Payment device, data processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve the operability of a settlement device of a semi-self POS.SOLUTION: A settlement device 20 is operated by a customer to perform settlement processing on the basis of settlement information of a commodity transmitted from a commodity registration device operated by a store clerk to register the commodity to be purchased. The settlement device 20 includes: a display control part 220 for displaying a screen including selection buttons of at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to settlement information; and a settlement part 230 for performing settlement processing by cash settlement based on the settlement information when money is input into a cash slot before accepting an operation of the selection buttons.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement device, a data processing method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a semi-self-service POS (Point Of Sales) system in which a customer performs the operation at the time of settlement when purchasing a product is described in Patent Document 1. This POS system is composed of a registration device that registers data related to the transaction of the purchased product, and a settlement device that performs a settlement process to complete the purchase and sale transaction of the product registered as the object of settlement by operating the customer himself based on the registered data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-158993 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a POS system, when a customer operates the system to carry out the payment process, they follow the instructions on the payment device screen. In a payment device that accepts both cash and other payment methods, such as credit cards and electronic money, the customer must first select the payment method before the payment process begins.

[0005] However, if a customer is unfamiliar with machine operation and intends to pay in cash, when he or she comes to the settlement device, there is a possibility that the customer will insert cash immediately without looking at the screen. In this case, the settlement process will not proceed because the customer is not following the correct procedure.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve the operability of a settlement device of a semi-self-service POS. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, each aspect of the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0008] The settlement device in the present disclosure is A payment device in which a customer performs an operation to perform a payment process based on payment information related to a registered product to be purchased, A display control means for displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information; and a settlement means for switching the screen to a screen instructing the insertion of cash when coins are inserted into the cash insertion slot while the screen is being displayed and before the operation of the selection button is accepted, and for carrying out settlement processing using cash settlement based on the settlement information.

[0009] The data processing method according to the present disclosure includes: a payment device in which a customer performs operation and performs payment processing based on payment information related to the registered product to be purchased; Displaying a screen including at least one selection button for a payment method including cash payment for the payment information; When the screen is displayed and coins are inserted into the cash slot before the selection button is operated, the screen is switched to a screen instructing the insertion of cash, and settlement processing is performed using the cash settlement based on the settlement information.

[0010] The program in the present disclosure may be a program that causes at least one computer to execute the above-mentioned method, or may be a computer-readable recording medium having such a program recorded thereon. This recording medium includes a non-transitory tangible medium. The computer program comprises computer program code which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the data processing method on a settlement device.

[0011] Any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

[0012] Furthermore, the various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to be independent entities, but may be formed as a single member by multiple components, one component may be formed from multiple components, one component may be a part of another component, or part of one component may overlap with part of another component, etc.

[0013] In addition, although the method and computer program of the present invention describe a number of steps in a sequential order, the order does not limit the order in which the steps are executed. Therefore, when implementing the method and computer program of the present invention, the order of the steps can be changed as long as it does not affect the content.

[0014] Furthermore, the steps of the method and computer program of the present invention are not limited to being executed at different timings, and therefore a step may occur while another step is being executed, or the execution timing of a step may overlap partially or entirely with the execution timing of another step, etc. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the above aspects, it is possible to improve the operability of a semi-self-service POS settlement device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the hardware configuration of a merchandise registration device and a settlement device included in the information processing system in the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3]2 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of the settlement device of the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of an accounting settlement process in the information processing system of this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device of the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device of the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device of the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a settlement device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0018] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. <System configuration> 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in the following drawings, configurations of parts that are not related to the essence of the present invention are omitted and are not shown.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes at least one product registration device 10 and at least one settlement device 20. Note that Fig. 1 illustrates an example of the information processing system 1 including one product registration device 10 and one settlement device 20, but is not limited to this. The information processing system 1 may further include a server device that relays communication between the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20.

[0020] For example, the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 are connected to each other via a network 3. The communication between the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 may be wired or wireless. Note that relay communication devices are not shown.

