Payment device, payment method, and program

Abstract

To provide a settlement device that can handle both cases where an article is registered by an article registration device and where an article is registered by a portable terminal.SOLUTION: In a settlement device, a first acquisition unit acquires settlement information from a terminal device used by a customer, a second acquisition unit acquires the settlement information from an article registration device that is operated by a clerk to register articles, a selection unit selects either a first mode that enables the first acquisition unit or a second mode that enables the second acquisition unit based on the clerk's input, and a settlement processing unit settles the payment using the settlement information acquired in the selected mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a product sales system in a store. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in stores such as supermarkets, the registration of purchased items by reading barcodes attached to the items and the settlement of the payment are carried out in various forms. In conventional cash registers, a store clerk reads the product barcode, and the customer settles the payment on the spot. Meanwhile, recently, there is a type of cash register called a "semi-self-service cash register" in which a store clerk reads the product barcode with a product registration device, and then the customer settles the payment with a separate accounting machine. Patent Document 1 discloses a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal that can perform both product registration processing and payment processing with a single device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-211910 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, a system has appeared in which customers read product barcodes using their own mobile devices such as smartphones to register products and then pay at an accounting machine (known as a "cash register-less system"). If products are registered in various ways like this, and a separate accounting machine must be prepared to handle each one, the facility costs for the store will be excessive.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a payment device that can handle both cases where products are registered using a product registration device and cases where products are registered using a mobile terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a settlement device, A first acquisition unit that acquires settlement information from a terminal device used by a customer; a second acquisition unit that acquires payment information from a product registration device that registers products through an operation by a store clerk; Based on the clerk's input, a selection unit that selects either a first mode in which the first acquisition unit is enabled or a second mode in which the second acquisition unit is enabled; a settlement processing unit that settles the price using the settlement information acquired in the selected mode; Equipped with The first acquisition unit acquires, from the terminal device, identification information associated with the purchased product as the payment information; The second acquisition unit acquires, from the product registration device, payment information related to the product registered by the product registration device, The device further includes a display control unit that, in the first mode, displays a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device, and, in the second mode, does not display the reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for checkout, the method comprising: A first acquisition process is performed to acquire payment information from a terminal device used by a customer; A second acquisition process is performed to acquire payment information from a product registration device that registers products by an operation of a store clerk; Based on the clerk's input, selecting either a first mode for enabling the first acquisition process or a second mode for enabling the second acquisition process; The payment is settled using the payment information obtained in the selected mode, The first acquisition process acquires, from the terminal device, identification information associated with the purchased product as the payment information; The second acquisition process acquires, from the product registration device, payment information related to the product registered by the product registration device; In the first mode, a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device is displayed, and in the second mode, a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device is not displayed.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a program, A first acquisition process is performed to acquire payment information from a terminal device used by a customer; A second acquisition process is performed to acquire payment information from a product registration device that registers products by an operation of a store clerk; Based on the clerk's input, selecting either a first mode for enabling the first acquisition process or a second mode for enabling the second acquisition process; The payment is settled using the payment information obtained in the selected mode, The first acquisition process acquires, from the terminal device, identification information associated with the purchased product as the payment information; The second acquisition process acquires, from the product registration device, payment information related to the product registered by the product registration device; In the first mode, the computer is caused to execute a process of displaying a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device, and in the second mode, the computer is caused to execute a process of not displaying a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, by selecting an operating mode, it becomes possible for a single settlement device to handle both cases where products are registered using a product registration device and cases where products are registered using a mobile terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 shows a configuration of a purchase management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic configuration of a POS server. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a schematic configuration of a management server. [Figure 4] 2 shows a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a schematic configuration of a product registration device. [Figure 6] 2 shows a schematic configuration of a settlement device. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a mode selection process. [Figure 8] 13 shows an example of a mode selection screen. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart of a product purchasing process in a cashier-less mode. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart of a store entry process. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart of a product selection process. [Figure 12] 13 is a display example of a purchase product list screen. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart of an accounting process. [Figure 14] 13 is a display example of a payment screen. [Figure 15] 13 is a display example of a payment screen and a transaction completion screen. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart of a product purchasing process in a semi-selfie mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Purchase management system configuration] 1 shows the configuration of a purchase management system 100 according to this embodiment. The purchase management system 100 mainly comprises a POS server 1, a management server 2, a mobile terminal 3, a settlement device 5, and a product registration device 6.

[0012] First, the method of product purchase by customers will be explained. Customers can purchase products in store 8 in two ways. In the first method, the customer registers the product using his / her own mobile terminal 3 such as a smartphone, and makes the payment at the settlement device 5. Hereinafter, this method will be referred to as "cashierless purchase." FIG. 1 shows how customer A makes a cashierless purchase. Customer A uses his / her own mobile terminal 3 to read the product barcode 7 attached to the product, registers the product he / she plans to purchase (also called "purchased product"), and makes the payment using the settlement device 5 in store 8.

