Product information processing device, program

Abstract

To effectively operate a self-register.SOLUTION: A commodity information processing device capable of registration and settlement of a commodity by operating by a customer, includes: registration means that registers the commodity; reception means that receives a registration completion instruction for completing registration of the commodity by the registration means; age confirmation means that, when an age confirmation commodity requiring confirmation of an age is registered until the registration completion instruction by the reception means is received, can execute age confirmation processing of confirming the age of the customer after reception of the registration completion instruction. When the age confirmation commodity is registered until the registration completion instruction is received, the commodity information processing device executes different control for the age confirmation processing between when there is an intervention by a clerk until the registration completion instruction is received and when there is no intervention by the clerk until the registration completion instruction is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a product information processing program. Place, P

Background Art

[0002] There is known a so-called self-checkout where a customer operates to register a product and perform settlement (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the operation of self-checkout, for example, in terms of convenience.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for effectively operating self-checkout.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A product information processing device, which is one embodiment for solving the above-mentioned problems, is a product information processing device that allows a customer to register and pay for products by operating it, and comprises: a registration means for registering products; a reception means for receiving a registration completion instruction to complete the registration of products by the registration means; and, if an age-verification product requiring age verification is registered before the reception means receives the registration completion instruction, an age verification means capable of performing an age verification process to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion instruction, wherein, when an age-verification product is registered before the registration completion instruction is received, the product information processing device performs different controls for the age verification process depending on whether a store employee was involved before the registration completion instruction was received or whether a store employee was not involved before the registration completion instruction was received. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an example of the appearance of a registration and settlement device. [Figure 2] This is an example of the configuration of a registration and settlement device. [Figure 3] This is an example of a display on a registered payment device. [Figure 4] This is an example of a display on a registered payment device. [Figure 5] This is an example of a display on a registered payment device. [Figure 6] This is an example of a display from a transaction status management device. [Figure 7] This is an example of the display from the transaction status management device. [Figure 8] This is an example of the display from the transaction status management device. [Figure 9] This is an example of the display from the transaction status management device. [Figure 10] This is an example of the display from the transaction status management device. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Sales system) The registration and settlement device 10 in this embodiment is one of the devices that constitute the sales system 1 (not shown). The sales system 1 can be introduced into various types of businesses (supermarkets, convenience stores, drugstores, home centers, consumer electronics stores, etc.). In addition to the registration and settlement device 10, the sales system 1 includes a transaction status management device 30 (not shown), a store controller 40 (not shown), and a headquarters server 50 (not shown). The registration and settlement device 10, the transaction status management device 30, and the store controller 40 are installed inside the store. These are connected so that they can communicate via LAN (which may be wired or wireless). The headquarters server 50 is installed outside the store (for example, at the head office or a data center). The devices installed inside the store (registration and settlement device 10, transaction status management device 30, store controller 40) and the devices installed outside the store (headquarters server 50) can communicate (either directly or via the store controller 40). There is no particular limit to the number of each device that can be installed. For example, four registration and payment devices 10 may be installed within the store.

[0009] (Registration and settlement device 10) The registration and payment device 10 is a so-called fully self-service register that registers products based on customer operations and processes payments based on customer operations. In other words, the registration and payment device 10 performs a registration process to register products and a payment process to settle payments for the registered products, but both processes are basically (ideally) performed based on the customer's own operations. That is, the registration and payment device 10 is basically operated by the customer, but it may also be operated by a store employee.

[0010] (Transaction status management device 30) The transaction status management device 30 is a device (e.g., a personal computer) that manages the devices installed in the store (monitors and controls the processing status, operation status, etc.). The transaction status management device 30 includes at least a CPU, a storage unit, a display unit (which may be configured as a touch panel), an operation unit (a keyboard, a mouse, etc.), and a communication unit. The transaction status management device 30 can communicate with a printing device (not shown) and may output various information from the printing device. The transaction status management device 30 is used by store clerks.

[0011] (Store controller 40) The store controller 40 is a server mainly responsible for information communication between the devices installed inside the store and the devices installed outside the store. The store controller 40 includes at least a CPU, a storage unit, and a communication unit.

[0012] In addition, devices other than the above-mentioned devices may be installed in the sales system 1 (inside the store). For example, inside the store, a conventional cash register that registers products based on the operations of store clerks and settles accounts based on the operations of store clerks, or a semi-self device group (registration device, settlement device) that registers products based on the operations of store clerks and settles accounts based on the operations of customers may be installed.

[0013] Also, in the sales system 1 (inside the store), a registration and settlement device (sometimes referred to as the registration and settlement device 11) may be installed that has a customer display unit and a settlement unit (one or both of the cash settlement unit and the non-cash settlement unit) on one side (the customer side), and a store clerk display unit on the other side (the store clerk side, the side with the back to the customer side), and has a plurality of switchable operation modes. The registration and settlement device 11 may have, for example, as operation modes, a mode (full self-service mode) in which products are registered based on the operations of customers and accounts are settled based on the operations of customers, similar to the registration and settlement device 10, and a mode (face-to-face mode, normal mode) in which products are registered based on the operations of store clerks and accounts are settled based on the operations of customers.

[0014] FIG. 1 is an example of the external appearance of the registration settlement device 10. FIG. 2 is a configuration example of the registration settlement device 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, while referring to FIG. 1, the configuration example of the registration settlement device 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

[0015] The registration settlement device 10 includes a CPU 101, a storage unit 102, a display unit 103, a scanner unit 104, a card settlement unit 105, a change machine (cash settlement unit) 106, a printing unit 108, an audio output unit 109, an imaging unit 110, a communication unit 111, a signature pole 112, and a connection unit 113. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0016] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the registration settlement device 10 by reading and executing the programs stored in the storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 stores various information (for example, information referred to or generated by the CPU 101, information acquired from the outside, etc.). The storage unit 102 is a general term for one or more various storage members (for example, those serving as memories or storages. For example, RAM, ROM, hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.).

