Information processing device and information processing system

Abstract

To complete adjustment quickly when performing adjustment of commodities using an adjustment device.SOLUTION: An adjustment device according to the present disclosure is an adjustment device that performs adjustment of commodities, including: a first input port through which coins can be input; a second input port through which coins can be input; and a coin storage part that stores the coins input through the first input port and the coin input through the second input port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement device or a POS (Point Of Sales) device. [Background technology]

[0002] In supermarkets and other retail stores, customers often use POS devices to settle their purchases. Currently, various POS devices have been developed. These POS devices include a product registration device and a settlement device. The product registration device registers products. The settlement device settles the payments for the products registered in the product registration device.

[0003] In the POS device described in Patent Document 1, a settlement device is located below the product registration device. The settlement device is rotatable. By rotating the settlement device, it can be faced toward the store clerk, and it can also be faced toward the customer.

[0004] In the POS device described in Patent Document 2, a settlement device is housed in a storage unit. Two placement units are placed on the sides of the storage unit. These two placement units are located on opposite sides of the settlement device. Change can be placed on each of these two placement units.

[0005] In the POS device described in Patent Document 3, the product registration device and the payment device are formed using the same base. In this POS device, the customer registers products using the product registration device, and then pays at the payment device.

[0006] The POS device described in Patent Document 4 calculates an estimated price for a product based on the processing results of image data generated by capturing an image of the customer's product. In Patent Document 4, after the estimated price is calculated, the customer pays the estimated price. Then, while the customer is paying the estimated price, a store clerk registers the product in a product registration device. This calculates the exact price of the product. Then, the difference between the exact price and the estimated price is processed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-207021 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-206423 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-12002 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-67362 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The inventor has considered methods for quickly completing payment when paying for merchandise using a payment device, and has concluded that payment can be completed quickly if the customer can insert the money into the payment device without handing it over to a store clerk.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to enable a customer to insert money into a payment device without having to hand it over to a store clerk. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, A payment device for paying for products, a first slot into which coins can be inserted; a second slot into which coins can be inserted; A settlement device is provided, which includes a coin storage unit that stores the coins inserted from the first insertion port and the coins inserted from the second insertion port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a customer can insert money into a payment device without handing it over to a store clerk. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a POS device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the settlement device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a product registration device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a settlement device. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first example of the internal structure of the settlement device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the internal structure of the settlement device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a modification of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the settlement device shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the settlement device shown in FIG. 8, seen from the opposite side. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a settlement device used in a POS device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram for explaining a first example of the internal structure of the settlement device shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the internal structure of the settlement device shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the settlement device shown in FIG. 13, seen from the opposite side. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a settlement device used in a POS device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the settlement device shown in FIG. 16, seen from the opposite side. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a POS device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a settlement device used in a POS device according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, like components are designated by like reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0014] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a POS device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a settlement device 20 shown in FIG. 1. The POS device comprises a product registration device 10 and a settlement device 20. Products are registered in the product registration device 10. The settlement device 20 settles the payment for products registered in the product registration device 10. The settlement device 20 comprises a first insertion slot 212a and a second insertion slot 212b. Coins can be inserted into the first insertion slot 212a. Coins can be inserted into the second insertion slot 212b. Details will be explained below.

[0015] A store clerk registers products using the product registration device 10. As will be described in detail later using FIG. 3, the product registration device 10 registers products that have been registered during the period from when information instructing the start of registration is input to the product registration device 10 until when information instructing the completion of registration is input to the product registration device 10. The product registration device 10 then generates settlement data for the products that have been registered during the aforementioned period and outputs the settlement data to the settlement device 20. The settlement data indicates settlement information for the registered products, specifically, the settlement amount for the registered products.

[0016] The store clerk and the customer pay for the products at the payment device 20. Payment data is input to the payment device 20 from the product registration device 10. As will be described in detail later using FIG. 4, after the payment data is input, the payment device 20 calculates the amount inserted into the payment device 20.

