Payment device and program

Abstract

To resolve the inconveniences caused by a payment method selection operation.SOLUTION: A settlement device acquires data related to settlement of a commercial transaction. The settlement device accepts a payment required for settlement of the commercial transaction by one set payment method. The settlement device receives an instruction to change the payment method. The settlement device performs a process for settling the commercial transaction based on the acquired data and the accepted payment when the settlement device accepts the payment without receiving the change instruction. Before accepting the payment, the settlement device performs a process for handling a payment method other than one payment method when receiving the change instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a payment device and a program for causing a computer to function as the payment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Self-service or semi-self-service payment systems are increasingly being introduced in retail stores. In a self-service payment system, customers are responsible for the entire process from registering purchased items to making payment. In a semi-self-service payment system, a store clerk registers purchased items and the customer makes the payment. In stores where self-service payment systems have been introduced, POS (Point Of Sales) terminals compatible with self-service systems, so-called self-service POS terminals, are used. In stores where semi-self-service payment systems have been introduced, a registration terminal specialized for registering purchased items and a payment terminal specialized for customer payment are used. Hereinafter, self-service POS terminals or payment terminals that allow customers to make payments are collectively referred to as payment devices.

[0003] In many cases, the price required for a transaction is paid by cash, credit card, electronic money, etc. Therefore, the payment device is configured so that the customer can select the payment method to be used from among multiple payment methods to meet the needs of various customers. However, on the other hand, customers of the generation called the elderly or children tend to pay the price with cash. Furthermore, customers of this generation are often unfamiliar with operating the payment device. For this reason, there is a concern that the operation of selecting a payment method will be confusing, causing delays in the process and lengthening the waiting time for subsequent customers. Furthermore, many customers, regardless of generation, find the operation of selecting a payment method troublesome.

[0004] It is believed that such problems can be resolved by providing a payment device specialized for cash payments, for example, in addition to payment devices that support multiple payment methods, and encouraging customers who pay in cash to use the payment device specialized for cash payments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-085146 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a payment device that can eliminate the inconvenience caused by the selection operation of a payment method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the payment device Registration acceptance method and The payment receiving means includes a payment acceptance means, a change acceptance means, a first processing means, and a second processing means. The registration reception means receives registration of purchased items through an operation by a customer. The payment acceptance method is setting With one payment method The amount required to pay for the purchased item The change receiving means receives an instruction to change the payment method. When the change receiving means does not receive an instruction to change the payment method and the payment receiving means receives the payment, the first processing means Based on the price, the registration acceptance means accepts the purchase of the product registered by the one payment method. The second processing means performs processing for handling a payment method other than the one payment method when the change receiving means receives a change instruction before the payment receiving means receives the payment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a payment system including a self-service POS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the self-service POS terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the self-service POS terminal. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main memory areas formed in the main memory of the self-service POS terminal. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main memory areas formed in the auxiliary storage device of the self-service POS terminal. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the steps of a process executed by a processor of the self-service POS terminal in setting operations for main mode and sub mode. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of a process executed by a processor of the self-service POS terminal in pre-opening operations. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of a self-payment process executed by a processor of the self-service POS terminal after the store opens. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of a self-payment process executed by a processor of the self-service POS terminal after the store opens. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of a self-payment process executed by a processor of the self-service POS terminal after the store opens. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of a self-payment process executed by a processor of the self-service POS terminal after the store opens. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of a self-payment process executed by a processor of the self-service POS terminal after the store opens. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of a reception process executed by a processor of the self-service POS terminal after the store opens. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration waiting image displayed on the touch panel of the self-service POS terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment waiting image displayed on the touch panel of the self-service POS terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a payment device that can eliminate the inconvenience caused by the selection operation of a payment method will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a self-service POS terminal used in a self-service payment system is exemplified as one aspect of the payment device.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a payment system 10 including a self-service POS terminal 20. The payment system 10 includes a plurality of self-service POS terminals 20, a plurality of attendant terminals 30, a router 40, a POS server 50, and a network 60. The network 60 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), and connects the POS server 50, each self-service POS terminal 20, each attendant terminal 30, and the router 40 for bidirectional communication. The LAN may be wired or wireless. The router 40 is, for example, connected to the Internet. The router 40 connects each device constituting the payment system 10 to a computer on the Internet, and relays data communication between them. The computer includes, for example, a computer of a corporate entity required for credit card payment. The computer may provide a service using a cloud computing system.

[0011] The self-service POS terminal 20 is a payment device that enables a customer to carry out the process from registering purchased items to making a payment. A plurality of self-service POS terminals 20 are installed in a cash register that is provided separately from the sales floor where items are displayed in the store.

[0012] The self-service POS terminal 20 includes a general-purpose machine 20A that supports multiple payment methods such as cash, credit card, and electronic money, and a dedicated machine 20B that is specialized for one of the payment methods. The general-purpose machine 20A is provided with a sign to inform customers that it supports multiple payment methods. The dedicated machine 20B is provided with a sign to inform customers that it is a dedicated machine 20B specialized for, for example, cash payment, credit card payment, or electronic money payment.

[0013] There is no particular limit to the number of general-purpose machines 20A and dedicated machines 20B. The store manager may decide the number of general-purpose machines 20A and dedicated machines 20B according to the needs of customers. In addition to the self-POS terminal 20, a plurality of face-to-face POS terminals operated by store clerks called cashiers may be installed in the checkout area, and these POS terminals may also be connected to the network 60 to configure the payment system 10.

[0014] The attendant terminal 30 is an information processing device for managing the status of the self-service POS terminal 20. One attendant terminal 30 can manage the status of a plurality of self-service POS terminals 20. The attendant terminal 30 receives signals indicating various statuses from the self-service POS terminals 20 to be managed via the network 60, and displays the contents on a monitor. The monitor is placed in a waiting area for a store clerk, a so-called attendant, who assists customers who use the self-service POS terminals 20. The attendant can grasp the status of each self-service POS terminal 20 from the information displayed on the monitor.

[0015] The attendant terminal 30 includes an attendant terminal 30A for the general-purpose machine 20A and an attendant terminal 30B for the dedicated machine 20B. The attendant terminal 30A manages the general-purpose machine 20A. The attendant terminal 30B manages the dedicated machine 20B. The number of the attendant terminals 30A and 30B is not particularly limited. The number of self-POS terminals 20 that can be managed by one attendant terminal 30 is limited. Therefore, the number of the attendant terminals 30A and 30B is determined depending on the size of the store, the ratio of the general-purpose machine 20A to the dedicated machine 20B, and the like. It is arbitrary which self-POS terminals 20 the attendant terminal 30 manages. Therefore, it is also possible for one attendant terminal 30 to manage a mixture of the general-purpose machine 20A and the dedicated machine 20B. In addition, in the case of a store with a small number of self-service POS terminals 20, it is possible for one attendant terminal 30 to manage both the general-purpose machine 20A and the dedicated machine 20B.

[0016] The POS server 50 is a computer for centrally controlling the processes related to the registration and settlement of purchased items executed at each self-service POS terminal 20. The POS server 50 collects in real time data on purchased items registered at each self-service POS terminal 20 via the network 60 and tallys up the data, thereby managing data such as sales and inventory at the time of selling the items.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the self-service POS terminal 20, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the self-service POS terminal 20. The self-service POS terminal 20 as the general-purpose machine 20A and the self-service POS terminal 20 as the dedicated machine 20B have the same hardware configuration. Therefore, the main hardware configuration of the self-service POS terminal 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, without distinguishing between the general-purpose machine 20A and the dedicated machine 20B.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the self-service POS terminal 20 includes a main body 200 installed on the floor and a scale unit 201 installed beside the main body 200. The main body 200 has a display pole 202 and a touch panel 203 attached to its upper portion. The main body 200 has a basket stand 204 installed in the center of the side opposite to the side where the scale unit 201 is installed. The basket stand 204 is for customers coming from the sales floor to place baskets containing purchased products. Customers stand on the front side of the main body 200 in FIG. 2 so that they can see the screen of the touch panel 203. Therefore, when viewed from the customer, the basket stand 204 is on the right side of the main body 200 and the scale unit 201 is on the left side. In the following description, the side where the customer stands is the front of the main body 200, the side where the scale unit 201 is installed is the left side of the main body 200, and the side where the basket stand 204 is installed is the right side of the main body 200.

[0019] The display pole 202 has a light emitting unit 202A at its tip that selectively emits light, for example, in blue or red. The display pole 202 displays the status of the self-service POS terminal 20, for example, standby, operating, calling, error, etc., by the emitted light color of the light emitting unit 202A.

[0020] The touch panel 203 is composed of a display for displaying various screens to an operator who operates the self-service POS terminal 20, and a touch sensor for detecting touch input to the screen by the operator. In the self-service POS terminal 20, the operator is usually a customer.

[0021] A reading window 205A for a scanner 205 (see FIG. 3), a card insertion slot 206, a receipt issuing slot 207, a coin insertion slot 208, a coin dispensing outlet 209, a bill insertion slot 210, and a bill dispensing outlet 211 are formed on the front of the main body 200. A communication cable 212 extends from the right side surface of the main body 200 to the outside, and a reader / writer 213 for electronic money media is connected to the tip of this communication cable 212. The reader / writer 213 is placed on a stand 214 provided on the upper right side surface of the main body 200.

