POS register, program, and electronic money storage medium processing method

Abstract

To enable settlement to be completed in a short time even if payment to an electronic money card is performed in settlement at a POS register.SOLUTION: A POS register includes: clerk operation reception means that receives an operation made by a clerk; customer operation reception means that receives an operation that should be performed by a customer; and electronic money storage medium handling processing means that, when the customer operation reception means receives an operation instructing processing related to payment balance management of an electronic money storage medium between the receipt of an operation of registering a first commodity corresponding to one transaction and the receipt of a subtotal processing of instructing subtotaling of registered commodities, executes processing for the electronic money storage medium in accordance with the received instruction through communication with a reader / writer. The customer operation reception means performs display concerning a registered commodity by the clerk operation reception means, and receives an operation instructing processing related to the payment balance management of the electronic money storage medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a POS register, a program, and a method for processing an electronic money storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a POS register that has a cashier-side input unit where a store clerk (cashier) performs operations related to product registration, such as inputting product codes and determining transaction amounts, and a customer-side input unit where a customer performs operations related to payment (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a POS register is also called a face-to-face type, as the store clerk and the customer are positioned face-to-face with the POS register in between. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-104553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Electronic money cards have become widespread. Customers deposit (charge) funds into electronic money cards in advance, and when making a payment (settlement), the amount is deducted from the deposited amount. When paying with such an electronic money card, for example, the customer does not need to take cash out of their wallet and hand it to a store clerk, and the store clerk does not need to take change from the change machine and hand it to the customer. This has the advantage of reducing the time required for checkout.

[0005] However, when trying to make a payment using an electronic money card, for example, a customer may realize that the balance on the electronic money card is not enough to cover the purchase price, or may not be sure whether the balance on the electronic money card is sufficient to cover the purchase price. In such a case, if the customer wishes to make a payment using an electronic money card, the customer will ask the store clerk to check the balance on the electronic money card, and if the balance is insufficient, the clerk will add money to the electronic money card. After that, the customer can make the payment using the electronic money card with a balance that is equal to or greater than the purchase price. When a customer requests a store clerk to perform a transaction related to the management of the electronic money card's credit balance, such as checking the credit balance of the electronic money card or depositing money into the electronic money card, the customer requests a transaction related to the management of the electronic money card's credit balance. The store clerk, who is currently registering the items purchased by the customer, will then execute or accept the transaction related to the management of the electronic money card's credit balance in response to the customer's request. In this case, the store clerk will temporarily suspend (put on hold) the current transaction, such as the registration of the items, to perform the transaction related to the balance check or deposit requested by the customer. Once the transaction related to the management of the credit balance is completed, the store clerk will resume the transaction, such as the registration of the items, that was temporarily suspended (put on hold). This situation requires the store clerk to perform the transaction related to the management of the electronic money card's credit balance during the transaction, which requires time and effort, and delays the completion of the transaction with the customer.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to make it possible to shorten the time required to complete a transaction even when processing related to managing the deposited balance of an electronic money card is required when making a payment at a POS register. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a POS register comprising: a clerk operation acceptance means for accepting operations performed by a clerk, including operations related to the registration of products; a customer operation acceptance means for accepting operations to be performed by a customer, including operations related to the payment of registered products; and an electronic money storage medium processing means for, when the customer operation acceptance means accepts an operation instructing processing related to deposit balance management of an electronic money storage medium during the period from when the clerk operation acceptance means accepts an operation to register the first product corresponding to one transaction until when the customer operation acceptance means accepts a subtotal operation to indicate the subtotal of the registered products, executing processing on the electronic money storage medium in accordance with the instruction accepted by the customer operation acceptance means via communication with a reader / writer, wherein the customer operation acceptance means displays information about the products registered by the clerk operation acceptance means and further comprises a product registration status display means which is configured to accept an operation instructing processing related to deposit balance management of the electronic money storage medium.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned POS register, wherein the electronic money storage medium processing means may execute processing corresponding to the deposit of money into the electronic money storage medium via communication with a reader / writer when the customer operation accepting means accepts an operation by a customer to instruct the deposit of money into the electronic money storage medium during the period from when the store clerk operation accepting means accepts an operation to register the first item corresponding to one transaction until when the store clerk operation accepting means accepts a subtotal operation to indicate the subtotal of the registered items.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned POS register, wherein the electronic money storage medium processing means may execute a process of notifying the customer of the remaining deposit amount in the electronic money storage medium via communication with a reader / writer when the customer operation accepting means accepts an operation by the customer to instruct the customer to check the remaining deposit amount in the electronic money storage medium during the period from when the clerk operation accepting means accepts an operation to register the first item corresponding to one transaction until when the subtotal operation to indicate the subtotal of the registered items is accepted.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned POS register, wherein the customer operation accepting means may perform payment processing corresponding to the electronic money storage medium without accepting an operation specifying payment by electronic money if at least a deposit is made into the electronic money storage medium between the time when the store clerk operation accepting means accepts an operation to register the first item corresponding to one transaction and the time when the store clerk operation accepting means accepts a subtotal operation indicating the subtotal of the registered items.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned POS register, which may further include a payment means for performing a cash-compatible payment process corresponding to the deposited cash when cash is deposited as payment for the registered goods, and for performing an electronic money-compatible payment process by deducting the price from the deposit balance of an electronic money storage medium that communicates with the reader / writer when an operation specifying payment by electronic money is accepted by the customer operation acceptance means. Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as an electronic money storage medium processing means which includes a clerk operation acceptance means for accepting operations performed by a clerk, including operations related to the registration of products; a customer operation acceptance means for accepting operations to be performed by a customer, including operations related to the payment of registered products; and, when the customer operation acceptance means accepts an operation instructing processing related to the management of the deposit balance of an electronic money storage medium during the period from when the clerk operation acceptance means accepts an operation to register the first product corresponding to a transaction until when the customer operation acceptance means accepts a subtotal operation to indicate the subtotal of the registered products, executes processing on the electronic money storage medium in accordance with the instruction accepted by the customer operation acceptance means via communication with a reader / writer, wherein the customer operation acceptance means displays information about the products registered by the clerk operation acceptance means and further includes a product registration status display means which is configured to accept an operation to instruct processing related to the management of the deposit balance of the electronic money storage medium. Another aspect of the present invention is a method for processing an electronic money storage medium in a POS register, the method comprising: a clerk operation reception step for receiving operations performed by a clerk, including operations related to the registration of products; a customer operation reception step for receiving operations to be performed by a customer, including operations related to the payment of registered products; and an electronic money storage medium processing step for, when the customer operation reception step receives an operation instructing processing related to deposit balance management of the electronic money storage medium during the period from when the clerk operation reception step receives an operation to register the first product corresponding to one transaction until when the customer operation reception step receives a subtotal operation to indicate the subtotal of the registered products, executing processing on the electronic money storage medium in accordance with the instruction received by the customer operation reception step via communication with a reader / writer, wherein the customer operation reception step displays information about the products registered by the clerk operation reception step and further includes a product registration status step that receives an operation instructing processing related to deposit balance management of the electronic money storage medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, according to the present invention, even when processing related to managing the deposited balance of an electronic money card is required when making a payment at a POS register, the effect of being able to shorten the time required to complete the transaction is obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a POS register according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the side where a store clerk is standing (rear). [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a POS register according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the side where a customer stands (from the front). [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the POS register shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the POS register shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS register according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration status screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a deposit operation screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a deposit balance confirmation screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment guide screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic money card usage guide screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic money payment completion screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by a POS register in the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following describes a POS register (product sales data processing device) as one embodiment of the present invention. The POS register of this embodiment is a face-to-face type in which a store clerk who operates the POS register to register products and a customer who operates the POS register to pay for the products face each other. First, an example of the appearance of the POS register of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a POS register 100 of this embodiment installed on a counter 200, as seen from the side where a store clerk (operator) who operates the POS register 100 is standing. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the POS register 100 of this embodiment installed on a counter 200, as seen from the side where a customer is standing. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the POS register 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the POS register 100 shown in FIG.

