Payment processing device and payment processing program

Abstract

To provide a settlement processor and a settlement processing program that efficiently maximize a value discount amount when the value discount is applied.SOLUTION: A settlement processor according to an embodiment includes an article information acquisition unit and a control unit. The article information acquisition unit acquires article information including the unit price of an article. Based on the article information, a discount flag that discounts the unit price at a preset discount rate, a price reduction flag that reduces the unit price at a preset price reduction amount, and information stored in a storage unit that stores a state in which the discount flag and the price reduction flag are valid, the control unit discounts the unit price based on the discount rate to calculate a discount result when the discount flag is valid, and reduces the unit price from the discount result based on the price reduction amount when the price reduction flag is valid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when conducting transactions for goods and services in a retail store such as a supermarket, settlement is performed using a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal. Some POS terminals for processing such settlements have a function of applying a price discount to the preset unit price or subtotal of goods and services. However, depending on the combination of price discounts applied to the settlement, it may take time to output the maximum price discount amount. In such cases, the customer's stay time for one transaction increases, and the work efficiency decreases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a settlement processing device and a settlement processing program that can efficiently maximize the price discount amount when applying a price discount.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the payment processing device of this embodiment comprises a product information acquisition unit, a storage unit, a coupon information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The product information acquisition unit acquires product information, including the unit price of the product. The storage unit stores the product information, two or more discount flags having different discount rates that discount the unit price by a preset discount rate, two or more discount flags having different discount amounts that discount the unit price by a preset discount amount, and the state in which the discount flags and discount flags are enabled. The coupon information acquisition unit acquires information for enabling the discount flags and discount flags. The control unit, via the coupon information acquisition unit, enables the discount flag with a high discount rate, enables the discount flag with a high discount amount, calculates the discount result by discounting the unit price based on the discount rate when the discount flag is enabled, and subtracts the discount from the discount result based on the discount amount when the discount flag is enabled. Discounts will be applied based on the discount amount of any valid discount flags that have a high discount amount and have not yet been applied, until the remaining balance falls below 0 yen or no valid discount flags can be identified. . [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing an example of a POS terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the data structure of a PLU master according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the data structure of a value discount setting management file according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the data structure of an accounting file according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] A flowchart showing an example of a payment process in which a discount operation is performed for each unit price of the payment processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing an example of the recalculation process of a payment processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] A flowchart showing an example of the discount flag management process of a payment processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] A flowchart showing an example of a settlement process that performs a value discount operation on the subtotal of a settlement processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of the data structure of a value discount setting management file according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of a payment process in which a discount operation is performed for each unit price in a payment processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] A flowchart showing an example of a settlement process that performs a value discount operation on a subtotal using a settlement processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing an example of a payment process in which a discount operation is performed for each unit price in a payment processing device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing an example of a settlement process that performs a value discount operation on a subtotal using a settlement processing device according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] (First embodiment) The following description of this embodiment will be made with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a POS terminal 1 is used as an example of a payment processing device used in retail stores such as supermarkets. In this embodiment, the unit price of the product may be the price excluding tax or the price including tax.

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a POS terminal 1 according to the first embodiment. POS terminal 1 consists of a control unit 100, a storage unit 101, a product reading unit 102, an operation unit 103, a staff-side display unit 104, a customer-side display unit 105, a printing unit 106, a communication interface 107, and a payment medium reading unit 108, with each unit connected via a bus.

[0009] The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003. The CPU 1001 controls the entire POS terminal 1. The ROM 1002 stores various programs and data, including the program used to drive the CPU 1001. The RAM 1003 is used as the work area for the CPU 1001 and loads the various programs and data stored in the ROM 1002 and the memory unit 101. The control unit 101 executes various functional processing of the POS terminal 1 by having the CPU 1001 operate according to the information processing programs stored in the ROM 1002 and the memory unit 101 and loaded into the RAM 1003.

