that in step S106.

[0094] Step S207: If it is determined in step S205 that the currency storage container 220 has been selected as the dispensing unit, the POS terminal 20 causes the currency storage container 220 to dispense the number of coins to be dispensed.

[0095] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. This embodiment has a configuration for discharging money to eliminate a near-full state in an environment in which the semi-self mode is set for a plurality of POS terminals 20.

[0096] In the semi-selfie mode, the POS terminal 20 in the payment-only mode used by the customer for payment is configured to transmit status information indicating its own state (status) to the corresponding POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. The POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode may be configured to periodically transmit status information, or the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode may transmit status information in response to polling, inquiries, etc., performed at a predetermined timing or periodic timing by the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode.

[0097] In the semi-self-service mode, as customers make payments during business hours, there is a possibility that the change dispenser 209 included in the POS terminal 20 set to the settlement-only mode will become near-full. When this occurs, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode transmits status information indicating that it is in a near-full state to the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode.

[0098] When the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode receives the status information, it displays on the store clerk display unit 210 the state (status) of the POS terminal 20 in the payment-only mode indicated by the received status information.

[0099] 10 shows an example of a display mode relating to the state of the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, which is displayed on the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals.

[0100] The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode executes a product registration process in response to a product registration operation by a store clerk. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, the store clerk side display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode displays a product registration screen AR1. The product registration screen AR1 in the same figure shows that there are three transactions for which product registration has not been completed, and that currently, the product registration details display area corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1 is in a state where product registration operations for the corresponding transaction are possible.

[0101] In addition, in the case of a POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, settlement device designation buttons BT1 (BT-1, BT1-2, BT1-3) are arranged in the common area AR 20. The settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2 correspond to the three settlement-only POS terminals 20, respectively, and are buttons for performing an operation (settlement device designation operation) to designate a POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that is to execute the settlement process. In this case, the POS system 1 of this embodiment is configured to operate in semi-self-service mode with four terminals: one POS terminal 20 in a registration-only mode displaying the same figure, and three POS terminals 20 in a settlement-only mode.

[0102] In addition, when there is no particular distinction between the settlement device designation buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, and BT1-3, they will be referred to as settlement device designation button BT1.

[0103] In the common area AR20, similarly to FIG. 5, a money ejection button BT2 is arranged.

[0104] The settlement device designation button BT1 displays a settlement device status indicating the current status of the corresponding settlement-only mode POS terminal 20. In the figure, an example is shown in which the settlement device status display is performed by a badge BG arranged for each settlement device designation button BT1. Specifically, the figure shows an example in which a badge BG displaying "standby" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-1. This state of the settlement device designation button BT1-1 indicates that the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode is in a state of waiting for the start of settlement processing. In other words, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode at this time is in a state in which settlement-related operations have not been started, and settlement instruction information has not been received.

[0105] The figure also shows an example in which a badge BG displaying "Near Full" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-2. The state of this settlement device designation button BT1-2 indicates that a near-full state has occurred for the change dispenser 209 provided in the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode.

[0106] Also, an example is shown in which a badge BG displaying "In Use" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-3. Furthermore, the characters "Settlement Machine 3" on the settlement device designation button BT1-3 are crossed out. This state of the settlement device designation button BT1-3 indicates that the POS terminal 20-3 in the settlement-only mode is executing settlement processing based on the settlement information acquired by receiving settlement instruction information in response to a customer's operation. In addition, depending on the state of the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode as described above, for example, the color, pattern, etc. of the settlement device designation button BT1 itself may be displayed so as to change.

[0107] Depending on the settlement device status display, various states other than the above-mentioned "standby", "near end", and "in use", such as, for example, near full or broken, may be shown. The settlement device status display may be displayed in a manner other than the badge BG, such as by displaying characters or icons so as to fit within the settlement device designation button BT1, or by displaying in an area separate from the settlement device designation button BT1.

