accounting system

Abstract

To provide a semi-self-type accounting system that can maintain an efficient accounting service and relieve congestion of an accounting place.SOLUTION: A registration machine calculates a first settlement amount in a case where a privilege granting condition is not established as a settlement amount of a sales transaction based on a registered commodity. The registration machine calculates a second settlement amount as a settlement amount of a sales transaction in a case where the privilege granting condition is established. The registration machine visualizes the first settlement amount and the second settlement amount. An accounting machine inputs payment data for settling the sales transaction. The accounting machine determines whether the privilege granting condition is established or not. The accounting machine settles the sales transaction by payment data equivalent to the first settlement amount in a case where it is determined that the privilege granting condition is established, and settles the sales transaction by payment data equivalent to the second settlement amount in a case where it is determined that the privilege granting condition is not established.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a transaction system including a registration machine and a transaction machine. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a semi-self-service accounting system in which a registration machine that processes product registration and a checkout machine that settles the purchase and sale of products registered at the registration machine are separated, with the registration machine operated by a store clerk and the checkout machine operated by the customer. In this type of accounting system, the store clerk performs the operation of entering the product codes required to register products, so the time required to register products can be reduced compared to a fully self-service accounting system in which the same operation is also performed by the customer. Furthermore, this system is efficient because the next customer can start registering their purchases even before a customer who has finished registering their purchases has finished paying at the checkout machine, which has the advantage of reducing congestion at the checkout area.

[0003] Meanwhile, many retail stores offer membership services that grant discounts and other benefits to customers who become members. When offering membership services at retail stores that have introduced semi-self-service checkout systems, customers can receive benefits such as discounts by registering a membership ID that identifies the customer in a registration machine. This requires the store clerk to perform the tedious task of verifying whether the customer is a member, requesting presentation of the member ID if the customer is a member, and then registering the presented member ID in the registration machine. Furthermore, when customers are asked to present their member ID, they must find their membership card and hand it to the clerk, or display the member ID barcode on their smartphone display and show it to the clerk, which lengthens the time the registration machine is occupied. As a result, there are concerns that the benefits of introducing semi-self-service checkout systems will be diminished. These concerns can be resolved by registering information related to the granting of benefits, such as the member ID, at the checkout machine rather than the registration machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-141651 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a semi-self-service accounting system that can maintain the efficiency of accounting operations and reduce congestion at the accounting desk, even when providing member services, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the accounting system includes a registration machine that processes registrations of merchandise, and a checkout machine that settles sales transactions of merchandise registered at the registration machine. The registration machine includes a first calculation means, a second calculation means, and a visualization means. The first calculation means calculates a first payment amount as the payment amount for the sales transaction based on the registered product when the conditions for granting the bonus are not met. The second calculation means calculates a second payment amount as the payment amount for the sales transaction when the conditions for granting the bonus are met. The visualization means visualizes the first payment amount and the second payment amount. The accounting machine includes an input means, a determination means, and a settlement means. The input means inputs payment data for settling a sales transaction. The determination means determines whether a benefit-granting condition is met or not. The settlement means settles the sales transaction with payment data corresponding to a first payment amount if it is determined that the benefit-granting condition is met, and settles the sales transaction with payment data corresponding to a second payment amount if it is determined that the benefit-granting condition is not met. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a semi-self-service checkout system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data configuration of a product record stored in the product database. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main data configuration of a member record stored in the member database. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration machine. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the registered product table. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a rank table held by a registration machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an allocation table provided in the accounting machine. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor of the registration machine in accordance with the registration machine program. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the main steps of information processing executed by the processor of the accounting machine in accordance with the accounting machine program. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart specifically showing the procedure of the allocation process in the information processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an example of an image displayed on the customer display of the registration machine. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an example of an image displayed on the touch panel of a cashier's machine. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an example of an image displayed on the touch panel of a cashier's machine. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an example of an image displayed on the touch panel of a cashier's machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a semi-self-service accounting system that can maintain the efficiency of accounting work and reduce congestion at the accounting counter will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment illustrates a semi-self-service checkout system that is installed in a retail store that offers a membership service that provides discount benefits to customers who become members.

[0009] [Configuration explanation of semi-self-service accounting system] 1 is a schematic diagram of a semi-self-service checkout system 100 according to this embodiment. In the following description, the semi-self-service checkout system 100 will be referred to simply as the checkout system 100. The accounting system 100 includes multiple registration machines 10, multiple payment machines 20, and a server 30. The accounting system 100 is constructed by connecting each of the registration machines 10, each of the payment machines 20, and the server 30 via a communication network 40 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a checkout system 100 equipped with three registration machines 10 and six payment machines 20. In this configuration, one registration machine 10 and two payment machines 20 are arranged in one checkout lane. Therefore, Fig. 1 illustrates a checkout system 100 installed in a retail store such as a supermarket with three checkout lanes.

[0011] The number of payment machines 20 placed in one checkout lane is not limited to two. There may be only one payment machine 20, or three or more. The number of payment machines 20 may also vary from one checkout lane to another. Furthermore, checkout lanes may be eliminated, allowing customers to move freely from the location where the registration machine 10 is installed to the location where the payment machine 20 is installed.

[0012] The registration machine 10 is an electronic device for registering products purchased by customers. The registration machine 10 may also be called a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, a cash register, or the like. In principle, the registration machine 10 is operated by a store clerk. Incidentally, the products are not limited to items sold in stores. For example, packaging supplies such as plastic bags and cosmetic boxes, delivery fees, facility usage fees, and other paid service items are also examples of products that can be registered in the registration machine 10.

[0013] The accounting machine 20 is an electronic device that settles the purchase and sale of merchandise registered by the registration machine 10. The accounting machine 20 may also be called a payment terminal, a checkout machine, etc. In principle, the accounting machine 20 is operated by a customer. Incidentally, a customer can also be referred to as a consumer, a purchaser, a store user, etc.

[0014] The server 30 is a computer that provides services for centrally managing multiple registration machines 10 and multiple accounting machines 20. Thanks to the services provided by the server 30, each registration machine 10 can process product registrations in the same way, regardless of the registration machine 10. Thanks to the services provided by the server 30, each accounting machine 20 can also process settlements of sales transactions in the same way, regardless of the accounting machine 20.

[0015] In order to provide such services, the server 30 is equipped with at least a product database 50 and a member database 60. The product database 50 and the member database 60 may be stored in an internal storage device of the server 30, or may be stored in an external storage device and accessed by the server 30 as needed. The external storage device may be a storage device owned by a computer on the cloud system.

