Accounting equipment and devices

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for accounting and an accounting device for suppressing a customer from forgetting to pick up a receipt.SOLUTION: An apparatus for accounting is used for an accounting device executing accounting processing by that a customer makes a payment based on transaction information. The apparatus for accounting includes a read part for reading cashless information of a customer used for payment in a cashless manner, and a receipt issuing part for issuing a receipt showing a result of the accounting processing executed based on the cashless information read by the read part to the read part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to accounting equipment and devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, due to a labor shortage, the number of point-of-sales (POS) systems being introduced into stores has been increasing, with so-called self-service or semi-self-service POS systems in which customers who purchase products or the like perform the checkout process themselves.

[0003] In a self-service POS system, the customer operates the POS terminal to register the products to be purchased and also performs accounting procedures to make payment. A semi-self-service POS system has a registration device that registers the products to be purchased, and an accounting device that receives transaction information based on the product registration from the registration device and performs accounting procedures. Product registration operations are performed on the registration device by a store clerk, and accounting operations are performed on the accounting device by the customer. The accounting devices of these self-service POS terminals and semi-self-service POS systems issue a receipt when accounting procedures are completed. (For example, Patent Document 1)

[0004] In such a case where the customer performs the transaction themselves, the customer may not be familiar with operating the transaction device and may not notice the receipt that has been issued and may forget to take it.

[0005] In recent years, cashless payments such as two-dimensional code payments and electronic money payments have become widespread. In such cashless payments, for example, when a customer has a two-dimensional code read by a reading device provided in a POS terminal and the transaction is completed, a read confirmation sound is emitted. Upon hearing this, customers may confirm that the transaction is completed and immediately leave the premises without receiving a receipt. For this reason, even in POS systems that are not self-service or semi-self-service, but in which a store clerk performs the transaction, there are many cases of customers forgetting to take their receipts. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an accounting device and an accounting apparatus that prevent customers from forgetting to take their receipts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The accounting equipment of the embodiment is accounting equipment used in an accounting device that executes accounting processing for a customer to make a payment based on transaction information, and is equipped with a reading unit that reads the customer's cashless information used for cashless payment, and a receipt issuing unit that issues to the reading unit a receipt indicating the result of the accounting processing executed based on the cashless information read by the reading unit. In addition, the reading unit is capable of reading information indicating the presence of a receipt from the receipt issued by the receipt issuing unit, and the receipt issuing unit issues a receipt at a position where the reading unit can read the information indicating the presence of the receipt.

[0008] In addition, the accounting device of the embodiment is an accounting device that executes accounting processing for a customer to make payment based on transaction information and issues a receipt indicating the result of the accounting processing, and is equipped with a scanner that reads information identifying the object of the transaction and information indicating the presence of the receipt, a receipt issuing unit that issues the receipt in a position where the scanner can read the information indicating the presence of the receipt, and an alarm unit that alerts the customer that the receipt has been left behind if the scanner reads the information indicating the presence of the receipt a predetermined time after the receipt was issued. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a POS terminal equipped with a transaction device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the transaction device in the first embodiment when a receipt has been issued. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the POS terminal of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a modified transaction device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a transaction device in a modified example after a receipt has been issued. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a POS terminal (accounting device) according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a POS terminal (accounting device) in the second embodiment after a receipt has been issued. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a POS terminal (accounting device) according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a POS terminal (accounting device) according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of the control unit of the POS terminal (accounting device) in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a POS terminal (accounting device) according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a POS terminal (accounting device) according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process of the control unit of the POS terminal (accounting device) in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (First embodiment) The POS terminal of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a POS terminal equipped with accounting equipment. The POS terminal 1 is installed at a checkout counter of a store such as a supermarket, and comprises a main body 2 and accounting equipment 3. The main body 2 is an example of an accounting device that executes accounting processing for a customer to make a payment based on transaction information. Note that in the following embodiments, the transaction object will be described as a commodity, but the transaction object may also be a service.

[0011] The main body 2 is equipped with an operator display 21, a customer display 22, a keyboard 23, a main body scanner 24, and a main body printer 25. The display 21 and the customer display 22 display product codes and product information of products purchased by customers. The product information includes the product name, product price, etc. The display 21 and the customer display 22 also display transaction information. The transaction information includes the total amount of one transaction, etc.

[0012] The keyboard 23 has a plurality of payment method selection keys for selecting a payment method such as cash payment or various cashless payments. Examples of cashless payments that can be selected using the payment method selection keys include two-dimensional code payment using a QR code (registered trademark) or the like, credit card payment, and electronic money payment. The keyboard 23 also has various other keys. The various keys include, for example, a quantity entry key for entering a product code or amount, a subtotal key for declaring the calculation of the total sales amount, a closing key for declaring that the payment is settled by performing closing processing for one transaction, a confirmation key for confirming the quantity entry using the quantity entry key, and a clear key for clearing the entry.

[0013] The main body scanner 24 is a handheld scanner that recognizes a code symbol, such as a barcode, attached to a product by emitting a laser beam and receiving the light reflected by the code symbol. The main body scanner 24 decodes the recognized code symbol and reads the product code indicated by the code symbol. The product code is an example of information that identifies the object of transaction. The code symbol recognized by the main body scanner 24 may be decoded by the main body 2. The main body scanner 24 may also capture an image of the product and recognize the code symbol attached to the product.