[0108] In addition, for the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that is in the "in use" state, a display showing a more detailed state of the "in use" state may be provided. For example, when the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode in the "in use" state is executing a settlement process corresponding to a cash payment type, information on the amount of money deposited as a deposit may be displayed as indicated by the corresponding settlement device designation button BT1. In this case, the information on the amount of money deposited as a deposit may be, for example, the total amount of money deposited up to now in response to the deposit of currency into the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode. Alternatively, the confirmed amount of the deposit may be displayed when an amount equal to or greater than the total amount of the goods is deposited and the amount of the deposit is confirmed. In addition, when the POS terminal 20 in a settlement-only mode in the "in use" state is executing a settlement process corresponding to a payment type such as a credit card or electronic money, a display may be displayed indicating that a settlement process corresponding to a credit card or electronic money is being executed, such as "Card settlement in progress" or "Electronic money payment in progress." The display indicating a more detailed state of the "in use" state as described above may be displayed, for example, in FIG. 10, instead of the display indicating the "in use" state by a badge BG.

[0109] For example, when the clerk completes the product registration operation for all products in the transaction corresponding to the product registration detail display area with the product registration tab TAB1-1, the clerk performs a subtotal operation. The subtotal operation may be an operation on a subtotal operation button arranged at a predetermined position on the clerk side display unit 210 (not shown), or an operation on a physical subtotal operation key included in the key operation unit 211.

[0110] In response to the subtotal operation being performed, the product registration screen AR1 on the store clerk display unit 210 is changed to the subtotal screen. FIG. 11 shows an example of a subtotal screen AR5 that is displayed when a subtotal operation is performed at the stage where product A and product B have been registered as shown in FIG.

[0111] The subtotal screen AR5 in the figure shows the subtotal results for the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1. In the sub-plan view AR5, in the registered product area AR51, each item of the products registered so far in the current transaction is arranged from top to bottom in the order in which they were registered. In the registered product area AR51 in the figure, items for two products, "Product A" and "Product B", are arranged in the order of registration. In the "Product A" item, one "Product A" with a unit price of 800 yen including tax has been registered, which indicates that the total price including tax for "Product A" is 800 yen. In the "Product B" item, one "Product B" with a unit price of 1,100 yen including tax has been registered, which indicates that the total price including tax for "Product B" is 1,100 yen.

[0112] In the subtotal area AR52 of the subtotal screen AR5, the subtotal result based on the registration results of the products up to now is displayed. The subtotal area AR52 of the same figure shows that the number of registered products is 2, and the subtotal amount for the two registered products is 1900 yen. On the subtotal screen AR5, the total amount area AR53 shows the total amount based on the product registration results up to that point. The total amount shown is 1900 yen, which is the same as the subtotal amount.

[0113] Also, the subtotal screen AR5 in the figure is displayed by switching from the product registration screen AR1 in Figure 10 in response to a subtotal operation. In contrast, the common area AR20 does not change in response to switching from the product registration screen AR1 to the subtotal screen AR5, and continues to display the same content as when the product registration screen AR1 in Figure 10 was displayed.

[0114] When the subtotal display AR5 is displayed as a result of the subtotal operation as described above, the store clerk determines which of the POS terminals 20-1 to 20-3 in the settlement-only mode should be the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that should execute the settlement process for the transaction. In this case, the store clerk can determine which POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode should execute the settlement process for the transaction, for example, by visually checking which POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode currently has a corresponding customer. An imaging device may be provided in the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode. Based on the image captured by the imaging device, when it is determined that the same person has been continuously photographed for a certain period of time or more, the image may be displayed on the store clerk display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. In this way, the store clerk can more accurately determine which POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode is in charge of the customer.

[0115] In the example shown in the figure, the POS terminals 20 corresponding to the settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 to BT-3 are in the "standby", "near full" and "in use" states, respectively. The POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode is still capable of executing settlement processing when in the near-full state. Therefore, the store clerk in this case will determine to have one of the two POS terminals 20 in the settlement-only mode corresponding to the settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT-2 execute the settlement processing.

[0116] In addition, even when the sub-screen AR5 is displayed, the badge BG indicates that the settlement device designation button BT1-2 is in a near-full state. Therefore, the store clerk can understand that the near-full state has occurred in the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode corresponding to the settlement device designation button BT1-2 during the product registration operation.