[0017] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the product registration device 10. The product registration device 10 includes a computer 100. The computer 100 includes a bus 160, a processor 172, a memory 174, a storage 176, an input / output interface 178, and a network interface 180. The product registration device 10 also includes an input device 110, a reading device 120, a display device 130, and a printing device 140. In the example shown in this figure, the input device 110, the reading device 120, the display device 130, and the printing device 140 are provided outside the computer 100.

[0018] The processor 172, memory 174, storage 176, input / output interface 178, and network interface 180 are connected to one another via a bus 160. The processor 172 is an arithmetic processing device, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 174 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage 176 is a storage device, such as a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory card. The input / output interface 178 is connected to the reading device 120, the input device 110, and the display device 130. The product registration device 10 is connected to a network interface 280 (described later using FIG. 4) of the settlement device 20 via the network interface 180.

[0019] The store clerk inputs information instructing the start of registration into computer 100 via input device 110 (a keyboard or touch panel in the example shown in FIG. 1). The store clerk then registers the product in computer 100 using reading device 120. In the example shown in FIG. 1, reading device 120 is a scanner capable of reading barcodes. When the product is registered, information about the registered product is displayed on display device 130 (store clerk display 132 and customer display 134 in the example shown in FIG. 1). Then, when the store clerk has completed the registration of the product to be registered, he or she inputs information instructing the completion of registration into computer 100 via input device 110. As a result, information about the products registered during the period from when the information instructing the start of registration was input until when the information instructing the completion of registration was input is input into computer 100. The printing device 140 (a printer in the example shown in FIG. 1) issues a receipt after the payment is completed.

[0020] Computer 100 generates settlement data using information about products registered during the aforementioned period. Specifically, storage 176 stores a program module for generating settlement data. Processor 172 reads this program module into memory 174 and then executes this program module. Note that processor 172 may execute the program module without reading it into memory 174.

[0021] The settlement data is output via the network interface 180 to the settlement device 20 (details of which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4).

[0022] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the settlement apparatus 20. The settlement apparatus 20 has a computer 200. The computer 200 has a bus 260, a processor 272, a memory 274, a storage 276, an input / output interface 278, and a network interface 280. The settlement apparatus 20 further has a coin validator 234 and a banknote validator 244. In the example shown in this figure, the coin validator 234 and the banknote validator 244 are provided outside the computer 200.

[0023] The processor 272, memory 274, storage 276, input / output interface 278, and network interface 280 are connected to one another via a bus 260. The processor 272 is an arithmetic processing device, such as a CPU or GPU. The memory 274 is, for example, a RAM or ROM. The storage 276 is a storage device, such as a hard disk, SSD, or memory card. The input / output interface 278 is connected to the coin identification device 234 and the banknote identification device 244. The settlement device 20 is connected to the network interface 180 (FIG. 3) of the product registration device 10 via the network interface 280.

[0024] When the settlement data is input, the settlement device 20 starts settlement. Specifically, when the settlement data is input, the settlement device 20 calculates the amount of money inserted into the settlement device 20. Specifically, the storage 276 stores a program module for calculating the amount of money (the function of the coin counting unit 252 (described later using Figures 5 and 6) and the function of the banknote counting unit 254 (described later using Figures 11 and 12)). The processor 272 reads this program module into the memory 274 and then executes this program module. Note that the processor 272 may execute the above-mentioned program module without reading it into the memory 274.

[0025] In addition, the settlement device 20 may calculate the amount of money inserted into the settlement device 20 before the settlement data is input by having a store clerk input an input signal to the settlement device 20 via an input unit (for example, the input device 110 (FIG. 3) of the product registration device 10). This allows the customer to insert coins into the second insertion slot 212b (FIGS. 1 and 2) before the product registration is completed, as will be described later.

[0026] 1 and 2, the settlement device 20 includes a coin housing 202, a bill housing 204, a coin unit 210 (first unit 210a and second unit 210b), and a bill unit 220 (first unit 220a). The coin housing 202 is capable of storing coins. The bill housing 204 is capable of accommodating bills. The coin unit 210 is provided on the outside of the coin housing 202. The bill unit 220 is provided on the outside of the bill housing 204.