[0017] The display unit 103 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information (including image information). The display unit 103 is configured as a touch panel capable of receiving operations on the display screen. The scanner unit 104 optically reads various information. For example, the scanner unit 104 scans the code attached to a product and reads the product code (JAN code, etc.). Also, the scanner unit 104 may scan the codes attached to various media (coupons, cards, name tags of store clerks, etc.) and read the respective information.

[0018] The card payment unit 105 is a payment mechanism that accepts various types of cards (credit cards, prepaid cards such as transportation cards, cash cards for debit payments, point cards for point payments, etc.). The card payment unit 105 may consist of multiple components depending on the type of card to be read. In other words, the registration and settlement device 10 may have multiple card payment units 208, such as a first card payment unit 105a for credit cards and a second card payment unit 105b for prepaid cards.

[0019] The change dispenser 106 is a cash payment mechanism that has an input slot for banknotes and coins, and an output slot for banknotes and coins. It calculates the amount to be inserted into the input slot, calculates the change amount which is the difference between the inserted amount and the purchase price, and dispenses the change from the output slot. When banknotes or coins are inserted into the input slot, this is detected by a sensor (detection of the insertion, detection of the number of coins of each denomination, etc.).

[0020] The printing unit 108 prints and issues various media (receipts, payment tickets, etc.). The audio output unit 109 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 109 outputs confirmation sounds, warning sounds, voice guidance, etc. The imaging unit 110 captures images of the operator (customer), for example. The registration and settlement device 10 may be equipped with two or more imaging units 110 and may simultaneously capture images of the face and hands (near the input and output slots of the change machine 106). The communication unit 111 transmits and receives information between the device and other devices (for example, the store controller 40, the transaction status management device 30, etc.).

[0021] The sign pole 112 is equipped with a light-emitting unit 112a at its tip, and various information (such as staff call and operating status) is communicated depending on the mode of illumination of the light-emitting unit 112a. In addition, the sign pole 112 is equipped with a small display unit 112b below the light-emitting unit 112a, which displays various information. For example, the small display unit 112b displays the number of the device when it is in standby mode (waiting for customers) and displays an image captured by the imaging unit 110 when it is in operation. The connection section 113 is connected to the age verification device (reader) 200. Details of the age verification device 200 will be described later.

[0022] Furthermore, the registration and settlement device 10 may be equipped with a display unit on the back of the display unit 103, separate from the display unit 103, to display various information to the store staff. The registration and settlement device 10 may also be equipped with a motion sensor or the like to detect the presence of an operator (customer, etc.). In addition, the registration and settlement device 10 may be a cash-only machine (without the card payment unit 105) or a credit card-only machine (without the change dispenser 106).

[0023] (Age verification device 200) The age verification device 200 is a device that verifies age using an age verification medium (for example, a driver's license or My Number Card). The age verification device 200 includes at least a medium insertion unit 201 into which the age verification medium is inserted, a reading unit that reads age-identifiable information (age identification information; for example, information indicating the age itself, or information indicating the date of birth) from the age verification medium (such as an IC chip provided on the medium) inserted into the medium insertion unit, and a connection unit for connecting (communicating) with the registration and settlement device 10 (connection unit 113). When the age verification device 200 obtains age identification information from the age verification medium, it transmits the age identification information obtained from the age verification medium to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0024] The age verification device 200 may be equipped with a determination unit (CPU, etc.) that determines whether the user is 20 years of age or older based on age identification information obtained from the age verification medium, and transmits the determination result to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0025] When reading information from the age verification medium, it may be necessary to input information (such as a PIN, unlock code, or access code). In this case, the age verification device 200 may be provided with an input section (for example, a touch panel or operation keys), and the necessary information may be entered into the age verification device 200. Alternatively, the necessary information may be entered into the registration and payment device 10 and transmitted to the age verification device 200.

[0026] If the age verification medium (IC chip, etc.) does not store age identification information, the age verification information may be obtained from an external device (e.g., a server) based on information stored in the age verification medium (e.g., medium identification information that identifies the age verification medium) (the age verification device may also query the external device for age identification information). In this case, the age verification device 200 may be provided with a communication unit, and the age verification device 200 may transmit the medium identification information etc. to the external device and receive age identification information from the external device. Alternatively, the age verification device 200 may transmit the medium identification information etc. to the registration and settlement device 10, the registration and settlement device 10 may transmit the medium identification information etc. to the external device and receive age identification information from the external device.

[0027] (Operations related to age verification products in the registration and payment device 10) The registration and settlement device 10 does not perform age verification for products that require age verification for sale (for example, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products; hereinafter referred to as age-verified products) during the registration process (specifically, until the accounting button BT20, described later, is operated). In other words, when registering individual products, the registration and settlement device 10 registers them one after another without performing age verification, even if the product is an age-verified product.

[0028] The registration and payment device 10 does not perform age verification for age-restricted products during the registration process, but may perform age verification for age-restricted products when moving from the registration process to the payment process (specifically, after operating the payment button BT20). Specifically, if the registered products include age-restricted products and no store employee was involved during the registration process, the registration and payment device 10 will perform age verification for age-restricted products when moving from the registration process to the payment process.

[0029] If a store employee is involved in the registration process, it means that the store employee made an operation during the registration process, or that the transaction status management device 30 received information confirming that the customer operating the registration settlement device 10 was 20 years of age or older during the registration process. Therefore, if a store employee is not involved in the registration process, it means that there was no operation by a store employee during the registration process, and the transaction status management device 30 did not receive information confirming that the customer operating the registration settlement device 10 was 20 years of age or older during the registration process.

[0030] Furthermore, the transaction status management device 30 transmits information to the registration settlement device 10 confirming that the customer operating the registration settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older, based on the actions of the store clerk. Specifically, the store clerk operating the transaction status management device 30 may operate the age OK button BT130 (described later) if they confirm (determine) that the customer operating the registration settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older. If the age OK button BT130 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 transmits information to the registration settlement device 10 confirming that the customer operating the registration settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older. Details will be described later.