[0117] In this embodiment, in the semi-self mode, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode can issue a cash discharge instruction to resolve the near-full state together with a settlement instruction to the POS terminal 20 in the regeneration-only mode. When a cash discharge instruction to resolve the near-full state is issued together with a settlement instruction, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode executes cash discharge to resolve the near-full state after completing the settlement process. In this case, the store clerk judged that it would be better to execute the settlement process and dispense the currency at the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, which is in a near-full state, based on the current operating status of the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode in the store. Therefore, the store clerk operated the settlement device designation button BT1-2, on which the badge BG, which indicates a near-full state, was displayed, as a settlement instruction operation.

[0118] When a settlement instruction operation is performed on the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to a POS terminal 20 in a settlement-only mode that is not in a near-full state, such as the settlement device designation button BT1-1 in Fig. 11, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode executes the following process. That is, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode transmits settlement instruction information including settlement information reflecting the product registration result for the corresponding transaction to the corresponding POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode.

[0119] In contrast, when an operation is performed on the settlement device designation button BT1-2 corresponding to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode in a near-full state as a settlement instruction operation as described above, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode displays a near-full resolution operation screen.

[0120] 12 shows an example of a near-full resolution operation screen WD60 in this embodiment. The near-full resolution operation screen WD60 in the figure is an example in the form of a pop-up window that is displayed superimposed on the small area display AR5 in FIG.

[0121] In the near-full resolution operation screen WD60 in the figure, a currency storage status area AR60 and currency discharge designation buttons BT60 (BT60-1, BT60-2) are arranged. The currency storage status area AR60 is an area that indicates the number of currency of each denomination stored in the change dispenser 209 as the currency storage status of the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that executes the settlement process. In the currency storage status area AR60 of the same figure, as in the currency storage status area AR30 of Fig. 6, the number of stored 50 yen coins is 20, which indicates that the currency is in a near-full state. Note that, in the currency storage status area AR60, as in the currency storage status area AR30 of Fig. 6, a threshold value corresponding to the near-full state for each denomination may also be displayed. Furthermore, for a denomination that is shown to be in a near-full state, the number of coins that would be dispensed (number of dispensed coins) if coins were to be dispensed to resolve the near-full state may also be displayed.

[0122] The currency discharge designation buttons BT60 (BT60-1, BT60-2) are buttons operated to designate whether or not to execute the settlement process and to discharge currency to resolve the near-full state. The money ejection designation button BT60-1 is a button that is operated when designating to execute money ejection to resolve the near-full state following completion of the settlement process. The money ejection designation button BT60-2 is a button that is operated when designating to execute only the settlement process without executing the money ejection.

[0123] In this case, the store clerk has decided to execute the payment process and to dispense currency to resolve the near-full state, and therefore operates the currency dispense button BT60-1. When the currency ejection designation button BT60-1 is operated, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode displays a ejection section selection screen. Although not shown in the drawings, the discharge section selection screen in this embodiment may be the same as the discharge section selection screen WD40 in Fig. 7. The store clerk determines to which discharge section, the change discharge outlet or the currency storage container 220, the currency is to be discharged, and operates one of the discharge outlet selection buttons BT41 (BT41-1, BT41-2) depending on the result of the determination.

[0124] In response to the operation of the discharge outlet selection button BT41, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode transmits settlement instruction information to the corresponding POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode. The settlement instruction information in this case includes settlement information reflecting the product registration result of the transaction corresponding to the product registration detail display area with the product registration tab TAB1-1 on the product registration screen in Fig. 11, and currency discharge instruction information. The currency discharge instruction information is information that instructs the execution of currency discharge to resolve the near-full state. The currency discharge instruction information in this case also includes information specifying whether the discharge section from which the currency is to be discharged is the change discharge outlet or the currency storage container 220.

