System, monitoring device, program and monitoring method

Abstract

To increase work efficiency at closing time, etc.SOLUTION: In a POS system including a plurality of settlement devices and a monitoring device, the monitoring device comprises: display means for displaying the one or more of settlement devices on a screen in a specifiable manner; instruction accepting means for accepting, via the screen, an execution instruction to execute settlement operation processing to be completed through a plurality of processes by the settlement devices; and control means for controlling the execution of the settlement operation processing in the one or more of settlement devices on the basis of the execution instruction accepted by the instruction accepting means. The instruction accepting means is capable of accepting the execution instruction for the one or more of settlement devices specified via the screen, and is also capable of accepting the execution instruction for all of the settlement devices displayed on the screen in the specifiable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a monitoring device, a program, and a monitoring method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, POS registers equipped with a change dispenser (also simply referred to as a change dispenser; see Patent Document 1) have been known. In POS registers equipped with a change dispenser, the amount of money stored in the change dispenser (cash available / cash in hand) is generally adjusted to a reference amount after closing or before opening as a closing process (recovering coins from the change dispenser and storing them in a safe or the like, and taking coins out of the safe or the like to replenish the change dispenser). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-113532 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since the above adjustment is performed for each POS register, when there are a large number of POS registers, there is a problem that the efficiency of the closing process decreases.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a technique for improving work efficiency during closing time, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a POS system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a POS system including at least a plurality of settlement devices capable of executing settlement processing, and a monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is equipped with a display means for displaying one or more of the settlement devices on a screen so that the one or more settlement devices can be specified, an instruction receiving means for receiving an execution instruction via the screen to cause the settlement device to execute a settlement processing process that is completed through a plurality of steps, and a control means for controlling the execution of the settlement processing in one or more of the settlement devices based on the execution instruction received by the instruction receiving means, and is capable of displaying the progress status of each step of the settlement processing in the settlement device for each settlement device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a POS system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are an example of an external front view and a side view of a POS register 2 included in a POS system 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is an example of a block diagram showing the configuration of an electric circuit of a POS register 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram regarding a closing process. [Diagram 5] 1 is an example of a display screen. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of a store-closing process of the POS system 1. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example (operation example as a first mode) of a store-closing process in the POS register 2. [Figure 8] 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a closing process in the POS register 2. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a store-closing process in the POS register 2 (an operation example as a first mode). [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example (operation example as a second mode) of a store-closing process in the POS register 2. [Figure 11]13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a closing process in the POS register 2 (an operation example as a second mode). FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example (operation example as a third mode) of a store-closing process in the POS register 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of a store-closing process in the POS register 2 (an operation example as a third mode). [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the closing process in the POS register 2 (an operation example as a fourth mode). [Figure 15] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a monitoring device 3. [Figure 16] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a monitoring device 3. [Figure 17] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a monitoring device 3. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating display content and print content. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of settlement processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an example of a configuration diagram of a POS system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the POS system 1 is configured to include N POS registers 2-1, 2-2, ..., 2-N, and a monitoring device (also called a management device) 3. Each device is connected via a LAN (Local Area Network). In addition to the above, a store controller 4 is also connected to the LAN. When there is no particular need to distinguish between the POS registers 2-1, 2-2, ..., 2-N, they will be collectively referred to as POS registers 2.

[0009] The POS register 2 is a device for mainly executing a registration process for registering products to be purchased and a settlement process (also called an accounting process or a settlement process) for mainly paying for the registered products. In other words, the POS register 2 is a device that combines the functions of a registration device that mainly performs registration processing and the functions of a settlement device that mainly performs settlement processing.

[0010] The monitoring device 3 (e.g., a personal computer) monitors, for example, the operation status of each POS register 2. For example, the monitoring device 3 monitors whether each POS register 2 is in the process of settlement, whether there is an unsettled transaction (a transaction in which the settlement process is not completed) in each POS register 2, etc. The details of the monitoring device 3 will be described later.

[0011] The store controller 4 (e.g., a server) receives and stores a product master from, for example, an external source (e.g., a server installed at the headquarters). The product master is a file that stores (holds) product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN code), product name, and sales price for each product. The store controller 4 also transmits transaction information processed (generated) by the POS register 2 to the outside.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an example of a front view and a side view of the exterior of the POS register 2 included in the POS system 1. FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric circuit of the POS register 2. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram relating to the closing process. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire POS register 2, and is connected to each of the other components as shown in the figure. The operation of the CPU 11 will be described in detail later.

[0013] In Fig. 3, reference numeral 12 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various information. The ROM 12 stores, for example, a program executed by the CPU 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores various information. The RAM 13 stores, for example, information read from the ROM 12 by the CPU 11 (for example, the above-mentioned program), information processed by the CPU 11, etc. Reference numeral 22 denotes a hard disk that stores various information. The hard disk 22 stores, for example, information acquired from the store controller 4 (for example, a product master), information processed by the CPU 11, etc.

[0014] 2 and 3, reference numeral 14 denotes a clerk display unit (touch panel) which functions as a display unit that displays information to clerks under the control of the CPU 11, and also functions as an operation unit that accepts input operations from clerks. Reference numeral 15 denotes an operation unit for inputting numerical data such as the completion input of product registration and the amount of money received from customers at the time of settlement. Reference numeral 16 denotes a customer display unit that displays information to customers under the control of the CPU 11.

[0015] 2 and 3, reference numeral 17 denotes an automatic change dispenser that controls depositing and dispensing of money into a storage unit 30 (not shown in FIG. 3) in which currency (money) is stored. Regarding the relationship between the POS register 2 and the automatic change dispenser 17, in the example shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the automatic change dispenser 17 is built into the POS register 2, but the automatic change dispenser 17 may be connected to the POS register 2. Regarding the relationship between the POS register 2 and the automatic change dispenser 17, when there is no particular distinction between the automatic change dispenser 17 built into the POS register 2 and the automatic change dispenser 17 connected to the POS register 2, both are also referred to as the automatic change dispenser 17 of the POS register 2. Furthermore, when there is no particular distinction between the POS register 2 that has the automatic change dispenser 17 built into it and the POS register 2 to which the automatic change dispenser 17 is connected, both are also referred to as the POS register 2 that has the automatic change dispenser 17 built into it.

[0016] The automatic change dispenser 17 is used when the price of registered products is settled in cash in the POS register 2. The automatic change dispenser 17 has a bill insertion slot (not shown) for inserting currency (banknotes), a coin insertion slot (reference numeral 17b in FIG. 2) for inserting currency (coins), a bill discharge slot (not shown) for discharging currency (banknotes), a coin discharge slot (reference numeral 17a in FIG. 2) for discharging currency (coins), a counting unit (not shown) for counting the inserted or discharged currency, a currency transport mechanism (not shown) between the insertion slot or discharge slot and the storage unit 30, and the like. The bill insertion slot and the coin insertion slot are also referred to as deposit insertion slots. The bill discharge slot and the coin discharge slot are also referred to as change discharge slots. The bill insertion slot and the bill discharge slot may be common, and the coin insertion slot and the coin discharge slot may be common.

[0017] The automatic change dispenser 17 counts the coins inserted into the change slot and stores them in the storage unit 30 under the control of the CPU 11. The automatic change dispenser 17 also counts the coins to be dispensed and dispenses them from the change outlet under the control of the CPU 11. For example, the automatic change dispenser 17 counts the coins received from a customer at the time of settlement and stores them in the storage unit 30, and counts the coins to be given as change to the customer at the time of settlement and dispenses them from the change outlet.

[0018] Furthermore, the automatic change dispenser 17 counts the coins replenished during the closing process and stores them in the storage unit 30. The automatic change dispenser 17 counts the coins to be dispensed during the closing process and discharges them from the change discharge port. The closing process is a process of adjusting the amount of money (cash available / cash in reserve) stored in the automatic change dispenser 17 to a reference amount after closing or before opening, etc. The closing process includes a money replenishment process in which the automatic change dispenser 17 is replenished with coins, and a money collection process in which coins are collected from the automatic change dispenser 17. In other words, the automatic change dispenser 17 executes a money collection process and / or a money replenishment process as the closing process under the control of the CPU 11.

[0019] The POS register 2 incorporating the automatic change dispenser 17 may execute the store closing process by the automatic change dispenser 17 in response to an operation on the POS register 2 (for example, an operation on the operation unit 15), or may execute the store closing process by the automatic change dispenser 17 in response to a command from another device such as the monitoring device 3. In addition, conditions may be set for the execution of the store closing process. For example, the execution of the store closing process may be permitted when an employee (person in charge) who performs the store closing process is identified, or the execution of the store closing process may be permitted when the identified employee is given the authority to execute the store closing process. In addition, execution conditions may be set for either or both of the money replenishment process and the money collection process of the store closing process. From the above, as an example, the automatic change dispenser 17 may execute the store closing process (at least the money collection process) when store closing process execution control information for controlling the execution of the store closing process transmitted from the monitoring device 3 and employee identification information of the employee who performs the store closing process are obtained.

[0020] The POS register 2 incorporating the automatic change dispenser 17 executes a store-closing process (money replenishment process, money recovery process) based on a predetermined condition. For example, the store-closing process is executed so as to satisfy all or some of the following conditions (condition 1, condition 2).

[0021] (Condition 1) Collect all banknotes with the highest denomination (currently 10,000 yen notes) (see Figure 4(a)). (Condition 2) The total collected amount of coins of all denominations (total collected coin amount) shall be the fractional amount of the total amount of coins of all denominations (total coin amount) less than a specified amount (see Figure 4(a)).

[0022] Therefore, for example, the POS register 2 may collect all 10,000 yen bills in the automatic change dispenser 17 in the money collection process based on condition 1. For example, when 30 10,000 yen bills remain in the automatic change dispenser 17 when the POS register 2 executes the money collection process, it collects all 30 10,000 yen bills in the money collection process. Also, the POS register 2 may collect coins in the money collection process based on condition 2 so that the total amount of coins after the money collection process does not include any fractional amounts less than 1,000 yen, but prioritize the collection of banknotes over the collection of coins. For example, when 153,038 yen worth of currency (151,000 yen in banknotes and 2,038 yen in coins) remains in the automatic change dispenser 17 when the POS register 2 executes a money collection process, when collecting 53,038 yen worth of currency, it collects {53,000 yen in banknotes and 38 yen in coins}, not {51,000 yen in banknotes and 2,038 yen in coins} or {52,000 yen in banknotes and 1,038 yen in coins}. According to condition 2, the number of collected coins is small, making the work easier than when collecting many coins. In other words, the number of collected coins, which is greater than the number of banknotes of the same amount, is reduced, making it easier to carry the collected coins, for example.