[0027] The coin unit 210 is formed with a coin slot 212. The banknote unit 220 is formed with a banknote slot 222. The coin unit 210 has a path (a coin path 232 shown in each of Figures 5 and 6 (described in detail later)) that connects from the coin slot 212 to the space inside the coin casing 202. The banknote unit 220 has a path (a banknote path 242 shown in each of Figures 11 and 12 (described in detail later)) that connects from the banknote slot 222 to the space inside the coin casing 202. This allows coins to be inserted from the coin slot 212 into the inside of the coin casing 202. Similarly, banknotes can be inserted from the banknote slot 222 into the inside of the banknote casing 204.

[0028] In the example shown in this figure, the coin slot 212 faces upward in the vertical direction, and the bill slot 222 faces horizontally. However, the facing directions of the coin slot 212 and the bill slot 222 are not limited to the example shown in this figure. For example, the facing direction of the coin slot 212 may be a direction tilted from the vertical direction toward the outside of the coin casing 202, or may be a horizontal direction toward the outside of the coin casing 202. Furthermore, the facing direction of the bill slot 222 may be, for example, an upward facing direction in the vertical direction, or may be a direction tilted from the vertical direction toward the outside of the bill casing 204.

[0029] Furthermore, the coin unit 210 is formed with a coin dispensing opening 214. The banknote unit 220 is formed with a banknote payment opening 224. The coin unit 210 has a path connecting the space inside the coin casing 202 to the coin dispensing opening 214. The banknote unit 220 has a path connecting the space inside the banknote casing 204 to the banknote payment opening 224. This allows coins to be dispensed from inside the coin casing 202 to the coin dispensing opening 214. Similarly, banknotes can be dispensed from inside the banknote casing 204 to the banknote payment opening 224.

[0030] The bill casing 204 extends in a first direction. A first unit 220a is formed at one end of the bill casing 204. The coin casing 202 has a first end facing the first direction and a second end facing a second direction intersecting the first direction (in the example shown in this figure, perpendicular to the first direction). The coin casing 202 extends along the side of the bill casing 204 from the first end to the second end. A first unit 210a is formed at the first end of the coin casing 202. A second unit 210b is formed at the second end of the coin casing 202.

[0031] The first unit 210a and the first unit 220a both face the same direction (first direction). Furthermore, the store clerk display 132 of the product registration device 10 also faces the first direction. This allows a store clerk using the POS device to use the first unit 210a and the first unit 220a from the first direction and to see the store clerk display 132 from the first direction.

[0032] Second unit 210b faces the second direction. Furthermore, customer display 134 of product registration device 10 also faces the second direction. This allows a customer using the POS device to use second unit 210b from the second direction and view customer display 134 from the second direction.

[0033] In the example shown in this figure, the first direction (the direction in which first unit 210a and first unit 220a face) and the second direction (the direction in which second unit 210b faces) differ by 90 degrees. However, the difference between the first direction and the second direction is not limited to the example shown in this figure. For example, the difference between the first direction and the second direction may be 60 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the internal structure of the settlement device 20 shown in FIG. In the example shown in this figure, the settlement apparatus 20 has a coin storage unit 230 , a coin path 232 , a coin identification device 234 , and a coin counting unit 252 .

[0035] The coin storage unit 230 is housed inside the coin casing 202. The coin storage unit 230 is connected via a coin path 232 to the first insertion port 212a and the second insertion port 212b. As a result, the coins inserted through the first insertion port 212a and the coins inserted through the second insertion port 212b are stored in the same coin storage unit 230.

[0036] A coin identification device 234 is provided in the coin path 232. The coin identification device 234 identifies the type of coin and is formed using, for example, an optical sensor. In the example shown in this figure, both the coin inserted through the first insertion slot 212a and the coin inserted through the second insertion slot 212b pass through the same coin identification device 234. A signal indicating the identification result of the coin identification device 234 is transmitted to the coin counting unit 252. Based on the identification result of the coin identification device 234, the coin counting unit 252 calculates the sum of the value of the coin inserted through the first insertion slot 212a and the value of the coin inserted through the second insertion slot 212b.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the internal structure of the settlement device 20 shown in FIG. The settlement device 20 shown in this figure has the same configuration as the settlement device 20 shown in FIG. 5, except for the following points.