[0013] In the second method, the customer has the clerk register the product at the cash register where the clerk is present, and then makes the payment at the payment device 5. Hereinafter, this method will be referred to as "semi-self-service purchase." FIG. 1 shows how customer B makes a semi-self-service purchase. Customer B places the products to be purchased in a cart and goes to the cash register. At the cash register, the clerk uses the product registration device 6 to read the product barcode 7 and registers the purchased products. After that, customer B makes the payment using the payment device 5 in the store 8. Details will be described later, but this embodiment is characterized in that the payment device 5 supports both cashierless purchase and semi-self-service purchase. In other words, by selecting the operation mode, one payment device 5 can be used for both cashierless purchase and semi-self-service purchase.

[0014] Next, a schematic configuration of the purchase management system 100 will be described. The POS server 1 is a server that manages various sales information such as product information including prices and stock status of products sold at the store 8, and sales information of the store 8. The POS server 1 is capable of communicating with the management server 2 and the settlement device 5 via a network or the like. The POS server 1 may collectively manage the sales information of multiple affiliated stores, or may exist for each store and manage only the sales information of that store.

[0015] The management server 2 is a server device that controls the mobile terminal 3, the settlement device 5, and the product registration device 6, and is capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 3, the settlement device 5, and the product registration device 6 via a network or the like. The management server 2 acquires from the POS server 1 and stores information necessary for display control of the mobile terminal 3 and the product registration device 6. The management server 2 transmits display information for the mobile terminal 3 and the product registration device 6 to display various screens to the mobile terminal 3 and the product registration device 6. The various screens mentioned above include a screen (also referred to as a "purchased product list screen") that displays a list of purchased products registered by the mobile terminal 3 and the product registration device 6 by reading product barcodes 7 (referred to as a "purchased product list screen") together with the selling price.

[0016] The management server 2 may be composed of a plurality of server devices. For example, the management server 2 may be composed of a server device that mainly performs interface operations with the mobile terminal 3, such as sending and receiving data to and from the mobile terminal 3, and a server device that stores and manages various information such as information acquired from the POS server 1 and a purchased product list. In this case, the former server device functions as a so-called application server and communicates with the mobile terminal 3. The latter server device functions as a so-called database server and communicates with the mobile terminal 3 and the product registration device 6. In this case, these server devices send and receive information required to execute the processes assigned to them via a network or the like.

[0017] The mobile terminal 3 is a mobile terminal used by customers who shop at the store 8, and has functions such as reading product barcodes 7 attached to products, and acquiring and displaying various screens such as a purchased product list screen by communicating with the management server 2. Note that, for the sake of convenience, only one mobile terminal 3 is shown in FIG. 1, but in reality there are as many mobile terminals as there are customers in the store 8.

[0018] The product registration device 6 is also called a semi-self-checkout and is a device that allows a store clerk to register purchased products. The product registration device 6 has a function to read a product barcode 7 attached to a product, and a function to acquire and display various screens such as a purchased product list screen by communicating with the management server 2. The product registration device 6 also has a function to transmit settlement information including the product name, price, total amount, etc. of the purchased product to the settlement device 5.

[0019] The settlement device 5 is a so-called self-service settlement machine that allows customers to settle the price of purchased items. The settlement device 5 can communicate with the management server 2, and exchanges various information required for settlement with the management server 2 and, as necessary, with the POS server 1. As described above, the settlement device 5 can operate in both a mode corresponding to cashierless purchases (hereinafter referred to as "cashierless mode") and a mode corresponding to semi-self-service purchases (hereinafter referred to as "semi-self-service mode"), and the mode in which it operates is switched by the store clerk.

[0020] [Device configuration] Next, the configurations of the POS server 1, management server 2, mobile terminal 3 and settlement device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] (POS server) 2 shows a schematic configuration of the POS server 1. The POS server 1 mainly comprises a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14 for performing data communication, and a control unit 15. These elements are connected to each other by a bus line 10.

[0022] The storage unit 13 is composed of a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 13 stores programs executed by the control unit 15, and information necessary for the control unit 15 to execute predetermined processes by executing the programs. In this embodiment, the storage unit 13 includes selling price change information 17, a product information DB (Database) 18, and sales information 19 which is information related to product sales. Note that the storage unit 13 may store various types of sales-related information other than the selling price change information 17, the product information DB 18, and the sales information 19.

[0023] The product information DB18 is a database of information about products handled by the store 8 or affiliated stores including the store 8. The product information DB18 includes various information such as product prices, information for identifying products such as JAN (Japanese Article Number) codes (also referred to as "product identification information"), product classification information, and product inventory status.