[0010] The storage unit 101 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory. The storage unit 101 stores software such as the operating system and other necessary application programs, as well as user information, in order for the POS terminal 1 to operate. The storage unit 101 also stores the PLU (Price Look Up) master 1011, the value discount setting management file 1012, the accounting file 1013, etc. Furthermore, the PLU master 1011, the value discount setting management file 1012, and the accounting file 1013 only need to be stored on a storage medium or device accessible from the POS terminal 1, and may be stored on an external HDD, a management terminal installed in the store, or a server.

[0011] The product reading unit 102 optically or by imaging recognizes the product code attached to a product or the like. The product code is a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code. The product reading unit 102 decodes the recognized code symbol and acquires information about the product such as the PLU code indicated by the code symbol. The product reading unit 102 may identify the product by an object recognition method that recognizes the product based on feature amounts of the product such as color and unevenness. Further, in addition to the product code attached to the product, the product reading unit 102 may read a product coupon (hereinafter referred to as a coupon) on which a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code or the like code symbol in which information about the discount of the product is described, and acquire information about the discount of the product (hereinafter referred to as coupon information). Note that the control unit 101 may perform the process of decoding the acquired code symbol.

[0012] The operation unit 103 outputs an instruction input by the user to the POS terminal 1. The operation unit 103 includes a numeric keypad configured with numeric keys from "0" to "9", a subtotal key for instructing the execution of the subtotal, a discount end key for ending the acceptance of the discount, etc. in order to output an instruction to the POS terminal 1, and outputs a signal indicating the pressed key as an instruction. Note that the operation unit 103 may include a discount preset key for discounting an amount set from the unit price or subtotal of the product, and a discount preset key for discounting at a discount rate set from the unit price or subtotal of the product. Further, different values may be set for the discount preset key and the discount preset key, respectively.

[0013] The clerk-side display unit 104 and the customer-side display unit 105 display information about the POS terminal 1. The clerk-side display unit 104 and the customer-side display unit 105 are liquid crystal displays and display devices of organic EL (Electro Luminescence).

[0014] The clerk-side display unit 104 displays information for the clerk to operate. The clerk-side display unit 104 displays, for example, in addition to the product information read by the product reading unit 102, screens related to settlement by electronic money or credit card. Also, when the clerk-side display unit 104 is a touch panel, it may display an area for inputting an instruction to transfer from reading to accounting processing on the POS terminal 1, an area related to a preset for adding a preset amount to the subtotal, which is the purchase amount, etc. Note that the clerk-side display unit 104 may display an area related to a discount preset for discounting an amount set from the unit price or subtotal of the product, or an area related to a discount preset for discounting at a discount rate set from the unit price or subtotal of the product.

[0015] The customer-side display unit 105 displays information provided for the shopper to perform accounting. The customer-side display unit 105 displays, for example, the name of the product to be purchased, the price of the product, the subtotal, which is the total price of the products, etc. Also, the customer-side display device 15 may be a touch panel for selecting a settlement method or the like.

[0016] The printing unit 106 is a thermal printer that prints various information on a receipt paper, which is, for example, thermal paper. The printing unit 106 issues a receipt on which the name, unit price, subtotal amount, total amount, discount amount, etc. of the products purchased by the customer are printed.

[0017] The communication I / F 107 transmits and receives data to and from devices connected via wired or wireless communication.

[0018] The payment medium reading unit 108 has functions such as magnetic reading, IC (Integrated Circuit) chip reading, and short-range wireless communication, and reads the payment medium. The payment medium is, for example, a card for cashless payment or a mobile terminal installed with an app for cashless payment, and is associated with user information composed of a user ID, electronic money balance, etc. The user information is associated, for example, based on the user ID etc. provided in the payment medium. Also, the payment medium reading unit 108 may be configured integrally with the POS terminal 1 or as an external device that is connected to and operates with the POS terminal 1.

