Accounting system, payment device and program

Abstract

To vary the timing for notifying a registrar of the fact that information pertaining to a transaction can be received, depending on a customer who has completed payment.SOLUTION: A payment device includes receiving means, settlement means, notification means, and variable means. The receiving means receives information pertaining to a transaction of articles from a registrar. The settlement means settles the transaction of the articles based on the information pertaining to the transaction of the articles. The notification means notifies the registrar of the availability of receiving information pertaining to the transaction of the articles at a time point when a waiting time elapses from a time point when the settlement by the settlement means is completed. The variable means varies the waiting time according to information on a customer who is the subject of the transaction settled by the settlement means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an accounting system including a registration machine and an accounting machine, and to the accounting machine of the accounting system and a program therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, semi-self-service checkout systems have been gaining attention in supermarkets and other retail stores from the perspective of reducing labor and increasing efficiency. A semi-self-service checkout system separates a registration machine that registers the items purchased by a customer from a cashier that receives payment for the purchased items and settles the transaction with the customer. A store clerk operates the registration machine, while the customer operates the cashier.

[0003] In a semi-self-service checkout system, the register sends transaction information for the products registered in the register to the checkout machine. The checkout machine processes the transaction based on the transaction information received from the register. However, the checkout machine cannot receive transaction information for the next customer and process the transaction until the transaction with the previous customer has been settled. Therefore, in conventional semi-self-service checkout systems, once the checkout machine has settled the transaction with a customer, it notifies the register that it is ready to receive transaction information, and the register sends the transaction information to any other checkout machine that is ready to receive it.

[0004] However, sometimes customers who have completed payment take time to put their change, receipts, cards, etc. back into their wallets and remain standing in front of the cash register. In such cases, even though the information related to the transaction with the next customer has been sent from the registration machine to the cash register, the next customer is unable to operate the cash register to settle the transaction because the previous customer is nearby. Furthermore, because the cash register displays the information necessary to settle the transaction with the next customer, this can cause confusion between the previous and next customers. This type of incident is more likely to occur when the previous customer is elderly or disabled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-016413 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem that an embodiment of the present invention aims to solve is to provide an accounting machine and its program, as well as an accounting system including the accounting machine, that can prevent unnecessary confusion by varying the timing of notifying the registration machine that transaction-related information is available to be received depending on the customer who has completed payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the payment machine includes a receiving means, a settlement means, a notification means, and a variable means. The receiving means receives information related to a product transaction from the registration machine. The payment means settles the product transaction based on the information related to the product transaction. The notification means notifies the registration machine that information related to the product transaction can be received when a standby time has elapsed since the payment was completed by the payment means. The variable means varies the standby time according to information about the customer who is the subject of the transaction settled by the payment means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an accounting system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the setting file. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the state table. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment machine. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the sequence of information exchanged between the registration machine and the payment machine, and the transition of the status indicating the state of the payment machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor of the registration machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the response reception process of the information processing executed by the processor of the registration machine. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor of the payment machine. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a registration machine in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a payment machine according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor of the payment machine in the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a setting file in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor of the payment machine in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Below, we will use drawings to explain several embodiments of a payment system that includes a payment machine that can change the timing of notifying the registration machine that transaction information can be received depending on the customer who has completed payment.

[0010] [First embodiment] First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. (Configuration explanation) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a transaction system 10 according to the first embodiment. Transaction system 10 includes a registration device 11, a transaction device 12, a server 13, and a network 14 connecting these devices. There are no particular restrictions on the type of network 14, but it is generally a wired or wireless local area network (LAN).

[0011] The registration machine 11 is operated by a store clerk 21 who plays the role of a checker. The checkout machine 12 is operated by a customer 22 who purchases goods at the store. The customer 22 who operates the checkout machine 12 to settle a buying and selling transaction can be called the settler, the buyer, etc. Note that transactions are not limited to payments for purchased goods. For example, payment for services is also one form of transaction.

[0012] 1, the registration machine 11 is attached to a work table 23. The work table 23 has a rectangular top. A plurality of work tables 23 are arranged so that the longitudinal directions of the tops are substantially parallel to each other, thereby forming a passageway for customers 22, known as a checkout lane.

[0013] A registration machine 11 and a payment machine 12 are arranged for each checkout lane. One registration machine 11 and multiple payment machines 12 are arranged for each checkout lane. The registration machine 11 then transmits information related to the purchase and sale transaction to the payment machine 12 arranged in the same checkout lane. The registration machine 11 may transmit the transaction information to the payment machine 12 via the server 13, or may transmit the transaction information to the payment machine 12 without going through the server 13. Furthermore, the registration machine 11 can transmit transaction information not only to the payment machine 12 arranged in the same checkout lane, but also to the payment machine 12 arranged in an adjacent checkout lane.

[0014] 1 shows an example in which one registration machine 11 and two payment machines 12 are arranged for each of two checkout lanes. Specifically, one registration machine 11 (111) with a registration machine ID of "111" and two payment machines 12 (121) and 12 (122) with registration machine IDs of "121" and "122" are arranged in one checkout lane, and one registration machine 11 (112) with a registration machine ID of "112" and two payment machines 12 (123) and 12 (124) with registration machine IDs of "123" and "124" are arranged in the other checkout lane. In this arrangement, in this embodiment, one registration machine 11 (111) can transmit transaction-related information to the payment machines 12 (121) and 12 (122) in the same checkout lane, as well as to the payment machine 12 (123) in an adjacent checkout lane. Similarly, the other registration machine 11 (112) can transmit transaction-related information to the payment machine 12 (123) and payment machine 12 (124) in the same checkout lane, as well as to the payment machine 12 (122) in the adjacent checkout lane.

[0015] The registration machine ID is a unique identifier set for each registration machine 11 in order to individually identify each registration machine 11. The payment machine ID is a unique identifier set for each payment machine 12 in order to individually identify each payment machine 12.

[0016] The server 13 includes a setting file 15. The setting file 15 may be stored in a storage device built into the server 13, or may be stored in a storage device externally connected to the server 13.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the setting file 15. The setting file 15 is a data file that stores customer demographic information and waiting times (seconds) in association with each other. There are four types of customer demographic information: "adults," "children," "elderly," and "disabled." The waiting time is the waiting time from when the payment machine 12 completes the settlement of a transaction until it notifies the registration machine 11 that it is ready to receive information related to the next customer's transaction.

[0018] In general, elderly and disabled people tend to take longer than able-bodied adults to complete a payment at the payment machine 12 and leave the machine 12. In this embodiment, the waiting time associated with customer demographic information is the expected time for a customer belonging to that demographic information to leave the machine 12. Specifically, because able-bodied adults who do not belong to the elderly category are expected to leave the machine 12 within 10 seconds, the waiting time for customer demographic information "adult" is set to 10 seconds. Because children of elementary school age or younger are expected to leave the machine 12 within 20 seconds, even if they are somewhat confused, the waiting time for customer demographic information "children" is set to 20 seconds. On the other hand, elderly people may be confused or lack agility, and may take approximately 30 seconds to leave the machine 12. Similarly to elderly people, disabled people with disabilities often take a long time to leave the machine 12.

