Registered payment device and information processing program

Abstract

To easily switch an operation mode between a semi self-registration / settlement mode and a full self-registration / settlement mode.SOLUTION: Switching means switches between a first operation mode in which a registration operation for registering a purchased commodity, which is purchased by a customer, is performed by a salesclerk and a settlement operation for paying the price of the purchased commodity is performed by the customer and a second operation mode in which the registration operation and the settlement operation are performed by the customer. A salesclerk storage unit stores salesclerk identification information for identifying a salesclerk who performs the registration operation. In the case where first updating means receives an instruction for switching the first operation mode into the second operation mode from the switching means, the first updating means updates the salesclerk identification information stored in the salesclerk storage unit into specific information. In the case where second updating means receives an instruction for switching the second operation mode into the first operation mode from the switching means when it waits for the input of the salesclerk identification information and accepts the input of the salesclerk identification information through the input means, the second updating means updates the specific information stored in the salesclerk storage unit into the input salesclerk identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a registered settlement device and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, self-service models in which customers themselves are involved in operations have been increasing in registration and payment devices such as POS (Point Of Sales) terminals. Self-service models include so-called semi-self-service models in which a store clerk performs a registration operation to register products purchased by the store clerk and the customer performs a payment operation to pay for the purchased products, and so-called full-self-service models in which the customer performs the registration operation to the payment operation by himself. Currently, there are both semi-self-service registration and payment devices operating as full-self-service models in operation.

[0003] On the other hand, a registration payment device has been proposed that can operate as both a semi-self-service and a full-self-service device. However, when operating as a semi-self-service device, it is necessary to clarify which of the store clerks performed the registration operation of the purchased item. For this reason, the identification information of the store clerk must be input in advance into the registration payment device. However, when operating as a full-self-service device, the operator is a customer, so the identification information of the store clerk is not required. Therefore, when switching the operation mode from semi-self-service to full-self-service, it is necessary to invalidate the identification information of the store clerk that was input during the semi-self-service mode. Conversely, when switching the operation mode from full-self-service to semi-self-service, it is essential to input the identification information of the store clerk.

[0004] In this way, when switching between the semi-self-service and full-self-service operation modes, restrictions imposed in one of the operation modes may be lifted or new restrictions may be added. If this point is not taken into consideration, it is not possible to easily switch between the semi-self-service and full-self-service operation modes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-109932 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a registered payment device that can easily switch between semi-self-service and full-self-service operation modes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the registered payment device includes a switching unit, a store clerk storage unit, a first updating unit, a second updating unit, A printing means; The switching means switches between a first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering merchandise purchased by a customer and a payment operation for paying for the purchased merchandise, and a second operation mode in which the customer performs operations from the registration operation to the payment operation. The store clerk storage unit stores store clerk identification information for identifying the store clerk performing the registration operation. The first update means updates the store clerk identification information stored in the store clerk storage unit to specific information when the switching means instructs the customer to switch from the first operation mode to the second operation mode when the store clerk identification information is stored in the store clerk storage unit and the purchased merchandise is not yet registered. The second update means updates the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the store clerk identification information when the switching means instructs the customer to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode when the display screen is displayed to inform the customer that the customer should perform a registration operation for registering the purchased merchandise. The printing means prints on the receipt a name corresponding to the information stored in the store clerk memory unit. When the information stored in the store clerk memory unit is specific information, the printing means prints a predetermined name on the receipt. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a POS system including a POS terminal which is an embodiment of a registered settlement device. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic external configuration of the POS terminal shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the POS terminal shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing steps executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing steps executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing steps executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing steps executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing steps executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing steps executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a keyboard screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for switching from semi-self-service to full-self-service; [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a switching screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a receipt. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for switching from full-self mode to semi-self mode. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an instruction screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an error screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a registered settlement device capable of easily switching between semi-self-service and full-self-service operation modes will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a POS terminal of a POS system for convenience stores is used as an example of a registered payment device.

[0010] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a POS system. The POS system is configured by connecting a plurality of POS terminals 100 and a store server 200 via a communication network 300. The communication network 300 may be wireless or wired. A LAN (local area network) is typically used as the communication network 300. In addition to a LAN, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, etc. may also be used as the communication network 300, either alone or in appropriate combination.

[0011] Each POS terminal 100 is installed at a checkout counter 400 that is provided in the store to separate the sales floor space SP1 from the clerk's workspace SP2. Fig. 1 shows three POS terminals 100 installed at the checkout counter 400. As shown in the figure, the POS terminals 100 are installed side by side at a predetermined interval along the longitudinal direction of the checkout counter 400. Each POS terminal 100 is operated by a clerk positioned on the workspace SP2 side and a customer positioned on the sales floor space SP1 side, with the checkout counter 400 in between.

[0012] Each POS terminal 100 has a function of registering sales data of products purchased by customers, calculating the price to be paid by the customer based on the registered sales data, and settling the transaction with the customer by receiving the payment. These functions are well-known functions of well-known POS terminals, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0013] The store server 200 is installed in the back yard of the store. The store server 200 may be installed in a space other than the back yard. The store server 200 has a function of collecting sales data of each commodity registered in each POS terminal 100 via the communication network 300, and a function of aggregating sales data of purchased commodities, for example, by commodity, time period, customer demographic, or person in charge, based on the collected sales data. These functions are well-known functions of well-known store servers, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0014] The customer demographic is a classification of customers by gender and age. For example, the customer demographics are classified as follows: men under 20, men in their 20s to 30s, men in their 40s to 50s, men over 60, women under 20, women in their 20s to 30s, women in their 40s to 50s, and women over 60. The POS terminal 100 is provided with a customer demographic designation means. A store clerk judges the customer demographic by looking at the customers who come to pay for the purchased items, and operates the customer demographic designation means to designate the corresponding customer demographic. When the customer demographic is designated in the POS terminal 100 before the registration of the purchased items is completed, the sales data of the purchased items is transmitted from the POS terminal 100 to the store server 200 together with the customer demographic information. The store server 200 then tallys up the sales data by customer demographic.

[0015] A responsible person is a store clerk who signs on to the POS terminal 100 to register the purchased items. When a store clerk signs on, the POS terminal 100 registers the store clerk's employee number as a responsible person number. The employee number is an example of store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk. Sales data for the purchased items is sent from the POS terminal 100 to the store server 200 together with the responsible person number. The store server 200 then tallys up the sales data by responsible person number. In addition, the name of the store clerk registered as the responsible person is printed on receipts issued by the POS terminal 100.

[0016] Next, the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 100 will be described with reference to the external perspective view of Fig. 2 and the block diagram of the main circuit configuration of Fig. 3. The POS terminal 100 is installed at the checkout counter 400 so that the right rear side in Fig. 2 faces the workspace SP2. In other words, the POS terminal 100 is installed at the checkout counter 400 so that the left front side in Fig. 2 faces the sales floor space SP1. That is, the right rear side in Fig. 2 is the clerk side, and the left front side is the customer side. Therefore, hereinafter, the right rear side in Fig. 2 will be referred to as the clerk side, and the left front side as the customer side.

[0017] The POS terminal 100 is equipped with a customer-side touch panel 1, a fixed scanner 2, an automatic change machine 20, a credit card reader 5, a near-field communication unit 6, a prepaid card reader / writer (prepaid card R / W) 7, a receipt printer 8, a store clerk-side touch panel 9, a sub-touch panel 10, a keyboard 11, and a handheld scanner 12.

