Sales data processing device and program

Abstract

To deal with an inquiry from a customer regarding a result of storage agent services.SOLUTION: A sales data processing device comprises: a storage agent service part which acquires identification information capable of specifying details of a storage agent service in a first transaction; a holding part which lets a predetermined storage part hold response information when receiving the response information for the inquiry information from the management part; and a write part which writes the response information that the holding part lets the storage part hold to an electronic journal which records details of transactions in response to an operation associated with a second transaction after the first transaction is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sales data processing device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Some conventional sales data processing devices record an electronic journal instead of a paper journal when issuing a receipt during a deposit reservation. Further, the sales data processing device is used for procedures for consignment storage at stores such as convenience stores (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Conventional sales data processing devices record in the electronic journal that a fee has been collected through the consignment storage process, but do not record whether the consignment storage procedure has been completed. For the completion of the consignment storage, it is necessary not only to collect the fee with the sales data processing device, but also to be confirmed as a normal process in a higher-level center that manages the collection. If, for some reason, it is not confirmed in the center that the consignment storage has been processed normally, the result of the consignment storage becomes an error, but this is not left in the electronic journal.

[0004] If the result of the consignment storage is an error, for example, if the consignment storage target is a water bill, the water supply may not be restored while it is stopped. In such a case, the user of the consignment storage, that is, the customer who has paid the fee, may inquire the store about the consignment storage of this case. In this case, since the result of the consignment storage is not recorded in the sales data processing device, an employee who is not permitted to operate a device higher than the sales data processing device cannot investigate and answer about the result of the consignment storage.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sales data processing device and a program capable of responding when a customer inquires about the result of consignment storage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The sales data processing device of the embodiment acquires identification information that can identify the details of the payment collection service in the first transaction, The aforementioned A collection agency unit transmits inquiry information accompanied by identification information to a management device that manages the collection agency, and when it receives response information to the inquiry information from the management device, The aforementioned A storage unit that stores response information in a predetermined storage unit, and after the first transaction is completed, The contents of the first transaction, including identification information that can identify the first transaction, are written to the electronic journal, In response to the operation relating to the second transaction, the holding unit has the response information held in the storage unit, The aforementioned It comprises a writing unit for writing to an electronic journal. If the management device fails to properly accept the payment for the collection agency, the holding unit receives an error from the management device as response information, and the writing unit writes the error as response information to the electronic journal. . [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of store server 3. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of POS terminal 5. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the various functional units provided by each control unit 30, 50 and their corresponding relationships. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of transaction details 90 included in electronic journal 592. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of processing and communication performed by the operator and each device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the embodiment. This system includes a central server 1, a store server 3, a POS terminal 5, a registration machine 6, a cashier machine 7, a self-service POS terminal 8, etc.

[0009] The central server 1 and each device within the store (store server 3, POS terminal 5, registration machine 6, accounting machine 7, self-service POS terminal 8, etc.) are connected to each other via an external network 21, an internal network 22, and a store router 23, enabling communication between them. The store router 23 connects the external network 21 and the internal network 22. The external network 21 is implemented, for example, by a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection using a public network such as the Internet. The internal network 22 is implemented, for example, by a LAN (Local Area Network), and connects each device within the store to enable information transmission and reception (communication) between them.

[0010] Center Server 1 is, for example, a cloud server. Center Server 1 manages the status of payment collection. Center Server 1 sends and receives information with POS terminals 5 and store servers 3, and when it receives inquiry information from POS terminals 5 or store servers 3, it sends response information as needed. Center Server 1 is an example of a management device that manages payment collection services in this disclosure.

[0011] Store server 3 is a device that centrally manages each device within the store (POS terminal 5, registration machine 6, accounting machine 7, self-service POS terminal 8, etc.) and transmits and receives information with each device. Store server 3 is an example of a higher-level device for each device within the store.

[0012] POS terminal 5, registration machine 6, payment machine 7, and self-service POS terminal 8 are examples of devices that process sales data according to the operator's instructions (sales data processing devices). The main operators of POS terminal 5 and registration machine 6 are store employees. The main operators of self-service POS terminal 8 and payment machine 7 are customers. Registration machine 6 is a device for registering products, and payment machine 7 is a device for processing payments for products registered by registration machine 6. Registration machine 6 and payment machine 7 constitute a semi-self-service POS system.