[0024] The selling price change information 17 is information related to a change in selling price. Specifically, the selling price change information 17 includes at least one of any discount information or discount information such as category discount information, bundle discount information, set discount information, total amount discount information, category discount information, bundle discount information, set discount information, and total amount discount information.

[0025] The control unit 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which are not shown, and performs various controls on each component in the POS server 1. For example, the control unit 15 updates the sales information 19 by communicating with the settlement device 5 via the communication unit 14. The control unit 15 also communicates with the management server 2 via the communication unit 14 to transmit information on the selling price change information 17 and the product information DB 18 to the management server 2.

[0026] (Management Server) 3 shows a schematic configuration of the management server 2. The management server 2 mainly includes a storage unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a control unit 25. These elements are connected to each other via a bus line 20.

[0027] The storage unit 23 is configured with a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 23 stores a program executed by the control unit 25 and information necessary for the control unit 25 to execute a predetermined process by executing the program. In this embodiment, the storage unit 23 stores selling price change information 27, a product information DB 28, and a purchased product list DB 29.

[0028] Similar to the selling price change information 17, the selling price change information 27 is information regarding changes in selling price resulting from a discount or reduction in price. Based on the control of the control unit 25, the selling price change information 27 is updated regularly or irregularly so as to be synchronized with the selling price change information 17 stored in the POS server 1. Similar to the product information DB 18, the product information DB 28 is a database of information regarding products. Based on the control of the control unit 25, the product information DB 28 is updated regularly or irregularly so as to be synchronized with the product information DB 18 stored in the POS server 1.

[0029] The purchased item list DB29 is a database of a purchased item list for each mobile terminal 3 of a customer who is shopping in the store 8. The purchased item list is a list including, for example, item identification information indicating the item to be purchased and the planned purchase quantity of that item, and is associated with information identifying the mobile terminal 3 or the customer who uses the mobile terminal 3 (also referred to as "customer identification information"). The purchased item list is updated every time a purchased item is added, deleted, or the quantity is changed based on the operation of the mobile terminal 3. The purchased item list DB29 may also store a purchased item list of purchased items registered by the item registration device 6.

[0030] The communication unit 24 communicates with the POS server 1, the mobile terminal 3, the settlement device 5, and the product registration device 6 via wired or wireless communication. The control unit 25 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the management server 2.

[0031] (Mobile devices) 4 shows a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 mainly includes a display unit 31, an input unit 32, a storage unit 33, a communication unit 34, a control unit 35, and a reading unit 36. These elements are connected to each other via a bus line 30.

[0032] The display unit 31 displays various information such as a purchase item list, an accounting barcode, etc., under the control of the control unit 35. The input unit 32 is an interface that accepts user input, and corresponds to, for example, a touch panel, buttons, a voice input device, etc.

[0033] The storage unit 33 is configured with a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 33 stores programs executed by the control unit 35 and information necessary for the control unit 35 to execute predetermined processes by executing the programs. For example, the storage unit 33 stores a dedicated application program that is started when shopping at the store 8 and controls the display of various screens such as a purchase item list screen.

[0034] The communication unit 34 communicates with the management server 2 by wireless communication. The control unit 35 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on the components in the mobile terminal 3. The controls performed by the control unit 35 will be described later.

[0035] The reading unit 36 ​​is an optical device such as a camera, which reads the product barcode 7 attached to the product and supplies the read information to the control unit 35. In this embodiment, the control unit 35 obtains product identification information such as a JAN code from the product barcode 7 attached to the product based on the information output by the reading unit 36.

[0036] (Product registration device) 5 shows a schematic configuration of the product registration device 6. The product registration device 6 mainly comprises a display unit 61, an input unit 62, a storage unit 63, a communication unit 64, a control unit 65, and a reading unit 66. These elements are connected to each other via a bus line 60.

[0037] Display unit 61 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a list of purchased items including the names, prices, total amounts, etc. of the purchased items registered by the store clerk under the control of control unit 65. Input unit 62 is a touch panel or the like integrated with the liquid crystal display of display unit 61, and accepts operational input by the store clerk when registering purchased items.

[0038] The storage unit 63 is configured with a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 63 stores programs executed by the control unit 65 and information necessary for the control unit 65 to execute a predetermined process by executing the programs. For example, the storage unit 63 stores programs for controlling the reading of the product barcode 7 and the display of various screens such as a purchased product list screen.

[0039] The communication unit 64 communicates with the management server 2 via wireless communication. The communication unit 64 also transmits settlement information regarding the purchased items registered by the store clerk to the settlement device 5 via wired or wireless communication. The settlement information includes at least the product name, price, quantity, and total amount of the purchased items, and may further include the product code, discount amount, etc. The control unit 65 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the product registration device 6.