[0014] The main body printer 25 is, for example, a thermal printer that uses a thermal head to print information about one transaction (including the accounting results of one transaction) on thermal paper to issue a receipt R (see FIG. 2). The information about one transaction printed on the receipt R includes the name of the purchased product, product information such as unit price, and the transaction amount.

[0015] The accounting device 3 includes an accounting device scanner 31 and an accounting device printer 32. The accounting device 3 is connected to the main body 2 by wire or wirelessly, and the accounting device scanner 31 and the accounting device printer 32 are controlled by the control unit of the main body 2. Therefore, the accounting device 3 can also be referred to as including the control unit of the main body 2.

[0016] When a customer makes a payment by two-dimensional code payment, the accounting equipment scanner 31 captures the screen of the customer's smartphone or the like, recognizes and decodes the two-dimensional code displayed on the screen, and reads customer information (code information) required for the two-dimensional code payment. The accounting equipment scanner 31 is an example of a reading unit that reads the customer's cashless information used for cashless payment. The customer information read by the accounting equipment scanner 31 is an example of cashless information.

[0017] The two-dimensional code captured by the accounting equipment scanner 31 may be decoded by the main unit 2. In this case, the image data of the two-dimensional code sent from the accounting equipment scanner 31 to the main unit 2 constitutes the cashless information. In other words, the cashless information also includes information indicated by the two-dimensional code displayed on the screen of a terminal such as a customer's smartphone.

[0018] The accounting equipment scanner 31 includes a support unit 311 and a scanner unit 312. The support unit 311 is grounded to, for example, a cash register counter to support the scanner unit 312. The scanner unit 312 has a reading window 314 formed on the customer side (front side) surface of the housing 313, and an imaging unit (not shown) built into the housing 313. The imaging unit captures an image of a code symbol, such as a two-dimensional code displayed on a screen of a smartphone held in front of the reading window 314, or a barcode printed on a receipt R issued by the accounting equipment printer 32, and decodes the captured code symbol. The imaging unit then outputs the decoded and read code information to the main body 2. The position where the accounting equipment scanner 31 can read the cashless information (hereinafter also referred to as the reading position) corresponds to the position where the imaging unit can capture an image that can be decoded.

[0019] The accounting device printer 32 is, for example, a thermal printer, and is provided integrally or separately on top of the accounting device scanner 31. The accounting device printer 32 is an example of a receipt issuing unit that issues to the reading unit a receipt (hereinafter also referred to as a receipt related to the accounting process) showing the results of the accounting process executed based on the cashless information read by the reading unit. Specifically, the accounting device printer 32 issues a receipt R for a transaction settled using a two-dimensional code based on the customer information read by the accounting device scanner 31 so that the receipt R overlaps with the reading window 314.

[0020] The accounting device printer 32 has an issuing port 321 facing the same side as the reading window 314. As shown in Fig. 2, the receipt R issued from the issuing port 321 is issued so that its leading edge hangs down due to gravity and is positioned in front of the reading window 314 as described above. In other words, the accounting device printer 32 issues the receipt R so that it overlaps with the reading position of the accounting device scanner 31.

[0021] The receipt R issued from the issuing port 321 has product information about the product purchased by the customer and transaction information printed on the front side F. In addition, a barcode is printed on the back side of the front side F (the side facing the reading window 314) of the receipt R. The accounting equipment printer 32 is a double-sided printer that includes a head for printing on the front side and a head for printing on the back side. The barcode printed on the back side of the receipt is information indicating the presence of a receipt R, and by the accounting equipment scanner 31 reading this barcode, the POS terminal 1 can detect that the receipt R issued from the accounting equipment printer 32 is positioned in front of the accounting equipment scanner 31.

[0022] The accounting device 3 is for performing two-dimensional code payment as a cashless payment, but is not limited to this. For example, the accounting device 3 may be for performing payment based on electronic money payment, credit card payment, etc.

[0023] In the case of electronic money payment, an electronic money reader is used as the reading unit. The electronic money reader accesses the electronic money card using a short-range wireless communication technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and reads information indicating the amount stored in the electronic money card (hereinafter also referred to as amount information). The amount information is an example of customer's cashless information used for cashless payment.

[0024] In addition, in the case of credit card payment, a credit card reader is used as the reading unit. The credit card reader uses magnetism to read credit information recorded on the credit card, such as the name of the credit card company, the membership number, and the expiration date of the card. The credit information is an example of customer's cashless information used for cashless payment.

[0025] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1. The POS terminal 1 includes a control unit 100, a memory unit 110, an input / output controller 120, and a communication I / F (Interface) 130. The control unit 100, the memory unit 110, the input / output controller 120, and the communication I / F 130 are connected to each other via a bus 140.

[0026] The control unit 100 is a computer including a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, and a random access memory (RAM) 103. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 are connected to each other via a bus 140.

[0027] The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 1. The ROM 102 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 101, and various data. The RAM 103 is used as a work area for the CPU 101, and loads various programs and data stored in the ROM 102 and the memory unit 110. The control unit 100 executes various control processes of the POS terminal 1 by the CPU 101 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 102 and the memory unit 110 and loaded in the RAM 103.

[0028] The memory unit 110 is configured with a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state memory (SSD). The memory unit 110 includes a control program unit 111, a product master unit 112, and a receipt code unit 113. The control program unit 111 stores various control programs in addition to a control program for functioning as the POS terminal 1.