[0013] Note that "POS" is an abbreviation for "Point of Sale," meaning "point-of-sale information management." POS terminal 5 is a terminal that performs point-of-sale information management.

[0014] Hereinafter, the POS terminal 5 will be described as an example of a sales data processing device. However, the registration machine 6, the accounting machine 7, and the self-POS terminal 8 also have substantially the same functions.

[0015] The POS terminal 5 registers information of goods, performs accounting based on the registered information, issues the details of the transaction as a receipt, and records them in an electronic journal.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the store server 3. The store server 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a communication unit 34, a storage unit 39, etc.

[0017] The CPU 31 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls each part of the store server 3. The ROM 32 stores various programs. The RAM 33 is a workspace for developing programs and various data. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM 33 are connected via a bus or the like and constitute a control unit 30 of a computer configuration.

[0018] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface that communicably connects the control unit 30 and external devices (such as the center server 1 and the POS terminal 5, etc.) via a network.

[0019] The storage unit 39 has a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory, and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 39 stores a program 391 executable by the CPU 31, a product master 392, transaction information 393, setting information 394, etc.

[0020] The storage unit 39 stores the product master 392 so that it can be referred to from a sales data processing device such as the POS terminal 5. The product master 392 is an example of product information, and information on products handled by the store (product information) is summarized, for example, in the form of a table. The items of the product master 392 are as follows, for example. · Product code · Product name · Classification · Unit price

[0021] The product code is an example of information that can identify a product (identification information), and is, for example, a JAN code. Other information (such as product name, classification, unit price, etc.) is stored in association with the product code.

[0022] What is recorded in the "product name" item is the name of the product. What is recorded in the "classification" item is the classification (department, category) of the product, and the values are, for example, "daily delivery", "processed food", "groceries", etc. What is recorded in the "unit price" item is the price of one product.

[0023] The transaction information 393 is information on products purchased by customers, summarized, for example, in the form of a table. The items of the transaction information 393 are as follows, for example. · Transaction ID · Date and time · Store ID · Terminal ID · Staff ID · Product information · Total

[0024] The transaction ID is an example of information for identifying a transaction (identification information), and is, for example, a serial number or unique code issued (generated) at the start of the transaction. The date and time is the date and time when the transaction of the record was made. The store ID, terminal ID, and staff ID are identification information for the store, terminal (such as the POS terminal 5), and staff where the transaction of the record was made.

[0025] Here, while there is only one total for each combination of transaction ID, date and time, and store ID, multiple product information entries may be associated with each other. Product information may include, for example, the following items: Product Code ·quantity ·price

[0026] The total is the sum of the prices of all items purchased in the transaction for that record. The product codes are as described above. The quantity is the quantity (number of items, weight, volume, etc.) of the items indicated by the product codes purchased in the transaction for that record. The price is the unit price multiplied by the quantity.

[0027] Configuration information 394 includes, for example, the following: • Store information • Device information • Staff information

[0028] Store information includes, for example, a store ID and the store name associated with that store ID. The store ID is the store's identifier. The store name is the store's name.

[0029] Terminal information refers to information about devices installed in a store, and includes, for example, a terminal ID and the terminal type associated with that terminal ID. The terminal ID is the identification information of the device. The terminal type refers to the form of the device, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a POS terminal, a registration machine, a cashier machine, a self-service POS terminal, etc.

[0030] Employee information refers to information about employees working at a store, and includes, for example, employee IDs, which are identification information for employees, and the names of employees associated with said employee IDs.

[0031] Note that the program 391, product master 392, transaction information 393, and setting information 394 do not necessarily have to be stored in the same storage unit 39.

[0032] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS terminal 5. The POS terminal 5 includes a CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, communication unit 54, display unit 55, operation unit 56, acquisition unit 57, voice output unit 58, deposit / withdrawal unit 60, storage unit 59, etc.

[0033] The CPU 51 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls all parts of the POS terminal 5. The ROM 52 stores various programs. The RAM 53 is a workspace for displaying programs and various data. The CPU 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 are connected via a bus or the like and constitute the control unit 50 of the computer configuration.

[0034] The communication unit 54 is a communication interface that connects the control unit 50 to external devices (for example, the center server 1 or the store server 3) so that they can communicate via a network.

