Product data registration device, accounting system, and program

Abstract

To provide a commodity data registration device, an accounting system, and a program capable of optimizing accounting processing.SOLUTION: A commodity data registration device is connected to an input device in which commodity identification information is input, through a network. The commodity data registration device includes an acquisition unit acquiring commodity identification information and time information from the input device, a registration unit registering commodity information, an input unit input with transaction start information and accounting closing information, a set unit setting the commodity information registered by the registration unit as transaction information during the time from when the transaction start information is input until the accounting closing information is input, and an output unit for outputting the transaction information. The set unit sets transaction information without including commodity information of a commodity identified by the commodity identification information when the time shown by the time information, which is acquired by the acquisition unit, is before the time at which the transaction start information is input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product data registration device, an accounting system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, POS systems such as cart POS (Point of Sales) have come into practical use. Cart POS allows customers to register product information (hereinafter also referred to as "product registration") using an information terminal such as a tablet or smartphone attached to a shopping cart, and the registered product information is then wirelessly transferred to the checkout device.

[0003] With the spread of wireless technology in POS systems, efforts are being made to connect devices such as scanners that read product codes to registration devices via a network. However, it has become clear that connecting a scanner to a registration device via a network such as wireless communication can cause the following problems:

[0004] Depending on the network communication conditions, a time lag may occur, causing the registration device to receive the product code sent by the scanner with a delay. If an operator reads the product code with the scanner and immediately performs a closing entry to declare the end of the transaction, the registration device will receive the product code after the closing entry has been performed. As a result, there is a problem in that the product identified by the product code may not be included in the next transaction, resulting in improper accounting processing.

[0005] This problem is particularly pronounced in POS terminals where the registration device and the accounting device are operated by different operators, such as POS terminals known as two-person systems (e.g., Patent Document 1).The accounting device operator only performs operations to execute accounting based on transaction information, but does not read product codes, and therefore cannot check whether all of the product information read by the scanner is included in the transaction information. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a product data registration device, an accounting system, and a program that are capable of optimizing accounting processes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The commodity data registration device of the embodiment is a commodity data registration device connected via a network to an input device into which commodity identification information for identifying a commodity is input, and the commodity identification information and the commodity identification information are input from the input device. The input device an acquisition unit that acquires time information indicating the time of input; a registration unit that registers product information based on the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit; an input unit that inputs transaction start information that declares the start of one transaction and closing information that declares the end of the one transaction; a setting unit that sets the product information registered by the registration unit between the input of the transaction start information and the input of the closing information as transaction information; and an output unit that outputs the transaction information set by the setting unit, wherein the setting unit determines whether the time indicated by the time information associated with the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is Next transaction If the transaction start information is before the time input to the input section, the transaction information is set without including the product information of the product identified by the product identification information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a store system including a checkout system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the layout of devices in the transaction system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main hardware configuration of the registration device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a registration information section stored in the registration device of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of a control unit of the registration device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the transaction device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit of the accounting device of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing the flow of operations of the accounting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the registration process by the control unit of the registration device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the settlement process by the control unit of the accounting device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The product data registration device, accounting system, and program according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, in this embodiment, the product data registration device is described as a registration device separate from the accounting device, but the product data registration device may also be a POS terminal that performs accounting processing in addition to product registration. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the accounting system is described as a two-person POS system in which the operators of the registration device and accounting device are store clerks. However, the accounting system may also be a so-called semi-self-service POS system in which the operator of the registration device is the store clerk and the operator of the accounting device is the customer.

[0010] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a store system 1. The store system 1 includes a store server 2, an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server 3, and multiple POS systems (accounting systems) 4. The store server 2, NTP server 3, and POS systems 4 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a network N. The network N is, for example, a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0011] The store server 2 receives product information and payment information for products paid for in the transaction process from each POS system 4. The store server 2 also receives settlement information that settles sales for a predetermined period (for example, one day) from each POS system 4. The store server 2 centrally manages the product information, payment information, settlement information, etc. received from each POS system 4, and performs sales management for a single store.

[0012] The store server 2 also stores a product master. The product master is a master file that stores product codes that identify products sold in the store and product information (product name, price, etc.) in association with each other for the products sold in the store. Since the products sold in the store change daily, the product master is updated as appropriate. The store server 2 transmits the updated product master to each POS system 4. The product code is an example of product identification information.

[0013] The NTP server 3 outputs time information to each device connected to the network N, and synchronizes the time of each device. The NTP server 3 receives time information from a higher-level NTP server via a network such as the Internet.

[0014] POS system 4 is a two-person POS system and includes a registration device 5 (product data registration device), an accounting device 6, and a device control terminal 7. These registration device 5, accounting device 6, and device control terminal 7 are connected to each other via network N so that they can communicate with each other.