[0022] Scale unit 201 has a structure in which scale pan 222 is provided on the upper part of housing 221, and bag holder 223 is attached to the upper part of scale pan 222. The upper surface of scale pan 222 serves as placement surface 222A. Bag holder 223 has a pair of holding arms 223A, which hold a plastic bag or a shopping bag brought by a customer, so-called a "my bag." Scale unit 201 measures the weight of an item placed in the plastic bag or my bag held by holding arms 223A and placed on placement surface 222A.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, the self-service POS terminal 20 includes a processor 231, a main memory 232, an auxiliary storage device 233, a clock 234, a communication interface 235, an automatic change machine 236, a scanner 205, a touch panel 203, a printer 237, a card reader 238, a reader / writer 213, a light-emitting unit 202A, a scale unit 201, and a system transmission path 239. The system transmission path 239 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission path 239 connects the processor 231 to each of the other units directly or via a signal input / output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them. The processor 231, the main memory 232, and the auxiliary storage device 233 are connected by the system transmission path 239 to configure a computer of the self-service POS terminal 20.

[0024] The processor 231 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 231 controls each part to realize various functions of the self-service POS terminal 20 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 231 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0025] The main memory 232 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 232 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 232 stores an operating system or an application program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 232 may store data required for the processor 231 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 232 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 231. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0026] The auxiliary storage device 233 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 233. The auxiliary storage device 233 stores data used by the processor 231 in performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 231, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 233 may also store the above-mentioned application programs.

[0027] The clock 234 keeps track of the time. The processor 231 processes the time kept by the clock 234 as the current time.

[0028] The communication interface 235 performs data communication with the POS server 50, the attendant terminal 30, the router 40, or other self-POS terminals 20 connected via the network 60 in accordance with a preset communication protocol.

[0029] The automatic change machine 236 includes a coin unit 236A and a bill unit 236B. The coin unit 236A sorts coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 208 one by one, identifies the denomination, and stores them in the safe according to the denomination. The coin unit 236A takes out coins of the corresponding denomination from the safe based on, for example, the change data, and dispenses them to the coin dispensing outlet 209. The bill unit 236B sorts bills inserted into the bill insertion slot 210 one by one, identifies the denomination, and stores them in the safe according to the denomination. The bill unit 236B takes out bills of the corresponding denomination from the safe based on, for example, the change data, and dispenses them to the bill dispensing outlet 211.

[0030] The scanner 205 reads a code symbol from a commodity held over the reading window 205A. Each commodity sold in a store is provided with a code symbol that encodes a commodity ID or the like for identifying the commodity. The code symbol is, for example, a barcode. The code symbol may be, for example, a two-dimensional data code. The scanner 205 may be of a type that reads a code symbol by scanning with a laser beam, or of a type that reads a code symbol from an image captured by an imaging device.

[0031] The printer 237 prints receipt data showing details of a transaction on receipt paper. The receipt paper on which the receipt data has been printed is discharged from the receipt issuing port 207, cut by a cutter (not shown), and issued as a receipt.

[0032] The card reader 238 reads card data recorded on a card medium such as a credit card, a point card, etc. The card reader 238 pulls the card medium inserted into the card insertion slot 206 into the main body 200, reads the card data, and then ejects the card from the card insertion slot 206.

[0033] The reader / writer 213 reads and rewrites electronic money recorded on an electronic money medium. The electronic money medium is, for example, a contactless IC card. The electronic money medium may also be an electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the self-service POS terminal 20 having such a configuration forms a status memory 71 and a transaction memory 72 in the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 232. The status memory 71 stores data indicating the state of the self-service POS terminal 20, that is, a status. The state of the self-service POS terminal 20 includes a standby state in which the terminal is waiting for the start of registration of purchased goods, and an operating state in which the terminal is executing processes from the start of registration of purchased goods to the end of payment. In this embodiment, the status indicating the standby state is "0", and the status indicating the operating state is "1". In this embodiment, when the status is "0" indicating the standby state, the light-emitting unit 202A is turned off. Then, when the status changes from "0" indicating the standby state to "1" indicating the operating state, the light-emitting unit 202A emits green light to inform the surroundings that the terminal is operating.

[0035] The transaction memory 72 stores data related to commercial transactions with customers. The data related to commercial transactions includes sales data of purchased items, such as item ID, item name, unit price, number of items sold, sales amount, etc. The data related to commercial transactions also includes the total number of items purchased, the total amount, etc.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the self-service POS terminal 20 forms a POS data memory 81, a main mode memory 82, a sub-mode memory 83, a payment management table 84, and a POS management table 85 in part of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 233.

[0037] The POS data memory 81 stores the POS ID and POS name set for the self-service POS terminal 20. A unique POS ID and POS name are set for each self-service POS terminal 20. The POS ID and POS name are a unique code and name that are preset to identify each self-service POS terminal 20.

[0038] The main mode memory 82 stores the value of the main mode M1 set for the self-POS terminal 20. The main mode M1 includes a general-purpose machine mode for operating the self-POS terminal 20 as a general-purpose machine 20A, and a dedicated machine mode for operating the self-POS terminal 20 as a dedicated machine 20B. In this embodiment, the value of the general-purpose machine mode is "0" and the value of the dedicated machine mode is "1." A self-POS terminal 20 in which the general-purpose machine mode value "0" is set as the main mode M1 operates as the general-purpose machine 20A. A self-POS terminal 20 in which the dedicated machine mode value "1" is set as the main mode M1 operates as the dedicated machine 20B.

[0039] The submode memory 83 stores the value of the submode M2 ​​set for the self-service POS terminal 20 operating as the dedicated machine 20B. The submode M2 ​​includes a replaceable mode that can accommodate payment methods other than the dedicated payment method, and a non-replaceable mode that cannot accommodate payment methods other than the dedicated payment method. In this embodiment, the value of the replaceable mode is "0" and the value of the non-replaceable mode is "1." A self-service POS terminal 20 in which the value "0" of the replaceable mode is set as the submode functions as a replaceable dedicated machine 20B1 that can be changed to another payment method. A self-service POS terminal 20 in which the value "1" of the non-replaceable mode is set as the submode functions as a non-replaceable dedicated machine 20B2 that cannot be changed to another payment method.

[0040] The payment management table 84 has a first field 841, a second field 842, a third field 843, and a fourth field 844. A payment code is described in the first field 841. The payment code is a unique code assigned to each type of payment method in order to identify a plurality of types of payment methods such as cash, credit card, and electronic money. A payment name representing the payment method specified by the payment code described in the first field 841 is described in the second field 842. A first flag F1 is described in the third field 843, and a second flag F2 is described in the fourth field 844. The first flag F1 and the second flag F2 will be described later. Incidentally, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the payment code for cash payment is "100", the payment code for credit card payment is "200", and the payment code for electronic money payment is "300".

[0041] The POS management table 85 has a first field 851, a second field 852, and a third field 853. The first field 851 describes the POS ID of another self POS terminal 20. The second field 852 describes the POS name set in the self POS terminal 20 identified by the POS ID described in the first field 851. The third field 853 describes a third flag F3. The third flag F3 will be described later.

[0042] Now, one of the tasks that the processor 231 of the self-service POS terminal 20 can execute is a task of setting the main mode M1 and the sub mode M2. This task is executed, for example, when a new self-service POS terminal 20 is installed in a checkout area as a general-purpose machine 20A or a dedicated machine 20B. This task is executed, for example, when a self-service POS terminal 20 that has been used as a general-purpose machine 20A is changed to a dedicated machine 20B, or vice versa. This task is executed by limited persons such as a store manager or a maintenance worker of the self-service POS terminal 20. Hereinafter, a person who executes this task is referred to as a task manager. Note that when executing this task, it is assumed that a POS ID and a POS name are set in the POS data memory 81 of the self-service POS terminal 20, and payment codes and payment names of a plurality of payment methods allowed in the store are set in the payment management table 84.

[0043] Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing the main processing procedure of the processor 231 for a task of setting the main mode M1 and the sub mode M2. When the start of the task is commanded by the worker operating the touch panel 203, the processor 231 starts information processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of Fig. 6 according to a program stored in the main memory 232 or the auxiliary storage device 233. The program is an application program for supporting the task of setting the main mode M1 and the sub mode M2. Note that the content of the processing shown in Fig. 6 and described below is one example. The processing procedure and processing content are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

[0044] First, the processor 231 waits for the value of the main mode M1 to be input as Act 1. The worker operates the touch panel 203 to input the value of the main mode M1. That is, the worker inputs the value "0" when the self-service POS terminal 20 to be operated is operated as the general-purpose machine 20A. The worker inputs the value "1" when the self-service POS terminal 20 to be operated is operated as the dedicated machine 20B.