[0029] The product master unit 112 stores the product master. The product master is a master file that stores product codes and product information for products handled in the store in association with each other. Since the products handled in the store change daily, the product master is appropriately updated by a store server (not shown) connected via the communication I / F 130.

[0030] The receipt code section 113 stores code information indicating the presence of a receipt R. The code information is a code indicated by a barcode printed on the back side of the receipt R.

[0031] The input / output controller 120 is connected to the display 21, customer display 22, keyboard 23, main body scanner 24, main body printer 25, notification unit 26, accounting equipment scanner 31, and accounting equipment printer 32. The input / output controller 120 functions as an input / output interface for the connected hardware and has the function of controlling this hardware. This allows the control unit 100 to send and receive information (data) to and from the display 21, customer display 22, keyboard 23, main body scanner 24, main body printer 25, notification unit 26, accounting equipment scanner 31, and accounting equipment printer 32 via the input / output controller 120, and to control these pieces of hardware based on instructions from the control unit 100.

[0032] The notification unit 26 is provided in either the main body 2 or the accounting device 3, or both, and serves to notify store clerks and customers that a receipt R has been left behind or that errors have occurred in various hardware. The notification unit 26 is composed of a buzzer, LEDs, etc. The communication I / F 130 is an interface for communicating with a store server, a payment company server, etc. (not shown).

[0033] Based on the above configuration, the accounting process executed by the main body 2 of the POS terminal 1 and the receipt issuing process executed by the accounting device 3 will be described below. When a customer brings the product to be purchased to the cash register, the store clerk operating the main body 2 uses the main body scanner 24 to irradiate the barcode on the product with laser light to read the product code. The control unit 100 registers the product based on the read product code. Product registration is performed by the control unit 100 referring to the product master unit 112 and storing product information corresponding to the read product code in RAM 103.

[0034] When product registration is complete for all products purchased by the customer, the main unit 2 displays transaction information such as the total amount on the display 21 and the customer display 22. If the customer who has confirmed the transaction information wishes to pay with the two-dimensional code, the store clerk selects the two-dimensional code payment using the payment method selection key on the keyboard 23. Next, the store clerk prompts the customer to hold the two-dimensional code over the reading window 314 of the accounting equipment scanner 31.

[0035] The customer holds the two-dimensional code displayed on their smartphone or the like over the reading window 314. The accounting equipment scanner 31 recognizes the two-dimensional code, reads the customer information, and transmits the customer information to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 transmits the customer information to the payment company server via the communication I / F 130, and then receives a payment completion notice from the payment company server. This completes the processing of the POS terminal 1 from product registration to payment. The main unit 2 executes accounting processing based on the cashless information read by the accounting equipment 3. Accounting processing is processing executed by the main unit 2 for the customer to make payment, and in the case of two-dimensional code payment, it includes, for example, calculating the total amount and sending and receiving information to and from the payment company server. After the payment is completed, the accounting equipment 3 emits a confirmation sound to notify the completion of the payment.

[0036] When the transaction is completed, the transaction printer 32 of the transaction device 3 issues a receipt R based on instructions from the control unit 100. The transaction printer 32 prints information about one transaction on the front side F of the receipt R and a barcode on the back side, and issues the receipt R from the issuing port 321. The receipt R is issued promptly after the transaction is completed.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the receipt R issued from the issuing port 321 is positioned at the reading position of the accounting equipment scanner 31 with its leading end hanging down, and the back side on which the barcode is printed faces the reading window 314. Therefore, the accounting equipment scanner 31 can read the information indicated by the barcode, and the POS terminal 1 can recognize the receipt R at the reading position. When the control unit 100 recognizes the receipt R after a predetermined time, for example, 5 seconds, from the receipt issuance instruction, it controls the notification unit 26 to notify the customer that the receipt has been left behind. The notification unit 26 may, for example, issue an audio notification using a buzzer or an indication such as a flashing LED. The notification unit 26, such as a buzzer or LED, may be provided in the main body 2 or in the accounting equipment 3. Note that it is preferable that the confirmation sound that is issued from the accounting equipment 3 after the completion of the payment described above is issued after the receipt has been issued. This is because the customer usually stays in place until hearing the confirmation sound, which more reliably prevents the receipt R from being left behind.

[0038] If the customer wishes to pay in cash, the customer hands the cash to the clerk. In this case, the accounting device 3 does not issue a receipt. The clerk operates the main unit 2, which then performs the cash accounting process. After the accounting process, the main unit printer 25 issues a receipt, which is then handed over to the customer by the clerk together with any change.

[0039] As described above, the accounting device of the embodiment includes a reading unit that reads a customer's cashless information used for cashless payment, and a receipt issuing unit that issues a receipt showing the results of the accounting process performed based on the cashless information read by the reading unit, toward the reading unit, in other words, so that the reading unit overlaps the cashless information at the reading position.

[0040] For this reason, the receipt is issued so that it overlaps with the reading position of the reading unit where the customer gazes when making a payment, making it easier for the receipt to come into the customer's field of vision. More specifically, in the above embodiment, the accounting equipment printer 32 issues the receipt R in front of the reading window 314 of the accounting equipment scanner 31, i.e., between the reading window 314 and the customer, making it easier for the receipt R to come into the customer's field of vision. This makes it possible to prevent the customer from forgetting to pick up the receipt R.