[0015] Registration device 5 is operated by store clerk X (see FIG. 2). Registration device 5 registers product information for products purchased by customer C (see FIG. 2), and outputs the registered product information for one transaction as transaction information to accounting device 6. Details of registration device 5 will be described later.

[0016] The checkout device 6 is operated by a different store clerk Y (see FIG. 2) from the store clerk X who operates the registration device 5. The checkout device 6 executes checkout processing based on the transaction information received from the registration device 5. The checkout processing is a process by which customer C pays for the purchase price of merchandise. For example, the checkout processing includes a process for displaying the transaction amount (the total price of merchandise per transaction), a process for providing change, a process for credit card payments, and a process for printing receipts. Details of the checkout device 6 will be described later.

[0017] The device control terminal 7 controls a scanner 8, a printer 9, and a card reader 10 (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as "devices"). The device control terminal 7 is connected to each device so as to be able to communicate with them independently of the network N. Therefore, the device control terminal 7 can send and receive information to and from each device without being affected by the communication status of the network N.

[0018] The scanner 8 is a code scanner that reads the product code of a product from a code symbol such as a barcode or two-dimensional code attached to the product. The scanner 8 may also be configured as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader that reads the product code from a wireless tag attached to the product. The scanner 8 inputs the read product code into the device control terminal 7. The device control terminal 7 is an example of an input device into which the product code is input. The scanner 8 may be connected directly to the network N without going through the device control terminal 7, in which case the scanner 8 constitutes the input device.

[0019] The printer 9 prints and issues receipts, which include product information for one transaction, the transaction amount, advertisements, and the like.

[0020] Card reader 10 reads a membership code from a medium such as a membership card or point card of customer C. Card reader 10 also reads credit information required for credit card payment from the customer's credit card. Card reader 10 may be a magnetic card reader that reads information from a magnetic card, or an IC card reader that reads information from a card with a built-in IC (Integrated Circuit) chip.

[0021] 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the devices in the POS system 4 of this embodiment. The devices in the POS system 4 are placed on a counter table 11 and a counter table 12. A registration device 5 and a scanner 8 are placed on the counter table 11. Furthermore, an accounting device 6, a printer 9, and a card reader 10 are placed on the counter table 12.

[0022] Customer C brings the products he / she wishes to purchase to the counter 11. Clerk X uses scanner 8 to read the product code of the product from the code symbol attached to the product. The registration device 5 acquires the product code read by scanner 8 via the device control terminal 7 and network N, and executes product registration based on the product code. When product registration for all products purchased by customer C is complete, clerk X performs a closing entry to declare the end of one transaction, in other words, the completion of product registration.

[0023] When closing information is entered into the registration device 5, the registration device 5 outputs the registered product information for one transaction as transaction information to the accounting device 6. At this time, the store clerk X prompts the customer C to move to the accounting device 6. In the following description, the transaction before the closing information is entered is sometimes referred to as the "current transaction" or "first transaction," and the transaction for which product registration is performed after the current transaction is sometimes referred to as the "next transaction" or "second transaction." Furthermore, when product registration for the second transaction begins, the first transaction is sometimes referred to as the "previous transaction." In this embodiment, after the closing information is entered, the registration device 5 can obtain the product code of the product for the next transaction from the device control terminal 7 via the network N, regardless of whether the accounting process for the current transaction has been completed at the accounting device 6. That is, in this embodiment, the closing information indicates that product code input for the next transaction can begin and also serves as input start information declaring the start of the next transaction. In this case, the registration device 5 registers the product identified by the obtained product code as the product to be purchased in the next transaction. In addition, transaction start information declaring the start of the next transaction may be input separately from the closing information.

[0024] The accounting device 6, operated by store clerk Y, executes the accounting process based on the transaction information received from the registration device 5. Customer C moves to the counter 12 and pays for the purchase. If paying in cash, customer C hands the cash to store clerk Y. If paying by credit card, customer C has the credit card information read from the credit card by the card reader 10. Once payment is complete, customer C receives the receipt printed by the printer 9.

[0025] Next, a detailed description will be given of the registration device 5. FIG.

[0026] The registration device 5 includes a control unit 50, a memory unit 51, a display unit 52, an operation unit 53, a clock unit 54, and a communication unit 55. The control unit 50, the memory unit 51, the display unit 52, the operation unit 53, the clock unit 54, and the communication unit 55 are connected to each other via a bus 56 or the like so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0027] The control unit 50 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503. The CPU 501, the ROM 502, and the RAM 503 are connected to each other via a bus 56.

[0028] The CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the registration device 5. The ROM 502 stores various programs and various data, such as a program used to drive the CPU 501. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501, and loads various programs and various data stored in the ROM 502 and the memory unit 51. The control unit 50 executes various control processes of the registration device 5 by the CPU 501 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 502 and the memory unit 51 and loaded in the RAM 503.