[0045] There is no particular limitation on the method of inputting the value of the main mode M1. One example of such a method is to display images of a "general-purpose machine" button and a "dedicated machine" button on the touch panel 203. In this case, the worker touches the "general-purpose machine" button when the self-POS terminal 20 is operated as the general-purpose machine 20A. The worker touches the "dedicated machine" button when the self-POS terminal 20 is operated as the dedicated machine 20B. When the "general-purpose machine" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that "0" has been input as the main mode M1. When the "dedicated machine" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that "1" has been input as the main mode M1.

[0046] When the processor 231 detects that the value of the main mode M1 has been input, it determines YES in Act 1 and proceeds to Act 2. The processor 231 writes the value of the main mode M1 in the main mode memory 82 in Act 2.

[0047] In Act 3, the processor 231 checks the value of the main mode M1 written in the main mode memory 82. If the value of the main mode M1 is "0", the processor 231 judges NO in Act 3 and proceeds to Act 10. The processing of Act 10 will be described later.

[0048] If the value of the main mode M1 is "1", the processor 231 judges YES in Act 3 and proceeds to Act 4. The processor 231 waits for the payment code to be input in Act 4. The service staff decides which payment method the self-POS terminal 20 is to operate as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for, and operates the touch panel 203 to input the payment code corresponding to the payment method. If the self-POS terminal 20 is to operate as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for cash payment, the service staff inputs the payment code "100". If the self-POS terminal 20 is to operate as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for credit card payment, the service staff inputs the payment code "200". If the self-POS terminal 20 is to operate as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for electronic money payment, the service staff inputs the payment code "300".

[0049] The method of inputting the payment code is not particularly limited. One example of such a method is to display images of a "Cash" button, a "Credit" button, and an "Electronic Money" button, each of which indicates the name of a payment method, on the touch panel 203. In this case, the staff member touches the "Cash" button when the self-POS terminal 20 is operated as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for cash payments. The staff member touches the "Credit" button when the self-POS terminal 20 is operated as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for credit card payments. The staff member touches the "Electronic Money" button when the self-POS terminal 20 to be operated is operated as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for electronic money payments. When the "Cash" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that "100" has been input as the payment code. When the "Credit" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that "200" has been input as the payment code. When the "Electronic Money" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that "300" has been input as the payment code.

[0050] When the processor 231 detects that a payment code has been input, it determines YES in Act 4 and proceeds to Act 5. The processor 231 writes the value of the first flag F1 in the third field 843 of the payment management table 84 in Act 5. Specifically, the processor 231 sets the value of the first flag F1 corresponding to the payment code input in Act 4 to "1", and sets the values ​​of the first flag F1 corresponding to other payment codes to "0".

[0051] The processor 231 waits for the value of the submode M2 ​​to be input in Act 6. The worker operates the touch panel 203 to input the value of the submode M2. That is, the worker inputs the value "0" when the dedicated device 20B is to operate as a replaceable dedicated device 20B1 that can be changed to another payment method. The worker inputs the value "1" when the dedicated device 20B is to operate as a non-replaceable dedicated device 20B2 that cannot be changed to another payment method.

[0052] The method of inputting the value of the submode M2 ​​is not particularly limited. One example of such a method is to display images of a "substitutable" button and a "non-substitutable" button on the touch panel 203. In this case, the worker touches the "substitutable" button when the self-service POS terminal 20 is operated as the substitutable dedicated machine 20B1. The worker touches the "non-substitutable" button when the self-service POS terminal 20 is operated as the non-substitutable dedicated machine 20B2. When the "substitutable" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that "0" has been input as the submode M2. When the "non-substitutable" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that "1" has been input as the submode M2.

[0053] When the processor 231 detects that the value of the submode M2 ​​has been input, the result of the determination in Act 6 is YES, and the process proceeds to Act 7. The processor 231 writes the value of the submode M2 ​​in the submode memory 83 in Act 7.

[0054] The processor 231 checks the value of the submode M2 ​​written in the submode memory 83 in Act 8. If the value of the submode M2 ​​is "0", the processor 231 judges NO in Act 8 and proceeds to Act 11. The processing of Act 11 will be described later.

[0055] If the value of the submode M2 ​​is "1", the processor 231 judges YES in Act 8 and proceeds to Act 9. The processor 231 writes the value of the second flag F2 in the fourth field 844 of the payment management table 84 in Act 9. Specifically, the processor 231 sets the value of the second flag F2 corresponding to the payment code input in Act 4 to "1", and sets the value of the second flag F2 corresponding to other payment codes to "0".

[0056] As described above, if the value of the main mode M1 is "0", the processor 231 judges NO in Act 3 and proceeds to Act 10. In Act 10, the processor 231 writes all "1" as the value of the first flag F1 in the third field 843 of the payment management table 84. After that, the processor 231 proceeds to Act 11.

[0057] As described above, if the value of the submode M2 ​​is "0", the processor 231 judges NO in Act 8 and proceeds to Act 11. That is, when the processing of Act 10 is completed or the judgment is NO in Act 8, the processor 231 proceeds to Act 11. The processor 231 writes all "1" as the value of the second flag F2 in the fourth field 844 of the payment management table 84 in Act 11.

[0058] When the processing of Act 9 or Act 11 is completed, the processor 231 ends the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0059] By the above process, in the self-POS terminal 20 functioning as the general-purpose machine 20A, "0" is set as the main mode M1 in the main mode memory 82. In the payment management table 84, the first flag F1 and the second flag F2 corresponding to each payment method are both set to "1".

[0060] In the self POS terminal 20 functioning as the dedicated device 20B, "1" is set as the main mode M1 in the main mode memory 82. In the payment management table 84, the first flag F1 corresponding to the payment method specialized by the dedicated device 20B is set to "1", and the first flag F1 corresponding to the other payment methods is set to "0".

[0061] When the dedicated device 20B operates as the replaceable dedicated device 20B1, "0" is set as the submode M2 ​​in the submode memory 83. In the payment management table 84, the second flags F2 corresponding to the respective payment methods are all set to "1."

[0062] When the dedicated machine 20B operates as the non-substitutable dedicated machine 20B2, a submode M2 ​​of "1" is set in the submode memory 83. In the payment management table 84, the second flag F2 corresponding to the payment method specialized by the non-substitutable dedicated machine 20B2 is set to "1", and the second flag F2 corresponding to the other payment methods is set to "0".

[0063] In this way, by executing a task of setting the main mode M1 and the sub mode M2 ​​for the self POS terminal 20, it is possible to easily set whether the self POS terminal 20 operates as a general-purpose machine 20A or a dedicated machine 20B. That is, the user can operate the self POS terminal 20 as a general-purpose machine 20A by setting the value of the main mode M1 to "0". The user can operate the self POS terminal 20 as a dedicated machine 20B by setting the value of the main mode M1 to "1".

[0064] Furthermore, when operating as a dedicated machine 20B, the user can easily set which payment method the dedicated machine 20B is specialized for by inputting a payment code. That is, the user can set the self-service POS terminal 20 as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for cash payments by inputting a payment code "100". The user can set the self-service POS terminal 20 as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for credit card payments by inputting a payment code "200". The user can set the self-service POS terminal 20 as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for electronic money payments by inputting a payment code "300".

[0065] Furthermore, depending on the input value of the submode M2, it is possible to easily set whether the self-service POS terminal 20 operates as a replaceable dedicated machine 20B1 or a non-replaceable dedicated machine 20B2. That is, the user can operate the self-service POS terminal 20 as a replaceable dedicated machine 20B1 by setting the value of the submode M2 ​​to "0." The user can operate the self-service POS terminal 20 as a non-replaceable dedicated machine 20B2 by setting the value of the submode M2 ​​to "1."

[0066] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the main processing procedure of the processor 231 for some of the pre-opening operations executed before the store opens. Regardless of whether it operates as a general-purpose machine 20A or a dedicated machine 20B, the processor 231 of each self-service POS terminal 20 executes the processing procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7 before the store opens. This processing is based on a program stored in the main memory 232 or the auxiliary storage device 233. The program is an application program for supporting the pre-opening operations. Note that the content of the processing shown in FIG. 7 and described below is one example. The processing procedure and processing content are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

[0067] For example, the self-service POS terminal 20 stores a schedule memory in which opening and closing times for each business day are described in a part of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 233. When the time measured by the clock 234 reaches a predetermined time before the opening time, the processor 231 starts processing the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0068] The processor 231 starts a timer in Act 21. The timer, which counts a predetermined time shorter than the elapsed time from the start time of the process to the opening time, is built in the processor 231. The processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transmit a command requesting the main mode M1 to the other self-POS terminal 20 in Act 22. By this control, the communication interface 235 transmits a main mode request command addressed to the other self-POS terminal 20 connected via the network 60. The main mode request command is received by the other self-POS terminal 20 in operation via the network 60. The main mode request command includes at least the POSID written in the POS data memory 81.

[0069] In Act 23, the processor 231 checks whether the timer has timed out. If the timer has not timed out, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 23 and proceeds to Act 24. In Act 24, the processor 231 checks whether a response command to the main mode request command has been received. If a response command has not been received, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 24 and proceeds to Act 25. In Act 25, the processor 231 checks whether a main mode request command has been received from another self POS terminal 20. If a main mode request command has not been received, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 25 and returns to Act 23. Thus, in Act 23 to Act 25, the processor 231 waits for the timer to time out, for a response command to be received, or for a main mode request command to be received.