[0125] In response to sending the settlement instruction information to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode as described above, the discharge section selection screen may be erased and the display may return to the product registration screen. At this time, the product registration details display area with the product registration tab TAB1-1 that has been displayed on the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode may be erased from the product registration screen. Instead, a product registration details display area with, for example, the product registration tab TAB1-2 may be displayed in the foreground. In addition, when the product registration details display area with the product registration tab TAB1-2 is displayed in the foreground in this manner, the registration order number displayed in the product registration tab TAB1-2 moves up from "2" to "1," and the registration order number displayed in the product registration tab TAB1-2 moves up from "3" to "2."

[0126] The store clerk who operates the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode verbally tells the customer who has made the transaction for which the settlement device designation operation has been performed to go to the POS terminal 20-1 in the settlement-only mode designated by the settlement device designation operation to settle the transaction. The customer is made to go to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode designated by the store clerk to settle the transaction. The POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode receives the settlement instruction information transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode as described above. A customer who comes to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode performs an operation for settlement. The POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode executes a settlement process using the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information in accordance with the operation performed by the customer.

[0127] In this case, if the store clerk operates the discharge outlet selection button BT41-1 to select the change discharge outlet as the discharge section, the store clerk is also directed to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode. In this case, when the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode completes the settlement process, it subsequently discharges money from the change outlet to resolve the near-full state. At this time, it is preferable that the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode notifies the customer on the customer-side display unit 205 that the settlement process is complete and that money will be discharged from the change outlet to resolve the near-full state. The store clerk takes out the money discharged from the change outlet and keeps it.

[0128] In addition, if the store clerk operates the discharge outlet selection button BT41-2 to select the coin storage container 220 as the discharge section, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode will, upon completion of the settlement process, discharge coins into the coin storage container 220 to resolve the near-full state.

[0129] In this embodiment, when the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode is discharging currency to the change outlet or currency storage container 220 to release the near-full state (currency discharging state), settlement instruction information may be transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. In the currency discharging state, even if the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode accepts receipt of settlement instruction information, it cannot start settlement processing according to the accepted settlement instruction information. Therefore, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode may not accept (stop) receipt of settlement instruction information when in the currency ejection state. In this case, it is preferable for the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode to notify the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode that is the sender of the settlement instruction information of an error indicating that acceptance of receipt of the settlement instruction information has been refused due to the currency ejection state. The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode that has received the error notification may display or otherwise notify the fact that acceptance of receipt of the settlement instruction information has been refused.

[0130] Furthermore, when the currency ejection designation button BT60-2 on the near-full resolution operation screen WD60 is operated, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode does not display the ejection unit selection screen, but transmits settlement instruction information to the corresponding POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode. The settlement instruction information in this case does not need to include currency ejection instruction information. In this case, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode may transmit the settlement instruction information and return to displaying the product registration screen. An example of a situation in which a store clerk may decide to operate the currency discharge button BT60-2 is when the amount to be paid by the customer indicates that a relatively large number of currency bills subject to the near-full condition will be dispensed as change compared to the number inserted as a deposit, and there is a high possibility that the near-full condition will be resolved.

[0131] Furthermore, when the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, which was in a near-full state, executes a settlement process, the near-full state may be resolved as a result of discharging currency as change. When the near-full state is resolved as a result of the settlement process in this manner, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode may not discharge currency to resolve the near-full state after the settlement process, even if the corresponding settlement instruction information includes currency discharge instruction information.

[0132] [Example of processing procedure] An example of a process procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 in the semi-self-service mode in this embodiment in relation to discharging money to eliminate the near-full state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, an example of a processing procedure of the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode will be described. Step S301: The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode executes a product registration process in response to a product registration operation by a store clerk. At this time, the product registration screen AR1 is displayed on the store clerk display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. Step S302: When the store clerk has completed the registration of all the products to be registered, the store clerk performs a subtotal operation. The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode accepts the subtotal operation performed by the store clerk. Step S303: In response to receiving the subtotal operation, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode displays the subtotal screen AR5 on the store clerk display unit 210.

[0133] Step S304: The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode accepts a payment instruction operation performed by the store clerk while the sub-screen is displayed. The payment instruction operation is an operation on any of the payment device designation buttons BT1.