[0029] The RAM 503 also includes a registration information section 5031 and a time information section 5032. The registration information section 5031 is an area for storing product information, etc. of a product identified by a product code read by the scanner 8. Product registration is executed by registering (storing) the product information, etc. in the registration information section 5031.

[0030] 4 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the registered information section 5031. Each piece of data registered in the registered information section 5031 is associated with information indicating a product code, a product name, a price, and a transaction information flag.

[0031] The product code field stores a product code that identifies the product. The product name field stores information indicating the name of the product. The price field stores information indicating the unit price of the product. The unit price of the product may be either a tax-inclusive price or a base price that does not include consumption tax. The transaction information flag field stores flag information that indicates whether the product identified by the corresponding product code is to be included in the transaction information.

[0032] The time information unit 5032 stores information indicating the time when the operation unit 53 was operated, such as the time of closing input made by the operation unit 53. The time information unit 5032 stores time information indicating the time measured by the timing unit 54, that is, the time synchronized with the time measured by each device such as the device control device 7.

[0033] The memory unit 51 is configured with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 51 stores a control program 511 and a product master 512.

[0034] The control program 511 is a program for executing product registration based on the product code obtained from the device control terminal 7, a program for outputting transaction information to the checkout device 6 from the registered product information, and the like.

[0035] The product master 512 is a product master received from the store server 2. The registration device 5 does not have to store the product master 512. In this case, the registration device 5 outputs an inquiry about product information based on a product code to the store server 2 as needed, acquires product information from the store server 2, and registers the product.

[0036] The display unit 52 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel, and includes an operator display unit facing the store clerk X and a customer display unit facing the customer C. The display unit 52 displays various information. For example, the operator display unit and the customer display unit display product information for registered products. The operator display unit can display a product registration screen for inputting product codes for products that do not have code symbols attached. The customer display unit can also display advertising information.

[0037] The operation unit 53 is used to input information to the control unit 50, and is composed of a keyboard, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 52, and the like. For example, the operation unit 53 is operated by the store clerk X to input the product code of a product that does not have a code symbol attached to it into the control unit 50. The operation unit 53 is also operated by the store clerk X to input closing information to the control unit 50, which declares that product registration for one transaction has been completed.

[0038] The clock unit 54 keeps track of the current time. Based on time information from the NTP server 3, the clock unit 54 keeps track of the time synchronized with the various devices connected to the network N, including the device control terminal 7.

[0039] The communication unit 55 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the store server 2, NTP server 3, accounting device 6, and device control terminal 7. The control unit 50 is connected to external devices via the communication unit 55, thereby enabling it to send and receive information (data) with the external devices. For example, the control unit 50 can send and receive data with the scanner 8 via the communication unit 55 and the device control terminal 7.

[0040] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 50 of the registration device 5 will be described. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 50 of the registration device 5. The control unit 50 functions as an acquisition unit 5001, a registration unit 5002, an input unit 5003, a setting unit 5004, a receiving unit 5005, and an output unit 5006 by the CPU 501 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 502 or memory unit 51. Note that each of these functions may be configured using hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0041] The acquiring unit 5001 acquires, from the input device, product identification information and time information (first time information) indicating the time when the product identification information was input to the input device. Specifically, the acquiring unit 5001 acquires, from the device control terminal 7, a product code and time information (first time information) indicating the time when the product code was input to the device control terminal 7. Note that, when the scanner 8 is directly connected to the network N without going through the device control terminal 7, the acquiring unit 5001 acquires the product code and the first time information from the scanner 8. The first time information acquired by the acquiring unit 5001 from the scanner 8 indicates the time synchronized with the registration device 5 by the NTP server 3.

[0042] The registration unit 5002 registers information indicating the time when the closing information was input to the input unit 5003 in the time information unit 5032. In the case of an operation in which the transaction start information is input separately from the closing information, the registration unit 5002 registers time information indicating the time when the transaction start information was input in the time information unit 5032.

[0043] Furthermore, the registration unit 5002 registers product information based on the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 5001. Specifically, the registration unit 5002 reads out product information corresponding to the product code acquired by the acquisition unit 5001 from the device control terminal 7 from the product master 512, and registers the information in the registered information unit 5031. The registration unit 5002 registers information indicating the product code, product name, and price as product information in the registered information unit 5031.

[0044] Furthermore, registration unit 5002 registers flag information in the transaction information flag of registration information unit 5031. Specifically, if the time information (first time information) acquired by acquisition unit 5001 corresponding to the product code indicates a time later than the time information registered in time information unit 5032, registration unit 5002 registers "1" in the transaction information flag. In other words, if the product code acquired by acquisition unit 5001 is recognized as having been read by scanner 8 after the closing information (current transaction start information) input immediately before, registration unit 5002 registers "1," which is flag information indicating that the product identified by the product code is included in the current transaction.