[0023] In addition, a POS register 2 having an automatic change dispenser 17 built in may execute closing processing so as to satisfy all or part of the following conditions (conditions 3, 4, and 5) instead of or in addition to the above conditions (conditions 1 and 2).

[0024] (Condition 3) After the store closing process, the sum of the total amount of all banknotes (5,000 yen, 2,000 yen, and 1,000 yen notes) excluding the highest denomination banknotes (total banknote amount) and the total amount of coins (total banknote and coin amount) must be equal to or greater than the banknote and coin total reference amount (total remaining banknote and coin amount) (see Figures 4(a) and 4(b)). Note that it may be set to a minimum amount equal to or greater than the banknote and coin total reference amount while taking other conditions into consideration. (Condition 4) After the store closing process, the total amount of banknotes must be equal to or greater than the total reference amount of banknotes (total remaining amount of banknotes) (see FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b)). (Condition 5) After the closing process, the total amount of 5,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the 5,000 yen bill reference amount (amount of 5,000 yen bills remaining) (see Figures 4(a) and 4(c)), the total amount of 2,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the 2,000 yen bill reference amount (amount of 2,000 yen bills remaining) (see Figures 4(a) and 4(d)), and the total amount of 1,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the 1,000 yen bill reference amount (amount of 1,000 yen bills remaining) (see Figures 4(a) and 4(e)). In other words, the total amount of each bill excluding the highest denomination bill is equal to or greater than the respective denomination bill reference amount (amount of denomination bills remaining). Note that when 2,000 yen bills are not used as change, the 2,000 yen bill reference amount becomes 0 yen.

[0025] In other words, if the specified conditions are conditions 1 to 5, the POS register 2 may execute the closing process according to at least one of conditions 1 and 2 and at least one of conditions 3 to 5, or may execute the closing process according to at least one of conditions 1 and 2 (or may execute the closing process without taking into account conditions 3 to 5), or may execute the closing process according to at least one of conditions 3 to 5 (or may execute the closing process without taking into account conditions 1 and 2).

[0026] Therefore, for example, the POS register 2 may execute closing processing based on conditions 2, 3 and 5 so that the total amount of coins does not have any fractional amounts less than a specified amount, so that the total amount of banknotes and coins is equal to or greater than the total banknote and coin reference amount, and so that the total amount of each banknote excluding the highest denomination banknote is equal to or greater than the banknote reference amount for each denomination (so that the total amount of 5,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the 5,000 yen bill reference amount, the total amount of 2,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the 2,000 yen bill reference amount, and the total amount of 1,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the 1,000 yen bill reference amount).

[0027] Furthermore, the automatic change dispenser 17 manages the current number of coins for each denomination (the number of coins currently stored) under the control of the CPU 11. Specifically, the automatic change dispenser 17 manages the latest information on the current number of coins for each denomination (hereinafter referred to as current number information). For example, when coins are inserted, the automatic change dispenser 17 updates (adds) the current number information based on the number of coins inserted for each denomination (the number of coins deposited), and when coins are dispensed, the automatic change dispenser 17 updates (subtracts) the current number information based on the number of coins dispensed for each denomination. When coins are inserted and dispensed, the automatic change dispenser 17 also stores deposit history information including information such as the number of coins inserted for each denomination, and withdrawal history information including information such as the number of coins dispensed for each denomination.

[0028] The current number information, deposit history information, and withdrawal history information may be stored inside the automatic change dispenser 17 (for example, in a memory area (not shown) provided in the automatic change dispenser 17) or outside the automatic change dispenser 17 (for example, on a hard disk 22).

[0029] In Fig. 3, reference numeral 18 denotes a scanner unit that reads code information (barcode). The scanner unit 18 supplies the read data to the CPU 11. For example, the scanner unit 18 reads code information (e.g., JAN code) attached to a product and supplies the data to the CPU 11. For another example, the scanner unit 18 reads code information printed on an employee card and supplies the data to the CPU 11. Although the scanner unit 18 is not shown in Fig. 2, the scanner unit 18 may be connected to the device body of the POS register 2 by a wire and may be configured to transmit the read data to the device body by wire, or may be connected to the device body wirelessly and may be configured to transmit the read data to the device body wirelessly.

[0030] 2 and 3, reference numeral 19 denotes a printing unit that issues printed matter under the control of the CPU 11. For example, after the payment process is completed, the printing unit 19 prints detailed information of the purchased items on a print medium and issues it as a receipt.

[0031] 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a communication unit that communicates with the outside via a LAN under the control of the CPU 11. Specifically, the communication unit 20 appropriately receives product master data from the store controller 4. In addition, the communication unit 20 transmits transaction information to the store controller 4 after the settlement process is completed.

[0032] Furthermore, the communication unit 20 transmits the processing status to the monitoring device 3. For example, when the registration process is completed, the communication unit 20 transmits a notification indicating the completion of the registration process to the monitoring device 3, and when the settlement process is completed, the communication unit 20 transmits a notification indicating the completion of the settlement process to the monitoring device 3. Note that, in addition to the above, the communication unit 20 may transmit a notification indicating the start of the registration process or a notification indicating the start of the settlement process to the monitoring device 3.

[0033] The communication unit 20 also transmits the current number information of the automatic change dispenser 17 of the POS register 2 to the monitoring device 3. For example, when there is a change (increase or decrease) in the current number of bills in the POS register 2, the communication unit 20 transmits the current number information of the POS register 2 to the monitoring device 3. For example, instead of or in addition to the above, when the communication unit 20 receives a current number information request from the monitoring device 3, the communication unit 20 may transmit (respond to) the current number information of the POS register 2 to the monitoring device 3. Note that the communication unit 20 may similarly transmit the current number information to another POS register 2. That is, when there is a change in the current number of bills in the POS register 2 or when the communication unit 20 receives a current number information request from the other POS register 2, the communication unit 20 may transmit the current number information to the other POS register 2. In other words, a POS register 2 can receive current number information from another POS register 2 when there is a change in the current number of coins in that other POS register 2, or can receive current number information from the other POS register 2 by sending a current number information request to the other POS register 2.

[0034] Similarly, the communication unit 20 may transmit the deposit history information and the withdrawal history information of the automatic change dispenser 17 of the POS register 2 to the monitoring device 3, etc. For example, the communication unit 20 may transmit the deposit history information and the withdrawal history information to the monitoring device 3, etc. in response to a request.

[0035] In addition, the communication unit 20 may transmit to the monitoring device 3 (or another POS register 2) information (hereinafter referred to as change near-end information) notifying that the number of coins in the automatic change dispenser 17 of the POS register 2 (its own device) is close to zero (i.e., the change is near-end), or information (hereinafter referred to as change near-full information) notifying that the number of coins in the automatic change dispenser 17 of the POS register 2 is close to the maximum number of coins that can be stored (i.e., the change is near-full).

[0036] The POS register 2 may include a communication unit (not shown) that communicates with the outside world by short-range wireless communication (eg, Bluetooth, RFID, infrared communication) in addition to the communication unit 20 that communicates with the outside world via a LAN.

[0037] In Fig. 3, reference numeral 21 denotes an imaging section (camera) that captures images under the control of the CPU 11. For example, the imaging section 21 captures images of a store clerk operating the POS register 2, or a customer registering products or receiving a payment through the POS register 2. Although the imaging section 21 is not shown in Fig. 2, the imaging section 21 may be connected to the device body of the POS register 2 by a wire and configured to transmit the captured images to the device body by wire, or may be connected to the device body wirelessly and configured to transmit the captured images to the device body wirelessly.

[0038] Next, a description will be given of the monitoring device 3. The monitoring device 3 includes at least a control unit (CPU) that controls the entire monitoring device 3, a storage unit (ROM, RAM) that stores various information, a display unit (display) that displays various information, and a communication unit that communicates with the outside.

[0039] The monitoring device 3 displays on a display unit the processing status (e.g., settlement status) of the POS registers 2. For example, the monitoring device 3 displays whether each POS register 2 is in the settlement process or whether there is an unsettled transaction at each POS register 2, based on notifications (e.g., notifications indicating the completion of registration processing, notifications indicating the start of settlement processing, notifications indicating the completion of settlement processing) sent from each POS register 2.

[0040] Fig. 5 is an example of a display screen. The monitoring device 3 may display a list of the settlement statuses of all POS registers 2 (scrolling display when there are a large number of POS registers 2). For example, when there are eight POS registers 2 (POS1 to POS8) on the LAN, the monitoring device 3 may display the settlement status near each icon (for example, at the bottom as shown) together with an image (icon) that resembles each POS register 2, as shown in Fig. 5(a). In Fig. 5(a), the wording "In Use" at the bottom of the icon for POS4 indicates that the POS4 is in settlement processing (settling), and the wording "Unsettled" at the bottom of the icon for POS6 indicates that the POS6 has an unsettled transaction.

[0041] The monitoring device 3 may display the icons by settlement status as shown in Fig. 5(b). In the case of Fig. 5(b), the icon of the POS register 2 (POS4) undergoing settlement processing, the icon of the POS register 2 (POS6) with an unsettled transaction, and the icons of the other POS registers 2 (POS1, POS2, POS3, POS5, POS7, POS8) are displayed in different areas. In addition, when the POS registers 2 are grouped into a plurality of groups in advance, the monitoring device 3 may display the settlement status for each group as shown in Fig. 5(c). In the case of Fig. 5(c), the icons of the POS registers 2 (POS1 to POS4) belonging to group 1 and the icons of the POS registers 2 (POS5 to POS8) belonging to group 2 are displayed in different areas. The number of groups may be three or more.

[0042] The monitoring device 3 also controls the execution of a store-closing process in the POS register 2. Specifically, the monitoring device 3 controls the execution of a store-closing process in one or more POS registers 2 via a screen that displays the settlement status.

[0043] (When the settlement status is displayed as shown in Figure 5(a)) When "closing process" is simply pressed without specifying a POS register 2, the monitoring device 3 transmits closing process execution control information to all other POS registers 2 (POS1, POS2, POS3, POS5, POS7, POS8) except for the POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing (POS4) and the POS register 2 with an unsettled transaction (POS6). Each of the POS registers 2 (POS1, POS2, POS3, POS5, POS7, POS8) that received the closing process execution control information executes the closing process in accordance with the closing process execution control information after the employee identification information is read in each device.