[0070] In the standby state of Act 23 to Act 25, when the processor 231 receives a main mode request command transmitted from another self POS terminal 20 through the communication interface 235, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 25 and proceeds to Act 26. In Act 26, the processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transmit a response command. Through this control, the communication interface 235 transmits the response command to the self POS terminal 20 identified by the POSID included in the main mode request command. The response command is received by the self POS terminal 20 that transmitted the main mode request command via the network 60. The response command includes at least the POSID and POS name described in the POS data memory 81, and the main mode M1 described in the main mode memory 82. After completing the process of Act 26, the processor 231 returns to the standby state of Act 23 to Act 25.

[0071] In the standby state of Act 23 to Act 25, when the processor 231 receives a response command sent to itself from another self POS terminal 20 through the communication interface 235, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 24 and proceeds to Act 27. In Act 27, the processor 231 acquires the POS ID, the POS name, and the main mode M1 from the response command. In Act 28, the processor 231 writes the POS ID and the POS name acquired from the response command in the first field 851 and the second field 852 of the POS management table 85.

[0072] The processor 231 checks the main mode M1 acquired from the response command in Act 29. If the main mode M1 is "1", the processor 231 judges YES in Act 29 and proceeds to Act 30. The processor 231 writes "1" as the third flag F3 in the third field 853 of the POS management table 85 in Act 30. If the main mode M1 is "0", the processor 231 judges NO in Act 29 and proceeds to Act 31. The processor 231 writes "0" as the third flag F3 in the third field 853 of the POS management table 85 in Act 31. After completing the process of Act 30 or Act 31, the processor 231 returns to the standby state of Act 23 to Act 25.

[0073] In the standby state from Act 23 to Act 25, when the timer times out, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 23 and ends the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0074] Through the above process, in each self POS terminal 20, the POS ID and POS name of the other self POS terminal 20 in operation are stored together with the third flag F3 in the POS management table 85. The third flag F3 is set to "0" when the other self POS terminal 20 identified by the corresponding POS ID and POS name operates as a general-purpose machine 20A, and is set to "1" when the other self POS terminal 20 operates as a dedicated machine 20B.

[0075] 8 to 13 are flow charts showing the main processing steps of the processor 231 for some of the business operations during the opening hours executed during the opening hours from the opening to the closing hours. Specifically, FIG. 8 to FIG. 12 show the procedure of the self-payment processing, and FIG. 13 shows the procedure of the reception processing. The self-payment processing is a processing to support the payment by the self-service method in which the customer himself performs the process from registering the purchased goods to the payment. The reception processing is a processing executed by the self-service POS terminal 20 in response to receiving data from another self-service POS terminal 20. Regardless of whether it operates as the general-purpose machine 20A or the dedicated machine 20B, the processor 231 of each self-service POS terminal 20 executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8 to FIG. 13 during the opening hours. This processing is based on a program stored in the main memory 232 or the auxiliary storage device 233. The program is an application program for supporting the business operations during the opening hours. Note that the contents of the processing shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 13 and described below are only examples. The processing procedure and the processing contents are not particularly limited as long as the same result can be obtained.

[0076] When the time measured by the clock 234 reaches the opening time written in the schedule memory, the processor 231 starts the self-service settlement process according to the procedure shown in the flowcharts of Figures 8 to 12. At this time, the status of the status memory 71 is "0." Also, the transaction memory 72 is cleared.

[0077] 8, in Act 41, the processor 231 causes the touch panel 203 to display an initial image. The initial image includes an image for prompting the customer to select whether or not to use a plastic bag provided in the store.

[0078] A customer who has finished shopping at the sales floor and has come to the cashier to pay for the purchased items places a shopping basket on the basket stand 204 of a self-POS terminal 20 whose light-emitting unit 202A is not emitting light, that is, a self-POS terminal 20 in a standby state, and stands in front of the terminal. At this time, a customer who pays with cash stands in front of the general-purpose machine 20A or the dedicated machine 20B specialized for cash payments. A customer who pays with a credit card stands in front of the general-purpose machine 20A or the dedicated machine 20B specialized for credit card payments. A customer who pays with electronic money stands in front of the general-purpose machine 20A or the dedicated machine 20B specialized for electronic money payments. As described above, a customer can easily tell by signs whether the self-POS terminal 20 is the general-purpose machine 20A or the dedicated machine 20B, and in the case of the dedicated machine 20B, whether it is specialized for cash payments, credit card payments, or electronic money payments.

[0079] An initial image is displayed on the touch panel 203 of the self-service POS terminal 20 in a standby state. After checking the initial image, the customer operates the touch panel 203 to select whether or not to use a plastic bag. If the customer uses a plastic bag, the customer hangs the plastic bag on the holding arm 223A. If the customer uses a reusable bag, the customer hangs the reusable bag on the holding arm 223A.

[0080] After controlling the display of the initial image, the processor 231 waits for an instruction to start registration in Act 42. When the processor 231 detects that a selection as to whether or not to use a plastic bag has been made by touch input on the touch panel 203, it determines that an instruction to start registration has been given. When an instruction to start registration has been given, the processor 231 judges that the result is YES in Act 42, and proceeds to Act 43. The processor 231 changes the status of the status memory 71 from "0" to "1" in Act 43. This causes the light emitting unit 202A to emit green light.

[0081] The processor 231 checks the value of the main mode M1 written in the main mode memory 82 in Act 44. If the value of the main mode M1 is "0", that is, if the self-service POS terminal 20 is the general-purpose machine 20A, the processor 231 determines NO in Act 44 and proceeds to Act 45. The processor 231 displays a registration waiting image on the touch panel 203 in Act 45. The registration waiting image includes an image for prompting the customer to start registering the purchased item.

[0082] After checking the registration waiting image, the customer starts the operation of registering the purchased item. That is, the customer removes the purchased item from the shopping basket placed on the basket stand 204, and checks whether or not a code symbol is attached. If a code symbol is attached to the purchased item, the customer holds the code symbol over the reading window 205A. If a code symbol is not attached to the purchased item, the customer touches the touch panel 203 to cause an image of a product button corresponding to the purchased item to be displayed on the touch panel 203. The customer then touches the product button. In this way, by holding the code symbol over the reading window 205A or touching the product button, the purchased item can be registered in the self-service POS terminal 20. After completing the registration of the purchased item, the customer places the purchased item in a shopping bag or a personal bag.

[0083] The processor 231, which has controlled the display of the registration waiting image, waits for the registration of the purchased item in Act 46. When the code symbol held over the reading window 205A is read by the scanner 205 and a product ID is detected from the code symbol data, the processor 231 determines that the purchased item has been registered. When a product button displayed on the touch panel 203 is touched and a product ID is detected from the product button data, the processor 231 determines that the purchased item has been registered.

[0084] If the processor 231 determines that the purchased item is registered, it determines YES in Act 46 and proceeds to Act 47. The processor 231 executes a registration process in Act 47. That is, the processor 231 acquires purchased item data such as the item name and unit price from the POS server 50 based on the item ID of the purchased item. The processor 231 generates item sales data including the item ID, item name, unit price, sales quantity, sales amount, etc. based on the purchased item data, and writes it to the transaction memory 72.

[0085] In Act 48, the processor 231 causes the touch panel 203 to display a product registration image. The product registration image includes a list image of the product sales data written in the transaction memory 72, and an image of a checkout button for accepting a checkout declaration. The list image is a list of product names, unit prices, sales units, sales amounts, etc. that constitute the product sales data. The list image also shows the total number of items, which is the sum of the sales units, and the total amount, which is the sum of the sales amounts.

[0086] The customer sequentially registers the products he or she wishes to purchase. When the customer has completed the registration of all the products he or she wishes to purchase, the customer touches the checkout button.

[0087] The processor 231, which has controlled the display of the product registration image, checks whether product registration has been performed in Act 49. If product registration has not been performed, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 49 and proceeds to Act 50. The processor 231 checks whether the checkout button has been touched in Act 50. If the checkout button has not been touched, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 50 and returns to Act 49. Thus, the processor 231 waits for product registration to be performed or for the checkout button to be touched in Act 49 and Act 50.

[0088] In the standby state of Act 49 and Act 50, when the processor 231 detects that the product registration has been performed, the processor 231 judges that the result is YES in Act 49 and returns to Act 47. That is, the processor 231 executes the above-mentioned registration process and updates the product registration image displayed on the touch panel 203.

[0089] In the standby state of Act 49 and Act 50, when the processor 231 detects that the checkout button has been touched, it determines YES in Act 50 and proceeds to Act 51 in Fig. 9. The processor 231 acquires payment data related to the payment of the commercial transaction in Act 51. The payment data includes sales data of all purchased items stored in the transaction memory 72 and the total data thereof.

[0090] In Act 52, the processor 231 displays a payment method selection image on the touch panel 203. The payment method selection image includes images of a "Cash" button, a "Credit" button, and an "Electronic Money" button, each of which indicates the payment method whose second flag F2 is set to "1" in the payment management table 84.