[0019] Therefore, in this embodiment, the server 13 is provided with a setting file 15 in which the waiting time is set to 10 seconds for customer demographic information "adult," 20 seconds for customer demographic information "child," and 30 seconds for customer demographic information "elderly" and "disabled." Note that the customer demographic information and the associated waiting times are merely examples. Furthermore, the definitions of "adult," "child," "elderly," and "disabled" are not particularly defined. In the first embodiment, the store clerk operating the registration device 11 makes a judgment by looking at the customer.

[0020] 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration machine 11. The registration machine 11 includes a processor 31, a main memory 32, an auxiliary storage device 33, a clock 34, a communication interface 35, a keyboard 36, a scanner 37, a touch panel 38, a customer display 39, a printer 40, a card reader 41, and a system transmission path 42. The system transmission path 42 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc. The system transmission path 42 connects the processor 31 to each of the other components directly or via a signal input / output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0021] The registration device 11 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 31, a main memory 32, an auxiliary storage device 33, a clock 34, and a communication interface 35 via a system transmission path 42. The registration device 11 also connects devices such as a keyboard 36, a scanner 37, a touch panel 38, a customer display 39, a printer 40, and a card reader 41 to the computer via the system transmission path 42.

[0022] The processor 31 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 31 controls each part to realize various functions of the registration device 11 in accordance with an operating system or application program. The processor 31 is preferably a multi-core or multi-thread type capable of executing multiple processes in parallel. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0023] The main memory 32 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 32 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 32 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 32 may store data required for the processor 31 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 32 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 31 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 33 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 33. The auxiliary storage device 33 stores data used by the processor 31 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 31, etc. The auxiliary storage device 33 may also store the application programs described above.

[0025] The clock 34 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 31 processes the date and time kept by the clock 34 as the current date and time.

[0026] The communication interface 35 performs data communication with the server 13 and the accounting machine 12 connected via the network 14. The communication interface 35 can also perform data communication with other registration machines 11 connected via the network 14.

[0027] The keyboard 36 is an input device on which various keys are arranged for inputting data related to the products purchased by the customer. The keys include an adult key 361, a child key 362, a senior citizen key 363, and a disabled person key 364, which correspond to four types of customer demographic information stored in the setting file 15. If the store clerk, who is the operator of the registration device 11, determines that the customer who comes to check out is classified as an adult, he or she operates the adult key 361. Similarly, if the store clerk determines that the customer is classified as a child, he or she operates the child key 362; if the store clerk determines that the customer is classified as a senior citizen, he or she operates the senior citizen key 363; and if the store clerk determines that the customer is classified as a disabled person, he or she operates the disabled person key 364.

[0028] The scanner 37 is an input device for reading code symbols such as barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc. The scanner 37 may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning with laser light, or may be of a type that reads code symbols from images captured by an imaging device.

[0029] The touch panel 38 is a display device capable of displaying display elements consisting of characters, symbols, images, etc. The touch panel 38 is also an input device that detects a touch operation position on the display with a sensor and processes the display element at that position as an input. The touch panel 38 displays information to the store clerk who operates the registration device 11 and accepts operation inputs from the store clerk.

[0030] The customer display 39 is a display device provided to display information such as the product name and price of the product registered in the registration machine 11 to the customer 22.

[0031] The printer 40 is an output device that prints data related to purchase receipts, credit card slips, etc. onto receipt paper. The receipt paper on which various data has been printed by the printer 40 is cut by a cutter and issued from a receipt issuing slot. The printer 40 may be implemented as, for example, a thermal printer or a dot-matrix printer.

[0032] The card reader 41 is an input device that reads data recorded on a card medium such as a credit card, electronic money card, or point card. If the card medium is a magnetic card, the card reader 41 is a magnetic card reader. If the card medium is an IC card, the card reader 41 is an IC card reader. The registration device 11 may be equipped with either a magnetic card reader or an IC card reader as the card reader 41, or may be equipped with both. The card reader 41 may also be a card reader / writer that has a function for writing data to a card.

[0033] For example, an existing POS terminal can be used as the hardware of such a registration machine 11. It should be noted that the devices connected to the registration machine 11 are not limited to the keyboard 36, scanner 37, touch panel 38, customer display 39, printer 40, and card reader 41 shown in Fig. 3. Devices required for the use of the registration machine 11 may be added, or some devices may be omitted.

[0034] The registration device 11 uses a part of the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 32 as an area for a status table 321. The status table 321 is an area for storing information indicating the status of multiple accounting devices 12 connected to the registration device 11.

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the status table 321. As shown in Figure 4, the status table 321 stores statuses in association with payment machine IDs. The status is information indicating the state of the payment machine 12 identified by the corresponding payment machine ID. Specifically, the status is set to a value of "0" when the payment machine 12 is ready to receive transaction-related information, a value of "1" when the payment machine 12 is in the middle of a payment process, and a value of "2" when the payment machine 12 is waiting after completing a payment. Furthermore, the status is set to "9" for a payment machine 12 that is not the target for sending transaction-related information. Therefore, Figure 4 shows the status table 321 of a registration machine 11 (111) with a registration machine ID of "111." The status table 321 of the registration machine 11 (112) with the registration machine ID "112" has a status of "9" for the registration machine 12 (121) with the registration machine ID "121", and a status of "0", "1", or "2" for other registration machines 12.

[0036] Returning to the explanation of Figure 3. The registration machine 11 is equipped with a registration program so that the processor 31 functions as registration means 311, transmission means 312, and registration machine side acquisition means 313. The registration program is a type of application software, and is installed in the auxiliary storage device 33. The registration program may be installed in the main memory 32. There are no particular limitations on the method for installing the registration program in the main memory 32 or the auxiliary storage device 33. The registration program can be installed in the main memory 32 or the auxiliary storage device 33 by recording the payment program on a removable recording medium or by distributing the registration program via communication over 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 means 311 is a function that registers products purchased by customers in response to operational input via the keyboard 36, scanner 37, or touch panel 38. The transmission means 312 is a function that transmits information related to the transaction of the products registered by the registration means 311 to the payment machine 12 that has been notified that it is ready to receive the information via the network 14. The registration machine side acquisition means 313 is a function that acquires information about customers who purchase the products registered by the registration means 311. The customer information is customer demographic information set in the setting file 15.

[0038] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment machine 12. The payment machine 12 includes a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a clock 64, a communication interface 65, an automatic change dispenser 66, a touch panel 67, a card reader 68, a scanner 69, a printer 70, and a system transmission path 71. The system transmission path 71 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines. The system transmission path 71 connects the processor 61 to each of the other components directly or via a signal input / output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0039] The accounting machine 12 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a clock 64, and a communication interface 65 via a system transmission path 71. The accounting machine 12 also connects devices such as an automatic change dispenser 66, a touch panel 67, a card reader 68, a scanner 69, and a printer 70 to the computer via the system transmission path 71.