[0041] In the embodiment, a barcode is printed on the back side of the issued receipt R, but printing of this barcode is not essential. Also, in the above embodiment, the position at which the receipt R is issued is set to the reading position so that the accounting equipment scanner 31 can read the information of the barcode printed on the back side of the receipt R, but this is not limited to this. This is because even if the position at which the receipt R is issued is a position where the information of the barcode printed on the back side of the receipt R cannot be read, it is likely to be in the customer's field of view as long as it is in front of the reading window 314. Issuing a receipt toward the reading unit means, for example, that the receipt ejected from the issuing port 321 is positioned in front of the reading window 314 of the accounting equipment scanner 31.

[0042] Furthermore, in the accounting equipment 3 of the embodiment, the reading unit is capable of reading information indicating the presence of a receipt issued by the receipt issuing unit, and the receipt issuing unit issues a receipt at a position where the reading unit can read the information indicating the receipt.

[0043] As a result, the transaction device can send information indicating the presence of the read receipt to the transaction device.The transaction device can then notify the customer that they have left the receipt based on the received information indicating the presence of the receipt.More specifically, in this embodiment, if the POS terminal 1 recognizes the receipt R a specified time after the receipt issuance command, for example five seconds, it can notify the customer that they have left the receipt.

[0044] In the embodiment, a barcode is printed on the back of the issued receipt R, but a simple mark may be printed as long as the accounting equipment scanner 31 can read that it is a receipt. These barcodes and marks may not be printed by the accounting equipment printer 32, but may be printed on the receipt paper in advance. Also, in the first embodiment, the accounting equipment 3 sends information indicating the presence of the read receipt to the main body 2, but it may also be configured to notify the customer by its own processing based on the information indicating the presence of the read receipt.

[0045] Furthermore, in the transaction device of the first embodiment, the receipt issuing unit has an issuing port above the reading unit through which receipts are discharged.

[0046] As a result, the receipt discharged from the issuing port is positioned so that it overlaps the reading position due to gravity. This makes it possible to prevent customers from forgetting to take the receipt with a simple configuration without providing a guide member to guide the receipt to overlap the reading position. Note that if a guide member is provided to guide the receipt to overlap the reading position, the issuing port does not need to be above the reading unit.

[0047] Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a transaction device in the modified example, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the transaction device in the modified example after issuing a receipt. The following description will focus on the differences from the configuration described above, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0048] 4, the transaction device 3 comprises a transaction device scanner 31 placed flat on the cash register and a transaction device printer 32 placed directly on the cash register. The reading window 314 of the transaction device scanner 31 faces upward.

[0049] A customer making a payment using a two-dimensional code payment holds the two-dimensional code displayed on their smartphone or other device facing downward over the reading window 314. After the transaction process is completed, the accounting device printer 32 issues a receipt R from the issuing port 321, as shown in Figure 5. At this time, the front side F on which the transaction information and the like are printed faces upward, and the back side on which the barcode is printed faces downward and faces the reading window 314.

[0050] The transaction device 3 in this modified example also provides the same effects as the transaction device 3 in the first embodiment described above, as described below. First, the receipt R is issued in a position that is easily visible to the customer, which helps to prevent the customer from forgetting to take the receipt. Second, the transaction device scanner 31 can read the barcode information printed on the back of the receipt R to notify the customer that they have forgotten to take the receipt. Third, the issuing port 321 is located above the transaction device scanner 31, which allows for a simple configuration to prevent the customer from forgetting to take the receipt.

[0051] Second embodiment The POS terminal of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a transaction POS terminal. The POS terminal of this embodiment is a self-service POS terminal for cashless payment.

[0052] The POS terminal 5 includes a main unit 51, a printer 52, a display 53, and a card reader 54. The POS terminal 5 is an example of an accounting device that executes accounting processing for a customer to make a payment based on transaction information and issues a receipt related to the accounting processing. The POS terminal 5 is also an example of an accounting device that includes a receipt issuing unit that issues a receipt to a reading unit that reads cashless information.

[0053] The main body 51 includes a scanner 55 (see FIG. 8). The scanner 55 has a reading window 551 formed on the front (customer side) surface of the main body 51, and an imaging unit (not shown) built into the main body 51. The imaging unit captures an image of a code symbol held in front of the reading window 551 and decodes the captured code symbol. The imaging unit captures an image of a barcode attached to a product when the product is registered and reads the product code of the product. The imaging unit also captures an image of a two-dimensional code displayed on the screen of the customer's smartphone when making a two-dimensional code payment and reads customer information (code information) required for the two-dimensional code payment. Furthermore, the imaging unit captures an image of a barcode printed on the back of a receipt after it is issued and reads information (code information) indicating the receipt. The above-mentioned product code is an example of information that identifies the object of a transaction.