[0019] Figure 2 shows an example of the data structure of the PLU master 1011 according to the first embodiment. The PLU master 1011 consists of PLU data for products sold at retail stores and other stores where POS terminal 1 is installed. Each PLU data entry consists of items such as a "PLU code" uniquely assigned to each product, a "product name" indicating the name of the product, and a "unit price" indicating the selling price of the product.

[0020] Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure of the value discount setting management file 1012 according to the first embodiment. The value discount setting management file 1012 consists of records corresponding to the value discount information stored in the coupon acquired by the product reading unit 102. Each record describes the value discount type and a flag. The flag is set to either "0" (invalid) or "1" (valid). If the value discount type flag related to discounts (hereinafter referred to as the discount flag) is "1", the discount indicated in the value discount type entered in the settlement process described later will be implemented, and if it is "0", the discount indicated in the value discount type will not be implemented. If the value discount type flag related to price reductions (hereinafter referred to as the price reduction flag) is "1", the price reduction indicated in the value discount type entered in the settlement process described later will be implemented, and if it is "0", the price reduction indicated in the value discount type will not be implemented. In addition, a limit may be placed on the number of valid price reduction flags in advance. The discount setting management file 1012 may consist of records that correspond to preset keys or areas related to discounts that command discounts, provided on the operation unit 103 or the employee-side display unit 104, either partially or entirely.

[0021] A value discount setting management file 1012 with this configuration is edited, for example, during a discount setting process executed at a POS terminal 1. That is, in the process of applying this value discount, the value discount type to be set for the coupon information acquired by the product reading unit 102 and the value of a flag are accepted as input, and the contents of the value discount setting management file 1012 are updated with the input value discount type and flag value.

[0022] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of accounting file 1013. Accounting file 1013 consists of accounting information that shows the history of transactions settled by POS terminal 1. Each piece of accounting information consists of items such as the "transaction number" assigned to each transaction, the "transaction date and time", the "PLU data" for each product settled in that transaction, the "subtotal amount" and "total amount" of the transaction, and the "recalculation result" of the recalculation process performed after the acceptance of value discounts is completed.

[0023] Furthermore, in the accounting information, if discount coupon information is obtained and a discount is applied, a "discount flag" item corresponding to the coupon information is added, and if discount coupon information is obtained and a discount is applied, a "discount flag" item corresponding to the coupon information is added, and the discount amount and discount amount are written to these items. In this way, when a value discount is applied to the unit price, an item corresponding to the type of value discount is added and the amount of that value discount is written, so that the amount of the value discount applied in the transaction and the type of value discount can be identified.

[0024] This section describes the payment processing performed when purchasing goods at POS terminal 1.

[0025] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a payment process in which a discount operation is performed for each unit price in a payment processing device according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, information regarding discounts or price reductions is described in an example where it is obtained from coupon information written on a coupon that has a code symbol. In addition, in this embodiment, the number of times the discount flag is enabled is limited.

[0026] The control unit 100 accepts product information input (ACT 101). The control unit 100 acquires product information purchased by the customer via the product reading unit 102. In other words, the control unit 100 acquires the PLU code. After acquiring the PLU code, the control unit 100 extracts the PLU data containing the PLU code from the PLU master 1011 based on the acquired PLU code and expands it into the RAM 1003. The control unit 100 also extracts the product name, unit price, etc. from the PLU data and displays them on the staff display unit 104 and the customer display unit 105.

[0027] The control unit 100 receives coupon information (ACT 102). The control unit 100 obtains coupon information from the coupon via the product reading unit 102. After obtaining the coupon information, the control unit 100 turns on the flag related to the corresponding discount or price reduction (ACT 103). The control unit 100 changes the flag for the corresponding value discount type from the coupon information to "1" to make the value discount valid. In addition, regarding the discount flag, the flag for the record of the value discount type with the highest discount rate is changed to "1". In other words, if coupon information for multiple discounts is obtained, the flag for the highest discount rate is changed to "1", and the flags for the other discount rates are changed to "0". After the value discount is valid, the control unit 100 performs calculation processing based on the unit price and the valid discount amount or discount rate (ACT 104). After the calculation is completed, the control unit 100 displays the calculation result on the staff display unit 104 and the customer display unit 105 (ACT 105).