[0031] Furthermore, the verification that a customer operating the registration and settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older, performed by a store employee operating the transaction status management device 30, is performed at a location away from the registration and settlement device 10 (the location of the transaction status management device 30). Therefore, the age verification by the transaction status management device 30 (age verification by operating the age OK button BT130) may be referred to as remote age verification. In addition, the information transmitted from the transaction status management device 30 to the registration and settlement device 10 after remote age verification (i.e., information confirming that the age of the customer operating the registration and settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older) may be referred to as remote age verification information.

[0032] Age verification, which is performed when moving from registration to payment, can be done by the customer themselves or by a store employee. The customer-side method involves the customer having their own age verification medium read by the age verification device 200. The employee-side method involves calling an employee to the registration and payment device 10, and the employee verifying the customer's age.

[0033] In other words, when the accounting button BT20 is operated, the registration and settlement device 10 operates as follows (A1) to (A3) depending on the circumstances at the time of operation of the accounting button BT20. (A1) If no age verification items are registered during the registration process, regardless of whether a store employee was involved during the registration process, the payment process will proceed without age verification after pressing the BT20 payment button. (A2) If one or more age verification items are registered during the registration process and a store employee is involved during the registration process, the payment process will proceed without age verification after the BT20 payment button is pressed. (A3) If one or more age verification items are registered during the registration process and no store staff are involved during the registration process, age verification will be performed after pressing the BT20 payment button but before proceeding to the settlement process.

[0034] Alternatively, it can be said that when the accounting button BT20 is operated, the registration and settlement device 10 operates as shown in (B1) to (B3) below, depending on the circumstances at the time of operation of the accounting button BT20. (B1) If a store employee is involved during the registration process, regardless of whether or not an age verification product was registered during the registration process, the payment process will proceed without age verification after the BT20 payment button is pressed. (B2) If no store staff are involved in the registration process and no age verification items are registered during the registration process, the payment process will proceed without age verification after pressing the BT20 payment button. (B3) If a store employee is not involved in the registration process and one or more age verification items are registered during the registration process, age verification will be performed after pressing the checkout button BT20 but before proceeding to the payment process.

[0035] Although the age verification after operating the BT20 payment button is described as a process between the registration process and the settlement process (i.e., a process that does not belong to either the registration process or the settlement process), the age verification after operating the BT20 payment button may be considered as part of the registration process (the final process of the registration process) or as part of the settlement process (the first process of the settlement process).

[0036] (Operations related to age verification products in the transaction status management device 30) The transaction status management device 30 transmits remote age verification information to the registration and settlement device 10 based on the store clerk's operation (specifically, the operation of the age OK button BT130, which will be described later). In other words, if the store clerk operating the transaction status management device 30 determines that the customer operating the registration and settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older, they operate the age OK button BT130 (described later), and the transaction status management device 30 transmits remote age verification information to the registration and settlement device 10 based on the store clerk's operation of the age OK button BT130.

[0037] (Example of display on the registration and settlement device 10) Figures 3 to 5 show examples of the display of the registration and payment device 10. Figure 3(A) is the registration screen (initial registration screen). The registration and payment device 10 displays the registration screen shown in Figure 3(A) when it is in standby mode (waiting for customers). Alternatively, the registration and payment device 10 may display a standby screen (not shown) when it is in standby mode, and if a predetermined operation (for example, pressing the start button displayed on the standby screen) occurs on the standby screen, it may display the registration screen shown in Figure 3(A) instead of the standby screen.

[0038] The registration screen shown in Figure 3(A) (and the other registration screens shown in Figures 3(B), 4(A) to 4(C), 5(B), and 5(C) are similar) includes a total information display area HR10 that displays the total information of the registered products, and a registration information display area HR11 that displays the registration information of individual products.

[0039] Furthermore, the registration screen shown in Figure 3(A) (and other registration screens as well) displays the checkout button BT20, which is used to complete product registration and proceed to the settlement process (accounting). In the registration screen shown in Figure 3(A), no products have been registered, so the checkout button BT20 is displayed in an inoperable state (the dashed line in the figure indicates that it is displayed in an inoperable state).

[0040] Furthermore, the registration screen shown in Figure 3(A) (and other registration screens) displays preset buttons (preset keys) corresponding to products. Customers register products that do not have barcodes by operating (touching) the corresponding preset button. For example, when the preset button for vegetables is operated, the registration and payment device 10 displays the preset buttons corresponding to each of the vegetables sold in the store.

[0041] Furthermore, the registration screen shown in Figure 3(A) (and other registration screens and payment method selection screens (described later)) displays a staff call button BT10 and language change buttons BT13 to BT15. When the staff call button BT10 is operated, the registration and settlement device 10 executes a staff call process. As part of the staff call process, the registration and settlement device 10 illuminates the light-emitting part 112a of the sign pole 112 in a predetermined manner. Alternatively, as part of the staff call process, the registration and settlement device 10 may, in lieu of or in addition to illuminating the sign pole 112, send a notification that a staff call has been made (staff call notification) to the transaction status management device 30. The registration and settlement device 10 may also send a staff call notification to a terminal carried by the staff (for example, a smartphone or tablet).

[0042] Furthermore, the registration and payment device 10 may perform different staff call processes depending on whether the staff call button BT10 is operated on one screen or on another screen. Also, the staff call process may be performed by an operation other than the operation of the staff call button BT10. For example, the registration and payment device 10 may perform the staff call process when the staff age verification button BT31 (described later) is operated.

