Product sales data processing device

Abstract

To ensure that a customer making a payment can easily understand privilege information associated with the customer.SOLUTION: An item sales data processor, which is used by a customer to make a payment on his / her own, includes: privilege information acquisition means for acquiring privilege information concerning a privilege to be associated with a customer; and output control means for having the privilege information acquired by the privilege information acquisition means output on a display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product sales data processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology is known in which, on a screen having multiple selection sections showing multiple payment methods, information on benefits that arise when each of the multiple payment methods is used for payment is displayed in the corresponding selection section (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6730077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, there are cases where special benefit information is associated with a customer. It is preferable that the customer making the transaction can easily understand the special benefit information associated with the customer.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable a customer making a transaction to easily understand the benefit information associated with that customer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a product sales data processing device used by customers to settle their own accounts, which is equipped with a bonus information acquisition means for acquiring bonus information regarding bonuses associated with the customer, and an output control means for outputting the bonus information acquired by the bonus information acquisition means on a display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation of a POS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a POS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a membership card confirmation screen in this embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of card reading guidance screens in the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a complimentary coupon confirmation screen in this embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a complimentary coupon reading guide screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a store clerk call notification screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a complimentary coupon reading instruction screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment type selection screen in the present embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by a POS terminal in accordance with the present embodiment in response to a transaction. [Figure 17] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing examples of a start-up screen, a product registration screen, and a code presentation screen in a fifth modified example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] First Embodiment [POS system configuration example] Fig. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The POS system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes three POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, a store controller 10, and a management device 30, all of which are communicatively connected via a LAN 11. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, they will be collectively referred to as the POS terminal 20. The monitoring device 40 corresponds to a modified example described below.

[0009] The store controller 10 is installed, for example, in the backroom of a store and stores a product master. The product master is information in which product information for each product sold in the store is registered. For example, when performing product registration processing, the POS terminal 20 uses information such as the product name and price of the product registered using the product master.

[0010] The management device 30 stores, for example, transaction results for the POS terminal 20. The management device 30 may also execute control to realize predetermined functions of the POS terminal 20 and the store controller 10. The management device 30 may be installed in the store, or may be provided as a cloud server outside the store.

[0011] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of installation of the POS terminal 20. Figure 2(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 etc. as seen from the customer side. Figure 2(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 etc. as seen from the store clerk side. As shown in Figure 2(A), a counter is placed to the right of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a POS terminal. Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side. Fig. 3(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the store clerk side. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0013] An example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20 shown in Fig. 4 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The POS terminal 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer display unit 205, a customer scanner unit 206, a card reader 208, a change dispenser 209, a store clerk display unit 210, a key operation unit 211, a store clerk scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, a communication unit 215, an imaging unit 216, a sign pole 217, and a human detection sensor 218. These components can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0014] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the POS terminal 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 . The ROM 202 is a read-only memory that stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

[0015] The RAM 203 is a read / write memory that stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores information acquired from the outside (e.g., a product master acquired from the store controller 10) and information generated during processing (e.g., registration information generated during the registration process, settlement information generated during the settlement process, etc.). In the following description, either or both of the registration information and the settlement information may be referred to as transaction information.

[0016] The hard disk 204 stores various types of information. For example, the hard disk 204 may store programs executed by the CPU 201 instead of the ROM 202. Furthermore, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from the outside or information generated during processing instead of the RAM 203. Instead of the hard disk 204, a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be provided.

[0017] The customer-side display unit 205 is a touch display for customers, which displays various information to customers (clients) and accepts various inputs from customers. The customer-side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for customer use, and optically reads, for example, barcodes (product codes, etc.) attached to products.

[0018] Although the customer-side scanner unit 206 is used when a customer registers a product, the customer may register the product by other methods. For example, if an order button for a product is displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, the customer can operate (press) the order button to register the product.

[0019] The card reader 208 is capable of reading information from various cards (credit cards, transportation cards, etc.) and executing processing corresponding to payment. The card reader 208 is also capable of reading information from membership cards (membership certificates), point cards, etc. The card reader 208 of this embodiment may include, for example, a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit, but it is sufficient if it includes at least a card recognition unit.

[0020] The change machine 209 (cash settlement unit) is a cash settlement mechanism that has an input port for banknotes and coins and an output port for banknotes and coins, calculates the amount of money inserted into the input port, calculates the change amount, which is the difference between the input amount and the purchase amount, and dispenses the change from the output port.

[0021] The store clerk side display unit 210 is a touch display for the store clerk, and displays various information to the store clerk and receives various inputs from the store clerk. The key operation unit 211 is made up of various keys (buttons) and receives various inputs from the store clerk. The store clerk scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for store clerks, and optically reads, for example, barcodes (product codes, etc.) attached to products and store clerk codes attached to store clerk name tags.

[0022] Although the clerk-side scanner unit 212 is used when the clerk registers a product, the clerk may register the product by other methods. For example, if a key corresponding to a product (such as a key corresponding to a sports newspaper) is arranged on the key operation unit 211, the clerk can operate (press) that key to register the product. Also, if a preset key corresponding to a product is displayed on the clerk-side display unit 210, the clerk can operate that preset key to register the product.

[0023] The printing unit 213 is a printing unit that ejects media, and prints and issues various media such as receipts. The printing unit 213 is a single printing unit that can be rotated to face from the store clerk side to the customer side, or from the customer side to the store clerk side (the direction of the media issuing port). The orientation of the printing unit 213 may be changed manually, or may be changed automatically (mechanically controlled, etc.) in response to, for example, a transition in operating mode. The correctness of the orientation of the printing unit 213 may be detected by a sensor or the like.

[0024] The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs audio guidance, etc. The audio output unit 214 can also output electronic sounds in response to a predetermined operation. The communication unit 215 transmits and receives information to and from other devices (other POS terminals 20, store controller 10).

[0025] The imaging unit 216 is provided to capture images of a customer performing operations related to the transaction from a position adjacent to the customer. The captured images captured by the imaging unit 216 can be used as monitoring images for monitoring the customer performing the transaction. In addition, the captured images captured by the imaging unit 216 of the POS terminal 20 can be stored in a storage device such as the hard disk 204.

[0026] The sign pole 217 is a part that lights up in a predetermined pattern and color to give a predetermined notification to store staff.

[0027] The human detection sensor 218 detects the presence or absence of a person (customer) located on the customer side of the POS terminal 20. The human detection sensor 218 may be configured to include, for example, a pyroelectric infrared sensor, a camera (image capture device), and the like. When operating in a full self-service mode, which will be described later, the human detection sensor 218 may be configured to detect the movement of a product whose product code is scanned by a customer.