[0018] The customer-side touch panel 1 is provided facing the customer side as shown in Fig. 2. The customer-side touch panel 1 displays a screen for presenting information to customers. The customer-side touch panel 1 also inputs instructions by customers touching the screen. The customer-side touch panel 1 is an example of a second display device.

[0019] The fixed scanner 2 has a reading window 2a facing the customer. The fixed scanner 2 captures an image of a product held in front of the reading window 2a, and recognizes barcode information represented by a barcode formed on the product through image processing. The fixed scanner 2 then outputs the recognized barcode information to a processor 14, which will be described later. The fixed scanner 2 may also use other types of well-known devices that optically read barcodes using reflection of laser light. The fixed scanner 2 may also use other types of well-known devices that have a function of identifying a product using object recognition technology from an image of the product itself obtained by capturing an image of the product.

[0020] The automatic change machine 20 includes a coin unit 3 and a bill unit 4. The coin unit 3 includes a coin insertion port 3a, a coin discharge port 3b, and a coin tray 3c. The coin insertion port 3a is formed so that coins can be inserted from the customer side. The coin unit 3 stores coins inserted from the coin insertion port 3a in an internal storage box while counting the value of the coins. The coin unit 3 discharges coins stored in the storage box to the coin tray 3c via the coin discharge port 3b. The coin tray 3c is formed so that coins can be removed from the customer side.

[0021] The bill unit 4 includes a bill insertion slot 4a and a bill discharge slot 4b. The bill insertion slot 4a is formed so that bills can be inserted from the customer side. The bill unit 4 stores bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 4a in an internal storage while counting the amount of the bills. The bill unit 4 discharges bills stored in the storage from the bill discharge slot 4b. The bill discharge slot 4b holds the discharged bills with a portion of the bill exposed to the outside. The bill discharge slot 4b is formed so that the bills held as described above can be removed from the customer side.

[0022] The credit card reader 5 reads card information from a credit card slid along the slit 5a. The credit card reader 5 is disposed with the slit 5a facing the customer side so that a customer positioned on the customer side can easily slide his / her credit card through the slit 5a.

[0023] The near-field communication unit 6 is provided to form a communication range on the customer side. The near-field communication unit 6 performs near-field wireless communication with a wireless tag brought close from the customer side, and acquires data stored in the wireless tag. The near-field communication unit 6 also writes arbitrary information to the wireless tag through the near-field wireless communication.

[0024] The prepaid card reader / writer 7 includes a slot 7a. The prepaid card reader / writer 7 reads card data magnetically recorded on a prepaid card inserted into the slot 7a. The prepaid card reader / writer 7 also writes any data onto the prepaid card inserted into the slot 7a.

[0025] The receipt printer 8 prints a receipt image on receipt paper. The receipt printer 8 discharges the receipt paper with the printed receipt image to the outside from the receipt discharge outlet 8a. The receipt paper discharged from the receipt discharge outlet 8a and cut off can be received by the customer as a receipt.

[0026] The store clerk-side touch panel 9 is provided facing the store clerk. The store clerk-side touch panel 9 displays a screen for presenting information to the store clerk. The store clerk-side touch panel 9 also inputs instructions by the store clerk touching the screen. The store clerk-side touch panel 9 is an example of a first display device.

[0027] The sub-touch panel 10 is provided facing the store clerk. The sub-touch panel 10 displays a screen for presenting information to the store clerk. The sub-touch panel 10 also inputs instructions by the store clerk through touch operations on the screen.

[0028] The keyboard 11 has many keys for easy operation by a clerk located in the clerk's workspace SP2. The keyboard 11 allows the clerk to input instructions by pressing these keys.

[0029] The handy scanner 12 is held by an operator and optically reads a barcode facing the reading port 12a. The handy scanner 12 is connected to the POS terminal 100 via a communication cable 13, and the operator can operate it not only from the store clerk side but also from the customer side.

[0030] 3, the POS terminal 100 includes a processor 14, a main memory unit 15, an auxiliary memory unit 16, a buzzer 17, a communication unit 18, and a transmission path 19, in addition to the elements shown in Fig. 2. The elements shown in Fig. 2, the processor 14, the main memory unit 15, the auxiliary memory unit 16, the buzzer 17, and the communication unit 18 are connected to the transmission path 19.

[0031] The processor 14 , the main memory unit 15 and the auxiliary memory unit 16 are connected via a transmission line 19 to constitute a computer that executes information processing for controlling the POS terminal 100 .

[0032] The processor 14 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 14 controls each part of the POS terminal 100 to realize various functions of the POS terminal 100 based on information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the main storage unit 15 and the auxiliary storage unit 16.

[0033] The main memory unit 15 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory unit 15 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory unit 15 stores the above-mentioned information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory unit 15 may also store data required for the processor 14 to execute various information processes in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory unit 15 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 14.

[0034] The auxiliary storage unit 16 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 16 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), etc. The auxiliary storage unit 16 stores data used by the processor 14 in performing various information processing, and data generated by the processing in the processor 14. The auxiliary storage unit 16 may also store the above-mentioned information processing program.

[0035] The communication unit 18 performs communication processing for the processor 14 to transmit and receive various data to and from any device, such as the store server 200, via the communication network 300. As the communication unit 18, a well-known device conforming to the communication method of the communication network 300 can be used.

[0036] The buzzer 17 sounds to emit a warning sound in accordance with a drive signal provided from the processor 14. The buzzer 17 sounds to emit different warning sounds depending on the type of drive signal. The buzzer 17 sounds, for example, to emit a warning sound intermittently and repeatedly. The buzzer 17 sounds, for example, to emit a warning sound continuously.

[0037] The transmission path 19 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc. The transmission path 19 transmits data and signals exchanged between each of the components connected thereto.

[0038] The basic hardware of the POS terminal 100 may be that of another existing POS terminal. In this case, the transfer of the POS terminal 100 is generally performed in a state where an information processing program describing information processing, which will be described later, is stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16. However, the hardware of the POS terminal 100 and the information processing program may be transferred separately in a state where the above-mentioned information processing program is not stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16. The information processing program may be written in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16 in response to an operation by an administrator of the POS terminal 100 or the like. The information processing program may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0039] 2, the POS terminal 100 has the clerk-side touch panel 9, sub-touch panel 10, and keyboard 11 facing the clerk-side. The POS terminal 100 also has the customer-side touch panel 1, reading window 2a of fixed scanner 2, coin slot 3a and coin outlet 3b of coin unit 3, bill slot 4a and bill outlet 4b of bill unit 4, slit 5a of credit card reader 5, near-field communication unit 6, slot 7a of prepaid card reader / writer 7, and receipt outlet 8a of receipt printer 8 facing the customer-side. The handheld scanner 12 is placed in a position where it can be handled by not only the clerk in workspace SP2 but also the customer in sales space SP1.

[0040] The POS terminal 100 has a first operation mode as a so-called semi-self-service mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering the purchases made by a customer and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased goods, and a second operation mode as a full-self-service mode in which the customer performs the operations from the registration operation to the settlement operation. Hereinafter, the first operation mode will be referred to as the semi-self-service mode, and the second operation mode will be referred to as the full-self-service mode.