[0040] The processor 61 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 61 controls each part to realize the various functions of the accounting machine 12 in accordance with an operating system or application programs. The processor 61 is preferably a multi-core or multi-thread type capable of executing multiple processes in parallel. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU.

[0041] The main memory 62 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 62 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 62 may store data required for the processor 61 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 62 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 61 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM.

[0042] The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 63. The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used by the processor 61 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 61, etc. The auxiliary storage device 63 may also store the application programs described above.

[0043] The clock 64 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 61 processes the date and time kept by the clock 64 as the current date and time.

[0044] The communication interface 65 performs data communication with the server 13 or the registration machine 11 connected via the network 14. The communication interface 65 can also perform data communication with other accounting machines 12 connected via the network 14.

[0045] The automatic change machine 66 is a device that processes cash. The automatic change machine 66 has a banknote input port, a banknote discharge port, a coin input port, and a coin discharge port. The automatic change machine 66 processes banknotes inserted into the banknote input port. The automatic change machine 66 discharges banknotes as change from the banknote discharge port. The automatic change machine 66 accepts and processes coins inserted into the coin input port. The automatic change machine 66 discharges coins as change from the coin discharge port.

[0046] The touch panel 67 is a display device capable of displaying display elements consisting of characters, symbols, images, etc. The touch panel 67 is also an input device that uses a sensor to detect a touch operation position on the display and processes the display element at that position as input. The touch panel 67 displays information to the customer who is the operator of the payment machine 12 and accepts operation inputs from the customer.

[0047] The card reader 68 is an input device that reads data recorded on a card medium such as a credit card, electronic money card, or point card. If the card medium is a magnetic card, the card reader 68 is a magnetic card reader. If the card medium is an IC card, the card reader 68 is an IC card reader. The accounting machine 12 may be equipped with either a magnetic card reader or an IC card reader as the card reader 68, or may be equipped with both. The card reader 68 may also be a card reader / writer that has the function of writing data to a card.

[0048] The scanner 69 is an input device for reading code symbols such as barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc. The scanner 69 may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning with laser light, or may be of a type that reads code symbols from images captured by an imaging device.

[0049] The printer 70 is an output device that prints data related to purchase receipts, credit card slips, etc. onto receipt paper. The receipt paper on which various data has been printed by the printer 70 is cut by a cutter and issued from the receipt issuing slot. The printer 70 may be implemented as, for example, a thermal printer or a dot-matrix printer.

[0050] For example, an existing self-service POS terminal can be used as the hardware for this type of payment machine 12. Note that the devices connected to the payment machine 12 are not limited to the automatic change dispenser 66, touch panel 67, card reader 68, scanner 69, and printer 70 shown in Figure 5. Devices required for the intended use of the payment machine 12 may be added, or some devices may be omitted.

[0051] The payment machine 12 is equipped with a payment program so that the processor 61 functions as a receiving means 611, a payment means 612, a notification means 613, a variable means 614, and a payment machine-side acquisition means 615. The payment program is a type of application software, and is installed in the auxiliary storage device 63. The payment program may also be installed in the main memory 62. There are no particular limitations on the method for installing the payment program in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63. The payment program can be installed in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63 by recording it on a removable storage medium or by distributing it via communication over a network. The form of the storage medium is not important as long as it can store the program and is readable by the device, such as an SD memory card or USB memory.

[0052] The receiving means 611 has a function of receiving information related to a product transaction from the registration device 11 via the communication interface 65. The settlement means 612 has a function of settling the product transaction based on the information related to the product transaction received by the receiving means 611. The notification means 613 has a function of notifying the registration device 11 that it is ready to receive information related to the product transaction when a standby time has elapsed since the payment process by the payment means 612 was completed. The variable means 614 has a function of varying the standby time according to the information of the customer who is the subject of the transaction settled by the payment means 612. The checkout machine side acquisition means 615 has a function of acquiring information of the customer who is the subject of the transaction to be settled by the payment means 612. Incidentally, the variable means 614 varies the standby time according to the information of the customer acquired by the checkout machine side acquisition means 615.

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the sequence of information exchanged between the registration machine 11 and the payment machine 12, and the transition of the status indicating the state of the payment machine 12. The registration machine 11 transmits information about the transaction of registered products to a payment machine 12 that is ready to receive transaction-related information, i.e., a payment machine 12 with a status of "0." When the payment machine 12 receives the information about the product transaction, it transmits a transaction start response data signal to the registration machine 11. The payment machine 12 also executes the payment process based on the information about the product transaction. After completing the payment process, the payment machine 12 transmits a transaction completion response data signal to the registration machine 11.

[0054] When the registration device 11 receives a transaction start response data signal from the payment device 12, it changes the status value indicating the status of that payment device 12 from "0" to "1." When the registration device 11 receives a transaction end response data signal from the payment device 12, it changes the status value indicating the status of that payment device 12 from "1" to "2."

[0055] Meanwhile, the payment machine 12 that sent the transaction completion response data signal waits for a predetermined waiting time T to elapse. After the waiting time T has elapsed, the payment machine 12 sends a transaction ready response data signal to the registration machine 11. Upon receiving the transaction ready response data signal, the registration machine 11 changes the status value indicating the status of that payment machine 12 from "2" to "0." In this way, the status value transitions from "0" to "1" to "2" to "0." The payment machine 12 whose status value has been changed to "0" can then become a destination for transaction-related information in the registration machine 11.

[0056] In some cases, the customer may cancel the transaction before completing the payment. In this case, the transaction ready data signal is sent from the transaction device 12 to the registration device 11, but the transaction completed data signal is not sent. Therefore, the status value changes from "0" to "1" to "0."

[0057] (Explanation of operation) Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the main steps of the information processing that the processor 31 of the registration machine 11 executes in accordance with the registration program. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing that the processor 61 of the payment machine 12 executes in accordance with the payment program. The main operations of the payment system 100 will be explained below using each figure. Note that the information processing steps and content explained below are examples. The steps and content are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

[0058] First, the operation of the registration device 11 will be described. The processor 31 of the registration device 11 in an idle state starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7. First, in ACT1, the processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 to display a registration screen. The registration screen is a screen in which a details area and a total area are arranged. The details area is an area for displaying the product name, quantity, unit price, and amount of purchased products in list format in numerical order. Note that the items displayed in the details area are not limited to the product name, quantity, unit price, and amount. Other items may be added, or any of the items, for example, the amount, may be omitted. The total area is an area for displaying the total number of items (points) and the total amount (yen) displayed in the details area. Note that the items displayed in the total area are not limited to the total number of items and the total amount. Other items may be added, or any of the items, for example, the total number of items, may be omitted.