[0040] The reading unit 66 is an optical device such as a camera or a barcode reader, which reads the product barcode 7 attached to the product and supplies the read information to the control unit 65. In this embodiment, the control unit 65 obtains product identification information such as a JAN code from the product barcode 7 attached to the product based on the information output by the reading unit 66.

[0041] (Payment device) 6 shows a schematic configuration of the settlement device 5. The settlement device 5 mainly includes a display unit 51, an input unit 52, a storage unit 53, a communication unit 54, a control unit 55, a barcode reader 56, a light 57, and a speaker 58. These elements are connected to each other via a bus line 50.

[0042] The display unit 51 displays various information such as a payment method selection screen and a termination screen under the control of the control unit 55. The input unit 52 is an interface that accepts input from a customer, and corresponds to, for example, a touch panel, buttons, and the like.

[0043] Storage unit 53 is configured with a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Storage unit 53 stores programs executed by control unit 55 and information necessary for control unit 55 to execute predetermined processes by executing the programs. For example, storage unit 53 stores a dedicated application program that operates when a customer makes a payment and performs accounting processing.

[0044] The communication unit 54 communicates with the management server 2 via wireless communication. When the payment device 5 is operating in the self-checkout mode, the communication unit 54 receives payment information sent from the product registration device 6. The barcode reader 56 reads the payment barcode displayed on the customer's mobile terminal 3 at the time of payment, and supplies the read information to the control unit 55.

[0045] The control unit 55 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component within the settlement device 5. Specifically, the control unit 55 performs accounting processing for purchased items and a mode selection process for selecting the operating mode of the settlement device 5. Note that, as will be described in detail later, when the settlement device 5 is operating in cashless mode, the control unit 55 performs accounting processing based on the accounting barcode read from the mobile terminal 3, and when the settlement device 5 is operating in semi-self-service mode, the control unit 55 performs accounting processing based on the accounting information received from the product registration device 6.

[0046] The light 57 turns on when a malfunction occurs in the settlement device 5 or when a store clerk needs to be called. The speaker 58 outputs operation sounds and voice messages to call attention as necessary. In the above configuration, the barcode reader 56 is an example of a first acquisition unit of the present invention, the communication unit 54 is an example of a second acquisition unit of the present invention, and the control unit 55 is an example of a selection unit, a display control unit, and a settlement processing unit of the present invention.

[0047] [Settlement device mode selection] Next, the mode selection (mode switching) of the settlement device 5 will be described. As described above, the settlement device 5 operates in either the cashier-less mode or the semi-self-service mode. In the cashier-less mode, the settlement device 5 receives settlement information in the form of a billing barcode from the mobile terminal 3 and performs the billing process. In the semi-self-service mode, the settlement device 5 receives settlement information regarding registered products from the product registration device 6 and performs the billing process. The mode selection of the settlement device 5 is performed by a store clerk.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the mode selection process of the settlement device 5. This process is performed by the control unit 55 shown in FIG. 6 executing a program prepared in advance. First, when the settlement device is started or reset, the management menu is displayed (step S11). Note that, during normal operation of the settlement device 5, that is, during operation in the cashierless mode or semi-self-service mode, a transition button to the management menu may be displayed on the display unit 51. In this case, when a store clerk presses the transition button to the management menu, the management menu is displayed. When transitioning to the management menu, authentication of the store clerk may be requested. For example, when a store clerk presses the transition button to the management menu, the settlement device 5 may display a screen requesting the entry of authentication information of the store clerk, and the management menu may be displayed if authentication is successful based on the entered authentication information. As the authentication information, a password known only to the store clerk, a barcode or a QR (Quick Response) code printed on a store clerk card held by the store clerk, etc. may be used.

[0049] When the store clerk presses a "mode selection" button included in the management menu while the management menu is displayed, the settlement device 5 displays a mode selection screen on the display unit 51 (step S12). Figure 8 shows an example of the mode selection screen. The mode selection screen includes a cashierless mode button 91 for selecting the cashierless mode, a semi-self-service mode button 92 for selecting the semi-self-service mode, and a back button 93 for returning to the management menu.

[0050] When the store clerk presses the cashierless mode button 91 on the mode selection screen, the control unit 55 sets the settlement device 5 to the cashierless mode (step S14). This sets the settlement device 5 to read the accounting barcode from the customer's mobile terminal 3 and perform the accounting process based on the accounting information linked to the accounting barcode. On the other hand, when the store clerk presses the semi-self-service mode button 92, the control unit 55 sets the settlement device 5 to the semi-self-service mode (step S15). This sets the settlement device 5 to perform the accounting process based on the accounting information received from the product registration device 6. The control unit 55 then exits the management menu (step S16).