[0028] If the control unit 100 acquires another coupon (YES in ACT106), it returns to ACT103 to change the flag corresponding to the acquired coupon information to "1". Therefore, when the flag corresponding to the next acquired coupon information is enabled, the enabled discount amount or reduction amount is calculated by subtracting or reducing the value from the already calculated result. Also, if coupon information for a discount coupon is received once, and then coupon information for a different discount rate is received, only the record with the higher discount rate will be set to "1", and all others will be set to "0". In other words, the control unit 100 controls the system so that only one flag related to the discount rate is enabled at a time.

[0029] When the last coupon information to be used for accounting is obtained (NO in ACT106), the control unit 100 checks if the next product has been entered (ACT107). If the next product has not been entered (NO in ACT107), the discount end key is entered (ACT108). The user of POS terminal 1 presses or taps the discount end key on the operation unit 103 or the staff display unit 104 to signal that the input related to the discount has been completed, and the control unit 100 terminates the acceptance of the discount.

[0030] If the control unit 100 obtains other product information via the product reading unit 102 (YES in ACT107), it skips ACT108 and proceeds to ACT109.

[0031] After the acceptance of the discount to be used for settlement has ended, the control unit 100 performs a recalculation process (ACT 109). The control unit 100 discounts the unit price of the extracted products again under certain conditions.

[0032] The control unit 100 performs the settlement process (ACT 110). The control unit 100 performs the settlement based on the recalculation result, which is the calculation result of the recalculation process. The control unit 100 may also use the settlement medium reading unit 108 to obtain information about the settlement medium and perform the settlement at the time of settlement.

[0033] The control unit 100 issues a receipt as the result of the payment processing (ACT111). The control unit 100 uses the printing unit 106 to output a receipt that includes the names of the products purchased in the payment processing, unit prices, subtotals, total amounts, and discount amounts.

[0034] The control unit 100 stores accounting information (ACT112). The control unit 100 generates information about the transaction as accounting information and stores it in the accounting file 1013.

[0035] Next, the recalculation process will be explained. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the recalculation process of the payment processing device according to the first embodiment. The recalculation process is performed in parallel with the payment process. The recalculation process is a discount or price reduction calculation performed under certain conditions after the discount or price reduction calculation performed when the coupon is acquired.

[0036] The control unit 100 retrieves product information (ACT201). The control unit 100 loads the product information acquired during the payment processing stage into RAM1003.

[0037] The control unit 100 extracts the unit price (ACT202). The control unit 100 extracts only the unit price in order to apply a value discount and loads it into RAM 1003.

[0038] The control unit 100 calls the discount flag (ACT203). The control unit 100 retrieves the records related to discounts from the value discount type stored in the value discount setting management file 1012 and loads them into RAM 1003.

[0039] The control unit 100 extracts the discount rate (ACT204). The control unit 100 extracts the discount rate from the records expanded in RAM1003.

[0040] The control unit 100 performs the discount calculation (ACT205). The control unit 100 extracts the unit price and the discount rate, and then multiplies the unit price by the discount rate. For example, if the discount rate for a record where the flag is enabled is 10%, the discount amount is calculated by multiplying the unit price by 0.1. After calculating the discount amount, the control unit 100 subtracts the discount amount from the unit price to calculate the discounted amount.

[0041] After the discount calculation is complete, the control unit 100 retrieves the discount flag (ACT206). The control unit 100 retrieves the records related to discounts from the value discount type stored in the value discount setting management file 1012 and loads them into RAM 1003.