[0015] In the following description, the side of the POS register 100 where a customer stands may be referred to as the front side of the POS register 100, and the side of the POS register 100 where a store clerk stands may be referred to as the rear side of the POS register 100.

[0016] 1 to 4, the POS register 100 of this embodiment includes a change dispenser unit 101, an operation unit 103, a POS register main body 105, a printer 107, a scanner 108, and a reader / writer 109. Note that the reader / writer 109 is shown only in Fig. 4 for the sake of simplicity in order to avoid cluttering the illustrations in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0017] The change machine unit 101 includes a change machine having a coin insertion / discharge section 121a and a housing 110. The change machine is used by customers to make payments. The change machine is stored in the housing 110 with the coin insertion / discharge section 121a exposed on the front side.

[0018] Furthermore, housing 110 has a structure that allows it to be placed on a mounting plate. A structure that allows housing 110 to be placed on a mounting plate is, for example, a structure in which the bottom surface of housing 110 has a shape that allows housing 110 to be stably positioned on the mounting plate when housing 110 is placed on the mounting plate. Note that, for example, a configuration in which rubber feet or the like are provided at the four corners of the bottom surface of housing 110 also allows housing 110 to be placed on a mounting plate. In the above-mentioned figures, the placement plate on which the housing 110 is placed is the table 203 of the counter 200.

[0019] The money receiving and discharging section 121a is a section used by customers to, for example, pay the bill and receive change. The money receiving and discharging section 121a is provided with a bill receiving slot, a coin receiving slot, a bill discharging slot, and a coin discharging slot.

[0020] The operation unit 103 includes a touch panel display unit 131 and a keyboard 132 for use by a store clerk for operation. As shown in the figure, the clerk touch panel display unit 131 and keyboard 132 are installed so that the parts where operations are performed face the position where the clerk is standing. In other words, the clerk touch panel display unit 131 and keyboard 132 are positioned in an orientation that allows them to be operated by a clerk positioned behind the POS register 100. The operation unit 103 also includes a customer touch panel display unit 133. The customer touch panel display unit 133 displays product registration details, accounting information, and the like to the customer, and is the area where the customer performs payment-related operations. As shown in the figure, the customer touch panel display unit 133 is positioned so that the screen faces the side (front) where the customer is standing.

[0021] Operation unit 103 is configured by unitizing (integrating) the above-mentioned touch panel display unit for clerk 131, keyboard 132, and touch panel display unit for customer 133. Operation unit 103 thus unitized is attached to the top surface of housing 110. At this time, operation unit 103 is fixed to housing 110 by, for example, screwing it in at a predetermined position not shown in the above drawings.

[0022] Furthermore, operation unit 103 is disposed near the front of the top surface of housing 110. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3, a surface portion having a certain area or more where nothing is placed, i.e., article placement surface portion 115, is formed on the rear side of the top surface of housing 110. Article placement surface portion 115 is used as a place where, for example, a store clerk places articles such as products to be registered and scanner 108.

[0023] The POS register main body 105 is a central unit of the POS register 100, and executes various processes related to product registration and settlement in response to operations performed on the clerk touch panel display unit 131 or keyboard 132.

[0024] The POS register main unit 105 controls the operation of the change dispenser in the change dispenser unit 101. The POS register main unit 105 can also register products using code data based on barcodes read by the scanner 108. The POS register main unit 105 can also control the printer 107 to print receipts and the like.

[0025] 1, the POS register main unit 105 is installed between shelves provided on the side of the stand 201 of the counter 200 where the store clerk stands. In other words, the POS register main unit 105 is installed in a location that is not visible to customers and does not get in the way of the store clerk.

[0026] The POS register main body 105 and the change dispenser in the change dispenser unit 101 are communicably connected via a cable. The POS register main body 105 and the operation unit 103 are also communicably connected via a cable. 1 and 3 show a state in which the cable CBL is pulled out from the rear side surface of the housing 110. The cable CBL here collectively represents a cable that connects the change machine unit 101 and the POS register main body 105, and a cable that connects the operation unit 103 and the POS register main body 105. The printer 107 may also be connected to the POS register main body 105 by a cable. The scanner 108 may also be connected to the POS register main body 105 by a cable. The cable connecting the printer 107 and the POS register main body 105 and the cable connecting the scanner 108 and the POS register main body 105 may also be bundled together so as to be included in the cable CBL. 1 and 3, the cable CBL drawn out from the rear side of the housing 110 is connected to the POS register main body 105 on the side of the counter 200 where the store clerk stands. In this way, the cable CBL connecting the change dispenser unit 101 and operation unit 103 to the POS register main body 105 is also routed in a manner that is not visible to customers. Note that communication between at least one of the change dispenser, the operation unit 103, etc. and the POS register main body 105 may be performed wirelessly instead of via a cable.

[0027] As described above, the printer 107 prints receipts and the like under the control of the POS register main unit 105. Note that the printer 107 may also be configured to print receipts and the like.

[0028] Some stores manage product information (such as product name and price) by printing barcodes on product packaging or by attaching labels with printed barcodes to products. The scanner 108 acquires code data by reading the barcode attached to the product in this way. The acquired code data is input, for example, by the POS register main unit 105. The POS register main unit 105 collates the input code data with data such as a product master to identify the product name, price, etc., and executes product registration processing using the identified product name, price, etc.

[0029] The reader / writer 109 is a device that communicates with an IC (Integrated Circuit) card serving as the electronic money card 300, thereby reading and writing data in accordance with the electronic money card 300. The electronic money card 300 is used, for example, by depositing money in advance, and then deducting the payment amount from the deposited amount when making a payment. In this embodiment, the reader / writer 109 communicates with the electronic money card 300 in a contactless manner.

[0030] The reader / writer 109 transmits the data read from the electronic money card 300 to the POS register main unit 105. The POS register main unit 105 executes processing according to the transmitted read data from the electronic money card 300, and outputs data to be written to the electronic money card 300 to the reader / writer 109. The reader / writer 109 writes the data transmitted from the POS register main unit 105 to the electronic money card 300 of the other party of communication. As described above, the reader / writer 109 reads and writes data from and to the electronic money card 300, so that the POS register 100 of this embodiment can perform accounting processing corresponding to payment (settlement) of the price using the electronic money card 300.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS register 100. In the figure, the same parts as those in Figs. 1 to 4 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted. As shown in the figure, the POS register 100 is configured to include a change dispenser unit 101, an operation unit 103, a POS register main body 105, a printer 107, a scanner 108, and a reader / writer 109, all of which have been explained in Figs. 1 to 4.