[0051] In this way, the store clerk can switch the operation mode of the settlement device 5 at any timing. Therefore, a store can prepare multiple settlement devices 5, and when opening, any number of them can be set to the cashierless mode and the rest can be set to the semi-self-service mode. For example, the number of settlement devices 5 according to the number of store clerks working on that day can be set to the semi-self-service mode, and the remaining ones can be set to the cashierless mode. In addition, the operation mode of the necessary number of settlement devices 5 can be changed according to subsequent changes in the situation. For example, the number of semi-self-service mode settlement devices 5 can be increased or decreased when the number of store clerks increases or decreases depending on the time of day, or the number of cashierless mode settlement devices 5 can be increased when there are many customers making cashierless purchases and there is a shortage of cashierless mode settlement devices 5.

[0052] [Product purchase process] Next, a description will be given of a product purchasing process by purchase management system 100. Below, the description will be divided into a case where payment device 5 is used in a cashier-less mode and a case where payment device 5 is used in a semi-self-service mode.

[0053] (1) Cashierless mode product purchase processing First, the product purchase process when the settlement device 5 is used in the cashier-less mode will be described. The product purchase process in the cashier-less mode is a process in which a customer purchases a product at the store 8 using the mobile terminal 3. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an overview of the product purchase process in the cashier-less mode. The product purchase process is broadly divided into a store entry process S100, a product selection process S200, and a checkout process S300. This product purchase process is mainly realized by the management server 2, the mobile terminal 3, and the settlement device 5 each executing a program prepared in advance.

[0054] (Entry processing) First, the store entry process will be described. The store entry process is a process that is performed prior to the purchase of a product when a customer enters the store 8, and corresponds to preparation for the purchase of a product. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the store entry process. This process is performed by the mobile terminal 3 and the management server 2.

[0055] First, when a customer enters the store 8, the customer reads a store barcode using the mobile terminal 3 (step S101). The store barcode is attached to a predetermined location within the store 8, for example, a wall near the entrance of the store or on a card used for shopping. When the customer reads the store barcode, the mobile terminal 3 obtains a store ID from the read store barcode and transmits it to the management server (step S102). When transmitting the store ID, the mobile terminal 3 also transmits customer identification information that identifies the mobile terminal 3 or the customer using the mobile terminal 3. Note that in the product selection process and payment process described below, the mobile terminal 3 basically transmits customer identification information for identifying itself when transmitting any information to the management server 2.

[0056] The management server 2 receives the store ID from the mobile terminal 3 and obtains the selling price list of the store from the product information DB 28 (step S104). This is because the selling price of products differs from store to store. The management server 2 then transmits store information including the store name and sale information of the store to the mobile terminal 3 (step S105), and the mobile terminal 3 receives the store information (step S106). As a result, the display unit 31 of the mobile terminal 3 displays the current store name and sale information of the store, and the customer is ready to start shopping. The store information transmitted by the management server 2 includes information indicating the transaction status of the customer at the store, and when a new shopping is started at the store, the transaction status becomes new. On the other hand, if the customer stops shopping at the store for some reason, a purchased product list screen corresponding to the previous transaction status is displayed on the mobile terminal 3.

[0057] (Product selection process) Next, the product selection process will be described. The product selection process is a process in which a customer reads the product barcode 7 attached to a product using the mobile terminal 3 and registers the product in a purchased product list. Fig. 11 is a flowchart of the product selection process. This process is executed by the mobile terminal 3 and the management server 2.

[0058] First, when a customer finds a product that the customer wants to purchase, the customer sets the mobile terminal 3 to product reading mode and reads the product barcode 7 attached to the product using the mobile terminal 3 (step S201: Yes). The mobile terminal 3 transmits the product identification information of the read product to the management server 2 (step S203). At this time, the quantity of the product is automatically set to "1". When the management server 2 receives the product identification information from the mobile terminal 3 (step S203), it updates the purchased product list and transmits it to the mobile terminal 3 (step S204). The mobile terminal 3 receives the updated product list and displays it on the display unit 31 (step S205). As a result, the newly added product and its quantity are added to the purchased product list and displayed on the mobile terminal 3.

[0059] Next, if necessary, the customer operates the mobile terminal 3 to change the quantity of the product, and the mobile terminal 3 acquires the changed quantity (step S206: Yes). When the product barcode is first read, the quantity of the product is automatically set to "1", but if the customer purchases multiple copies of the same product, the quantity can be changed by operating the mobile terminal 3. Once the changed quantity is set, the mobile terminal 3 transmits the product identification information of the product to be changed and the changed quantity to the management server 2 (step S207).

