Product registration device and program

Abstract

To notify a shopper of a fact that payment limited cost is insufficient before registration of a commodity(s) for once transaction is completed.SOLUTION: A commodity registration device of the embodiment comprises: registration means; acquisition means; and notification means. The registration means registers a commodity which is a payment object. The acquisition means acquires payment limited cost of a payment method which is used for payment of the commodity which is a payment object. The notification means performs a notification operation for notifying a person who performs payment of a fact that the payment limited cost is insufficient when the payment limited cost acquired by the acquisition means is less than a payment amount for performing payment of the commodity which has been registered as the payment object before registration for one transaction is completed on the registration means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product registration device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] When purchasing goods, conventional product registration devices notify shoppers of the payment amount after completing the registration of goods for one transaction, and then determine the payment method. When making a payment using a payment method with a payment limit, such as a prepaid electronic money card or debit card, if the payment limit based on the electronic money balance or bank account balance is insufficient, the shopper must pay the shortfall in cash or other means. Therefore, when making a payment using a conventional product registration device, shoppers may not realize that the payment limit is insufficient until the registration of goods for one transaction is complete and the payment method is determined. In this case, shoppers must begin preparing cash or other means to pay the shortfall after the registration of goods for one transaction is complete, resulting in a problem of time-consuming payment. In view of these circumstances, it is desirable to notify the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient before the registration of the items for one transaction is completed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-018482 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To provide a merchandise registration device and a program capable of informing a shopper that the payment limit of a payment method is insufficient before the registration of merchandise for one transaction is completed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The product registration device of the embodiment includes a registration means, an acquisition means, and a notification means. The registration means registers products to be paid for. The acquisition means acquires the payment limit of the payment method to be used for the payment of the products to be paid for. The notification means performs a notification operation to notify the settlor that the payment limit is insufficient if the payment limit acquired by the acquisition means is less than the payment amount for the products registered as the payment target before registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a commodity registration device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the product registration device. [Figure 3] 3 is a flowchart of a control process by the CPU in FIG. 2; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the touch panel in FIGS. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the touch panel in FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the customer-side display device in FIGS. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, a product registration device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same elements in the following drawings and descriptions are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a commodity registration device 1 according to this embodiment. The product registration device 1 is connected to a reader / writer 2. The product registration device 1 performs various data processing related to product sales, such as registering products to be paid for and calculating payment amounts. For example, a point of sales (POS) terminal or an electronic cash register (ECR) can be used as the product registration device 1. The product registration device 1 includes a main body 10, a touch panel 11, a customer-side display device 12, an input device 13, a printer 14, and a scanner 15.

[0009] The main body 10 includes many of the various elements that make up the merchandise registration device 1, which will be described later.

[0010] The touch panel 11 functions as a display device that displays a screen for notifying the operator of various information, and also functions as an input device that accepts touch operations by the operator. The customer side display device 12 displays various information for the shopper to confirm.

[0011] The input device 13 is used to input various types of information in response to operations by an operator. The input device 13 may be a keyboard, a keypad, or buttons. The printer 14 prints receipts, etc. The printer 14 can use various types of printers, such as a dot matrix printer, inkjet printer, thermal printer, laser printer, or other printers. Scanner 15 reads the barcode displayed on the product and outputs the product code represented by this barcode. In Fig. 1, scanner 15 is a type that is held in the hand, but it may also be a type that is fixed to a cash register or the like.

[0012] The reader / writer 2 reads information recorded on cards, etc., for using payment methods with payment limits, such as debit cards, electronic money cards, and point cards. The reader / writer 2 can also write information to the cards, etc.

[0013] The following describes a payment method with a payment limit. For debit cards, the payment limit is the balance in the account at the bank, etc. Alternatively, if the debit card user or the debit card service provider sets a limit on the amount that can be paid with the debit card, the payment limit is the smaller of the balance in the account or the limit. In addition, in the case of an electronic money card, the payment limit is the balance of electronic money. In addition, in the case of a point card, the payment limit is the value obtained by converting the points into a monetary value. The payment limit is recorded on at least one of the server and the card used to use the payment method.