[0021] The product registration device 10 is a device used to register products to be settled, and generates settlement information including information on the products to be settled (hereinafter, referred to as product information). The product information includes at least one of the following: product code, product name, product unit price, number of each product, discount / discount information for each product, and total amount of registered products. The settlement information is information used when the settlement device 20 performs settlement processing to complete the purchase and sale of products, and includes at least information on the total amount of products registered as the target of settlement. For example, the settlement information includes at least information on the unit price, number of registrations, and discount / discount information for each product acquired as described above, or information indicating the total amount of products that can be calculated from these information. The settlement device 20 performs settlement processing to complete the purchase and sale of products registered as the target of settlement in the product registration device 10. The settlement device 20 then prints a receipt indicating the details of the settlement.

[0022] The product registration device 10 operates based on the operation of a store clerk. On the other hand, the settlement device 20 is a device separate from the product registration device 10, and operates based on the operation of a customer. The information processing system 1 of this embodiment is a so-called semi-self-service POS (Point Of Sales) system. However, the product registration device 10 may have a function of settling the products registered as settlement targets in the same way as the settlement device 20, for example, in response to a customer's request.

[0023] <Hardware configuration> FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing the hardware configuration of the merchandise registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 included in the information processing system 1 in this embodiment.

[0024] <Product registration device 10> The product registration device 10 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 104, and a communication unit 105. The processor 101, the memory 102, the storage 103, the input / output interface 104, and the communication unit 105 are connected by a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other.

[0025] The processor 101 is an arithmetic processing device such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The memory 102 is a memory such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The storage 103 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card. The storage 103 may also be a memory such as a RAM or a ROM.

[0026] The storage 103 stores program modules that realize the functions of each processing unit included in the product registration device 10. The processor 101 realizes the functions of each processing unit by executing each of these program modules. Here, when executing each of the above program modules, the processor 101 may read these program modules onto the memory 102 and then execute them, or may execute them without reading them onto the memory 102.

[0027] The input / output interface 104 is connected to a display device 1041, an input device 1042, a reading device 1045, and the like. The display device 1041 is a device, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, that displays a screen corresponding to drawing data processed by the processor 101, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) (not shown), and the like. One or more display devices 1041 may be connected to the input / output interface 104. The input device 1042 is a device that accepts an operation input from an operator, and is, for example, a keyboard, a touch sensor, and a microphone for voice input. The display device 1041 and the input device 1042 may be integrated and realized as a touch panel.

[0028] The reading device 1045 may be a code reader equipped with a light source and a light receiving element such as a photodiode to detect a product code for identifying the product, or a camera equipped with a lens and an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor to capture an image including the appearance of the product.

[0029] The communication unit 105 transmits and receives data between the settlement device 20 and other external devices. For example, settlement information generated by the product registration device 10 is transmitted to the settlement device 20 via the communication unit 105. There are various methods for connecting the product registration device 10 and external devices via the communication unit 105. For example, this connection may be a network connection via a network line, or a bus connection via a bus line (e.g., a USB (Universal Serial Bus) line). The network line may be a wireless line or a wired line.

[0030] <Payment device 20> The settlement device 20 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage 203, an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 204, and a communication unit 205. The processor 201, the memory 202, the storage 203, the input / output interface 204, and the communication unit 205 are connected by a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other. The hardware configuration of the settlement device 20 is substantially similar to the hardware configuration of the product registration device 10.

[0031] Since the settlement device 20 is a device that mainly settles merchandise payments, it does not have a device equivalent to the reading device 1045. However, it may have this device. The settlement device 20 also has a card reading device 2046, which is connected to the input / output interface 204. The following mainly describes the differences from the merchandise registration device 10.

[0032] The storage 203 stores program modules that realize the functions of each processing unit included in the settlement device 20. The processor 201 executes each of these program modules to realize the functions of each processing unit (such as the receiving unit 210, display control unit 220, and settlement unit 230 in FIG. 3, which will be described later). Here, when executing each of the above program modules, the processor 201 may read these program modules onto the memory 202 before executing them, or may execute them without reading them onto the memory 202.

[0033] The printer 2043 includes a mechanism for feeding out receipt paper that has been set in advance, a mechanism for printing the details of one settlement on the receipt paper, and a mechanism for cutting the receipt paper into receipts for one settlement unit. Note that the mechanism for cutting receipts is not required. These mechanisms of the printer 2043 operate in accordance with output control commands sent from the processor 201. Specifically, the printer 2043 feeds out receipt paper and executes the printing process based on information that controls the print contents, which is included in the output control command from the processor 201, and controls the receipt cutting operation based on information that controls the cutting state, which is included in the output control command from the processor 201.