[0060] When the management server 2 receives the product identification information and the changed quantity from the mobile terminal 3 (step S208), it updates the purchased product list and transmits it to the mobile terminal 3 (step S209). The mobile terminal 3 receives the updated product list and displays it on the display unit 31 (step S210). This causes the quantity change to be reflected in the purchased product list.

[0061] Next, the mobile terminal 3 determines whether or not the customer has pressed the payment button 45 (step S211). The payment button 45 is a button that the customer presses when finishing shopping. If the payment button 45 has not been pressed (step S211: No), the process returns to step 201. In this way, the customer can continue shopping by adding products or changing the quantity until the payment button 45 is pressed. Then, when the payment button 45 is pressed (step S211: Yes), the product selection process ends.

[0062] 12 shows an example of a purchased item list screen displayed on the mobile terminal 3. In this example, the purchased item list screen has a product read button 40, a list display field 41, a subtotal display field 42, a total amount display field 43, a home screen transition button 44, a payment button 45, and a transaction cancellation button 46.

[0063] When the mobile terminal 3 detects that the product reading button 40 has been selected by a tap operation or the like, it switches the display on the display unit 31 to a product reading screen. On the product reading screen, the mobile terminal 3 displays an image or the like acquired from the activated reading unit 36. This allows the customer to move the product or the mobile terminal 3 so that the product barcode 7 is within the reading range of the reading unit 36, and read the product barcode 7.

[0064] The name, quantity, and price of each purchased item are displayed in the list display field 41. A quantity decrease button 47 and a quantity increase button 48 are displayed for each purchased item in the list display field 41. When the mobile terminal 3 receives a change in the quantity of a purchased item using the quantity decrease button 47 or the quantity increase button 48, it transmits to the management server 2 the product identification information of the purchased item whose quantity has been changed and the changed quantity.

[0065] The subtotal display field 42 displays the subtotal of the sales prices of all items in the purchased item list excluding tax, and the total amount display field 43 displays the total of the sales prices of all items in the purchased item list including tax. The management server 2 calculates these subtotals or total amounts based on the prices of the purchased items registered in the product information DB 28, specifically, the sales price list of the store acquired by the store entry process.

[0066] When the mobile terminal 3 detects that the home screen transition button 44 has been selected, it sends a home screen display request to the management server 2 and displays a predetermined home screen based on the display information received as a response. The home screen may display information about discounts and discounts at the store 8, registration information of the customer of the mobile terminal 3, and the like.

[0067] When the mobile terminal 3 detects that the payment button 45 has been selected, it sends a payment request to the management server 2 and displays a payment screen including a payment barcode (described below) based on the display information received in response. Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 3 detects that the transaction cancel button 46 has been selected, it sends information to the management server 2 notifying the cancellation of the transaction. In this case, the management server 2 deletes the purchased item list corresponding to the mobile terminal 3.

[0068] (Accounting) Next, the transaction process will be described. The transaction process is a process for making payment for the products selected by the customer in the product selection process. Figure 13 is a flowchart of the transaction process. This process is executed by the mobile terminal 3, management server 2, and settlement device 5.

[0069] First, when the payment button 45 is pressed, the mobile terminal 3 sends a payment request to the management server 2 (step S301). When the management server 2 receives the payment request (step S302), it calculates the payment amount based on the current purchase item list (step S303). Furthermore, the management server 2 generates a payment barcode (step S304). The payment barcode is information that uniquely identifies the purchase items indicated by the current purchase item list, and is an example of settlement information. In one example, the payment barcode can be a random code that is uniquely associated with the purchase items at that time. In this case, the payment barcode serves as a payment information inquiry number. The management server 2 sends a payment screen including the payment amount calculated in step S303 and the payment barcode generated in step S304 to the mobile terminal 3 (step S305).

[0070] The mobile terminal 3 displays the received payment screen on the display unit 31. FIG. 14 is an example of the display of the payment screen. In this example, the payment screen includes a billing barcode 71, a total amount field 72, and a done button 73. The customer moves to the settlement device 5 operating in the cashierless mode with the mobile terminal 3 on which the payment screen is displayed. When the customer starts to operate the settlement device 5 in the cashierless mode, the settlement device 5 first displays a billing barcode reading screen. When the customer holds the billing barcode over the reading screen, the settlement device 5 reads the billing barcode with the barcode reader 56 (step S307). The settlement device 5 displays a payment method selection screen based on the billing barcode that has been read (step S308). Specifically, the settlement device 5 transmits the inquiry number indicated by the billing barcode to the management server 2 and acquires payment information from the management server 2. The payment information includes the total amount and details such as the IDs and quantities of all items included in the purchase item list. The settlement device 5 displays the payment method selection screen based on the acquired payment information.