[0054] The barcode or two-dimensional code captured by the scanner 55 may be decoded by the control unit 500 (see FIG. 8). In this case, image data of the barcode attached to the product, sent from the scanner 55 to the control unit 500, constitutes information for identifying the target transaction. The imaging unit may also send image data of an image of a receipt to the control unit 500 as information indicating the presence of a receipt, and the control unit 500 may recognize the receipt using object recognition technology. Otherwise, the configuration and functions of the scanner 55 are basically the same as those of the accounting equipment scanner 31 described in the first embodiment, so duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0055] Printer 52 is, for example, a thermal printer, and is provided on top of main body 51 either integrally or separately. Printer 52 issues a receipt R for a transaction settled using a two-dimensional code based on customer information read by scanner 55, or for a transaction settled by credit card based on customer information read by card reader 54. Receipt R has product information about the product purchased by the customer and transaction information printed on the front side F, and a barcode, which is information indicating the receipt, printed on the back side. Printer 52 is a double-sided printer that includes a head for printing on the front side and a head for printing on the back side. Printer 52 is an example of a receipt issuing unit that issues a receipt at a position where information indicating the receipt can be read by scanner 55.

[0056] The printer 52 has an issuing port 521 facing the same side as the reading window 551 of the scanner 55. As shown in Fig. 7, the receipt R issued from the issuing port 521 is issued so that its leading edge hangs down due to gravity and is positioned in front of the reading window 551 (the customer side). In other words, the printer 52 issues the receipt R in a position where the scanner 55 can read information indicating the receipt. Otherwise, the configuration and functions of the printer 52 are basically the same as those of the accounting equipment printer 32 described in the first embodiment, so repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0057] Display 53 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with touch panel 56 (see FIG. 8) on its surface, and displays product information and transaction information of the product purchased by the customer. Display 53 also displays guidance for operating POS terminal 5 and selection keys for selecting a payment method. Touch panel 56 is provided on the surface of display 53, and inputs information according to the touched position to the control unit of POS terminal 5.

[0058] Card reader 54 reads credit information (customer information) such as the credit company name, membership number, card expiration date, etc. recorded on the customer's credit card when making a credit card payment. Card reader 54 has an insertion slot 541 for inserting a credit card.

[0059] Next, a hardware configuration of the POS terminal 5 will be described. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 5. The POS terminal 5 includes a control unit 500, a memory unit 510, an input / output controller 520, and a communication I / F (Interface) 530. The control unit 500, the memory unit 510, the input / output controller 520, and the communication I / F 530 are connected to each other via a bus 540.

[0060] The control unit 500 is a computer including a CPU 501, a ROM 502, and a RAM 503. The CPU 501, the ROM 502, and the RAM 503 are connected to one another via a bus 540.

[0061] The CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 5. The ROM 502 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 501, and various data. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501, and loads various programs and data stored in the ROM 502 and the memory unit 510. The control unit 500 executes various control processes of the POS terminal 5 by the CPU 501 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 502 and the memory unit 510 and loaded in the RAM 503.

[0062] The memory unit 510 is configured with a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The memory unit 510 includes a control program unit 511, a product master unit 512, and a receipt code unit 513. The control program unit 511 stores various control programs in addition to a control program for functioning as the POS terminal 5.

[0063] The product master section 512 stores the product master. The product master is a master file that stores product codes and product information for products handled in the store in association with each other. Since the products handled in the store change daily, the product master is appropriately updated by a store server (not shown) connected via the communication I / F 530.

[0064] The receipt code section 513 stores code information indicating the presence of a receipt R. The code information is a code indicated by a barcode printed on the back side of the receipt R.

[0065] The input / output controller 520 is connected to the printer 52, the display 53, the card reader 54, the scanner 55, the touch panel 56, and the notification unit 57. The input / output controller 520 has a function as an input / output interface for the connected hardware and a function for controlling the hardware. This allows the control unit 500 to transmit and receive information (data) to and from the printer 52, the display 53, the card reader 54, the scanner 55, the touch panel 56, and the notification unit 57 via the input / output controller 520, and also allows the control unit 500 to control the hardware based on instructions from the control unit 500.

[0066] The notification unit 57 notifies store clerks and customers when a receipt R is left behind or when errors occur in various hardware. The notification unit 57 is composed of a buzzer, LED, etc. The communication I / F 130 is an interface for communicating with a store server, a payment company server, etc. (not shown).

[0067] Next, the functional configuration of the POS terminal 5 will be described. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the POS terminal 5. The control unit 500 functions as a product code input unit 5001, a product registration unit 5002, a processing unit 5003, a display control unit 5004, a printing control unit 5005, a receipt detection unit 5006, and a notification control unit 5007, as a result of the CPU 501 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 502 or a control program unit 511 of the memory unit 510. Each of these functions may be configured as hardware.

[0068] A product code input section 5001 inputs a product code read by the scanner 55 or a product code received by the touch panel 56 .

[0069] A product registration section 5002 temporarily stores, in a RAM 503, product information acquired from a product master section 512 based on the product code inputted by the product code input section 5001. Product registration is performed for all products purchased by a customer.

[0070] The processing unit 5003 executes processing for the customer to make payment for the registered products. For example, the processing unit 5003 performs processing for calculating the total price of the registered products and making payment by the payment method selected by the customer (hereinafter also referred to as payment processing). More specifically, when the customer selects credit card payment, the processing unit 5003 performs payment processing related to credit card payment, such as acquiring customer information, sending an authorization request to the payment company server based on the acquired customer information, and receiving the authorization result. The processing unit 5003 also performs payment processing related to two-dimensional code payment when the customer selects two-dimensional code payment.

[0071] The display control unit 5004 controls the display 53 to display various information. For example, the display control unit 5004 causes the display 53 to display product information of registered products, a total price, guidance for operating the POS terminal 5, selection keys for selecting a payment method, and the like.