[0034] The card reader 2046 includes an insertion port into which a card is inserted, a card self-propelling mechanism that self-propels the card inserted into the insertion port to take it in and ejects the card from the insertion port, and a reading unit that reads information recorded on an IC card, a magnetic card, etc. The card reader 2046 may also be of a non-contact type. In that case, the insertion port and the card self-propelling mechanism are not included. Also, both contact and non-contact type readers may be provided.

[0035] The hardware configuration of the product registration device 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2. For example, a server device that relays the exchange of settlement information and the like may be included between the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20.

[0036] <Processing configuration> Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a logical configuration of settlement device 20 according to this embodiment. Settlement device 20 has a receiving unit 210, a display control unit 220, and a settlement unit 230. The receiving unit 210 receives settlement information from the product registration device 10. The display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 (Fig. 2) to display a screen including selection buttons for multiple settlement methods (cash, credit card, electronic money) including cash settlement, regarding the settlement information. If coins are inserted into the cash insertion slot before accepting the operation of the selection button, the settlement unit 230 performs settlement processing by cash settlement based on the settlement information.

[0037] The settlement unit 230 may perform settlement processing by credit card payment based on settlement information when a credit card is inserted before accepting the operation of the selection button, and may perform settlement processing by electronic money payment based on settlement information when electronic money is brought close before accepting the operation of the selection button.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the screen configuration of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The display control unit 220 first causes the display device 2041 (FIG. 2) to display the payment method selection screen 300. Thereafter, the display control unit 220 transitions and displays the screens in response to the customer's operations on each screen displayed on the display device 2041. For example, when cash payment is selected on the payment method selection screen 300, a cash insertion instruction screen 310 is displayed. Furthermore, when cash is inserted, a completion acceptance screen 320 is displayed. Furthermore, when credit card payment is selected on the payment method selection screen 300, a credit card insertion instruction screen 330 is displayed. Furthermore, when a card is inserted, a content confirmation screen 340 is displayed.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a payment method selection screen 300 of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The payment method selection screen 300 differs depending on the type of settlement method supported by the settlement device 20. For example, Fig. 5(a) is an example in which the settlement device 20 supports two settlement methods, cash payment and credit settlement, and Fig. 5(b) is an example in which the settlement device 20 supports three settlement methods, cash payment, credit settlement, and electronic money settlement.

[0040] The payment method selection screen 300 in Fig. 5(a) has a payment amount display section 302, a message display section 304 that prompts the customer to select a payment method, and two selection buttons 306 for selecting one of two payment methods, cash payment and credit card settlement. The payment method selection screen 300 in Fig. 5(b) has the same payment amount display section 302 and message display section 304 as in Fig. 5(a), but has a different selection button 306, and has three selection buttons 306 for selecting one of three payment methods, cash payment, credit card settlement, and electronic money settlement.

[0041] Fig. 6 shows examples of a cash insertion instruction screen 310 and a completion acceptance screen 320 of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The cash insertion instruction screen 310 in Fig. 6(a) includes a payment amount display section 312 and a message display section 314 that prompts the customer to insert cash. The completion acceptance screen 320 in Fig. 6(b) includes a message display section 322 that prompts the customer to confirm the settlement details and give an instruction to end the settlement process, a deposited amount / change display section 324, and a completion acceptance button 326.

[0042] Fig. 7 shows examples of a credit card insertion instruction screen 330 and a content confirmation screen 340 of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The credit card insertion instruction screen 330 in Fig. 7(a) includes a message display section 332 that prompts the customer to insert a credit card, and a credit amount display section 334. The content confirmation screen 340 in Fig. 7(b) includes a message display section 342 that prompts the customer to confirm payment information, a credit settlement content display section 344, and a confirmation button 346.

[0043] <Example of operation> FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the accounting settlement process of the information processing system 1. The product registration device 10 recognizes the product to be settled using the reading device 1045, and includes the product information of the recognized product in the settlement information. As a result, the product recognized using the reading device 1045 is registered as a product to be settled (S11). When the registration of the product to be settled is completed, the operator of the product registration device 10 inputs that fact (YES in S12). For example, the product registration device 10 displays a button for confirming the completion of product registration on the display device and accepts the operation input from the operator. Then, in accordance with the operation input, the settlement information registered as the settlement target is transmitted to the settlement device 20 (step S13). Note that in step S13, the product registration device 10 selects the settlement device 20 to which the settlement information is transmitted, and this selection may be performed according to the operation of the operator or according to a predetermined priority order.