[0028] [Overview of each operation mode] Next, the operation modes of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The POS terminal 20 has a plurality of operation modes. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 has four operation modes (response mode, full self-service mode, double scan mode, and semi-self-service mode). Note that the operation modes described below are operation modes related to accounting during normal business (operation modes related to product registration processing and settlement processing), and do not include a counting mode for counting and inquiring about sales and inventory, a maintenance mode for store clerks or maintenance personnel to perform setup and maintenance work, a training mode for training new employees, etc. In this embodiment, the term "accounting" is a concept that includes, for example, from product registration in one transaction to settlement (payment) of the registered product. In the following description, as a separate approach from the classification of the above-mentioned four operation modes, the mode in which the POS terminal 20 executes the product registration process may be referred to as the registration mode, and the mode in which the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process may be referred to as the settlement mode.

[0029] [Answer Mode] The response mode is a mode used when a store clerk and a customer are interacting with each other. Specifically, the response mode is an operation mode in which the store clerk executes the registration process and the customer executes the settlement process. That is, in the response mode, the store clerk enters the registration mode and the customer enters the settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode when viewed from the entire process from registration to settlement.

[0030] In the answering mode, the clerk registers the purchased items of the customer on the clerk side (clerk side scanner unit 212, clerk side display unit 210, key operation unit 211). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the operation of the clerk (operation of the clerk side scanner unit 212, clerk side display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.).

[0031] When the clerk has completed the registration process, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the clerk-side display unit 210, and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change dispenser 209 or operating the card reader 208. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208), etc.

[0032] The customer may wait until the registration process is completed by the store clerk (until the total amount is confirmed), or may insert money into the change dispenser 209 before the registration process is completed. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can accept deposits during the registration process.

[0033] [Full Selfie Mode] The full self-service mode is an operation mode in which the customer side performs the registration process and the settlement process. That is, in the full self-service mode, the customer side is in both the registration mode and the settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode when viewed from the entire process from the registration process to the settlement process.

[0034] In the full self-service mode, the customer registers the purchased items on the customer side (customer side scanner unit 206, customer side display unit 205). That is, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the customer's operation (scanning by the customer side scanner unit 206, touching the customer side display unit 205).

[0035] When the registration process is completed, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the customer side display unit 205 and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change dispenser 209 or, in the case of credit card payment, operating the card reader 208. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208).

[0036] As described above, in the full self-service mode, the customer performs both the registration process and the payment process, but this does not mean that the store clerk cannot do anything. In other words, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, the store clerk code can be scanned using the store clerk scanner unit 212. Furthermore, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, various information can be displayed on the store clerk display unit 210. For example, during operation in full self-service mode, the clerk-side display unit 210 may be configured to display the same screen as that displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, depending on the registration process and payment process being performed on the customer side. In other words, the clerk-side display unit 210 may display a mirrored version of the content displayed on the customer-side display unit 205. This allows the clerk to understand what operations the customer is performing and the processing status of the POS terminal 20 in full self-service mode.

[0037] [Double Scan Mode] The double scan mode is an operation mode in which the registration process is performed on both the clerk side and the customer side, and the settlement process is performed on the customer side. That is, in the double scan mode, both the clerk side and the customer side are in registration mode, and the customer side is in settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode when viewed from the entire process from registration to settlement.

[0038] In double scan mode, the clerk registers the purchased items on the clerk side (clerk scanner unit 212, clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211), and the customer registers the purchased items on the customer side (customer scanner unit 206, customer display unit 205). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items through operations by the clerk (scanning with clerk scanner unit 212, touching the clerk display unit 210, pressing the key operation unit 211, etc.) and operations by the customer (scanning with customer scanner unit 206, touching the customer display unit 205).

[0039] When the registration process is completed, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the customer side display unit 205 and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change dispenser 209 or, in the case of credit card payment, operating the card reader 208. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208).

[0040] The store clerk may wait until the customer completes the payment (until the customer receives the change and receipt), or may register the items purchased by the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can register the items purchased by the next customer while the payment is being processed. The store clerk may also be absent while the customer is paying. In other words, the store clerk may finish serving the customer while the customer is paying.

[0041] [Semi-selfie mode] The semi-self-service mode is an operation mode for two or more POS terminals 20, in which the registration process is performed by the store clerk at at least one POS terminal 20, and the settlement process is performed by the customer at another POS terminal 20. That is, in the semi-self-service mode, one or more POS terminals 20 are in the registration-only mode, and the other one or more POS terminals 20 are in the settlement-only mode.

[0042] In the semi-self mode, the store clerk registers the purchased items of the customer on the store clerk side (store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211) of the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the operation of the store clerk (operation of the store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.).

[0043] When the clerk has completed the registration process, the customer moves to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, checks the total amount of the purchased items on the clerk-side display unit 210, and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change machine 209 or operating the card reader 208. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change machine 209, operating the card reader 208), etc.

[0044] When the registration process is completed at the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, the customer moves from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, and the information necessary for the settlement process (such as the registration information generated at the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode) is supplied to the POS terminal 20 to which the customer has moved.

[0045] The destination POS terminal 20 (the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that executes the settlement process) may be specified by the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. Alternatively, a medium (a medium on which a barcode or the like for obtaining information necessary for the settlement process is printed) may be issued by the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, and the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that reads the medium may be set as the destination POS terminal 20.

[0046] In the semi-self-service mode, after the store clerk has transmitted the registration information, the store clerk can register the next customer's purchase. Also, after the store clerk has transmitted the registration information, the store clerk may be absent.

[0047] [Transaction procedure in full self-service mode] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 15, an example of a procedure for a customer's transaction when the full self-service mode is set for the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment will be described. In addition, for the following explanation, we will use as an example a case where the customer-side display unit 205 is a touch panel, and a customer or other user can operate it by touching an operating object such as a finger to the display surface of the customer-side display unit 205.

[0048] While the POS terminal 20 is waiting for a customer to make a transaction, the customer-side display unit 205 displays a standby screen. 5 shows an example of the standby screen. The standby screen in the figure displays "self-checkout" to indicate that the POS terminal 20 is set to the full self-checkout mode. Also, on the start screen in the figure, a registration start (account start) button BT10 is arranged. A customer who wishes to start product registration using the POS terminal 20 in full self-service mode operates (for example, taps) the registration start button BT10. In response to the operation of the registration start button BT10, the POS terminal 20 set to full self-service mode begins accepting product registration in response to the customer's operation.

[0049] In response to the operation of the registration start button BT10, the display on the customer side display unit 205 transitions from the standby screen to a membership card confirmation screen. The membership card confirmation screen is a screen that asks the customer whether or not they have a membership card (whether or not they want to use the membership card to receive benefits). If the customer is registered as a member of a participating store, the store will issue the customer a membership card. By presenting the membership card when making a purchase (transaction) at the store, the customer can receive benefits such as member points. Furthermore, by presenting the membership card when making a purchase (transaction) at the store, the customer may be granted benefits such as discounts, discounts, and increased points that are associated with the customer as a member.