[0032] First, we will explain the configuration of the POS register main unit 105. The POS register main unit 105 shown in the figure includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 151, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 152, a storage unit 153, an input / output unit 154, and a network interface 155. The CPU 151, RAM 152, storage unit 153, input / output unit 154, and network interface 155 are connected via a bus 156.

[0033] The CPU 151 executes a program stored in the storage unit 153 to perform control for realizing various functions of the POS register 100 . The RAM 152 is a main storage device corresponding to the CPU 151, and is used as a work area when the CPU 151 executes processing. The storage unit 153 is an auxiliary storage device corresponding to the CPU 151, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 151. The input / output unit 154 is a part that inputs and outputs data or signals between the POS register 100 and units other than the POS register main body 105 (change machine unit 101, operation unit 103) and devices (printer 107, scanner 108, reader / writer 109). The network interface 155 communicates with other devices in the store (such as a master device, other POS registers, or a store clerk's mobile terminal) via, for example, a local area network (LAN) within the store. For example, by connecting to a master device or the like via a network, the POS register 100 of this embodiment can function as a point-of-sale (POS) register.

[0034] The change machine 120 in the change machine unit 101 is connected to the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 so as to be able to input and output data or signals therebetween.

[0035] The operation unit 103 also includes an input / output unit 134, as well as a touch panel display unit 131 for store clerks, a keyboard 132, and a touch panel display unit 133 for customers. The input / output unit 134 is a part that inputs and outputs data or signals between the clerk touch panel display unit 131, keyboard 132, and customer touch panel display unit 133 that are provided on the operation unit 103, and the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105.

[0036] In addition, the same figure shows an example in which a printer 107, a scanner 108, and a reader / writer 109 external to the operation unit 103 are connected to the input / output unit 134. That is, the input / output unit 134 shown in the figure is adapted to input and output data or signals between the printer 107 and the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 . The input / output unit 134 also inputs and outputs data or signals between the scanner 108 and the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 . The input / output unit 134 is adapted to input and output data or signals between the reader / writer 109 and the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 . At least one of the printer 107, the scanner 108, and the reader / writer 109 may be configured to be connected to the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 without going through the input / output unit 134 of the operation unit 103.

[0037] In addition, the communication line for connecting the change machine 120 in the same figure to the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 and the communication line for connecting to the input / output unit 134 of the operation unit 103 are physically included in the cable CBL shown in Figure 1.

[0038] As described above, the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 is connected to the change machine 120, so that the CPU 151 of the POS register main body 105 can control the change machine 120. Furthermore, by connecting the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 to the input / output unit 134 of the operation unit 103, the CPU 151 of the POS register main body 105 can input an operation signal corresponding to an operation performed on the clerk touch panel display unit 131 or the keyboard 132, and execute a predetermined process in response to the operation. The CPU 151 can also execute display control for the clerk touch panel display unit 131 and the customer touch panel display unit 133. Furthermore, by connecting the input / output unit 154 of the POS register main body 105 to the input / output unit 134 of the operation unit 103, the CPU 151 can control the printer 107. The CPU 151 can also input code data corresponding to a barcode read by the scanner 108. The CPU 151 can also input data read from the electronic money card 300 by the reader / writer 109, and can perform control so that the reader / writer 109 can write the data to the electronic money card 300.

[0039] A basic example of how the POS register 100 having the configuration described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 is used in a store will be described. Note that the explanation here will be given taking as an example a case where the store in which the POS register 100 is installed is a bakery shop. At a bakery shop, a customer selects the bread they wish to purchase from the breads on display and places it on a tray. To purchase the selected bread, the customer carries the tray with the bread up to the counter where the POS register 100 is installed. At this time, the customer stands in front of the POS register 100, with the coin insertion / discharge unit 121a facing the counter. The customer then hands the tray with the bread they wish to purchase to a store clerk standing behind the POS register 100.

[0040] While checking the products on the tray, the store clerk operates the store clerk touch panel display 131, keyboard 132, or scanner 108 on the operation unit 103 to register the products and calculate the total price of the registered products in the POS register 100. In response to these operations, the CPU 151 in the POS register main body 105 executes the product registration process. The CPU 151 also executes control to cause the store clerk touch panel display 131 to display the details of the registered products, the total price of the registered products, and other information as needed. The CPU 151 also controls the customer touch panel display 133 to display predetermined information to be presented to the customer, including the details of the registered products and the total price of the registered products.

[0041] After checking the total amount, the customer can pay the price in cash (settlement) as follows: The customer deposits money (banknotes and coins) in an amount equal to or greater than the total amount through the banknote deposit slot or coin deposit slot of the money deposit and discharge unit 121a. As the money is deposited as described above, the change dispenser 120 in the change dispenser unit 101 detects the type of the deposited money and the number of each type, and transmits deposited money information indicating the detection results to the POS register main body 105. The CPU 151 of the POS register main body 105 calculates the total amount of the deposited money (deposit) based on the received deposited money information. The change dispenser 120 may calculate the deposit amount and transmit the calculated deposit amount to the POS register main body 105.

[0042] If the calculated deposit is equal to the total amount, no change is required. In this case, the CPU 151 in the POS register main body 105 executes control so that the printer 107 prints a receipt without discharging change from the change dispenser 120. On the other hand, if the calculated deposit is more than the total amount, the CPU 151 in the POS register main body 105 subtracts the total amount from the deposit to calculate the amount of change. Then, the CPU 151 controls the change dispenser 120 so that currency equivalent to the calculated amount is dispensed as change from the banknote discharge port and coin discharge port of the currency insertion and dispensing unit 121a. The customer receives the dispensed currency as change. In the following description, the process executed by the CPU 151 in response to a cash payment as described above will also be referred to as a cash-enabled payment process.

[0043] The customer can also pay (settle) the price using an electronic money card 300 (an example of an electronic money storage medium). The electronic money storage medium is a storage medium that has a function for depositing and withdrawing electronic money (depositing and paying). For example, RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) is used as the electronic money storage medium. In this embodiment, payment can also be made using a smartphone, mobile phone, or other device that functions as an electronic money storage medium. However, for ease of understanding, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where payment is made using an electronic money card 300, which is a card-type electronic money storage medium.

[0044] When paying using the electronic money card 300, the customer performs an operation on the touch panel display unit 131 for store clerk to select the use of the electronic money card 300 as the payment method (electronic money card use selection operation), for example. In response to the operation of selecting the use of the electronic money card, the CPU 151 executes a payment process corresponding to the use of the electronic money card 300 (hereinafter also referred to as electronic money compatible payment process). That is, CPU 151 displays, on customer touch panel display unit 133, a payment-related screen corresponding to payment using electronic money card 300. The customer checks the payment amount and other information displayed on the displayed payment-related screen, and holds electronic money card 300 over reader / writer 109 to cause communication between reader / writer 109 and electronic money card 300. The reader / writer 109 reads data necessary for payment, such as data on the credit balance, from the electronic money card 300, and outputs the read data to the CPU 151. As a payment process using the input data, the CPU 151 subtracts (subtracts) the subtotal from the credit balance indicated by the input data, for example. The CPU 151 outputs write data to the reader / writer 109, including the value of the credit balance after subtracting the subtotal. The reader / writer 109 writes the input write data to the electronic money card 300. As a result, the credit balance on the electronic money card 300 is reduced in accordance with the price of the product purchased by the customer. In this way, payment is made using the electronic money card 300.