[0044] However, the method of transmitting the settlement information is not limited to this. For example, if the merchandise registration device 10 has a printing mechanism, the merchandise registration device 10 may transmit the settlement information to a server device (not shown) and output a portable medium (e.g., a paper medium on which a one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code including the identification information is printed) that can be read by the settlement device 20 and includes identification information that can identify the settlement information. In this case, the operator of the merchandise registration device 10 hands the output portable medium to the customer, and the customer has the portable medium read by any settlement device 20. The settlement device 20 accesses the server device based on the identification information read from the portable medium, and obtains the settlement information corresponding to the identification information from the server device.

[0045] When the settlement device 20 acquires the settlement information (step S21), it performs the settlement process described below (step S24). Here, the settlement process has not been carried out for the settlement information received from the product registration device 10. The printer 2043 outputs a receipt with the settlement result printed on it (step S25), and the money processing device 2044 pays out the difference between the amount inserted by the customer and the total price of the products included in the settlement information as change (step S26).

[0046] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the settlement process (step S24 in FIG. 8) in the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. When the receiving unit 210 receives settlement information from the product registration device 10, this flow starts.

[0047] The display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 (FIG. 2) to display the payment method selection screen 300 (step S101). When it detects that the customer has inserted cash (YES in step S103), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the cash insertion instruction screen 310 (step S111). When the inserted amount is equal to or greater than the billed amount (YES in step S113), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the completion acceptance screen 320 (step S115).

[0048] Then, when it is detected that the customer has pressed the end acceptance button 326 (YES in step S117), the settlement unit 230 performs the settlement process with cash (step S119), and performs processes such as paying out change and issuing a receipt as necessary, thereby terminating this process.

[0049] On the other hand, in step S103, if no cash insertion is detected (NO in step S103), and pressing of selection button 306 is detected (YES in step S105), and selection button 306 indicates cash payment (YES in step S107), the process proceeds to step S111, and the above-mentioned processing is performed.

[0050] Furthermore, if the selection button 306 pressed in step S105 is not cash payment (NO in step S107) and is credit card payment (YES in step S109), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display a credit card insertion instruction screen 330 (step S121). Then, when insertion of a credit card by the customer is detected (YES in step S123), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display a content confirmation screen 340 (step S125).

[0051] Then, when it is detected that the customer has pressed the Confirm button 346 (YES in step S127), the settlement unit 230 performs authentication and settlement processing using the credit card (step S129), issues a card payment statement and, if necessary, a receipt, etc., and then terminates the process.

[0052] 9, when a customer tries to make a cash payment at the settlement device 20, even if the customer does not press the selection button 306 on the payment method selection screen 300 (NO in step S105), if the customer inserts cash, the display control unit 220 will display the cash insertion instruction screen 310 on the display device 2041 (step S111) upon detection of the cash insertion (YES in step S103), so that the customer can immediately proceed with the cash payment procedure. In other words, even if the customer does not look closely at the payment method selection screen 300, the settlement process will be executed if the customer inserts cash.

[0053] As described above, according to the settlement device 20 of this embodiment, the insertion of coins is first detected on the payment method selection screen 300, so that the cash settlement process starts as soon as the insertion of coins is detected even before pressing of the selection button 306 is detected on the payment method selection screen 300. In this way, the customer can omit the action of pressing the selection button 306, improving operability and convenience of cash payments.

[0054] Furthermore, in semi-self-service POS, most customers who pay in cash want to settle their payment with cash immediately and often do not look closely at the operation screen. This causes customers to have difficulty in operation and takes time to press the selection button 306 on the payment method selection screen 300, resulting in delays in the procedure and loss of time. According to the present invention, even before the pressing of the selection button 306 is detected, if the insertion of coins is detected, the cash settlement process begins immediately, eliminating loss of time and suppressing a decrease in customer turnover.

[0055] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 10 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The settlement device 20 of this embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiment in the operation when a settlement method other than cash settlement is selected, but is otherwise the same. The settlement device 20 has similar components to the settlement device 20 of Figure 3, and further includes a control unit 240. Note that the hardware configuration of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, so will be explained using Figure 2.