[0014] The medium for storing information for using the payment method may be a magnetic card, a contact IC (integrated circuit) card, or a contactless IC card. Furthermore, the medium is not limited to a card-type medium; a contactless IC chip mounted on a portable electronic device such as a smartphone or a mobile phone may also be used as the medium for storing the information. The reader / writer 2 shown in Fig. 1 is a type that reads and writes information from a contactless IC card or a contactless IC chip. The reader / writer 2 may also be a type that reads and writes information from a magnetic card or a contact IC card. In other words, the reader / writer 2 used is one that can read and write information from a medium that stores information for using a payment method.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the commodity registration device 1. As shown in FIG. The main body 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, a communication interface 104, a network interface 105, and a bus 106.

[0016] The CPU 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer that performs the processing and control necessary for the operation of the product registration device 1. The CPU 101 controls each part to realize the various functions of the product registration device 1 based on programs such as an operating system and application software stored in the main memory 102. Furthermore, the CPU 101 may also control the reader / writer 2 via the communication interface 104.

[0017] The main memory 102 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 102 stores programs such as the operating system and application software. The main memory 102 also stores data referenced by the CPU 101 when performing various processes. The main memory 102 is also used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU 101 when performing various processes.

[0018] The auxiliary storage device 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 103 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disc drive), or an SSD (solid state drive). The auxiliary storage device 103 stores data used by the CPU 101 when performing various processes, data generated by the processes in the CPU 101, etc. The auxiliary storage device 103 may also store programs such as the operating system or applications. The main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 also stores a product list, which is a list of products registered as purchased products.

[0019] The programs stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 include a control program that describes the control processing described below. As an example, the product registration device 1 is transferred to the user with the control program stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. However, the product registration device 1 may also be transferred to the user without the control program stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. The control program transferred to the user separately may then be written to the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 by an operation by the user or a service technician. The control program can be transferred in this case by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by downloading it via a network.

[0020] The communication interface 104 is an interface through which the product registration device 1 communicates with the reader / writer 2. The communication interface 104 uses, for example, RS-232C, USB (universal serial bus), SCSI (small computer system interface), IEEE 1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), or other interface standards. The network interface 105 is an interface for the product registration device 1 to communicate via the network 3 . The bus 106 includes an address bus and a data bus, and is a transmission path for each unit of the merchandise registration device 1 to exchange signals.

[0021] The network 3 is a communication network including a mobile phone network such as 3G (3rd generation) or LTE (long term evolution), the Internet, a LAN (local area network), a dedicated line, or other communication lines.

[0022] The server 4 is connected to the product registration device 1 via the network 3. The server 4 may store the account balance or payment limit of the above payment method. The server 4 may be a server with an existing configuration.

[0023] The operation of the product registration device 1 when a shopper purchases a product will be explained below with reference to the drawings. Note that the process described below is an example, and various processes that can achieve similar results can be used as appropriate.

[0024] 3 is a flowchart of the control process performed by the CPU 101. The CPU 101 executes this control process based on a control program stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103.

[0025] In Act 1, the CPU 101 resets the product list stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 to reset the product list to a state in which no products are registered.

[0026] In Act 2, the CPU 101 checks whether the product code has been read. That is, the CPU 101 checks whether the barcode attached to the product has been read by the scanner 15. If the product code has not been read, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 2 and proceeds to Act 3.

[0027] In Act 3, the CPU 101 determines whether it has been decided that a payment method with a payment limit will be used for the payment. That is, the CPU 101 checks whether a card or the like for using a payment method with a payment limit has been read by the reader / writer 2. If it has not been decided that a payment method with a payment limit will be used for the payment, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 3 and proceeds to Act 4.