[0071] FIG. 15(A) shows an example of the display of the payment method selection screen. The payment method selection screen includes a total amount field 81, a cash button 82, and a credit button 83. The customer checks the payment amount by looking at the payment method selection screen, and presses either the cash button 82 or the credit button 83 to make the payment. This settles the purchase price, i.e., the price is settled (step S309). Specifically, if the customer selects to pay with cash, the settlement device 5 prompts the customer to insert cash into the cash slot, and when the cash is inserted, the settlement device 5 pays change as necessary. Also, if the customer selects to pay with credit, the settlement device 5 prompts the customer to insert a card, prompts the customer to enter a PIN number, etc., as necessary, and performs the credit settlement. It should be noted that the payment method may include electronic money in addition to cash and credit.

[0072] When the payment is completed in this manner, the settlement device 5 displays a payment completion screen (step S310). FIG. 15(B) shows an example of the payment completion screen when the customer selects credit card payment. FIG. 15(B) shows an example of the payment completion screen when the customer selects credit card payment. The payment completion screen includes a payment information field 84, a receipt button 85, and an end button 86. The payment information field 84 displays information such as the payment amount and the payment method. The receipt button 85 is a button for printing out a receipt. The end button 86 is a button for confirming that the customer has completed the payment process. When the customer presses the end button 86, the settlement device 5 reports to the management server 2 that the payment has been completed, and returns the display of the display unit 51 to the main menu. As shown in FIG. 14, the completion button 73 is also displayed on the payment screen displayed on the mobile terminal 3, and when the payment process is completed, the customer presses the completion button 73 on the payment screen. When the completion button 73 is pressed, the mobile terminal 3 reports to the management server 2 that the payment has been completed, and returns the display unit 31 to the main menu.

[0073] In the above example, the accounting barcode is simply an inquiry number for payment information, and the settlement device 5 uses this inquiry number to obtain payment information from the management server 2. Alternatively, the accounting barcode may include payment information. That is, when the management server 2 receives a settlement request, it generates an accounting barcode using the total amount and information from the purchased item list, based on the contents of the purchased item list at that time. In this case, the settlement device 5 can obtain the payment information by reading and decrypting the accounting barcode, so there is no need to communicate with the management server 2 to obtain the payment information. That is, the settlement device 5 simply extracts the total amount from the read accounting barcode and displays a payment method selection screen.

[0074] (2) Semi-self-service mode product purchase process Next, a product purchase process when using the settlement device 5 in the semi-self-service mode will be described. In the product purchase process in the semi-self-service mode, a customer brings the products they have put in their shopping cart to the cash register, a store clerk registers the products using the product registration device 6, and then the customer performs the transaction process at the settlement device 5. Figure 16 is a flowchart of the product purchase process in the semi-self-service mode.

[0075] When a customer brings a purchased item to the cash register, a store clerk operates the product registration device 6 to read the product barcode and register the purchased item (step S351). After registration of the purchased items is completed, the product registration device 6 creates a purchased item list (step S352) and generates settlement information for the registered purchased items (step S353). As described above, the settlement information includes at least the product name, price, quantity, and total amount of the purchased item, and may further include the product code, discount amount, etc. Then, the product registration device 6 transmits the settlement information to the settlement device 5 (step S354).

[0076] The customer moves to the settlement device 5 to which the settlement information was sent. The product registration device 6 automatically selects an available settlement device 5, sends the settlement information, and displays the number of the settlement device 5 to which the settlement information was sent on the display unit 61. Therefore, the store clerk tells the customer the number of the settlement device 5, and the customer moves to the settlement device 5 specified by the store clerk. The settlement device 5 receives the settlement information from the product registration device 6 (step S355), and displays a payment method selection screen as shown in FIG. 15(A) (step S356). The settlement device 5 may display the payment method selection screen immediately after receiving the settlement information from the product registration device 6, or instead may first display a checkout start button, etc., and display the payment method selection screen after the customer presses the checkout start button.

[0077] Once the payment method selection screen is displayed, the subsequent processing is basically the same as in the cashless mode described above. That is, the customer checks the payment amount by looking at the payment method selection screen, and presses either the cash button 82 or the credit button 83 to make the payment. This settles the purchase price, i.e., the price is settled (step S357). Then, once the settlement is complete, the settlement device 5 displays a transaction completion screen (step S358).

[0078] [Variations] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the product registration device 6 transmits the settlement information directly to the settlement device 5, but instead, the product registration device 6 may transmit the settlement information to the management server 2, and the management server 2 may transmit the settlement information to the settlement device 5.

[0079] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, the barcode attached to the product is read by the mobile terminal 3 or the product registration device 6, but instead, a QR code (trademark registration) may be attached to the product and read by the mobile terminal 3 or the product registration device 6. Also, the product may be read by image recognition using a photographed image of the product.