[0091] After checking the payment method selection image, the customer touches the button with the name of the desired payment method. That is, a customer who wishes to pay in cash touches the "Cash" button. A customer who wishes to pay by credit card touches the "Credit" button. A customer who wishes to pay by electronic money touches the "Electronic Money" button.

[0092] After controlling the display of the payment method selection image, the processor 231 waits for one of the payment methods to be selected in Act 53. If the "Cash" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that cash payment has been selected. If the "Credit" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that credit card payment has been selected. If the "Electronic Money" button is touched, the processor 231 determines that electronic money payment has been selected.

[0093] If the processor 231 determines that any of the payment methods has been selected, the result is YES in Act 53, and the process proceeds to Act 54. The processor 231 starts up the payment device in Act 54. The processor 231 also causes the touch panel 203 to display a payment waiting image in Act 55.

[0094] For example, when cash payment is selected in Act 53, the processor 231 activates the automatic change machine 236. The processor 231 also causes the touch panel 203 to display a payment waiting image instructing the customer to insert bills or coins as payment into the bill insertion slot 210 or the coin insertion slot 208.

[0095] For example, when credit card payment is selected in Act 53, the processor 231 activates the card reader 238. The processor 231 also causes the touch panel 203 to display a payment waiting image instructing the customer to insert a credit card into the card insertion slot 206 as payment.

[0096] For example, when electronic money payment is selected in Act 53, the processor 231 activates the reader / writer 213. The processor 231 also causes the touch panel 203 to display a payment waiting image instructing the customer to hold an electronic money medium on which electronic money as payment is recorded over the reader / writer 213.

[0097] A customer who has checked the image waiting for payment pays the price. That is, a customer who has selected cash payment inserts bills or coins as payment into the bill slot 210 or coin slot 208. A customer who has selected credit card payment inserts a credit card as payment into the card slot 206. A customer who has selected electronic money payment holds an electronic money medium on which the electronic money as payment is recorded over the reader / writer 213.

[0098] The processor 231 waits for payment in Act 56. The processor 231 determines that payment has been made when a bill or a coin is inserted into the bill insertion slot 210 or the coin insertion slot 208 of the automatic change machine 236. The processor 231 determines that payment has been made when data on a credit card inserted into the card insertion slot 206 is read by the card reader 238. The processor 231 determines that payment has been made when data on an electronic money medium is read by the reader / writer 213.

[0099] If it is determined that the payment has been made, the processor 231 determines YES in Act 56 and proceeds to Act 57. In Act 57, the processor 231 executes a payment process based on the payment data.

[0100] For example, when bills or coins are inserted into the bill insertion slot 210 or coin insertion slot 208 of the automatic change machine 236, the processor 231 executes a cash settlement process. That is, the processor 231 determines the total amount of the inserted bills or coins as the deposit amount. The processor 231 then calculates the amount of change on the condition that this deposit amount is equal to or greater than the total amount of the settlement data, and commands the automatic change machine 236 to dispense the change. The processor 231 also controls the printer 237 to print receipt print data on receipt paper. With this control, a receipt is issued from the receipt issuing slot 207.

[0101] For example, when credit card data is read by the card reader 238, the processor 231 executes the credit card payment process. That is, the processor 231 queries an external computer for authorization of the credit card payment. Then, on the condition that the credit card payment is authorized, the processor 231 controls the printer 237 to print the print data of the credit card slip on receipt paper. This control causes the credit card slip to be issued from the receipt issuing port 207.

[0102] For example, when data on an electronic money medium is read by the reader / writer 213, the processor 231 executes electronic money payment processing. That is, the processor 231 performs processing to subtract the total amount from the electronic money balance, provided that the balance is equal to or greater than the total amount of the payment data. The processor 231 also controls the printer 237 to print receipt print data on receipt paper. With this control, a receipt is issued from the receipt issuing port 207.

[0103] When the processor 231 finishes the payment process, it changes the status of the status memory 71 back from "1" to "0" in Act 58. This causes the light-emitting unit 202A to turn off. With this, the processor 231 ends the self-payment process. After that, the processor 231 resumes the self-payment process from Act 41 in FIG. 8.

[0104] In Act 44 of Fig. 8, if the main mode M1 is "1", that is, if the self POS terminal 20 is the dedicated machine 20B, the processor 231 judges as YES and proceeds to Act 61 of Fig. 10. In Act 61, the processor 231 causes the touch panel 203 to display a registration waiting image.

[0105] FIG. 14 is an example of a registration waiting image SC1. As shown in the figure, the registration waiting image SC1 includes a message ME1 for prompting a customer to start registering an item, a message ME2 for informing the customer that it is a dedicated machine, and a change button BT1. Incidentally, the message ME2 shown in FIG. 14 is for a self-service POS terminal 20 that operates as a dedicated machine 20B for cash payments. In the case of a self-service POS terminal 20 that operates as a dedicated machine 20B for credit card payments, the part of the message ME2 that reads "This machine is a dedicated machine for cash payments" becomes "This machine is a dedicated machine for credit card payments". In the case of a self-service POS terminal 20 that operates as a dedicated machine 20B for electronic money payments, the part of the message ME2 that reads "This machine is a dedicated machine for cash payments" becomes "This machine is a dedicated machine for electronic money payments".

[0106] A customer who pays with the payment method shown in message ME2 starts product registration according to message ME1. A customer who pays with another payment method touches change button BT1 according to message ME2.

[0107] The processor 231, which has controlled the display of the registration waiting image SC1, checks whether or not product registration has been performed in Act 62. If product registration has not been performed, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 62 and proceeds to Act 63. The processor 231 checks whether or not the change button BT1 has been touched in Act 63. If the change button BT1 has not been touched, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 63 and returns to Act 62. Thus, the processor 231 waits for product registration to be performed or for the change button BT1 to be touched in Act 62 and Act 63.

[0108] In the standby state of Act 62 and Act 63, when the processor 231 detects that a product has been registered, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 62 and proceeds to Act 64. The processor 231 executes a registration process in Act 64. The processor 231 also displays a product registration image on the touch panel 203 in Act 65. The processes in Act 64 and Act 65 are similar to the processes in Act 47 and Act 48 of FIG. 8 described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0109] The processor 231, which has controlled the display of the product registration image, checks whether product registration has been performed in Act 66. If product registration has not been performed, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 66 and proceeds to Act 67. The processor 231 checks whether the checkout button has been touched in Act 67. If the checkout button has not been touched, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 67 and returns to Act 66. Thus, the processor 231 waits for product registration to be performed or for the checkout button to be touched in Act 66 and Act 67.

[0110] In the standby state of Act 66 and Act 67, when the processor 231 detects that the product registration has been performed, the processor 231 judges that the result is YES in Act 66 and returns to Act 64. That is, the processor 231 executes the above-mentioned registration process and updates the product registration image displayed on the touch panel 203.

[0111] In the standby state of Act 66 and Act 67, when the processor 231 detects that the checkout button has been touched, it determines YES in Act 67 and proceeds to Act 68. The processor 231 acquires payment data related to the payment of the commercial transaction in Act 68. The payment data includes sales data of all purchased items stored in the transaction memory 72 and the total data thereof.

[0112] The processor 231, having acquired the payment data, starts up the payment device in Act 69. The processor 231 also causes the touch panel 203 to display a payment waiting image in Act 70.

[0113] That is, in the case of the self-service POS terminal 20 operating as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for cash payment, the processor 231 activates the automatic change dispenser 236. The processor 231 also displays on the touch panel 203 a payment waiting image instructing the customer to insert bills or coins as payment into the bill insertion slot 210 or the coin insertion slot 208.

[0114] In the case of the self-service POS terminal 20 operating as a dedicated machine 20B specialized for credit card payments, the processor 231 activates the card reader 238. The processor 231 also causes the touch panel 203 to display a payment waiting image instructing the customer to insert a credit card into the card insertion slot 206 as payment.

[0115] In the case of the self-service POS terminal 20 operating as a dedicated machine 20B specialized for electronic money payments, the processor 231 activates the reader / writer 213. The processor 231 also causes the touch panel 203 to display a payment waiting image instructing the customer to hold up an electronic money medium on which electronic money as payment is recorded over the reader / writer 213.

[0116] FIG. 15 is an example of a payment waiting image SC2. As shown in the figure, the payment waiting image SC2 includes a message ME3 for informing the customer of the payment method, a message ME4 showing operation guidance when another payment method is desired, and a change button BT2. Incidentally, the message ME3 shown in FIG. 15 is for a self-service POS terminal 20 operating as a dedicated machine 20B specialized for cash payments. In the case of a self-service POS terminal 20 operating as a dedicated machine 20B specialized for credit card payments, the message ME3 is "Please insert your credit card." In the case of a self-service POS terminal 20 operating as a dedicated machine 20B specialized for electronic money payments, the message ME3 is "Please hold the electronic money medium over the reader / writer."

[0117] The customer pays the bill according to the message ME3. However, if the customer wishes to pay by a different payment method, the customer touches the change button BT2 according to the message ME4 in the payment waiting image SC2.