[0059] After displaying the registration screen, processor 31 proceeds to ACT2. In ACT2, processor 31 waits for product registration. Many products are affixed with barcodes that represent product codes, which are identification information for the products. Therefore, when store clerk 21 receives a request from customer 22 to pay for a purchased product, he or she operates scanner 37 to read the barcode affixed to the purchased product. By reading the barcode with scanner 37, the product code of the purchased product is entered into registration machine 11. On the other hand, some products, such as fresh food, may not have a barcode. If the purchased product does not have a barcode, store clerk 21 operates a soft key corresponding to the purchased product, a so-called product key, from a group of soft keys for products without barcodes that are displayed in part of the registration screen. When the product key is operated, the product code of the purchased product corresponding to that product key is entered into registration machine 11. When the product code of the purchased product is entered into registration machine 11 in this way, processor 31 determines that the product has been registered.

[0060] If it is determined in ACT2 that the product is registered, processor 31 proceeds to ACT3. In ACT3, processor 31 executes product sales data processing. Specifically, processor 31 searches the product file and acquires product data such as the product name and unit price of the product identified by the product code input via scanner 37 or touch panel 38. Processor 31 then stores the product sales data, including items such as the product code, product name, unit price, number of items sold, and sales amount, in transaction memory. The transaction memory is part of the volatile memory area in main memory 32.

[0061] After processing the product sales data, processor 31 waits for the next product registration in ACT 4 or for an instruction to output a subtotal in ACT 5. The subtotal is output by operating a subtotal key. The subtotal key may be a hard key located on keyboard 36 or a soft key located on the registration screen.

[0062] If there are other purchased items, the sales clerk 21 also performs the above-described registration operation for those purchased items. Then, when the registration operation for all purchased items is completed, the sales clerk 21 operates the subtotal key.

[0063] In the standby state of ACT4 and ACT5, if product registration is detected before a command to output the subtotal is issued, processor 31 returns from ACT4 to ACT3. Processor 31 executes product sales data processing. On the other hand, if a command to output the subtotal is issued by operating the subtotal key, processor 31 proceeds from ACT5 to ACT6. Processor 31 displays the subtotal amount on touch panel 38 in ACT6. The subtotal amount is the sum of the sales amounts of the product sales data stored in the transaction memory by the product sales data processing.

[0064] After confirming the subtotal, the store clerk 21 determines the appropriate customer demographic based on the customer's appearance, etc. Then, the store clerk 21 operates the customer demographic key 361 to 364 to which that customer demographic is assigned. If the store clerk 21 determines that the customer is an adult, the store clerk 21 operates the adult key 361. If the store clerk 21 determines that the customer is a child, the store clerk 21 operates the child key 362. If the store clerk 21 determines that the customer is an elderly person, the store clerk 21 operates the elderly person key 363. If the store clerk 21 determines that the customer is a disabled person, the store clerk 21 operates the disabled person key 364.

[0065] After displaying the subtotal, processor 31 proceeds to ACT7. In ACT7, processor 31 waits for one of customer type keys 361-364 to be operated. When one of customer type keys 361-364 is operated, processor 31 proceeds from ACT7 to ACT8. In ACT8, processor 31 creates information related to the transaction. For example, processor 31 creates a transaction information file that describes the product sales data of the purchased product stored in the transaction memory, as well as transaction identification data such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, and registered machine ID. Note that the transaction information is not limited to the transaction information file described above. Essentially, the transaction information may be any information that can be used to settle a product transaction at accounting machine 12.

[0066] After creating the transaction information file, processor 31 proceeds to ACT9. In ACT9, processor 31 adds customer demographic information to the transaction information file. That is, if the adult key 361 is operated in ACT7, processor 31 adds customer demographic information "adult" to the transaction information file. If the child key 362 is operated, processor 31 adds customer demographic information "child" to the transaction information file. If the elderly key 363 is operated, processor 31 adds customer demographic information "elderly" to the transaction information file. If the disabled key 364 is operated, processor 31 adds customer demographic information "disabled" to the transaction information file.

[0067] After adding customer demographic information to the transaction information file, processor 31 proceeds to ACT10. In ACT10, processor 31 refers to the status table 321 to determine the payment machine 12 to which the information related to the transaction will be sent. Specifically, processor 31 selects a payment machine ID from the status table 321 whose status value is "0." If two or more payment machine IDs are selected, processor 31 selects one of the payment machine IDs according to predetermined rules. For example, it selects the payment machine ID with the longest elapsed time since it was last selected. Processor 31 determines the payment machine 12 with the selected payment machine ID as the destination of the information related to the transaction.

[0068] Having determined the destination of the transaction information, processor 31 proceeds to ACT 11. In ACT 11, processor 31 controls communications interface 35 to send the transaction information, that is, the transaction information file created in ACT 8 and to which customer demographic information has been added in ACT 9, to the destination accounting device 12. This control causes the transaction information file to be sent via network 14 and received by the destination accounting device 12. At this time, as explained using Figure 6, a transaction start response data signal is sent from accounting device 12 that has received the transaction information file to registration device 11.

[0069] After controlling the transmission of the transaction information file in ACT11, processor 31 waits for a transaction start response data signal in ACT12. Upon receiving the transaction start response data signal via communication interface 35, processor 31 proceeds from ACT12 to ACT13. In ACT13, processor 31 displays information on touch panel 38 that identifies the payment machine 12 to which the transaction information file is to be sent. For example, processor 31 displays guidance on touch panel 38 stating, "The transaction information will be sent to the payment machine with register number N," along with a confirmation soft key, or so-called confirmation key. After confirming this guidance, store clerk 21 instructs customer 22 to complete the transaction at payment machine 12 with register number N and operates the confirmation key.

[0070] After completing the processing of ACT13, processor 31 ends the information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 7. Then, in response to the operation of the confirmation key, processor 31 returns to the idle state. That is, processor 31 displays the registration screen on touch panel 38. Therefore, when the next customer requests payment for the purchased items, the store clerk can begin the registration operation for those purchased items.

[0071] Here, the processor 31 of the registration device 11 realizes the function of registration means 311 by processing ACT2 to ACT4. The processor 31 realizes the function of transmission means 312 by processing ACT10 and ACT11. The processor 31 realizes the function of registration device side acquisition means 313 by processing ACT7 and ACT9.

[0072] In this way, transaction information is created for each customer in the registration machine 11. Then, customer demographic information based on the judgment of the store clerk is added to this transaction information, and it is sent to the payment machine 12. Here, the payment machine 12 to which the transaction information is sent is the payment machine 12 whose status managed by the status table 321 is "0." The status in this status table 321 is managed by the processor 31 of the registration machine 11 by performing a response reception process. Next, the response reception process will be explained in detail.

[0073] 8 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the response receiving process executed by the processor 31 of the register 11. The processor 31 starts this response receiving process every time it receives a response data signal from the payment machine 12.

[0074] In ACT21, the processor 31 first checks whether the response data signal is a data signal for an accounting start response. If the response data signal is not a data signal for an accounting start response, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT22. In ACT22, the processor 31 checks whether the response data signal is a data signal for an accounting end response. If the response data signal is not a data signal for an accounting end response, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT23. In ACT23, the processor 31 checks whether the response data signal is a data signal for an accounting ready response. If the response data signal is not a data signal for an accounting ready response, the processor 31 performs other processing. The other processing is not within the scope of this application, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] If the response data signal is a transaction start response data signal, processor 31 proceeds from ACT21 to ACT24. In ACT24, processor 31 confirms that the value of the status indicating the state of the payment device 12 that is the sender of the data signal is "0." Hereinafter, the status indicating the state of the payment device 12 that is the sender of the data signal will be referred to as the sender status. If the value of the sender status is "0," processor 31 proceeds from ACT24 to ACT25. In ACT25, processor 31 changes the value of the sender status from "0" to "1."