[0016] The product database 50 is a collection of product records 51 (see FIG. 2) created for each product.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data configuration of a product record 51. As shown in the figure, the product record 51 consists of data items such as product code, product name, unit price, discount target flag Fa, sales number P, sales amount Q, discount amount R, etc. The product code is a unique code assigned to each product to identify each product individually. The product name and unit price are the name and price per unit of the product identified by the product code.

[0018] The discount target flag Fa is one-bit data for identifying whether or not a product is eligible for a discount and will be discounted if the conditions for granting a special benefit are met. In this embodiment, the discount target flag for discount target products is set to "1", and the discount target flag for non-discount target products is set to "0". The condition for granting a special benefit is that the customer is a member. In other words, if the customer is a member, the conditions for granting a special benefit are met. If the customer is a non-member, the conditions for granting a special benefit are not met. If the conditions for granting a special benefit are met, a special benefit is granted in the form of a discount on the discount target product.

[0019] Sales points P is the cumulative number of sales points for products identified by product codes. Sales amount Q is the cumulative amount of sales for products identified by product codes. Discount amount R is the cumulative amount of discounts when products identified by product codes are sold at a discount.

[0020] The member database 60 is a collection of member records 61 (see FIG. 3) created for each consumer who becomes a member in order to receive member services.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main data configuration of a member record 61. As shown in the figure, the member record 61 consists of data items such as member ID, member name, membership date, sales performance, and rank L. The member ID is a unique code assigned to each member to identify them individually. The member name and membership date are the name of the member identified by the member ID and the date they became a member. Sales performance is data related to the store sales performance of the member from the time of membership to the present. For example, sales performance could be either the total sales amount or the total number of items purchased by the member, or both. Alternatively, the number of visits to the store could be taken into account as one of the sales performance factors.

[0022] Rank L is a member's preferential ranking. The higher the rank L, the greater the benefits the member can receive. Specifically, the higher the rank L, the higher the discount rate on discounted items. Rank L is determined according to sales performance. Rank L may be determined taking into account the number of days that have passed since the date of membership. The method for determining rank L is arbitrary. Rank L may be determined based on criteria other than sales performance or the number of days that have passed since the date of membership. Furthermore, the number of rank L levels is not particularly limited. There may be two levels, 1st and 2nd place, or there may be three or more levels. Rank L may only be 1st place. In other words, all members may be 1st place members.

[0023] In this embodiment, the rank L is divided into three levels: first, second, and third. An example of a member service will be provided in which discounted products are sold at a larger discount rate to members with the first rank L than to members with the second or third rank L, discounted products are sold at a larger discount rate to members with the second rank L than to members with the third rank L, and discounted products are sold at a smaller discount rate to members with the third rank L than to members with the second or third rank L.

[0024] [Registration machine configuration explanation] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration device 10. As shown in the figure, the registration device 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a clock 14, a communication interface 15, multiple device interfaces 161-164, and a system transmission path 17. The system transmission path 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The registration device 10 configures a computer by connecting the processor 11 to the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the clock 14, the communication interface 15, and the multiple device interfaces 161-164 via the system transmission path 17. The registration device 10 connects various devices, such as a keyboard 181, a scanner 182, a clerk display 183, and a customer display 184, to each of the device interfaces 161-164, respectively. Note that the devices included in the registration device 10 are not limited to the above devices. The registration device 10 may also be connected to other devices, such as a touch panel, a printer, a magnetic card reader, an IC card reader / writer, etc., via the respective device interfaces.

[0025] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part to realize various functions of the registration device 10 in accordance with an operating system or application programs. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0026] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may store data required for the processor 11 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 11 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0027] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 11. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store the application programs described above.

[0028] The clock 14 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 11 processes the date and time kept by the clock 14 as the current date and time.

[0029] The communication interface 15 is a circuit for performing data communication with each of the payment machines 20 and the server 30 via the communication network 40 .

[0030] The device interface 161 is a circuit for performing data communication with the keyboard 181. The keyboard 181 is an input device that processes key signals corresponding to input keys. The keyboard 181 is provided with keys necessary for the registration machine 10, such as a numeric keypad, a PLU (Price Look Up) key, a multiplication key, a clear key, a subtotal key, a send key, etc.

[0031] The device interface 162 is a circuit for performing data communication with the scanner 182. The scanner 182 is an optical input device that reads barcodes attached to products by scanning them with light. The scanner 182 may also be an imaging input device that reads barcodes from images captured by a camera.

[0032] The device interface 163 is a circuit for performing data communication with the clerk display 183. The clerk display 183 is a display device that displays various information, such as the product name and unit price of the registered product, to the clerk who operates the registration device 10. The clerk display 183 may be a touch panel.

[0033] The device interface 164 is a circuit for performing data communication with the customer display 184. The customer display 184 is a display device that displays the same information as the customer display 184 to customers who purchase products registered in the registration machine 10. The customer display 184 may be a touch panel.

[0034] In the registration device 10 having such a configuration, the processor 11 has the functions of a first calculation means 111, a second calculation means 112, a visualization means 113, and an output means 114.

[0035] The first calculation means 111 has a function of calculating a first payment amount as the payment amount for a sales transaction based on the registered product when the conditions for granting a special benefit are not met. The second calculation means 112 has a function of calculating a second payment amount as the payment amount for the same sales transaction when the conditions for granting a special benefit are met. The visualization means 113 has a function of visualizing the first payment amount and the second payment amount, for example, by displaying them on the customer display 184. The output means 114 has a function of outputting the first payment amount and the second payment amount to the cash register 20, for example, via the communication network 40.

[0036] The functions of the first calculation means 111, the second calculation means 112, the visualization means 113, and the output means 114 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 11 in accordance with a registration program 131. The registration program 131 is installed in the auxiliary storage device 13. The registration program 131 may also be installed in the main memory 12. There is no particular limitation on the method for installing the registration program 131 in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. The registration program 131 can be installed in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 by recording the registration program 131 on a removable recording medium or by distributing the registration program 131 by communication via a network. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as an SD memory card or USB memory.

[0037] The registration machine 10 uses a part of the volatile storage area in the main memory 12 as a registered product table 121 and a rank-based table 122.

[0038] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the registered product table 121. As shown in the figure, the registered product table 121 is an area that can store each data item in a tabular format, such as product code, product name, unit price, discount target flag Fa, number of items p, and amount q. Details of each data item will be made clear in the operation explanation below.