[0035] The display unit 55 has a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various information under the control of the CPU 51. The operation unit 56 has a touch panel superimposed on the surface of the display unit 55, as well as input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device, and outputs the operation content entered via the input device to the CPU 51.

[0036] The acquisition unit 57 is, for example, a code scanner, which reads a code symbol (for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code) displayed on the exterior of the product and outputs a decoded value. If the code symbol is a coded product code, the acquisition unit 57 outputs the product code; if the code symbol is a coded employee ID, the acquisition unit 57 outputs the employee ID.

[0037] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 57 reads the code symbol displayed on the payment slip and outputs the decoded value. Many payment slips display a code symbol. The code symbol displayed on the payment slip is an encoded representation of information that can identify the payment slip (identification information). The center server 1 manages the contents of the payment slip in association with the identification information of the payment slip. Therefore, the center server 1 can identify the payment slip by acquiring the identification information. The payment slip contains information such as the amount to be paid and the name and address of the person for whom the payment is requested.

[0038] The payment slip, along with the transfer payment request / receipt and the payment receipt, is a continuous piece of paper separated by a dotted line (hereinafter, the entire continuous set of the payment slip, transfer payment request / receipt, and payment receipt will be referred to as the payment slip). The operator at the store handling the payment collection hands the person who paid the amount indicated on the payment slip the payment receipt, which has been torn off from the payment slip.

[0039] The audio output unit 58 has a speaker and a buzzer, and outputs sound under the control of the CPU 51.

[0040] The deposit / withdrawal unit 60 is, for example, a change dispenser that contains cash (coins and banknotes) and accepts deposits and dispenses change during settlement.

[0041] The output unit 61 is, for example, a printer that prints the transaction details as a receipt or electronic journal 592, or, for example, a speaker that outputs the transaction details as audio.

[0042] The memory unit 59 has a storage medium such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory, and retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The memory unit 59 stores programs 591 that the CPU 51 can execute, an electronic journal 592, product registration information 593, and setting information 594.

[0043] Program 591 is application software for operating POS terminal 5. "POS" is an abbreviation for "Point of Sale," meaning "point-of-sale information management." POS terminal 5 is a terminal that performs point-of-sale information management.

[0044] The electronic journal 592 is a journal in electronic data format. The electronic journal 592 is information that is paired with the issued receipt, and is a record of the transactions performed by the POS terminal 5, and a record of sales information. The electronic journal 592 is updated (new transaction details are added) along with the issuance of the receipt. The electronic journal 592 can also be displayed on the display unit 55, or printed or output as audio from the output unit 61.

[0045] Product registration information 593 is a summary of information about products registered by customers for purchase (i.e., products subject to transactions), compiled, for example, in a table format. The items in product registration information 593 are almost the same as those in transaction information 393.

[0046] Note that the product registration information 593 may be stored in the RAM 53 instead of the memory unit 59. The memory unit 59 or RAM 53 stores the product registration information 593, which is information about the registered product (registered product), for at least one transaction from start to finish.

[0047] Configuration information 594 includes, for example, the following: • Store information • Device information

[0048] Store information refers to information about the store where the device is installed, and includes, for example, a store ID and the store name associated with that store ID. The store ID is the identification information of the store. The store name is the name of the store.

[0049] Terminal information refers to information about the device itself, and includes, for example, a terminal ID and the terminal configuration associated with that terminal ID. The terminal ID is the identification information of the device. The terminal configuration refers to the configuration of the device, such as a POS terminal, registration machine, accounting machine, self-service POS terminal, etc.

[0050] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing examples of various functional units provided by each control unit 30, 50 and their corresponding relationships. Control units 30, 50 each provide the various functional units shown in Figure 4 by executing programs 391, 591.

[0051] The control unit 50 of the POS terminal 5 functions as a registration unit 501, a closing processing unit 502, a payment processing unit 505, a holding unit 506, a retry unit 507, and a writing unit 508. The control unit 30 of the store server 3 functions as an update unit 303 and a retry contracting unit 308.