[0045] By using the POS register 100 of this embodiment in this way, the transaction for the bread that the customer purchases can be carried out face-to-face between the customer and the store clerk. Furthermore, with the POS register 100 of this embodiment, payment of the price and receipt of change are carried out between the customer and the money deposit / ejection unit 121a, and money is not handed over between the customer and the store clerk. In other words, the store clerk does not need to handle cash or the electronic money card 300 in his / her hand. This eliminates the need for the store clerk to hold bread in the hand that is holding the cash or the electronic money card 300, improving hygiene.

[0046] Furthermore, the POS register 100 in this embodiment can accept operations to deposit (charge) money into the customer's electronic money card 300 and execute the deposit process until the customer's transaction corresponding to the product registration is completed, specifically, during the period from when the operation to register the first product is accepted until when the subtotal operation to indicate the subtotal of the registered products is accepted (product registration period). That is, with the POS register of this embodiment, a customer who has registered a product can deposit money into the electronic money card 300 in parallel with the store clerk performing the operation to register the product. When a customer attempts to deposit money into the electronic money card 300 when the store clerk does not simultaneously register the product and deposit the money into the electronic money card 300, the customer first completes the product registration and calculates the subtotal, and then asks the store clerk to deposit the money into the electronic money card 300. After this, the customer makes the payment using the electronic money card 300 into which the money has been deposited. In this case, the payment takes a long time because the money is deposited into the electronic money card 300 between the product registration and the payment using the electronic money card 300. In contrast to this, in this embodiment, money is deposited into the electronic money card 300 while the product is being registered, so once the product has been registered, payment can be made immediately using the electronic money card 300. In other words, according to this embodiment, even if money is deposited into the electronic money card 300 at the time of payment, the payment can be completed in a short time.

[0047] Hereinafter, a configuration for enabling depositing money into the electronic money card 300 when a product is being registered in the POS register 100 of this embodiment will be described. First, FIG. 6 shows one of the payment-related screens displayed on the customer touch panel display unit 133, and shows an example of a product registration status screen that is displayed when a store clerk is registering a product. The product registration status screen in the figure shows the status of product registration. The product registration status screen has a registered product display area AR1 and a total price display area AR2. The registered product display area AR1 and the total price display area AR2 show the status of product registration.

[0048] The registered product display area AR1 displays the quantity and price of each product that has been registered by the store clerk. For example, the content of the registered product display area AR1 changes each time a new product is registered to display the content corresponding to the registered product. The total amount display area AR2 displays the number of products that have been registered up to now, the total amount corresponding to the registered products, etc. The contents of the total amount display area AR2 change so that the number and total amount increase according to the registered product each time a new product is registered. The customer can check the contents displayed in the registered product display area AR1 and the total amount display area AR2 to see if there are any errors in the products he or she has purchased and the product registration results.

[0049] Furthermore, on the product registration status screen, a deposit instruction button BT1 and a deposit balance confirmation button BT2 are also arranged. The deposit instruction button BT1 is a button that the customer operates to instruct a deposit into the electronic money card 300. The deposit balance confirmation button BT2 is a button that the customer operates to instruct a confirmation of the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300. Here, the product registration status screen is a payment-related screen that is displayed from the start of product registration until the subtotal amount is confirmed, i.e., while product registration is being performed. The deposit instruction button BT1 and deposit balance confirmation button BT2 are located on the product registration status screen. As a result, in this embodiment, while product registration is being performed, the customer can perform operations to deposit money into the electronic money card 300 or check the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300.

[0050] Here, an example is taken of a case where a customer notices that the amount deposited on the electronic money card 300 has decreased while the product is being registered, and wants to deposit money into the electronic money card 300. In this case, while the product is being registered, the customer performs a touch operation by touching the deposit instruction button BT1 arranged on the product registration status screen displayed on the customer touch panel display unit 133 with their finger. Then, the customer holds their electronic money card 300 over the reader / writer 109, causing communication between the reader / writer 109 and the electronic money card 300. When the deposit instruction button BT1 is touched as described above and communication between the reader / writer 109 and the electronic money card 300 becomes possible, the customer touch panel display unit 133 transitions from displaying the product registration status screen to displaying the deposit operation screen.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows an example of a deposit operation screen displayed on the customer touch panel display unit 133. The deposit operation screen in the figure has a deposit balance display area AR11. The deposit balance display area AR11 shows the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300. In the deposit balance display area AR11 at a stage where no deposit has been made yet, the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300 before the deposit is made is shown. The figure shows an example in which "120 yen" is displayed as the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300 before the deposit.

[0052] Furthermore, on the deposit operation screen, deposit amount selection buttons BT11, BT12, BT13, and BT 14 are arranged. The deposit amount selection buttons BT11, BT12, BT13, and BT 14 are buttons for selecting the amount to deposit into the electronic money card 300, respectively. A customer who wishes to deposit money into the electronic money card 300 touches a deposit amount selection button that indicates the amount that the customer wishes to deposit from among the deposit amount selection buttons BT11, BT12, BT13, and BT14. The CPU 151 sets the amount corresponding to the deposit amount selection button that has been touched as the deposit amount.

[0053] After touching the deposit amount selection button, the customer deposits cash equivalent to the deposit amount selected by touching the deposit amount selection button into the banknote deposit slot or coin deposit slot in the money deposit and discharge section 121a to deposit money into the electronic money card 300. For example, if a customer wants to deposit 5,000 yen, the customer touches the deposit amount selection button BT12 and deposits 5,000 yen in cash into the bill insertion slot or coin insertion slot of the money insertion / dispensing unit 121a.

[0054] The deposit operation screen includes a deposit amount display area AR12, which displays the amount of cash deposited by the customer. The amount displayed in the deposit amount display area AR12 shows 0 yen when the deposit operation screen is initially displayed. Then, when a customer inserts cash into the banknote slot or coin slot of the currency deposit and discharge unit 121a after touching the deposit amount selection button, the amount displayed in the deposit amount display area AR12 increases according to the amount inserted. In this case, when the amount of cash inserted reaches the deposit amount selected in response to operation of the deposit amount selection button, the selected deposit amount is displayed in the deposit amount display area AR12, and, for example, the currency deposit and discharge unit 121a enters a state where it cannot accept any more cash deposits.

[0055] Alternatively, in the deposit amount display area AR12, in response to operation of the deposit amount selection button, the deposit amount selected in response to operation of the deposit amount selection button may be presented, and then as the customer deposits cash into the currency deposit and discharge unit 121a, the remaining deposit amount (the amount obtained by subtracting the amount deposited from the selected deposit amount) may be displayed. In this case, when the amount of cash deposited reaches the deposit amount selected in response to operation of the deposit amount selection button, the deposit amount display area AR12 shows 0 yen, and, for example, the currency deposit and discharge unit 121a enters a state in which it will not accept any more cash deposits. The deposit balance displayed in the deposit balance display area AR11 may also be configured to increase in accordance with the amount of cash deposited.