[0056] The settlement unit 230 does not perform settlement processing using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting the operation of the selection button 306. Here, the other settlement methods are, for example, credit card settlement or electronic money settlement. Specifically, the control unit 240 prohibits the settlement unit 230 from performing settlement processing using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting the operation of the selection button 306. In other words, even if an attempt to insert a credit card or electronic money card or touching a smartphone or electronic money card to a card reading device for electronic money settlement is detected while the payment method selection screen 300 is displayed, the settlement unit 230 does not perform settlement processing.

[0057] The control unit 240 may prohibit settlement processing using a settlement method other than cash settlement by, but not limited to, the following examples. In addition, the following methods may be combined. (1) The operation of the card self-propelling mechanism of the card reader 2046 is inhibited. (2) Close the card slot. (3) The operation of the contactless IC card reading mechanism of the card reader 2046 is stopped.

[0058] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The procedure in this figure is the same as that in Fig. 9, except that steps S201 and S203 are included before steps S101 and S123, respectively, in the procedure in Fig. 9 of the above embodiment. Only the procedure different from Fig. 9 will be described below.

[0059] First, the settlement unit 230 of the settlement device 20 prohibits the operation of the card self-propelled mechanism of the card reading device 2046 before accepting the operation of the selection button 306 (step S201). Then, when pressing of the selection button 306 for credit card payment (or electronic money payment) is detected (YES in step S109), the settlement unit 230 permits the operation of the card self-propelled mechanism of the card reading device 2046 (step S203).

[0060] Furthermore, if multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the operation of the selection button 306 is accepted, the display control unit 220 closes the payment method selection screen 300 and causes the display device 2041 to display another screen.

[0061] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an alarm screen 350 as an example of another screen. The alarm screen 350 displays a message instructing the customer to wait for a staff member to arrive. At this time, the control unit 240 performs a process of calling the store staff member, but this process is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 240 transmits, via the communication unit 205, to the product registration device 10, together with the identification information of the settlement device 20, notification information indicating that multiple attempts have been made to insert a credit card. Alternatively, the control unit 240 notifies a mobile terminal of a store staff member who has been registered in advance.

[0062] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when card insertion is detected in the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The procedure in this figure is the same as that in Fig. 9, except that steps S211 to S217 are included before step S105 in the procedure in Fig. 9 of the above embodiment. Only the procedure different from Fig. 9 will be explained below. Also, the procedure in Fig. 11 and the procedure in this figure can be combined.

[0063] First, in a state where the payment method selection screen 300 is displayed in step S101, if neither the insertion of cash nor the pressing of the selection button 306 is detected (NO in step S103 and NO in step S105), and an attempt to insert a credit card is detected (YES in step S211), the control unit 240 increments the counter i (step S213). Then, the process returns to step S101 until the counter i is greater than 3 (NO in step S215). Then, if the counter i exceeds 3 (YES in step S215), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the alarm screen 350 of FIG. 12 (step S217). The control unit 240 also notifies the store clerk (not shown).

[0064] As described above, according to the settlement device 20 of this embodiment, unless the selection button 306 is pressed, a card cannot be inserted so that settlement methods other than cash payment, for example, credit card settlement, are not performed, so the cash payment procedure can be completed with fewer steps, improving convenience. Also, if multiple attempts are made to insert a card without pressing the selection button 306, it is possible that the customer does not know how to operate the device and is in trouble, so the customer can be made to stop the operation and a staff member can be notified. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in customer turnover rate.

[0065] (Third embodiment) FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device 20 of the third embodiment. The settlement device 20 of this embodiment has a display control unit 220 and a settlement unit 230 similar to those in Fig. 3. The display control unit 220 displays a screen including selection buttons for multiple settlement methods (cash, credit card, electronic money) including cash settlement, on the display device 2041, regarding the settlement information. When currency is inserted into the cash insertion slot before accepting the operation of the selection button, the settlement unit 230 performs settlement processing by cash settlement based on the settlement information.

[0066] The operation of the settlement device 20 configured as above will be described below. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. First, the display control unit 220 displays a screen (payment method selection screen 300 in FIG. 5) including selection buttons for a plurality of settlement methods including cash settlement (cash, credit card, electronic money) for the settlement information on the display device 2041 (step S301). Then, before accepting the operation of the selection button (NO in step S303), when money is inserted into the cash insertion slot (YES in step S305), the settlement unit 230 performs settlement processing by cash settlement based on the settlement information (step S307). When the operation of the selection button is accepted (YES in step S303), processing according to the accepted operation is performed (not shown).