[0052] The registration unit 501 performs sales registration processing in response to operations performed by the operator to register products. Operations to register products include, for example, having the code scanner provided by the acquisition unit 57 read a code symbol displayed on the product, or having the acquisition unit 57 input product identification information using a keyboard or touch panel provided by the acquisition unit 57. In response to these operations, the registration unit 501 first issues a transaction ID as part of the sales registration processing, obtains a product code which is the product identification information, and retrieves product information that matches the product code by referring to the product master 392 of the store server 3. The registration unit 501 then associates the retrieved product information with the transaction ID and stores it in the storage unit 59 as part of the product registration information 593.

[0053] The closing processing unit 502 performs accounting processing in response to an operation by the operator instructing the execution of closing processing, sends product registration information 593 to the store server 3, issues a receipt, and updates the electronic journal 592 (adds details of the transaction). Accounting processing includes, for example, deposit processing into the deposit / withdrawal unit 60 and processing of change disbursement from the deposit / withdrawal unit 60. Alternatively, accounting processing may include electronic payment processing such as credit card payment, electronic money payment, or code payment.

[0054] Figure 5 shows a transaction 90 recorded in electronic journal 592. Transaction 90 indicates a transaction related to payment collection services.

[0055] Transaction details 90 generally record information similar to that in transaction information 393. For example, it may include the transaction ID 91, the date and time of the transaction, information that can identify the store, employee, or terminal, product information, and the amount. If the transaction is related to payment collection, it also includes response information 92 to the inquiry information sent to the center server 1. If there was any error in the payment collection process, the response information 92 will include an explanation of that error as part of the communication result.

[0056] The update unit 303 updates the transaction information 393 (adds a new record) based on the product registration information 593 received from the POS terminal 5.

[0057] The payment collection unit 505 performs processing related to payment collection. The payment collection unit 505 obtains identification information that can identify the content of the payment collection (for example, identification information of the payment slip) and sends inquiry information with the identification information of the payment collection to the center server 1.

[0058] Furthermore, the payment collection unit 505 issues (generates) a transaction ID 91 when commencing the payment collection process.

[0059] When the storage unit 506 receives response information 92 to the inquiry information from the center server 1, it associates the response information 92 with the transaction ID 91 and stores it in the storage unit 59 or RAM 53.

[0060] Furthermore, if a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving response information 92 from the center server 1, the storage unit 506 associates this fact with the transaction ID 91 and stores it in the storage unit 59 or RAM 53.

[0061] The retry unit 507 re-executes the payment collection process if it does not receive response information 92 from the center server 1 indicating that the payment collection service has been processed successfully, or if it is unable to obtain response information 92 for a predetermined period of time due to communication conditions or other reasons.

[0062] Furthermore, if the retry unit 507 does not receive response information 92 from the center server 1 indicating that the payment collection service was processed successfully after re-executing the payment collection service processing, or if the response information 92 is not received for a predetermined period due to communication conditions or other reasons, it requests the store server 3 to re-execute the payment collection service processing. In making this request, the retry unit 507 sends inquiry information to the center server 1 to the store server 3.

[0063] The retry contracting unit 308 undertakes the retry operation of the payment collection process from the retry unit 507 of the POS terminal 5. The store server 3 (retry contracting unit 308) receives inquiry information with payment collection identification information from the retry unit 507 and transmits the inquiry information to the center server 1. When the store server 3 (retry contracting unit 308) receives response information 92 to the inquiry information from the center server 1, it transmits the response information 92 to the storage unit 506 of the POS terminal 5. The storage unit 506 associates the response information 92 from the center server 1 with the transaction ID 91 and stores it in the storage unit 59 or RAM 53.

[0064] The writing unit 508 writes the response information 92 from the center server 1, which the holding unit 506 has stored in the storage unit 59 or RAM 53, to the electronic journal 592 as shown in Figure 5. The writing unit 508 searches the electronic journal 592 for the transaction ID 91 to identify the corresponding transaction details 90, and writes the response information 92 indicating the result of the payment collection service performed for that transaction, associating it with the transaction details 90. Alternatively, the writing unit 508 may write the response information 92 indicating the result of the payment collection inquiry, along with the transaction ID 91 related to the payment collection service, immediately before or after the details of a transaction newly recorded in the electronic journal 592 as a separate transaction.

[0065] The writing unit 508 usually writes the response information 92 from the center server 1 to the electronic journal 592 at the time of closing processing for a transaction. However, if the query to the center server 1 is retried (re-executed), the transaction may have already been completed. Therefore, the response information 92 from the center server 1 may also be written to the electronic journal 592 in response to operations related to another transaction. Operations related to another transaction include registering products, proceeding to accounting, selecting a payment method, and charging a payment method.