[0118] The processor 231, which has controlled the display of the payment waiting image SC2, checks whether or not the payment has been made in Act 71. If the payment has not been made, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 71 and proceeds to Act 72. The processor 231 checks whether or not the change button BT2 has been touched in Act 72. If the change button BT2 has not been touched, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 72 and returns to Act 71. Thus, the processor 231 waits for the payment to be made or the change button BT2 to be touched in Act 71 and Act 72.

[0119] When the processor 231 detects that a payment has been made in the standby state of Act 71 and Act 72, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 71 and proceeds to Act 73. The processor 231 executes a payment process based on the payment data in Act 73. That is, when a payment is made by cash in the self-POS terminal 20 operating as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for cash payment, the processor 231 executes a cash payment process. When a payment is made by credit card in the self-POS terminal 20 operating as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for credit card payment, the processor 231 executes a credit card payment process. When a payment is made by electronic money in the self-POS terminal 20 operating as the dedicated machine 20B specialized for electronic money payment, the processor 231 executes an electronic money payment process. The details of the cash payment process, the credit card payment process, and the electronic money payment process are the same as those described for Act 57, and therefore will not be described here.

[0120] When the processor 231 finishes the payment process, it changes the status of the status memory 71 back from "1" to "0" in Act 74. This causes the light-emitting unit 202A to turn off. With this, the processor 231 ends the self-payment process. After that, the processor 231 resumes the self-payment process from Act 41 in FIG. 8.

[0121] When the processor 231 detects that the change button BT1 is touched in the standby state of Act 62 and Act 63 in Fig. 10, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 63 and proceeds to Act 81 in Fig. 11. That is, when the customer who has confirmed the registration waiting image SC1 touches the change button BT1, the processor 231 proceeds to Act 81.

[0122] The processor 231 checks the value of the submode M2 ​​written in the submode memory 83 in Act 81. If the value of the submode M2 ​​is "0", that is, if the self-service POS terminal 20 operates as the replaceable dedicated device 20B1, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 81 and proceeds to Act 82. The processor 231 causes the touch panel 203 to display a change acceptance image in Act 82. The change acceptance image includes an image for notifying the customer that the change of the payment method has been accepted, and an image for prompting the customer to start registering the product. After controlling the display of the change acceptance image, the processor 231 proceeds to the process of Act 46 in FIG. 8. The processor 231 waits for the registration of the purchased product in Act 46. Thereafter, the processor 231 executes the processes of Act 46 to Act 58 described above.

[0123] When the value of the submode M2 ​​is "1", that is, when the self POS terminal 20 operates as a non-substitutable dedicated device 20B2, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 81 and proceeds to Act 83. The processor 231 refers to the POS management table 85 in Act 83 and detects all POSIDs whose third flag F3 is "0". The processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transmit a status request command in Act 84. By this control, the communication interface 235 transmits the status request command via the network 60. The status request command is received by another self POS terminal 20 connected to the network 60. The status request command includes the POSID detected from the POS management table 85.

[0124] When the processor 231 of the self POS terminal 20 receives a command from another self POS terminal 20 connected via the network 60, the processor 231 starts the receiving process of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 13. The processor 231 checks whether the received command is a status request command in Act 121. If it is a status request command, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 121 and proceeds to Act 122. The processor 231 checks whether the status request command includes a POSID written in the POS data memory 81 in Act 122. If the corresponding POSID is not included, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 122 and ends this receiving process. That is, the processor 231 discards the status request command.

[0125] If the corresponding POSID is included in the status request command, the processor 231 determines YES in Act 122 and proceeds to Act 123. The processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transmit a response command in Act 123. This control causes the communication interface 235 to transmit the response command addressed to the self POS terminal 20 that transmitted the status request command via the network 60. This response command includes the status stored in the status memory 71 and the POSID stored in the POS data memory 81. With this, the processor 231 ends the reception process when it receives a status request command.

[0126] Returning to the explanation of Figure 11. The processor 231 that controlled the transmission of the status request command checks whether a certain time has passed since the transmission of the status request command in Act 85. This certain time is a sufficient time to receive a response command from another self-POS terminal 20 that received the status request command. If the certain time has not passed, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 85 and proceeds to Act 86. The processor 231 checks whether a response command has been received in Act 86. If a response command has not been received, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 86 and returns to Act 85. On the other hand, if a response command has been received, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 86 and proceeds to Act 87. The processor 231 checks the status included in the response command received in Act 87. Here, if the status is "1", that is, if the response command is from a self-POS terminal 20 that is performing self-payment processing, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 87 and returns to Act 85. Thus, the processor 231 waits for a response command with a status of "0" to be received within a certain period of time after transmitting the status request command through the processes in Act 85 to Act 87.

[0127] If a certain time has passed since the transmission of the status request command without receiving a response command with a status of "0", the processor 231 determines YES in Act 85 and returns to Act 83. That is, the processor 231 controls retransmission of the status request command including a POSID with the third flag F3 set to "0".

[0128] If a response command with a status of "0" is received within a certain period of time after the status request command is transmitted, the processor 231 determines YES in Act87 and proceeds to Act88.

[0129] The self POS terminal 20 that transmitted the response command with the status "0" is in a standby state. The processor 231 determines the self POS terminal 20 identified by the POSID included in the response command as the change destination in Act 88. The processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transmit a change request command in Act 89. By this control, the communication interface 235 transmits the change request command via the network 60. This change request command includes the POSID included in the response command with the status "0", i.e., the POSID of the self POS terminal 20 determined as the change destination.

[0130] Returning to the explanation of Figure 13. The processor 231 checks whether the command received in Act 121 is a status request command. If it is not a status request command, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 121 and proceeds to Act 124. The processor 231 checks whether the command received in Act 124 is a change request command. If it is a change request command, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 124 and proceeds to Act 125. The processor 231 checks whether the change request command includes a POSID written in the POS data memory 81 in Act 125. If the corresponding POSID is not included, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 125 and ends this reception process. That is, the processor 231 discards the change request command.

[0131] If the change request command includes the corresponding POSID, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 125 and proceeds to Act 126. The processor 231 checks the status stored in the status memory 71 as Act 126. If the status is "1", the processor 231 judges NO in Act 126 and proceeds to Act 127. That is, if the self POS terminal 20 changes from a standby state to an operating state during the period from when the response command is transmitted in Act 123 to when the change request command is received, the processor 231 proceeds to Act 127.

[0132] The processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transmit a negative response command in Act 127. By this control, the communication interface 235 transmits the negative response command via the network 60 to the self-service POS terminal 20 that transmitted the change request command.

[0133] On the other hand, if the status is "0", the processor 231 determines YES in Act 126 and proceeds to Act 128. That is, if the self POS terminal 20 maintains the standby state, the processor 231 proceeds to Act 128.

[0134] The processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transmit an acknowledgment command in Act 128. By this control, the communication interface 235 transmits the acknowledgment command addressed to the self-service POS terminal 20 that transmitted the change request command via the network 60. The processor 231 also changes the status of the status memory 71 from "0" to "1" in Act 129. This causes the light-emitting unit 202A to emit green light.

[0135] Thereafter, the processor 231 checks whether data has been transferred in Act 130. If no data has been transferred within a predetermined time after the transmission of the positive response command, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 130 and proceeds to Act 131. The processor 231 waits for the start of registration in Act 131. In Act 126, the status being "0" means that an initial image is displayed on the touch panel 203. As described above, the initial image includes an image for allowing a customer to select whether or not to use a plastic bag provided in the store. When the processor 231 detects that a selection has been made by touch input on the touch panel 203 as to whether or not to use a plastic bag, it determines that an instruction to start registration has been issued. When an instruction to start registration has been issued, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 131 and proceeds to Act 45 of FIG. 8. The processor 231 displays a registration waiting image on the touch panel 203 in Act 45. Thereafter, the processor 231 executes the processes of Act 46 to Act 58 described above.

[0136] Returning to the explanation of Figure 11. The processor 231, which has controlled the transmission of the change request command, waits for a response command in Act 90. If a negative response command is received from the self POS terminal 20 that transmitted the change request command, the processor 231 determines NO in Act 90 and returns to Act 83. That is, the processor 231 controls retransmission of the status request command including the POSID in which the third flag F3 is "0".

[0137] When an affirmative response command is received from the self-service POS terminal 20 that transmitted the change request command, the processor 231 determines YES in Act 90 and proceeds to Act 91. In Act 91, the processor 231 displays a guide image for POS change on the touch panel 203. The guide image for POS change includes an image for guiding the customer to the self-service POS terminal 20 determined as the change destination in Act 88.

[0138] The processor 231 waits for a certain time to elapse after displaying the POS change guide image in Act 92. When the certain time has elapsed, the processor 231 determines YES in Act 92 and proceeds to Act 93. The processor 231 erases the guide image in Act 93. The processor 231 also changes the status of the status memory 71 from "1" to "0" in Act 94. This causes the light-emitting unit 202A to turn off. With this, the processor 231 ends the self-payment process. After that, the processor 231 resumes the self-payment process from Act 41 in FIG. 8.