[0044] In addition, when the "closing process" button is simply pressed without designating a POS register 2, the monitoring device 3 may also transmit the closing process execution control information to the POS register 2 (POS4) undergoing settlement processing and the POS register 2 (POS6) where an unsettled transaction exists. That is, the monitoring device 3 may transmit the closing process execution control information to all the POS registers 2 (POS1 to POS8). In the case of transmitting the closing process execution control information to all the POS registers 2 (POS1 to POS8), the POS register 2 (POS4) undergoing settlement processing and the POS register 2 (POS6) where an unsettled transaction exists may ignore the closing process execution control information, or may transmit (response) a notification (response information) to the monitoring device 3 that the closing process cannot be executed. In addition, when the monitoring device 3 receives a notification that the closing process cannot be executed from the POS register 2 (POS4, POS6), it may notify the same (for example, display a message).

[0045] In the example of Figure 5(a), even before "closing process" is pressed, the word "in use" is displayed in association with the icon of the POS register 2 (POS4) that is undergoing settlement processing, and the word "unsettled" is displayed in association with the icon of the POS register 2 (POS6) that has an unsettled transaction, but the words "in use" and "unsettled" may also be displayed after "closing process" is pressed. In the case of a mode in which the words "In Use" or "Unsettled" are displayed after "Closing Process" is pressed, when "Closing Process" is simply pressed without specifying a POS register 2, the monitoring device 3 sends closing process execution control information to all POS registers 2 (POS1 to POS8), and based on a notification received in response from the POS register 2 (POS4) undergoing settlement processing that the closing process cannot be executed (that settlement processing is in progress), displays the word "In Use" in association with the icon of the POS register 2 (POS4) undergoing settlement processing, and based on a notification received in response from the POS register 2 (POS6) where an unsettled transaction exists that the closing process cannot be executed (that an unsettled transaction exists), displays the word "Unsettled" in association with the icon of the POS register 2 (POS6) where an unsettled transaction exists. Alternatively, instead of the above, the monitoring device 3 may transmit closing process execution control information to all other POS registers 2 (POS1, POS2, POS3, POS5, POS7, POS8) except for the POS registers 2 undergoing settlement processing and the POS registers 2 with unsettled transactions (POS4, POS6), and may display the words "In Use" or "Unsettled" based on information on the processing status that is known (stored) at the time "Closing Process" is pressed. The same applies to the case where the settlement status is displayed as shown in Fig. 5(c).

[0046] In addition, in a mode in which the words "in use" or "unsettled" are displayed after pressing "closing process", confirmation may be requested. For example, in either case where the words "in use" or "unsettled" are displayed after pressing "closing process" (i.e., when a POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing or a POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing exists) or where the words "in use" or "unsettled" are not displayed after pressing "closing process" (i.e., when a POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing or a POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing does not exist), the monitoring device 3 may transmit the closing process execution control information again when "closing process" is pressed again after pressing "closing process". In other words, when all the POS registers 2 (POS1 to POS8) receive the closing process execution control information (first time) from the monitoring device 3, they may transmit response information indicating whether or not the closing process can be executed to the monitoring device 3, and then execute the closing process when they receive the closing process execution control information (second time) from the monitoring device 3. In this example, it is all the POS registers 2 (POS1, POS2, POS3, POS5, POS7, POS8) that receive the closing process execution control information (second time) from the monitoring device 3, except for the POS registers 2 undergoing settlement processing and the POS registers 2 (POS4, POS6) with unsettled transactions. The same applies to the case where the settlement status is displayed as shown in FIG. 5(c).

[0047] Furthermore, when "closing process" is pressed together with the designation of a POS register 2, rather than simply when "closing process" is pressed without designating a POS register 2, the monitoring device 3 may control the execution of the closing process for the designated one or more POS registers 2. For example, one or more POS registers 2 may be designated by pressing an icon (for example, the designated / undesignated state may be switched each time an icon is pressed), and closing process execution control information may be transmitted to one or more POS registers 2 that are in the designated state when the "closing process" button is pressed.

[0048] In addition, the state where "closing process" is simply pressed without specifying a POS register 2 is the same as the state where "closing process" is pressed together with the specification of all POS registers 2, so the operation when the specified POS registers 2 include a POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing or a POS register 2 with an unsettled transaction is the same as the operation when "closing process" is simply pressed without specifying a POS register 2 when there is a POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing or a POS register 2 with an unsettled transaction. For example, when POS3, POS4, and POS5 are specified and "closing process" is pressed, the monitoring device 3 may transmit closing process execution control information to POS3 and POS5 except for POS4 undergoing settlement processing, or may transmit closing process execution control information to all of POS3, POS4, and POS5. Also, with regard to the manner in which the words "in use" or "unsettled" are displayed after pressing "closing process", the operation when "closing process" is pressed together with the designation of a POS register 2 is the same as the operation when "closing process" is simply pressed without designating a POS register 2. For example, when POS3, POS4, and POS5 are designated and "closing process" is pressed, the monitoring device 3 may transmit closing process execution control information to all of POS3, POS4, and POS5, and may display the word "in use" in association with the icon of POS4 undergoing settlement processing based on a notification received as a response from POS4 undergoing settlement processing that closing process cannot be executed (that settlement processing is in progress), or may transmit closing process execution control information to POS3 and POS5 except for POS4 undergoing settlement processing, and may display the word "in use" based on information regarding the processing status grasped (stored) at the time when "closing process" was pressed. Also, regarding the manner in which confirmation is requested, the operation when "closing process" is pressed together with the designation of the POS register 2 is the same as the operation when "closing process" is simply pressed without the designation of the POS register 2.For example, when POS3, POS4, and POS5 are specified and "closing process" is pressed, the monitoring device 3 sends closing process execution control information (first time) to all of POS3, POS4, and POS5, and each POS register 2 (POS3, POS4, POS5) that receives the closing process execution control information (first time) sends response information indicating whether or not it is possible to execute the closing process to the monitoring device 3, and when "closing process" is pressed again, the monitoring device 3 sends closing process execution control information (second time) to POS3 and POS5 that sent response information indicating that it is possible to execute the closing process, and each POS register 2 (POS3, POS5) that receives the closing process execution control information (second time) executes the closing process.

[0049] (When the settlement status is displayed as shown in Figure 5(b)) When "closing process" is simply pressed without specifying a POS register 2, the monitoring device 3 sends closing process execution control information to all other POS registers 2 (POS1, POS2, POS3, POS5, POS7, POS8) except for the POS register 2 undergoing settlement process (POS4) and the POS register 2 with an unsettled transaction (POS6), just as when the settlement status is displayed as shown in Figure 5(a).

[0050] When "closing process" is pressed not simply without specifying a POS register 2, but when "closing process" is pressed together with specifying a POS register 2 in the display area of ​​a POS register 2 other than a POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing or a POS register 2 with an unsettled transaction, the monitoring device 3 controls the execution of closing process for one or more POS registers 2 specified from within the above-mentioned area. Note that it is also possible not to accept designation from within the display area of ​​a POS register 2 undergoing settlement processing or from within the display area of ​​a POS register 2 with an unsettled transaction.

[0051] In relation to the manner in which the words "in use" or "unsettled" are displayed after pressing "closing process", the settlement status may be displayed only when there is a POS register 2 in the process of settlement or a POS register 2 with an unsettled transaction after pressing "closing process", as shown in FIG. 5(b). In other words, before pressing "closing process", the settlement status may be displayed as shown in FIG. 5(a) (without the words "in use" or "unsettled" displayed), and after pressing "closing process", when a notice is received from the POS register 2 that the closing process cannot be executed (a settlement process is in progress, or an unsettled transaction exists), or based on information on the processing status grasped (stored) at the time of pressing "closing process", the settlement status may be displayed as shown in FIG. 5(b). In addition, the settlement status as shown in FIG. 5(b) may be displayed until a predetermined time has elapsed or a predetermined operation is performed, and then may be returned to the settlement status as shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0052] (When the settlement status is displayed as shown in Figure 5(c)) When displaying the settlement status for each group, the monitoring device 3 may control the execution of the closing process for each group. For example, the display area of ​​group 1 may be switched between a designated state and a non-designated state each time the button is pressed (the same applies to the display area of ​​group 2), and closing process execution control information may be transmitted to all POS registers 2 belonging to the group that is in the designated state when the button "closing process" is pressed (or to POS registers 2 other than the POS registers 2 undergoing settlement processing and the POS registers 2 with unsettled transactions). For example, in FIG. 5(c), when the button "closing process" is pressed and group 1 is in the designated state and group 2 is in the non-designated state, the monitoring device 3 transmits closing process execution control information to POS1 to POS4 (or POS1 to POS3). When the button "closing process" is pressed and group 2 is in the designated state and group 1 is in the non-designated state, the monitoring device 3 transmits closing process execution control information to POS5 to POS8 (or POS5, POS7, POS8). When the button "closing process" is pressed, if group 1 and group 2 are in the designated state, the monitoring device 3 transmits closing process execution control information to POS1 to POS8 (or POS1 to POS3, POS5, POS7, POS8).

[0053] If "closing process" is simply pressed without specifying a group, an error message or the like may be displayed, or closing process execution control information may be sent to all POS registers 2 belonging to all groups (or POS registers 2 other than POS registers 2 undergoing settlement processing or POS registers 2 with unsettled transactions). If "closing process" is pressed together with the specification of a POS register 2, the monitoring device 3 may control the execution of the closing process for one or more specified POS registers 2. If multiple POS registers 2 are specified, the specification may or may not be limited to multiple POS registers 2 in the same group.

[0054] As described above, the control unit of the monitoring device 3 controls the execution of closing processing at all of a plurality of POS registers 2 in which there are no unsettled or settled transactions, or closing processing at one or more POS registers 2 specified by the user that are in the state where there are no unsettled or settled transactions, or closing processing at one or more POS registers 2 specified by the user as POS registers 2 in which there are no unsettled or settled transactions, or closing processing at POS registers 2 included in each of one or more groups specified by the user, or closing processing at POS registers 2 included in each of one or more groups specified by the user that are in the state where there are no unsettled or settled transactions.

[0055] The monitoring device 3 also displays currency information of the POS register 2 as shown in Fig. 5(d). Specifically, the monitoring device 3 displays the currency information of the POS register 2 based on current number information acquired (received) from the POS register 2. Fig. 5(d) shows the current amount (currently stored amount) by denomination of a certain POS register 2 displayed as currency information.