[0134] Step S305: When a settlement instruction operation is performed, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode determines whether or not the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode designated by the current settlement instruction operation is in a near-full state.

[0135] Step S306: If it is determined that the battery is in the near-full state, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode displays the near-full solution operation screen WD60. Step S307: The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode accepts a money ejection designation operation performed by a store clerk while displaying the near-full resolution operation screen WD60. The money ejection designation operation is an operation on either the money ejection designation button BT60-1 or BT60-2. Step S308: The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode judges whether or not money ejection has been designated by the money ejection designation operation accepted in step S307. The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode judges that money ejection has been designated when the money ejection designation button BT60-1 has been operated as the money ejection designation operation, and judges that money ejection has not been designated when the money ejection designation button BT60-2 has been operated.

[0136] Step S309: If it is determined that the currency ejection is designated by the currency ejection designation operation, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode displays a ejection unit selection screen. Step S310: The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode accepts a discharge unit selection operation performed by a store clerk while the discharge unit selection screen is displayed.

[0137] Step S311: The POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode transmits settlement instruction information to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode designated by the settlement instruction operation accepted in step S304. If it is determined in step S305 that the machine is not in a near-full state and the process proceeds to step S311, or if it is determined in step S308 that there is no instruction to eject money and the process proceeds to step S311, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode transmits settlement instruction information that includes settlement information but does not include money ejection instruction information. When the process proceeds from step S310 to step S311, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode transmits settlement instruction information including settlement information and currency ejection instruction information.

[0138] Step S312: After the process of step S311, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode returns to a state in which the product registration screen is displayed on the store clerk display unit 210.

[0139] Next, an example of a processing procedure of the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode will be described. Step S401: The POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode receives the settlement instruction information transmitted by the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode in step S311. Step S402: The POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode uses the received settlement instruction information to execute settlement processing in response to the customer's operation.

[0140] Step S403: When the settlement process is completed, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode judges whether or not there is a money ejection instruction to resolve the near-full state together with an instruction to execute the current settlement process. If the settlement instruction information received in step S401 includes money ejection instruction information, it is judged that there is a money ejection instruction.

[0141] Step S404: If it is determined that a money ejection instruction has been issued, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode determines whether or not the near-full state has been resolved as a result of the current settlement process in step S402.

[0142] Step S405: If it is determined that the near-full state has not been resolved, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode determines whether the discharge section specified by the currency discharge instruction information included in the settlement instruction information is the change discharge outlet. Step S406: If it is determined that the specified discharge portion is the change discharge outlet, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode controls the dispensing of currency to the change discharge outlet by a number of discharges according to the number of dispensed currency pieces.

[0143] Step S407: If it is determined in step S405 that the discharge portion specified is not the change discharge outlet but the currency storage container 220, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode discharges currency into the currency storage container 220 in the number of coins to be discharged.

[0144] The above description has been given as an example of a case where the payment process is performed and money is dispensed to resolve the near-full state. In addition, for example, while the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode is in a standby state, a store clerk may operate the money dispense button BT2 to instruct the POS terminal 20 in the payment-only mode to dispense money to resolve the near-full state. In this case, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode displays a near-full resolution operation screen in response to the operation of the money dispense button BT2. In this case, on the near-full resolving operation screen, although not shown in the figure, a terminal selection button is provided which is used to select the POS terminal 20 that will dispense currency from among the POS terminals 20 in the settlement-only mode that are in a near-full state. The store clerk operates the terminal selection button to select the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode from which the cash dispenser 10 is to be operated. On the near-full resolving operation screen, a cash storage status area showing the cash storage status of the selected POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode is displayed. The form of such a near-full resolution operation screen may be similar to the near-full resolution operation screen WD30 in FIG. In this case, the store clerk also operates the currency discharge execution instruction button on the near-full resolution operation screen to display the discharge unit selection screen WD40 as shown in Fig. 7, and performs an operation to select the currency discharge unit. When the operation to select the currency discharge unit is performed, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode transmits currency discharge instruction information to the target POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode. The corresponding POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode operates to discharge money to the change discharge outlet or the money storage container 220 in accordance with the received money discharge instruction information.