[0045] Furthermore, if the time information (first time information) acquired by the acquisition unit 5001 corresponding to the product code indicates a time earlier than the time information registered in the time information unit 5032, the registration unit 5002 registers "0" in the transaction information flag. In other words, if the product code acquired by the acquisition unit 5001 is recognized as having been read by the scanner 8 before the closing information (current transaction start information) input immediately before, the registration unit 5002 registers "0", which is flag information indicating that the product identified by the product code is not included in the current transaction.

[0046] Transaction start information declaring the start of one transaction and closing information declaring the end of that transaction are input to the input unit 5003. Specifically, closing information is input to the input unit 5003 from the operation unit 53. As described above, in this embodiment, the closing information declaring the end of one transaction also serves as transaction start information for the transaction to be carried out next after that transaction, and the closing information can be said to be an example of transaction start information.

[0047] The setting unit 5004 sets the product information registered by the registration unit 5002 between the input of the transaction start information and the input of the closing information as transaction information. However, if the time indicated by the time information (first time information) associated with the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 5001 is before the time when the transaction start information was input to the input unit 5003, the setting unit 5004 sets the transaction information without including the product information of the product identified by the product identification information.

[0048] Specifically, when closing information is input to the input unit 5003, the setting unit 5004 refers to the registered information unit 5031 and sets the product information for which a transaction information flag of "1" is registered as the transaction information. In other words, the setting unit 5004 sets the transaction information by excluding products related to the previous transaction from the products registered between the input of the closing information for the previous transaction (the transaction start information for the current transaction) and the input of the closing information for the current transaction. The excluded products are products related to product codes that were acquired by the acquisition unit 5001 after the input of the closing information for the previous transaction due to a communication delay in the network N, even though the product codes were read before the input of the closing information for the previous transaction. In other words, the excluded products are products that should have been included in the previous transaction.

[0049] The receiving unit 5005 receives completion information from the accounting device 6 indicating that the accounting process for one transaction that was terminated by the immediately preceding closing information input to the input unit 5003 has been completed.

[0050] The output unit 5006 outputs the transaction information set by the setting unit 5004 to the checkout device 6. Furthermore, if the receiving unit 5005 has not received completion information, the output unit 5006 outputs to the checkout device 6 product information that the setting unit 5004 did not include in the transaction information. Specifically, if the checkout device 6 has not completed the previous transaction, the output unit 5006 outputs the product codes of the products that should have been included in the previous transaction to the checkout device 6. This allows the checkout device 6 to perform appropriate checkout processing, including the products that should have been included in the transaction. Note that if the registration device 5 is a POS terminal that also has the functions of the checkout device 6, the output unit 5006 outputs the transaction information and product information to the checkout processing unit of the POS terminal.

[0051] Next, a detailed description will be given of the transaction device 6. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the transaction device 6.

[0052] The accounting device 6 includes a control unit 60, a memory unit 61, a display unit 62, an operation unit 63, a change dispenser 64, and a communication unit 65. The control unit 60, the memory unit 61, the display unit 62, the operation unit 63, the change dispenser 64, and the communication unit 65 are connected to each other via a bus 66 or the like so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0053] The control unit 60 is configured by a computer including a CPU 601, a ROM 602, and a RAM 603. The CPU 601, the ROM 602, and the RAM 603 are connected to one another via a bus 66.

[0054] CPU 601 controls the overall operation of the checkout device 6. ROM 602 stores various programs, such as programs used to drive CPU 601, and various data. RAM 603 is used as a work area for CPU 601, and loads various programs and data stored in ROM 602 and memory unit 61. Control unit 60 executes various control processes for checkout device 6 by having CPU 601 operate in accordance with control programs stored in ROM 602 and memory unit 61 and loaded into RAM 603.

[0055] The RAM 603 also includes a transaction information section 6031. The transaction information section 6031 stores transaction information and transaction IDs received from the registration device 5 in association with each other. The transaction ID is information used to identify the transaction information.

[0056] The memory unit 61 is configured with a storage medium such as a HDD or flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when the power is cut off. The memory unit 61 stores a control program 611.

[0057] The control program 611 is a program for executing transaction processing based on transaction information received from the registration device 5, and a program for executing transaction processing by adding product information to the transaction information when product information is received from the registration device 5 during transaction processing.

[0058] The display unit 62 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel, and includes an operator display unit facing the store clerk Y, and a customer display unit facing the customer C. The display unit 62 displays various information. For example, the operator display unit and the customer display unit display a selection screen for selecting the transaction amount and the payment method for the purchase price.