[0056] The monitoring device 3 also calculates the amounts by denomination required for executing the money replenishment process of the store-closing process based on the current amounts by denomination in each of the one or more POS registers 2 that are the targets of the store-closing process. For example, the monitoring device 3 calculates the amounts by denomination based on current number information acquired (received) from each POS register 2. When calculating the amounts, the monitoring device 3 may send a current number information request to each POS register 2 to acquire current number information and calculate the amounts by denomination, or may calculate the amounts by denomination appropriately (each time the current number increases or decreases) using the current number information sent from each POS register 2.

[0057] The monitoring device 3 may transmit the closing process execution control information and the current number information request simultaneously. For example, the monitoring device 3 may transmit the closing process execution control information including the current number information request.

[0058] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the store-closing process of the POS system 1. It is assumed that the store-closing process of the three POS registers 2 (POS1, POS2, POS3) is performed based on a user's instruction or the like.

[0059] (Operation of Monitoring Device 3) Step S10: The monitoring device 3 transmits to each POS register 2 store-closing process execution control information including a current number information request. Step S11: The monitoring device 3 displays the currency information (amount information by denomination) of each POS register 2 based on the current number information transmitted from each POS register 2. Step S12: Based on the currency information of each POS register 2, the monitoring device 3 calculates the amount to be collected by denomination at each POS register 2, the amount to be replenished by denomination at each POS register 2, the amount to be prepared by denomination to be prepared when executing closing processing, etc. Step S13: The monitoring device 3 transmits information regarding the amounts calculated in step S12. For example, the monitoring device 3 transmits information indicating the collected amount / replenishment amount by denomination to each POS register 2. The monitoring device 3 also transmits reserve amount information indicating the reserve amount to a reserve device (for example, a device installed in an office or the like for storing sales proceeds, reserve funds, etc.). Step S14: The monitoring device 3 displays a report that the closing process has been completed based on the closing process completion notification sent from each POS register 2. Then, the flowchart for the monitoring device 3 ends.

[0060] (Operation of Each POS Register 2) Step S20: Each POS register 2 transmits current number information to the monitoring device 3 in response to the current number information request included in the closing process execution control information transmitted from the monitoring device 3 in step S10. Step S30: Each POS register 2 executes a store-closing process, which will be described in detail later. Step S40: Each POS register 2 transmits a closing process completion notice to the monitoring device 3. Then, the flow chart for each POS register 2 ends.

[0061] Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation example (operation example as a first mode) of the store closing process (step S30 in Fig. 6) in the POS register 2. The store closing process in Fig. 7 is performed in the order of money collection process at POS1 → money collection process at POS2 → money collection process at POS3 → money replenishment process at POS1 → money replenishment process at POS2 → money replenishment process at POS3. The store clerk first moves to POS1.

[0062] Step S31-1: The POS 1 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired. For example, the POS 1 judges that employee information has been acquired when the code information printed on the employee card is read. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S32-1. Step S32-1: The POS 1 executes a money collection process. The POS 1 dispenses money based on information indicating the collected amount by denomination at the POS 1, which information was sent from the monitoring device 3. The store clerk moves to the POS 2 with the money collected from the POS 1.

[0063] Step S31-2: The POS 2 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired, similarly to the POS 1. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S32-2. Step S32-2: POS2 executes the money collection process in the same manner as POS1. The store clerk moves to POS3 with the money collected from POS1 and POS2.

[0064] Step S31-3: The POS 3 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired, similarly to the POS 1 and POS 2. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S32-3. Step S32-3: POS3 executes the money collection process in the same way as POS1 and POS2. The clerk moves to the reserve device with the coins collected from POS1, POS2, and POS3. The clerk stores the coins collected from POS1, POS2, and POS3 in the reserve device. Next, the clerk outputs from the reserve device the coins to be replenished to either POS1, POS2, or POS3. The reserve device outputs the required number of coins for each denomination required for the money replenishment process based on the reserve amount information transmitted from monitoring device 3 in step S13, depending on the operation of the clerk, etc. The clerk moves to POS1 with the coins output from the reserve device.

[0065] Step S33-1: The POS 1 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired, in the same manner as before the money collection process. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S34-1. Step S34-1: POS1 executes a money replenishment process. POS1 replenishes money based on information indicating the replenishment amount by denomination at the POS1, transmitted from the monitoring device 3. For example, the store clerk may insert all of the money output from the reserve device into POS1, and POS1 may store the replenished amount (the number of coins of each denomination indicated by the information indicating the replenishment amount) from the inserted money and release the surplus money. The store clerk moves to POS2 with the money output from the reserve device that has not been replenished to POS1.

[0066] Step S33-2: The POS 2 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired, similarly to the POS 1. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S34-2. Step S34-2: POS2 executes the money replenishment process in the same manner as POS1. The store clerk moves to POS3 with the money that has been output from the reserve device and that has not been replenished to POS1 or POS2.

[0067] Step S33-3: The POS 3 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired, similarly to the POS 1 and POS 2. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S34-3. Step S34-3: The POS 3 executes the money replenishment process in the same manner as the POS 1 and POS 2. Then, the flow chart in Fig. 7 (step S30 in Fig. 6) ends.

[0068] In addition, POS1 may display a message such as that shown in Fig. 5(e) in steps S30-1 and S33-1 until the employee code is read. The same applies to POS2 and POS3. In addition, POS1 may display a message such as that shown in Fig. 5(f) when money is dispensed in step S32-1. The same applies to POS2 and POS3.

[0069] Furthermore, the POS1 judges whether or not it has acquired employee information both before carrying out the money collection process and before carrying out the money replenishment process (steps S31-1 and S33-1), but the above-mentioned judgment before carrying out the money replenishment process may be omitted. The same applies to the POS2 and POS3. The same also applies to the flowchart in FIG. 10 described later.

[0070] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the store closing process in the POS register 2. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the store closing process in the POS register 2 (an example of operation as a first mode). FIG. 8(a), FIG. 8(b) and FIG. 8(c) are examples of the current amounts of POS1, POS2 and POS3 at a certain point in time. FIG. 8(d) is an example of a reference amount related to the conditions of the store closing process. According to FIG. 8(d), the total reference amount of banknotes and coins is 100,000 yen, the total reference amount of banknotes is 80,000 yen, the reference amount of 5,000 yen bills is 50,000 yen, the reference amount of 2,000 yen bills is 0 yen, the reference amount of 1,000 yen bills is 30,000 yen, and the maximum total collected amount of coins (fractional amount) is 999 yen. In the example of Figure 8 (d), if all of the conditions of the 5,000 yen note base amount (50,000 yen), the 2,000 yen note base amount (0 yen), and the 1,000 yen note base amount (30,000 yen) are met, the condition of the total banknote base amount (80,000 yen) will also be met, so the total banknote base amount (80,000 yen) does not need to be used as a condition.

[0071] If the various base amounts are the amounts shown in Figure 8(d) and the current amounts at POS1 to POS3 are the amounts shown in Figures 8(a) to 8(c) at the start of the flowchart in Figure 7, then currency is collected as shown in Figure 9(a) in the money collection process at POS1 (step S32-1 in Figure 7), the money collection process at POS2 (step S32-2 in Figure 7) and the money collection process at POS3 (step S32-3 in Figure 7).

[0072] For example, in the money collection process of POS1, POS1 dispenses all 10,000 yen bills (20 pieces: 200,000 yen) (condition 1). In addition, POS1 dispenses an amount (370 yen) that is less than a predetermined amount (999 yen) as the total amount of collected coins (condition 2). In addition, POS1 dispenses 5,000 yen bills (2 pieces: 10,000 yen) so that the total amount of bills and coins (excluding the collected 370 yen) is equal to or greater than the total standard amount of bills and coins (100,000 yen) and is the minimum amount (condition 3). In the example of FIG. 9, POS1 dispenses 5,000 yen bills (2 pieces: 10,000 yen) instead of 1,000 yen bills (10 pieces: 10,000 yen) so that the number of collected bills is the minimum. In addition, the 370 yen of collected coins may be dispensed in the currency that is the minimum number (and the denomination and number of coins to be collected may be determined taking into account the standard number of coins for each denomination).

[0073] After the above-mentioned money collection process of POS1, the conditions are met for the total amount of 2,000 yen bills (0 pieces: 0 yen) ≥ 2,000 yen bill base amount (0 pieces: 0 yen), the total amount of 1,000 yen bills (45 pieces: 45,000 yen) ≥ 1,000 yen bill base amount (30 pieces: 30,000 yen), the total amount of bills and coins (100,000 yen) ≥ total bill and coin base amount (100,000 yen), and the total amount of bills (85,000 yen) ≥ total bill base amount (80,000 yen), but the condition is not met for the total amount of 5,000 yen bills (8 pieces: 40,000 yen) < 5,000 yen bill base amount (10 pieces: 50,000 yen). Note that "OK" in the figure indicates that it is met, and "NG" indicates that it is not met.

[0074] In the money replenishment process of POS1 (step S34-1 in FIG. 7), the money replenishment process of POS2 (step S34-2 in FIG. 7), and the money replenishment process of POS3 (step S34-3 in FIG. 7), currency is replenished as shown in FIG. 9(b).

[0075] For example, in a money replenishment process of POS1, POS1 is replenished with 5,000 yen bills (2 bills: 10,000 yen). After the money replenishment process of POS1, all of the following conditions are met: total amount of 5,000 yen bills (10 bills: 50,000 yen) ≥ 5,000 yen bill reference amount (10 bills: 50,000 yen), total amount of 2,000 yen bills (0 bills: 0 yen) ≥ 2,000 yen bill reference amount (0 bills: 0 yen), total amount of 1,000 yen bills (45 bills: 45,000 yen) ≥ 1,000 yen bill reference amount (30 bills: 30,000 yen), total amount of banknotes and coins (110,000 yen) ≥ total banknote and coin reference amount (100,000 yen), total amount of banknotes (95,000 yen) ≥ total banknote reference amount (80,000 yen).