[0039] 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the rank table 122. As shown in the figure, the rank table 122 is an area that can store a discount rate, a first payment amount, a discounted amount, a discount amount, and a second payment amount for each of the first rank, second rank, third rank, and no rank. Regarding the discount rate, "Xa" is pre-stored for the first rank, "Xb" is pre-stored for the second rank, "Xc" is pre-stored for the third rank, and "0" is pre-stored for no rank. Here, Xa, Xb, and Xc are any values ​​that satisfy the relational expression [Xa>Xb>Xc>0]. The first payment amount Qaa, Qab, Qac, Qad, the discounted amount Qba, Qbb, Qbc, Qbd, the discount amount Qca, Qcb, Qcc, Qcd and the second payment amount Qda, Qdb, Qdc, Qdd are values ​​that default to "0" and are updated as appropriate during information processing in accordance with the registration machine program 131.

[0040] [Explanation of accounting machine configuration] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment machine 20. As shown in the figure, the payment machine 20 includes a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a clock 24, a communication interface 25, a change dispenser interface 26, multiple device interfaces 271-274, and a system transmission path 28. The system transmission path 28 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The payment machine 20 constitutes a computer by connecting the processor 21 to the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, the clock 24, the communication interface 25, the change dispenser interface 26, and multiple device interfaces 271-274 via the system transmission path 28. The payment machine 20 also connects various devices, such as a touch panel 291, a printer 292, a scanner 293, and a card reader 294, to each of the device interfaces 271-274, respectively. Note that the devices included in the payment machine 20 are not limited to the above devices. The payment machine 20 may also connect other devices, such as a keyboard, a patrol lamp, or a pin pad, via the respective device interfaces.

[0041] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 21 controls each part to realize various functions of the accounting machine 20 in accordance with an operating system or application programs. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU.

[0042] The main memory 22 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 22 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 22 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 22 may store data required for the processor 21 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 22 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 21 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM.

[0043] The auxiliary storage device 23 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 23. The auxiliary storage device 23 stores data used by the processor 21 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 21. The auxiliary storage device 23 may also store the application programs described above.

[0044] The clock 24 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 21 processes the date and time kept by the clock 24 as the current date and time.

[0045] The communication interface 25 is a circuit for performing data communication with each registration device 10 and the server 30 via the communication network 40. The communication interface 25 can also perform data communication with an electronic money server, etc. via the communication network 40. The electronic money server is a computer that provides a service that enables payments using electronic money.

[0046] The change machine interface 26 is a circuit for communicating data with the automatic change machine 70. The automatic change machine 70 has the function of counting the number of banknotes or coins inserted through an insertion slot by denomination, calculating the inserted amount, and outputting the inserted amount data to the accounting machine 20, and the function of dispensing banknotes or coins equivalent to the change from a dispensing slot based on the change data received from the accounting machine 20. In other words, the change machine interface 26 has the function of receiving the inserted amount data from the automatic change machine 70 and the function of transmitting the change data to the automatic change machine 70.

[0047] The device interface 271 is a circuit for performing data communication with the touch panel 291. The touch panel 291 is a display device capable of displaying display elements such as characters, symbols, and images on a display screen. The touch panel 291 is also an input device that detects a touch operation position on the display screen with a sensor and processes the display element at that position as if it were input.

[0048] The device interface 272 is a circuit for performing data communication with the printer 292. The printer 292 is a printing device that prints data related to the settlement of a transaction on a paper medium and issues receipts and the like.

[0049] The device interface 273 is a circuit for performing data communication with the scanner 293. The scanner 293 is an input device capable of reading machine-readable codes such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes displayed on the display of a terminal such as a smartphone.

[0050] The device interface 274 is a circuit for communicating data with the card reader 294. The card reader 294 is an input device that reads data from a card medium such as an electronic money card or a membership card and processes the read card data. The card reader 294 may be a magnetic card reader compatible with magnetic cards, or an IC card reader compatible with IC cards. A magnetic card reader and an IC card reader may also be used in combination. The IC card reader may be a contactless IC card reader or a contact IC card reader. The card reader 294 may also be a card reader / writer with a data writing function.

[0051] In the payment machine 20 configured as described above, the processor 21 has the functions of an input means 211, an acquisition means 212, a decision means 213, a first payment means 214 and a second payment means 215.

[0052] The input means 211 has a function of inputting payment data for settling a sales transaction. When a sales transaction is settled with cash, the payment data is deposited amount data input from the automatic change dispenser 70. When a sales transaction is settled with electronic money, the payment data is electronic money balance data input from the electronic money server based on the electronic money ID read by the scanner 293 or card reader 294. In other words, the input means 211 includes a function of inputting deposited amount data from the automatic change dispenser 70 and a function of inputting electronic money balance data from the electronic money server.

[0053] The acquisition means 212 has a function of acquiring information about a purchaser who purchases a product registered in the registration device 10. In this embodiment, the purchaser information is information that the purchaser is a member. In other words, the purchaser information is a member ID. The acquisition means 212 acquires the member ID as purchaser information from a card reader 294 that reads data from a membership card owned by the purchaser. The acquisition means 212 can also acquire the member ID as purchaser information from a scanner 293 that reads a machine-readable code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code displayed on a display device of a smartphone.

[0054] The determination means 213 is a function that determines whether the benefit granting condition is met or not. For example, the determination means 213 determines that the benefit granting condition is met when the acquisition means 212 has acquired purchaser information including the member ID. When the acquisition means 212 has not acquired information including the member ID, the determination means 213 determines that the benefit granting condition is not met.

[0055] The first payment means 214 has a function of settling the buying and selling transaction with payment data corresponding to the first payment amount when the determination means 213 determines that the benefit granting conditions are met. The second payment means 215 has a function of settling the buying and selling transaction with payment data corresponding to the second payment amount when the determination means 213 determines that the benefit granting conditions are not met. The first payment means 214 and the second payment means 215 can also be collectively referred to as payment means.

[0056] The functions of the input means 211, acquisition means 212, determination means 213, first payment means 214, and second payment means 215 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 21 in accordance with the payment machine program 231. The payment machine program 231 is installed in the auxiliary storage device 23. The payment machine program 231 may also be installed in the main memory 22. There are no particular limitations on the method for installing the payment machine program 231 in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23. The payment program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or the payment machine program 231 can be distributed via communication over a network, and then installed in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as an SD memory card or USB memory.

[0057] The accounting machine 20 uses a part of the volatile storage area in the main memory 22 as an area for the allocation table 221.

[0058] 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the allocation table 221. As shown in the figure, the allocation table 221 is an area that can store each piece of data in tabular form, such as the product code, discount target flag Fa, number of items p, amount q, allocation rate, and single item discount amount r. Details of each piece of data will be made clear in the operation explanation below.