[0059] The operation unit 63 is used to input information to the control unit 60, and is composed of a keyboard, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 62, and the like. For example, the operation unit 63 is operated by store clerk Y to input information indicating the payment method for the purchase price to the control unit 60. The operation unit 63 is also operated by store clerk Y to input completion information indicating that the accounting process for one transaction has been completed to the control unit 60.

[0060] When customer C pays for a purchase in cash, the change dispenser 64 accepts the bills and coins paid by customer C and dispenses change as necessary.

[0061] The communication unit 65 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the store server 2, NTP server 3, registration device 5, and device control terminal 7. The control unit 60 is connected to the external devices via the communication unit 65, thereby enabling transmission and reception of information (data) with the external devices. For example, the control unit 60 can transmit and receive data to and from the printer 9 and card reader 10 via the communication unit 65 and the device control terminal 7.

[0062] Next, we will explain the functional configuration of the control unit 60 of the accounting device 6. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 60 of the accounting device 6. The control unit 60 functions as a reception unit 6001, an input unit 6002, an accounting processing unit 6003, and an output unit 6004, as the CPU 601 operates in accordance with control programs stored in the ROM 602 and memory unit 61. Note that each of these functions may also be configured using hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0063] The reception unit 6001 receives transaction information from the product data registration device. Specifically, the reception unit 6001 receives transaction information including product information for products related to one transaction and a transaction ID that identifies the transaction information from the registration device 5. The reception unit 6001 also receives product information and a transaction ID from the registration device 5 when the transaction processing by the transaction processing unit 6003 has not yet completed. The product information received by the reception unit 6001 is product information that will be added to the transaction information during the transaction processing.

[0064] For example, credit information for customer C to make a credit card payment is input to the input unit 6002 from the device control terminal 7. Information on the amount received by clerk Y from customer C is also input to the input unit 6002 from the operation unit 63. Various other information is also input to the input unit 6002 from the operation unit 63.

[0065] The transaction processing unit 6003 executes transaction processing based on the transaction information received by the reception unit 6001. The transaction processing unit 6003 executes transaction processing for customer C to pay for the purchase price through the operation of clerk Y.

[0066] The output unit 6004 outputs various information to external devices, etc. For example, the output unit 6004 outputs completion information to the registration device 5, indicating that the transaction processing for one transaction has been completed. The output unit 6004 may output the completion information based on information from the transaction processing unit 6003, or may output the completion information based on operation of the operation unit 63 by store clerk Y. The output unit 6004 also outputs a receipt printing instruction to the device control terminal 7 for the printer 9.

[0067] Next, the operation of the POS system 4 configured as described above will be explained. Fig. 8 is a sequence chart showing the flow of operation of the POS system 4. The sequence chart shown in Fig. 8 shows the flow of operation for transaction A when no communication time lag occurs in the network N that affects the transaction process, and transaction B when the communication time lag occurs in a transaction that follows transaction A.

[0068] Once the product registration for the product related to transaction A is complete, closing information is input to the registration device 5 (step S1). The closing information for transaction A also serves as the transaction start information for the subsequent transaction B. Therefore, the product code obtained from the device control terminal 7 after the closing information for transaction A is input is treated as the product code for the product related to the next transaction, transaction B. This makes it possible to register products related to transaction B on the registration device 5 even while the accounting device 6 is performing accounting processing for transaction A, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling in the POS system 4.

[0069] When the closing information is input, the registration device 5 sets the transaction information (step S2). The registration device 5 sets the product information of the product related to transaction A as the transaction information. Next, the registration device 5 outputs the transaction information and a transaction ID that identifies the transaction information to the accounting device 6 (step S3).

[0070] The accounting device 6 executes accounting processing for Transaction A based on the received transaction information (Step S4). When the accounting processing is complete, the accounting device 6 outputs completion information indicating that the accounting processing has been completed and the transaction ID to the registration device 5 (Step S5). This completes the processing for Transaction A.

[0071] In transaction B, first, a product code is input from the scanner 8 to the device control terminal 7 (step S11). The device control terminal 7 associates the input product code with time information indicating the time the product code was input (step S12). Because the device control terminal 7 and the scanner 8 are directly connected without going through the network N, there is essentially no communication time lag. Therefore, the time information that the device control terminal 7 associates with the product code can be said to indicate the time the product code was read by the scanner 8. The device control terminal 7 outputs the associated product code and time information to the registration device 5 (step S13).

[0072] The registration device 5 compares the time information acquired from the device control terminal 7 with the time when the closing information for transaction A (start information for transaction B) was entered (step S14). Here, it is assumed that the time when the closing information for transaction A was entered is earlier than the time indicated by the time information acquired by the registration device 5. Next, the registration device 5 registers the product as a product related to transaction B based on the product code acquired from the device control terminal 7 (step S15).

[0073] The device control terminal 7 and the registration device 5 repeat the processes of steps S11 to S15 for each product that the customer purchases.