[0076] In addition, the collected amount from POS1 (20 10,000 yen bills: 200,000 yen, 2 5,000 yen bills: 10,000 yen, 0 2,000 yen bills: 0 yen, 0 1,000 yen bills: 0 yen, coins: 370 yen), the collected amount from POS2 (29 10,000 yen bills: 290,000 yen, 14 5,000 yen bills: 70,000 yen, 6 2,000 yen bills: 12,000 yen, 4 1,000 yen bills: 4,000 yen, coins: 820 yen), the collected amount from POS3 (12 10,000 yen bills: 120,000 yen, 0 5,000 yen bills: 0 yen, 0 2,000 yen bills: 0 yen, 0 1,000 yen bills: 0 yen, coins: 730 yen), the withdrawn amount from the office (14 5,000 yen bills: 70,000 yen, 6 1,000 yen bills: 12,000 yen), The refill amount to POS1 (two 5,000 yen bills: 10,000 yen, zero 2,000 yen bills: 0 yen, zero 1,000 yen bills: 0 yen), the refill amount to POS2 (six 5,000 yen bills: 30,000 yen, zero 2,000 yen bills: 0 yen, zero 1,000 yen bills: 0 yen), and the refill amount to POS3 (six 5,000 yen bills: 30,000 yen, zero 2,000 yen bills: 0 yen, six 1,000 yen bills: 6,000 yen) are calculated by the monitoring device 3 based on the current amounts of POS1 to POS3 shown in Figs. 8(a) to 8(c) and the conditions shown in Fig. 8(d) (step S12 in Fig. 6), and are communicated to each device (POS1 to POS3, reserve device) (step S13 in Fig. 6). The same applies to the examples in Figs. 11, 13, and 14.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the store closing process in the POS register 2 (an example of the operation as the second mode). In FIG. 7, an example of executing the store closing process in the order of the money collection process → the money replenishment process has been described, but as shown in FIG. 10, the store closing process may be executed in the order of the money replenishment process → the money collection process. That is, the store closing process in FIG. 10 is executed in the order of the money replenishment process in POS1 → the money replenishment process in POS2 → the money replenishment process in POS3 → the money collection process in POS1 → the money collection process in POS2 → the money collection process in POS3. The store clerk first moves to the reserve device. The reserve device outputs the necessary number of coins for each denomination required for the money replenishment process based on the reserve amount information (reserve amount information calculated for the second mode) transmitted from the monitoring device 3 in step S13 in response to the operation by the store clerk. The store clerk moves to POS1 with the coins output from the reserve device.

[0078] Step S131-1: The POS 1 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S132-1. Step S132-1: POS1 executes a money replenishment process. For example, the store clerk inserts all of the coins output from the reserve device into POS1, and POS1 may store the replenished coins from the inserted coins and dispense the surplus coins. The store clerk moves to POS2 with the coins output from the reserve device that have not been replenished to POS1. Thereafter, the same money replenishment process is executed at POS2 and POS3 (steps S131-2, S132-2, S131-3, S132-3). The store clerk moves to POS1.

[0079] Step S133-1: The POS 1 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S134-1. Step S134-1: POS1 executes a money collection process. The store clerk moves to POS2 with the money collected from POS1. Thereafter, the same money collection process is executed at POS2 and POS3 (steps S133-2, S134-2, S133-3, S134-3). The store clerk moves to the reserve device with the money collected from POS1, POS2, and POS3, and stores the collected money in the reserve device. Then, the flowchart in FIG. 10 (step S30 in FIG. 6) ends.

[0080] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the closing process in the POS register 2 (an example of the operation as the second mode). When the various base amounts are the amounts shown in FIG. 8(d) and the current amounts in POS1 to POS3 are the amounts shown in FIG. 8(a) to FIG. 8(c) at the start of the flow chart in FIG. 10, in the money replenishment process in POS1 (step S132-1 in FIG. 10), the money replenishment process in POS2 (step S132-2 in FIG. 10), and the money replenishment process in POS3 (step S132-3 in FIG. 10), POS1, POS2, and POS3 are replenished with currency as shown in FIG. 11(a). The amount of money dispensed from the office (six 5,000 yen bills: 30,000 yen, six 1,000 yen bills: 6,000 yen) is calculated from the amount replenished in POS3 (six 5,000 yen bills: 30,000 yen, six 1,000 yen bills: 60,000 yen).

[0081] Furthermore, in the money collection process (step S134-1 in FIG. 10), the money collection process of POS2 (step S134-2 in FIG. 10), and the money collection process of POS3 (step S134-3 in FIG. 10), currency is collected as shown in FIG. 11(b).

[0082] For example, in the money collection process of POS1, POS1 dispenses all 10,000 yen bills (20 bills: 200,000 yen) (condition 1). POS1 also dispenses an amount (370 yen) that is less than a predetermined amount (999 yen) as the total amount of collected coins (condition 2). POS1 also dispenses 1,000 yen bills (10 bills: 10,000 yen) so that the total amount of bills and coins (excluding the collected 370 yen) is equal to or greater than the total base amount of bills and coins (100,000 yen) and is the minimum amount (condition 3), and the total amount of 5,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the base amount of 5,000 yen bills (10 bills: 100,000 yen; condition 5), and the total amount of 1,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the base amount of 1,000 yen bills (30 bills: 30,000 yen; condition 5). After the money collection process at POS1, all of the following conditions are met: total amount of 5,000 yen bills (10 bills: 50,000 yen) ≧ 5,000 yen bill reference amount (10 bills: 50,000 yen), total amount of 2,000 yen bills (0 bills: 0 yen) ≧ 2,000 yen bill reference amount (0 bills: 0 yen), total amount of 1,000 yen bills (35 bills: 35,000 yen) ≧ 1,000 yen bill reference amount (30 bills: 30,000 yen), total amount of banknotes and coins (100,000 yen) ≧ total banknote and coin reference amount (100,000 yen), and total amount of banknotes (85,000 yen) ≧ total banknote reference amount (80,000 yen).

[0083] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the closing process in the POS register 2 (an example of the operation as the third mode). As shown in FIG. 12, the POS registers 2 may execute the closing process one by one. That is, the closing process in FIG. 12 is performed in the order of money collection and replenishment process in POS1 →money collection and replenishment process in POS2 →money collection and replenishment process in POS3. The store clerk first moves to the reserve device. The reserve device outputs the required number of coins for each denomination required in the money collection and replenishment process based on the reserve amount information (reserve amount information calculated for the third mode) sent from the monitoring device 3 in step S13 in response to operations by the store clerk, etc. The store clerk moves to POS1 with the coins output from the reserve device.

[0084] Step S231-1: The POS 1 judges whether or not employee information has been acquired. If employee information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S232-1. Step S232-1: POS1 executes a money collection and replenishment process. For example, the clerk inserts all of the coins output from the reserve device into POS1, which may then store the replenished coins from the inserted coins and dispense the surplus coins (including the withdrawn coins). The clerk moves to POS2 with the coins remaining on hand. Thereafter, the money collection and replenishment process is similarly executed at POS2 and POS3 (steps S231-2, S232-2, S231-3, S232-3). The clerk moves to the reserve device with the coins remaining on hand and stores them in the reserve device. The flowchart in FIG. 12 (step S30 in FIG. 6) then ends.

[0085] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the store closing process in the POS register 2 (an example of the operation as the third mode). When the various base amounts are the amounts shown in Fig. 8(d) and the current amounts in POS1 to POS3 are the amounts shown in Fig. 8(a) to Fig. 8(c) at the start of the flow chart in Fig. 12, currency is discharged or replenished as shown in Fig. 13 in the money collection and replenishment process in POS1 (step S232-1 in Fig. 12), the money collection and replenishment process in POS2 (step S232-2 in Fig. 12), and the money collection and replenishment process in POS3 (step S232-3 in Fig. 12). Note that when the processes are performed in the order of POS1 → POS2 → POS3, no amount is withdrawn from the office.

[0086] For example, in the money collection and replenishment process of POS1, POS1 dispenses all 10,000 yen bills (20 bills: 200,000 yen) (condition 1). POS1 also dispenses an amount (370 yen) that is less than a predetermined amount (999 yen) as the total amount of collected coins (condition 2). POS1 also dispenses 1,000 yen bills (10 bills: 10,000 yen) so that the total amount of bills and coins (excluding the collected 370 yen) is equal to or greater than the total base amount of bills and coins (100,000 yen) and is the minimum amount (condition 3), and the total amount of 5,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the base amount of 5,000 yen bills (10 bills: 100,000 yen; condition 5), and the total amount of 1,000 yen bills is equal to or greater than the base amount of 1,000 yen bills (30 bills: 30,000 yen; condition 5). After the money collection and replenishment process of the POS1 in question, all of the following conditions are met: total amount of 5,000 yen bills (10 pieces: 50,000 yen) ≧ 5,000 yen bill reference amount (10 pieces: 50,000 yen), total amount of 2,000 yen bills (0 pieces: 0 yen) ≧ 2,000 yen bill reference amount (0 pieces: 0 yen), total amount of 1,000 yen bills (35 pieces: 35,000 yen) ≧ 1,000 yen bill reference amount (30 pieces: 30,000 yen), total amount of banknotes and coins (100,000 yen) ≧ total banknote and coin reference amount (100,000 yen), and total amount of banknotes (85,000 yen) ≧ total banknote reference amount (80,000 yen).

[0087] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the store closing process in the POS register 2 (an example of the operation as a fourth mode). As the operation of the store closing process corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the operation of the store closing process shown in FIG. 14 (an example of the operation as a fourth mode) may be executed instead of the operation of the store closing process shown in FIG. 9 (an example of the operation as a first mode). That is, in the operation of the store closing process shown in FIG. 9, replenishment in the money replenishment process is not taken into consideration when the money collection process is executed, but as shown in FIG. 14, replenishment in the money replenishment process may be taken into consideration when the money collection process is executed. Specifically, the denomination to be collected in the money collection process in the previous stage is selected so that replenishment in the money replenishment process in the later stage is not required. In the example of the store closing process in FIG. 14, replenishment in the money replenishment process in POS1 and replenishment in the money replenishment process in POS2 are not required.

[0088] As described above, the POS system 1 can improve the efficiency of the closing process.

[0089] In the POS system 1, the money recovery process may be performed using a withdrawal slip. For example, the monitoring device 3 may issue a withdrawal slip on which the number of dispensed coins (number of collected coins) for each denomination is printed (recorded) using code information, and the POS register 2 may read the withdrawal slip using the scanner unit 18 to perform the money recovery process. In the POS system 1, the money replenishment process may be performed using a deposit slip. For example, the monitoring device 3 may issue a deposit slip on which the number of replenished coins for each denomination is printed (recorded) using code information, and the POS register 2 may read the deposit slip using the scanner unit 18 to perform the money replenishment process. In addition, the POS register 2 may read code information (for example, a two-dimensional barcode, such as a QR code (registered trademark)) printed (recorded) on the withdrawal slip or deposit slip using the imaging unit 21. In addition, the monitoring device 3 may send a command to the POS register 2 to print the withdrawal slip or deposit slip, and cause the POS register 2 to print the withdrawal slip or deposit slip. In addition, the withdrawal slip and the deposit slip may be a single medium.