[0059] [Explanation of accounting system operation] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor 11 of the registration machine 10 in accordance with the registration machine program 131. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor 21 of the payment machine 20 in accordance with the payment machine program 231. FIG. 11 is a flowchart specifically showing the steps of the apportionment processing within the information processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is an example of an image 80 displayed on the customer display 184 of the registration machine 10, and FIGS. 13 to 15 are examples of images displayed on the touch panel 291 of the payment machine 20. The main operations of the payment system 100 will be explained below using each diagram. Note that the information processing steps described below are examples. The steps can be modified as appropriate as long as a similar effect can be achieved. Furthermore, the display elements and text arranged in the image are also examples. The arrangement of the display elements and the text content can also be modified as appropriate as long as a similar effect can be achieved.

[0060] First, the operation of the registration device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 12. When the processor 11 of the registration device 10 enters an idle state, it starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 9. First, the processor 11 performs initialization as ACT1. This initialization clears the registered product table 121. Furthermore, the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, Qad, discounted amounts Qba, Qbb, Qbc, Qbd, discount amounts Qca, Qcb, Qcc, Qcd, and second payment amounts Qda, Qdb, Qdc, Qdd in the rank-based table 122 all become the default value "0."

[0061] After completing the initialization, processor 11 proceeds to ACT2. Processor 11 checks whether a product code has been entered in ACT2. If a product code has not been entered, processor 11 proceeds from ACT2 to ACT3. Processor 11 checks whether a subtotal key has been entered in ACT3. If a subtotal key has not been entered, processor 11 returns to ACT2. Here, processor 11 waits for a product code to be entered or for a subtotal key to be entered in ACT2 and ACT3. Note that if no product code has been entered, the entry of the subtotal key is invalid. Therefore, at the stage when initialization is completed, processor 11 waits for a product code to be entered.

[0062] When a customer requests payment for products, the store clerk operating the registration machine 10 first operates the keyboard 181 or scanner 182 to sequentially input the product codes of the products for which payment is to be made into the registration machine 10. Then, after inputting the product codes of all products, the store clerk operates the subtotal key.

[0063] In the standby state of ACT2 and ACT3, when a barcode representing a product code is read by the scanner 182 or a product code is entered by operating the PLU key on the keyboard 181, the processor 11 proceeds from ACT2 to ACT4. In ACT4, the processor 11 accesses the product database 50 and obtains product data from the product record 51 that includes the entered product code. The product data includes the product code, product name, unit price, discount target flag Fa, etc.

[0064] After acquiring the product data, processor 11 proceeds from ACT4 to ACT5. In ACT5, processor 11 performs the registration process of the product sales data. Specifically, processor 11 creates the product sales data using the acquired product data's product code, product name, unit price, discount target flag Fa, points p, and amount q. Point p is "1". If a multiplier is entered using the numeric keypad and multiplication key on keyboard 181 immediately before or after the product code is entered, point p becomes the multiplier. Amount q is the amount obtained by multiplying the unit price by point p. Processor 11 writes the product sales data as one record in registered product table 121.

[0065] After completing the registration process of the product sales data, processor 11 proceeds from ACT5 to ACT6. In ACT6, processor 11, by functioning as first calculation means 111, adds the amount q to each of the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, and Qad in rank-based table 122. In ACT7, processor 11 also checks the discount target flag Fa of the product sales data. If the discount target flag Fa is "1," meaning that the registered product is a discount-eligible product, processor 11 proceeds from ACT7 to ACT8. In ACT8, processor 11 adds the amount q to each of the discount target amounts Qba, Qbb, Qbc, and Qbd in rank-based table 122. If the discount target flag Fa is "0," meaning that the registered product is not a discount-eligible product, processor 11 skips the process of ACT8.

[0066] After completing or skipping the processing of ACT8, processor 11 returns to ACT2. Processor 11 enters a standby state for ACT2 and ACT3. Therefore, processor 11 repeatedly executes the processing of ACT4 through ACT8 in the same manner as described above each time a product code is input. That is, processor 11 registers the sales data of the product identified by the product code in registered product table 121. Processor 11 also adds the amount q of the product sales data to each of the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, and Qad in rank-based table 122. Furthermore, if the product is a discounted product, processor 11 adds the amount q of the product sales data to each of the discounted amounts Qba, Qbb, Qbc, and Qbd in rank-based table 122.

[0067] When the subtotal key is pressed during standby in ACT2 and ACT3, processor 11 proceeds from ACT3 to ACT9. In ACT9, processor 11 multiplies the discount amounts Qba, Qbb, Qbc, and Qbd in rank-based table 122 by the discount rates Xa, Xb, Xc, and 0 for the same rank, respectively, to calculate discount amounts Qca, Qcb, Qcc, and Qcd. Then, in ACT10, processor 11, functioning as second calculation means 112, subtracts the discount amounts Qca, Qcb, Qcc, and Qcd from the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, and Qad for each rank to calculate second payment amounts Qda, Qdb, Qdc, and Qdd.

[0068] After completing the processing of ACT9 and ACT10, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 11. In ACT 11, the processor 11, by functioning as the visualization means 113, displays the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, Qad and the second payment amounts Qda, Qdb, Qdc, Qdd on the clerk display 183 and the customer display 184.

[0069] FIG. 12 is an example of an image 80 displayed on the customer display 184 in ACT 11. The image 80 includes an image 81 corresponding to the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, and Qad, and an image 82 corresponding to the second payment amounts Qda, Qdb, Qdc, and Qdd. The first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, and Qad are the same regardless of rank. Therefore, image 81 is an image that represents, for example, the first payment amount Qdd as the purchase amount. On the other hand, the second payment amounts Qda, Qdb, Qdc, and Qdd are the amounts obtained by deducting discount amounts Qca, Qcb, Qcc, and Qcd from the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, and Qad for each rank. Therefore, image 82 is an image that shows, in tabular form, for example, the discount amount Qca and second payment amount Qda for the first-ranked member, the discount amount Qcb and second payment amount Qdb for the second-ranked member, the discount amount Qcc and second payment amount Qdc for the third-ranked member, and the discount amount Qcd and second payment amount Qdd for non-members.

[0070] 12 shows a case where the first payment amount is 10,000 yen, the discount rate for member rank 1 is 20%, the discount rate for member rank 2 is 10%, the discount rate for member rank 3 is 5%, and the discount rate for non-members is 0%. Therefore, image 82 shows that for member rank 1, the member discount amount is 2,000 yen and the payment amount is 8,000 yen, for member rank 2, the member discount amount is 1,000 yen and the payment amount is 9,000 yen, for member rank 3, the member discount amount is 500 yen and the payment amount is 9,500 yen, and for non-members, the member discount amount is 0 yen and the payment amount is 10,000 yen.