[0050] 6 shows an example of the membership card confirmation screen, which includes a guide area AR20, a card use button BT21, and a card non-use button BT22. The guidance area AR20 displays a message instructing the customer to operate either the card use button BT21 or the card non-use button BT22 depending on whether or not the customer has a membership card (whether or not the customer intends to use the membership card). If the customer intends to use the membership card, the customer operates the card use button BT21, and if the customer does not have a membership card or has no intention of using it even if he has one, the customer operates the card non-use button BT22. When the card use button BT21 is operated, the display on the customer side display unit 205 transitions from the membership card confirmation screen to a card reading guidance screen.

[0051] 7 shows an example of the card reading guidance screen. In the guidance area AR20 of the card reading guidance screen, a message is displayed instructing the customer to have their membership card read by card reader 208. The customer follows the guidance and performs an operation to have card reader 208 read their membership card. Card reader 208 acquires the member identification information (membership number) recorded on the membership card. In addition, there may be cases where a customer has no intention of using their membership card but accidentally presses the card use button BT21, resulting in a transition to the card reading guide screen, or where the customer presses the card use button BT21 to transition to the card reading guide screen and then realizes that they no longer have their membership card. In such cases, the customer presses the back button BT30 located on the card reading guide screen. In response to the operation of the back button BT30, the display on customer-side display unit 205 returns to the membership card confirmation screen.

[0052] When the card reading guide screen is displayed and the membership card is read by card reader 208, or when card non-use button BT22 on the membership card confirmation screen is operated, the display on customer-side display unit 205 transitions to the product registration screen. Alternatively, when the card reading guide screen is displayed and the customer operates customer-side scanner unit 206 to read the product code attached to the product, the display may transition to the product registration screen when customer-side scanner unit 206 reads the product code. In addition, when the card reader 208 reads the membership card while the card reading guide screen is displayed, if the cumulative number of points associated with the membership card is in a point achievement state of a certain number or more, a point achievement screen will be displayed to inform the customer that the points have been achieved, and then the screen may transition to a product registration screen depending on the customer's confirmation operation or the passage of a predetermined time.

[0053] Fig. 8 shows an example of the product registration screen in the initial display state. The product registration screen is an operation screen that is displayed when a customer operates the POS terminal 20 to register a product. This figure shows an example of the product registration screen that is displayed in response to the card use button BT21 being operated on the membership card confirmation screen (Fig. 6).

[0054] The product registration screen in the figure has a guide area AR20 and a product registration result area AR30. In the guide area AR20 of the product registration screen, a message is displayed instructing the customer to register the product by having the customer-side scanner unit 206 read the product code (barcode) attached to the product.

[0055] Also, an item designation button area AR21 is arranged. The item designation button area AR21 is an area where an item designation button is arranged for designating the item of a product to be registered as an operation for registering the product to be registered (button use registration operation) when the product to be registered does not have a product code. When the item designation button is operated, a list of products corresponding to the operated item is displayed, and the customer can register the product by selecting the product to be registered from the displayed list.

[0056] The product registration result area AR30 is an area where information about the products registered by the customer is presented. The product registration result area AR30 in the same figure shows a list item for each registered product, the number of registered products (registered number), and the total price of the registered products. Since this figure is in the initial display state, the list items of registered products have not yet been displayed, and the registered number and total price show zero.

[0057] In addition, in the product registration result area AR30 in the same figure, a member correspondence information area AR40 is arranged. The member information area AR40 shows the accumulated points associated with the member identification information read from the member card. The member card of this embodiment also functions as an electronic money card. The member information area AR40 shows the accumulated points as well as the remaining charge amount (charge balance) on the electronic money card.

[0058] The position of the member correspondence information area AR40 on the product registration screen is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 1. The member correspondence information area AR40 may be placed in a predetermined position outside the product registration result area AR30, for example.

[0059] Furthermore, as a service for members, stores can grant benefits (member-specific benefits) associated with customers as members. Member-specific benefits may be benefits that are uniformly associated with each member, or may be one-to-one benefits that vary for each member based on their past store usage, purchase history, etc. One example of a one-to-one benefit may be a benefit in which a discount amount or discount rate on a total price is set according to a purchase history over a certain period of time in the past.

[0060] When member identification information (member number) read from a membership card by card reader 208 is associated with a member benefit, the product registration screen displayed after the membership card is read will have a member benefit information area AR41, as shown in FIG. 8. In this case, the member benefit information area AR41 is located outside the product registration result area AR30. In this case, the member benefit information area AR41 and the product registration result area AR30 are displayed on the same screen. In other words, the product registration screen in FIG. 8 presents information about the member benefit and information about the price of the registered product together. The member benefit information area AR41 displays information about the member benefit associated with the corresponding member. By displaying the member benefit information area AR41, the customer can understand what member benefit he or she is entitled to while making a payment for a transaction (including procedures from product registration to settlement) at the POS terminal 20.

[0061] When a member benefit is associated with the member identification information read from the membership card, in addition to displaying information about the member benefit in the member benefit information area AR41 on the product registration screen of the POS terminal 20 as described above, the monitoring device 40 may display information about the same member benefit in a predetermined format together with information identifying the corresponding POS terminal 20 (which may be, for example, a register number, etc.). In this case, the monitoring device 40 may display more detailed information about the member benefit than that displayed in the member benefit information area AR41.

[0062] FIG. 9 shows an example of the appearance of the product registration screen when the customer has registered the first "product A" by having the customer-side scanner unit 206 read the product code from the initial display state of FIG. In the product registration result area AT30 in the figure, a list item for "Product A" is presented in response to the registration of "Product A." The list item for "Product A" shows the product name ("Product A") and price. The product registration result area AT30 also displays the number of registered items (number of purchased items) and total amount according to the product registration results so far. In the figure, "1 item" is displayed as the number of registered items, and "¥108" is displayed as the total amount.

[0063] In response to the registration of the first product, a new checkout instruction button BT31 is displayed on the product registration screen. The checkout instruction button BT31 is a button that is operated to instruct the POS terminal 20 to complete the product registration process and transition to the checkout process. The member information area AR40 and the member benefit information area AR41 are continuously displayed from the initial display state of the product registration screen.

[0064] In this case, the customer has registered the first product, "Product A," and has now completed the registration of all products. The customer then operates the payment transition instruction button BT31. In response to the operation of the payment transition instruction button BT31, the POS terminal 20 executes a process corresponding to the input of the complimentary coupon information before proceeding to the payment process. Coupon information is information related to coupons. Coupons are coupons that provide customers with benefits such as increased points or discounts on the total amount (subtotal amount). Coupons are given to customers by stores when they make a purchase on a previous occasion.

[0065] As a process corresponding to the input of the complimentary coupon information, the POS terminal 20 displays a complimentary coupon confirmation screen in response to the operation of the settlement transition instruction button BT31. 10 shows an example of a coupon confirmation screen. The coupon confirmation screen is a screen that asks the customer whether or not they have a coupon. In other words, the coupon confirmation screen asks the customer whether or not they intend to use a coupon for this transaction. The coupon confirmation screen has a possession confirmation button BT51 and a non-possession confirmation button BT52. The possession confirmation button BT51 is a button that a customer operates when they have a coupon (and intend to use it). The non-possession confirmation button BT52 is a button that a customer operates when they do not have a coupon (and do not intend to use it). The customer operates either the possession confirmation button BT51 or the non-possession confirmation button BT52 depending on whether they have a coupon.