[0090] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a process of replenishing coins in the automatic change dispenser 17 (money replenishing process) was executed as the closing process, but the money replenishing process may be executed in other situations. For example, when the change is near-end, change near-end information may be sent to the monitoring device 3, and the money replenishing process may be executed in accordance with an instruction from the monitoring device 3. In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a process of recovering coins from the automatic change dispenser 17 (money recovery process) was executed as the closing process, but the money recovery process may be executed in other situations. For example, when the change is near-full, change near-full information may be sent to the monitoring device 3, and the money recovery process may be executed in accordance with an instruction from the monitoring device 3.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the current number of banknotes is mainly adjusted (fractional amounts of coins are collected) as the closing process, but the current number of coins may also be adjusted in the same way as banknotes. That is, a total coin reference amount, a 500 yen coin reference amount, a 100 yen coin reference amount, ..., a 1 yen coin reference amount, etc. may be set, and the current number of coins may also be adjusted in the closing process in the same way as banknotes.

[0092] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring device 3 and the store controller 4 are separate entities, but the monitoring device 3 and the store controller 4 may be integrated. That is, the store controller 4 may have the same functions as the monitoring device 3. When the monitoring device 3 and the store controller 4 are integrated, the integrated device is also referred to as a management device. When the store controller 4 is integrated with the monitoring device 3, it is a component of the POS system 1, but when it is separate from the monitoring device 3, the store controller 4 does not necessarily have to be a component of the POS system 1.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the POS system 1 is described as having the POS register 2, which is a device that combines the functions of a registration device that mainly performs registration processing and a settlement device that mainly performs settlement processing. However, instead of the POS register 2, the POS system 1 may have a registration device that mainly performs registration processing and a settlement device that mainly performs settlement processing, as separate entities. The registration device may issue a piece of paper (account ticket) on which transaction information (or information that can identify the transaction information) is barcoded (for example, a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, etc.) and printed after the registration processing, and the settlement processing may be performed by having the settlement device read the piece of paper. Alternatively, the registration device may specify a settlement device that will perform the settlement processing, and the settlement processing may be performed in the specified settlement device. Note that when the registration device and the settlement device are separate entities, the registration device may not necessarily be a component of the POS system 1.

[0094] In addition, in the above description, the monitoring device 3 in the embodiment in which the monitoring device 3 and the store controller 4 are separate entities, and the integrated device (store controller having the same functions as the monitoring device 3) are the management device, but the POS register 2 may be the management device. That is, a representative POS register 2 (or each POS register 2) in the POS system 1 may have the same functions as the monitoring device 3 in the above embodiment. In addition, in a configuration in which a registration device that mainly performs registration processing and a settlement device that mainly performs settlement processing are provided as separate entities, the settlement device (or the registration device) may be the management device. That is, a representative settlement device (or each settlement device) may have the same functions as the monitoring device 3 in the above embodiment, or a representative registration device (or each registration device) may have the same functions as the monitoring device 3 in the above embodiment.

[0095] Next, application examples of the POS system 1 will be described. Specifically, the settlement process that is completed through a number of steps (described later) will be described. In the following description, the monitoring device 3 is assumed to monitor ten machines shown in FIG. 15: settlement machine 1, settlement machine 2, settlement machine 3, settlement machine 4, settlement machine 11, settlement machine 12, settlement machine 13, settlement machine 14, service counter machine settlement, and settlement machine 99 main building entrance machine. It is assumed that settlement process has already been completed for settlement machine 99 main building entrance machine. Each of the above ten machines is a specific example of the POS register 2 described above.

[0096] 15 and 16 are examples of screens displayed on the monitoring device 3. The monitoring device 3 accepts, from the store clerk, the designation of the device that will execute the settlement transaction process. For example, when a screen such as that shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, in response to an operation from the "Main Menu" button, a device designation screen such as that shown in FIG. 16(a) is displayed, and the designation of the device that will execute the settlement transaction process is accepted on the device designation screen.

[0097] The screen in FIG. 15 displays various warning information for each machine (e.g., change is nearly out, change is nearly full, receipt needs stamping, receipt is low, and payment is taking time). The machine designation screen in FIG. 16(a) is used to designate the machine that will execute the settlement process. The machine designation screen in FIG. 16(a) displays check boxes corresponding to the numbers (register numbers) of all machines to be monitored. The store clerk designates the machine that will execute the settlement process by checking the machine that will execute the settlement process and pressing the "Execute" button. In the example in FIG. 16(a), seven machines are designated: settlement machines 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[0098] In addition, although all the machines to be monitored are displayed on the machine designation screen in FIG. 16(a), machines for which the settlement process has not been completed among all the machines to be monitored may be displayed. Specifically, for example, when "Incomplete" is selected in an area for switching the display target (for example, the pull-down list of symbol A), the monitoring device 3 may display the machine designation screen in FIG. 16(b) instead of FIG. 16(a). In addition, the screen in FIG. 16(a) displays both machines for which the settlement process has not been completed and machines for which the settlement process has already been completed (the settlement machine 99 at the main building entrance), and the store clerk can specify a machine for which the settlement process will be executed from among the displayed machines for which the settlement process has not been completed. In the screen in FIG. 16(b), machines for which the settlement process has already been completed (the settlement machine 99 at the main building entrance) are not displayed, and only machines for which the settlement process has not been completed are displayed, and the store clerk can specify a machine for which the settlement process will be executed from among the displayed machines (the machines for which the settlement process has not been completed).

[0099] When the monitoring device 3 receives from the store clerk a designation of a device to execute a settlement process, it causes each device that has received the designation to execute the settlement process. Specifically, when one or more devices are checked on the device designation screen and the "Execute" button is pressed, the monitoring device 3 transmits information to each of the one or more devices instructing them to start the settlement process (settlement process start instruction information). The monitoring device 3 then erases (closes) the device designation screen. Meanwhile, each device that has received the settlement process start instruction information starts the settlement process. In other words, the monitoring device 3 controls the execution of the settlement process (controls the start of execution) in each device designated by the store clerk.

[0100] The monitoring device 3 may transmit settlement operation start instruction information when the button "Execute" is pressed after one or more devices are checked (specified) on the device specification screen and the employee identification information of the employee is acquired. For example, the settlement operation start instruction information may be transmitted when one or more devices are specified, the button "Execute" is pressed, and the code information (employee code) printed on the employee card is read.

[0101] Furthermore, when the monitoring device 3 receives from a store clerk a designation of a machine to execute a settlement process, it not only transmits settlement process start instruction information to each machine that received the designation, but also displays on the display unit the processing status of each step of the settlement process in each machine that received the designation. Specifically, the monitoring device 3 displays a plurality of step areas corresponding to each step of the settlement process, and changes the display mode of each step area according to the processing status of the corresponding step, thereby displaying the processing status of each step of the settlement process.

[0102] FIG. 17 is an example of a screen displayed on the monitoring device 3. Specifically, it is an example of a screen showing the processing status of each step of the settlement processing at seven settlement machines, namely, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, and 14. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram explaining the displayed content and printed content. Specifically, FIG. 18(a) shows an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 17 (display content related to settlement machine 4) for ease of explanation. FIG. 18(b) shows an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 17 (display content related to settlement machine 14) for ease of explanation. FIG. 18(c) is an example of a report printed and issued at the end of the settlement processing.

[0103] When the monitoring device 3 receives the specification of seven payment machines 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, and 14 on the machine specification screen as shown in Fig. 16, it displays the processing status of each step of the payment processing in each of the seven machines as shown in Fig. 17. That is, when multiple machines are specified, the monitoring device 3 displays multiple step areas for each machine.

[0104] In this embodiment, the monitoring device 3 displays the processing status of change re-examination, actual amount determination, remaining amount determination, change collection, and register opening as steps included in the settlement operation process. That is, the monitoring device 3 displays a step area corresponding to change re-examination (area B1 in Fig. 18(a)(b)), a step area corresponding to actual amount determination (area B2 in Fig. 18(a)(b)), a step area corresponding to remaining amount determination (area B3 in Fig. 18(a)(b)), a step area corresponding to change collection (area B4 in Fig. 18(a)(b)), and a step area corresponding to register opening (area B5 in Fig. 18(a)(b)), and displays the processing status of each step of the settlement operation process by changing the display mode of each step area (e.g., changing the color) according to the processing status of the corresponding step.

[0105] In addition, in Fig. 17, Fig. 18(a), and Fig. 18(b), a process area with no color indicates that the process area is displayed in a first display mode (e.g., a first color) and indicates that the process has not yet been performed. A process area with thick (dense) dots indicates that the process area is displayed in a second display mode (e.g., a second color) and indicates that the process is currently being performed. A process area with thin (sparse) dots indicates that the process area is displayed in a third display mode (e.g., a third color) and indicates that the process has already been completed. In this embodiment, a process currently being performed and a process that has already been completed are distinguished and displayed in different display modes, but a process currently being performed and a process that has already been completed may be displayed in the same display mode without distinguishing between them.

[0106] Each step will be explained below. The "change re-examination" part of the settlement process involves re-examining the currency in the device. The "actual balance determination" part of the settlement process involves determining the actual balance in the device as a result of the change re-examination. The "balance determination" part of the settlement process involves adjusting and determining the balance in the device. If necessary, the above-mentioned "closing process" is executed to determine the balance. The "change collection" part of the settlement process involves collecting the currency in the device using a collection box (cassette). The "cash register opening process" part of the settlement process involves sending sales information for the device to the store controller 4.

[0107] By the monitoring device 3 displaying the processing status of each step of the settlement process, the store clerk can visually recognize that the settlement process is performed in the order of "change re-examination" → "actual amount determination" → "balance determination" → "change collection" → "register opening process" and is completed when the final "register opening process" is completed, and how far the settlement process has progressed in each machine. According to the example of FIG. 17, for example, it can be seen that for settlement machine 4, "change re-examination" has been completed and "actual amount determination" is being performed (FIG. 18(a)). Also, for example, it can be seen that for settlement machine 14, "balance determination" has been completed and "change collection" is being performed (FIG. 18(b)).

[0108] In order to display the processing status of each step of the settlement transaction processing, the monitoring device 3 receives information (processing status notification) on the processing status of each step from each device specified on the device specification screen. That is, each device specified on the device specification screen transmits a processing status notification to the monitoring device 3 according to the processing status of each step (for example, when each step is completed), and the monitoring device 3 displays a screen such as that shown in Fig. 17 based on the processing status notification received from each device. The processing status notification includes information that enables the monitoring device 3 to identify which of the above five steps ("re-examination of change," "determination of actual amount," "determination of remaining amount," "collection of change," and "cash register opening process") has started or ended.