[0043] The following explanation will describe the screen transitions in the registration and payment device 10 by dividing them into three parts: the transition from Figure 3(A) → Figure 3(B) → Figure 3(C), the transition from Figure 3(A) → Figure 4(A) → Figure 4(B) → Figure 4(C) → Figure 5(A), and the transition from Figure 3(A) → Figure 4(A) → Figure 4(B) → Figure 5(B) → Figure 5(C) → Figure 5(A). In the transitions from Figure 3(A) → Figure 4(A) → Figure 4(B) → Figure 4(C) → Figure 5(A) and from Figure 3(A) → Figure 4(A) → Figure 4(B) → Figure 5(B) → Figure 5(C) → Figure 5(A), it will be assumed that no store clerk is involved in the registration process. Furthermore, in the following explanation, products that do not fall under the category of age-verification products will be referred to as general products (or non-age-verification products).

[0044] (Transition from Figure 3(A) to Figure 3(B) to Figure 3(C)) Figure 3(B) shows an example of the display when, following Figure 3(A), the customer scans XX Bento (general product), XX Milk (general product), and XX Natto (general product). From the state shown in Figure 3(A), the registration and settlement device 10 registers XX Bento (general product), XX Milk (general product), and XX Natto (general product) based on the customer's scanning operation, and then displays the registration screen shown in Figure 3(B). In the registration screen shown in Figure 3(B), since the products have been registered, the payment button BT20 is displayed in an operable manner.

[0045] Figure 3(C) shows an example of the display when a customer operates the payment button BT20, following Figure 3(B). When a customer operates the payment button BT20 from the state shown in Figure 3(B), the registration and settlement device 10 displays the payment method selection screen as shown in Figure 3(C). Note that the registration screen shown in Figures 3(B) and 3(A) is a screen used in the registration process, while the payment method selection screen is a screen used in the settlement process.

[0046] The payment method selection screen shown in Figure 3(C) (and similarly the payment method selection screen shown in Figure 5(A)) displays payment method selection buttons corresponding to each payment method (settlement method, accounting method, and payment method). The registered settlement device 10 displays a screen corresponding to the payment method selection button operated on the payment method selection screen and executes the settlement process corresponding to the payment method selection button. For example, if the cash selection button (the button labeled "Cash" in the figure) is operated on the payment method selection screen, the registered settlement device 10 displays a settlement screen for cash payment and executes the cash settlement process. If the credit card selection button (the button labeled "Credit" in the figure) is operated on the payment method selection screen, the device displays a settlement screen for credit card payment and executes the credit card settlement process.

[0047] As described above, if no age-verification products are registered at the registration stage, the registration and settlement device 10 will perform the settlement process without performing age verification after the operation of the payment button BT20.

[0048] (Transition from Figure 3(A) → Figure 4(A) → Figure 4(B) → Figure 4(C) → Figure 5(A)) Figure 4(A) is an example of the display when, following Figure 3(A), the customer scans XX Bento (general product), XX Beer (age verification product), XX Milk (general product), and XX Natto (general product). From the state shown in Figure 3(A), the registration and settlement device 10 registers XX Bento (general product), XX Beer (age verification product), XX Milk (general product), and XX Natto (general product) based on the customer's scanning operation, and displays the registration screen shown in Figure 4(A). In the registration screen shown in Figure 4(A), since the products have been registered, the payment button BT20 is displayed in an operable manner.

[0049] Figure 4(B) shows an example of the display when a customer operates the payment button BT20, following Figure 4(A). When a customer operates the payment button BT20 from the state shown in Figure 4(A), the registration and settlement device 10 displays the small screen SG01 in front of the registration screen, as shown in Figure 4(B).

[0050] The small screen SG01 shown in Figure 4(B) displays a message MS01 informing the user that there is an age verification product and instructing them to select (specify) an age verification method. The small screen SG01 also displays age verification selection buttons corresponding to each age verification method. Specifically, the small screen SG01 displays a customer age verification button BT30 corresponding to the customer-operated method (where the customer has their own age verification medium read by the age verification device 200) and a store employee age verification button BT31 corresponding to the store employee-operated method (where the customer calls a store employee and the employee verifies their age). The small screen SG01 also displays a back button BT32. When the back button BT32 is pressed, the registration and settlement device 10 returns to the display before the operation of the checkout button BT20 (the display in Figure 4(A)).

[0051] Figure 4(C) shows an example of the display when the customer operates the customer age verification button BT30, following Figure 4(B). When the customer operates the customer age verification button BT30 from the state shown in Figure 4(B), the registration and payment device 10 displays the small screen SG02 in front of the registration screen, as shown in Figure 4(C). The registration and payment device 10 may display the small screen SG02 instead of the small screen SG01, or it may display the small screen SG02 in front of the small screen SG01.

[0052] The small screen SG02 shown in Figure 4(C) displays a message MS02 instructing the age verification device (reader) 200 to read the age verification medium (driver's license, My Number Card in the figure), and an image (animation, etc.) GA02 related to the reading of the age verification medium by the age verification device 200. The small screen SG02 also displays a back button BT42. When the back button BT42 is pressed, the registration and settlement device 10 returns to the display before the customer age verification button BT30 was pressed (display in Figure 4(B)).

[0053] Figure 5(A) shows an example of the display when a customer has their age verification medium read by the age verification device 200, following Figure 4(C). When the customer has their age verification medium read by the age verification device 200 (when age verification is complete) from the state shown in Figure 4(C), the registration and settlement device 10 displays the payment method selection screen as shown in Figure 5(A).

[0054] As described above, if an age-verification product (XX Beer) is registered during the registration process and there is no staff intervention during the registration process, the registration and payment device 10 will perform age verification before proceeding to the payment process. However, if there is staff intervention during the registration process, the payment process will be executed without age verification after the operation of the payment button BT20 (i.e., the transition will be from Figure 3(A) → Figure 4(A) → Figure 5(A)).

[0055] Furthermore, if the age verification is not completed from the state shown in Figure 4(C) (for example, if the age cannot be read from the age verification medium, or if the age read from the age verification medium is under 20 years old), the registration and settlement device 10 may display the registration screen shown in Figure 4(A) and execute the process of calling a store employee. Subsequently, the registration and settlement device 10 may cancel the registration of the age verification product (XX Beer) based on the cancellation operation of the store employee (the store employee called to the registration and settlement device 10) and display a registration screen as shown in Figure 3(B).