[0066] When the possession confirmation button BT51 is operated, the display on the customer side display unit 205 transitions to a complimentary coupon reading guide screen. 11 shows an example of the coupon reading guidance screen. The coupon reading guidance screen displays a message to the customer instructing them to have the barcodes of all coupons they possess (which the customer intends to use in this transaction) read by the customer scanner unit 206. The barcodes of the coupons indicate, for example, coupon identification information corresponding to the type of coupon. The reading completion confirmation button BT55 is a button operated to confirm that the reading of the barcodes of all the complimentary coupons to be used has been completed.

[0067] The customer has the customer-side scanner unit 206 read the barcodes of the complimentary coupons they possess one by one. The POS terminal 20 acquires the complimentary coupon identification information indicated by the barcodes of the read complimentary coupons. In this way, the POS terminal 20 acquires the complimentary coupon identification information in response to the customer having the customer-side scanner unit 206 read the barcodes of the complimentary coupons, which corresponds to the privilege corresponding to the complimentary coupon indicated by the complimentary coupon identification information being associated with the customer.

[0068] The benefits of complimentary coupons can be divided into two types: non-value-based benefits, such as an increase in points awarded, and value-based benefits, such as a reduction (discount) on the total amount. When a coupon is used as a monetary benefit, the store clerk must collect the coupon to prevent it from being used again by the customer. Therefore, when a customer has the barcode of a discount coupon read by the customer side scanner unit 206 one by one, the POS terminal 20 executes store clerk call control when the barcode of the discount coupon as a monetary benefit is read, without acquiring discount coupon identification information corresponding to the reading of the barcode of the discount coupon as a monetary benefit this time. The store clerk call control may be, for example, lighting up the sign pole 217 in a predetermined pattern. Alternatively, the store clerk call may be the transmission of a store clerk call request to a device such as the monitoring device 40. Upon receiving the store clerk call request, the monitoring device 40 notifies the store clerk monitoring the monitoring device 40 by displaying or the like that a store clerk call has been made at the POS terminal 20 that sent the store clerk call request. When the store clerk call display is displayed, the store clerk may also be notified that the store clerk call is in response to the reading of a complimentary coupon as a monetary benefit. In addition, the content of the benefit may also be notified at this time so that the store clerk can easily recognize what kind of complimentary coupon has been read. Upon receiving the store clerk call made by the store clerk call control as described above, the store clerk goes to the corresponding POS terminal 20.

[0069] When the POS terminal 20 executes the store clerk call control as described above, it displays a store clerk call notification screen, such as that shown in Fig. 12, on the customer-side display unit 205 until a store clerk who has responded to the store clerk call comes to the POS terminal 20. While the store clerk call notification screen is displayed, the customer is unable to operate the customer-side display unit 205.

[0070] In response to the clerk call, the clerk goes to the POS terminal 20 and causes the clerk scanner unit 212 or card reader 208 to read the clerk identification information (clerk number) recorded on the clerk ID card. After the clerk identification information has been read from the clerk ID card, the clerk call notification screen is cleared and a complimentary coupon reading instruction screen DB is displayed for the clerk, as shown in Fig. 13. In this case, the complimentary coupon reading instruction screen DB is shown as an example in the form of a dialog box that is displayed so as to be superimposed on the complimentary coupon reading guide screen. The coupon reading instruction screen DB displays a message instructing the POS terminal 20 to enter maintenance mode and have the clerk read the barcode of the coupon for the coupon corresponding to the monetary benefit corresponding to this clerk call. After checking the contents of the message, the clerk operates the confirmation button BT56 arranged on the coupon reading instruction screen DB. In addition, information about the discount coupon that has been read (such as the contents of the benefits) may be displayed on the discount coupon reading instruction screen DB or on the discount coupon reading guide screen in the background on which the discount coupon reading instruction screen DB is displayed.

[0071] In response to the operation of the confirmation button BT56, the display on the customer side display unit 205 transitions to a maintenance screen. 14 shows an example of the maintenance screen. The maintenance screen in the figure includes a registration result area AR60. In the registration result area AR60, the number of registered items and the total amount are displayed as the product registration results to be settled. While the maintenance screen is displayed, the store clerk has the store clerk scanner unit 212 (or the customer scanner unit 206) read the barcode of the discount coupon for the monetary benefit. The POS terminal 20 acquires the discount coupon identification information of the read barcode. The POS terminal 20 executes a process to apply the monetary benefit of the discount coupon indicated by the acquired discount coupon identification information to the total amount. For example, if the monetary benefit is a discount based on a predetermined discount rate on the total amount, the POS terminal 20 recalculates the total amount so that it is reduced based on the discount rate. After the POS terminal 20 recalculates the total amount, the total amount in the registration result area AR60 is changed to the recalculated amount. If a customer is using multiple discount coupons for monetary benefit, the store clerk can read the barcodes of the multiple discount coupons for the monetary benefit while the maintenance screen is displayed. In this case, the POS terminal 20 can execute a process to apply the monetary benefit of each of the multiple discount coupons read to the total amount. In addition, information about the coupon that has been read (such as the contents of the benefit) may also be displayed on the maintenance screen. Once the store clerk has confirmed that the processing corresponding to the monetary benefit has been executed in this way, he or she operates the maintenance end button BT60 located on the maintenance screen. In response to the operation of the maintenance end button BT60, the maintenance screen is cleared and the coupon reading guidance screen of Fig. 11 is displayed again. If there are any coupons for non-monetary benefit services remaining whose barcodes have not yet been read, the customer performs an operation to read the barcodes of the remaining non-monetary benefit coupons.

[0072] Then, the customer has the POS terminal 20 read the barcodes of all the complimentary coupons that he or she wishes to use, and then operates the read completion confirmation button BT55 arranged on the complimentary coupon reading guidance screen.

[0073] When the reading completion confirmation button BT55 is operated, the display on the customer side scanner unit 206 transitions to the payment type confirmation screen. Also, when the non-possession confirmation button BT52 on the coupon confirmation screen (Fig. 10) is operated, the display transitions to the payment type confirmation screen without transitioning to the coupon reading guide screen (Fig. 11).

[0074] For example, even if the complimentary coupon read by the customer-side scanner unit 206 is a monetary benefit, the POS terminal 20 may continue to accept the customer's request to have the customer-side scanner unit 206 read the barcode of the complimentary coupon without immediately executing the store clerk call control. In this case, the customer may first have the customer-side scanner unit 206 read all of the complimentary coupons that the customer intends to use in order, and then operate the read completion confirmation button BT55. When the reading completion confirmation button BT55 is operated in this manner, if the discount coupons whose barcodes have been read this time include monetary benefits, the POS terminal 20 may execute a store clerk call control and perform processing for each of the monetary benefits in accordance with the store clerk's operation on the maintenance screen. In this case, the POS terminal 20 may transition to a payment type selection screen in response to operation of the maintenance end button BT60 on the maintenance screen, or may return to the coupon reading guide screen and then transition to the payment type selection screen again, for example, in response to operation of the reading completion confirmation button BT55.