[0080] In addition, some or all of the above-described embodiments (including modified examples, the same applies below) can be described as, but are not limited to, the following notes.

[0081] (Appendix 1) A first acquisition unit that acquires settlement information from a terminal device used by a customer; a second acquisition unit that acquires payment information from a product registration device that registers products through an operation by a store clerk; a selection unit that selects, based on an input from a store clerk, either a first mode for enabling the first acquisition unit or a second mode for enabling the second acquisition unit; a settlement processing unit that settles the price using the settlement information acquired in the selected mode; A settlement device comprising:

[0082] (Appendix 2) The first acquisition unit acquires, from the terminal device, identification information associated with the purchased product as the payment information; The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the second acquisition unit acquires settlement information relating to the products registered by the product registration device from the product registration device.

[0083] (Appendix 3) The first acquisition unit acquires the settlement information by reading the identification information displayed on the terminal device, The settlement device according to claim 2, wherein the second acquisition unit receives the product information from the product registration device.

[0084] (Appendix 4) The settlement device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first acquisition unit transmits the identification information to a server and acquires information on the purchased item linked to the identification information.

[0085] (Appendix 5) A settlement device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, further comprising a display control unit that, in the first mode, displays a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device, and, in the second mode, does not display a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device, but displays a payment method selection screen for the price of the registered product.

[0086] (Appendix 6) The display control unit of the settlement device described in Appendix 5, when the identification information is read on the reading screen in the first mode, displays a payment method selection screen for the purchased item linked to the identification information.

[0087] (Appendix 7) A settlement device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 6, wherein the selection unit requests a store clerk to input authentication information, and if authentication based on the entered authentication information is successful, selects a mode based on the store clerk's input.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and corrections that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical ideas. In addition, the disclosures of the above cited patent documents and the like are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 POS Server 2 Management Server 3. Mobile devices 5 Payment device 6 Product registration device 100 Purchase Management System

Claims

1. A first acquisition unit that acquires settlement information from a terminal device used by a customer; a second acquisition unit that acquires payment information from a product registration device that registers products through an operation by a store clerk; a selection unit that selects, based on an input from a store clerk, either a first mode for enabling the first acquisition unit or a second mode for enabling the second acquisition unit; a settlement processing unit that settles the price using the settlement information acquired in the selected mode; Equipped with The first acquisition unit acquires, from the terminal device, identification information associated with the purchased product as the payment information; The second acquisition unit acquires, from the product registration device, payment information related to the product registered by the product registration device, The settlement device further includes a display control unit that, in the first mode, displays a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device, and, in the second mode, does not display the reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device.

2. The settlement device according to claim 1 , wherein, in the second mode, the display control unit displays a checkout start button for starting a checkout for the product registered by the product registration device.

3. The first acquisition unit acquires the settlement information by reading the identification information displayed on the terminal device, The settlement device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second acquisition unit receives the settlement information from the product registration device.

4. The settlement device according to claim 1 , wherein the first acquisition unit transmits the identification information to a server and acquires information on a purchased item associated with the identification information.

5. The settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in the first mode, when the identification information is read on the reading screen, the display control unit displays a payment method selection screen for the price of the purchased item linked to the identification information.

6. The settlement device according to claim 1 , wherein the selection unit requests a store clerk to input authentication information, and if authentication based on the input authentication information is successful, selects a mode based on the store clerk's input.

7. Executed by a computer, performing a first acquisition process of acquiring settlement information from a terminal device used by a customer; A second acquisition process is performed to acquire payment information from a product registration device that registers products by an operation of a store clerk; selecting either a first mode for enabling the first acquisition process or a second mode for enabling the second acquisition process based on an input by a store clerk; The payment is settled using the payment information obtained in the selected mode, The first acquisition process acquires, from the terminal device, identification information associated with the purchased product as the payment information; The second acquisition process acquires, from the product registration device, payment information related to the product registered by the product registration device; A settlement method in which, in the first mode, a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device is displayed, and, in the second mode, a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device is not displayed.

8. performing a first acquisition process of acquiring settlement information from a terminal device used by a customer; A second acquisition process is performed to acquire payment information from a product registration device that registers products by an operation of a store clerk; selecting either a first mode for enabling the first acquisition process or a second mode for enabling the second acquisition process based on an input by a store clerk; The payment is settled using the payment information obtained in the selected mode, The first acquisition process acquires, from the terminal device, identification information associated with the purchased product as the payment information; The second acquisition process acquires, from the product registration device, payment information related to the product registered by the product registration device; A program that causes a computer to execute a process of displaying a reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device in the first mode, and not displaying the reading screen for reading the identification information from the terminal device in the second mode.

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