[0056] (Transition from Figure 3(A) → Figure 4(A) → Figure 4(B) → Figure 5(B) → Figure 5(C) → Figure 5(A)) Figure 5(B) shows an example of the display when a customer operates the employee age verification button BT31, following Figure 4(B). When a customer operates the employee age verification button BT31 from the state shown in Figure 4(B), the registration and payment device 10 displays the small screen SG03 in front of the registration screen, as shown in Figure 5(B).

[0057] The small screen SG03 shown in Figure 5(B) displays the message MS03, which indicates that a store employee is being called. In other words, when the store employee age verification button BT31 is pressed, the registration and payment device 10 executes the store employee call process and notifies the customer that a store employee is being called. The small screen SG03 also has a hidden button that is known only to the store employee (and not to the customer).

[0058] Figure 5(C) shows an example of the display when a store employee (a store employee called to the registration and payment device 10) operates the hidden button on the small screen SG03, following Figure 5(B). When a store employee operates the hidden button from the state shown in Figure 5(B), the registration and payment device 10 displays the small screen SG04 in front of the registration screen, as shown in Figure 5(C). The registration and payment device 10 may display the small screen SG04 instead of the small screen SG03, or it may display the small screen SG04 in front of the small screen SG03.

[0059] The small screen SG04 shown in Figure 5(C) displays the message MS04, which instructs the user to verify their age. The small screen SG04 also displays a "Yes" button BT50 to be pressed if the user is determined to be 20 years of age or older, and a "No" button BT51 to be pressed if the user is determined to be less than 20 years of age.

[0060] When the store clerk operates the "Yes" button BT50 from the state shown in Figure 5(C), the registration and settlement device 10 displays the payment method selection screen shown in Figure 5(A).

[0061] As described above, if an age-verification product (XX Beer) is registered during the registration process and there is no staff intervention during the registration process, the registration and payment device 10 will perform age verification before proceeding to the payment process. However, if there is staff intervention during the registration process, the payment process will be executed without age verification after the operation of the payment button BT20 (i.e., the transition will be from Figure 3(A) → Figure 4(A) → Figure 5(A)).

[0062] Furthermore, if the store clerk operates the No button BT51 from the state shown in Figure 5(C), the registration and settlement device 10 may display the registration screen shown in Figure 4(A). Subsequently, the registration and settlement device 10 may cancel the registration of the age verification product (XX Beer) based on the store clerk's cancellation operation and display a registration screen like that shown in Figure 3(B).

[0063] (Example of display from the transaction status management device 30) Figures 6 to 10 show examples of the display of the transaction status management device 30. It is assumed that four units (registration and settlement devices 10 numbered "1" to "4") are installed in the store.

[0064] Figure 6(A) is a detailed screen (individual screen) for managing (monitoring) the transaction status of the registered settlement device 10, "No. 1". The transaction status management device 30 displays the detailed screen shown in Figure 6(A) when, for example, the button for selecting the registered settlement device 10, "No. 1", is pressed on the initial screen (menu screen). Note that the displays in Figures 3 to 5 are for the registered settlement device 10, "No. 1".

[0065] The detailed screen shown in Figure 6(A) (and the other detailed screens shown in Figures 6(B) and 7-10) includes a registered product display area HR101 that displays the registered product information of the registered payment device 10 (registered payment device 10 "1"), and a status display area HR102 that displays various statuses other than the registered product information of the registered payment device 10. For example, if a customer registers a XX bento box in the registered payment device 10 "No." from the state shown in Figure 3(A), the transaction status management device 30 will display the XX bento box in the registered product display area HR101, as shown in Figure 6(A). In other words, when a product is registered, the registered payment device 10 transmits the product registration information to the transaction status management device 30, and the transaction status management device 30 displays the product registration information in the registered product display area HR101.

[0066] The details screen also displays the register stop button BT110, the stop release button BT111, and the initial screen button BT112. The register stop button BT110 is used to stop (pause) the registration and settlement device 10. Currently, the registration and settlement device 10 is being used by a customer, so the stop button BT110 is displayed in an inoperable state. The stop release button BT111 is used to release the stop of the registration and settlement device 10. Currently, the registration and settlement device 10 is not stopped (paused), so the stop release button BT111 is displayed in an inoperable state. The initial screen button BT112 is used to switch to the initial screen (menu screen).

[0067] Furthermore, the details screen displays device selection buttons (device selection buttons BT121-BT124) for switching to the details screen of each of the registered payment devices 10 (each of the registered payment devices 10 numbered "1" through "4"). Currently, the details screen for registered payment device 10 "1" is being displayed, so device selection button BT121, which is used to switch to the details screen for registered payment device 10 "1", is displayed in a way that makes it impossible to operate.

[0068] Furthermore, the details screen displays a list display button BT125 for switching to a list display screen that shows the status of all registered settlement devices 10 in a list. When the list display button BT125 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 displays a list screen divided into four sections (a list screen that displays part or all of the details screen of registered settlement device 10 "No. 1" in the upper left, part or all of the details screen of registered settlement device 10 "No. 2" in the upper right, part or all of the details screen of registered settlement device 10 "No. 3" in the lower left, and part or all of the details screen of registered settlement device 10 "No. 4" in the lower right).

[0069] Furthermore, the details screen displays the Age OK button BT130. The Age OK button BT130 is a button to be pressed when it is determined that the customer operating the registration and settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older. When the Age OK button BT130 is pressed, the transaction status management device 30 transmits remote age verification information to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0070] Furthermore, the details screen displays the monitor screen BT131. The monitor screen BT131 is a button for displaying the captured image (image captured by the imaging unit 110) from the registration and settlement device 10. For example, a store employee may operate the monitor screen BT131 before operating the age OK button BT130 (for example, if it is difficult to visually confirm due to the installation location, etc.). When the monitor screen BT131 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 displays, for example, a small screen displaying the captured image from the registration and settlement device 10 in front of the details screen.