[0042] The control unit 100 extracts the discount amount (ACT207). The control unit 100 extracts the record with the highest discount amount from the records expanded in RAM 1003. Specifically, among the records expanded in RAM 1003, if the discount flags for discounting the target product by 500 yen, 100 yen, and 50 yen are enabled, the control unit 100 extracts the record with the highest discount amount, which is a 500 yen discount. Also, when extracting the discount amount, the control unit 100 does not extract from records from which a discount amount has already been extracted.

[0043] The control unit 100 performs the discount calculation (ACT208). The control unit 100 subtracts the extracted discount amount from the discounted unit price. Therefore, after extracting the unit price and discount amount, the control unit 100 subtracts the discounted unit price from the discounted amount and outputs the discounted calculation result.

[0044] After completing the discount and price reduction calculations, the control unit 100 checks if the remaining amount is 0 yen or less (ACT209). The control unit 100 checks if the remaining amount, which is the result of the discount and price reduction calculations, is 0 yen or less.

[0045] If the balance is 0 yen or more (ACT209 NO), the control unit 100 checks if other discount flags are enabled (ACT210). If other discount flags are enabled (ACT210 YES), the control unit 100 extracts the record with the highest discount amount from the records that have not yet been extracted.

[0046] If the balance is 0 yen or more, or if the balance is 0 yen or more but no valid flag exists (ACT209 YES, ACT210 NO), the control unit 100 confirms the transaction amount (ACT211). Once the transaction amount is confirmed, the control unit 100 also confirms any valid flags.

[0047] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the discount flag management process of the payment processing device according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the number of valid discount flags is limited to five. Furthermore, the discount flag management process may be processed in parallel with the payment process and the recalculation process.

[0048] The control unit 100 obtains the discount flag (ACT301). The control unit 100 obtains the record for the discount for which the flag is active among the discount types.

[0049] The control unit 100 checks if the number of enabled discount flags is less than or equal to the number set in advance. If the number of enabled discount flags is less than or equal to the number set (NO in ACT301), the control unit 100 disables all discount flags and returns to the process of receiving coupon information related to discounts for payment processing (ACT102).

[0050] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a payment process that performs a value discount operation on the subtotal of a payment processing device according to the first embodiment. The POS terminal 1, which is the payment processing device, may perform payment processing not only on a per-unit price basis but also on the subtotal. Also, parts identical to those in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 7 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0051] After acquiring product information and displaying it on the staff-side display unit 104 and the customer-side display unit 105, the control unit 100 checks if the next product information has been entered (ACT401). If product information has been entered (ACT401 YES), it returns to ACT101. If all product information has been entered (ACT401 NO), the control unit 100 waits until the subtotal key is entered.

[0052] When the subtotal key is entered (ACT402), the control unit 100 receives coupon information (ACT102).

[0053] After receiving the coupon information, the control unit 100 performs a recalculation process. The control unit 100 performs discount calculation and price reduction calculation on the subtotal.

[0054] With this configuration, the payment processing unit can efficiently perform a payment that maximizes the discount amount by first performing a calculation during the acceptance process to activate the flag for applying a discount, then applying only one discount rate and performing a discount calculation, and finally performing a recalculation process to perform a discount calculation after the discount calculation.

[0055] (Second embodiment) The second embodiment handles payment processing when using member discounts. In the second embodiment, parts identical to those in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 8 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0056] The member discount is a discount calculation process that is executed when the POS terminal 1 acquires a medium such as a membership card that stores member information. The membership card is acquired by the product reading unit 102. In this embodiment, the discount that becomes effective when a membership card is acquired is called the member discount, and the discount that becomes effective when entered using a coupon or a preset provided in the operation unit 103 or the staff display unit 104 is called the regular discount.