[0139] When the processor 231 detects that the change button BT2 is touched in the standby state of Act 71 and Act 72 in Fig. 10, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 72 and proceeds to Act 101 in Fig. 12. That is, when the customer who has confirmed the payment waiting image SC2 touches the change button BT2, the processor 231 proceeds to Act 101.

[0140] The processor 231 checks the value of the submode M2 ​​written in the submode memory 83 in Act 101. If the value of the submode M2 ​​is "0", that is, if the self-POS terminal 20 operates as the replaceable dedicated device 20B1, the processor 231 judges NO in Act 101 and proceeds to Act 51 in Fig. 9. The processor 231 acquires payment data related to the payment of the commercial transaction in Act 51. The processor 231 also displays a payment method selection image on the touch panel 203 in Act 52. Thereafter, the processor 231 executes the processes of Act 53 to Act 58 described above.

[0141] When the value of the submode M2 ​​is "1", that is, when the self POS terminal 20 operates as the irreplaceable dedicated device 20B2, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 101 and proceeds to Act 102. Thereafter, the processor 231 executes the same processes as Act 83 to Act 90 in Fig. 11 in Act 102 to Act 109. That is, the processor 231 determines one of the self POS terminals 20 set in the general-purpose device 20A that is in a standby state as a change destination, and transmits a change request command to the self POS terminal 20 determined as the change destination. Then, the processor 231 waits for a response command from the self POS terminal 20 determined as the change destination in Act 109.

[0142] Here, if an affirmative response command is received, the processor 231 determines YES in Act 109 and proceeds to Act 110. The processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transfer the data described in the transaction memory 72 to the self-service POS terminal 20 determined as the change destination in Act 110. By this control, the communication interface 235 transmits the data in the transaction memory 72 via the network 60 to the self-service POS terminal 20 that transmitted the affirmative response command.

[0143] Returning to the explanation of Figure 13. As described above, the processor 231 of the self-service POS terminal 20, which has changed the value of the status memory 71 from "0" to "1" in Act 129, checks whether data has been transferred in Act 130. If data from the transaction memory 72 has been transferred within a predetermined time after the transmission of the positive response command, the processor 231 determines YES in Act 130 and proceeds to Act 132. The processor 231 writes the transferred data in the transaction memory 72 in Act 132.

[0144] The processor 231 acquires payment data related to the payment of the commercial transaction in Act 133. The payment data includes the sales data of the purchased items and the total data written in the transaction memory 72 in the processing of Act 132. The processor 231 displays a payment method selection image on the touch panel 203 in Act 134. The payment method selection image includes images of a "Cash" button, a "Credit" button, and an "Electronic Money" button, each of which indicates the payment method whose second flag F2 is set to "1" in the payment management table 84.

[0145] After controlling the display of the payment method selection image, the processor 231 waits for one of the payment methods to be selected in Act 135. When one of the payment methods is selected, the processor 231 determines YES in Act 135 and proceeds to Act 136. In Act 136, the processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to notify the self-service POS terminal 20, which is the source of the transaction data, of the start of payment. By this control, the communication interface 235 transmits a notification command of the start of payment to the self-service POS terminal 20, which is the source of the transaction data, via the network 60. After that, the processor 231 proceeds to Act 54 in FIG. 9. Thereafter, the processor 231 executes the processes of Act 54 to Act 58 described above.

[0146] Returning to the explanation of Figure 12. The processor 231, which controlled the transfer of the transaction data in Act 110, displays a POS change guidance image on the touch panel 203 in Act 111. The POS change guidance image includes an image for guiding the customer to move to the self-service POS terminal 20 determined as the change destination in Act 107.

[0147] The processor 231 waits for a notification command to start payment in Act 112. When the processor 231 receives the notification command to start payment from the self-service POS terminal 20 to which the transaction data is transferred, the processor 231 judges YES in Act 112 and proceeds to Act 113. The processor 231 erases the guide image in Act 113. The processor 231 also changes the status value of the status memory 71 from "1" to "0" in Act 114. This turns off the light-emitting unit 202A. With this, the processor 231 ends the self-service payment process. After that, the processor 231 resumes the self-service payment process from Act 41 in FIG. 8.

[0148] Here, the computer mainly including the processor 231 constitutes an acquiring means by executing the process of Act 68 in Fig. 10. The computer constitutes a payment accepting means by executing the process of Act 69 to Act 71 in Fig. 10 in cooperation with the automatic change machine 236, the card reader 238, or the reader / writer 213. The computer constitutes a change accepting means by executing the process of Act 70 to Act 72 in Fig. 10 in cooperation with the touch panel 203. The computer constitutes a first processing means by executing the process of Act 73 in Fig. 10. The computer constitutes a second processing means by executing the process of Act 81 to Act 94 in Fig. 11 and Act 101 to Act 114 in Fig. 12.

[0149] In particular, as a second processing means, the computer realizes a process of accepting input for selecting a payment method to be used from among a plurality of payment methods by determining NO in the processing of Act 101 and proceeding to the processing of Act 51 and Act 52 in Figure 9.

[0150] The computer, as a second processing means, determines YES in the process of Act 101 and executes processes from Act 102 to Act 110 to realize a process of outputting the data acquired by the acquisition means to the other self-service POS terminal 20 so that the other self-service POS terminal 20 operating as the general-purpose machine 20A performs a process for settling the commercial transaction. In addition, the computer, as a second processing means, executes the process of Act 111 to realize a process of informing the customer, i.e., the other self-service POS terminal 20 from which the acquisition means has output the data. Furthermore, the computer, as a second processing means, executes the processes of Act 112 and Act 113 to realize a process of ending the above-mentioned guidance in response to the start of a process for settlement in the other self-service POS terminal 20.

[0151] The self-service POS terminal 20 capable of self-service payment processing and reception processing described with reference to Figs. 8 to 13 can achieve the following advantageous effects. That is, in the self-service POS terminal 20 operating as the dedicated machine 20B, when a customer finishes registering the purchased items and touches the checkout button, a payment device corresponding to one of the payment methods set in the self-service POS terminal 20 is started and a payment waiting image is displayed. Therefore, a customer who pays with that payment method can pay the price immediately after pressing the checkout button. That is, it is possible to eliminate the need for the selection of a payment method, which is unavoidable in the self-service POS terminal 20 operating as the general-purpose machine 20A. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the dissatisfaction of customers who find the selection of a payment method troublesome.

[0152] In particular, customers of the generation known as the elderly or children tend to pay in cash. Therefore, customers of these generations are encouraged to use the self-service POS terminal 20 that operates as a dedicated machine 20B specialized for cash payments. By doing so, it is possible to prevent problems such as customers not selecting a payment method being confused about the operation to select a payment method, which causes processing to be delayed and increases the waiting time of subsequent customers.

[0153] However, for example, a customer who intends to pay with electronic money may mistakenly stand in front of the self-service POS terminal 20 that specializes in cash payments. Even in such a case, the customer can select whether or not to use a shopping bag according to the initial image, and a change button BT1 will be displayed on the registration waiting image SC1 displayed on the touch panel 203. The customer then realizes their mistake and touches the change button BT1.

[0154] Then, when the self-service POS terminal 20 operates as a replaceable dedicated device 20B1, a change acceptance image is displayed on the touch panel 203. After checking the change acceptance image, the customer starts the registration operation of the purchased items. Then, when the customer has finished the registration operation of all purchased items, the customer touches the checkout button. Then, a payment method selection image is displayed on the touch panel 203, and the customer touches the "electronic money" button. Thus, the self-service POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process by electronic money payment.

[0155] On the other hand, when the self-POS terminal 20 operates as the non-substitutable dedicated machine 20B2, one of the other self-POS terminals 20 operating as the general-purpose machine 20A that is in standby is determined as the destination of the change to which the payment process is to be changed in response to a touch input of the change button BT1. Then, an image for guiding the self-POS terminal 20 determined as the destination of the change is displayed on the touch panel 203 of the self-POS terminal 20. In the following description, the self-POS terminal 20 operating as the non-substitutable dedicated machine 20B2 is referred to as the pre-change terminal 20C, and the self-POS terminal 20 determined as the destination of the change is referred to as the post-change terminal 20D.

[0156] The customer follows the guidance and moves to the post-change terminal 20D. At this time, the light emitting unit 202A of the post-change terminal 20D lights up in green, so that another customer will not use the post-change terminal 20D while the customer is moving.

[0157] The customer moves to the post-change terminal 20D and starts registering the purchased items. Then, when the customer has finished registering the purchased items, he or she touches the checkout button. The post-change terminal 20D operates as the general-purpose machine 20A. Therefore, when the checkout button is touched, a payment method selection image is displayed on the touch panel 203. Thus, the customer can select electronic money payment.

[0158] In this way, even if a customer mistakenly tries to use a self-service POS terminal 20 that is specialized for a payment method other than the desired payment method, if that self-service POS terminal 20 operates as a replaceable dedicated machine 20B1, the customer can perform self-service payment processing with the desired payment method using that self-service POS terminal 20. Also, if that self-service POS terminal 20 operates as a non-replaceable dedicated machine 20B2, the customer can perform self-service payment processing with the desired payment method using another self-service POS terminal 20 that operates as a general-purpose machine 20A.