[0072] When product registration, payment processing, and transaction processing are complete, the print control unit 5005 outputs a receipt production instruction to the printer 52 to print a receipt R. The print control unit 5005 prints information about the transaction (information indicating the result of the transaction) on the front side F of the receipt R, and a barcode on the back side.

[0073] The receipt detection unit 5006 detects the receipt R that is issued from the issuing port 521 of the printer 52 and positioned in front of the reading window 551. The receipt detection unit 5006 detects the receipt R when the code information sent from the scanner 55 matches the code information stored in the receipt code unit 513.

[0074] The notification control unit 5007 controls the notification unit 57 based on the detection result of the receipt detection unit 5006 to notify the user that a receipt has been left behind. If the receipt detection unit 5006 detects a receipt R a predetermined time, for example, 5 seconds, after the receipt issuing command is output to the printer 52, the notification unit 57 will notify the user that the receipt has been left behind.

[0075] Next, a description will be given of the transaction process and receipt issuing process executed by the control unit 500 of the POS terminal 5. Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the process executed by the control unit 500 of the POS terminal 5.

[0076] In the checkout process, payment processing is performed following product registration. First, product registration is performed by product registration unit 5002 (S1). Product registration unit 5002 obtains product information from product master unit 512 based on the product code input by product code input unit 5001, and stores the information in RAM 503. Once the product has been registered, display control unit 5004 causes display 53 to display the product information.

[0077] When product registration is completed for all products purchased by the customer, the display control unit 5004 displays the transaction information on the display 53 (S2). The transaction information includes the total price of the registered products. After checking the transaction information displayed on the display 53, the customer selects a payment method using the touch panel 56.

[0078] The processing unit 5003 executes payment processing based on the selected payment method (S3). For example, when credit card payment is selected by input to the touch panel 56, the processing unit 5003 executes payment processing related to the credit card payment. Specifically, the processing unit 5003 executes payment processing related to the credit card payment, such as acquiring customer information from the card reader 54, sending an authorization request to the payment company server based on the acquired customer information, and receiving the authorization result.

[0079] Once the payment process is complete, the print control unit 5005 outputs a receipt production instruction to the printer 52, causing the printer 52 to produce a receipt R (S4). In accordance with the receipt production instruction, the printer 52 prints information about the transaction on the front side F of the receipt R and a barcode on the back side.

[0080] Next, the receipt detection unit 5006 determines whether or not a receipt R has been detected for a predetermined time, for example, five seconds, after the print control unit 5005 outputs the print command (S5). If the receipt detection unit 5006 does not detect a receipt R for the predetermined time (N in S5), it assumes that the receipt printed by the printer 52 has been removed by the customer, and the control unit 500 ends processing. Note that the receipt detection unit 5006 may determine whether or not a receipt R has been detected five seconds later, rather than determining whether or not a receipt R has been detected continuously for five seconds after the print control unit 5005 outputs the print command.

[0081] When the receipt detection unit 5006 detects receipt R for a predetermined time (Y in S5), the notification control unit 5007 drives the notification unit 57 to notify the customer that the receipt has been left behind (S6). If the receipt detection unit 5006 detects receipt R for a predetermined time, it determines that the customer has forgotten to take receipt R, and the notification unit 57 notifies the customer that receipt R has been left behind.

[0082] Thereafter, the receipt detection unit 5006 determines whether or not a receipt R has been detected (S7), and if not (Y in S7), the control unit 500 determines that the receipt R has been removed by the customer and ends the process. If the receipt detection unit 5006 detects a receipt (N in S7), the control unit 500 determines that the receipt R has not been removed and returns to the process of S6.

[0083] As described above, the POS terminal 5 of the second embodiment includes a scanner that reads information identifying the transaction object and information indicating a receipt, a receipt issuing unit that issues a receipt at a position where the scanner can read the information indicating the receipt, and an alarm unit that issues an alarm that the receipt has been left behind if the scanner reads the information indicating the receipt a predetermined time has passed since the receipt was issued. Specifically, the POS terminal 5 issues the receipt R at a position where the scanner 55 that reads the product code can read the code information of the barcode printed on the back of the receipt R. Then, when the receipt detection unit 5006 detects the receipt a predetermined time has passed since the receipt was issued, the alarm unit 57 issues an alarm that the receipt has been left behind.

[0084] Therefore, the customer can recognize that he or she has forgotten to take the receipt by the notification from the notification unit. This makes it possible to prevent customers from forgetting to take the receipt. Furthermore, the POS terminal 5 of this embodiment is configured to read information indicating the receipt using a scanner that reads information identifying the object of the transaction. Specifically, the barcode code information printed on the back of the receipt R can be read using the scanner 55 that reads the product code. This eliminates the need to provide a separate sensor to detect whether the receipt has been left behind. This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the POS terminal 5.

[0085] In this embodiment, the receipt issuing section of the POS terminal 5 has an issuing port above the scanner through which the receipt is discharged. Specifically, the issuing port 521 of the printer 52 is located above the reading window 551 of the scanner 55.

[0086] Therefore, the receipt R discharged from the issuing port 521 can, by gravity, have the barcode printed on the back side of the receipt R face the reading window 551. This means that there is no need for a special configuration to guide the receipt R to the reading position of the scanner 55, and a simpler configuration can be used to prevent customers from forgetting to take the receipt.