[0057] Figure 9 shows an example of the data structure of the value discount setting management file 2012 according to the second embodiment. The value discount setting management file 2012 consists of records related to regular discounts as well as records related to member discounts. The records related to member discounts describe the value discount type and a flag. The flag is set to either "0" (disabled) or "1" (enabled). If this flag is "1", the discount indicated by the value discount type entered in the settlement process described later will be applied, and if it is "0", the discount indicated by the discount type will not be applied. In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 100 does not enable the flags for member discounts and value discount types corresponding to coupon information in parallel.

[0058] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a payment process that performs a value discount operation for each unit price of a payment processing device according to the second embodiment. After receiving information regarding the value discount that is normally applied, the control unit 100 acquires member card information (ACT501). Information regarding the member card is acquired via the product reading unit 102 or the payment medium reading unit 108.

[0059] The control unit 100 determines whether the discount rate for member discounts is higher than the discount rate for regular discounts (ACT502). The control unit 100 determines which discount rate is higher, the discount rate for member discounts or the discount rate for regular discounts. If the discount rate for member discounts is lower (NO in ACT502), the flag for regular discounts remains enabled. If the discount rate for member discounts is higher (YES in ACT502), the flag for regular discounts is disabled (ACT503). The control unit 100 enables the flag listed in the member discount record (ACT504).

[0060] Furthermore, the POS terminal 1, which is a payment processing device, can also perform discount and price reduction calculations on the subtotal. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a payment processing operation that performs a price reduction operation on the subtotal by the payment processing device according to the second embodiment. In addition to the payment processing on the subtotal described in Figure 8, the control unit 100 executes the processes of ACT501 to ACT504 after the completion of the process of ACT106.

[0061] In this configuration, the POS terminal 1, which is the payment processing device, can efficiently process payments that maximize the discount amount. Furthermore, by setting a priority order for the flags to be enabled, stores that offer member discounts can efficiently process transactions even if the member discount and discounts from coupons, etc., are at the same rate.

[0062] (Third embodiment) The third embodiment performs payment processing when using a membership card with payment functionality. In the third embodiment, parts identical to those in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 11 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0063] Membership cards with payment functionality are acquired by the product reader 102 or the payment medium reader 108. In this embodiment, discounts that become valid when a membership card is acquired are designated as membership discounts, while discounts that become valid when entered via coupons or presets provided by the operation unit 103 or the staff display unit 104 are designated as regular discounts.

[0064] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a payment processing operation that performs a price discount for each unit price of a payment processing device according to the third embodiment. The control unit 100 acquires member card information (ACT 701) when performing payment processing (ACT 110). Note that the control unit 100 does not perform payment until the recalculation process is completed.

[0065] After the value discount end key is entered, the control unit 100 performs the first recalculation process (ACT109). The control unit 100 determines whether the discount rate for member discounts is higher than the discount rate for regular discounts (ACT702). The control unit 100 determines which discount rate is higher, the discount rate for member discounts or the discount rate for regular discounts. If the discount rate for member discounts is lower (NO in ACT702), the regular discount flag is kept enabled and the process proceeds to settlement (ACT706). If the discount rate for member discounts is higher (YES in ACT702), the regular discount flag is disabled (ACT703). The control unit 100 enables the flags listed in the member discount record (ACT704).

[0066] The control unit 100 performs a recalculation (ACT705). If the member discount flag is enabled, the control unit 100 performs a discount calculation using the member discount.

[0067] The control unit 100 performs the payment processing (ACT706). The control unit 100 performs the payment based on the acquired membership card information.

[0068] Furthermore, POS terminal 1 may perform a recalculation process even when performing a value discount operation on the subtotal. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a payment process in which a value discount operation is performed on the subtotal of a payment processing device according to the third embodiment. The control unit 100 receives coupon information after the subtotal key is entered and acquires member card information after the recalculation process is completed. After acquiring the card information, the control unit 100 checks whether the member discount rate is higher than the general discount rate and either performs the payment process with the general discount flag enabled or enables the member discount flag and performs the recalculation process.