[0145] As a modification of this embodiment, the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode or the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode may be configured to select a currency discharge unit in accordance with the configuration of the second embodiment. The POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode discharges currency to the selected currency discharge unit (the change discharge outlet or the currency storage container 220).

[0146] The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to a product sales data processing system that includes a registration device configured exclusively for product registration and a settlement device configured exclusively for settlement. The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to a product sales data processing system in which, for example, product registration is performed by a mobile terminal and a settlement device performs settlement in accordance with the product registration. In this case, the configuration of the first or second embodiment can be applied to the settlement device. In addition, in a store, if a store clerk picks up products ordered by customers from the product shelves and registers them in a mobile terminal, and the clerk or the customer performs settlement for the registered products, the configurations of the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode and the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode in the third embodiment can be applied to the mobile terminal and the settlement device, respectively.

[0147] <Modification> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the device configuration, data configuration, processing flow, display and output modes, etc. can be modified as appropriate. Modifications of the present embodiment are given below. Furthermore, the configurations of the above embodiments and the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0148] [First Modification] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the case where currency is discharged to resolve a near-full state has been described as an example. As described above, cases where currency is discharged from the POS terminal 20 to the currency storage container 220 other than to resolve a near-full state include currency discharge to avoid a malfunction caused by an excess of the number of coins stored in a change dispenser, currency recovery during closing processing, cash recycling, etc. When ejecting coins due to a malfunction caused by the above-mentioned change dispenser exceeding the number of coins stored per unit, when recovering coins during closing procedures, when recycling cash, etc., it may be possible to select the ejection section from which the coins will be ejected, as in each of the above embodiments.

[0149] [Second modified example] The configuration of the above embodiment can also be applied to a POS terminal exclusively for face-to-face use that does not switch modes between normal mode, full self-service mode, semi-self-service mode, and double scan mode like the POS terminal 20, a POS terminal 20 exclusively for full self-service use, and a settlement device in a product sales data processing system that has a registration device exclusively for registration and a settlement device exclusively for settlement.

[0150] [Third Modification] When a store operates a POS terminal in a full self-service mode or a POS terminal dedicated to the full self-service mode, an attendant clerk is stationed to allow customers to smoothly operate the POS terminal in the full self-service mode. In such a case, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to transmit a notification that the terminal is near full to an attendant terminal carried by the attendant clerk. In response to receiving the notification, the attendant terminal is configured to notify the clerk which POS terminal is near full. The attendant store clerk can go to the POS terminal that has been notified by the attendant terminal that it is in a near-full state, and perform an operation to cause the POS terminal to enter a maintenance mode, for example, and to discharge money to resolve the near-full state. At this time, the POS terminal may be able to select the discharge unit from which to discharge money, as in the above embodiment, etc.

[0151] [Fourth Variation] In the above embodiment and modified examples, a part of the processing executed by the POS terminal 20 may be executed by a predetermined higher-level device. As one such aspect, the POS system 1 of the present embodiment may be provided with the configuration of a thin client system. As an example, a thin client-compatible server (e.g., a cloud server) may be provided in the POS system 1 of this embodiment, and the POS terminal 20 may function as a thin client terminal. In this case, the POS terminal 20 as a thin client terminal transmits information according to operations and information indicating its own status to the cloud server. The cloud server may execute processing in response to information received from the thin client terminal, and transmit image data or web page data as a screen reflecting the processing results to the thin client terminal. The mobile terminal 60 or the like as a thin client terminal may display the transmitted image data or web page data by an image viewer or a web browser. In this case, for example, the money discharge control including the selection of the discharge unit executed by the POS terminal 20 in the second embodiment may be executed by the cloud server.