[0071] Furthermore, the details screen displays the staff call button BT132. When the staff call button BT132 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 causes the registered settlement device 10 to execute the staff call process (that is, it causes the registered settlement device 10 to operate as if the staff call button BT10 had been operated). For example, the transaction status management device 30 sends a staff call notification to the registered settlement device 10 based on the operation of the staff call button BT132, and the registered settlement device 10, upon receiving the staff call notification, executes the staff call process in the same way as if the staff call button BT10 had been operated.

[0072] The detailed screen also displays various information related to each registered payment device 10. For example, it displays information such as whether a staff member is being called, whether change is nearing completion, whether change is nearing completion, whether the receipt is nearing completion, and whether age verification is required. For example, the label R01 (labeled "Low Change") displayed near the device selection button BT123 for "No. 3" indicates that the registered payment device 10 for "No. 3" is nearing completion. Similarly, the label R02 (labeled "Year") displayed near the device selection button BT124 for "No. 4" indicates that age verification is required for the registered payment device 10 for "No. 4". Note that whether a staff member is being called is indicated by a label such as "Called". Similarly, whether change is nearing completion is indicated by a label such as "Plenty of Change". Furthermore, the fact that the receipt is near-end will be indicated by a label, for example, that reads "Paper Shortage" or "Receipt Shortage."

[0073] Figure 6(B) shows the scene following Figure 6(A). Specifically, when a customer registers XX beer after XX bento at the "No. 1" registration and settlement device 10, the transaction status management device 30 displays a detailed screen as shown in Figure 6(B).

[0074] In the detailed screen shown in Figure 6(B), in addition to the XX bento box, XX beer is displayed in the registered product display area HR101. Also, because an age verification product (XX beer) has been registered, the detailed screen shown in Figure 6(B) displays label R02 near the device designation button BT121 labeled "1", indicating that age verification is required.

[0075] Figure 7 shows the scene following Figure 6(B). Specifically, in the registration and settlement device 10 labeled "No. 1," as shown in Figure 4(A), if a customer registers XX bento, XX beer, followed by XX milk and XX natto, and if there is an operation by a store employee between the registration of XX beer and the registration of XX natto in the registration and settlement device 10, the transaction status management device 30 displays a detailed screen as shown in Figure 7.

[0076] In the detailed screen shown in Figure 7, in addition to XX Bento and XX Beer, XX Milk and XX Natto are displayed in the registered product display area HR101. Furthermore, because a store employee intervened (specifically, operated by the employee) during the registration stage in the registration and payment device 10, the status display area HR102 displays the message "Age verification OK (employee operation)". Also, because age verification was performed, the label R02 near the device designation button BT121 is erased, and the Age OK button BT130 is displayed in a state where it cannot be operated.

[0077] Figure 8 shows another scene following Figure 6(B). Specifically, in the registration and settlement device 10 labeled "No. 1," as shown in Figure 4(A), if a customer registers XX bento, XX beer, followed by XX milk and XX natto, and if remote age verification information is received in the registration and settlement device 10 between the registration of XX beer and the registration of XX natto (i.e., if the age OK button BT130 is pressed in the transaction status management device 30 between the registration of XX beer and the registration of XX natto), the transaction status management device 30 displays a detailed screen as shown in Figure 8.

[0078] In the detailed screen shown in Figure 8, the registered product display area HR101 shows XX bento, XX beer, XX milk, and XX natto. Furthermore, because the store clerk intervened during the registration stage at the registration and payment device 10 (specifically, by receiving remote age verification information), the status display area HR102 displays the message "Age verification OK (remote age verification)". Also, because age verification has been performed, the label R02 near the device designation button BT121 is erased, and the age OK button BT130 is displayed in an inoperable state.

[0079] Figure 9 shows another scene following Figure 6(B). Specifically, in the "No. 1" registration and settlement device 10, as shown in Figure 4(A), the customer registers XX bento, XX beer, followed by XX milk and XX natto. Without any intervention from a store employee during the registration stage, the customer operates the payment button BT20. Based on the operation of the payment button BT20, the small screen SG01 is displayed. On the small screen SG01, the customer age verification button BT30 is operated. Based on the operation of the customer age verification button BT30, the small screen SG02 is displayed. If the customer has their own age verification medium read by the age verification device 200 and it is confirmed that the customer is 20 years of age or older, the transaction status management device 30 displays a detailed screen as shown in Figure 9.

[0080] In the detailed screen shown in Figure 9, the registered product display area HR101 shows XX Bento, XX Beer, XX Milk, and XX Natto. Furthermore, after the payment button BT20 is pressed, the age verification device 200 (age verification medium) confirms that the customer is 20 years of age or older, so the status display area HR102 displays the message "Age Verification OK (Age Verification Device)". Also, because age verification has been performed, the label R02 near the device specification button BT121 is erased, and the Age OK button BT130 is displayed in an inoperable state.

[0081] Figure 10 shows another scene following Figure 6(B). Specifically, in the "No. 1" registration and settlement device 10, as shown in Figure 4(A), the customer registers XX bento, XX beer, followed by XX milk and XX natto, and without any intervention from a store employee at the registration stage, the customer operates the payment button BT20, and based on the operation of the payment button BT20, the small screen SG01 is displayed, the store employee age verification button BT31 is operated on the small screen SG01, the small screen SG03 is displayed based on the operation of the store employee age verification button BT31, the small screen SG04 is displayed based on the store employee's operation (operation of a hidden button) on the small screen SG03, and if the "yes" button BT50 is operated on the small screen SG04 (i.e., if the customer is 20 years of age or older during age verification by calling a store employee), the transaction status management device 30 displays a detailed screen as shown in Figure 10.

[0082] In the detailed screen shown in Figure 10, the registered product display area HR101 shows XX bento, XX beer, XX milk, and XX natto. Also, after the customer pressed the checkout button BT20, they called a staff member for age verification and confirmed that they were 20 years of age or older, so the status display area HR102 displays the message "Age verification OK (staff member called)". Furthermore, because age verification was performed, the label R02 near the device designation button BT121 is erased, and the age OK button BT130 is displayed in a state where it cannot be operated.