[0087] (Third embodiment) The POS terminal of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Descriptions of the same configuration as in the second embodiment may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the POS terminal 5 is an example of a transaction device and an example of transaction equipment, similar to the second embodiment.

[0088] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 5. The scanner 55 includes an illumination unit 552 and an imaging unit 553. The illumination unit 552 of the scanner 55 illuminates the receipt issued by the printer 52. The illumination unit 552 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, and is configured so that the luminance of each light-emitting element can be changed. The imaging unit 553 includes an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The imaging unit 553 includes a reading depth changing mechanism. The reading depth changing mechanism is configured, for example, by providing two types of fixed focal lenses with different focal points. The reading depth changing mechanism is operated by a reading depth control unit 5009 (see FIG. 12), and changes the readable distance of the barcode printed on the back side of the receipt R by switching between the fixed focal lenses. Various other technologies can be used for the reading depth changing mechanism. The imaging unit 553 captures images at each reading depth. The scanner 55 may have a control board. In this case, the control board controls the operations of the illumination unit 552 and the imaging unit 553 based on instructions from the control unit 500.

[0089] Next, a functional configuration of the POS terminal 5 will be described. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the POS terminal 5. The control unit 500 functions as a product code input unit 5001, a product registration unit 5002, a processing unit 5003, a display control unit 5004, a printing control unit 5005, a receipt detection unit 5006, and a notification control unit 5007, as well as a lighting control unit 5008 and a reading depth control unit 5009, as a result of the CPU 501 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 502 or a control program unit 511 of the memory unit 510.

[0090] The lighting control unit 5008 turns on the lighting unit 552 in conjunction with the issuance of a receipt by the receipt issuing unit. Specifically, the lighting control unit 5008 turns on the lighting unit 552 when the payment process by the processing unit 5003 is completed. Furthermore, when the print control unit 5005 outputs a receipt issuance instruction to the printer 52, the lighting control unit 5008 gradually changes the brightness of each light-emitting element of the lighting unit 552. The scanner 55 repeats reading of the barcode on the receipt R with the brightness of the lighting unit 552 gradually changed. Note that if the scanner 55 has a control board, the control board can also gradually change the lighting unit as a lighting control unit based on receiving a drive instruction for the lighting unit from the control unit 500 in conjunction with receipt issuance.

[0091] The reading depth control unit 5009 changes the reading depth using the reading depth changing mechanism in conjunction with the issuance of a receipt by the receipt issuing unit. For example, the reading depth control unit 5009 appropriately switches between multiple fixed focus lenses provided in the reading depth changing mechanism. If the scanner 55 has a control board, the control board can also function as a reading depth control unit to change the reading depth changing mechanism based on receiving an instruction from the control unit 500 to drive the illumination unit in conjunction with the issuance of a receipt.

[0092] Next, a description will be given of the transaction process and receipt issuing process executed by the control unit 500 of the POS terminal 5. Figure 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the process by the control unit 500 of the POS terminal 5. In Figure 13, S1 to S4, S6, and S7 are the same processes as in the second embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and description will be omitted.

[0093] When the payment process is completed in S3, the lighting control unit 5008 turns on the lighting unit 552 (S11). Next, a receipt production instruction is output to the printer 52 (S4), and then the scanner 55 performs brightness adjustment reading (S12). In brightness adjustment reading, the lighting control unit 5008 changes the brightness of the lighting unit 552 in stages, and the scanner 55 reads the barcode printed on the back of the receipt R.

[0094] The control unit 500 judges whether the luminance adjustment reading has been performed for a predetermined time (S13), and if the luminance adjustment reading has not been performed for the predetermined time (N in S13), the process returns to S12 and the luminance adjustment reading is repeated. If the luminance adjustment reading has been performed for the predetermined time (Y in S13), the illumination control unit 5008 turns off the illumination unit 552 (S14).

[0095] Next, the receipt detection unit 5006 determines whether or not a receipt R has been detected (S15). If the receipt detection unit 5006 does not detect a receipt R (N in S15), the control unit 500 determines that the receipt R has been removed by the customer and ends the process. If the receipt detection unit 5006 detects a receipt (Y in S15), the control unit 500 executes the processes of S6 and S7 as in the second embodiment.

[0096] According to the third embodiment, the barcode information printed on the back side of the receipt R can be reliably read as follows: The position of the receipt R positioned at the reading position of the scanner 55 is unstable. This is because the leading edge of the receipt R is hanging down and positioned in the reading window 314, but the operator is not intentionally holding the barcode over the reading window 314. As a result, for example, there is a possibility that the receipt R may be shaken and the scanner 55 may not be able to read the barcode.

[0097] Therefore, in this embodiment, the illumination unit 552 is turned on to brighten the reading position, which makes it possible to increase the shutter speed of the imaging unit 553. This makes it possible to read the barcode even if the receipt R is blurred. Also, since reading is performed while gradually changing the brightness of each light-emitting element of the illumination unit 552, it is possible to stably read the barcode on the receipt R, whose position is unstable. Reading or imaging can also be performed stably when reading a mark instead of a barcode, or when imaging the receipt R.