[0076] If the response data signal is an accounting completion response data signal, processor 31 proceeds from ACT22 to ACT26. In ACT26, processor 31 confirms that the value of the sender status is "1". If the value of the sender status is "1", processor 31 proceeds from ACT26 to ACT27. In ACT27, processor 31 changes the value of the sender status from "1" to "2".

[0077] If the response data signal is an accounting enabled response data signal, the processor 31 proceeds from ACT23 to ACT28. In ACT28, the processor 31 confirms that the value of the sender status is "1" or "2". If the value of the sender status is "1" or "2", the processor 31 proceeds from ACT28 to ACT29. In ACT29, the processor 31 changes the value of the sender status from "2" to "0".

[0078] If the value of the sender status in ACT 24 is other than "0," if the value of the sender status in ACT 26 is other than "1," or if the value of the sender status in ACT 28 is other than "1" or "2," a system error has occurred. Processor 31 notifies the user of the system error. For example, processor 31 causes touch panel 38 to display a warning message indicating that a system error has occurred.

[0079] In this way, the processor 31 executes the response reception process each time it receives a response data signal from a payment machine 12, causing the status value of the payment machine 12 connected to the registration machine 11 to change in the following order: "0" → "1" → "2" → "0" or "0" → "1" → "0". The registration machine 11 then determines that the payment machine 12 with a status value of "0" is the destination to which to send information related to the transaction.

[0080] Next, the operation of the payment machine 12 will be described. The processor 61 of a payment machine 12 in an idle state, i.e., a state in which it is able to receive transaction-related information, begins the information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 9. First, in ACT 31, the processor 61 displays a standby screen on the touch panel 38. The standby screen displays information indicating that the payment machine is waiting for the customer to make the transaction, such as text such as "Welcome."

[0081] After displaying the standby screen, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 32. In ACT 32, the processor 61 waits for information related to the transaction. When the information related to the transaction, i.e., the transaction information file, is received via the communication interface 65, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT 32 to ACT 33. In ACT 33, the processor 61 sends a transaction start response data signal to the register 11. As a result, the status for the register 11 for the relevant accounting device 12 changes from "0" to "1."

[0082] The processor 61 also acquires customer demographic information from the transaction information file in ACT 34. The processor 61 then accesses the server 13 in ACT 35 to search for the waiting time T associated with the customer demographic information and set in the setting file 15. The processor 61 stores the searched waiting time T in the main memory 62 in ACT 36.

[0083] The processor 61 sets the screen of the touch panel 67 as a transaction details screen as ACT37. The transaction details screen is a screen that arranges a details area and a total area. The details area displays the product name, quantity, unit price, and amount of the purchased items stored in the transaction information file in list format. The total area displays the total number of items (points) and total amount (yen) displayed in the details area. The transaction details screen also displays soft keys for payment and cancel. A customer who checks the transaction details screen and wants to pay the price operates the payment key. A customer who wants to cancel the payment operates the cancel key.

[0084] After displaying the transaction details screen, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 36. The processor 61 waits for the payment key to be operated in ACT 38, or for the cancel key to be operated in ACT 39. If the processor 61 detects that the payment key has been operated while in the standby state in ACT 38 or ACT 39, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT 38 to ACT 40. In ACT 40, the processor 61 displays the screen of the touch panel 67 as a payment method selection screen. The payment method selection screen displays soft keys for the cash key, credit key, electronic money key, and code payment key. A customer paying with cash operates the cash key and inserts cash into the automatic change machine. A customer paying with a credit card operates the credit key and has the credit card data read by the card reader 68. A customer paying with electronic money operates the electronic money key and has the electronic money card data read by the card reader. A customer who wishes to pay by code payment operates the code payment key and has the payment code displayed on the smartphone read by the scanner 69.

[0085] After displaying the payment method selection screen, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT41. In ACT41, the processor 61 waits for one of the payment methods to be selected. When the cash key, credit key, electronic money key, or code payment key is operated, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT42. In ACT42, the processor 61 executes payment processing. For example, when the cash key is operated, the processor 61 executes cash payment processing based on the cash inserted into the automatic change dispenser 66. For example, when the credit key is operated, the processor 61 executes credit payment processing based on the credit card data read by the card reader 68. For example, when the electronic money key is operated, the processor 61 executes electronic money payment processing based on the electronic money card data read by the card reader 68. For example, when the code payment key is operated, the processor 61 executes code payment processing based on the payment code read by the scanner 69. These payment processes are all well-known processes, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0086] Once the payment process is complete, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT43. In ACT43, the processor 61 controls the printer 70 to print a receipt. After the receipt is printed, the processor 61 sends a transaction completion response data signal to the register 11 in ACT44. This causes the register 11 to change the status for the transaction device 12 from "1" to "2."

[0087] In ACT45, the processor 61 sets the waiting time T stored in the main memory 62 as the timeout time for the timer built into the processor 61. Then, in ACT46, the processor 61 starts the timer. In ACT47, the processor 61 waits for the timer to time out. When the timer reaches the waiting time T and times out, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT47 to ACT48. In ACT48, the processor 61 sends a data signal of a transaction ready response to the register 11. As a result, the register 11 changes the status for the transaction machine 12 from "2" to "0".

[0088] If the STOP key is pressed during the standby state of ACT38 and ACT39, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT39 to ACT48. The processor 61 sends a transaction ready response data signal to the register 11 in ACT48. This causes the register 11 to change the status for the transaction machine 12 from "1" to "0."

[0089] When the processing of ACT48 is completed, the processor 61 ends the information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9. The processor 61 enters an idle state. Therefore, the screen of the touch panel 67 becomes a standby screen, allowing the next customer to start settling their transaction.

[0090] Here, the processor 61 of the payment machine 12 realizes the function of receiving means 611 by processing ACT32 and ACT33. The processor 61 realizes the function of payment means 612 by processing ACT38 to ACT44. The processor 61 realizes the function of notification means 613 by processing ACT48. The processor 61 realizes the function of variable means 614 by processing ACT45 to ACT47. The processor 61 realizes the function of payment machine side acquisition means 615 by processing ACT34.

[0091] As described above in detail, in the first embodiment, the store clerk operating the registration device 11 determines the appropriate customer demographic for a customer and operates the customer demographic keys 361-364 corresponding to that customer demographic. By doing so, the waiting time T from when the customer completes the transaction at the payment device 12 until the payment device 12 transmits a transaction-ready response data signal to the registration device 11 is variable. In other words, the timing of notifying the registration device 11 that it is ready to receive transaction-related information is variable depending on the customer who has completed the transaction. Specifically, if a customer who the store clerk determines to be an "adult" completes the transaction, a transaction-ready response data signal is transmitted after 10 seconds. If a customer who the store clerk determines to be a "child" completes the transaction, a transaction-ready response data signal is transmitted after 20 seconds. If a customer who the store clerk determines to be an "elderly" or "disabled" completes the transaction, a transaction-ready response data signal is transmitted after 30 seconds.