[0041] When the operation mode of the POS terminal 100 is the semi-self-service mode, a store clerk positioned in workspace SP2 and a customer positioned in sales space SP1 face each other across the checkout counter 400. The store clerk performs registration operations using the store clerk-side touch panel 9, sub-touch panel 10, keyboard 11, and handy scanner 12. The customer performs payment operations using the customer-side touch panel 1, coin unit 3, bill unit 4, credit card reader 5, near-field communication unit 6, and prepaid card reader / writer 7.

[0042] When the operation mode of the POS terminal 100 is the full self-service mode, a customer located in the sales space SP1 registers the products he or she purchases using the customer-side touch panel 1, the fixed scanner 2, and the handheld scanner 12. The customer then performs payment operations using the customer-side touch panel 1, the coin unit 3, the bill unit 4, the credit card reader 5, the near-field communication unit 6, and the prepaid card reader / writer 7. At this time, there is no need for a store clerk to be present on the side of the workspace SP2 across the accounting counter 400.

[0043] The POS terminal 100 has a switching means for switching between the semi-self-service mode and the full-self-service mode. The POS terminal 100 stores a mode flag MF in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16 in order to identify whether the semi-self-service mode or the full-self-service mode is selected. The processor 14 of the POS terminal 100 recognizes that the semi-self-service mode is selected when the mode flag MF is set to "0" and that the full-self-service mode is selected when the mode flag MF is set to "1". In this regard, the processor 14 may recognize that the full-self-service mode is selected when the mode flag MF is set to "0" and that the semi-self-service mode is selected when the mode flag MF is set to "1".

[0044] Next, the operation of the POS terminal 100 configured as above will be described. When the power is turned on by turning on a power switch (not shown), the processor 14 performs information processing, which will be described below, in accordance with an information processing program stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16 .

[0045] 4 to 9 are flow charts showing the procedure of information processing executed by the processor 14 in response to the power being turned on. This procedure is in accordance with an information processing program stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16. Note that the contents of the information processing shown in Figs. 4 to 9 and described below are merely examples. The procedure and contents of the information processing are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

[0046] When the power is turned on, the processor 14 sets the mode flag MF to "0" in Act 1. Then, the processor 14 waits for sign-on in Act 2. A store clerk who operates the POS terminal 100 to perform a registration operation performs a sign-on operation before starting the registration operation. The sign-on operation is, for example, an operation of pressing a manager key arranged on the keyboard 11, and then reading the store clerk identification information, so-called employee number barcode, written on the ID card of the store clerk with the handy scanner 12. Note that the sign-on operation is not limited to this. Any sign-on operation that is already applied to well-known POS terminals may be used.

[0047] When the processor 14 detects the sign-on operation, it judges YES in Act 2 and proceeds to Act 3. In Act 3, the processor 14 stores the employee number entered by the sign-on operation in the manager memory as the manager number. The manager memory is an example of a store clerk memory section. The manager memory is formed in a part of the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory unit 15. The manager memory may be formed in the auxiliary memory unit 16.

[0048] The processor 14 turns on, that is, enables, the automatic responsible person release function in Act 4. The automatic responsible person release function is a function that automatically signs off when a certain period of inactivity has elapsed. By enabling the automatic responsible person release function, it is possible to prevent a third party from illegally operating the POS terminal 100 that has been left signed on and left unattended.

[0049] After completing the processes in Act 3 and Act 4, the processor 14 clears the product list in Act 5. The product list is data showing a list of products that have been registered as purchased products. The product list is stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16.

[0050] The processor 14 displays a standby screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 in Act 6. The content of the standby screen may be arbitrary, but it is assumed that the screen displays an advertisement, for example. The standby screen does not include an operation element for registering a purchased item.

[0051] The processor 14 displays the home screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9 in Act 7. The home screen is a basic screen for the clerk to perform operations for registering purchased items. At this time, since the mode flag MF is "1", that is, the semi-self-time mode is selected as the operation mode, the home screen may display an image indicating that the semi-self-time mode is selected. The clerk can perform operations for specifying the items to be purchased on this home screen or on another screen to which the clerk can transition from this home screen.

[0052] In Act 8, the processor 14 causes a keyboard screen to be displayed on the sub-touch panel 10. The keyboard screen is a screen showing a software keyboard having an array of multiple buttons.

[0053] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a keyboard screen SC1. On the keyboard screen SC1, a plurality of buttons, such as button BU1 and button BU2, are arranged. Note that, although not indicated with a reference symbol, any item having the same shape as button BU1 or button BU2 is also a button.

[0054] Each button on the keyboard screen SC1 is assigned a function in advance. The switch button BU3 is assigned a function that allows the operator to instruct switching to the full self mode. The switch button BU3 displays the character string "Self Switch" to indicate the assigned function. Each of the other buttons also displays a character string indicating the assigned function, but the character strings are omitted from FIG. 10.

[0055] The processor 14 checks whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated in Act 9. If the designated product has not been designated, the processor 14 judges the result as NO and proceeds to Act 10. The processor 14 checks whether or not the switching button BU3 has been touched in Act 10. If the processor 14 cannot confirm that the switching button BU3 has been touched, the processor 14 judges the result as NO and returns to Act 9. Thus, the processor 14 waits for a product to be designated or for the switching button BU3 to be touched in Act 9 and Act 10.

[0056] In this standby state and in the standby state described below, the processor 14 may check whether or not another instruction operation has been performed. If the processor 14 checks that such an instruction operation has been performed, it proceeds to processing according to that operation. In addition, if a certain period of time has elapsed without any operation in this standby state, the processor 14 automatically signs off because the automatic person in charge release function is enabled. In this case, the processor 14 will start the processing over again from Act 2.

[0057] A customer picks up an item to be purchased from the sales floor and brings it to the checkout counter 400. A store clerk who operates the POS terminal 100 is positioned on the workspace SO2 side, with the POS terminal 100 between them and a customer who is positioned on the sales floor space SP1 side. The store clerk uses the store clerk's touch panel 9, keyboard 11, or handy scanner 12 to perform a registration operation to designate the item that the customer has brought to the checkout counter 400 as a purchased item. The registration operation by the store clerk at this time may be the same as that performed at another existing POS terminal. If a registration operation to designate the item as a purchased item has been performed, the processor 14 judges YES in Act 9 and proceeds to Act 11.

[0058] As described above, the standby screen does not include any operation elements for registering purchased items, so a registration operation for designating a product as a purchased item is not performed on the customer-side touch panel 1. Furthermore, processor 14 does not use the recognition results from fixed scanner 2 to register purchased items. In other words, processor 14 disables customer-side touch panel 1 and fixed scanner 2 in semi-self mode, in which the content of the transaction to be settled is determined in response to the operation by the store clerk. By disabling customer-side touch panel 1 and fixed scanner 2 in this way, it is possible to prevent a product from being erroneously registered as a purchased item through the customer's operation.

[0059] The processor 14 updates the product list to include the product specified by the above operation in Act 11. Note that the product list is, for example, a list of product codes for identifying products. Therefore, the processor 14 adds the product code for identifying the specified product to the product list.

[0060] The processor 14 displays a summary screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 in Act 12. The summary screen is a screen showing an overview of the current status of the registration of purchased items according to the contents of the product list at this time. For example, the summary screen shows the product name, unit price, and quantity of the product registered as a purchased item immediately before, the total amount of discount applied to the registered items, and the total amount of the registered items. The summary screen does not include any operation elements for registering purchased items.