[0028] In Act 4, the CPU 101 checks whether an operation to instruct completion of registration has been performed. That is, the CPU 101 checks whether a predetermined operation to instruct completion of registration, such as pressing the subtotal button, has been performed. Note that an operational rule is that the operation to instruct completion of registration must be performed after at least one product has been registered. The designer of the control program for the CPU 101 may determine how the CPU 101 operates when an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed when no products have been registered. For example, the CPU 101 may ignore the operation to instruct completion of registration. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may be configured to not allow the operation to instruct completion of registration when no products have been registered. If the operation to instruct completion of registration has not been performed, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 4 and returns to Act 2. Thus, the CPU 101 repeats Acts 2 to 4 until a product code is read, a payment method with a payment limit is decided to be used for payment, or an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed.

[0029] If the product code is read by the scanner 15 during the standby state of Act 2 to Act 4, the CPU 101 determines "Yes" in Act 2 and proceeds to Act 5. In Act 5, the CPU 101 registers the read product code in the product list. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 to add the read product code to the product list. In this process, the CPU 101 operates as a registration unit. In Act 5, the CPU 101 displays a list of the products registered in the product list on the touch panel 11. That is, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the product registration screen 200 and instructs the touch panel 11 to display this image. If a product code is registered in a product list while the product registration screen 200 is already displayed on the touch panel 11, the product registration screen 200 is updated to a display corresponding to the product list in which the product code is registered. That is, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the updated product registration screen 200 and instructs the touch panel 11 to display this image.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an example of a product registration screen 200. The product registration screen 200 shown in FIG. 4 includes a product area 210 and a price area 220. The product area 210 displays the product name, unit price, number of items, and amount of the products registered in the product list. The product area 210 may also display whether each product is tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive, the product code, or other information about the product.

[0031] The amount area 220 displays the subtotal, tax-exclusive amount, and total amount for the products registered in the product list. Here, the subtotal is the total amount of the products registered in the product list. The tax-exclusive amount is the total amount of the products registered in the product list, excluding tax. The total amount corresponds to the payment amount for the products registered in the product list.

[0032] After completing the processing of Act 5, the CPU 101 returns to the standby state of Acts 2 to 4. Thus, CPU 101 registers the product code in the product list every time the product code is read, until the payment method is determined or an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed.

[0033] If an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed in a state where one or more products have been registered while in the standby state of Act 2 to Act 4, the CPU 101 determines Yes in Act 4 and proceeds to Act 6. In Act 6, the CPU 101 performs a payment process for the products registered in the product list with the shopper as the payer. This payment process can be a well-known process, so a description of this process will be omitted. In Act 6, the CPU 101 issues a receipt, etc. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the printer 14 to issue a receipt, etc. After completing the processing of Act 6, the CPU 101 returns to Act 1.

[0034] If it is determined that a payment method with a payment limit is to be used for payment while in the standby state of Acts 2 to 4, the CPU 101 determines "Yes" in Act 3 and proceeds to Act 7. In Act 7, CPU 101 acquires the payment limit for the payment method. That is, when CPU 101 acquires the payment limit for the payment method from server 4, it instructs network interface 105 to send information for causing server 4 to transmit the payment limit. Then, CPU 101 instructs network interface 105 to receive the payment limit transmitted from server 4. In this process, CPU 101 operates as an acquisition unit. Furthermore, when CPU 101 acquires the payment limit for the payment method from a card or the like used for the payment method, it instructs reader / writer 2 to acquire the payment limit from the card or the like. In this process, CPU 101 operates as an acquisition unit.

[0035] In Act 8, the CPU 101 determines whether the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. That is, the CPU 101 calculates the total amount from the prices of the products registered in the product list and compares it with the payment limit obtained in Act 7 to determine whether the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount, i.e., whether the payment limit is less than the total amount. If the payment limit is equal to or greater than the total amount, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 8 and proceeds to Act 9.