[0092] Generally, it is estimated that a healthy adult who is not elderly will leave the payment machine 12 within 10 seconds. It is also estimated that a child of elementary school age or younger will leave the payment machine 12 within 20 seconds. On the other hand, elderly or disabled people, who may be confused or not quick to act, are estimated to leave the payment machine 12 within 30 seconds. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, by the time the payment response data signal is sent from the payment machine 12 to the registration machine 11, regardless of whether the customer is an adult, child, elderly, or disabled, they will have left the payment machine 12. This highly unlikely situation occurs where a subsequent customer is unable to operate the payment machine 12 to settle a transaction because the previous customer is nearby. Furthermore, because the information necessary for settling the transaction with the subsequent customer is not displayed to the previous customer, there is no risk of confusion between the previous and subsequent customers. Thus, it is possible to provide a payment machine 12 and its program, and a payment system 10 including the payment machine 12, which can prevent unnecessary confusion before it occurs.

[0093] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, as well as FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. In the first embodiment, a case is exemplified in which a store clerk operating the registration machine 11 looks at a customer, determines the customer demographic appropriate for that customer, and inputs the customer demographic keys 361 to 364 corresponding to that customer demographic. In the second embodiment, a case is exemplified in which the registration machine 11 automatically determines the customer demographic of the customer.

[0094] In this second embodiment, the configuration of the payment system 10 is the same as in the first embodiment. The configuration and operation of the payment device 12 are also the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9 apply to the second embodiment as they are. Also, as in the first embodiment, the registration device 11 has a status table 321, and the processor 31 executes the response reception process, so Figures 4 and 8 also apply to the second embodiment as they are.

[0095] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration device 11 in the second embodiment. Note that parts common to the registration device 11 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 3 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The registration device 11 includes a processor 31, a main memory 32, an auxiliary storage device 33, a clock 34, a communication interface 35, a keyboard 36, a scanner 37, a touch panel 38, a customer display 39, a printer 40, a card reader 41, and a system transmission path 42, as well as a camera 81 and a camera interface 82. The camera interface 82 is connected to the system transmission path 42.

[0096] Camera 81 is a video camera mounted in a position where it can capture images of customers whose purchased items are registered in registration machine 11. Image data captured by camera 81 is supplied to processor 31 via camera interface 82. Processor 31 has the function of processing the image data and determining customer demographic information such as "adults," "children," "elderly people," and "disabled people" from the features of the people shown in the image.

[0097] The card reader 41 can also read data from membership cards held by customers. The membership card records the age of the customer who holds the card and identification information indicating whether the customer is disabled or not. The card data read by the card reader 41 is supplied to the processor 31. The processor 31 has the function of determining customer demographic information such as "adult," "child," "elderly," or "disabled" from the card data.

[0098] It should be noted that the customer demographic keys 361 to 364 arranged on the keyboard 36 can be omitted in the second embodiment.

[0099] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor 31 in accordance with the registration program. The processor 31 of the registration device 11 in idle state starts the information processing of the steps shown in the flowchart of Figure 11. First, in ACT51, the processor 31 displays a member selection screen on the touch panel 38. The member selection screen has soft keys for a member key and a non-member key. If the customer requesting payment is a non-member, the store clerk operates the non-member key. On the other hand, if the customer is a member, the store clerk operates the member key to have the card reader 41 read the data on the membership card presented by the member.

[0100] After displaying the member selection screen, processor 31 proceeds to ACT 52. In ACT 52, processor 31 waits for either a member key or a non-member key to be input. If a member key is input, processor 31 proceeds from ACT 52 to ACT 53. In ACT 52, processor 31 acquires card data read by card reader 41. Then, in ACT 54, processor 31 determines customer demographic information based on the card data. For example, if the card data includes data indicating a disability, processor 31 determines the customer demographic information as "disabled." If the card data includes data indicating a disability, processor 31 acquires the age from the card data. Then, for example, if the user is 12 years old or younger, processor 31 determines the customer demographic information as "child." For example, if the user is 70 years old or older, processor 31 determines the customer demographic information as "elderly." Otherwise, processor 31 determines the customer demographic information as "adult."

[0101] On the other hand, if a non-member key is entered during the standby state of ACT 52, processor 31 proceeds from ACT 52 to ACT 55. In ACT 55, processor 31 acquires image data captured by camera 81. Then, in ACT 56, processor 31 determines customer demographic information such as "adult," "child," "elderly," or "disabled" from the features of the person shown in the image.

[0102] After determining the customer demographic information in ACT54 or ACT56, processor 31 proceeds to ACT57. In ACT57, processor 31 stores the customer demographic information in main memory 32. In ACT58, processor 31 switches the screen on touch panel 38 from the member selection screen to a registration screen. The registration screen is the same as the registration screen displayed in the processing of ACT1 in the first embodiment. Thereafter, processor 31 executes the processing of ACT2 to ACT13 shown in FIG. 7 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Note that the customer demographic information added to the transaction information file in ACT9 is the customer demographic information stored in ACT57.

[0103] Here, the processor 31 realizes the function of the registered device side acquisition means 313 by the processing of ACT53 and ACT54 or the processing of ACT55 and ACT56.

[0104] In the second embodiment described above, as in the first embodiment, the timing at which the payment machine 12 notifies the registration machine 11 that it is ready to receive transaction information after completing the payment process, i.e., the timing at which it outputs a payment ready response data signal, can be varied depending on the customer who has completed the payment. As a result, unnecessary confusion among customers can be prevented.

[0105] Moreover, in the second embodiment, the store clerk does not have to determine the customer demographics. This reduces the burden on the store clerk. Furthermore, for members, the customer demographics are determined based on the data on the membership card read by the card reader 41 of the registration machine 11. Therefore, the registration machine 11 can reliably identify the customer demographics. Furthermore, for non-members, the technology for identifying the gender and age of customers from images taken by the camera 81 is highly reliable, so the customer demographics can be determined in a manner comparable to that determined by the store clerk 21 based on appearance.

[0106] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, as well as FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. In the second embodiment, a camera 81 is provided in the registration machine 11, and the customer demographics of the customer are determined from an image captured by the camera 81. In the third embodiment, a case is illustrated in which the customer demographics of the customer are determined from an image captured by the camera 81.

[0107] In this third embodiment, the configuration of the checkout system 10 is the same as in the first embodiment. The configuration of the registration device 11 is the same as in the first embodiment, except that the customer demographic keys 361-364 are omitted from the keyboard 36. Furthermore, the information processing procedure executed by the processor 31 of the registration device 11 in accordance with the registration program is the procedure in Figure 7 excluding the processing of ACT9. Furthermore, the response reception processing is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 apply directly to the third embodiment.