[0061] The processor 14 displays a details screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9 in Act 13. The details screen is a screen showing details of the current status of the registration of purchased items according to the contents of the product list at this point in time. For example, the details screen shows a list of the product names, unit prices, and quantities of each product registered as purchased items, the total amount of discounts applied to the registered items, and the total amount of the registered items.

[0062] The processor 14 checks whether a product to be registered as a purchased product has been specified in Act 14. If the product has not been specified, the processor 14 judges the result as NO and proceeds to Act 15. The processor 14 checks whether a customer demographic has been specified in Act 15. If the processor 14 cannot confirm that a customer demographic has been specified, the processor 14 judges the result as NO and returns to Act 14. Thus, the processor 14 waits for a product to be specified or for a customer demographic to be specified in Act 14 and Act 15.

[0063] When a customer brings multiple items to the checkout counter 400, the store clerk performs an operation to designate the second and subsequent items as purchased items while the processor 14 is in a standby state for Act 14 and Act 15. If such an operation is performed, the processor 14 judges YES in Act 14 and executes the processes of Act 11 to Act 13 as described above. As a result, each of the multiple items brought by the customer to the checkout counter is added to the item list. Note that, since the schematic screen does not include an operation element for registering purchased items as described above, an operation to designate an item as a purchased item is not performed on the customer-side touch panel 1. Furthermore, the processor 14 does not use the recognition result of the fixed scanner 2 to register the purchased items.

[0064] When the customer has finished designating all the items brought to the checkout counter 400 as items to be purchased, the clerk estimates the customer's gender and age and determines the customer demographic. The clerk then presses the customer demographic key of the determined customer demographic from among the customer demographic keys arranged on the keyboard 11 as customer demographic designation means. In this way, the customer demographic key designates the customer's demographic and also designates the end of the registration of the items purchased by the customer. Note that the customer demographic designation means is not limited to pressing the customer demographic key. For example, a customer demographic function may be assigned to each of a number of buttons arranged on the sub-touch panel 10, and the customer demographic may be designated by the clerk touching one of these buttons to which the relevant customer demographic is assigned.

[0065] When the processor 14 detects that a customer demographic has been specified by pressing the customer demographic key, the processor 14 judges YES in Act 15 and proceeds to Act 21 in Fig. 5. In Act 21, the processor 14 stores a customer demographic code that identifies the specified customer demographic in the customer demographic memory. The customer demographic memory is an example of a customer demographic storage section. The customer demographic code is an example of customer demographic information. The customer demographic memory is formed in a part of the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory unit 15. The customer demographic memory may be formed in the auxiliary memory unit 16.

[0066] Here, the computer mainly including the processor 14 constitutes the first half of a customer demographic storage means by executing the process of Act 21.

[0067] The processor 14 displays a selection screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 in Act 22. The selection screen is a screen for accepting an operation by a customer to select a payment method. For example, the selection screen shows a plurality of buttons each associated with a plurality of payment methods. In this embodiment, the POS terminal 100 is capable of selectively using cash, credit, electronic money, and prepaid as the payment method. For this reason, the selection screen includes four buttons each associated with cash, credit, electronic money, and prepaid. For electronic money and prepaid, a plurality of buttons each associated with a plurality of payment services belonging to each of them may be included. Alternatively, when a button associated with electronic money or prepaid is touched, the processor 14 may display a lower selection screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 showing a button each associated with a plurality of payment services belonging to the payment method.

[0068] The processor 14 checks whether or not a payment method has been specified in Act 23. If a payment method has not been specified, the processor 14 judges the result as NO and proceeds to Act 24. The processor 14 checks whether or not an instruction has been given to return to registering the purchased item in Act 24. If no such instruction has been given, the processor 14 judges the result as NO and returns to Act 23. Thus, the processor 14 waits in Act 23 and Act 24 for a payment method to be specified or for an instruction to return to registration.

[0069] If the customer wishes to add an item to the purchase, the customer instructs the customer to return to registration by a predetermined operation on the customer-side touch panel 1. The operation is, for example, touching the back button displayed on the selection screen. If there are still items left to purchase that have not been registered, the store clerk instructs the customer to return to registration by a predetermined operation on the store clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10. The operation is, for example, touching the back button displayed on the details screen or keyboard screen. The processor 14 judges YES in Act 24 in response to the operation being performed, and executes the processing from Act 12 in FIG. 4 onward in the same manner as described above.

[0070] If the customer wishes to proceed to pay for the purchased item, the customer designates the payment method to be used by performing a predetermined operation on the selection screen. The operation is, for example, touching a button displayed on the selection screen as being associated with the payment method to be used. In response to the operation, the processor 14 judges YES in Act 23 and proceeds to Act 25.

[0071] In Act 25, the processor 14 displays a payment screen on the customer-side touch panel 1. The payment screen shows the amount to be paid and provides instructions on how to make the payment. There are multiple types of payment screens predefined, each corresponding to a different payment method. The processor 14 displays the payment screen associated with the specified payment method on the customer-side touch panel 1. When displaying the payment screen, the processor 14 determines the payment amount for the purchase of the product registered in the product list.

[0072] The processor 14 displays a details screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9 in Act 26. The details screen may be the same as the details screen displayed in Act 13. However, the details screen displayed in Act 26 is a screen indicating that the customer is making a payment.

[0073] The processor 14 activates a payment device according to the payment method specified as Act 27. For example, when cash is specified as the payment method, the processor 14 activates the coin unit 3 and the bill unit 4 of the automatic change machine 20. For example, when credit is specified as the payment method, the processor 14 activates the credit card reader 5. For example, when electronic money is specified as the payment method, the processor 14 activates the near-field communication unit 6. For example, when prepaid is specified as the payment method, the processor 14 activates the prepaid card reader / writer 7.

[0074] The processor 14 waits for a payment operation according to the payment method designated in Act 28. For example, when cash is designated as the payment method, the processor 14 recognizes that a payment operation has been performed when coins and bills are inserted into the coin unit 3 and the bill unit 4. For example, when credit is designated as the payment method, the processor 14 recognizes that a payment operation has been performed when a credit card is slid through the slit 5a of the credit card reader 5. For example, when electronic money is designated as the payment method, the processor 14 recognizes that a payment operation has been performed when a wireless tag for electronic money is brought into proximity with the near-field communication unit 6. For example, when prepaid is designated as the payment method, the processor 14 recognizes that a payment operation has been performed when a prepaid card is inserted into the slot 7a of the prepaid card reader / writer 7. When the processor 14 recognizes that a payment operation has been performed, it determines YES in Act 28 and proceeds to Act 29.

[0075] The processor 14 performs a payment process in Act 29. Specifically, the processor 14 executes a process for settling the payment amount using the data entered in the payment operation accepted in Act 28 for the payment method specified in Act 23. In this payment process, the processor 14 generates sales data for the purchased items according to the contents of the item list, and transmits the sales data together with the manager number stored in the manager memory and the customer demographic code stored in the customer demographic memory to the store server 200 via the communication network 300. This type of payment process is well known, so a detailed description will be omitted here.

[0076] When the payment process is completed, in Act 30, the processor 14 stops the payment device started in Act 27. In addition, in Act 31, the processor 14 controls the receipt printer 8 to issue a receipt on receipt paper on which a receipt image showing the details of the current transaction and the result of the payment is printed.