[0159] In addition, for example, a customer who has registered the items to be purchased using the self-service POS terminal 20 that is specialized for cash payments and intends to pay by cash may be unable to pay by cash because he or she does not have the cash on hand. In this case, if the customer wishes to change to paying by credit card, for example, the customer touches the change button BT2 displayed on the payment waiting image SC2.

[0160] Then, when the self-service POS terminal 20 operates as the replaceable dedicated device 20B1, a payment method selection image is displayed on the touch panel 203. Therefore, the customer can change to paying by credit card.

[0161] On the other hand, when the self-service POS terminal 20 operates as the non-substitutable dedicated machine 20B2, one of the other self-service POS terminals 20 operating as the general-purpose machine 20A that is in a standby state is determined as the destination of the change of the settlement process in response to the touch input of the change button BT2. Then, an image guiding the self-service POS terminal 20 determined as the destination of the change, that is, the changed terminal 20D, is displayed on the touch panel 203 of the pre-change terminal 20C. The customer then moves to the front of the changed terminal 20D following the guidance. At this time, the light-emitting part 202A of the changed terminal 20D lights up in green, so that another customer will not use the changed terminal 20D while the customer is moving. In addition, the data stored in the transaction memory 72 is transferred from the pre-change terminal 20C to the changed terminal 20D. Then, the changed terminal 20D performs the settlement process based on the transferred data. Therefore, the customer who moves to the changed terminal 20D does not need to re-register the purchased item, so the registration operation of the purchased item performed at the pre-change terminal 20C will not be wasted.

[0162] However, there may be a case where a customer who is about to move to the post-change terminal 20D returns to the pre-change terminal 20C to reconfirm. Even in such a case, in this embodiment, the guide image displayed on the touch panel 203 of the pre-change terminal 20C is not erased until a payment method is selected on the post-change terminal 20D, so that the customer can easily reconfirm.

[0163] While the embodiment of the payment device that can eliminate the inconvenience caused by the selection operation of the payment method has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0164] For example, in the above embodiment, the self-POS terminal 20 operating as the dedicated machine 20B has been illustrated as displaying the change buttons BT1 and BT2 on the registration waiting image SC1 and the payment waiting image SC2. In this regard, the change button BT1 or BT2 may be displayed on either the registration waiting image SC1 or the payment waiting image SC2.

[0165] Alternatively, for example, the change button may be displayed on the product registration image displayed in the process of Act 65 in Fig. 10. In this case, when the change button is pressed, the self-POS terminal 20 operating as the replaceable dedicated machine 20B1 transitions to the process of Act 46 in Fig. 8. The self-POS terminal 20 operating as the replaceable dedicated machine 20B1 transitions to the process of Act 102 in Fig. 12. By configuring the program in this way, it becomes possible to handle changes in the payment method even during the product registration operation.

[0166] For example, in the above embodiment, a self-service POS terminal used in a self-service payment system is exemplified as one aspect of the payment device. In another embodiment, a payment terminal specialized for payment by customers in a semi-self-service payment system may be used as the payment device. Specifically, the payment terminal receives data related to the payment of commercial transactions from a registration terminal specialized for registering purchased items. Here, the processor of the payment terminal that operates as a general-purpose machine compatible with multiple payment methods executes the process from Act 51 onwards in FIG. 9 in response to receiving the data related to the payment of commercial transactions from the registration terminal. Meanwhile, the processor of the payment terminal that operates as a dedicated machine specialized for one set payment method executes the process from Act 68 onwards in FIG. 10 in response to receiving the data related to the payment of commercial transactions from the registration terminal. By adopting such a configuration, the payment terminal of the semi-self-service payment system can function as a payment device.

[0167] For example, in the above embodiment, when the change button BT1 or BT2 is operated in the self-service POS terminal 20 operating as the non-substitution dedicated machine 20B2, a self-service POS terminal 20 in a standby state is automatically selected from among the self-service POS terminals 20 operating as the general-purpose machine 20A. In this regard, a list of the self-service POS terminals 20 in a standby state among the self-service POS terminals 20 operating as the general-purpose machine 20A may be displayed on the touch panel 203, and the self-service POS terminal 20 to be changed to may be selected by the customer's operation. Also, a list of the self-service POS terminals 20 may be displayed on the monitor of the attendant terminal 30, and the self-service POS terminal 20 to be changed to may be selected by the attendant's operation. In either case, the effect of eliminating the inconvenience caused by the selection operation of the payment method can be achieved.

[0168] The transfer of the payment device is generally performed with the program stored in the ROM. However, the transfer is not limited to this, and the program may be transferred without being stored in the ROM, or with another control program stored in the ROM or the auxiliary storage device 233. In this case, the program transferred separately from the payment device may be written in a writable storage device provided in the payment device according to an operation by a user or the like. The program may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, as long as it can store the program and can be read by the device.

[0169] Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. In addition, the claims as originally filed of this application are set forth below. [C1] A means for acquiring data relating to payment of commercial transactions; a payment receiving means for receiving the payment necessary for the settlement of the commercial transaction by one of the set payment methods; A change acceptance means for accepting an instruction to change the payment method; a first processing means for performing processing for settling the commercial transaction based on the data acquired by the acquisition means and the payment accepted by the payment accepting means when the change accepting means does not accept the change instruction and the payment accepting means accepts the payment; a second processing means for performing processing to handle a payment method other than the one payment method when the change receiving means receives the change instruction before the payment receiving means receives the payment; A payment device comprising: [C2] The second processing means performs a process of accepting input to select a payment method to be used from among multiple payment methods as a process for dealing with payment methods other than the one payment method.A payment device as described in [C1]. [C3] The second processing means performs a process of outputting the data acquired by the acquisition means to another payment device so that processing for settling the commercial transaction is performed at another payment device that can use multiple payment methods, as a process for dealing with payment methods other than the one payment method.A payment device as described in [C1]. [C4] The payment device according to [C3], wherein the processing performed by the second processing means includes processing of informing a user of the other payment device that has output the data acquired by the acquisition means. [C5] The payment device described in [C4], wherein the processing performed by the second processing means includes processing to terminate the guidance in response to processing for payment for the data being started in the other payment device. [C6] The computer of the payment device The ability to obtain data relating to commercial transaction payments; A function of accepting payment for the transaction using one of the payment methods set up; Ability to accept instructions to change payment method; a function of performing processing for settling the commercial transaction based on the acquired data when the payment is received without receiving the change instruction; and a function of performing processing to handle a payment method other than the one payment method when the change instruction is received before the payment is received; A program to achieve this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0170] 10...payment system, 20...self-service POS terminal, 30...attendant terminal, 40...router, 50...POS server, 60...network, 71...status memory, 72...transaction memory, 81...POS data memory, 82...main mode memory, 83...sub mode memory, 84...payment management table, 85...POS management table, 201...scale unit, 202...display pole, 202A...light-emitting unit, 203...touch panel, 205...scanner, 213...reader / writer, 231...processor, 232...main memory, 233...auxiliary storage device, 234...clock, 235...communication interface, 236...automatic change machine, 237...printer, 238...card reader.

Claims

1. A registration receiving means for receiving registration of purchased items by operation of a customer; a payment receiving means for receiving a payment necessary for settling the purchased item using one of the set payment methods; A change acceptance means for accepting an instruction to change the payment method; a first processing means for performing a process for settling the purchase item, the registration of which has been accepted by the registration accepting means, using the one payment method based on the price when the change accepting means does not accept the change instruction and the price accepting means accepts the price; a second processing means for performing a process for determining a payment device to be changed to from among other payment devices that can use a plurality of payment methods, as a process for handling a payment method other than the one payment method, when the change receiving means receives the change instruction before the payment receiving means receives the payment; A payment device comprising:

2. 2. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the change receiving means receives the change instruction after the registration receiving means has accepted the registration of the purchased item and before the payment receiving means accepts the payment.

3. 2. The payment device according to claim 1, wherein the process performed by said second processing means includes a process of guiding the user to the other payment device determined as the change destination.

4. 4. The settlement device according to claim 3, wherein the process performed by said second processing means includes a process of terminating said guidance in response to a lapse of a certain time since the user was guided to said other settlement device.

5. The computer of the payment device, a registration receiving means for receiving registration of purchased items by operation of a customer; a payment receiving means for receiving a payment necessary for settling the purchased item using one of the set payment methods; A change acceptance means for accepting an instruction to change the payment method; a first processing means for performing a process for settling the purchase item, the registration of which has been accepted by the registration accepting means, using the one payment method based on the price when the payment accepting means accepts the price without the change accepting means accepting the change instruction; and a second processing means for performing a process of determining a payment device to be changed to from among other payment devices which can use a plurality of payment methods, as a process for dealing with a payment method other than the one payment method, when the change receiving means receives the change instruction before the payment receiving means receives the payment; A program to function as a

6. The program described in claim 5, wherein the processing performed by the second processing means includes processing of guiding the user to another payment device determined as the destination of the change.

7. The program described in Claim 6, wherein the processing performed by the second processing means includes processing for terminating the guidance in response to a certain time having elapsed since the user was guided to the other payment device.

Images