[0071] Image 80 is displayed to all customers who have completed product registration at registration machine 10, regardless of whether they are members or non-members. Therefore, for example, a customer with a first-ranked membership can learn that they need to pay 8,000 yen for a 10,000 yen purchase. Similarly, a customer with a second-ranked membership can learn that they need to pay 9,000 yen for a 10,000 yen purchase, and a customer with a third-ranked membership can learn that they need to pay 9,500 yen. Non-member customers can also learn that they need to pay 10,000 yen. Furthermore, the information in image 82 raises awareness that becoming a member will grant them discount benefits. As a result, it is expected that an increase in customers will want to become members.

[0072] 12 is also displayed as is on the store clerk display 183. Alternatively, the store clerk display 183 may simply display an image 81 indicating the first payment amount. After confirming the payment amount, the store clerk operates the send key.

[0073] After displaying the payment amount, processor 11 proceeds from ACT11 to ACT12. In ACT12, processor 11 generates payment data based on the data in registered product table 121 and rank-based table 122. That is, the payment data includes the product sales data stored in registered product table 121 and the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, Qad, discount amounts Qba, Qbb, Qbc, Qbd, discount amounts Qca, Qcb, Qcc, Qcd, and second payment amounts Qda, Qdb, Qdc, Qdd, all of which are stored by rank in rank-based table 122. Note that only one of the first payment amounts Qaa, Qab, Qac, Qad may be included. Also, the discount amounts Qba, Qbb, Qbc, Qbd may be omitted.

[0074] After generating the payment data, processor 11 proceeds from ACT12 to ACT13. In ACT13, processor 11 waits for a transmission key to be input. When the transmission key is input, processor 11 proceeds from ACT13 to ACT14. In ACT14, processor 11 controls communication interface 15 to transmit the payment data by functioning as output means 114. This control causes the payment data to be transmitted via communication interface 15. The payment data is transmitted to one of payment machines 20 via communication network 40.

[0075] The payment machine 20 to which the payment data is sent is basically an idle payment machine 20 installed in the same checkout lane as the registration machine 10. An idle payment machine 20 is a payment machine 20 that is not processing a purchase transaction. If there is no idle payment machine 20 in the same checkout lane as the registration machine 10, the payment data may be sent to an idle payment machine 20 in another checkout lane. If there are multiple idle payment machines 20, the payment data is generally sent to the payment machine 20 with the highest priority. For example, the registration machine 10 sends the payment data to the payment machine 20 with the highest priority. At this time, if that payment machine 20 is idle, it receives the payment data. However, if it is not idle, the payment machine 20 forwards the payment data to another payment machine 20 with a lower priority. Using this method, the payment data is sent to the payment machine 20 with the highest priority among the idle payment machines 20.

[0076] After sending the payment data, processor 11 proceeds from ACT 14 to ACT 15. In ACT 15, processor 11 displays information on the clerk display 183 that can identify the payment machine 20 to which the payment data was sent. After checking this information, the clerk instructs the customer to pay the bill at the payment machine 20 to which the payment data was sent. Alternatively, the information that can identify the payment machine 20 may be displayed on the customer display 184, so that the customer can go to the payment machine 20 to which the payment data was sent and pay the bill.

[0077] After displaying the information that can identify the payment machine 20 to which the payment data is to be sent, the processor 11 ends the information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 9. The processor 11 returns to the idle state.

[0078] Next, the operation of the payment machine 20 will be described using Figures 10, 11, and 13 to 15. When the processor 21 of the payment machine 20 enters an idle state, it begins the information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 10. In ACT21, the processor 21 waits for payment data using its function as the input means 211. When payment data transmitted from the registration machine 10 or transferred from another payment machine 20 is received via the communication interface 25, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT21 to ACT22. In ACT22, the processor 21 resets the member transaction flag Fb to "0." The member transaction flag Fb is, for example, one-bit data stored in a volatile storage area of ​​the main memory 22. Next, in ACT23, the processor 21 displays an image 90 of the payment selection screen on the touch panel 291.

[0079] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of image 90. As shown, image 90 includes a cash button 91, an electronic money button 92, and a store clerk call button 93. The cash button 91 is a key operated by a customer who selects cash as the payment method. The electronic money button 92 is a key operated by a customer who selects electronic money as the payment method. The store clerk call button 93 is a key operated by a customer who wants to call a store clerk. The cash button 91, the electronic money button 92, and the store clerk call button 93 are all key images reproduced by software on the screen of touch panel 291. Image 90 also includes purchase amount information 94. This information is the first payment amount information included in the payment data. Image 90 also includes a message 95 stating, "If you are a member, please insert your membership card into the card reader or scan your membership barcode and then select your payment method." Needless to say, the content of the message is not limited to that shown in the figure. Message 95 may also be played as audio rather than displayed. Alternatively, the information may be displayed on a screen other than the touch panel 291 to notify the customer.

[0080] There are both member and non-member customers. Furthermore, among members, there are customers who have a membership card and customers who have member-only application software installed on their smartphones. The membership card records the member's unique member ID. When the member-only application software is launched, the member's unique member ID is displayed on the smartphone's display device in the form of a machine-readable barcode or two-dimensional code.

[0081] When a non-member customer checks image 90, they perform an operation to select a payment method. That is, a customer who wants to pay for the product with cash touches the cash button 91. A customer who wants to pay for the product with electronic money touches the electronic money button 92.

[0082] When the member customer checks image 90, he or she either has the data on the member card read by card reader 294 or has the machine-readable code displayed on the smartphone read by scanner 293, and then performs an operation to select a payment method.

[0083] After displaying image 90 of the payment method selection screen, processor 21 proceeds from ACT23 to ACT24. In ACT24, processor 21 checks whether a payment method has been selected. If a payment method has not been selected, processor 21 proceeds from ACT24 to ACT25. In ACT25, processor 21 checks the member transaction flag Fb. If the member transaction flag Fb is reset to "0", processor 21 proceeds from ACT25 to ACT26. In ACT26, processor 21 checks, by functioning as acquisition means 212, whether a member ID has been entered. If a member ID has not been entered, processor 21 returns from ACT26 to ACT24. Here, when the member transaction flag Fb is reset to "0", processor 21 waits for a payment method to be selected or a member ID to be entered by processing ACT24 to ACT26.