[0152] <Summary of the embodiment> [Technical field] The present invention relates to a product sales data processing system and a program. [Background technology] 2. Description of the Related Art Self-checkout systems that include a deposit / withdrawal unit for change and a settlement device and that are used by customers to settle their bills are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-119613 A [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] In a product sales data processing device capable of storing change, it may be necessary to dispense the stored change during operation. In such a case, it is required that the dispenser can dispense the change efficiently. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to enable efficient ejection of coins when ejecting coins stored in a product sales data processing device capable of storing coins for change.

[0153] [Means for solving the problem] (1) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system (e.g., POS system 1 including POS terminal 20) comprising a storage section (e.g., change dispenser 209) for storing coins, a first discharge section (e.g., a change discharge port) through which coins are discharged from the storage section as change corresponding to the amount of change generated under the settlement process, a second discharge section (e.g., coin storage container 220) that is provided separately from the first discharge section and through which coins are discharged from the storage section, and a discharge control means for discharging coins to either the first discharge section or the second discharge section when discharging coins for purposes other than discharging coins as change.

[0154] According to the above configuration, when the POS terminal 20 is caused to discharge money to resolve a near-full state, for example, the money can be discharged to either the change discharge outlet or the money storage container 220. This allows the money to be discharged efficiently.

[0155] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system as described in (1), comprising a selection operation receiving means for receiving an operation to select whether the coins will be dispensed from the first dispensing unit or the second dispensing unit, and the dispensing control means dispenses the coins from the dispensing unit selected by the operation received by the selection operation receiving means.

[0156] According to the above configuration, for example, a store clerk can determine which of the dispensing portions the money should be dispensed from depending on the situation, and can dispense the money from the dispensing portion appropriate to the determination.

[0157] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is the product sales data processing system described in (1) or (2), wherein the discharge control means, when discharging the coins to be discharged stored in the storage section in response to the number of coins stored in the storage section reaching or exceeding a predetermined number, controls the coins to be discharged from the second discharge section when it is detected by a detection means that detects whether the coins can be discharged into a storage container (e.g., the coin storage container 220) that stores the coins discharged from the second discharge section (e.g., by detecting the presence or absence of the coin storage container 220, and determining whether the coins stored in the coin storage container 220 are full) that detects that the coins can be discharged, and controls the coins to be discharged from the first discharge section when the detection means detects that the coins cannot be discharged.

[0158] According to the above configuration, in a situation where it is impossible to discharge money into the money storage container 220, the money can be discharged from the change discharge outlet.

[0159] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system as described in (1), which includes a receiving means for receiving from another device settlement information used for settlement and coin discharge instruction information instructing whether coins are to be discharged from the first discharge section or the second discharge section, and the discharge control means causes coins to be discharged from either the first discharge section or the second discharge section based on the coin discharge instruction information after settlement processing using the received settlement information has been completed.

[0160] According to the above configuration, in a semi-self-service mode environment consisting of a POS terminal 20 in a registration-only mode and a POS terminal 20 in a settlement-only mode, the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode can be caused to execute settlement processing as well as the ejection of currency to release a near-full state, etc., in response to instructions from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode.

[0161] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is the product sales data processing system described in (4), wherein the receiving means stops receiving the settlement information in response to coins being discharged by the discharge control means.

[0162] According to the above configuration, when the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode is in a currency ejection state in which it is ejecting currency to release the near-full state or the like, it is configured not to receive (accept) settlement information transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. This allows the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode not to execute settlement processing in response to a settlement instruction from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode when in the currency ejection state.

[0163] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system as described in (4) or (5), wherein the discharge control means does not discharge coins in accordance with the coin discharge instruction information when the number of coins stored in the storage section changes from a predetermined number or more to a number less than the predetermined number as a result of the settlement process.

[0164] According to the above configuration, even if a command to dispense currency is received from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, if the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode executes a settlement process and the near-full state is resolved, it is possible to prevent the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode from dispensing currency. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary operations from being performed by the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode.

[0165] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system as described in any one of (1) to (6), wherein an upper limit on the number of coins that can be discharged in one coin discharge operation is set corresponding to the first discharge section, and when a number of coins exceeding the upper limit is to be discharged from the first discharge section, the discharge control means controls so that multiple coin discharge operations are executed to discharge coins within the upper limit.