[0066] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing and communication flow performed by the operator and each device (POS terminal 5, store server 3, and central server 1).

[0067] First, the operator performs the operation related to registering the deposit for payment collection on the POS terminal 5 (Step S1).

[0068] Then, the control unit 50 (payment collection unit 505) of the POS terminal 5 issues a transaction ID 91 and starts processing the payment collection (step S2). In this process, the control unit 50 sends inquiry information to the center server 1, along with the value (payment collection identification information) obtained by reading and decoding the code symbol displayed on the payment slip by the acquisition unit 57, for example, and the transaction ID 91 (step S3).

[0069] When the center server 1 receives the inquiry information in step S3, it performs predetermined processing based on the received inquiry information (step S4). In this processing, the center server 1 identifies, for example, the payer, payment amount, and deadline based on the collection agency identification information included in the inquiry information, and determines whether the payment can be accepted normally. The center server 1 then sends "Success" as response information 92 to the inquiry sender (POS terminal 5) if the payment can be accepted normally, or "Error" if there is an abnormality and the payment cannot be accepted (step S5).

[0070] When the control unit 50 (holding unit 506) of the POS terminal 5 receives the response information 92 in step S5, it associates the response information 92 with the transaction ID 91 as a result of the query in step S3 and holds it in, for example, the storage unit 59 or RAM 53 (step S6).

[0071] Next, when the operator performs an operation to register the closing of the deposit on the POS terminal 5 (step S7), the control unit 50 (closing processing unit 502) of the POS terminal 5 performs accounting processing and transmits product registration information 593 to the store server 3. The control unit 30 (update unit 303) of the store server 3, upon receiving the product registration information 593, updates the transaction information 393. In addition, the control unit 50 (closing processing unit 502) of this embodiment displays the results of the collection agency on the display unit 55 along with the normal processing described above (step S8), issues a receipt based on the details of the transaction related to the collection agency (step S9), and updates the electronic journal 592 (step S10).

[0072] If the response in step S5 is "successful", then the payment collection process initiated in step S1 is complete.

[0073] In step S10 described above, the control unit 50 (writing unit 508) further writes the response information 92 from the center server 1, which was stored in the storage unit 59 or RAM 53 in step S6, to the electronic journal 592, associating it with the transaction related to the payment collection service. As a result, the response information 92 from the center server 1, which would not have remained in the electronic journal 592 in the conventional method, is recorded in the electronic journal 592 according to this embodiment.

[0074] Furthermore, if the response in step S5 is "error," conventionally it would not be recorded in the electronic journal 592, but in this embodiment, the error is recorded in the electronic journal 592. This allows the POS terminal 5 to search for and confirm the record of the relevant transaction in the electronic journal 592, even if a customer visits the store at a later date and inquires about the results of the payment collection service. For the search, the customer can specify, for example, the transaction ID 91 written on the receipt presented in the inquiry, or the date indicated by the receipt date stamp stamped on the payment slip (payment receipt).

[0075] If the response in step S5 is "Error", the payment collection process initiated in step S1 will continue after step S10.

[0076] There are various reasons why the response in step S5 is "error," that is, why the processing in step S4 fails. One such reason is, for example, that the payment deadline specified in the payment slip has been exceeded. In this embodiment, the control unit 50 (holding unit 506) also performs the same processing as when the response in step S5 is "error" if the communication between the POS terminal 5 and the center server 1 is poor, i.e., if there is a communication error.

[0077] If the response in step S5 is "error", the control unit 50 (retry unit 507) of the POS terminal 5 re-executes (retries) the processing related to the incomplete payment collection service (step S21). In this process, the control unit 50 (retry unit 507) sends inquiry information to the center server 1, along with the payment collection service identification information and transaction ID 91 sent in step S3 (step S22).

[0078] When the center server 1 receives the query information in step S22, it performs predetermined processing based on the received query information (step S23). This processing is the same as in step S4, so the explanation is omitted. The center server 1 then sends either "success" or "error" as response information 92 to the query source (POS terminal 5) (step S24).