[0075] FIG. 15 shows an example of a payment type selection screen. This figure shows an example of the payment type selection screen that is displayed after the barcode on a complimentary coupon has been read. The payment type selection screen in this figure has a message area AR71 and a total amount area AR72. The message area AR71 displays a message instructing the customer to select a payment method (payment method) for settling this transaction. The total amount area AR72 displays the total amount (payment amount).

[0076] The payment type selection screen in the figure corresponds to the case where the POS terminal 20 can handle three payment types: cash payment, credit card payment, and membership card payment. Membership card payment is a settlement made using the charge balance recorded on a membership card, which is an electronic money card.

[0077] Three payment type selection buttons BT70 (BT70-1, BT70-2, BT70-3) are arranged on the payment type selection screen in the same figure according to the three payment types that can be supported by the POS terminal 20. The arrangement of the payment type selection buttons BT70 is not limited to the horizontal arrangement as shown in the same figure. Payment type selection button BT70-1 is a button that is operated when a customer selects cash payment as the payment type. Payment type selection button BT70-2 is a button that is operated when a customer selects credit card payment as the payment type. Payment type selection button BT70-3 is a button that is operated when a customer selects membership card payment as the payment type. The customer operates the payment type selection button BT70 corresponding to the payment type they wish to use for payment (settlement). The POS terminal 20 displays the settlement screen corresponding to the payment type designated in response to the operated payment type selection button BT70, and executes the settlement process corresponding to the payment type designated in response to the customer's operation.

[0078] Furthermore, the payment type selection screen in Figure 15 continues to display the member-specific benefit information area AR41 that was displayed on the product registration screen. In addition, since the barcode of the complimentary coupon has been read, the payment type selection screen in this case also displays the complimentary coupon benefit information area AR42 along with the member-specific benefit information area AR41. In this case, the complimentary coupon benefit information area AR42, along with the member-specific benefit information area AR41, is also located outside the product registration result area AR30. This type of payment type confirmation screen displays information about the member-specific benefit, information about the complimentary coupon benefit, and information about the price of the registered product.

[0079] The coupon-related benefit information area AR42 is an area that displays information about the benefit of the coupon applied when the barcode is read. Specifically, the coupon-related benefit information area AR42 in the same figure displays "7x." This "7x" display indicates that the benefit applied in accordance with the coupon that was read is that the points awarded in accordance with the total amount will be seven times the standard amount. Furthermore, if multiple coupons are read and multiple different benefit details are applied, the coupon-related benefit information area AR42 may also include the corresponding multiple benefit details.

[0080] By displaying the coupon-related benefit information area AR42 in this manner, the customer can understand not only his / her membership benefits but also the benefits corresponding to the coupon while making a payment for a transaction at the POS terminal 20.

[0081] Note that some coupons may not be usable with certain payment types. Therefore, if there is a payment type for which the coupon whose barcode has been read cannot be used, the payment type selection screen may be made unable to select the payment type for which the coupon cannot be used. Specifically, the payment type selection button BT70 corresponding to the payment type for which the coupon cannot be used may be made inoperable by being grayed out, for example. Furthermore, the payment type selection screen may be made unable to select the payment type for which the coupon cannot be used, and the reason for the inability to select the payment type (that the coupon cannot be used for the payment type) may also be displayed.

[0082] In addition to displaying the information about the complimentary coupon on the POS terminal 20 as described above, the monitoring device 40 may be configured to display information about the same complimentary coupon in a predetermined format together with information that identifies the corresponding POS terminal 20 (for example, a register number, etc.). In this case, the monitoring device 40 may be configured to display more detailed information about the complimentary coupon than that displayed in the complimentary coupon-related benefit information area AR42.

[0083] [Example of processing procedure] The processing procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 in response to a transaction (the flow from product registration to settlement (payment) in one transaction) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S101: The POS terminal 20 waits for a customer to perform a registration start operation while displaying a standby screen (FIG. 5) on the customer-side display unit 205. The registration start operation is an operation on the registration start button BT10 arranged on the standby screen.

[0084] Step S102: In response to the registration start operation, the POS terminal 20 displays the membership card confirmation screen (FIG. 6) in place of the standby screen.

[0085] Step S103: The POS terminal 20 accepts a membership card confirmation operation performed by the customer on the membership card confirmation screen displayed in step S102. The membership card confirmation operation is an operation on either the card use button BT21 or the card non-use button BT22 arranged on the membership card confirmation screen.

[0086] Step S104: The POS terminal 20 determines whether the membership card confirmation operation received in step S103 specifies whether the membership card will be used. The membership card confirmation operation specifying whether the membership card will be used is an operation on the card use button BT21. Step S105: If the membership card confirmation operation specifies the use of the membership card, the POS terminal 20 displays the card reading guide screen (FIG. 7) instead of the membership card confirmation screen.

[0087] Step S106: With the card reading guidance screen displayed, the customer performs an operation to have the card reader 208 read the member identification information on the member card. The POS terminal 20 acquires the member identification information read by the card reader 208 from the member card.

[0088] Step S107: Upon acquiring the member identification information, the POS terminal 20 acquires member correspondence information associated with the customer as the member identified by the acquired member identification information from the customer information (member information) stored in the management device 30. The member correspondence information includes the accumulated points value, the charge balance, etc. The POS terminal 20 displays a product registration screen on the customer side display unit 205, which includes a member correspondence information area AR40 showing the acquired member correspondence information.

[0089] Step S108: On the other hand, if the membership card confirmation operation in step S104 specifies that the membership card will not be used, the POS terminal 20 displays on the customer side display unit 205 a product registration screen that does not include the member correspondence information area AR40.

[0090] Step S109: With the product registration screen displayed, the customer performs a product registration operation by having the customer-side scanner unit 206 read the product code (e.g., barcode) attached to the product to be registered. In response to this product registration operation, the POS terminal 20 executes a product registration process. Specifically, as part of the product registration process, the POS terminal 20 stores product information associated with the product code read by the customer-side scanner unit 206.

[0091] Step S110: After the process of step S109, the POS terminal 20 determines whether or not a settlement transition instruction operation has been performed. The settlement transition instruction operation is an operation on the settlement transition instruction button BT31. If it is determined that the settlement transition instruction operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S109.

[0092] Step S111: When a payment transition instruction operation is performed, the POS terminal 20 displays the complimentary coupon confirmation screen (FIG. 10) on the customer side display unit 205.