[0166] According to the above configuration, even when it is necessary to discharge a number of bills that the change outlet cannot receive, the bills can be divided and discharged to the change outlet in multiple batches.

[0167] (8) One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer in a product sales data processing system having a storage unit for storing coins, a first discharge unit through which coins are discharged from the storage unit as change corresponding to the amount of change generated under a settlement process, and a second discharge unit provided separately from the first discharge unit through which coins are discharged from the storage unit, to function as a discharge control means for discharging coins from either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit when discharging coins for purposes other than discharging coins as change.

[0168] The above-described POS terminal 20 may be processed by recording a program for implementing the functions of the POS terminal 20 in a computer-readable recording medium, and reading and executing the program recorded in the recording medium into a computer system. Here, "reading and executing a program recorded in a recording medium into a computer system" includes installing the program into a computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, and other communication lines. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium may also include a recording medium provided inside or outside the computer system and accessible from a distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. That is, the format in which the program is stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as the program can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a program that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network. The program may also be a program for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0169] 1 POS system, 10 store controller, 20 (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) POS terminal, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 hard disk, 205 customer side display unit, 206 customer side scanner unit, 208 card reader, 209 change machine, 210 store clerk side display unit, 211 key operation unit, 212 store clerk side scanner unit, 213 printing unit, 214 voice output unit, 215 communication unit

Claims

1. A storage section for storing currency; a first discharging unit for discharging money as change from the storage unit in accordance with an amount of change generated during a settlement process; a second discharging unit that is provided separately from the first discharging unit and that becomes a candidate for a destination of the coins to be discharged from the storage unit when the number of coins stored in the storage unit reaches or exceeds a predetermined number; a discharge control means for discharging the bills to be discharged to either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit in response to the number of bills stored in the storage unit reaching a predetermined number or more; A product sales data processing system comprising:

2. a selection operation receiving means for receiving an operation to select which of the first dispensing unit and the second dispensing unit is to be used to dispense the currency, The discharge control means controls a discharge unit selected by the operation received by the selection operation receiving means to discharge the currency.

2. The product sales data processing system according to claim 1.

3. The discharge control means, when discharging the coins to be discharged stored in the storage section in response to the coins stored in the storage section reaching a predetermined number or more, controls so that the coins to be discharged are discharged from the second discharge section when a detection means for detecting whether or not the coins discharged from the second discharge section can be discharged into a storage container that stores the coins, detects that the coins can be discharged, and controls so that the coins to be discharged are discharged from the first discharge section when the detection means detects that the coins cannot be discharged.

3. A product sales data processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a receiving means for receiving, from another device, settlement information used for settlement and currency dispensing instruction information instructing whether currency is to be dispensed from the first dispensing unit or the second dispensing unit; The discharge control means controls the discharge of money from either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit based on the money discharge instruction information after a settlement process using the received settlement information is completed.

2. The product sales data processing system according to claim 1.

5. The receiving means stops receiving the settlement information in response to the discharge control means discharging the money.

5. A product sales data processing system according to claim 4.

6. The discharge control means does not discharge the money according to the money discharge instruction information when the number of the money stored in the storage unit changes from a predetermined number or more to a number less than the predetermined number due to the settlement process.

6. A product sales data processing system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. an upper limit number of coins that can be dispensed in one coin dispensing operation is set corresponding to the first dispensing unit; When a number of bills exceeding the upper limit number is to be discharged from the first discharge unit, the discharge control means controls so that a number of bill discharge operations are executed to discharge bills within the upper limit number.

7. A product sales data processing system according to claim 1.

8. A storage section for storing currency; a first discharging unit for discharging money as change from the storage unit in accordance with an amount of change generated during a settlement process; a second dispensing unit that is provided separately from the first dispensing unit and that becomes a candidate for a destination of coins to be dispensed from the storage unit when the number of coins stored in the storage unit reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, a discharge control means for discharging the bills to be discharged from either the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit in response to the number of bills stored in the storage unit reaching a predetermined number or more; A program to function as a

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