[0056] The CPU 151 controls the display in the deposit amount display area AR12 and the deposit balance display area AR11 in response to the operation of the deposit amount selection button and the insertion of cash into the currency insertion / ejection unit 121a. That is, the CPU 151 recognizes the deposit amount by inputting an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the deposit amount selection button from the customer touch panel display unit 133. Furthermore, information indicating the denomination and number of cash pieces inserted into the coin insertion / discharge unit 121a is transmitted from the change dispenser 120 to the CPU 151. The CPU 151 calculates the deposited cash based on the denomination and number of cash pieces received from the change dispenser 120. The CPU 151 can display the amounts in the deposit amount display area AR12 and the deposit balance display area AR11 using the recognized deposit amount and the calculation result of the deposited cash.

[0057] Then, when the cash deposit corresponding to the deposit amount selected by operating the deposit amount selection button is completed, the deposit balance display area AR11 displays the deposit amount obtained by adding the current deposit amount to the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300 before this deposit. As a specific example, if the amount of the deposit this time is 5,000 yen, 5,120 yen will be displayed in the deposit balance display area AR11 at the stage when the cash deposit is completed. When the customer confirms that the deposit balance displayed in the deposit balance display area AR11 is correct, they press the "Back" button BT16 on the deposit operation screen. In response to the operation of the "Back" button BT16, the customer touch panel display unit 133 switches to displaying the product registration status screen shown in Fig. 6. When the display switches to the product registration status screen in this way, the registered product display area AR1 reflects the product that was most recently registered, and the total amount display area AR2 displays the number of products registered up to that point and the total amount. The "Back" button BT16 can also be operated when, for example, a deposit operation screen is displayed, but the customer wants to stop depositing money into the electronic money card 300 without operating the deposit amount selection button and return to the product registration status screen.

[0058] Also, for example, if a customer wants to interrupt the deposit of cash into the electronic money card 300 while depositing cash after operating the deposit amount selection button on the deposit operation screen, the customer can simply operate the "Cancel" button BT15. In response to the operation of the "Cancel" button BT15, the CPU 151 suspends the deposit process that has been performed so far. Specifically, the CPU 151 causes the cash that has been deposited so far to be dispensed from the currency insertion / dispensing unit 121a, and switches the display on the customer touch panel display unit 133 to a product registration status screen.

[0059] Furthermore, when a product has been registered and the product registration status screen (FIG. 6) is displayed on the customer touch panel display unit 133, if the customer wishes to check the remaining balance of the electronic money card 300, the customer touches the remaining balance check button BT2. Furthermore, the customer holds the electronic money card 300 over the reader / writer 109, thereby enabling communication between the reader / writer 109 and the electronic money card 300.

[0060] When the deposit balance confirmation button BT2 is touched as described above and the reader / writer 109 and the electronic money card 300 are able to communicate with each other, the display on the customer touch panel display unit 133 switches from the product registration status screen to the deposit balance confirmation screen. 8 shows an example of a deposit balance confirmation screen. The deposit balance confirmation screen in the same figure has a deposit balance display area AR21 arranged therein. The deposit balance of the electronic money card 300 is displayed in the deposit balance display area AR21. The electronic money card 300 whose deposit balance is displayed in the deposit balance display area AR21 is the electronic money card 300 whose data has been read by the reader / writer 109 when held over the reader / writer 109.

[0061] Furthermore, a deposit instruction button BT21 is provided on the deposit balance confirmation screen. The deposit instruction button BT21 is a button that is operated to instruct a deposit into the electronic money card 300. For example, if the deposit balance displayed in the deposit balance display area AR21 on the deposit balance confirmation screen is lower than expected and the customer wants to deposit money into the electronic money card 300, the customer can simply touch the deposit instruction button BT21. That is, if the customer checks the deposit balance on the deposit balance confirmation screen and determines that it is necessary to deposit money into the electronic money card 300, the customer can issue a deposit instruction operation from the same deposit balance confirmation screen. In other words, the customer does not need to take the troublesome procedure of returning the display on the customer touch panel display unit 133 from the deposit balance confirmation screen to the product registration status screen and then operating the deposit instruction button BT1.

[0062] When the deposit instruction button BT21 on the deposit balance confirmation screen is touched, the display on the customer touch panel display unit 133 switches from the deposit balance confirmation screen of FIG. 8 to the deposit operation screen of FIG. The customer can then deposit the required amount by performing the same operations as described above on the displayed deposit operation screen. Once the deposit into the electronic money card 300 is complete, the display on the customer touch panel display unit 133 also returns to the product registration status screen in Fig. 6. Even when the display switches to the product registration status screen in this way, the registered product display area AR1 still reflects the product that was most recently registered, and the total amount display area AR2 still displays the number of products and the total amount that have been registered up to that point. Furthermore, if the customer wishes to return from the deposit balance confirmation screen to the product registration status screen without depositing money into the electronic money card, the customer can simply operate the "Back" button BT22.

[0063] Then, when product registration is complete, the store clerk performs an operation to output the subtotal (subtotal operation: for example, operation on the subtotal button on the store clerk touch panel display unit 131 or keyboard 132). In response to the subtotal operation, a payment guide screen, which is one of the payment-related screens, is displayed on the customer touch panel display unit 133. FIG. 9 shows an example of a payment guide screen. The payment guide screen in FIG. 9 includes a payment amount display area AR31. The payment amount display area AR31 displays the number of products registered for the customer and the total price of the registered products. The total price displayed in the payment amount display area AR31 is the price the customer must pay.

[0064] The customer can pay (settle) the price by either cash or electronic money card 300. First, when paying with cash, the customer deposits cash as payment into the money deposit / discharge unit 121a while the payment guide screen is displayed. When cash is inserted into the money insertion / ejection unit 121a in this way, the CPU 151 determines that payment by cash has been selected as the payment method, and performs a payment process corresponding to the inserted cash (cash-compatible payment process).

[0065] On the other hand, when making a payment using the electronic money card 300, the customer touches the electronic money payment selection button BT31 on the payment guide screen. When the electronic money payment selection button BT31 is touched, the CPU 151 determines that the use of the electronic money card 300 has been selected as the payment method, and performs payment processing corresponding to the electronic money card 300 (electronic money compatible payment processing).

[0066] When the electronic money payment selection button BT31 is operated and electronic money payment processing is performed, the customer touch panel display unit 133 switches from displaying the payment guidance screen of Figure 9 to displaying the electronic money card usage guidance screen of Figure 10. The electronic money card usage guide screen includes a payment amount display area AR41. Similar to the payment amount display area AR31 on the payment guide screen, the payment amount display area AR41 displays the number of products registered for the customer and the total price of the registered products. Also, on the electronic money card usage guidance screen, guidance is displayed urging the customer to hold the electronic money card 300 over the reader / writer 109 so that the electronic money card 300 and the reader / writer 109 can communicate with each other.

[0067] The customer then holds the electronic money card 300 over the reader / writer 109. When the electronic money card 300 is held over the reader / writer 109 and communication between the electronic money card 300 and the reader / writer 109 becomes possible, the CPU 151 executes electronic money settlement processing. That is, the reader / writer 109 reads data necessary for settlement, such as data on the credit balance, from the electronic money card 300, and outputs the read data to the CPU 151. Then, the CPU 151 performs control so that, for example, the subtotal amount is subtracted from the credit balance indicated by the input data, and the amount after the deduction is written by the reader / writer 109 as the credit balance.