[0093] Step S112: The coupon confirmation screen has a possession confirmation button BT51 and a non-possession confirmation button BT52. If the customer intends to use the coupon they have, they operate the possession confirmation button BT51, and if they do not intend to use the coupon they have (including if they do not have the coupon), they operate the non-possession confirmation button BT52. With the coupon confirmation screen displayed, the POS terminal 20 determines whether the customer will use the coupon in this transaction. In other words, the POS terminal 20 determines whether the possession confirmation button BT51 of the possession confirmation button BT51 and the non-possession confirmation button BT52 has been pressed.

[0094] Step S113: When it is determined that the customer will use the coupon by operating the possession confirmation button BT51, the POS terminal 20 displays a coupon reading guide screen on the customer-side display unit 205. With the coupon reading guide screen displayed, the POS terminal 20 acquires coupon identification information indicated by the read barcode in response to the customer performing an operation to have the customer-side scanner unit 206 read the barcode of the coupon for the non-monetary benefit. Furthermore, in the process of step S113, when the customer causes the customer-side scanner unit 206 to read the barcode of the complimentary coupon for the monetary benefit, the POS terminal 20 controls to call a store clerk, as previously described with reference to Figures 12 to 14, and acquires the complimentary coupon identification information indicated by the read barcode in response to the store clerk's operation to read the barcode of the complimentary coupon for the monetary benefit on the maintenance screen. In response to the store clerk's operation of the maintenance end button BT60 on the maintenance screen, the POS terminal 20 erases the maintenance screen and returns the display to the complimentary coupon reading guidance screen.

[0095] Step S114: The POS terminal 20 also determines whether or not a reading completion confirmation operation has been performed while the coupon reading guide screen is displayed. The reading completion confirmation operation is an operation on the reading completion confirmation button BT55 on the coupon reading guide screen.

[0096] Step S115: When the reading completion confirmation operation is performed, the POS terminal 20 acquires the benefit details associated with the benefit coupon identification information acquired in step S113. For example, the store controller 10 (which may be the management device 30 or a server on the cloud, etc.) stores benefit coupon information in which benefit details are associated with each benefit coupon identification information. The POS terminal 20 acquires the benefit details associated with the benefit coupon identification information from the store controller 10. The POS terminal 20 displays on the customer side scanner unit 206 a payment type selection screen (FIG. 15) including a coupon-related benefit information area AR42 showing the benefit details of the obtained coupon.

[0097] Step S116: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S112 that the customer will not use the coupon because the non-possession confirmation button BT52 was operated, the POS terminal 20 displays a payment type selection screen on the customer side scanner unit 206 that does not include the coupon-compatible benefit information area AR42.

[0098] Step S117: The POS terminal 20 accepts a payment type selection operation on the payment type selection screen displayed in step S115 or step S116. The payment type selection operation is an operation on any one of the payment type selection buttons BT70.

[0099] Step S118: In response to receiving the payment type selection operation, the POS terminal 20 displays on the customer display unit 205 a settlement screen corresponding to the payment type selected by the payment type selection operation. Step S119: With the payment screen displayed, the POS terminal 20 executes payment processing in response to the customer's payment operation.

[0100] <Modification> Modifications of this embodiment will be described below. The configurations of the following modifications may be combined as appropriate with the above-described embodiments.

[0101] [First Modification] If there are multiple member-specific benefits associated with the member identification information read from the membership card, the POS terminal 20 may display information for each of the multiple member-specific benefits. In this case, the POS terminal 20 may display information for each of the multiple member-specific benefits in one member-specific benefit information area AR41, or may display information for each of the multiple member-specific benefits in one member-specific benefit information area AR41. Furthermore, if the multiple member-specific benefits associated with the member identification information read from the membership card correspond to the same type of benefit, the POS terminal 20 may integrate and display the multiple member-specific benefits. For example, if the type of benefit corresponding to the multiple member-specific benefits is a discount by a certain discount amount, the POS terminal 20 may display the total discount amount for each of the multiple member-specific benefits.

[0102] When multiple coupons are applied to a transaction by reading the barcodes of multiple coupons, the POS terminal 20 may display information for each of the multiple coupons. In this case, the POS terminal 20 may display information for each of the multiple coupons in one coupon-related benefit information area AR42, or may display information for each of the multiple coupons in one coupon-related benefit information area AR42. Furthermore, if the coupons applied to a transaction correspond to the same type of benefit, the benefits of the multiple coupons may be displayed together.

[0103] [Second Modification] In the above embodiment, the POS terminal 20 is enabled to read a membership card after the registration start operation, and displays the member-specific benefit information area AR41 from the time when the product registration screen starts to be displayed. On the other hand, the POS terminal 20 is enabled to read a complimentary coupon from the time when the product registration is completed and the payment transition instruction operation is performed, and displays the complimentary coupon-specific benefit information area AR42 on the payment type selection screen and the payment screen that are displayed at the payment stage.

[0104] However, while the POS terminal 20 processes the transaction in accordance with the transaction, the timing at which the membership card can be read and the screen or timing at which the member-specific benefit information area AR41 is displayed in response to the reading of the membership card are not particularly limited. Similarly, while the POS terminal 20 processes the transaction in accordance with the transaction, the timing at which the discount coupon can be read and the screen or timing at which the discount coupon-related benefit information area AR42 is displayed in response to the reading of the discount coupon are not particularly limited.

[0105] In this modified example, if it is possible to read membership cards and discount coupons during the product registration period from the start to the end of product registration, information regarding member-related benefits and discount coupon-related benefits can be displayed as one of the list items in the product registration result area AR30 on the product registration screen. However, in this case, as product registrations are made and new list items for registered products are displayed, list items relating to member benefits and coupon benefits that were already displayed may be moved out of the margin and no longer displayed. Therefore, in this modified example, as in the previous embodiment, information about member-related benefits and information about coupon-related benefits may be displayed in the member-related benefit information area AR41 and the coupon-related benefit information area AR42. This allows customers to know what their member-related benefits and coupon-related benefits are at any time while registering products.

[0106] [Third Modification] In the above embodiment, information related to member-specific benefits and coupon-related benefits was displayed on the customer-side display unit 205. In this modified example, information related to member-specific benefits and coupon-related benefits may also be displayed on the store clerk-side display unit 210. In addition, when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the reception mode and a customer has the customer-side scanner unit 206 read their membership card, information regarding the corresponding member-only privileges may be displayed on the customer-side display unit 205 and the store clerk-side display unit 210.

[0107] [Fourth Modification] The configuration for displaying to customers information about benefits associated with them as in the above embodiment may be applied to a product sales data processing system that includes, for example, a registration device where a store clerk registers products, and a settlement device that performs settlement based on settlement information that reflects the product registration results by the registration device in response to customer operation.

[0108] In this case, for example, while a store clerk is registering a product on the registration device, a customer waiting for the product registration to be completed may be able to have the registration device read their membership card. After reading the member identification information from the membership card, the registration device obtains information on member benefits corresponding to the read member identification information from a higher-level device, such as a management device (which may be a store controller or a cloud server) provided in a product sales data processing system. The registration device may display the obtained member benefit information on a display unit facing the customer.