[0084] In the standby state of ACT24 to ACT26, when the data on the membership card is read by the card reader 294 or the machine-readable code on the smartphone is read by the scanner 293, the processor 21 determines that a member ID has been entered. The processor 21 proceeds from ACT26 to ACT27. In ACT27, the processor 21 accesses the member database 60 and obtains member data from the member record 61 that includes the entered member ID. The member data includes the member ID, rank L, etc.

[0085] After acquiring the member data, processor 21 proceeds from ACT27 to ACT28. In ACT28, processor 21 detects rank L from the member data. In ACT29, processor 21 also sets member transaction flag Fb to "1". After that, processor 21 returns to ACT24. This time, since member transaction flag Fb is set to "1", processor 21 determines NO in ACT25. Processor 21 returns from ACT25 to ACT24. Therefore, after the member ID is entered and the processing of ACT27 to ACT29 is completed, processor 21 waits for a payment method to be selected.

[0086] For example, when the cash button 91 or the electronic money button 92 in image 90 is touched, the processor 21 determines that a payment method has been selected. The processor 21 proceeds from ACT 24 to ACT 30. In ACT 30, the processor 21 checks the member transaction flag Fb using the function of the determination means 213. If the member transaction flag Fb is set to "1," that is, if a payment method is selected after the member ID is entered, the processor 21 determines that the benefit granting condition is met. The processor 21 proceeds from ACT 30 to ACT 31. In ACT 31, the processor 21 obtains the second payment amount QdL from the payment data and writes it to the payment amount memory. The payment amount memory is part of the volatile storage area in the main memory 22. The second payment amount QdL is the second payment amount for the rank detected in the processing of ACT 28 among the second payment amounts Qda, Qdb, Qdc, and Qdd. In other words, if the customer is ranked first, the second payment amount Qda is written to the payment amount memory. If the customer is ranked second in the membership rank, the second payment amount Qdb is written in the payment amount memory. If the customer is ranked third in the membership rank, the second payment amount Qdc is written in the payment amount memory.

[0087] On the other hand, if the member transaction flag Fb is reset to "0," i.e., if a payment method is selected without entering a member ID, the processor 21 determines that the benefit granting condition is not met. The processor 21 proceeds from ACT30 to ACT32. In ACT32, the processor 21 obtains the first payment amount Qad from the payment data and writes it in the payment amount memory. Note that in ACT32, the second payment amount Qdd for the non-member may be written in the payment amount memory instead of the first payment amount Qad.

[0088] After completing the processing in ACT31 or ACT32, the processor 21 proceeds to ACT 33. In ACT33, the processor 21 causes the touch panel 291 to display the payment amount written in the payment amount memory.

[0089] FIG. 14 shows an example of an image 910 displayed on the touch panel 291 when a non-member customer touches the cash button 91. As shown, the image 910 includes a store clerk call button 911. The store clerk call button 911 is a key image displayed by software on the screen of the touch panel 291. The image 910 also includes information 912 on the purchase amount, the amount deposited, and the amount of change (change). The purchase amount is information on the first payment amount included in the payment data. In the example of FIG. 14, it is 10,000 yen. The amount deposited is the total amount of cash deposited into the automatic change dispenser 70, and the amount of change is the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the amount deposited. Before cash is deposited into the automatic change dispenser 70, both the amount deposited and the amount of change are 0 yen. Furthermore, the image 910 includes a message 913 stating, "Please deposit cash equivalent to the purchase amount into the automatic change dispenser." Needless to say, the content of the message is not limited to that shown in the figure. The message 95 may be audible rather than displayed, or may be displayed on a device other than the touch panel 291 to notify the customer.

[0090] After checking message 913, the non-member customer deposits cash equivalent to the purchase amount of 10,000 yen into automatic change dispenser 70. For example, by depositing a 10,000 yen bill into automatic change dispenser 70, the deposited amount in information 912 becomes 10,000 yen. In this case, the amount of change given is 0 yen.

[0091] FIG. 15 is an example of an image 920 that is displayed on the touch panel 291 when a customer with a first-ranked membership and a 20% discount rate touches the cash button 91 after entering their membership ID. As shown, image 920 includes a store clerk call button 921. The store clerk call button 921 is an image of a key that is reproduced by software on the screen of the touch panel 291. Image 920 also includes information 922 about the purchase amount, member discount amount, payment amount, inserted amount, and change amount (change). The purchase amount is information about the first payment amount included in the payment data. In the example of FIG. 15, it is 10,000 yen.

[0092] The member discount amount is the discount amount corresponding to the member's rank from among the discount amounts Qca, Qcb, Qcc, and Qcd in the rank-based table 122. That is, if the customer is ranked first, the discount amount Qca is displayed as the member discount amount. If the customer is ranked second, the discount amount Qcb is displayed as the member discount amount. If the customer is ranked third, the discount amount Qcc is displayed as the member discount amount. Therefore, in the example of Figure 15, 2,000 yen is displayed as the member discount amount.

[0093] The payment amount is the second payment amount Qda, Qdb, Qdc, or Qdd corresponding to the member's rank in the rank-by-rank table 122. That is, if the customer is ranked first, the second payment amount Qda is displayed as the payment amount. If the customer is ranked second, the second payment amount Qdb is displayed as the payment amount. If the customer is ranked third, the second payment amount Qdc is displayed as the payment amount. Therefore, in the example of Figure 15, 8,000 yen is displayed as the payment amount.

[0094] The amount deposited is the total amount of cash deposited into the automatic change dispenser 70, and the amount of change is the amount deposited minus the purchase amount. Before cash is deposited into the automatic change dispenser 70, both the amount deposited and the amount of change are 0 yen. Furthermore, image 920 includes message 923 stating, "Please deposit cash equivalent to the payment amount into the automatic change dispenser." It goes without saying that the content of the message is not limited to that shown in the figure. Furthermore, message 95 may be played by voice rather than displayed. Alternatively, the message may be displayed on a device other than the touch panel 291 to notify the customer.

[0095] The customer with the highest membership rank who has confirmed message 923 inserts cash equivalent to the payment amount of 8,000 yen into automatic change dispenser 70. For example, by inserting a 10,000 yen bill into automatic change dispenser 70, the amount inserted in information 922 becomes 10,000 yen. The change amount will also be 2,000 yen.

[0096] After displaying the payment amount on the touch panel 291, processor 21 proceeds from ACT 33 to ACT 34. In ACT 34, processor 21 waits for a deposit according to the payment method by functioning as the first payment means 214 or the second payment means 215. That is, if the customer is a non-member and the conditions for granting the benefit are not met, processor 21 waits for a deposit of the first payment amount Qad. If the customer is a member and the conditions for granting the benefit are met, processor 21 waits for a deposit of the second payment amount QdL.