[0068] When payment using an electronic money card cannot be made normally due to a malfunction of reader / writer 109 or the like, the customer can call a store clerk by touching store clerk call button BT41 arranged on the electronic money card usage guidance screen. When store clerk call button BT41 is operated, for example, a notification is displayed on store clerk touch panel display unit 131, thereby informing the store clerk that the customer has called the store clerk.

[0069] When the electronic money payment process is completed, the display on the customer touch panel display unit 133 switches from the electronic money card usage guide screen of FIG. 10 to the electronic money payment completion screen of FIG. The electronic money payment completion screen includes a payment amount display area AR51, a pre-payment balance display area AR52, and a post-payment balance display area AR53. The payment amount display area AR51 displays the number of products to be paid and the total amount (the amount to be paid by the customer). The pre-payment balance display area AR52 displays the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300 before a payment corresponding to the use of the electronic money card is made. The post-payment balance display area AR53 displays the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300 after a payment corresponding to the use of the electronic money card has been made. The customer can check whether there are any errors in the payment processing results by looking at the contents displayed in the payment amount display area AR51, the pre-payment balance display area AR52, and the post-payment balance display area AR53. The electronic money payment completion screen also displays a message urging the customer to receive a receipt showing the payment processing results.

[0070] Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS register 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S101: The CPU 151 in the POS register 100 waits for the first (first) product registration operation corresponding to one transaction to be performed. The product registration operation may be an operation by a store clerk on the store clerk touch panel display unit 131 or keyboard 132, or an operation by the scanner 108 to read a barcode attached to a product. Step S102: In response to the first product registration operation corresponding to step S101, the CPU 151 performs a product registration process for the product that is the target of the first product registration operation. The product registration process is a process of acquiring, for example, the number of products to be registered, the product name, the price (unit price), etc. Step S103: Furthermore, in response to the first product registration operation corresponding to step S101, the CPU 151 causes the customer touch panel display unit 133 to display a product registration status screen. Note that the CPU 151 also performs display control to cause the store clerk touch panel display unit 131 to display a screen showing the product registration status in response to the product registration operation. However, in the same figure, for the convenience of making the explanation of the processing of the POS register 100 easier to understand, illustration of the display control processing corresponding to the store clerk touch panel display unit 131 is omitted.

[0071] Step S104: After executing the processes of steps S102 and S103 in response to the first product registration operation as described above, the CPU 151 determines whether or not a second or subsequent product registration operation has been performed. Step S105: If it is determined in step S104 that the second or subsequent product registration operation has been performed, the CPU 151 executes product registration processing in accordance with the product registration operation performed in response to step S104. At this time, if the product registration status screen is displayed on the customer touch panel display unit 133, the CPU 151 reflects the results of the product registration process performed up to that point in the registered product display area AR1 and the total amount display area AR2.

[0072] Step S106: After the product registration process in step S105 is completed, or if it is determined in step S104 that a product registration operation has not been performed, the CPU 151 determines whether a deposit confirmation instruction operation has been performed. The deposit confirmation instruction operation here refers to a touch operation on the deposit balance confirmation button BT2 located on the product registration status screen while the product registration status screen in Fig. 6 is displayed.

[0073] Step S107: When a deposit confirmation instruction operation is performed, CPU 151 executes a process to display the deposit balance confirmation screen of Fig. 8 on customer touch panel display unit 133. At this time, CPU 151 acquires the deposit balance contained in the data read from electronic money card 300 by reader / writer 109. CPU 151 displays the deposit balance confirmation screen on customer touch panel display unit 133, in which the acquired deposit balance amount is shown in deposit balance display area AR21.

[0074] Step S108: After displaying the deposit balance confirmation screen in step S107, the CPU 151 determines whether or not an operation to end the display of the deposit balance confirmation screen has been performed. The operation to end the display of the deposit balance confirmation screen is an operation on the "Back" button BT22 on the deposit balance confirmation screen.

[0075] Step S109: If no operation has been performed to end the display of the deposit balance confirmation screen, CPU 151 determines whether or not a further deposit instruction operation has been performed. The deposit instruction operation determined in step S109 is an operation on the deposit instruction button BT21 on the deposit balance confirmation screen. If no deposit instruction operation has been performed, CPU 151 returns the process to step S108.

[0076] Step S110: If the deposit balance check instruction operation was not performed in the previous step S106, the CPU 151 determines whether or not a deposit instruction operation was performed while the product registration status screen was displayed. The deposit instruction operation determined in step S110 is an operation on the deposit instruction button BT1 on the product registration status screen.

[0077] Step S111: When it is determined in either step S109 or step S110 that a deposit instruction operation has been performed, the CPU 151 performs a deposit process. In the deposit process, the CPU 151 displays the deposit operation screen of Fig. 7 on the customer touch panel display unit 133. Then, as described in Fig. 7, when cash corresponding to the deposit amount selected by touching the deposit amount selection button is inserted into the coin insertion / ejection unit 121a, the CPU 151 increases the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300 according to the deposit amount.

[0078] Step S112: When the deposit process in step S111 is completed, or when an operation to end the display of the deposit balance confirmation screen is performed in step S108, the CPU 151 controls the customer touch panel display unit 133 to switch from displaying the previous deposit operation screen or deposit balance confirmation screen to displaying the product registration status screen.

[0079] Step S113: After executing the process of step S112, or if it is determined in step S110 that a deposit instruction operation has not been performed, CPU 151 determines whether a subtotal operation has been performed. As described above, a subtotal operation is an operation performed by a store clerk on store clerk touch panel display unit 131 or keyboard 132 to instruct output of the subtotal of the products that have been registered up to that point. If it is determined that a subtotal operation has not been performed, the CPU 151 returns the process to step S104.

[0080] Step S114: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S113 that a subtotal operation has been performed, the CPU 151 causes the customer touch panel display unit 133 to display a payment guide screen (FIG. 9). Step S115: With the payment guide screen displayed, the CPU 151 determines whether electronic money or cash has been selected as the payment method (method of paying the price).

[0081] Step S116: When the customer deposits cash as payment into the coin deposit / withdrawal unit 121a while the payment guidance screen is displayed, the change dispenser 120 sends a notification to the CPU 151 that cash has been deposited (cash deposit notification). When the CPU 151 receives the cash insertion notification, it determines that cash has been selected as the payment method. In this case, the CPU 151 executes a cash-enabled payment process. That is, if the amount of the inserted cash is the same as the payment amount, the CPU 151 accepts the inserted cash as the payment amount and causes the printer 107 to print a receipt indicating the result of the payment process. Furthermore, if the amount of cash inserted is greater than the price, control is performed to eject the change from the coin insertion / ejection unit 121a, and then a receipt showing the settlement processing results, including processing corresponding to the change, is printed by the printer 107.

[0082] Step S117: On the other hand, when the electronic money payment selection button BT31 arranged on the payment guidance screen is operated, CPU 151 determines that the electronic money payment method has been selected. Therefore, in this case, CPU 151 performs electronic money payment processing. In the electronic money payment processing, CPU 151 displays an electronic money card usage guidance screen on customer touch panel display unit 133, and displays an electronic money payment completion screen upon completion of payment.

[0083] By carrying out the processing as described above, from the time when the registration of products for one transaction begins until the subtotal operation is performed (while the products are being registered), the customer can deposit money into the electronic money card 300 and check the deposit balance on the electronic money card 300 by performing the operation themselves.