[0036] In Act 9, the CPU 101 checks whether the product code has been read. That is, the CPU 101 checks whether the barcode attached to the product has been read, similar to Act 2. If the product code has not been read, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 9 and proceeds to Act 10.

[0037] In Act 10, the CPU 101 checks whether an operation to instruct completion of registration has been performed. That is, the CPU 101 checks whether an operation to instruct completion of registration has been performed, similar to Act 4. If an operation to instruct completion of registration has not been performed, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 10 and returns to Act 9. Thus, the CPU 101 repeats Acts 9 and 10 until the product code is read or an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed.

[0038] If the product code is read during the standby state in Act 9 and Act 10, the CPU 101 determines "Yes" in Act 9 and proceeds to Act 11. In Act 11, the CPU 101 registers the read product code. That is, the CPU 101 adds the read product code to the product list in the same way as in Act 5. In this process, the CPU 101 operates as a registration unit. Furthermore, the CPU 101 displays or updates the product registration screen 200 in accordance with the product list at this point in time, in the same manner as in Act 5. After completing the processing of Act 11, the CPU 101 returns to Act 8. In this case, the CPU 101 recalculates the total amount based on the product list updated in Act 11, and compares the total amount with the payment limit. Thus, the CPU 101 registers the product code in the product list every time the product code is read until the total amount exceeds the payment limit or an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed.

[0039] Meanwhile, if an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed with one or more products registered while in the standby state in Act 9 and Act 10, the CPU 101 determines Yes in Act 10 and proceeds to Act 12. In Act 12, the CPU 101 performs payment processing for the products registered in the product list with the shopper as the payer. In this payment processing, the CPU 101 performs payment using the payment method determined in Act 3. Since a well-known method can be used for the specific payment processing, a description thereof will be omitted. In Act 12, the CPU 101 issues a receipt or the like. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the printer 14 to issue a receipt or the like. After completing the processing of Act 12, the CPU 101 returns to Act 1.

[0040] If the payment limit is less than the total amount, the CPU 101 determines "Yes" in Act 8 and proceeds to Act 13. In Act 13, the CPU 101 starts a notification operation to notify the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. That is, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the first notification screen and instructs the touch panel 11 to display this image. Through this process, the CPU 101 and the touch panel 11 cooperate to realize the function of the first display means. Furthermore, the CPU 101 instructs the customer-side display device 12 to display the second notification screen 300. Through this process, the CPU 101 and the customer-side display device 12 cooperate to realize the function of the second display means.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first notification screen 201 as an example. 5 includes a product area 210 and a price area 220, similar to the product registration screen 200. The first notification screen 201 further includes a notification area 230 arranged so as to overlap a portion of the product area 210 and the price area 220.

[0042] The notification area 230 includes a shortage notification 231 , a notification instruction 232 , a settlement limit 233 , a shortage amount 234 , a confirmation button 235 , and a change button 236 .

[0043] The insufficiency notice 231 is a character string that notifies the operator that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. For example, it displays "The payment limit is insufficient." The notification instruction 232 is a character string that notifies the operator to notify the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. For example, it displays "Please notify the customer." The payment limit 233 displays the payment limit for the payment method. In Fig. 5, the payment limit is 1,068 yen. The shortfall amount 234 displays the amount by which the payment limit is short of the total amount. Figure 5 shows a case where the shortfall amount is 120 yen.

[0044] The confirmation button 235 is a button that the operator operates when the operator confirms the content displayed in the notification area 230. The change button 236 is a button that allows the operator to operate when canceling the decision on the payment method to be used for payment and changing to another payment method.

[0045] The display in notification area 230 as described above prompts the operator to notify the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. In other words, the display in notification area 230 is a direct notification to the operator, but can also be considered an indirect notification action for the shopper. Therefore, the display in notification area 230 is an example of a notification action for notifying the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second notification screen 300 as an example. The second notification screen 300 shown in FIG. 6 includes a shortage notification 301, a settlement limit 302, a total amount 303, and a shortage amount 304.