[0109] Similarly, for example, while a store clerk is registering a product on a registration device, a customer waiting for the product registration to be completed may be able to have the registration device read a complimentary coupon. After reading the complimentary coupon identification information from the complimentary coupon, the registration device obtains information on the complimentary coupon-related benefit corresponding to the read complimentary coupon identification information from a higher-level device, such as a management device (which may be a store controller or a cloud server) provided in a product sales data processing system. The registration device may display the obtained information on the complimentary coupon-related benefit on a display unit facing the customer.

[0110] In addition, in response to a subtotal operation or the like being performed on the registration device, settlement information is sent from the registration device to the settlement device designated to execute the settlement process. In this case, the settlement information may include information on benefits acquired by the registration device (information on member-related benefits, information on complimentary coupon-related benefits).

[0111] The settlement device that receives the settlement information displays a settlement screen that the customer can use to perform operations according to the settlement. In this case, the settlement device may display information about benefits included in the settlement information on the settlement screen. For example, when the payment type selection screen is displayed as the settlement screen displayed on the settlement device, benefit information (information about member-related benefits, information about complimentary coupon-related benefits) may be displayed in a manner such as that shown in FIG. 15.

[0112] [Fifth Modification] The configuration of displaying to customers information about benefits associated with them as in the above embodiment may also be applied to a product sales data processing system in which customers register products in a store using their own mobile devices such as smartphones or tablet terminals, and then operate a payment device to settle the payment in accordance with the registered products. A shopping application compatible with the product sales data processing system of this modified example is installed on the mobile terminal of this modified example. A customer operates the mobile terminal on which the shopping application is running to register a product.

[0113] When a shopping application is launched on a mobile device, a store selection screen is displayed. The store selection screen is a screen that shows the locations of stores where shopping can be done using the shopping application on a map based on, for example, the current location. The customer is prompted to select the store where they want to shop from the stores shown on the map on the store selection screen. It should be noted that information regarding benefits available to customers may be displayed for each store displayed on the store selection screen. In this case, when a store is selected by operating the store selection screen, information regarding benefits available to customers may be displayed for the selected store.

[0114] 17(A) shows an example of a shopping application startup screen displayed on the display unit of a mobile device. In the following explanation, we will use an example in which the display unit of the mobile device is a touch panel, allowing operations to be performed on the displayed screen. The start-up screen shown in the figure includes a member-specific privilege information area AR41, which displays information about member-specific privileges available to customers. In the merchandise sales data processing system of this modified example, information on member-specific benefits is stored for each customer in the customer information stored in the server provided in the merchandise sales data processing system. When displaying the startup screen, the mobile terminal accesses the server to obtain information about the member benefits of the corresponding customer. The mobile terminal can use the obtained information about the member benefits to display a startup screen including a member benefit information area AR41, as shown in the figure. Note that the position of the member benefit information area AR41 on the startup screen is not particularly limited.

[0115] When a customer starts product registration, the customer operates a transaction start instruction button BT1 arranged on the start screen. In response to the operation of the transaction start instruction button BT1, the mobile terminal displays a product registration screen. With the product registration screen displayed, the customer can register the product by using the code scan function of the mobile terminal to have the mobile terminal read the product code of the product to be registered. 17(B) shows an example of a product registration screen. The product registration screen in the figure has a captured image area AR1 and a product registration result area AR2. The captured image area AR1 is an area where a captured image obtained by a mobile terminal taking an image is displayed. A product code (e.g., a barcode) captured so as to fit within a predetermined range in the captured image displayed in the captured image area AR1 is the target of reading. The product registration result area AR2 shows the number of registered products (number of registered products) and the total price for the products registered so far, and is an area where a list item Itm corresponding to each registered product is placed.

[0116] The product registration screen in the figure also displays a bonus information area AR43. In this case, the bonus information area AR43 is shown as a speech bubble attached to the payment transition instruction button BT2. Note that the display mode of the bonus information area AR43 is not limited to the mode shown in the figure. The privilege information area AR43 reflects the contents of the member privilege information area AR41 that was displayed on the startup screen of Fig. 17(A). In other words, the privilege information area AR43 continues to display the information on member privileges that was displayed on the startup screen of Fig. 17(A).

[0117] When the customer has completed the registration of all the products he or she wishes to purchase, he or she operates the payment instruction button BT2 displayed on the product registration screen. In response to the operation of the payment transition instruction button BT2, a coupon reading guide screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit. Following the instructions displayed on the coupon reading guide screen, the customer has their mobile terminal read the codes (which may be barcodes or two-dimensional codes, for example) printed on the coupons they possess and which they wish to use in this transaction. Once the customer has had their mobile terminal read the codes of all coupons they wish to use in this transaction, they operate, for example, a reading completion confirmation button located on the coupon reading guide screen. In response to the operation of the read completion confirmation button, a code presentation screen is displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal.

[0118] FIG. 17(C) shows an example of a code presentation screen. The code presentation screen displays, for example, a code CD indicating transaction identification information (cart identification information). A message area AR3 is arranged on the code presentation screen. In this case, the message area AR3 displays a message such as "Please hold the accounting code over the payment machine" to guide the customer to have the payment machine read the code on the code screen. The code presentation screen also includes a benefit information area AR44. In the benefit information area AR44, the member benefit information displayed in the benefit information area AR43 on the product registration screen is carried over and displayed, and also the member benefit information corresponding to the coupon read while the coupon reading guide screen is displayed.

[0119] The privilege information area AR44 may be divided into two areas, for example, so that information on member privileges and information on complimentary coupons are displayed in each area.

[0120] When the customer reads the code CD displayed on the code display screen, the settlement device transitions from a standby state to a state where it can execute settlement processing, and displays an operation screen corresponding to the subsequent settlement processing. The operation screen corresponding to the settlement processing may display information about the benefit that was displayed in the benefit information area AR44.

[0121] In this variant, similar to the first variant, while registering products using a mobile terminal and making payments at the checkout device, there are no particular restrictions on the timing at which the discount coupon can be read, and the screen or timing of the display that displays information on discount coupon-related benefits in response to the reading of the discount coupon.

[0122] [Sixth Modification] The complimentary coupon may be provided to the customer in an electronic form. In this case, the POS terminal 20 of the embodiment or the mobile terminal of the fifth modification may acquire information on the complimentary coupon-related benefits associated with the customer along with information on the member-related benefits from the higher-level device, and may display the acquired information on the member-related benefits and the complimentary coupon-related benefits on the product registration screen of the POS terminal 20 or the start-up screen of the mobile terminal.

[0123] <Summary of the embodiment> [Technical field] The present invention relates to a product sales data processing device. [Background technology] A technology is known in which, on a screen having multiple selection sections showing multiple payment methods, information on benefits that arise when each of the multiple payment methods is used for payment is displayed in the corresponding selection section (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6730077 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] For example, there are cases where special benefit information is associated with a customer. It is preferable that the customer making the transaction can easily understand the special benefit information associated with the customer. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable a customer making a transaction to easily understand the benefit information associated with the customer.