[0084] Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described. In the processing procedure shown in Fig. 12, regardless of whether the electronic money card 300 is charged while the product is being registered, when the customer makes a payment using the electronic money card 300, the customer performs an operation to select payment with the electronic money card 300 on the payment guidance screen (operation of the electronic money payment selection button BT31). However, if the electronic money card 300 is charged while the product is being registered, it can be assumed that the customer intends to continue making a payment using the electronic money card 300. Considering this, even if the electronic money card 300 is charged while the product is being registered, it can be said that making the customer perform an operation to select payment using the electronic money card 300 on the payment guidance screen is an unnecessary hassle. Therefore, as a modified example, if a deposit is made into the electronic money card 300 between the start of product registration and the subtotal operation, electronic money payment processing is performed. In other words, from the customer's perspective, if a deposit is made into the electronic money card 300 during product registration, the POS register 100 will immediately transition to electronic money payment processing once the subtotal operation is performed. At this time, when the subtotal operation is performed, for example, the electronic money card usage guide screen (FIG. 10) is immediately displayed on the customer touch panel display unit 133 instead of the payment guide screen (FIG. 9). In this case, the customer does not need to perform an operation to select payment with the electronic money card 300 on the payment guide screen (operation of the electronic money payment selection button BT31). The condition for transitioning to electronic money payment processing is not limited to a customer depositing or charging the electronic money card 300. For example, when the electronic money card 300 is in a state where communication is possible via the reader / writer 109 (when the electronic money card 300 is placed on the reader / writer 109 while checking the deposit balance or simply registering a product, and is in a state where communication is possible via the reader / writer 109), it may be assumed that the customer has performed an operation to select payment with the electronic money card 300 on the payment guidance screen in order to make payment using the electronic money card 300 (an operation on the electronic money payment selection button BT31), and the execution of cash payment processing may be prohibited and electronic money payment processing may be performed.

[0085] To realize the above operation, for example, the following process may be added in response to the case where it is determined in step S113 of FIG. 12 that a subtotal operation has been performed. That is, the CPU 151 determines whether or not a deposit has been made into the electronic money card 300 during the period from when the first product registration operation is performed in response to step S101 until when the subtotal operation is performed in response to step S113 (the product registration period). If the electronic money card 300 has not been charged, the CPU 151 advances the process to step S114. Insert For example, the CPU 151 skips the processes of steps S114 and S115 and proceeds to the process of step S117. By performing processing in this manner by CPU 151, if a deposit is made into electronic money card 300 while a product is being registered, the customer can proceed to payment with electronic money card 300 without having to perform the operation of selecting use of electronic money card 300 as the payment method on the payment guidance screen.

[0086] As described above, the POS register 100 in this embodiment comprises a clerk operation reception means for receiving operations performed by a clerk, including operations related to the registration of products; a customer operation reception means for receiving operations to be performed by a customer, including operations related to the payment of registered products; and an electronic money storage medium compatible processing means for, when the customer operation reception means receives an operation instructing processing related to the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium until the customer's transaction corresponding to the product registration received by the clerk operation reception means is completed, executing processing on the electronic money storage medium in accordance with the instruction received by the customer operation reception means through communication with the electronic money storage medium via a reader / writer.

[0087] According to the above configuration, until the customer's transaction corresponding to the product registration is completed, the customer can operate the POS register 100 to execute the process related to the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium. Therefore, the customer can obtain the desired results regarding the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium without affecting the operations (registration work) such as product registration performed by the store clerk.

[0088] In addition, in the POS register 100 of this embodiment, when the customer operation acceptance means accepts an operation by a customer to instruct the deposit of money into the electronic money storage medium until the customer transaction corresponding to the product registration accepted by the store clerk operation acceptance means is completed, the electronic money storage medium corresponding processing means executes processing corresponding to the deposit of money into the electronic money storage medium via communication with the reader / writer.

[0089] According to the above configuration, until the customer transaction corresponding to the product registration is completed, the customer can operate the POS register 100 to execute processing according to the deposit into the electronic money storage medium as processing related to the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium. Therefore, the customer can obtain the desired results regarding the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium without affecting the operations (registration work) such as product registration performed by the store clerk.

[0090] In addition, in the POS register 100 of this embodiment, when the customer operation acceptance means accepts an operation by the customer to instruct the customer to check the remaining amount of the deposit in the electronic money storage medium until the customer transaction corresponding to the product registration accepted by the clerk operation acceptance means is completed, the electronic money storage medium corresponding processing means executes a process to notify the customer of the remaining amount of the deposit in the electronic money storage medium via communication with the reader / writer.

[0091] According to the above configuration, until the customer's transaction corresponding to the product registration is completed, the customer can operate the POS register 100 to execute a process related to the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium, by operating the POS register 100 himself / herself, to notify the customer of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium. In other words, while the product is being registered, the customer can operate the POS register 100 himself / herself to check the deposited balance of the electronic money card in parallel with the product registration. Therefore, the customer can obtain the desired results regarding the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium without affecting the operations (registration work) such as product registration performed by the store clerk.

[0092] In addition, in the POS register 100 of this embodiment, the customer operation reception means displays information about the products registered by the store clerk operation reception means and may further include a product registration status display means that receives operations to instruct processing related to the management of the deposit balance of the electronic money storage medium.

[0093] According to the above configuration, at the POS register 100, a customer can view the product registration status screen that displays the registration status of the purchased product, and can perform operations on the same product registration status screen to instruct processing related to the management of the deposit balance of the electronic money storage medium. This eliminates the need for the customer to go through the trouble of switching from the product registration status screen to another operation screen when, for example, they are trying to perform an operation to instruct a process related to the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium while registering a product, and therefore allows the customer to obtain the desired results regarding the management of the deposited balance of the electronic money storage medium without affecting the operations such as product registration performed by the store clerk.

[0094] Furthermore, in the POS register 100 of this embodiment, if at least a deposit is made into the electronic money storage medium before the customer transaction corresponding to the product registration accepted by the store clerk operation accepting means is completed, the customer operation accepting means may perform payment processing corresponding to the electronic money storage medium without accepting an operation specifying payment by electronic money.

[0095] According to the above configuration, if a customer deposits money into an electronic money card before completing a transaction corresponding to the registered product, the customer can proceed to payment using the electronic money card without performing an operation to specify payment by electronic money. This omits the operation to specify payment by electronic money, thereby shortening the time required for payment.

[0096] In addition, the POS register 100 in this embodiment is further provided with a payment means that, when cash is deposited as payment for registered products, performs cash-compatible payment processing corresponding to the deposited cash, and, when an operation specifying payment by electronic money is accepted by the customer operation acceptance means, performs electronic money-compatible payment processing by deducting the price from the deposit balance of the electronic money storage medium that communicates with the reader / writer.

[0097] According to the above configuration, the POS register 100 in this embodiment can perform payment processing corresponding to both cash payment and payment using an electronic money card. Furthermore, when performing cash-based payment processing, the customer does not need to perform any operation to specify cash-based payment processing; simply by depositing cash into the POS register 100, the cash-based payment processing is performed as if cash-based payment processing had been specified, thereby reducing the time required for payment.