[0038] In the example shown in this figure, a plurality of coin storage units 230 are housed inside the coin casing 202. The first insertion port 212a and the second insertion port 212b are connected to different coin storage units 230. As a result, coins inserted through the first insertion port 212a and coins inserted through the second insertion port 212b are stored in different coin storage units 230.

[0039] In the example shown in the figure, the coins inserted through the first insertion port 212a and the coins inserted through the second insertion port 212b pass through different coin recognition devices 234. Even in this case, the coin counting unit 252 (summing means) can sum the coins inserted through the first insertion port 212a and the coins inserted through the second insertion port 212b based on the recognition results of each of the multiple coin recognition devices 234.

[0040] Next, a method of using the POS device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In this POS device, the first unit 210a and the second unit 210b face in different directions. When the POS device is in use, the store clerk is positioned in front of the first unit 210a, and the customer is positioned in front of the second unit 210b. In this case, the first insertion slot 212a and the first insertion slot 222a face toward the store clerk. The second insertion slot 212b faces toward the customer. This allows the customer to pay by handing the money to the store clerk, and also by inserting the money (coins) into the second insertion slot 212b of the second unit 210b. In other words, the first insertion slot 212a and the second insertion slot 212b are positioned so that they can be operated from different directions. The amount given to the store clerk is inserted into the first insertion slot 212a of the first unit 210a in the case of coins, and into the first insertion slot 222a of the first unit 220a in the case of bills.

[0041] Furthermore, this POS device can dispense change (coins) from either the first dispensing outlet 214a or the second dispensing outlet 214b. This allows the store clerk to return change dispensed from the first dispensing outlet 214a to the customer by handing it to the customer, and can also return change to the customer by dispensing it from the second dispensing outlet 214b. Whether the change is dispensed from the first dispensing outlet 214a or the second dispensing outlet 214b can be determined based on an input signal input via the input device 110, for example.

[0042] Furthermore, with this POS device, the customer can insert coins into the second insertion slot 212b of the second unit 210b before the store clerk completes the product registration. In this case, if the payment amount is confirmed and the amount inserted by the customer is less than the payment amount, the remaining amount is displayed, for example, on the customer display 134. This allows the customer to pay the remaining amount, as described above. On the other hand, if the amount inserted by the customer is more than the payment amount, the change can be returned to the customer as described above.

[0043] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first unit 210a and the second unit 210b face in different directions. This allows the first unit 210a to face the store clerk, and the second unit 210b to face the customer. This allows the store clerk to insert money (coins) into the first insertion slot 212a of the first unit 210a. The customer can insert money (coins) into the second insertion slot 212b of the second unit 210b.

[0044] The number of coin slots 212 is not limited to the example (two) shown in this figure, and the number of coin slots 212 may be three or more. In this case, for example, a coin slot 212 is formed in each of the multiple coin units 210. The multiple coin units 210 then face in different directions.

[0045] Furthermore, both coins and banknotes (i.e., money) may be inserted into the coin insertion slot 212 (first insertion slot 212a and second insertion slot 212b). Furthermore, both coins and banknotes (i.e., money) may be dispensed from the coin dispensing slot 214 (first dispensing slot 214a and second dispensing slot 214b).

[0046] Furthermore, the POS device does not necessarily have to include the product registration device 10.

[0047] In Patent Document 1, the settlement device is rotated so that it faces the clerk and the customer, respectively. Such a POS device requires a mechanism for rotating the settlement device. In contrast, in this embodiment, such a mechanism is not required, and both the clerk and the customer can pay the price to the settlement device 20.

[0048] In Patent Documents 2 and 3, the settlement device is provided with only one coin slot. In such settlement devices, coins can only be inserted into the coin slot from one direction. This makes it virtually impossible for a store clerk and a customer to insert coins into the coin slot at the same time. In contrast, in this embodiment, multiple coin slots 212 are formed. This allows the store clerk and the customer to insert coins into the settlement device 20 at the same time by using different coin slots 212.