[0079] When the control unit 50 (holding unit 506) of the POS terminal 5 receives the response in step S24, it associates it with the transaction ID 91 as the result of the query in step S22 and holds it in, for example, the storage unit 59 or RAM 53 (step S25).

[0080] If the response in step S24 is "error", the payment collection process initiated in step S1 will continue beyond step S25.

[0081] If the response in step S24 is "error", the control unit 50 (retry unit 507) of the POS terminal 5 requests the store server 3 to re-execute (retry) the incomplete payment collection process (step S26). In making this request, the control unit 50 (retry unit 507) sends predetermined information to the store server 3 for executing the payment collection process. This information includes, for example, inquiry information with the payment collection identification information and transaction ID 91 that was sent to the center server 1 in step S3.

[0082] When the control unit 30 (retry contracting unit 308) of the store server 3 receives the retry request in step S26, it re-executes (retries) the processing related to the incomplete payment collection service (step S31). The control unit 30 (retry contracting unit 308) of the store server 3 sends inquiry information to the center server 1, along with the payment collection service identification information that the POS terminal 5 sent to the center server 1 in step S3 (step S32).

[0083] When the center server 1 receives the query information in step S32, it performs predetermined processing based on the received query information (step S33). This processing is the same as in step S4, so the explanation is omitted. The center server 1 then sends either "success" or "error" as response information 92 to the query source (store server 3) (step S34).

[0084] When the control unit 30 (retry contracting unit 308) of the store server 3 receives the response information 92 in step S34, it associates it with the transaction ID 91 as the result of the query in step S31 and stores it, for example, in the storage unit 39 or RAM 33 (step S35).

[0085] If the response information 92 in step S34 is "error", the control unit 30 (retry contracting unit 308) repeats the processing in steps S31 to S35 at predetermined intervals (for example, every few minutes). If the response information 92 in step S34 is "success", the control unit 30 (retry contracting unit 308) sends a message to the POS terminal 5 to that effect (step S36).

[0086] When the control unit 50 (holding unit 506) of the POS terminal 5 receives the response information 92 in step S36 (whether the response information 92 is an "error" or a "success"), it associates this with the transaction ID 91 as the result of the retry request in step S26 and holds it in, for example, the storage unit 59 or RAM 53 (step S41).

[0087] Between steps S21 and S41, after the transaction related to the payment collection service is completed, if the operator performs an operation to register a product as a separate transaction from the payment collection service transaction (step S51), the control unit 50 (registration unit 501) of the POS terminal 5 issues a transaction ID and performs sales registration processing (step S52). At this time, the control unit 50 (writing unit 508) of the POS terminal 5 writes the response information 92 from the center server 1, which the holding unit 506 has stored in the storage unit 59 or RAM 53, to the electronic journal 592, corresponding to the transaction related to the payment collection service, in accordance with the operation related to the separate transaction (in this example, the operation related to product registration) (step S56). Note that the separate transaction may be the transaction following the payment collection service transaction, depending on the timing of the return of the inquiry result (response information 92) for the payment collection service, but it may also be the transaction after the next one, or even the transaction after the next one.

[0088] Next, when the operator performs an operation to register the closing of the deposit (step S53), the control unit 50 (closing processing unit 502) of the POS terminal 5 issues a receipt based on the transaction details related to the product registration information 593 (step S54) and updates the electronic journal 592 (step S55). At this time, the control unit 50 (writing unit 508) of the POS terminal 5 may write the response information 92 from the center server 1, which the holding unit 506 has stored in the storage unit 59 or RAM 53, to the electronic journal 592 in association with the transaction related to the above-mentioned collection agency.

[0089] As a result, the response information 92 from the center server 1, which would not have been recorded in the electronic journal 592 under conventional methods, is recorded in the electronic journal 592 according to this embodiment.

[0090] Furthermore, when updating the electronic journal 592 in step S56 or step S55, the control unit 50 (writing unit 508) may process as follows.

[0091] For example, the control unit 50 (writing unit 508) may, in response to an operation related to another transaction, search for the transaction ID 91 in the electronic journal 592 to identify the details of the relevant transaction, and update the electronic journal 592 by overwriting it with the latest response information 92 indicating the result of the payment collection service performed in that transaction. This ensures that the results of payment collection inquiries are always recorded in the electronic journal 592 in their most up-to-date state.