[0109] In other words, as shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to grasp the progress of multiple processes, and therefore it is possible to grasp the approximate time until completion, and further, for example, since "fishing machine collection" requires actually going to each device and performing tasks such as collecting cash, if you are located in the process immediately before "fishing machine collection", you can grasp that you need to immediately prepare the collection box required for "fishing machine collection" and start preparing for the collection work. In addition, when an error occurs in the settlement machine, the monitoring device 3 receives an error signal from the settlement machine, and displays an error in the display area of ​​the settlement machine in FIG. 17, or changes the background mode (color, pattern, etc.) of the display area of ​​the settlement machine or the area frame of the display area from the normal mode (normal color, normal pattern, normal frame, etc.) to a notification mode for notifying an error (a color different from the normal color, a pattern different from the normal pattern, a frame with a different color, thickness, etc. from the normal frame, etc.), and the progress of the process is stopped at that point, so that it is easy to know that the process has been stopped due to an error, and it is also possible to know which process has been completed and the general reason (content of the error) for the progress to be stopped due to some error from the progress status of the above-mentioned process, etc. When the error that occurred in the settlement machine is cleared, the monitoring device 3 receives an error clear signal from the settlement machine, and the display of the above-mentioned error is erased, or the notification mode is changed to the normal mode, etc., and then the display mode for each process changes according to the progress of the process in the settlement machine.

[0110] The degree of the error that has occurred in the settlement machine may be determined, and the display mode of the above-mentioned error may be different depending on whether the error is determined to be a serious error (such as an error that requires time and effort to recover from or an error that has a wide range of impact) or not. For example, if the error is serious, the error may be displayed in a more conspicuous manner (for example, larger) than if the error is not serious. The monitoring device 3 may determine the degree of the error by referring to information for determining the degree of the error (for example, information that associates the type of error identified from the error signal with the degree of the error). The information for determining the degree of the error may be stored in a location that the monitoring device 3 can refer to (for example, the monitoring device 3 itself). This allows the monitoring device 3 to know whether a serious error has occurred or an error that is not serious but can be immediately dealt with. If the monitoring device 3 determines that a serious error has occurred, the same process as when "Not subject to settlement" described later is pressed may be automatically carried out.

[0111] The monitoring device 3 also has a function of interrupting (or halting) the settlement process for a device that is currently executing the settlement process. For example, when the button "Not subject to settlement (symbol D in Fig. 18(a)(b))" located in the display area of ​​each device is pressed, the monitoring device 3 transmits information to the corresponding device instructing the device to interrupt the settlement process (settlement process interruption instruction information), thereby interrupting the settlement process in the corresponding device.

[0112] The suspended device may resume settlement processing by an explicit operation (e.g., re-specifying on the device specification screen). Also, when a device whose settlement processing has stopped for some reason (such as an error) is interrupted by an operation, the device may resume settlement processing automatically (without an explicit operation) when the reason for the interruption disappears (for example, when the error is resolved).

[0113] Furthermore, when the settlement process of a machine belonging to a group consisting of multiple collectively specified machines (multiple machines that simultaneously transmitted settlement process start instruction information) is interrupted, the monitoring device 3 displays the processing status of each step of the settlement process of the machine from the group. For example, the screen in Fig. 17 displays settlement machines 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, and 14 as the same group (group 1), but when the button "Not subject to settlement" in the display area for settlement machine 4 is pressed, the monitoring device 3 may display settlement machine 4 in a different manner from group 1 (at least erasing the notation "Group 1").

[0114] In addition, in cases where N machines are first specified on the equipment designation screen (settlement operation start instruction information is sent to those N machines simultaneously), and then M machines are immediately specified (settlement operation start instruction information is sent to those M machines simultaneously), two groups will exist (group 1 consisting of N machines, and group 2 consisting of M machines).In such cases, the settlement operation processing for machines belonging to the same group may be displayed close together on the screen. For example, if three payment machines 2, 12, and 14 are specified first on the equipment designation screen, followed immediately by four payment machines 3, 4, 11, and 13, the processing statuses of payment machines 2, 12, and 14 may be displayed toward the upper part (or left side) of the screen in Fig. 17, and the processing statuses of payment machines 3, 4, 11, and 13 may be displayed toward the lower part (or right side) of the screen. In other words, the display position of each device when displaying the processing status of each step of the payment transaction process is not always fixed, but may be changed depending on the situation when it is specified on the equipment designation screen.

[0115] Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of settlement processing. It is assumed that at the start of the flowchart in Fig. 19, the monitoring device 3 is displaying the screen in Fig. 15. The flowchart in Fig. 19 shows the operation of one of a plurality of devices designated as devices that execute settlement processing (a group consisting of the plurality of devices is referred to as group A in this flowchart), and omits the operation of other devices designated as devices that execute settlement processing (other devices belonging to group A), but the operation of the other devices is similar.

[0116] (Operation of monitoring device 3) Step Sa1: In response to an operation by a store clerk, a device designation screen (eg, the screen in FIG. 16) is displayed. Step Sa2: The device specification screen displayed in step Sa1 accepts device specification. Step Sa3: After a predetermined operation (for example, after pressing the "Execute" button), the employee code is read. Step Sa4: Transmit settlement operation start instruction information (information instructing the start of settlement operation processing) to the device designated in step Sa2. Also, erase the device designation screen. Step Sa5: A screen showing the processing status of each step of the settlement transaction process (for example, the screen in FIG. 17) is displayed. "Group A" is displayed in the display area of ​​each device.

[0117] Step Sa6: Determine whether or not a processing status notification (information regarding the processing status of each step) has been received from the device that sent the settlement operation start instruction information in step Sa4. If a processing status notification has been received, proceed to step Sa7. If a processing status notification has not been received, proceed to step Sa8. Step Sa7: Update the processing status in response to the processing status notification. For example, when a processing status notification is received from a certain device indicating that "change collection" has been completed, the process area of ​​"change collection" in that device is changed to a predetermined display mode indicating that the process has already been completed. Step Sa8: Determine whether or not an instruction to suspend the settlement transaction has been issued. If an instruction to suspend has been issued, proceed to step Sa9. If an instruction to suspend has not been issued, proceed to step Sa11.

[0118] Step Sa9: The settlement process of the instructed device is interrupted. For example, when a button "Not for settlement" arranged in the display area of ​​a certain device is pressed, the monitoring device 3 interrupts the settlement process of the device by sending settlement process interruption instruction information (information instructing the device to interrupt the settlement process). Note that the sending and receiving of the settlement process interruption instruction information is not shown in this flowchart. Step Sa10: The device is removed from group A. For example, the "Group A" notation displayed for the device is erased.

[0119] Step Sa11: Determine whether the settlement process has been completed for all devices belonging to group A. That is, determine whether the settlement process has been completed for all devices specified in step Sa2 and not suspended in step Sa10. If a processing status notification is received from a device indicating that the "cash register closing process", the final step of the settlement process, has been completed, it can be determined that the settlement process for that device has been completed. If the settlement process for all devices belonging to group A has not been completed, return to step Sa6. If it has been completed, proceed to step Sa12. Step Sa12: A report on the settlement transaction (for example, a report as shown in FIG. 18(c)) is printed and issued. Then, the flow chart of the monitoring device 3 ends.

[0120] In step Sa12, information about all devices belonging to group A may be printed and issued together on one report (including those with notches) as shown in Fig. 18(c), or separate reports may be printed and issued for each device. In the mode in which separate reports are printed and issued for each device, reports may be printed and issued in sequence as soon as the settlement process for each device is completed, but the report corresponding to the settlement machine for which the "Not subject to settlement" has been pressed is controlled not to be issued. In other words, when closing processing is initially performed for the same group, even if an error occurs in one settlement machine and processing does not proceed at that settlement machine, the settlement machine with the error can be removed from the same group by pressing the "not for settlement" button, and settlement processing is completed for the remaining settlement machines in the same group and a report is issued, so that even if there is a settlement machine with an error, it is possible to complete the report output without affecting the settlement processing at the other settlement machines. The report may be output by printing on paper media, or may be output, for example, electronically.

[0121] (Operation of monitored devices that perform settlement processing) Step Sb1: Settlement operation start instruction information (information instructing the start of settlement operation processing) is received from the monitoring device 3. Step Sb2: Perform (start) "change recheck." Step Sb3: A processing status notification to the effect that the "change re-examination" has been completed is sent to the monitoring device 3. Note that information for identifying the sender (e.g., register number) may be explicitly added to the processing status notification, or it may not be explicitly added if the sender can be identified from an IP address or the like. The same applies when sending processing status notifications for other processes. Step Sb4: "Actual balance determination" is performed (started). Note that since "Actual balance determination" is the result of the above-mentioned "change re-examination", it does not require much processing time. Step Sb5: A processing status notification is sent to the monitoring device 3 to inform the user that the "actual balance determination" has been completed. Step Sb6: "Deposit amount determination" is performed (started). Step Sb7: A processing status notification is sent to the monitoring device 3 to inform the user that the "balance amount determination" has been completed. Step Sb8: "Fishing machine recovery" is performed (started). Step Sb9: A processing status notification is sent to the monitoring device 3 to inform the user that "fishing machine recovery" has been completed. Step Sb10: The "cash register closing process" is performed (started). Step Sb11: A processing status notification is sent to the monitoring device 3 to inform the user that the "cash register closing process" has been completed. Step Sb12: Turn off the power. The power may be turned off immediately after execution of step Sb11, or may be turned off after receiving response information from the monitoring device 3 indicating that the processing status notification of step Sb11 has been received. Then, the flow chart of the monitored device that executes the settlement operation ends.

[0122] As described above, the transmission and reception of settlement operation interruption instruction information (information instructing the interruption of settlement operation processing) is not illustrated, but when settlement operation interruption instruction information is received from the monitoring device 3, the processing of steps Sb1 to Sb12 being executed is interrupted. However, when settlement operation interruption instruction information is received during execution of a transmission process (steps Sb2, Sb4, Sb6, Sb8, Sb10), the processing may be interrupted after execution of that process. This is because the transmission process is not settlement operation processing, and interrupting transmission midway may cause the processing status to become unclear.

[0123] When a state in which clerk work is required in a settlement transaction process occurs, the monitoring device 3 may notify the user that clerk work is required. For example, as shown in Fig. 18(b)(d), the display mode of the display area (background portion) of each device may be changed from a display mode of a non-call state (a state in which clerk work is not required) to a display mode of a call state (a state in which clerk work is required). In Fig. 17 and Fig. 18(a)(b), a plain background portion indicates that the device is displayed in a display mode of a non-call state (for example, a first color as the background portion), and a diagonal line background portion indicates that the device is displayed in a display mode of a call state (for example, a second color as the background portion).