[0077] At this time, in addition to the transaction date and time, register number, etc., the name corresponding to the manager number stored in the manager memory, that is, the name of the employee identified by the manager number, is printed in the manager column on the receipt. The transaction date and time indicates the date and time when the transaction was made. The POS terminal 100 has a clock function (not shown), and the processor 14 controls the time and date kept by this clock function to be printed on the receipt as the transaction date and time. The register number is a unique number assigned to each POS terminal 100 in order to identify each POS terminal 100. The POS terminal 100 stores the register number in advance, for example, in the main memory unit 15 or the auxiliary memory unit 16. The data printed on the receipt is also recorded directly in the electronic journal file. The electronic journal file is saved in the auxiliary memory unit 16.

[0078] After issuing the receipt, the processor 14 clears the product list in Act 32. The processor 14 also displays a completion screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 in Act 33. The completion screen is a screen that notifies the customer that the transaction is complete.

[0079] After that, the processor 14 returns to Act 6 in Fig. 4. That is, the processor 14 displays a standby screen on the customer-side touch panel 1, a home screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9, and a keyboard screen on the sub-touch panel 10. Then, the processor 14 enters a standby state for Act 9 and Act 10.

[0080] Meanwhile, a store clerk can switch the POS terminal 100 operating in the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode. However, switching from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode is limited to when the processor 14 is in the standby state of Act 9 and Act 10. That is, it is limited to the state where the manager number is stored in the manager memory, that is, the manager is registered, and the product list is cleared, that is, no product data is entered.

[0081] When the POS terminal 100 operating in the semi-self-service mode is switched to the full-self-service mode, the store clerk touches the switch button BU3 arranged on the keyboard screen SC1 displayed on the sub-touch panel 10.

[0082] When the processor 14, which is in a standby state in Act 9 and Act 10, detects that the switching button BU3 is touched, it judges YES in Act 10 and proceeds to Act 41 in Fig. 6. In Act 41, the processor 14 causes the store clerk's touch panel 9 to display a switching confirmation screen in a pop-up format.

[0083] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a switching confirmation screen SC2. The switching confirmation screen SC2 displays a message M1 for prompting the store clerk to confirm switching from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode, as well as a "Yes" button BU11 and a "No" button BU12.

[0084] After checking the switching confirmation screen SC2, the store clerk touches the "Yes" button BU11 if he / she wishes to switch from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode, or touches the "No" button BU12 if he / she wishes to cancel the switch from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode.

[0085] The processor 14, which has caused the store clerk's touch panel 9 to display the switching confirmation screen SC2, checks whether or not a command to switch modes has been issued in Act 42. If the "Yes" button BU11 on the switching confirmation screen SC2 has been touched, the processor 14 determines that a command to switch modes has been issued. In that case, the processor 14 determines YES in Act 42 and proceeds to Act 43.

[0086] The processor 14 judges whether the switching condition is satisfied in Act 43. As described above, when the manager is registered and no product data has been input, the mode can be switched from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode. That is, when the processor 14 confirms that the employee number of any store clerk is stored in the manager memory and that the product list is cleared, it judges that the switching condition is satisfied.

[0087] In this case, the processor 14 determines YES in Act 43 and proceeds to Act 44. In Act 44, the processor 14 records information indicating that the semi-self mode has been switched to the full-self mode, together with the person in charge number stored in the person in charge memory, in the electronic journal file.

[0088] The processor 14 rewrites the data in the manager memory to a specific number that is not used as an employee number for a store clerk, for example, "999" in Act 45. The processor 14 also turns off, that is, disables, the automatic manager release function in Act 46. The processor 14 also sets the mode flag MF to "1" in Act 47.

[0089] Here, the computer mainly including the processor 14 constitutes the first half of a switching means for switching the operation mode from the semi-self-control mode to the full-self-control mode by executing the processes of Act 41 to Act 43 and Act 47 in cooperation with the switching button BU3. The computer also constitutes a first updating means by executing the process of Act 45. The computer also constitutes the first half of a control means by executing the process of Act 46.

[0090] If the "No" button BU12 on the switching confirmation screen SC2 is touched in Act 42, the processor 14 judges it as NO and returns to Act 9 in Fig. 4. Also, if the switching condition is not satisfied in Act 43, the processor 14 judges it as NO and returns to Act 9 in Fig. 4. That is, the processor 14 returns to the standby state of Act 9 and Act 10.

[0091] When the processing of Act 44 to Act 47 is completed, the processor 14 proceeds to Act 51 in Fig. 7. The processing procedure of Act 44 to Act 47 is not limited to the above-mentioned procedure. The order of the processing may be changed.

[0092] The processor 14 displays a guide screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 in Act 51. The guide screen is a screen for informing the customer that the customer should perform a registration operation for registering the purchased item. The guide screen may show what operation should be performed as the registration operation for registering the purchased item.

[0093] The processor 14 displays a standby screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9 in Act 52. The contents of the standby screen may be arbitrary, but at least an image notifying the store clerk that the store clerk is in the full self-service mode is displayed. The standby screen does not include any operation element for registering purchased items.

[0094] In Act 53, the processor 14 causes the sub-touch panel 10 to display a switching screen. The switching screen is a screen showing switching buttons.

[0095] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a switching screen SC3. A plurality of buttons, such as a switching button BU21 and buttons BU22 and BU23, are arranged on the switching screen SC3. Note that although not indicated with a reference symbol, items having the same shape as the button BU23 are also buttons.

[0096] A function is assigned to each of these buttons on the switching screen SC3 in advance. The switching button BU21 is assigned a function that allows the operator to instruct switching to semi-self mode. The switching button BU21 displays the character string "Self Switch" to indicate the assigned function. Each of the other buttons also displays a character string indicating the assigned function, but the character strings are omitted from FIG. 12. The switching screen SC3 does not include an operation element for registering purchased items.

[0097] The processor 14 checks whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated in Act 54. If no such designation has been made, the processor 14 determines that the result is NO and proceeds to Act 55.

[0098] The processor 14 checks whether the switching button BU21 is touched in Act 55. If the processor 14 cannot check that the switching button BU21 is touched, the result is NO, and the process returns to Act 54. Thus, in Act 54 and Act 55, the processor 14 waits for a product to be specified or for the switching button BU21 to be touched.

[0099] When a customer picks up an item to be purchased from the sales floor and brings the item to the checkout counter 400, the customer uses the customer-side touch panel 1 or the fixed scanner 2 to perform a registration operation to designate the item as a purchased item. The customer's operation at this time may be the same as that performed at other existing self-service POS terminals. If the customer has performed the registration operation to designate the item as a purchased item, the processor 14 determines YES in Act 54 and proceeds to Act 56.

[0100] As described above, the standby screen does not include any operation element for registering a purchased item, so the registration operation for designating a product as a purchased item is not performed on the clerk-side touch panel 9. Even if the keyboard 11 is operated, the processor 14 does not accept this as a designation of a purchased item. As described above, the switching screen SC3 does not include any operation element for registering a purchased item, so the registration operation for designating a product as a purchased item is not performed on the sub-touch panel 10. That is, the processor 14 disables the clerk-side touch panel 9, the sub-touch panel 10, and the keyboard 11 in the full self-service mode in which the content of the transaction to be settled is determined according to the operation by the customer. By disabling the clerk-side touch panel 9, the sub-touch panel 10, and the keyboard 11 in this way, it is possible to prevent the clerk from erroneously registering a purchased item through the operation of the clerk.