[0047] The shortfall notification 301, the settlement limit 302, and the shortfall amount 304 show the same content as the shortfall notice 231, the settlement limit 233, and the shortfall amount 234. The total price for the products registered in the product list at this point is displayed as the total price 303. Fig. 6 shows the case where the total price is 1,188 yen.

[0048] Thus, in the processing of Act 8 and Act 13, the CPU 101, the touch panel 11, and the customer-side display device 12 function as a notification means. The CPU 101 also functions as a notification control means. The touch panel 11 and the customer-side display device 12 also function as a notification device.

[0049] In Act 14, the CPU 101 checks whether a predetermined operation indicating that the notification operation has been confirmed has been performed. If the confirmation button 235 has not been operated, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 14 and proceeds to Act 15.

[0050] In Act 15, the CPU 101 checks whether a predetermined operation has been performed to cancel the payment method and change to another payment method. If the change button 236 has not been operated, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 15 and returns to Act 14. Thus, the CPU 101 repeats Act 15 and Act 16 until the confirmation button 235 or the change button 236 is operated.

[0051] If the change button 236 is operated while the CPU 101 is in the standby state of Acts 14 and 15, the CPU 101 determines "Yes" in Act 15 and returns to Act 2. At this time, the CPU 101 cancels the decision on the payment method to be used for payment and terminates the notification operation, and then returns to Act 2. In the notification operation termination process, the CPU 101 instructs the touch panel 11 to terminate the display of the notification area 230 and instructs the customer display device 12 to terminate the display of the second notification screen 300. In this case, the CPU 101 returns to the standby state of Acts 2 to 4, so that the payment method can be changed to one with another payment limit in Act 3. Thus, the CPU 101 functions as a change unit in the processing of Acts 15 and 3.

[0052] If the confirmation button 235 is operated during the standby state in Act 14 and Act 15, the CPU 101 determines "Yes" in Act 14 and proceeds to Act 16. In Act 16, the CPU 101 ends the notification operation. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the touch panel 11 to end the display of the notification area 230.

[0053] In Act 17, the CPU 101 checks whether the product code has been read in the same way as in Act 2. If the product code has not been read, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 17 and proceeds to Act 18. In Act 18, the CPU 101 checks whether an operation to instruct completion of registration has been performed in the same manner as in Act 4. If an operation to instruct completion of registration has not been performed, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 18 and returns to Act 17. Thus, the CPU 101 repeats Act 17 and Act 18 until the product code is read or an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed.

[0054] If the product code is read during the standby state in Act 17 and Act 18, the CPU 101 determines "Yes" in Act 17 and proceeds to Act 19. In Act 19, the CPU 101 registers the read product code in the same manner as in Act 5. In this process, the CPU 101 operates as a registration means. The CPU 101 also updates the product registration screen 200 in the same manner as in Act 5. The CPU 101 also updates the price display on the second notification screen 300 to the price corresponding to the product registered in the product list. That is, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the display and instructs the customer-side display device 12 to display this image. After completing the processing of Act 19, the CPU 101 returns to Act 17. Thus, CPU 101 adds a product code to the product list every time the product code is read until an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed.

[0055] If an operation to instruct completion of registration is performed while the CPU 101 is in the standby state in Act 17 and Act 18, the CPU 101 determines "Yes" in Act 18 and proceeds to Act 20. In Act 20, the CPU 101 performs payment processing for the products registered in the product list, with the shopper as the payer. In this payment process, the payment limit is insufficient for the payment amount using only the payment method determined in Act 3, so the shortfall is added and the payment process is carried out. To add the remaining balance, various payment methods can be used, such as cash payment, credit card payment, debit card payment, electronic money payment, and points payment. Furthermore, if the payment method determined in Act 3 allows for an increase in the payment limit, the CPU 101 may increase the payment limit before making the payment. For example, if an electronic money card is used as the payment method, the CPU 101 can increase the payment limit by instructing the reader / writer to add electronic money to the electronic money balance. The payment process when using each of the above payment methods and the process of adding electronic money to the electronic money balance can be performed using well-known processes, so a description of these processes will be omitted. In Act 21, the CPU 101 issues a receipt or the like. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the printer 109 to issue a receipt or the like. After completing the processing of Act 21, the CPU 101 returns to Act 1.