[0098] Moreover, turning on the illumination unit 552 makes it possible to have the customer focus on the receipt R. When the illumination unit 552 is turned on, the customer's eyes become dazzled as the illumination light from the scanner 55 enters the customer's eyes, and the customer focuses on the reading window 551 of the scanner 55 where the issued receipt R is located. In particular, the illumination control unit 5008 turns on the illumination unit 552 before the print control unit 5005 outputs a receipt production instruction to the printer 52, so it is possible to more reliably have the customer focus on the receipt R. The illumination control unit 5008 can turn on the illumination unit 552 before the receipt R reaches the reading position. Note that it is preferable to turn on the illumination unit 552 before the receipt R reaches the reading unit, but it may be turned on at the same time or after it has arrived.

[0099] Because the lighting unit 552 consumes a lot of power and is dazzling to the customer, the lighting control unit 5008 generally turns off the lighting unit 552 while reading is not being performed. However, turning on the lighting unit 552 causes the customer to focus on the area around the reading window 551 illuminated by the lighting unit 552. For this reason, even in accounting devices that do not print barcodes on the back side of receipts R (even when barcode reading on the back side of receipts R is not performed), the lighting control unit 5008 turns on the lighting unit based on a lighting instruction linked to receipt issuance. Note that turning on the lighting unit also includes blinking the lighting unit.

[0100] Also, instead of or in addition to lighting of the illumination unit 552 by the illumination control unit 5008, the read depth control unit 5009 may control the read depth change mechanism. As an example, instead of the brightness adjustment read process of S12 in FIG. 13, read depth adjustment read can be executed. That is, following the payment process by the processing unit 5003, the read depth control unit 5009 operates the read depth change mechanism and switches the single focus lens to change the read depth stepwise. The imaging unit 553 captures images at each read depth that is changed stepwise. Note that, if the scanner 55 has a control board, the control board can also switch the read depth change mechanism as a read depth control unit based on receiving a read instruction linked to receipt issuance from the control unit 500.

[0101] This makes it possible to stably read the barcode on a receipt R, even if the distance from the reading window 551 to the barcode is not stable. Even when reading a mark instead of a barcode, or when imaging a receipt R, reading or imaging is stable.

[0102] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0103] For example, the cashless payment may be a payment using biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication. In this case, the fingerprint information read becomes the cashless information used for the cashless payment. The position of the issuing port 521 (321 in the first embodiment) is not limited to above the scanner 55 (accounting equipment scanner 31 in the first embodiment). Furthermore, the scanner 55 (accounting equipment scanner 31 in the first embodiment) may use object recognition to recognize products and receipts based on the feature amount of the captured images of the products and receipts. In addition, in the second and third embodiments, the scanner 55 also serves as a payment scanner capable of reading the customer's two-dimensional code when making a two-dimensional code payment, but a separate payment scanner may be provided.

[0104] In each of the above embodiments, the control programs executed by the POS terminals 1 and 5 may be provided by recording them on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the control programs executed by the POS terminals 1 and 5 of the above embodiments may be provided by storing them on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloading them via the network, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 POS terminal (accounting device) 3. Accounting equipment 5 POS terminals (accounting devices, accounting equipment) 31 Accounting equipment scanner (reading unit) 32 Accounting equipment printer (receipt issuing section) 55 Scanner 52 Printer (receipt issuing department) 57 Notification Department 321 Issue Port 521 Issue Port [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0106] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-4930 A

Claims

1. An accounting device for use in an accounting apparatus that performs accounting processing for a customer to make a payment based on transaction information, comprising: A reading unit that reads customer's cashless information used for cashless payment; a receipt issuing unit that issues a receipt to the reading unit, the receipt indicating the result of a transaction process that has been executed based on the cashless payment information read by the reading unit; Equipped with the reading unit is capable of reading information indicating the presence of a receipt from a receipt issued by the receipt issuing unit, The receipt issuing unit issues a receipt at a position where the reading unit can read information indicating the presence of the receipt.

2. The reading unit reads the cashless information from a reading target presented in front of a reading window, The receipt issuing unit issues the receipt toward the reading window.

2. The accounting device of claim 1.

3. the receipt issuing unit has an issuing port above the reading unit through which the receipt is discharged; 3. An accounting device as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

4. an illumination unit that illuminates the receipt; and an illumination control unit that turns on the illumination unit in conjunction with receipt production by the receipt production unit.

4. An accounting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The transaction device according to claim 4 , wherein the illumination control unit turns on the illumination unit before the receipt issuing unit issues a receipt.

6. The illumination control unit changes the luminance of the illumination unit in a stepwise manner to light the illumination unit.

6. An accounting device as claimed in claim 4 or 5.

7. a reading depth changing mechanism for changing the reading depth of the reading unit; a reading depth control unit that changes the reading depth using the reading depth changing mechanism in conjunction with receipt issuance by the receipt issuing unit.

7. An accounting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A transaction device that executes a transaction process for a customer to make a payment based on transaction information and issues a receipt showing the result of the transaction process, a scanner for reading information identifying the transaction object and information indicating the presence of the receipt; a receipt issuing unit that issues the receipt at a position where the scanner can read information indicating the presence of the receipt; a notification unit that notifies the user that the receipt has been left behind when the scanner reads information indicating the presence of the receipt a predetermined time after the receipt was produced; An accounting device equipped with

9. the receipt issuing unit has an issuing port above the scanner through which the receipt is discharged; The accounting device of claim 8.

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