[0069] In this configuration, the POS terminal 1, which is the payment processing device, can efficiently perform payments that maximize the discount amount. Furthermore, by performing the payment after recalculation, it is possible to prevent payments that do not result in the maximum discount amount.

[0070] The configuration disclosed in the above embodiment can be modified in various ways. Specific modifications include: For example, there are the following:

[0071] The control unit 100 performs a recalculation process, and if the recalculation result shows a remaining balance of 0 yen or less and a valid flag exists, the flag may be invalidated after the transaction amount is finalized. The store clerk also returns to the shopper a coupon containing the invalidated discount type and corresponding coupon information.

[0072] Furthermore, although the recalculation process is performed twice in the second and third embodiments, the recalculation process may be performed only once after receiving the member card information.

[0073] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 100... Control Unit 101...Storage section 1011…PLU Master 1012...Value discount setting management file 1013... Accounting File

Claims

1. A product information acquisition unit that acquires product information including the unit price of the product, The system includes the aforementioned product information, two or more discount flags having different discount rates that discount the unit price by a predetermined discount rate, two or more discount flags having different discount amounts that discount the unit price by a predetermined discount amount, and a storage unit that stores the state in which the discount flags and discount flags are enabled. A coupon information acquisition unit that acquires information for enabling the aforementioned discount flag and the aforementioned price reduction flag, A control unit that, based on the information for enabling discount flags and price reduction flags obtained via the coupon information acquisition unit, enables the discount flag with the highest discount rate, enables the price reduction flag with the highest discount amount, calculates the discount result by applying a discount to the unit price based on the discount rate if the discount flag is enabled, applies a discount to the discount result based on the discount amount if the price reduction flag is enabled, and applies a discount based on the discount amount of the enabled discount flag that has not yet been discounted and has a high discount amount until the remaining amount becomes 0 yen or less or no enabled discount flag can be confirmed, A payment processing device equipped with the following features.

2. A product information acquisition unit that acquires product information including the unit price of the product, An operating unit that declares that the customer has finished entering the products they wish to purchase, The system includes the aforementioned product information, two or more discount flags having different discount rates that discount the unit price by a predetermined discount rate, two or more discount flags having different discount amounts that discount the unit price by a predetermined discount amount, and a storage unit that stores the state in which the discount flags and discount flags are enabled. A coupon information acquisition unit that acquires information for enabling the aforementioned discount flag and the aforementioned price reduction flag, A control unit that, based on information for enabling discount flags and price reduction flags obtained via the coupon information acquisition unit, enables a discount flag with a high discount rate and enables a price reduction flag with a high price reduction, calculates a discount result by applying a discount to the total unit price based on the discount rate when the operation unit declares completion of input and the discount flag is enabled, applies a discount to the discount result based on the price reduction amount and applies a discount based on the price reduction amount of an enabled discount flag that has not yet been discounted until the remaining amount becomes 0 yen or less or no enabled discount flag can be confirmed, A payment processing device equipped with the following features.

3. In the payment processing unit that executes the payment processing, A means for obtaining product information, including the unit price of a product, The aforementioned product information, two or more discount flags having different discount rates that discount the unit price by a predetermined discount rate, two or more discount flags having different discount amounts that discount the unit price by a predetermined discount amount, and a storage means for storing the state in which the discount flags and discount flags are valid. A coupon information acquisition means that acquires information for enabling the aforementioned discount flag and the aforementioned price reduction flag, When information for enabling the aforementioned discount flag and the aforementioned price reduction flag is obtained, the flag enabling means enables the discount flag with a high discount rate and the price reduction flag with a high discount amount, If the discount flag is valid, a discount calculation means calculates a discount result by applying a discount to the unit price based on the discount rate, If the discount flag is valid, a discount calculation means that performs a discount on the discount result based on the discount amount, A control means that performs a discount based on the discount amount of a valid discount flag that has not yet been applied, until the remaining balance falls below 0 yen or no valid discount flag can be confirmed, A payment processing program that achieves this.

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