[0056] As described above, the product registration device 1 performs a notification operation to notify the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount before the registration of the products for one transaction is complete. This notification operation allows the shopper to recognize that the payment limit of the payment method they are about to use is insufficient for the payment amount before the registration of the products for one transaction is complete. This allows the shopper to consider whether to change the payment method or prepare to pay the shortfall while the remaining products are being registered. As a result, the shopper can complete the payment promptly after the product registration is complete. Incidentally, preparations for paying the shortfall may include, for example, having cash ready.

[0057] The product registration device 1 notifies the user by displaying the information on the touch panel 11 or the customer-side display device 12. This allows the operator or the customer to easily visually check that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. Furthermore, if the payment limit of the payment method being used is insufficient for the total amount, the product registration device 1 changes the payment method to be used in response to an operation by the operator, allowing the shopper to switch to a payment method with a higher payment limit.

[0058] The product registration device 1 can also notify the customer of the shortfall in the payment limit against the total payment amount in the notification operation. This allows the customer to easily estimate the shortfall in the payment amount, and the customer can prepare cash or other necessary funds to cover the shortfall more quickly.

[0059] This embodiment can be modified as follows.

[0060] The CPU 101 may determine whether the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount after reading the product code but before registering the product in the product list. In this case, if the payment limit is insufficient for the amount calculated by adding the unit price of the product identified by the last read product code to the total amount of the products already registered in the product list, a notification to that effect is issued. In this way, a notification to that effect can be issued before the payment limit becomes insufficient for the total amount.

[0061] The CPU 101 may be capable of registering a product during the notification operation. That is, the CPU 101 waits for the reading of a product code in the standby state of Act 14 and Act 15, and when the product code is read by the scanner 15, performs the same process as in Act 2 and Act 5 to register the product in the product list.

[0062] During the notification operation, the CPU 101 may delete a registered product in response to an operation by the operator. Also, during the notification operation, the CPU 101 may delete a registered product in response to an operation by the operator and register another product instead.

[0063] In the above description, the notification area 230 is arranged so as to overlap a portion of the product area 210 and the price area 220, but this is not limited to this. For example, a portion of the product registration screen may be used as the notification area 230. Also, the display of the product registration screen may be stopped and only the notification area 230 may be displayed on the touch panel 11. In this case, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the display and instructs the touch panel 11 to display this image.

[0064] CPU 101 may raise the payment limit at any time in response to a shopper's request. That is, CPU 101 waits for an instruction to raise the payment limit in at least one of the standby states of Acts 2 to 4, Acts 9 and 10, Acts 14 and 15, and Acts 17 and 18. When such an instruction is received, CPU 101 raises the payment limit.

[0065] The payment limit and the shortfall amount may be displayed not only when the notification area 230 is displayed, but also at all times within the product registration screen.

[0066] In the above explanation, the payment process is performed by the product registration device 1, but a payment device externally attached to the product registration device 1 may also perform the payment process based on instructions from the CPU 101. Furthermore, if the payment device is capable of communication via the network 3, the payment device may obtain the payment limit for the payment method from the server 4 based on instructions from the CPU 101.

[0067] In the above description, the reader / writer 2 is attached externally to the merchandise registration device 1. However, the reader / writer 2 may be built into the merchandise registration device 1.