[0101] The processor 14 updates the product list to include the product specified by the above registration operation in Act 56. Then, the processor 14 displays a details screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 in Act 57. The details screen is a screen showing the current details of the registration of purchased products according to the contents of the product list at this point. For example, the details screen shows a list of the product names, unit prices, and quantities of each product registered as purchased products, the total amount of discounts applied to the registered products, and the total amount of the registered products.

[0102] Furthermore, the processor 14 displays a details screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9 in Act 58. The details screen displayed on the store clerk's touch panel 9 here indicates the same information as that displayed in Act 13, and also indicates that the store clerk is in the full self mode. The details screen displayed on the store clerk's touch panel 9 does not include operation elements for registering purchased items.

[0103] The processor 14 checks in Act 59 whether a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. If no such instruction has been made, the processor 14 determines that the answer is NO and proceeds to Act 60. The processor 14 checks in Act 60 whether a checkout has been instructed. If the processor 14 cannot confirm that a checkout has been instructed, the processor 14 determines that the answer is NO and returns to Act 59. Thus, the processor 14 waits in Act 59 and Act 60 for a product to be designated or for a checkout to be instructed.

[0104] When a customer brings multiple products to the checkout counter 400, the customer performs a registration operation to designate the second and subsequent products as purchased products while the processor 14 is in a standby state as Act 54 and Act 55. If such a registration operation is performed, the processor 14 judges YES in Act 54 and executes Acts 56 to 58 as described above. As a result, each of the multiple products brought by the customer to the checkout counter 400 is added to the product list. Since the detail screen displayed on the store clerk touch panel 9 does not include an operation element for registering purchased products as described above, a registration operation for designating a product as a purchased product is not performed on the store clerk touch panel 9. Furthermore, even if the keyboard 11 is operated, the processor 14 does not accept this as a designation of a purchased product. Furthermore, since the switching screen SC3 does not include an operation element for registering purchased products as described above, a registration operation for designating a product as a purchased product is not performed on the sub-touch panel 10.

[0105] When the customer has finished designating all the items brought to the checkout counter 400 as items to be purchased, the customer instructs payment by performing a predetermined operation on the customer-side touch panel 1. This operation is, for example, touching a checkout button included in the details screen displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1. In response to the touch operation of the checkout button, the processor 14 determines YES in Act 60 and proceeds to Act 61.

[0106] The processor 14 rewrites the customer demographic code stored in the customer demographic memory in Act 61 to a specific customer demographic code, for example, an identification code of a customer demographic called "males in their 40s." The specific customer demographic code is preset in the store server 200, downloaded to each POS terminal 100 via the communication network 300, and stored in the main memory unit 15 or the auxiliary memory unit 16. It is arbitrary which customer demographic identification code is to be the specific customer demographic code. For example, the customer demographic code of the most prevalent customer demographic in the store may be the specific customer demographic code.

[0107] Here, the computer mainly including the processor 14 constitutes the latter half of the customer demographic storage means by executing the process of Act 61.

[0108] When the specific customer demographic code has been stored in the customer demographic memory, the processor 14 proceeds to Act 71 in Fig. 8. In Act 71, the processor 14 displays a selection screen on the customer-side touch panel 1. The selection screen shows the same information as that displayed in Act 22.

[0109] The processor 14 checks whether or not a payment method has been specified in Act 72. If a payment method has not been specified, the processor 14 judges the result as NO and proceeds to Act 73. The processor 14 checks whether or not an instruction to return to registering the purchased item has been given in Act 73. If no such instruction has been given, the processor 14 judges the result as NO and returns to Act 72. Thus, the processor 14 waits in Act 72 and Act 73 for a payment method to be specified or for an instruction to return to registration.

[0110] If the customer wishes to add an item to the purchase, the customer instructs the customer to return to registration by performing a predetermined operation on the customer-side touch panel 1. The operation is, for example, touching the back button displayed on the selection screen. The processor 14 judges YES in Act 73 in response to the operation, and executes the process from Act 57 in FIG. 7 onward in the same manner as described above.

[0111] If the customer wishes to proceed to pay for the purchased item, the customer designates the payment method to be used by performing a predetermined operation on the selection screen. The operation is, for example, touching a button displayed on the selection screen as being associated with the payment method to be used. In response to the operation, the processor 14 judges YES in Act 72 and proceeds to Act 74.

[0112] The processor 14 displays a payment screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 in Act 74. The payment screen displays the amount to be paid and provides instructions on how to make the payment. The payment screen displays the same information as that displayed in Act 25.

[0113] The processor 14 displays the details screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9 in Act 75. The details screen shows the same information as that displayed in Act 26.

[0114] The processor 14, in Act 76, activates a payment device according to the specified payment method, similar to Act 27. Then, the processor 14, in Act 77, waits for a payment operation for payment according to the specified payment method, similar to Act 28.

[0115] If the processor 14 determines that a payment operation has been performed, the result of the determination in Act 77 is YES, and the process proceeds to Act 78. In Act 79, the processor 14 performs a payment process similar to that in Act 29.

[0116] When the payment process is completed, in Act 80, the processor 14 stops the payment device started in Act 76. Also, in Act 80, the processor 14 controls the receipt printer 8 to issue a receipt on receipt paper on which a receipt image showing the content of the current transaction and the result of the payment is printed.

[0117] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt RE1. In addition to the transaction date and time D1, the register number D2, etc., the receipt RE1 has a specific name "SELF" stored in the main memory unit 15 or the auxiliary memory unit 16 in association with the manager number stored in the manager memory, that is, the specific number "999", printed in the manager column. The name "SELF" is preset in the store server 200, downloaded to each POS terminal 100 via the communication network 300, and stored in the main memory unit 15 or the auxiliary memory unit 16. The specific name is not limited to "SELF". Also, instead of the name "SELF", the specific number "999" may be printed in the manager column of the receipt RE1. The data printed on the receipt is also recorded as it is in the electronic journal file.

[0118] Here, the computer, mainly including the processor 14, cooperates with the receipt printer 8 to execute the process of Act 80, thereby forming a printing means.

[0119] After issuing the receipt, the processor 14 clears the product list in Act 81. The processor 14 also displays a closing screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 in Act 82. The closing screen shows the same information as that displayed in Act 33.

[0120] After that, the processor 14 returns to Act 51 in Fig. 7. That is, the processor 14 displays a guide screen on the customer-side touch panel 1, a standby screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9, and a switching screen on the sub-touch panel 10. Then, the processor 14 enters a standby state for Act 54 and Act 55.

[0121] Meanwhile, a store clerk can switch the POS terminal 100 operating in the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode. However, switching from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode is possible when the processor 14 is in the standby state of Act 54 and Act 55. That is, this is the state in which the settlement of a commercial transaction in the full self-service mode is completed and a guide screen is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1.

[0122] When the POS terminal 100 operating in the full self-service mode is switched to the semi-self-service mode, the store clerk touches the switch button BU21 arranged on the switching screen SC3 displayed on the sub-touch panel 10.

[0123] When the processor 14, which is in a standby state in Act 54 and Act 55, detects that the switching button BU21 is touched, it determines YES in Act 55 and proceeds to Act 91 in Fig. 9. In Act 91, the processor 14 causes the store clerk's touch panel 9 to display a switching confirmation screen in a pop-up format.