[0092] Alternatively, the control unit 50 (writing unit 508) may write response information 92 indicating the result of the payment collection retry, along with the transaction ID 91 related to the payment collection, immediately before or after the details of the transaction newly recorded in the electronic journal 592 based on the product registration information 593 in step S55.

[0093] Thus, according to this embodiment, the results of the payment collection service are recorded in the electronic journal 592, and the results of retries due to errors in the payment collection service are also recorded in the electronic journal 592. Therefore, even if a customer inquires about the results of the payment collection service at a later date, a store employee with the authority to operate the sales data processing device (POS terminal 5, etc.) can immediately inform the customer of the results of the payment collection service by searching the electronic journal 592 for the details of the customer's transaction and displaying the inquiry results on the display unit 55, or by printing or outputting the inquiry results from the output unit 61.

[0094] Furthermore, the embodiments described above can be modified and implemented as appropriate by changing some of the configurations or functions of each of the devices described above.

[0095] The programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments are provided pre-installed in ROM or the like. The programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may also be provided as files in an installable or executable format, recorded on a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0096] Furthermore, the programs executed by each of the above-described embodiments may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Alternatively, the programs executed by each of the above-described embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0097] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Signs

[0098] 1 … Center server, 21… External network, 22… Internal network, 23… Store router, 3 … Store server, 30… Control unit, 303… Update unit, 308… Retry contractor, 31… CPU, 32… ROM, 33… RAM, 34… Communication unit, 39… Storage unit, 391… Program, 392… Product master, 393… Transaction information, 394… Setting information, 5 … POS terminal, 50… Control unit, 501… Registration unit, 502… Closing process unit, 505… Storage agency unit, 506… Holding unit, 507… Retry unit, 508… Writing unit, 51… CPU, 52… ROM, 53… RAM, 54… Communication unit, 55… Display unit, 56… Operation unit, 57… Acquisition unit, 58… Voice output unit, 60… In-out money unit, 61… Output unit, 59… Storage unit, 591… Program, 592… Electronic journal, 593… Product registration information, 594… Setting information, 6 … Registration machine, 7 … Accounting machine, 8 … Self-POS terminal, 90… Transaction details, 91… Transaction ID, 92… Response information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0099] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-090359

Claims

1. A collection agency unit acquires identification information that can identify the details of the collection agency in the first transaction, and transmits inquiry information accompanied by the identification information to a management device that manages the collection agency. When response information to the aforementioned inquiry information is received from the management device, a holding unit is provided to store the response information in a predetermined storage unit, After the first transaction is completed, the contents of the first transaction, including identification information that can identify the first transaction, are written to the electronic journal, and in response to an operation related to the second transaction, the response information held by the holding unit in the storage unit is written to the electronic journal. Equipped with, If the management device fails to properly receive the payment for the collection agency service, The holding unit receives an error as response information from the management device, The writing unit writes the error as response information to the electronic journal. Sales data processing device.

2. The sales data processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a retry unit that requests a higher-level device to re-execute the processing related to the payment collection service if the response information indicating that the payment collection service has been processed successfully is not obtained, or if the response information is not obtained for a predetermined period of time.

3. The sales data processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the writing unit, in response to an operation relating to the second transaction, identifies the contents of the first transaction including the identification information from the electronic journal based on the identification information, and writes the response information together with the identified contents of the first transaction.

4. The sales data processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the writing unit writes the response information indicating the result of the collection agency inquiry together with the identification information identifying the first transaction, immediately before or after the content of the transaction newly recorded in the electronic journal as the second transaction, in response to an operation relating to the second transaction.

5. The computer installed in the sales data processing unit A collection agency unit acquires identification information that can identify the details of the collection agency in the first transaction, and transmits inquiry information accompanied by the identification information to a management device that manages the collection agency. When response information to the aforementioned inquiry information is received from the management device, a holding unit is provided to store the response information in a predetermined storage unit, After the first transaction is completed, the contents of the first transaction, including identification information that can identify the first transaction, are written to the electronic journal, and in response to an operation related to the second transaction, the response information held by the holding unit in the storage unit is written to the electronic journal. To make it function as, moreover, If the management device fails to properly receive the payment for the collection agency service, The holding unit is configured to receive errors as response information from the management device. A program that causes the writing unit to function by writing the error as response information to the electronic journal.

Images