[0068] Payment processing may be performed at a semi-self-service checkout device. In this case, information about the products registered in the product list and the payment amount are transmitted to the checkout device, and payment processing is performed at the checkout device. Note that if it is possible to transmit information read by the reader / writer 2 to the checkout device, that information may also be transmitted to the checkout device. If it is not possible to transmit that information or if writing to a card or the like for using the payment method is required, the checkout device reads and writes information stored on the card or the like for using the payment method.

[0069] The product registration device may be a self-service type, in which case the operator is a shopper.

[0070] 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 and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. The inventions described in the original claims of this application are set forth below. [1] A product registration device characterized by comprising: a registration means for registering products to be paid for; an acquisition means for acquiring the payment limit of the payment method to be used for paying for the products to be paid for; and a notification means for performing a notification operation to notify a settlor that the payment limit is insufficient if the payment limit acquired by the acquisition means is less than the payment amount for paying for the products registered as the target of payment before registration of one transaction in the registration means is completed. [2] If the settlement limit acquired by the acquisition means is less than the settlement amount for paying for the product registered as a settlement target before the registration of one transaction in the registration means is completed, the settlement method to be used for the payment of the product to be paid for is set. Cancel The product registration device according to [1], further comprising a change means for changing to another payment method. [3] The product registration device according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the notification means notifies the amount of the shortfall in the payment limit. [4] The product registration device described in any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that the notification means includes at least one of a first display means for displaying a message to prompt the operator to notify the settlor that the payment limit is insufficient, and a second display means for displaying a message to notify the settlor that the payment limit is insufficient. [5] A program for causing a computer that controls a product registration device equipped with an alarm device to function as a registration means for registering products to be paid for, an acquisition means for acquiring the payment limit of the payment method to be used for paying for the products to be paid for, and an alarm control means for controlling the alarm device to perform an alarm operation to notify the settlor that the payment limit is insufficient when the payment limit acquired by the acquisition means is less than the payment amount for paying for the products registered as the product to be paid for before the registration of one transaction in the registration means is completed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1...product registration device, 2...reader / writer, 3...network, 4...server, 10...main body, 11...touch panel, 12...customer side display device, 15...scanner, 101...CPU, 102...main memory, 103...auxiliary storage device, 104...communication interface, 105...network interface, 201...first notification screen, 230...notification area, 300...second notification screen.

Claims

1. a registration means for registering products to be paid for by a customer's operation; an acquisition means for acquiring a payment limit of a first payment method used for payment of the product to be paid for; a notification means for performing a notification operation to notify the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient when the payment limit acquired by the acquisition means falls below the payment amount for the products already registered as payment targets before the registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed by additionally registering the products to be paid for; a payment means for, when the payment limit is insufficient, making up the shortfall in the payment made using the first payment method by a shopper's operation using a second payment method different from the first payment method; A display device; Equipped with The notification means includes a display means for displaying on the display device a button for canceling the payment method used for the payment of the product to be paid for and changing to another payment method. Product registration device.

2. The button is a button for a shopper to operate. The product registration device according to claim 1 .

3. The notification means notifies the shortfall in the settlement limit amount. The product registration device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The product registration device according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the product that has been registered as a payment target during the notification operation.

5. A computer that controls a product registration device that includes a notification device including a display device, a registration means for registering products to be paid for by a customer's operation; an acquisition means for acquiring a payment limit of a first payment method used for payment of the product to be paid for; a notification control means for controlling a notification device to perform a notification operation to notify a shopper that the payment limit is insufficient when the payment limit acquired by the acquisition means falls below the payment amount for the registered items as payment targets before the registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed by additionally registering the items to be paid for; a payment means for, when the payment limit is insufficient, making up the shortfall in the payment made using the first payment method by a shopper's operation using a second payment method different from the first payment method; and make it work, The notification control means includes a display means for displaying on the display device a button for canceling the payment method used for the payment of the product to be paid for and changing to another payment method. program.

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