[0074] The product code last read by the scanner 8 in transaction B is input to the device control terminal 7 (step S16). The device control terminal 7 associates the input product code with time information indicating the time the product code was input (step S17). The device control terminal 7 then outputs the associated product code and time information to the registration device 5 (step S18).

[0075] Meanwhile, closing information for transaction B is entered into registration device 5 (step S19). After clerk X, who operates scanner 8 and registration device 5, finishes reading the last product code related to transaction B with scanner 8, he or she promptly operates operation unit 53 to enter closing information for transaction B. Next, registration device 5 sets, as transaction information, the product information for the products registered between the input of closing information for transaction A in step S1 and the input of closing information for transaction B in step S19 (step S20). Then, registration device 5 outputs the set transaction information and transaction ID to accounting device 6 (step S21).

[0076] At this time, if a communication time lag occurs due to the communication state of network N, registration device 5 will acquire the product code and time information output from device control terminal 7 later than usual. As a result, registration device 5 acquires the product code output from device control terminal 7 in step S18 after closing information for transaction B is entered in step S19. Therefore, the transaction information set in step S20 does not include product information related to the above product code. In the following description, a product code that was not included in the transaction information because registration device 5 acquired the product code later than usual due to a communication time lag will be referred to as a "delayed product code."

[0077] When the registration device 5 acquires the delayed product code and the time information corresponding to the delayed product code, it compares the time indicated by the time information with the time when the closing information for transaction B (start information for transaction C) was entered (step S22). In this case, the time when the closing information for transaction B was entered is later than the time indicated by the time information acquired by the registration device 5. This allows the registration device 5 to recognize that the product associated with the delayed product code is the subject of transaction B. If the registration device 5 has not acquired completion information from the accounting device 6 at the time of the comparison in step S22, it outputs the product information associated with the delayed product code and a transaction ID identifying transaction B to the accounting device 6 (step S23).

[0078] The accounting device 6 performs accounting processing by incorporating the delayed product code into the transaction information of transaction B (step S24), provided that the transaction ID received from the registration device 5 is the transaction ID of transaction B received in step S20. In other words, the accounting device 6 performs accounting processing based on the transaction information received in step S21 and the product information related to the delayed product code received in step S23.

[0079] This prevents the inclusion of a product related to a delayed product code in transaction C, where it should not be included, thereby optimizing the accounting process for transaction C. In addition, it allows the inclusion of a product related to a delayed product code in transaction B, where it should be included, thereby optimizing the accounting process for transaction B.

[0080] If registration device 5 has received completion information from accounting device 6 at the time of comparison in step S22, it will not output the delayed product code to accounting device 6 and will register the product. At this time, registration device 5 can register "0" in the transaction information flag in registration information section 5031 to prevent the product associated with the delayed product code from being included in transaction C.

[0081] In this way, if the accounting process for transaction B has already been completed by the time the registration device 5 recognizes the product associated with the delayed product code as a product to be included in transaction B, the system prevents the product associated with the delayed product code from being included in transaction C, thereby optimizing the accounting process for transaction C. Note that if the scanner 8 is directly connected to the network N without going through the device control terminal 7, the process performed by the device control terminal 7 shown in Figure 8 is performed by the scanner 8.

[0082] Next, a description will be given of the registration process executed by the registration device 5. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the registration process by the control unit 50 of the registration device 5.

[0083] The control unit 50 determines whether transaction start information has been input to the input unit 5003 (step S31), and if not (N in step S31), returns to the processing of step S31 and waits. As described above, in this embodiment, the transaction start information is the closing information for the previous transaction. When the transaction start information is input to the input unit 5003 (Y in step S31), the registration unit 5002 registers time information indicating the time when the transaction start information was input to the input unit 5003 in the time information unit 5032 (step S32).

[0084] Next, the control unit 50 determines whether the acquisition unit 5001 has acquired the product code and time information from the device control terminal 7 (step S33), and if not (N in step S33), returns to the processing of step S33 and waits. When the acquisition unit 5001 acquires the product code and time information (Y in step S33), the registration unit 5002 compares the time when the transaction start information was input with the time indicated by the time information acquired by the acquisition unit 5001 (step S34).

[0085] If the time when the transaction start information was input is earlier (Y in step S34), the registration unit 5002 registers the product information in each item of the registration information unit 5031 and registers "1" in the transaction information flag, thereby registering the product (step S35). Then, the control unit 50 determines whether closing information has been input to the input unit 5003 (step S36).

[0086] In the processing of step S34, if the time when the transaction start information was input is later (N in step S34), the registration unit 5002 determines whether the receiving unit 5005 has received completion information from the accounting device 6 indicating that the accounting processing of the previous transaction has been completed (step S37).