[0049] In Patent Document 4, the device where the customer pays the estimated price and the device where the customer processes the difference between the exact price of the product and the estimated price are located in separate locations. This requires the customer to move from the former device to the latter device. In contrast, in this embodiment, even if the customer pays the estimated price before completing product registration in the product registration device 10 and then processes the difference between the exact price of the product and the estimated price, these processes can be performed on a single settlement device 20. In this case, the customer does not need to move between these processes.

[0050] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of settlement device 20 shown in Fig. 7, and corresponds to Fig. 2 of this embodiment. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of settlement device 20 shown in Fig. 8, seen from the opposite side. The POS device according to this modification has the same configuration as the POS device according to this embodiment, except for the following points.

[0051] In the example shown in this figure, the coin casing 202 and the banknote casing 204 both extend in the same direction. A first unit 210a is attached to one end of the coin casing 202. A first unit 220a is attached to one end of the banknote casing 204. The first unit 210a and the first unit 220a face the same direction (first direction). Furthermore, the store clerk display 132 of the product registration device 10 also faces the first direction. This allows a store clerk using the POS device to use the first unit 210a and the first unit 220a from the first direction and to see the store clerk display 132 from the first direction.

[0052] A second unit 210b is attached to the other end of the coin housing 202. In this way, the second unit 210b faces in a direction (second direction) opposite to the first direction (the direction in which the first unit 210a and the first unit 220a face). Furthermore, the customer display 134 of the product registration device 10 also faces in the second direction. This allows a customer using the POS device to use the second unit 210b from the second direction and to see the customer display 134 from the second direction.

[0053] In the example shown in the figure, a store clerk and a customer can use the POS device while facing each other via the merchandise registration device 10 and the payment device 20.

[0054] (Second embodiment) Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a settlement device 20 used in a POS device according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to Fig. 2 of the first embodiment. The POS device according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the POS device according to the first embodiment, except for the following points.

[0055] The settlement device 20 comprises a coin housing 202, a banknote housing 204, a coin unit 210 (first unit 210a), and a banknote unit 220 (first unit 220a and second unit 220b). A first insertion slot 222a and a first dispensing outlet 224a are formed in the first unit 220a. A second insertion slot 222b and a second dispensing outlet 224b are formed in the second unit 220b. The first unit 210a and the first unit 220a face a first direction. The second unit 220b faces a second direction that intersects with the first direction (in the example shown in this figure, is perpendicular to the first direction).

[0056] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a first example of the internal structure of the settlement apparatus 20 shown in Figure 10. In the example shown in this figure, the settlement apparatus 20 has a banknote storage unit 240, a banknote path 242, a banknote recognition device 244, and a banknote calculation unit 254.

[0057] The bill storage unit 240 is accommodated inside the bill housing 204. The bill storage unit 240 is connected to the first inlet 222a and the second inlet 222b via a bill path 242. As a result, the banknotes inserted through the first insertion slot 222a and the banknotes inserted through the second insertion slot 222b are stored in the same banknote storage unit 240.

[0058] The banknote path 242 is provided with a banknote validator 244. The banknote validator 244 identifies the type of banknote and is formed using, for example, an optical sensor. In the example shown in the figure, both the banknote inserted through the first inlet 222a and the banknote inserted through the second inlet 222b pass through the same banknote validator 244. A signal indicating the recognition result of the banknote validator 244 is sent to the banknote counter 254. Based on the recognition result of the banknote validator 244, the banknote counter 254 calculates the sum of the amount of the banknote inserted through the first inlet 222a and the amount of the banknote inserted through the second inlet 222b.

[0059] Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the internal structure of the settlement device 20 shown in Figure 10. The settlement device 20 shown in this figure has the same configuration as the settlement device 20 shown in Figure 11, except for the following points.

[0060] In the example shown in the figure, a plurality of banknote storage units 240 are housed inside the banknote housing 204. The first insertion slot 222a and the second insertion slot 222b are connected to different banknote storage units 240. As a result, banknotes inserted through the first insertion slot 222a and coins inserted through the second insertion slot 222b are stored in different banknote storage units 240.

[0061] In the example shown in the figure, the banknote inserted through the first insertion slot 222a and the banknote inserted through the second insertion slot 222b pass through different banknote recognition devices 244. Even in this case, the banknote counting unit 254 (summing means) can sum the banknote inserted through the first insertion slot 222a and the banknote inserted through the second insertion slot 222b based on the recognition results of each of the multiple banknote recognition devices 244.