[0097] For example, when cash payment is selected as the payment method, processor 21 acquires the amount of cash inserted into automatic change dispenser 70 as deposit amount data. For example, when electronic money is selected as the payment method, processor 21 acquires the balance data of electronic money associated with the electronic money ID read by card reader 294 or scanner 293 as deposit amount data.

[0098] Upon acquiring the deposit amount data, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT34 to ACT35. In ACT35, the processor 21 executes the payment process. For example, if cash payment is selected, the processor 21 calculates the change amount by subtracting the payment amount from the deposit amount. That is, if the customer is a non-member and the privilege granting conditions are not met, the processor 21 calculates the change amount by subtracting the payment amount Qad from the deposit amount. If the customer is a member and the privilege granting conditions are met, the processor 21 calculates the change amount by subtracting the payment amount QdL from the deposit amount. If the change amount is greater than 0 yen, the processor 21 outputs change data to the automatic change dispenser 70. Based on this change data, the automatic change dispenser 70 dispenses cash equivalent to the change amount. The processor 21 also outputs receipt print data to the printer 292. As a result, the printer 292 operates and prints and issues a receipt.

[0099] On the other hand, if electronic money payment is selected, processor 21 performs processing to deduct the payment amount from the electronic money balance data. In this case, too, if the customer is a non-member and the conditions for granting the benefit are not met, processor 21 deducts the payment amount Qad from the electronic money balance data. If the customer is a member and the conditions for granting the benefit are met, processor 21 deducts the payment amount QdL from the electronic money balance data. Processor 21 also outputs receipt print data to printer 292.

[0100] After completing the settlement process, processor 21 proceeds from ACT35 to ACT36. In ACT36, processor 21 checks the member transaction flag Fb again. If the member transaction flag Fb is set to "1", processor 21 proceeds from ACT36 to ACT37. In ACT37, processor 21 executes the allocation process. On the other hand, if the member transaction flag Fb is not set to "1", processor 21 skips the allocation process in ACT37.

[0101] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the specific steps of the apportionment process. When the processor 21 enters the apportionment process, it first obtains the discount amount QcL from the payment data in ACT41 and writes it in the discount amount memory. The discount amount memory is part of the volatile storage area in the main memory 22. The discount amount QcL is the discount amount for the rank detected in the processing of ACT28 among the discount amounts Qca, Qcb, Qcc, and Qcd. That is, if the customer is ranked first in the membership rank, the discount amount Qca is written in the discount amount memory. If the customer is ranked second in the membership rank, the discount amount Qcb is written in the discount amount memory. If the customer is ranked third in the membership rank, the discount amount Qcc is written in the discount amount memory.

[0102] Next, in ACT42, processor 21 expands each piece of data in the registered product table 121, such as the product code, discount target flag Fa, number of points p, and amount q, into the allocation table 221. Then, in ACT43, processor 21 extracts data in which the discount target flag Fa is "1" from the allocation table 221. For example, if, among the data expanded in the registered product table 121, data DA in which the amount q is 1,000 yen, data DB in which the amount q is 800 yen, and data DC in which the amount q is 600 yen are data in which the discount target flag Fa is "1," processor 21 extracts these pieces of data DA, DB, and DC.

[0103] Next, processor 21 calculates the ratio of amount q of data DA, DB, and DC extracted as ACT 44. In this case, the ratio of amount q in data DA is "1000 / 2400=5 / 12", the ratio of amount q in data DB is "800 / 2400=1 / 3", and the ratio of amount q in data DC is "600 / 2400=1 / 4".

[0104] After calculating the ratio of amount q, processor 21 determines the allocation rate for each piece of data expanded in allocation table 221 in ACT45. The allocation rate will be "0" for data whose discount target flag Fa is "0". For data whose discount target flag Fa is "1", the rate will be the rate calculated in the processing of ACT44. That is, the allocation rate for data DA will be "5 / 12=0.42", the allocation rate for data DB will be "1 / 3=0.33", and the allocation rate for data DC will be "1 / 4=0.25".

[0105] Once the allocation rate has been determined, processor 21 calculates the single item discount amount r for each piece of data expanded in allocation table 221 as ACT46. The single item discount amount r is 0 yen for data for which the discount target flag Fa is "0." For data for which the discount target flag Fa is "1," the discount amount is the amount obtained by apportioning the discount amount in the discount amount memory according to the allocation rate. For example, if the discount amount is 480 yen, the single item discount amount r for data DA is "480 * 0.42 = 202 yen," the single item discount amount r for data DB is "480 * 0.33 = 158 yen," and the single item discount amount r for data C is "480 * 0.25 = 120 yen."

[0106] With this, processor 21 ends the proportional division process. After the processor 21 has finished or skipped the allocation process, it proceeds to ACT 38. In ACT 38, the processor 21 executes a process for transmitting sales data. If the allocation process is skipped, this process transmits the data in the registered product table 121 included in the payment data to the server 30 as sales data. If the allocation process is executed, this process transmits the data in the allocation table 221 to the server 30 as sales data.

[0107] When the server 30 receives sales data from the accounting machine 20, it updates the sales points P, sales amount Q, and discount amount R of the product record 51 based on that sales data. Specifically, when data from the registered product table 121 is received, the server 30 adds the points p and amount q associated with the product code of that data to the sales points P and sales amount Q of the product record 51 that includes the same product code. When data from the allocation table 221 is received as sales data, the server 30 adds the points p, amount q, and single-item discount amount r associated with the product code of that data to the sales points P, sales amount Q, and discount amount R of the product record 51 that includes the same product code.

[0108] When the sales data transmission process is completed, processor 21 ends the information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Fig. 10. Processor 21 returns to the idle state.

[0109] As described above in detail, with the checkout system 100 of this embodiment, the operation to register the member ID of a customer who is a member is performed by the customer themselves using the checkout device 20. Therefore, there is no need for the store clerk operating the registration device 10 to perform the cumbersome tasks of confirming whether the customer is a member, requesting presentation of the member ID if the customer is a member, and registering the presented member ID in the registration device 10. Furthermore, the length of time a customer occupies the registration device 10 is unrelated to whether the customer is a member or not. As a result, even when member services are provided, the advantages of a semi-self-service checkout system, such as maintaining the efficiency of checkout operations and reducing congestion at the checkout counter, can be maintained.