[0087] If the receiving unit 5005 has not received completion information for the previous transaction from the checkout device 6 (Y in step S37), the output unit 5006 outputs the product information related to the product code acquired by the acquiring unit 5001 from the device control terminal 7, and the transaction ID of the previous transaction, to the checkout device 6 (step S38). Then, the control unit 50 proceeds to the processing of step S36.

[0088] If the receiving unit 5005 receives information indicating the completion of the most recent transaction from the checkout device 6 (N in step S37), the registration unit 5002 registers the product information in each field of the registration information unit 5031 and registers the transaction information flag as "0" to register the product (step S39). Then, the control unit 50 proceeds to the process of step S36.

[0089] In the processing of step S36, if closing information is not input to the input unit 5003 (N in step S36), the control unit 50 returns to the processing of step S33. If closing information is input to the input unit 5003 (Y in step S36), the setting unit 5004 sets the transaction information (step S40). The setting unit 5004 refers to the registered information unit 5031, extracts product information whose transaction information flag is registered as "1", and sets the extracted product information as the transaction information.

[0090] Next, the output unit 5006 outputs the set transaction information to the checkout device 6 (step S41). The registration unit 5002 clears the information registered in the registered information unit 5031. The control unit 50 then ends the registration process.

[0091] Through the above registration process, when the registration device 5 acquires a delayed product code caused by a communication time lag, it can output appropriate information to the checkout device 6 as follows.

[0092] First, if the registration device 5 acquires a delayed product code between the input of transaction start information and the input of closing information for a transaction, the registration device 5 does not include product information related to the delayed product code in the transaction information for that transaction. This allows the transaction information for the transaction to be output to the accounting device 6 as appropriate information.

[0093] Second, if registration device 5 acquires a delayed product code between the input of transaction start information for a transaction and the input of closing information, and the accounting process for the transaction immediately preceding that transaction has not been completed, registration device 5 outputs the delayed product code to accounting device 6. In other words, if the accounting process for a transaction that should have included the product indicated by the delayed product code has not been completed, registration device 5 outputs the delayed product code to accounting device 6. This allows information related to the transaction that should have included the product indicated by the delayed product code to be output to accounting device 6 as appropriate information.

[0094] Next, a description will be given of the settlement process executed by the accounting device 6. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the settlement process by the control unit 60 of the accounting device 6.

[0095] The control unit 60 determines whether the reception unit 6001 has received the transaction information and transaction ID (step S51), and if not (N in step S51), returns to the processing of step S51 and waits. If the transaction information and transaction ID have been received (Y in step S51), the accounting processing unit 6003 executes accounting processing based on the transaction information received by the reception unit 6001 (step S52).

[0096] Next, the control unit 60 determines whether the transaction processing unit 6003 has completed the transaction (step S53). In other words, the control unit 60 determines whether the transaction processing unit 6003 has performed the necessary steps for customer C to pay for the purchase.

[0097] When the accounting processing by the accounting processing unit 6003 is completed (Y in step S53), the output unit 6004 outputs completion information to the registration device 5 (step S54). Then, the control unit 60 ends the settlement processing.

[0098] If the accounting processing unit 6003 has not completed the accounting process in step S53 (N in step S53), the control unit 60 determines whether the reception unit 6001 has received the product information and transaction ID from the registration device 5 (step S55). If the reception unit 6001 has received the product information and transaction ID from the registration device 5 (Y in step S55), the control unit 60 returns to the process in step S52. The accounting processing unit 6003 executes the accounting process, including the product information received by the reception unit 6001. If the reception unit 6001 has not received the product information and transaction ID from the registration device 5 (N in step S55), the control unit 60 returns to the process in step S53.

[0099] Through the settlement process described above, the accounting device 6 can carry out appropriate accounting processing based on the transaction information received from the registration device 5.

[0100] As described above, the product data registration device of this embodiment is a product data registration device (registration device 5) connected via a network N to an input device (device control terminal 7) into which product identification information (product code) identifying a product is input, and includes an acquisition unit 5001 that acquires product identification information and time information indicating the time when the product identification information was input from the input device, a registration unit 5002 that registers product information based on the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 5001, transaction start information that declares the start of one transaction, and closing information that declares the end of the one transaction. The device comprises an input unit 5003 for inputting the transaction start information, a setting unit 5004 for setting the product information registered by the registration unit 5002 between the time the transaction start information is input and the time the closing information is input as transaction information, and an output unit 5006 for outputting the transaction information set by the setting unit 5004, and if the time indicated by the time information associated with the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 5001 is earlier than the time the transaction start information was input to the input unit 5003, the setting unit 5004 sets the transaction information without including the product information of the product identified by the product identification information.

[0101] This allows the registration device 5 to properly process the transaction information for a transaction even if it acquires a delayed product code between the time when transaction start information for that transaction is entered and the time when closing information is entered, thereby optimizing the transaction processing performed by the accounting device 6.