[0067] The settlement device 20 of this embodiment configured in this way also achieves the same effects as the above embodiment, and since the insertion of coins is first detected on the payment method selection screen 300 (FIG. 5), the cash settlement process starts as soon as the insertion of coins is detected even before pressing of the selection button 306 is detected on the payment method selection screen 300. In this way, the customer can omit the action of pressing the selection button 306, improving operability and convenience of cash payments.

[0068] In semi-self-service POS, most customers who pay in cash want to settle their payment with cash immediately and often do not look closely at the operation screen. This causes customers to have difficulty in operation and takes time to press the selection button 306 on the payment method selection screen 300, resulting in delays in the procedure and loss of time. According to the present invention, even before the pressing of the selection button 306 is detected, if the insertion of coins is detected, the cash settlement process begins immediately, eliminating loss of time and suppressing a decrease in customer turnover.

[0069] The components of the functional block diagrams (Figs. 3, 10, and 16) of the settlement device 20 of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by any combination of computer hardware and software in Fig. 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are various variations in the realization methods and devices. The functional block diagrams showing the settlement device 20 of each embodiment described below show logical functional unit blocks, rather than a hardware unit configuration.

[0070] The computer program of this embodiment is written to cause a computer (processor 201 in FIG. 2) for realizing the settlement device 20 to execute the steps of: displaying on the display device 2041 a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method, including cash settlement, for the settlement information; and, when coins are inserted into the cash insertion slot before the selection button is operated, performing settlement processing using cash settlement based on the settlement information.

[0071] This computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium is not particularly limited and may take various forms. The program may be loaded from the recording medium into the computer's memory 202 (FIG. 2), or may be downloaded to the computer via a network and loaded into the memory 202.

[0072] The recording medium for recording the computer program includes a non-transitory tangible computer usable medium in which computer readable program code is embedded. When the computer program is executed on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the above-mentioned data processing method for implementing the settlement device 20.

[0073] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted. For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which one settlement method is selected from a plurality of settlement methods, but in other embodiments, the settlement device 20 may only be capable of cash settlement.

[0074] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a payment start screen 360 of the settlement device 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The payment start screen 360 includes a payment amount display section 362, a message display section 364 that prompts the customer to start payment, and a payment start button 366.

[0075] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device 20 of another embodiment. The processing procedure of Fig. 15 includes steps S103 to S105 and steps S111 to S117 of the processing procedure of Fig. 9 of the above embodiment, and further includes step S221. Only the steps different from Fig. 9 will be explained below.

[0076] In step S221, the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the payment start screen 360 of Fig. 14. Here, before detecting the pressing of the payment start button 366 in step S105, the deposit of cash is detected in step S103, and when the deposit of cash is detected (YES in step S103), even before the payment start button 366 is pressed, the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the cash deposit instruction screen 310 (step S111).

[0077] In this way, in the other embodiments, as in the above embodiment, first, the insertion of coins is detected on the payment method selection screen 300, so that even before pressing of the payment start button 366 is detected on the payment method selection screen 300, the cash settlement process is started as soon as the insertion of coins is detected. In this way, the customer can omit the action of pressing the payment start button 366, improving the convenience of cash payments. In this way, the other embodiments also achieve the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0078] It should be noted that the other embodiment can be combined with either the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

[0079] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments and examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and examples. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. In the present invention, when information about a user is acquired and used, this shall be done lawfully.