[0124] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a switching confirmation screen SC4. The switching confirmation screen SC4 displays a message M2 for prompting the store clerk to confirm switching from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode, as well as a "Yes" button BU31 and a "No" button BU32.

[0125] After checking the switching confirmation screen SC4, the store clerk touches the "Yes" button BU31 if he / she wishes to switch from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode. If he / she wishes to cancel the switching from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode, he / she touches the "No" button BU32.

[0126] The processor 14, which has caused the store clerk's touch panel 9 to display the switching confirmation screen SC3, checks whether or not a command to switch modes has been issued in Act 92. If the "Yes" button BU31 on the switching confirmation screen SC4 has been touched, the processor 14 determines that a command to switch modes has been issued. In that case, the processor 14 determines YES in Act 92 and proceeds to Act 93.

[0127] The processor 14 judges whether or not the switching condition is satisfied in Act 93. As described above, mode switching from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode is permitted when the guide screen is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1. That is, when the processor 14 confirms that the guide screen is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1, it judges that the switching condition is satisfied.

[0128] In this case, the processor 14 determines YES in Act 93 and proceeds to Act 94. The processor 14 records information indicating that the full self mode has been switched to the semi self mode together with the specific number "999" stored in the person in charge memory in the electronic journal file in Act 94. Note that it is not essential to record the specific number "999" in the electronic journal file.

[0129] The processor 14 displays, in Act 95, on the touch panel 9 of the store clerk, an instruction screen for instructing the store clerk to input the person in charge number.

[0130] 15 is a diagram showing an example of an instruction screen SC5. An "OK" button BU41 is displayed on the instruction screen SC5 together with a message M3 instructing the store clerk to input a manager number. After checking the instruction screen SC5, the store clerk touches the OK button B41 and then uses the handy scanner 12 to read the barcode of the employee number written on the ID card of the store clerk.

[0131] The processor 14, which has caused the instruction screen SC4 to be displayed on the clerk's touch panel 9, waits for the supervisor number to be input in Act 96. In this standby state, when the OK button B41 is touched and the barcode of the employee number is subsequently read by the handy scanner 12, the processor 14 judges YES in Act 96 and proceeds to Act 97. The processor 14 stores the employee number obtained by analyzing the barcode in the supervisor memory as the supervisor number in Act 97. The processor 14 also turns on, that is, enables, the automatic supervisor release function in Act 98. The processor 14 also resets the mode flag MF to "0" in Act 99.

[0132] Here, the computer mainly including the processor 14 constitutes the latter half of a switching means for switching the operation mode from the full self mode to the semi self mode by executing the processes of Act 91 to Act 99 in cooperation with the switching button BU21. The same computer also constitutes a second updating means by executing the processes of Act 95 to Act 97. The same computer also constitutes the latter half of a control means by executing the process of Act 98.

[0133] If the "No" button BU32 on the switching confirmation screen SC4 is touched in Act 92, the processor 14 judges it as NO and returns to Act 54 in Fig. 7. Also, if the switching condition is not satisfied in Act 93, the processor 14 judges it as NO and returns to Act 54 in Fig. 7. That is, the processor 14 returns to the standby state of Act 54 and Act 55.

[0134] After completing the processing of Act 97 to Act 99, the processor 14 proceeds to Act 6 in Fig. 4. The processor 14 then executes the processing from Act 6 onwards, that is, the processing in the semi-self mode, in the same manner as described above. Note that the processing procedure of Act 97 to Act 99 is not limited to the above-mentioned procedure. The order of the processing may be changed.

[0135] As described above, the POS terminal 100 of this embodiment has a semi-self-service mode and a full-self-service mode. When switching from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode, the store clerk, who is the operator, touches the switching button BU3. At this time, if the conditions for switching from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode, that is, a manager registration state and no product data input state, are met, the operation mode of the POS terminal 100 switches from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode. Then, the data in the manager memory is rewritten to the specific number "999", which is not used as the employee number of a store clerk. In other words, the state is one in which the specific number "999" has been signed on. Therefore, the employee number of the store clerk who signed on in the semi-self-service mode is automatically invalidated.

[0136] Furthermore, when switching from full self-service mode to semi-self-service mode, the store clerk touches the switching button BU21. At this time, if the condition for switching from full self-service mode to semi-self-service mode, that is, a guide screen displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1, is satisfied, the operation mode of the POS terminal 100 switches from full self-service mode to semi-self-service mode. Then, an instruction screen SC5 is displayed on the store clerk-side touch panel 9 of the POS terminal 100, instructing the store clerk to input a supervisor number. When the store clerk inputs an employee number here, the employee number is registered in the supervisor memory as the supervisor number. In other words, the store clerk is signed on. Therefore, the full self-service mode will not switch to the semi-self-service mode without signing on.

[0137] In this way, when switching between semi-self and full-self operating modes, restrictions imposed in one operating mode may be lifted or new restrictions may be added, and the POS terminal 100 takes this into consideration.

[0138] As a result, in the POS terminal 100, the procedures of Act 6 to Act 15 and Act 21 to Act 33 showing the information processing from registration to payment in the semi-self-service mode are almost the same as the procedures of Act 51 to Act 61 and Act 71 to Act 82 showing the information processing from registration to payment in the full-self-service mode. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a POS terminal 100 that can easily switch between the semi-self-service mode and the full-self-service mode without making major modifications to the information processing program.

[0139] Incidentally, the name of the store clerk identified by the manager number stored in the manager memory is printed in the manager column of the receipt issued in the semi-self-service mode. In relation to this, the POS terminal 100 is also configured to print the name "SELF", which corresponds to the specific number "999" stored in the manager memory, in the manager column of the receipt issued in the full-self-service mode. Therefore, from this point of view as well, it is possible to achieve the advantageous effect that there is no need to significantly change the information processing program when switching between the semi-self-service mode and the full-self-service mode.

[0140] In addition, the automatic responsible person release function that is enabled when the semi-self-service mode is selected is disabled when the full-self-service mode is selected. Then, when the semi-self-service mode is selected again, the function is enabled. Therefore, in the full-self-service mode, the customer will not be automatically signed off due to the passage of a certain period of inactivity. In other words, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in which the automatic responsible person release function is activated in the full-self-service mode, automatically signing off the customer and making the customer unable to operate the device. Therefore, since there is no need to add a routine to the information processing program to deal with such malfunctions, there is an advantageous effect that there is no need to significantly modify the information processing program.

[0141] Generally, in a POS terminal, when a customer demographic is specified before the registration of purchased items is completed, the sales data of the purchased items are sent to the store server 200 together with customer demographic information. In this regard, in the POS terminal 100 of this embodiment, when the semi-self-service mode is selected, the customer's customer demographic is input when the customer instructs the end of the registration of the purchased items. In contrast, in the full-self-service mode, the customer instructs the end of the registration of the purchased items by himself, so there is resistance to having the customer demographic input. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the customer instructs the end of the registration of purchased items in the full-self-service mode, a customer demographic code indicating a specific customer demographic is automatically stored in the customer demographic memory. Therefore, since the customer demographic is input not only in the semi-self-service mode but also in the full-self-service mode, it is also possible to easily switch between the semi-self-service mode and the full-self-service mode without making major changes to the information processing program.