[0102] Furthermore, the output unit 5006 of the product data registration device of this embodiment outputs the transaction information to the checkout device 6, which executes the transaction process based on the transaction information.

[0103] This allows the registration device 5 to be applied to a POS system 4 in which the registration device and the accounting device are operated by different operators, and in which the problem of incorrect accounting processing due to delayed product codes is prominent.

[0104] Furthermore, the product data registration device of this embodiment further includes a receiving unit 5005 that receives completion information from the accounting device 6 indicating that the accounting process for one transaction that was terminated by the previous closing information input to the input unit 5003 has been completed, and if the receiving unit 5005 does not receive the completion information, the output unit 5006 outputs to the accounting device 6 the product information that the setting unit 5004 did not include in the transaction information.

[0105] This allows the registration device 5 to output appropriate information about the transaction that should include the product indicated by the delayed product code to the checkout device 6. This allows the checkout device 6 to perform more appropriate checkout processing.

[0106] In addition, the closing information of the immediately preceding transaction is input as transaction start information to the input unit 5003 of the product data registration device of this embodiment.

[0107] This allows the closing information of the immediately preceding transaction to be used as transaction start information, eliminating the need for the operator operating the registration device 5 to input the transaction start information separately from the closing information. Therefore, the registration device 5 can improve the operability for the operator.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the control programs executed by the registration device 5 and the accounting device 6 may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the control programs executed by the registration device 5 and the accounting device 6 in the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0109] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 4. POS system (accounting system) 5. Registration device (product data registration device) 6. Accounting equipment 7 Device control terminal (input device) 5001 Acquisition Department 5002 Registration Department 5003 Input section 5004 Settings Department 5005 Receiver 5006 Output section 6001 Reception 6003 Accounting department [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0111] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-54054

Claims

1. A product data registration device connected via a network to an input device into which product identification information for identifying a product is input, an acquisition unit that acquires product identification information and time information indicating the time when the product identification information was input to the input device from the input device; a registration unit that registers product information based on the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit; an input unit for inputting transaction start information declaring the start of one transaction and closing information declaring the end of the one transaction; a setting unit that sets the product information registered by the registration unit during the period from when the transaction start information is input until when the closing information is input as transaction information; an output unit that outputs the transaction information set by the setting unit, when the time indicated by the time information associated with the commodity identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is before the time when the transaction start information of the next transaction is input to the input unit, the setting unit sets the transaction information without including the commodity information of the commodity identified by the commodity identification information. Product data registration device.

2. the output unit outputs the transaction information to a transaction device that executes transaction processing based on the transaction information. The product data registration device according to claim 1 .

3. a receiving unit that receives from the accounting device completion information indicating that the accounting process for one transaction that was completed by the immediately preceding closing information input to the input unit has been completed; the output unit outputs, to the checkout device, the product information that the setting unit did not include in the transaction information if the receiving unit has not received the completion information. The product data registration device according to claim 2.

4. The input unit receives closing information of the immediately preceding transaction as transaction start information.

4. The product data registration device according to claim 1.

5. An accounting system comprising: a product data registration device connected via a network to an input device into which product identification information identifying a product is input; and an accounting device connected to the product data registration device, The product data registration device an acquisition unit that acquires product identification information and time information indicating the time when the product identification information was input to the input device from the input device; a registration unit that registers product information based on the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit; an input unit for inputting transaction start information declaring the start of one transaction and closing information declaring the end of the one transaction; a setting unit that sets the product information registered by the registration unit during the period from when the transaction start information is input until when the closing information is input as transaction information; an output unit that outputs the transaction information set by the setting unit to the accounting device; when the time indicated by the time information associated with the commodity identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is before the time when the transaction start information of the next transaction is input to the input unit, the setting unit sets the transaction information without including the commodity information of the commodity identified by the commodity identification information; The accounting device a reception unit that receives the transaction information from the product data registration device; a transaction processing unit that executes transaction processing based on the transaction information received by the reception unit, Accounting system.

6. A program for controlling a product data registration device connected via a network to an input device into which product identification information for identifying a product is input, by a computer, The computer an acquisition unit that acquires product identification information and time information indicating the time when the product identification information was input to the input device from the input device; a registration unit that registers product information based on the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit; an input unit for inputting transaction start information declaring the start of one transaction and closing information declaring the end of the one transaction; a setting unit that sets the product information registered by the registration unit during the period from when the transaction start information is input until when the closing information is input as transaction information; an output unit that outputs the transaction information set by the setting unit; when the time indicated by the time information associated with the commodity identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is before the time when the transaction start information of the next transaction is input to the input unit, the setting unit sets the transaction information without including the commodity information of the commodity identified by the commodity identification information. program.

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