[0110] The above describes an embodiment of a semi-self-service accounting system that can maintain the efficiency of accounting work and reduce congestion at the accounting area, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0111] For example, in the above embodiment, the condition for granting a privilege is whether or not the user is a member. However, the condition for granting a privilege is not limited to this. For example, there is an employee discount system in which products are sold at a discount price to employees or their families. In this case, the determination means 213 determines that the condition for granting a privilege is met when information identifying the user as an employee or a family member is input. Otherwise, the determination means 213 determines that the condition for granting a privilege is not met.

[0112] The type of benefit is not limited to a discount on the first payment amount. For example, there is a benefit system in which two unit prices, a first unit price and a second unit price, are set for a product, and the first unit price is used when the benefit-granting condition is not met, and the second unit price is used when the benefit-granting condition is met. In this case, the first calculation means 111 calculates the first payment amount when the benefit-granting condition is not met based on the first unit price of the registered product, and the second calculation means 112 calculates the second payment amount when the benefit-granting condition is met based on the second unit price of the registered product.

[0113] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. The inventions described in the original claims of this application are set forth below. [1] In an accounting system including a registration machine for registering products and an accounting machine for settling sales transactions of products registered by the registration machine, the registration machine comprises: a first calculation means for calculating a first payment amount as the payment amount of the sales transaction when the conditions for granting a special benefit are not met based on the registered products; a second calculation means for calculating a second payment amount as the payment amount of the sales transaction when the conditions for granting a special benefit are met; and a visualization means for visualizing the first payment amount and the second payment amount. The accounting machine comprises an input means for inputting payment data for settling a sales transaction, a determination means for determining whether or not a condition for granting a special benefit is met, and a settlement means for settling the sales transaction with payment data equivalent to the first settlement amount if the determination means determines that the condition for granting a special benefit is met, and for settling the sales transaction with payment data equivalent to the second settlement amount if the determination means determines that the condition for granting a special benefit is not met. [2] An accounting system including a registration machine that processes product registrations and a checkout machine that settles sales transactions of products registered by the registration machine, wherein the registration machine is an accounting machine of an accounting system that calculates a first payment amount when the bonus-granting condition is not met and a second payment amount when the bonus-granting condition is met as the settlement amount for the sales transaction based on the registered products, and is equipped with: an input means for inputting payment data to settle the sales transaction; a determination means for determining whether the bonus-granting condition is met or not; and a settlement means for settling the sales transaction with payment data equivalent to the first payment amount if the determination means determines that the bonus-granting condition is met, and settling the sales transaction with payment data equivalent to the second payment amount if the determination means determines that the bonus-granting condition is not met. [3] The accounting machine described in Appendix [2] further comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information of a purchaser who purchases the product registered in the registration machine, and the determination means determines whether the conditions for granting a bonus are met when the acquisition means is able to acquire the information of the purchaser. [4] A registration machine of an accounting system including a registration machine for processing product registrations and a checkout machine for settling sales transactions of products registered by the registration machine, the registration machine comprising: a first calculation means for calculating a first payment amount as the payment amount for the sales transaction when the conditions for granting a bonus are not met based on the registered products; a second calculation means for calculating a second payment amount as the payment amount for the sales transaction when the conditions for granting a bonus are met; a visualization means for visualizing the first payment amount and the second payment amount; and an output means for outputting the first payment amount and the second payment amount to the accounting machine, wherein the accounting machine, upon receiving the first payment amount and the second payment amount output by the output means, settles the sales transaction with payment data equivalent to the first payment amount if it is determined that the conditions for granting a bonus are met, and settles the sales transaction with payment data equivalent to the second payment amount if it is determined that the conditions for granting a bonus are not met. [5] A registration machine as described in appendix [4], which is provided with a display device that displays information to a purchaser who purchases the registered product, and the visualization means visualizes the first payment amount and the second payment amount by displaying them side by side on the display device. [6] A program for enabling a computer of an accounting system including a registration machine that processes product registrations and an accounting machine that settles sales transactions of products registered by the registration machine, the registration machine calculating a first settlement amount when the conditions for granting a bonus are not met and a second settlement amount when the conditions for granting a bonus are met as the settlement amount for the sales transaction based on the registered products, to implement the following functions on the computer of the accounting machine: accepting input of payment data for settling the sales transaction; determining whether the conditions for granting a bonus are met or not; settling the sales transaction with payment data equivalent to the first settlement amount when it is determined that the conditions for granting a bonus are met; and settling the sales transaction with payment data equivalent to the second settlement amount when it is determined that the conditions for granting a bonus are not met. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10...Registration machine, 20...Accounting machine, 30...Server, 40...Communication network, 50...Product database, 60...Member database, 11, 21...Processor, 12, 22...Main memory, 13, 23...Auxiliary storage device, 14, 24...Clock, 15, 25...Communication interface, 26...Change machine interface, 70...Automatic change machine, 111...First calculation means, 112...Second calculation means, 113...Visualization means, 114...Output means, 121...Registered product table, 122...Run Table by category, 131...Registration machine program, 161-164, 271-274...Device interface, 181...Keyboard, 182...Scanner, 183...Display for store clerk, 184...Display for customer, 211...Input means, 212...Acquisition means, 213...Decision means, 214...First payment means, 215...Second payment means, 221...Allocation table, 231...Accounting machine program, 291...Touch panel, 292...Printer, 293...Scanner, 294...Card reader.

Claims

[Claim 1] An accounting system including a registration machine that processes product registrations through the operation of a store clerk, and an accounting machine that settles the purchase and sale transactions of products registered by the registration machine through the operation of a customer, The registration machine is a first calculation means for calculating a first payment amount as a payment amount for a sales transaction based on the registered product when the benefit granting condition is not met; a second calculation means for calculating a second payment amount as a payment amount of the buying and selling transaction when a benefit granting condition is met; visualization means for visualizing the first payment amount and the second payment amount; a transmitting means for transmitting payment data to the payment machine, the payment data including a first payment amount calculated by the first calculation means when the condition for granting the reward is not met and a second payment amount calculated by the second calculation means when the condition for granting the reward is met; Equipped with The accounting machine is a receiving means for receiving the payment data transmitted from the registration machine; an acquisition means for acquiring information on a customer who purchases a product registered in the registration machine that is the sender of the payment data received by the receiving means; an input means for inputting payment data for settling a sales transaction; a determination means for determining whether a condition for granting a benefit is met when the customer information is acquired by the acquisition means; a settlement means for settling the sales transaction with the first settlement amount and the payment data when the payment data is input before the determination means determines that the benefit granting condition is met, and for settling the sales transaction with the second settlement amount and the payment data when the payment data is input after the determination means determines that the benefit granting condition is met; An accounting system that includes:

Images