[0124] Furthermore, the monitoring device 3 may display, in a predetermined area (area C in Fig. 18), messages related to the status of settlement processing, calling of a store clerk, etc. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 17, a message is displayed for settlement machine 2 to the effect that automatic settlement will begin, for settlement machine 3 to the effect that the change is being reexamined, for settlement machine 4 to the effect that a discrepancy is being checked, for settlement machine 11 to the effect that sales should be collected (to move the coins in the drawer), for settlement machine 12 to the effect that cash recycle withdrawal (i.e., the above-mentioned "closing process") should be performed, for settlement machine 13 to the effect that the actual balance should be entered, and for settlement machine 14 to the effect that money in the change machine should be collected.

[0125] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and the present invention also includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The following supplementary notes are disclosed regarding the above POS system.

[0126] (Appendix 1) A POS system including a plurality of settlement devices, characterized in that the POS system comprises a display means for displaying the settlement status by the settlement devices on a screen, and a control means for controlling the execution of closing processing at one or more of the settlement devices from the screen on which the settlement status is displayed. (Appendix 2) The POS system described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the settlement device is equipped with an automatic change dispenser that executes a money collection process and / or a money replenishment process as the closing process, and the automatic change dispenser executes at least the money collection process as the closing process when employee identification information of the employee performing the closing process is obtained. (Appendix 3) The POS system described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, characterized in that the control means controls the execution of closing processing at all of the multiple settlement devices where there are no unsettled or in-settling transactions, or closing processing at one or more of the settlement devices designated by a user where there are no unsettled or in-settling transactions, or closing processing at one or more of the settlement devices designated by a user as settlement devices where there are no unsettled or in-settling transactions, or closing processing at the settlement devices included in each of one or more groups designated by the user. (Appendix 4) The POS system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means controls the execution of a closing process at the settlement devices included in each of one or more groups designated by a user and at which there are no unsettled or in-settled transactions. (Appendix 5) 5. The POS system according to claim 1, wherein the settlement device prioritizes the collection of bills over the collection of coins. (Appendix 6) A POS system described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5, characterized in that the total collected amount of coins of all denominations is a fractional amount less than a predetermined amount of the total coin amount, which is the total amount of coins of all denominations. According to the above POS system, the number of collected coins is small, so the operation is easier than when many coins are collected. In addition, the total amount of collected coins does not include fractions, so management is easier. (Appendix 7) The settlement device is a POS system described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6, which executes the closing process so that the total banknote and coin amount, which is the sum of the banknote total amount, which is the total amount of all banknotes excluding the highest denomination banknote, and the coin total amount, which is the total amount of coins of all denominations, is equal to or greater than the banknote and coin total reference amount, and so that the total amount of each banknote excluding the highest denomination banknote is equal to or greater than the banknote reference amount for each denomination. According to the above POS system, it is possible to appropriately collect and replenish money based on the total reference amount of banknotes and coins and the reference amounts of banknotes by denomination. (Appendix 8) 6. The POS system according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays on a screen an indication that there is a transaction that has not been settled or is currently being settled as the settlement status. (Appendix 9) The POS system according to any one of appendices 1 to 8, characterized in that the control means controls the execution of a settlement processing process which is completed through a plurality of steps, and the display means displays the processing status of each step of the settlement processing at the settlement device designated by a user. (Appendix 10) The POS system described in Appendix 9, characterized in that the display means displays a plurality of process areas corresponding to each process of the settlement transaction, and displays the processing status of each process of the settlement transaction by changing the display mode of each of the process areas according to the processing status of the corresponding process. (Appendix 11) The POS system described in Appendix 10, characterized in that the display means displays the processing status of each step of the settlement business processing at multiple settlement devices by displaying multiple process areas for each settlement device specified by a user. (Appendix 12) The POS system according to claim 11, wherein when multiple settlement devices are specified collectively, the display means displays the settlement transaction processing of the settlement devices belonging to the same group in a concentrated manner on the screen. (Appendix 13) The control means has an interruption control means for interrupting the settlement device during execution of the settlement processing, and the display means displays, when the settlement processing of the settlement device belonging to a certain group is interrupted by the interruption control means, the processing status of each step of the settlement processing of the settlement device excluding the processing status of the settlement device. (Appendix 14) The POS system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the display means displays a designation screen that enables the user to designate the settlement device for which the settlement transaction process has not been completed. (Appendix 15) The POS system according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the display means displays the processing status of each step of the settlement transaction processing after acquiring employee identification information of the employee. (Appendix 16) The POS system according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the display means displays a message to the effect that the currency in the drawer is to be moved during the settlement process. (Appendix 17) The POS system according to any one of appendices 9 to 16, characterized in that the settlement processing includes a process of re-examining the currency in each settlement device, a process of collecting the currency in each settlement device in a collection box, and a process of transmitting sales information at each settlement device to a higher level.

[0127] (Appendix 18) A monitoring device characterized by comprising a designation means for designating the settlement device that will execute a settlement processing process that is completed through multiple steps, a control means for controlling the execution of the settlement processing, and a display means for displaying the processing status of each step of the settlement processing in the settlement device designated by a user. (Appendix 19) The monitoring device described in Appendix 18, characterized in that the display means displays a plurality of process areas corresponding to each process of the settlement business processing, and displays the processing status of each process of the settlement business processing by changing the display mode of each of the process areas in accordance with the processing status of the corresponding process. (Appendix 20) The monitoring device described in Appendix 19, characterized in that the display means displays the processing status of each process of the settlement business processing at multiple settlement devices by displaying multiple process areas for each settlement device specified by a user. (Appendix 21) The POS system according to claim 20, wherein when multiple settlement devices are specified collectively, the display means displays the settlement transaction processing of the settlement devices belonging to the same group in a concentrated manner on the screen. (Appendix 22) The control means has an interruption control means for interrupting the settlement device while the settlement process is being executed, and the display means is a monitoring device as described in Appendix 21, which displays, when the settlement process of the settlement device belonging to a certain group is interrupted by the interruption control means, the processing status of each step of the settlement process of the settlement device excluding the processing status of the settlement device. (Appendix 23) The monitoring device according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the display means displays a designation screen that enables designation of the settlement device for which the settlement transaction processing has not been completed. (Appendix 24) The monitoring device according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the display means displays the processing status of each step of the settlement transaction processing after acquiring employee identification information of the employee. (Appendix 25) The monitoring device according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the display means displays a message to the effect that currency in a drawer is to be moved during the settlement process. (Appendix 26) The monitoring device described in any one of Appendices 18 to 25, characterized in that the settlement processing includes a process of re-examining the currency in each settlement device, a process of collecting the currency in each settlement device into a collection box, and a process of transmitting sales information at each settlement device to a higher level.

[0128] In addition, a program for executing each process of the POS system 1 (or the monitoring device 3 or the POS register 2) of this embodiment may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the above-mentioned various processes related to each process of the POS system 1 (or the monitoring device 3 or the POS register 2). Note that the "computer system" referred to here may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, if a WWW system is used, the "computer system" also includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment). Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a storage device such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, or a hard disk built into a computer system.

[0129] Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes a memory that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The above-mentioned program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The above-mentioned program may also be a program for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called difference file (difference program).

[0130] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1... POS system 2... POS register 3... monitoring device 4... store controller 11... CPU 12... ROM 13... RAM 14... display unit for store clerks 15... operation unit 16... display unit for customers 17... automatic change dispenser 17a... coin ejection slot 17b... coin insertion slot 18... scanner unit 19... printing unit 20... communication unit 21... imaging unit 30... storage unit

Claims

1. In a system including a plurality of settlement devices capable of executing at least settlement processing and a monitoring device, The monitoring device includes: An instruction receiving means for receiving an execution instruction for causing the settlement device to execute a settlement transaction process that is completed through a plurality of steps; A control means for controlling the execution of the settlement operation process in one or more of the settlement devices based on the execution instruction received by the instruction receiving means; A display means for displaying a progress status of the settlement processing in each of the settlement devices on a screen; Equipped with The display means includes: The system displays a message informing the progress of the settlement process for the settlement device that does not require work by a store clerk, and displays a message informing the content of the work that the store clerk should perform for the settlement device that does require work by a store clerk.

2. The display means includes:

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the progress status of a plurality of process units of the settlement transaction processing is displayed for each settlement device together with the message.

3. A monitoring device for monitoring a settlement device in a system including a plurality of settlement devices capable of executing at least a settlement process, comprising: An instruction receiving means for receiving an execution instruction for causing the settlement device to execute a settlement transaction process that is completed through a plurality of steps; A control means for controlling the execution of the settlement operation process in one or more of the settlement devices based on the execution instruction received by the instruction receiving means; A display means for displaying a progress status of the settlement processing in each of the settlement devices on a screen; Equipped with The display means includes: A monitoring device that displays a message informing the processing status of the ongoing settlement process for the settlement device that does not require work by a store clerk, and displays a message informing the content of the work that the store clerk should perform for the settlement device that does require work by a store clerk.

4. A program for causing a computer to function as a monitoring device for monitoring a plurality of settlement devices in a system including the plurality of settlement devices capable of executing at least a settlement process, comprising: The computer, an instruction receiving means for receiving an execution instruction for causing the settlement device to execute a settlement transaction process that is completed through a plurality of steps; A control means for controlling the execution of the settlement operation process in one or more of the settlement devices based on the execution instruction received by the instruction receiving means; A display means for displaying the progress of the settlement processing in each of the settlement devices on a screen. Function as a The display means includes: This program displays a message informing the user of the processing status of the ongoing settlement transaction process for the settlement device that does not require work by a store clerk, and displays a message informing the user of the content of the work that the store clerk should perform for the settlement device that does require work by a store clerk.

5. A monitoring method for a monitoring device that monitors a settlement device in a system including a plurality of settlement devices capable of executing at least a settlement process, comprising: an instruction receiving step of receiving an execution instruction to cause the settlement device to execute a settlement transaction process that is completed through a plurality of steps; a control step of controlling execution of the settlement operation process in one or more of the settlement devices based on the execution instruction received in the instruction receiving step; A display step of displaying a progress status of the settlement operation process in each of the settlement devices on a screen; Including, The display step includes: A monitoring method characterized by displaying a message informing the processing status of the ongoing settlement transaction process for the settlement device that does not require work by a store clerk, and displaying a message informing the content of the work that the store clerk should perform for the settlement device that does require work by a store clerk.

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