[0108] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment machine 12 in the third embodiment. Components that are common to the payment machine 12 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 5 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The payment machine 12 includes a processor 61, main memory 62, auxiliary storage device 63, clock 64, communication interface 65, automatic change dispenser 66, touch panel 67, card reader 68, scanner 69, printer 70, and system transmission path 42, as well as a camera 91 and a camera interface 92. The camera interface 92 is connected to the system transmission path 42.

[0109] Camera 91 is a video camera mounted in a position where it can capture images of customers making self-checkouts at payment machine 12. Image data captured by camera 91 is supplied to processor 61 via camera interface 92. Processor 61 processes the image data and has the function of determining customer demographic information such as "adult," "child," "elderly," or "disabled" based on the features of the people shown in the image.

[0110] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor 61 in accordance with the payment program. Note that the same reference numerals as in FIG. 8 are used to denote parts of the process that execute the same processes as those of the first embodiment. Specifically, when the processor 31 is ready to receive transaction information, it displays a standby screen on the touch panel 38 in ACT 31. Then, the processor 61 waits for transaction information in ACT 32. Upon receiving transaction information, i.e., a transaction information file, via the communication interface 65, the processor 61 transmits a transaction start response data signal to the registration device 11 in ACT 33. Note that the information processing executed by the processor 31 in the registration device 11 omits ACT 9 in FIG. 7, and therefore customer demographic information is not added to the transaction information file. Therefore, the processor 61 does not execute ACTs 34 through 36, which were executed in the first embodiment.

[0111] In ACT 37, the processor 61 displays the transaction details screen on the touch panel 67. Then, the processor 61 waits for the payment key to be operated in ACT 38, or for the cancel key to be operated in ACT 39. If the cancel key is pressed while in the standby state in ACT 38 or ACT 39, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT 39 to the processing of ACT 48 shown in Figure 9. That is, the processor 61 transmits a transaction ready response data signal to the registration device 11.

[0112] If a payment key is entered during the standby state of ACT38 and ACT39, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT38 to ACT61. In ACT61, the processor 61 acquires image data captured by the camera 91. Then, in ACT62, the processor 61 determines customer demographic information such as "adult," "child," "elderly," or "disabled" from the features of the person shown in the image.

[0113] After determining the customer demographic information, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 63. In ACT 63, the processor 61 accesses the server 13 and searches for the waiting time T that is set in the setting file 15 in association with the customer demographic information. In ACT 64, the processor 61 stores the found waiting time T in the main memory 62.

[0114] After storing the waiting time T, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 40. In ACT 40, the processor 61 displays the screen of the touch panel 67 as a payment method selection screen. Thereafter, the processor 61 executes the processes of ACT 41 to ACT 48 shown in FIG. 9 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0115] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of the accounting machine side acquisition means 615 by the processing of ACT61 and ACT62. In the third embodiment described above, as in the first embodiment, the timing at which the payment machine 12, having completed the payment process, notifies the registration machine 11 that it is ready to receive transaction-related information can be varied depending on the customer who has completed the payment, thereby preventing unnecessary customer confusion.

[0116] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, there is no need to add customer demographic information to the transaction-related information transmitted from the registration machine 11 to the payment machine 12. This improves the efficiency of communication between the registration machine 11 and the payment machine 12. For example, in the case of a parent-child customer, the parent may be standing beside the registration machine 11 while registering the purchased items, but the child may be performing the payment at the payment machine 12. In such a case, the timing for notifying the registration machine 11 that transaction-related information is available to be received is when the customer demographic information indicates "child," thereby preventing information about the next customer's transaction from being sent to the payment machine 12 due to the child's delay.

[0117] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, as well as FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. In the first to third embodiments, the customer information used to change the timing at which the payment device 12 notifies the registration device 11 that it is ready to receive transaction information is customer demographic information such as "adults," "children," "elderly people," and "disabled people." In the fourth embodiment, the customer information is the payment method.

[0118] Payment methods include cash, credit card, electronic money, code payment, etc. Of these payment methods, code payment requires only holding the screen of a smartphone over a scanner, so customers can immediately leave the cash register 12 after completing the payment. On the other hand, credit card payments or electronic money payments, which require a card, may take some time to put the card into their wallet after completing the payment, but are expected to take less time than taking change for cash payments and putting it into their wallet.

[0119] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the setting file stored in the server 13 is a setting file 151 having the data structure shown in Fig. 14. That is, the setting file 151 sets a waiting time for each payment information of cash, credit card, electronic money, and code payment. Specifically, the server 13 is provided with a setting file 151 in which the waiting time is set to 20 seconds for the payment information "cash," 10 seconds for the payment information "credit card" and "electronic money," and 5 seconds for the payment information "code payment."

[0120] In this fourth embodiment, the configuration of the payment system 10 is the same as in the first embodiment. The configuration of the registration device 11 is the same as in the first embodiment, except that the customer type keys 361-364 are omitted from the keyboard 36. The information processing procedure executed by the processor 31 of the registration device 11 in accordance with the registration program is the procedure in Figure 7 excluding the processing of ACT9. The response reception processing is the same as in the first embodiment. The configuration of the payment device 12 is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 apply directly to the fourth embodiment.

[0121] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor 61 of the payment machine 12 in accordance with the payment program. Note that the same reference numerals as in FIG. 9 are used to denote parts of the process that execute the same processing as in the first embodiment. Specifically, when the processor 31 is ready to receive transaction information, it displays a standby screen on the touch panel 38 in ACT 31. Then, the processor 61 waits for transaction information in ACT 32. Upon receiving transaction information, i.e., a transaction information file, via the communication interface 65, the processor 61 transmits a transaction start response data signal to the registration machine 11 in ACT 33. Note that the information processing executed by the processor 31 in the registration machine 11 omits ACT 9 in FIG. 7, and therefore customer demographic information is not added to the transaction information file. Therefore, the processor 61 does not execute ACTs 34 through 36, which were executed in the first embodiment.

[0122] In ACT 37, the processor 61 displays the transaction details screen on the touch panel 67. Then, the processor 61 waits for the payment key to be operated in ACT 38, or for the cancel key to be operated in ACT 39. If the cancel key is pressed while in the standby state in ACT 38 or ACT 39, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT 39 to the processing of ACT 48 shown in Figure 9. That is, the processor 61 transmits a transaction ready response data signal to the registration device 11.

[0123] If a payment key is entered during the standby state of ACT38 and ACT39, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT38 to ACT40. In ACT40, the processor 61 displays a payment method selection screen on the screen of the touch panel 67. Then, in ACT41, the processor 61 waits for one of the payment methods to be selected.

[0124] When the cash key, credit key, electronic money key, or code payment key is operated, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT71. The processor 61 acquires payment information in ACT71. That is, when the cash key is input, the processor 61 acquires the payment information "cash". When the credit card key is input, the processor 61 acquires the payment information "credit card". When the electronic money key is input, the processor 61 acquires the payment information "electronic money". When the code payment key is input, the processor 61 acquires the payment information "code payment". After acquiring the payment information, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 72. In ACT 72, the processor 61 accesses the server 13 and searches for the waiting time T that is associated with the payment information and set in the setting file 151. In ACT 73, the processor 61 stores the found waiting time T in the main memory 62.