[0062] Next, a method of using the POS device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. With this POS device, a customer can pay by handing the money to a store clerk, or by inserting the money (banknotes) into the second insertion slot 222b of the second unit 220b. In this case, the money (banknotes) handed over to the store clerk can be inserted into the first insertion slot 222a of the first unit 220a. In this way, the first insertion slot 222a and the second insertion slot 222b are arranged so that they can be operated from different directions. Furthermore, with this POS device, change (banknotes) can be dispensed from either the first dispensing opening 224a or the second dispensing opening 224b. Whether the change is dispensed from the first dispensing opening 224a or the second dispensing opening 224b can be determined based on an input signal input via the input device 110, for example.

[0063] Note that both coins and bills (i.e., money) may be inserted into the bill insertion slot 222 (first insertion slot 222a and second insertion slot 222b). Furthermore, both coins and bills (i.e., money) may be dispensed from the bill payment slot 224 (first payment slot 224a and second payment slot 224b).

[0064] Figure 13 is a diagram showing a modification of Figure 10. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the payment device 20 shown in Figure 13, viewed from the opposite side. As shown in this figure, the second unit 220b may face the opposite side from the first unit 210a and the first unit 220a. This allows the store clerk and the customer to use the POS device while facing each other across the product registration device 10 and the payment device 20.

[0065] (Third embodiment) Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a settlement device 20 used in a POS device according to the third embodiment, and corresponds to Fig. 2 of the first embodiment. The POS device according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the POS device according to the first embodiment, except for the following points.

[0066] In the example shown in this figure, the settlement device 20 includes a coin housing 202, a banknote housing 204, a coin unit 210 (first unit 210a and second unit 210b), and a banknote unit 220 (first unit 220a and second unit 220b). The first unit 210a and the first unit 220a face a first direction. The second unit 210b and the second unit 220b face a second direction that intersects with the first direction (in the example shown in this figure, is perpendicular to the first direction).

[0067] With this POS device, customers can pay by handing the money over to a store clerk, and can also pay by inserting coins and bills into the second insertion slot 212b of the second unit 210b and the second insertion slot 222b of the second unit 220b, respectively. Furthermore, this POS device can dispense coin change from either the first dispensing outlet 214a or the second dispensing outlet 214b, and can dispense banknote change from either the first dispensing outlet 224a or the second dispensing outlet 224b. Whether coin change is dispensed from either the first dispensing outlet 214a or the second dispensing outlet 214b, and whether banknote change is dispensed from either the first dispensing outlet 224a or the second dispensing outlet 224b can be determined based on an input signal input via the input device 110, for example.

[0068] Figure 16 is a diagram showing a modification of Figure 15. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the payment device 20 shown in Figure 16, viewed from the opposite side. As shown in this figure, the second units 210b and 220b may face the opposite side from the first units 210a and 220a. As a result, in the example shown in this figure, the POS device can be used with the store clerk and the customer facing each other across the product registration device 10 and the payment device 20.

[0069] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a POS device according to the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to Fig. 1 of the first embodiment. The POS device according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the POS device according to the first embodiment, except for the following points.

[0070] In the example shown in this figure, only the first unit 210a is formed in the coin casing 202, and the second unit 210b (e.g., FIG. 1) is not formed. Only the first unit 220a is formed in the banknote casing 204, and the second unit 220b (e.g., FIG. 1) is not formed. The first unit 210a and the first unit 220a face in the same direction, for example, facing the store clerk.

[0071] A base material 310 is provided at a position away from the settlement device 20. In the example shown in this figure, the base material 310 is supported by a support portion 320. An opening 312 is formed in the base material 310. The opening 312 in the base material 310 and the first insertion slot 212a of the settlement device 20 are connected via a connecting portion 330. The connecting portion 330 is hollow. Therefore, both customers and store clerks can insert coins from the opening 312 through the connecting portion 330 into the first insertion slot 212a.