[0098] A modification of this embodiment will now be described. In the above embodiment, when a customer who has registered a product wishes to check the remaining balance of the electronic money card, the customer operates the Check Balance button BT2 on the product registration status screen (FIG. 6). However, for example, when the POS register 100 is performing product registration processing and the product registration status screen is displayed, the electronic money card 300 may be held over the reader / writer 109, and the reader / writer 109 and the electronic money card 300 may become capable of communicating with each other, and the remaining balance of the electronic money card may be displayed accordingly. With this configuration, the customer does not need to perform any particular operation on the customer touch panel display unit 133 to check the remaining balance. When displaying the credit balance of the electronic money card in response to the reader / writer 109 and the electronic money card 300 becoming communicable, the display may be changed from the product registration status screen to a credit balance confirmation screen. Alternatively, the display may remain as the product registration status screen without changing to the credit balance confirmation screen, and the credit balance may be displayed at a predetermined position on the product registration status screen.

[0099] For example, railway electronic money cards have a function known as auto-charge (execution amount deposit function) that deposits a fixed amount when the deposit balance falls below a preset amount (execution amount) when entering the ticket gate. Therefore, the POS register 100 of this embodiment may be configured to prompt the customer to deposit money if the confirmed deposit balance is less than the execution amount when processing the deposit balance notification for an electronic money card with the above-mentioned auto-charge function set. In this case, for example, a deposit screen corresponding to the auto-charge function similar to the content of Fig. 7 may be displayed on the customer touch panel display unit 133. Furthermore, the POS register 100 of this embodiment may automatically deposit a preset fixed amount into the electronic money card even if the deposit instruction button BT1 on the product registration status screen is not operated, without displaying a deposit screen corresponding to the auto-charge function on the customer touch panel display unit 133. Furthermore, the deposit balance corresponding to the deposit by auto-charge may be displayed in a predetermined position on the product registration status screen. In this case, the deposit instruction button BT1 and the deposit balance confirmation button BT2 may not be displayed on the product registration status screen. With this configuration, customers do not need to operate the customer touch panel display unit 133, and even after a deposit has been made via auto-charge, no operations are required in relation to the use of an electronic money card, which prevents, for example, incorrect operations by customers.

[0100] Furthermore, when a product is being registered, if a customer holds the electronic money card 300 over the reader / writer 109 and the reader / writer 109 and the electronic money card 300 are able to communicate with each other, it may be assumed that the customer has expressed an intention to make payment using the electronic money card, and the payment process may be carried out as follows. In other words, when the reader / writer 109 and the electronic money card 300 are able to communicate with each other, the POS register 100 provisionally registers the deposit balance of the electronic money card 300. Then, each time a product is registered, the POS register 100 updates the provisionally registered deposit balance by deducting the price of the registered product from the provisionally registered deposit balance. When the updated provisionally registered deposit balance becomes too low to deduct the price of the registered product, the POS register 100 displays a deposit operation screen on the customer touch panel display unit 133 to prompt the customer to make a deposit. When a deposit is made, the POS register 100 updates the deposit balance of the electronic money card according to the amount of the deposit, and also increases the provisionally registered deposit balance according to the deposit balance. When the subtotal operation is performed and the product registration is completed, the POS register 100 deducts the price of the registered product from the credit balance of the electronic money card. Note that, along with the registration of the product, the updated provisionally registered credit balance may be displayed on the screen for each product registration.

[0101] There is also a known POS system in which a registration device where a store clerk registers products and a payment device where a customer settles the bill are separated. Such a POS system (product sales data processing system) can be configured, for example, as follows. In other words, when a customer makes a payment with an electronic money card and the balance is insufficient to cover the cost, the customer offers to deposit money into the electronic money card to the store clerk operating the registration device. In parallel with the operation to register the product, the store clerk performs an operation to provisionally register the deposit amount offered by the customer in the registration device. The customer then pays the cash equivalent to the amount they requested to deposit at the payment device. The payment device adds the paid cash to the deposit balance on the electronic money card to update it, and then deducts the registered product price from the updated deposit balance to complete the settlement.

[0102] In the above description, the POS register 100 of this embodiment is used in a bakery as an example. However, the POS register 100 of this embodiment may be used in various types of stores other than bakeries.

[0103] Alternatively, a program for implementing the functions of the POS register 100 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the POS register 100. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, or a dedicated line. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as floppy disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code executable on a terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that is executable on the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at different times and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a program that realizes part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 100 POS register, 101 change machine unit, 103 operation unit, 105 POS register main body, 107 printer, 108 scanner, 109 reader / writer, 110 housing, 120 change machine, 121a coin insertion / discharge unit, 131 touch panel display unit for store clerk, 132 keyboard, 133 touch panel display unit for customer, 134 input / output unit, 151 CPU, 152 RAM, 153 memory unit, 154 input / output unit, 155 network interface, 156 bus, 300 electronic money card

Claims

1. A clerk operation reception means for receiving an operation performed by a clerk, including an operation related to registration of a product; A customer operation reception means for receiving an operation to be performed by a customer, including an operation related to settlement of a registered product; When the customer operation reception means receives an operation of depositing money into an electronic money storage medium during a product registration operation, an electronic money storage medium corresponding processing means for executing a deposit process to the electronic money storage medium via communication with a reader / writer; The electronic money storage medium corresponding processing means: During the product registration operation, when a deposit process to the electronic money storage medium is performed, a settlement process corresponding to the electronic money storage medium is performed without the customer operation reception means receiving an operation of designating settlement by electronic money. A POS register.

2. The customer operation reception means includes a display means for displaying, on the same screen, as a product registration status screen, a registered product display area showing information on a product registered by a registration operation of the last product in one transaction, a total amount display area showing a total amount corresponding to the products registered by the product registration operations up to that point in one transaction, an operator for receiving a deposit process to the electronic money storage medium, and an operator for receiving a balance check of the electronic money storage medium. The total amount display area shows the number of products registered so far in one transaction together with the total amount. The POS register according to Claim 1.

3. The display means displays, on the same screen, a deposit balance display area showing the balance of the electronic money storage medium and an operator for receiving a deposit to the electronic money storage medium in response to an operation on the operator for receiving a balance check of the electronic money storage medium. The POS register according to Claim 2.

4. When the clerk operation reception means receives a subtotal operation for instructing a subtotal of the registered products in a state where a deposit process to the electronic money storage medium is not being performed during the product registration operation, The display means displays a settlement guidance screen in which a payment amount presentation area showing the amount to be paid by the customer and an operator for receiving settlement by the electronic money storage medium are arranged. When cash is deposited by the customer without the operator for receiving settlement by the electronic money storage medium being operated, it further includes a settlement means capable of executing settlement according to the deposited cash. The POS register according to Claim 2 or 3.

5. A computer as a POS register An operator acceptance means that includes operations related to product registration and accepts operations performed by a store clerk. A customer operation acceptance means that includes operations related to the settlement of registered products and accepts operations to be performed by a customer. When the customer operation acceptance means accepts an operation of depositing money into an electronic money storage medium during the product registration operation, an electronic money storage medium corresponding processing means that executes the deposit processing to the electronic money storage medium via communication with a reader / writer. A program for causing it to function as The electronic money storage medium corresponding processing means During the product registration operation, when a deposit process to the electronic money storage medium is performed, without accepting an operation in which the customer operation acceptance means designates settlement by electronic money, perform a settlement process corresponding to the electronic money storage medium. Program.

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