[0080] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 1. A payment device that is operated by a store clerk and that registers products to be purchased and that is operated by a customer based on payment information for the products transmitted from the product registration device, and that performs payment processing, A display control means for displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information; a settlement means for performing a settlement process by cash settlement based on the settlement information when coins are inserted into the cash insertion slot before the operation of the selection button is accepted. 2. In the settlement device described in 1., The settlement means does not perform the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting operation of the selection button. 3. In the settlement device described in 2., The settlement device, wherein the other settlement method is credit card settlement or electronic money settlement. 4. In the settlement device according to any one of 1. to 3., When multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the selection button is operated, the display control means transitions to another screen. 5. In the settlement device according to any one of 1. to 4., When the settlement information is received from the product registration device, the settlement process of the settlement information has not been performed. 6. A payment device that is operated by a store clerk and that registers the product to be purchased and that performs payment processing based on payment information for the product transmitted from the product registration device, Displaying a screen including at least one selection button for a payment method including cash payment for the payment information; A data processing method for a settlement device, which performs a settlement process using cash settlement based on the settlement information when coins are inserted into a cash insertion slot before the operation of the selection button is accepted. 7. In the data processing method of the settlement device described in 6., The settlement device, A data processing method for a settlement device, in which the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement is not performed before the operation of the selection button is accepted. 8. In the data processing method of the settlement device described in 7., The data processing method of the settlement device, wherein the other settlement method is credit card settlement or electronic money settlement. 9. In the data processing method for the settlement device according to any one of 6. to 8., The settlement device, A data processing method for a settlement device, which transitions to another screen when multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the operation of the selection button is accepted. 10. In the data processing method of the settlement device according to any one of 6. to 9., A data processing method for a settlement device, wherein when the settlement information is received from the product registration device, the settlement process for the settlement information has not been performed. 11. A computer that realizes a payment device that performs payment processing by a customer based on payment information of a product that is registered by a product registration device operated by a store clerk and that registers a product to be purchased, a step of displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information; A program for executing a procedure for performing a cash settlement process based on the settlement information when coins are inserted into the cash slot before the selection button is operated. 12. In the program according to 11., A program that, in the step of performing the settlement process, does not perform the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting operation of the selection button. 13. In the program according to 12., The program, wherein the other settlement method is credit card settlement or electronic money settlement. 14. In the program according to any one of 11. to 13., A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for transitioning to another screen when multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the operation of the selection button is accepted. 15. In the program according to any one of 11. to 14., A program for not carrying out a settlement process for the settlement information when the settlement information is received from the product registration device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1. Information Processing Systems 3. Network 10 Product registration device 101 Processor 102 Memory 103 Storage 104 Input / Output Interface 105 Communication unit 1041 Display device 1042 Input Device 1045 Reading device 20 Payment device 201 Processor 202 Memory 203 Storage 204 Input / Output Interface 205 Communication Unit 2043 Printing device 2044 Money handling equipment 2046 Card Reader 210 Receiving unit 220 Display control unit 230 Settlement Department 240 Control Unit 300 Payment method selection screen 302, 312, 362 Payment amount display section 304, 314, 322, 332, 342, 364 Message display section 306 Selection button 310 Cash input instruction screen 320 End Reception Screen 324 Insert amount and change display section 326 End acceptance button 330 Credit card insertion instruction screen 334 Credit amount display section 340 Content confirmation screen 344 Credit settlement details display section 346 Confirm button 350 Alarm Screen 360 Payment Start Screen 366 Payment Start Button

Claims

1. A payment device in which a customer performs an operation to perform a payment process based on payment information related to a registered product to be purchased, A display control means for displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information; a settlement means for performing a settlement process by cash settlement based on the settlement information when money is inserted into a cash insertion slot before the operation of the selection button is accepted, The settlement means is a settlement device that does not perform the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting operation of the selection button.

2. The settlement device according to claim 1, The settlement device, wherein the other settlement method is credit card settlement or electronic money settlement.

3. The settlement device according to claim 1 or 2, When multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the operation of the selection button is accepted, the settlement device transmits notification information indicating that multiple attempts to insert a credit card have been made.

4. In the settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, When multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the selection button is operated, the display control means transitions to another screen.

5. In the settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, When the settlement information is received from the product registration device, the settlement process of the settlement information has not been performed.

6. a payment device in which a customer performs operation and performs payment processing based on payment information related to the registered product to be purchased; Displaying a screen including at least one selection button for a payment method including cash payment for the payment information; When money is inserted into the cash insertion slot before the operation of the selection button is accepted, a settlement process is performed by cash settlement based on the settlement information. A data processing method for a settlement device in which the settlement process is not performed using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting operation of the selection button.

7. A computer that realizes a payment device in which a customer performs an operation based on payment information related to a registered product to be purchased and performs a payment process, a step of displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information; when money is inserted into the cash insertion slot while the screen is being displayed and before the operation of the selection button is accepted, the screen is switched to a screen instructing the insertion of cash, and a settlement process is performed by cash settlement based on the settlement information. The program does not perform the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting operation of the selection button.

Images