[0072] In the example shown in this figure, the base material 310 can be moved by changing the position of the support part 320. Furthermore, the connecting part 330 is flexible. Therefore, the base material 310 can be moved while the connecting part 330 remains connected to the opening 312 of the base material 310 and the first insertion port 212a of the settlement device 20.

[0073] In the example shown in this figure, the base material 310 is positioned in a position that makes it easy for both customers and store clerks to insert coins through the opening 312, allowing both customers and store clerks to insert coins into the first insertion port 212a of the settlement device 20.

[0074] (Fifth embodiment) Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a settlement device 20 used in a POS device according to the fifth embodiment, and corresponds to Fig. 2 of the first embodiment. The POS device according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the POS device according to the first embodiment, except for the reading device 290 (first reading device 290a and second reading device 290b).

[0075] In the example shown in this figure, the first reading device 290a and the second reading device 290b face in different directions. The first reading device 290a and the second reading device 290b are capable of reading data used in payment processing. Specifically, in the example shown in this figure, the first reading device 290a and the second reading device 290b are capable of reading electronic money data.

[0076] In the example shown in this figure, just as in the first embodiment, store clerks and customers could insert coins into the first insertion slot 212a and the second insertion slot 212b, respectively, store clerks and customers can have the first reading device 290a and the second reading device 290b read the electronic money data, respectively.

[0077] It should be noted that the data (data used in payment processing) that can be read by the reading device 290 (first reading device 290a and second reading device 290b) is not limited to electronic money data. For example, the reading device 290 may be capable of reading credit card data. In this case, the reading device 290 has an opening for inserting a credit card, for example.

[0078] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 Product registration device 20 Payment device 100 calculator 110 Input Device 120 Reading Device 130 Display device 132 Staff Display 134 Customer Display 140 Printing device 160 Bus 172 processors 174 memory 176 Storage 178 Input / Output Interface 180 Network Interface 200 calculator 202 Coin housing 204 Banknote housing 210 coin units 210a Unit 1 210b Unit 2 212 Coin slot 212a 1st input port 212b 2nd input port 214 Coin outlet 214a First outlet 214b Second outlet 220 banknote units 220a Unit 1 220b Unit 2 222 Bill slot 222a 1st input port 222b 2nd input port 224 Banknote payment slot 224a First outlet 224b Second outlet 230 Coin storage section 232 Coin Route 234 Coin Identification Device 242 Banknote Route 244 Banknote Identification Device 252 Coin Counting Department 254 Banknote Calculation Department 260 Bus 272 processors 274 memory 276 Storage 278 Input / Output Interface 280 Network Interface 310 Base material 312 Aperture 320 Support part 330 Connection section

Claims

1. a product registration unit for registering products; a first display unit facing the first user and displaying information about the registered product; a second display unit facing the second user and displaying information about the registered product; a first reading unit facing the first user and capable of reading data used in payment processing; a second reading unit facing the second user and capable of reading data used in payment processing; Equipped with the first and second reading units are oriented in different directions; the first and second display units face in different directions; the first and second reading units have reading surfaces for reading data used in payment processing; Information processing device.

2. At least one of the first and second reading units has a slot into which a card used for payment processing is inserted. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The data used in the payment process is data related to electronic money or credit cards.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first and second reading units face in opposite directions. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The first and second display portions face opposite each other. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. At least one of the first and second user sides is provided with an insertion slot into which currency can be inserted. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. a first slot facing the first user and into which coins can be inserted; a second slot facing the second user and into which coins can be inserted; Further preparation, The first and second input ports face in different directions. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. At least one of the first and second user sides is provided with an insertion slot into which banknotes can be inserted. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. the first user is a store clerk, the second user is a customer; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. The different directions are directions that differ by 90°, or directions that differ by 60° or more and 120° or less. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. a product registration unit for registering products; a first display unit facing the first user and displaying information about the registered product; a second display unit facing the second user and displaying information about the registered product; a first reading unit facing the first user and capable of reading data used in payment processing; a second reading unit facing the second user and capable of reading data used in payment processing; Equipped with the first and second reading units are oriented in different directions; the first and second display units face in different directions; the first and second reading units have reading surfaces for reading data used in payment processing; Information processing system.

Images