[0083] Although not shown in the diagram, the transaction status management device 30 may, in the detailed screen of Figure 6(B) (i.e., when an age-verification product has been registered), display in the status display area HR102 that an age-verification product has been registered (for example, display "Age verification required product registered"). If the Age OK button BT130 is operated after the transaction status management device 30 has displayed that an age-verification product has been registered, it may, as shown in Figure 8, display (switch display) that the age has been verified ("Age verification OK (remote age verification)") instead of displaying that an age-verification product has been registered, or it may, in addition to displaying that an age-verification product has been registered, display (additional display) that the age has been verified. If a store clerk operates the registration settlement device 10 after the transaction status management device 30 has displayed that an age-verification product has been registered, it may, as shown in Figure 7, display (switch display) that the age has been verified ("Age verification OK (clerk operation)") instead of displaying that an age-verification product has been registered, or it may, in addition to displaying that an age-verification product has been registered, display (additional display) that the age has been verified.

[0084] (Operation of the registration and settlement device 10) Figures 11 to 14 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device 10. Specifically, Figures 11 to 14 show the basic flow of one transaction (from registration start to settlement completion) using the registration and settlement device 10. It is assumed that the registration and settlement device 10 is displaying a standby screen at the point before the start of the flowchart in Figure 11. Also, it is assumed that the remote age verification flag (described later) and the employee operation flag (described later) are both not set at the point before the start of the flowchart in Figure 11 (for example, they are set to "0" if they can take a value of "0" or "1").

[0085] The flowchart in Figure 11 starts based on the operation of the start button displayed on the standby screen. The flowchart in Figure 12 is a continuation of the flowchart in Figure 11. The flowchart in Figure 13 is a continuation of the flowchart in Figure 12 (or Figure 14). The flowchart in Figure 14 is a continuation of the flowchart in Figure 12.

[0086] (Flowchart in Figure 11) Step S1: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information regarding the change and receipt to the transaction status management device 30 (management device in the diagram). For example, if there is no problem with the change, the registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 indicating that there is no problem with the change, and if there is no problem with the receipt, it transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 indicating that there is no problem with the receipt. When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that there is no problem with the change, it displays "Change OK" in the status display area HR102, and when it receives information that there is no problem with the receipt, it displays "Receipt OK" in the status display area HR102. The process then proceeds to step S2.

[0087] Step S2: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not a product scan or other action has been taken (scanning of the barcode attached to the product by the scanner unit 104, or operation of a preset button). If a product scan or other action has been taken (Step S2: YES), proceed to Step S3. If no product scan or other action has been taken (Step S2: NO), proceed to Step S5.

[0088] Step S3: The registration and settlement device 10 registers the scanned items. Then proceed to step S4. Step S4: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits the product registration information to the transaction status management device 30. When the transaction status management device 30 receives the product registration information, it displays the product registration information in the registered product display area HR101. The process then proceeds to step S5.

[0089] Step S5: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not it has received remote age verification information. If remote age verification information has been received (Step S5: YES), proceed to Step S6. If remote age verification information has not been received (Step S5: NO), proceed to Step S7. The transaction status management device 30 transmits remote age verification information when the age OK button BT130 is pressed, and displays "Age Verification OK (Remote Age Verification)" in the status display area HR102, for example, as shown in Figure 8.

[0090] Step S6: The registration and settlement device 10 sets the remote age verification flag (changes the value from "0" to "1") if it is not set. The remote age verification flag indicates whether or not remote age verification has been performed by the transaction status management device 30 for the customer of the registration and settlement device 10. When the remote age verification flag is set (value is "1"), it indicates that remote age verification has been performed. In addition to setting the remote age verification flag, the registration and settlement device 10 may also notify the customer that their age has been verified (for example, display "Age verification has been performed by a store employee"). In other words, if the registration and settlement device 10 receives remote age verification information, it may notify the customer that their age has been verified.

[0091] Step S7: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not to initiate an employee operation (operation by an employee). As described above, the registration and settlement device 10 is basically operated by the customer, but it may also be operated by an employee. Due to issues of operational authority and management, in order to make the registration and settlement device 10 recognize whether it is an operation by a customer or an employee, the employee may perform an operation to declare the start of an employee operation (login operation) before performing any actual employee operation (product registration, product cancellation, various settings, etc.). The operation to declare the start of an employee operation is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be an operation to scan a code attached to the employee's name tag, or it may be an operation of the employee call button BT10 or an operation of a hidden button on a small screen with a hidden button that is displayed after the operation of the employee call button BT10 (for example, a small screen similar to the small screen SG03).

[0092] In other words, in step S7, the registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not an operation has been performed to declare the start of an employee operation (for example, scanning a code attached to an employee's name tag, etc.). If an employee operation is to be started, that is, if an operation has been performed to declare the start of an employee operation (step S7: YES), the device proceeds to step S10. If an employee operation is not to be started, that is, if there has been no operation to declare the start of an employee operation (step S7: NO), the device proceeds to step S15.

[0093] Step S10: If the registration payment device 10 is not set, it sets the "staff operation" flag (changes the value from "0" to "1"). The "staff operation" flag indicates whether or not a staff member has operated the registration payment device 10. When the "staff operation" flag is set (value is "1"), it indicates that a staff member has operated the registration payment device 10. The process then proceeds to step S11. Step S11: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information that an employee has made an operation to the transaction status management device 30. When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that an employee has made an operation, it displays "Age verification OK (employee operation)" in the status display area HR102, for example, as shown in Figure 7. The process then proceeds to step S12.

[0094] Step S12: The registration and settlement device 10 performs processing in accordance with the store clerk's operation (actual store clerk operation). For example, based on the store clerk's operation, the registration and settlement device 10 performs product registration, product cancellation, various settings, etc. Then proceed to step S13.