[0125] After storing the waiting time T, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 42. In ACT 42, the processor 61 executes a payment process according to the payment method. Thereafter, the processor 61 executes the processes of ACT 43 to ACT 48 shown in FIG. 9 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0126] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of the accounting machine side acquisition means 615 by the processing of ACT71 to ACT73.

[0127] In the fourth embodiment described above, the timing at which the payment machine 12, having completed the payment process, notifies the registration machine 11 that it is ready to receive transaction-related information can be varied depending on the payment method selected by the customer. Therefore, for example, even if a customer has trouble putting the change into their wallet after selecting cash payment, the notification is delayed in the case of cash payment, so information on the next customer's transaction is not sent to the payment machine 12. On the other hand, if payment is made using a code payment method, the notification is made earlier than with cash. Even if the notification is made earlier, this is not a problem because customers who pay using a code payment method quickly leave the payment machine 12. Furthermore, the earlier notification improves transaction processing efficiency.

[0128] [Variations] In the first embodiment, the customer type keys 361-364 may be changed to keys that set a waiting time. That is, a 10-second key, a 20-second key, and a 30-second key are arranged on the keyboard 36. If the customer is elderly or disabled, the 30-second key is operated. If the customer is a child, the 20-second key is operated. If the customer is other than elderly or disabled, the 10-second key is operated. In ACT 9 of FIG. 7, the processor 31 of the registration machine 11 adds the number of seconds of the key operation input to the information related to the transaction. In ACT 45 of FIG. 9, the processor 61 of the payment machine 12 sets the number of seconds of the key added to the information related to the transaction in the timer.

[0129] Even when this configuration is adopted, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved. Moreover, in this example, there is no need for the server 13 to manage the settings file 15, and the payment machine 12 does not need to access the server 13 to obtain the standby time, thereby improving processing efficiency.

[0130] In the first to fourth embodiments, the setting file 15 or the setting file 151 may not be managed by the server 13 but may be managed by each payment device 12 individually.

[0131] 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] A cash register comprising: a receiving means for receiving information relating to a product transaction from a registration machine; a settlement means for settling the product transaction based on the information relating to the product transaction; a notification means for notifying the registration machine that information relating to the product transaction can be received when a waiting time has elapsed since the completion of the settlement by the settlement means; and a variable means for varying the waiting time according to information about the customer who is the subject of the transaction settled by the settlement means. [2] The payment machine according to appendix [1], wherein the variable means varies the waiting time in accordance with customer information received from the registration machine together with information relating to the transaction of the product. [3] The payment machine described in appendix [1] further comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information about the customer who is the subject of the transaction to be settled using the payment means, and the variable means varies the waiting time depending on the customer information acquired by the acquisition means. [4] A payment system comprising a registration machine and a plurality of payment machines connected via a network, the registration machine comprising: registration means for registering products purchased by customers; and transmission means for transmitting information relating to the transaction of the products registered by the registration means to the payment machine that has been notified that it is ready to receive the information. The payment machines comprise: reception means for receiving information relating to the transaction of the products from the registration machine; settlement means for settling the transaction of the products based on the information relating to the transaction of the products; notification means for notifying the registration machine that it is ready to receive information relating to the transaction of the products when a standby time has elapsed since the completion of payment by the settlement means; and variable means for varying the standby time according to information about the customer who is the subject of the transaction settled by the settlement means. [5] The registration machine further comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information on customers who purchase the products registered by the registration means, and the variable means of the accounting machine varies the waiting time according to the information on the customers acquired by the acquisition means of the registration machine, in the accounting system described in appendix [4]. [6] A program for causing a computer of an accounting machine equipped with a settlement means for settling a transaction of a commodity based on information relating to the transaction received from a registration machine to function as a notification means for notifying the registration machine that information relating to the transaction of the commodity can be received when a waiting time has elapsed since the completion of the settlement by the settlement means, and a variable means for varying the waiting time according to information about the customer who is the subject of the transaction settled by the settlement means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 10...accounting system, 11...registration machine, 12...accounting machine, 13...server, 14...network, 15,151...configuration file, 21...store clerk, 22...customer, 81,91...camera, 311...registration means, 312...transmission means, 313...acquisition means on registration machine side, 321...status table, 611...receiving means, 612...payment means, 613...notification means, 614...variable means, 615...acquisition means on accounting machine side.

Claims

1. A checkout machine of a checkout system comprising a registration machine operated by a store clerk and a checkout machine operated by a customer, receiving means for receiving information relating to product transactions from the registration machine; a payment means for settling the transaction of the product based on the information relating to the transaction of the product; a notification means for notifying the registration machine that information relating to the transaction of the commodity can be received when a standby time has elapsed since the settlement by the settlement means is completed; an acquisition means for acquiring information about a customer who is the subject of a transaction to be settled by the payment means; a variable means for varying the waiting time in accordance with the customer information acquired by the acquisition means; An accounting machine equipped with the above.

2. An accounting machine as described in claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires information about the customer along with information related to the transaction of the product from the registration machine.

3. A camera for photographing a customer operating the cash register; Further comprising:

2. The payment machine according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires the customer information from features of a person shown in an image captured by the camera.

4. A registration machine operated by a store clerk and a plurality of cashier machines operated by customers are connected via a network, The registration machine is a registration means for registering products purchased by customers; a transmitting means for transmitting information relating to the transaction of the product registered by the registering means to the accounting machine that has received the notification that it is ready to receive the information; Equipped with The accounting machine is receiving means for receiving information relating to product transactions from the registration machine; a payment means for settling the transaction of the product based on the information relating to the transaction of the product; a notification means for notifying the registration machine that information relating to the transaction of the commodity can be received when a standby time has elapsed since the settlement by the settlement means is completed; an acquisition means for acquiring information about a customer who is the subject of a transaction to be settled by the payment means; a variable means for varying the waiting time in accordance with the customer information acquired by the acquisition means; An accounting system that includes:

5. The registration machine is a registration device side acquisition means for acquiring information on customers who purchase the products registered by the registration means; Further comprising:

5. The accounting system according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition means of the accounting machine acquires the customer information together with the information related to the transaction of the product from the registration machine.

6. A computer for a cashier in an accounting system having a registration machine operated by a store clerk and a cashier machine operated by a customer, a receiving means for receiving information relating to product transactions from the registration machine; a settlement means for settling the transaction of the product based on the information relating to the transaction of the product; a notification means for notifying the registration machine that information relating to the transaction of the commodity can be received when a standby time has elapsed since the settlement by the settlement means is completed; An acquisition means for acquiring information about a customer who is the subject of a transaction to be settled using the payment means; and A variable means for varying the waiting time in accordance with the customer information acquired by the acquisition means. A program to function as a

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