[0142] While an embodiment of a registered payment device capable of easily switching between semi-self-service and full-self-service operation modes has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0143] For example, the conditions for switching from semi-self-service to full-self-service or full-self-service to semi-self-service are not limited to those illustrated. For example, the processor 14 may check the state of the automatic change machine 20 and include a condition for switching that no disconnection error has occurred. In this case, if the automatic change machine 20 has a disconnection error when switching from semi-self-service to full-self-service, the processor 14 may display, for example, "Change machine is not connected, so mode switching is not possible" on the clerk-side touch panel 9 and return to the state before the operation of the switching button BU3. If the automatic change machine 20 has a disconnection error when switching from full-self-service to semi-self-service, the processor 14 may display, for example, "Drawer in operation" on the clerk-side touch panel 9 and return to the state before the operation of the switching button BU21.

[0144] In the above embodiment, an example was given of a receipt image being printed on receipt paper by the receipt printer 8, but instead the receipt image may be made into an electronic receipt and downloaded to the customer's information terminal.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the switching button BU3 is exemplified as a means for instructing a mode switch from semi-self-service to full-self-service, and the switching button BU21 is exemplified as a means for instructing a mode switch from full-self-service to semi-self-service. In this regard, for example, the mode switch may be instructed by a command delivered from the store server 200 to the POS terminal 100 via the communication network 300. In this case, the sender of the command is not limited to the store server 200. For example, another POS terminal 100 may be the sender of the command.

[0146] However, products such as alcohol and tobacco that require age verification, or medicines that belong to the first or second category of pharmaceutical products, cannot be sold in the full self-service mode because they require the intervention of a store clerk. For such products, a flag is set in the product data stored in the product master table to indicate that the product is prohibited from being sold in the full self-service mode. Then, in the process of Act 54 or Act 59 in the full self-service mode, when a product with the flag set is specified, the processor 14 displays an error screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 indicating that the product cannot be registered.

[0147] 16 is a diagram showing an example of an error screen SC6. Since the full-self service cannot accept product registration, the error screen SC5 displays an "OK" button BU51 along with a message M4 instructing the user to move to a semi-self service POS terminal. In this case, the store clerk who has checked the error screen SC6 touches the OK button B51 to move to the semi-self service POS terminal.

[0148] Furthermore, in a POS terminal 100 in which full self-service mode is selected, an upper limit may be set on the transaction amount. For example, a transaction exceeding 10,000 yen cannot be settled in a POS terminal 100 in which full self-service mode is selected. In such a case, if the transaction amount exceeds a predetermined amount as a result of updating the product list in Act 56, an error screen is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1. In this case, the error screen displays message M4, for example, "Settlements exceeding 10,000 yen cannot be made at the self-service register. Please settle the transaction once."

[0149] Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. In addition, the claims as originally filed in this application are set forth below. [C1] a switching means for switching between a first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering merchandise purchased by a customer and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased merchandise, and a second operation mode in which the customer performs the operations from the registration operation to the settlement operation; a store clerk storage unit that stores store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk who performs the registration operation; a first updating means for updating the store clerk identification information stored in the store clerk storage unit to specific information when the switching means instructs switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode; a second updating means for waiting for an input of the store clerk identification information when the switching means instructs switching from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, and updating the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the input store clerk identification information when the store clerk identification information is input via the input means; A registered payment device comprising: [C2] a printing means for printing a name on a receipt according to the information stored in the store clerk memory unit; 2. The registered settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the printing means prints a predetermined name on the receipt when the information stored in the store clerk memory unit is the specific information. [C3] a control means for disabling an automatic responsible person release function for automatically signing off when a certain period of non-operation has elapsed, when the switching means instructs switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, and for enabling the automatic responsible person release function, when the switching means instructs switching from the second operation mode to the first operation mode; 2. The registered payment device of claim 1, further comprising: [C4] a customer demographic storage means for waiting for input of customer demographic information identifying the customer demographic of the customer before the settlement operation when operating in the first operation mode, and storing the input customer demographic information in a customer demographic storage unit, and for storing predetermined specific customer demographic information in the customer demographic storage unit when operating in the second operation mode; 2. The registered payment device of claim 1, further comprising: [C5] A computer that controls the registered payment device, a switching means for switching between a first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering merchandise purchased by a customer and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased merchandise, and a second operation mode in which the customer performs the operations from the registration operation to the settlement operation; a first updating means for updating, when the switching means instructs switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, store clerk identification information stored in a store clerk storage unit that stores store clerk identification information for identifying a store clerk performing the registration operation, to specific information; a second updating means for waiting for an input of the store clerk identification information when the switching means instructs switching from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, and updating the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the input store clerk identification information when the store clerk identification information is input via the input means; An information processing program that enables the system to function as such. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 1...customer-side touch panel, 2...fixed scanner, 3...coin unit, 4...banknote unit, 5...credit card reader, 6...proximity communication unit, 7...prepaid card reader / writer, 8...receipt printer, 8a...receipt outlet, 9...store attendant-side touch panel, 10...sub-touch panel, 11...keyboard, 12...handheld scanner, 14...processor, 15...main memory unit, 16...auxiliary memory unit, 17...buzzer, 18...communication unit, 19...transmission path, 20...automatic change dispenser, 100...POS terminal, 200...store server, 300...communication network.

Claims

1. a switching means for switching between a first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering merchandise purchased by a customer and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased merchandise, and a second operation mode in which the customer performs the operations from the registration operation to the settlement operation; a store clerk storage unit that stores store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk who performs the registration operation; a first updating means for updating the salesperson identification information stored in the salesperson storage unit to specific information when the switching means instructs switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode while the salesperson identification information is stored in the salesperson storage unit and the purchased commodity satisfies an unregistered state; a second updating means for updating the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the store clerk identification information when the switching means instructs the customer to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode while a guidance screen is being displayed to inform the customer that the customer should perform the registration operation for registering the purchased product; a printing means for printing a name on a receipt according to the information stored in the store clerk memory unit; Equipped with The printing means prints a predetermined name on the receipt when the information stored in the store clerk memory unit is the specific information.

2. a control means for disabling an automatic responsible person release function for automatically signing off when a certain period of non-operation has elapsed, when the switching means has instructed to switch from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, and for enabling the automatic responsible person release function, when the switching means has instructed to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode; The registration and payment device of claim 1 further comprising:

3. a customer demographic storage means for waiting for input of customer demographic information for identifying the customer demographic of the customer before the settlement operation when operating in the first operation mode, and storing the input customer demographic information in a customer demographic storage unit, and for storing predetermined specific customer demographic information in the customer demographic storage unit when operating in the second operation mode; The registration and payment device of claim 1 further comprising:

4. A computer that controls the registered payment device, a switching means for switching between a first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering merchandise purchased by a customer and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased merchandise, and a second operation mode in which the customer performs the operations from the registration operation to the settlement operation; a first updating means for updating the clerk identification information stored in the clerk storage unit to specific information when the clerk identification information identifying the clerk performing the registration operation is stored in a clerk storage unit and when the purchased item satisfies an unregistered state and an instruction to switch from the first operation mode to the second operation mode is given by the switching means; a second updating means for updating the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the input store clerk identification information when the switching means instructs switching from the second operation mode to the first operation mode while a guidance screen is displayed to inform the customer that the customer should perform the registration operation for registering the purchased product; functioning as a printing means for printing on a receipt a name corresponding to the information stored in the store clerk storage unit; The printing means prints a predetermined name on the receipt when the information stored in the store clerk memory unit is the specific information.

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