[0124] [Means for solving the problem] (1) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device (e.g., a POS terminal 20, a registration device and settlement device of the fourth variant, or a mobile terminal and settlement device of the fifth variant) that is used by a customer to settle their own account, and that includes a benefit information acquisition means for acquiring benefit information related to benefits associated with the customer (customer) (e.g., benefits associated with a membership card or benefits associated with a discount coupon), and an output control means for outputting the benefit information (information on member-related benefits, information on discount coupon-related benefits) acquired by the acquisition means on a display unit (e.g., a customer-side display unit 205).

[0125] According to the above configuration, the product sales data processing device used by the customer during the transaction can display the benefit information associated with the customer, allowing the customer to easily understand the details of the benefit associated with them while the transaction is in progress.

[0126] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device as described in (1), which is provided with a customer identification information acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information (e.g., member identification information) that uniquely identifies a customer, and the benefit information acquisition means acquires benefit information (information on member-specific benefits) associated with the customer identification information acquired by the customer identification information acquisition means.

[0127] According to the above configuration, the product sales data processing device can display information about member-related benefits associated with the customer's membership status as benefit information associated with the customer.

[0128] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device as described in (1) or (2), which is provided with a bonus identification information input means for accepting input of bonus identification information, and the bonus identification information acquisition means acquires bonus information indicated by the bonus identification information input by the bonus identification information input means in association with a customer.

[0129] According to the above configuration, when identification information (discount ticket identification information) of a benefit that is not itself associated with a customer, such as a discount ticket, is input, information on the discount ticket-related benefit indicated by the input discount ticket identification information can be associated with the customer and then displayed on the product sales data processing device.

[0130] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the output control means outputs the benefit information (member-specific benefit information area AR41, discount coupon-specific benefit information area AR42) on a display unit together with the amount to be settled (e.g., the total amount in the product registration result area AR30, the price of each registered product, and the total amount in the total amount area AR72) on one screen (e.g., the product registration screen (Figure 9), the payment type selection screen (Figure 15)).

[0131] According to the above configuration, the product registration screen and the payment method selection screen can display information about the benefit along with the amount to be settled, such as the total amount and product price, allowing the customer to immediately understand the relationship between the amount to be settled and the benefit information.

[0132] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device described in any one of (1) to (4), wherein the output control means displays information about the registered products (e.g., total amount, price of each registered product, total amount in total amount area AR72) and the benefit information (member-specific benefit information area AR41, discount coupon-specific benefit information area AR42) on a display unit, and displays the benefit information in a position on one screen (e.g., product registration screen (Figure 9), payment type selection screen (Figure 15)) different from the area where the information about the registered products is displayed (e.g., product registration result area AR30, total amount area AR72).

[0133] According to the above configuration, the member-specific benefit information area AR41 and the discount coupon-specific benefit information area AR42 can be displayed in a position different from the product registration result area AR30 and the total amount area AR72 on the product registration screen and payment type selection screen. This makes it easier to distinguish and understand information about products and information about benefits.

[0134] Note that programs for implementing the functions of the POS terminal 20, store controller 10, management device 30, etc. described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the POS terminal 20, store controller 10, management device 30, etc. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including communication lines such as the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, and a dedicated line. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as floppy disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code executable on the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that is executable on the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at different times and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be one that realizes part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 1 POS system, 10 store controller, 20 (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) POS terminal, 30 management device, 40 monitoring device, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 hard disk, 205 customer side display unit, 206 customer side scanner unit, 208 card reader, 209 change dispenser, 210 store clerk side display unit, 211 key operation unit, 212 store clerk side scanner unit, 213 printing unit, 214 audio output unit, 215 communication unit, 216 imaging unit, 217 sign pole, 218 person detection sensor

Claims

1. A product sales data processing device used by customers to make their own payments, a customer identification information acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information that uniquely identifies a customer as a member of the store; a benefit information acquisition means for acquiring first benefit information relating to a first benefit to be granted in response to the current transaction to the customer identified by the customer identification information acquired by the customer identification information acquisition means, and for acquiring second benefit information relating to a second benefit to be granted to the customer by the benefit coupon in response to the current transaction based on code information read from the benefit coupon presented by the customer; a display control means for controlling a display unit to display the first privilege information and the second privilege information acquired by the privilege information acquisition means at different positions on a predetermined screen, even if no operation is performed to display the first privilege information and the second privilege information acquired by the privilege information acquisition means; Equipped with The first benefit is: This is a discount benefit for the total amount of the current purchase, and the discount amount or discount rate is set according to each customer's purchase history over a certain period of time. The second benefit is: This is a point increase benefit that increases the points awarded in accordance with the total amount of this purchase over the standard points. The predetermined screen is A payment type selection screen is displayed when selecting the type of payment available for payment. The display control means The display unit is controlled so that, even if there is no operation to display the first benefit information and the second benefit information, the discount amount or the discount rate is displayed as the first benefit information, and a multiplier indicating how many times the standard points will be awarded is displayed as the second benefit information related to the point increase benefit, at different positions on the payment type selection screen. Product sales data processing device.

2. The predetermined screen is: This is the product registration screen that is displayed when registering a product. The display control means The display unit is controlled so that, even if there is no operation to display the first benefit information and the second benefit information, the discount amount or the discount rate is displayed as the first benefit information, and a multiplier indicating how many times the standard points will be awarded is displayed as the second benefit information related to the point increase benefit, at different positions on the product registration screen. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1 .

3. A computer as a product sales data processing device used by customers to settle their own accounts, customer identification information acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information that uniquely identifies a customer as a member of the store; a benefit information acquisition means for acquiring first benefit information corresponding to a first benefit to be granted in response to the current transaction of the customer identified by the customer identification information acquired by the customer identification information acquisition means, and for acquiring second benefit information corresponding to a second benefit to be granted to the customer by the benefit coupon in response to the current transaction, based on code information read from the benefit coupon presented by the customer; a display control means for controlling a display unit to display the first privilege information and the second privilege information acquired by the privilege information acquisition means at different positions on a predetermined screen, even if no operation is performed to display the first privilege information and the second privilege information acquired by the privilege information acquisition means. It functions as The first benefit is: This is a discount benefit for the total amount of the current purchase, and the discount amount or discount rate is set according to each customer's purchase history over a certain period of time. The second benefit is: This is a point increase benefit that increases the points awarded in accordance with the total amount of this purchase over the standard points. The predetermined screen is A payment type selection screen is displayed when selecting the type of payment available for payment. The display control means The display unit is controlled so that, even if there is no operation to display the first benefit information and the second benefit information, the discount amount or the discount rate is displayed as the first benefit information, and a multiplier indicating how many times the standard points will be awarded is displayed as the second benefit information related to the point increase benefit, at different positions on the payment type selection screen. program.

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