[0095] Step S13: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not to terminate the employee operation (operation by the employee). In other words, the registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not there has been an operation (logout operation) that declares the termination of a predetermined employee operation. If the employee operation is to be terminated, that is, if there has been an operation that declares the termination of the employee operation (Step S13: YES), proceed to Step S15. If the employee operation is not to be terminated, that is, if there has been no operation that declares the termination of the employee operation (Step S13: NO), return to Step S12.

[0096] Step S15: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not the accounting button BT20 has been operated. If the accounting button BT20 has been operated (Step S15: YES), proceed to Step S16. If the accounting button BT20 has not been operated (Step S15: NO), return to Step S2.

[0097] Step S16: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 that the accounting button BT20 has been operated. When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that the accounting button BT20 has been operated, it displays "Accounting button operated" in the status display area HR102. The process then proceeds to step S20 in Figure 12.

[0098] (Flowchart in Figure 12) Step S20: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not there is an age verification product among the products registered in step S3 of Figure 11. If there is an age verification product (step S20: YES), proceed to step S21. If there is no age verification product (step S20: NO), proceed to step S60 of Figure 13.

[0099] Step S21: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether the remote age verification flag is set. If the remote age verification flag is set (Step S21: YES), proceed to step S60 in Figure 13. If the remote age verification flag is not set (Step S21: NO), proceed to step S22.

[0100] Step S22: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether the "staff operation" flag is set. If the "staff operation" flag is set (Step S22: YES), proceed to step S60 in Figure 13. If the "staff operation" flag is not set (Step S22: NO), proceed to step S30 in Figure 14.

[0101] (Flowchart in Figure 13) Step S60: The registration and settlement device 10 displays the payment method selection screen. Then, the process proceeds to step S61. Step S61: The registration and settlement device 10 settles the payment based on the customer's operation using the payment method selected on the payment method selection screen. Specifically, the registration and settlement device 10 displays a screen corresponding to the selected payment method, executes the settlement according to the selected payment method, and prints and issues a receipt. The process then proceeds to step S62. Step S62: The registration settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 indicating that the settlement has been completed. If the transaction status management device 30 receives information that the settlement has been completed, it may display "Settlement Complete (○○)" in the status display area HR102. The "○○" in "Settlement Complete (○○)" represents the payment method, such as "cash" or "credit card". The process then proceeds to step S63. Step S63: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits transaction information, including product registration and settlement information, to the store controller 40. The store controller 40, upon receiving the transaction information from the registration and settlement device 10, transmits the received transaction information to the headquarters server 50. The transaction information may be used for sales management, product management (POS), customer management, etc. The process then proceeds to step S64.

[0102] Step S64: If set, the registration and settlement device 10 clears the remote age verification flag (changes the value from "1" to "0"). Then proceed to step S65. Step S65: If the registration and settlement device 10 is set, it clears the "operated by store clerk" flag (changes the value from "1" to "0"). Then this flowchart ends.

[0103] (Flowchart in Figure 14) Step S30: The registration and payment device 10 displays a screen for selecting the method of age verification. For example, the registration and payment device 10 displays a small screen SG01 (see Figure 4(B)). The process then proceeds to step S31.

[0104] Step S31: The registration and payment device 10 determines whether or not the customer has selected to verify their own age. For example, if the customer age verification button BT30 is pressed on the small screen SG01, the registration and payment device 10 determines that the customer has selected to verify their own age. If the customer has selected to verify their own age (Step S31: YES), the device proceeds to Step S42. If the customer has not selected to verify their own age (Step S31: NO), the device proceeds to Step S32. Step S32: The registration and payment device 10 determines whether or not the option to have the store clerk verify the customer's age was selected. For example, if the registration and payment device 10 sees the operation of the store clerk age verification button BT31 on the small screen SG01, it determines that the option to have the store clerk verify the customer's age was selected. If the option to have the store clerk verify the customer's age was selected (Step S32: YES), the device proceeds to Step S50. If the option to have the store clerk verify the customer's age was not selected (Step S32: NO), the device returns to Step S31.

[0105] Step S42: The registration and payment device 10 instructs the age verification device 200 to read the age verification medium. For example, the registration and payment device 10 displays the small screen SG02 (see Figure 4(C)). The process then proceeds to step S43.

[0106] Step S43: The registration and payment device 10 reads the age verification medium using the age verification device 200. After step S43, the registration and payment device 10 is deemed to have confirmed the age (20 years or older). In other words, after step S43, the registration and payment device 10 is deemed to have obtained either age identification information that can identify that the person is 20 years or older, or a determination result that the person is 20 years or older, from the age verification device 200. The process then proceeds to step S44.

[0107] Step S44: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 indicating that the age (20 years or older) has been confirmed by the age verification device 200. When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that the age has been confirmed by the age verification device 200, it displays "Age verification OK (Age verification device)" in the status display area HR102, for example, as shown in Figure 9. The process then proceeds to step S60 in Figure 13.

[0108] Step S50: The registration and payment device 10 notifies that it is calling a store employee. For example, the registration and payment device 10 displays the small screen SG03 (see Figure 5(B)). The process then proceeds to step S51. Step S51: The registration and payment device 10 accepts a predetermined operation from a store employee. For example, the registration and payment device 10 accepts an operation of a hidden button on the small screen SG03. The process then proceeds to step S52. Step S52: The registration and payment device 10 displays a screen to confirm the age (20 years or older). For example, the registration and payment device 10 displays the small screen SG04 (see Figure 5(C)). The process then proceeds to step S53. Step S53: The registration and payment device 10 accepts an operation by a store employee to confirm the customer's age (20 years or older). For example, the registration and payment device 10 accepts an operation of the "Yes" button BT50 on the small screen SG04. The process then proceeds to step S54.

[0109] Step S54: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 that the age (20 years or older) has been confirmed by a store employee. When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that the age has been confirmed by a store employee, it displays "Age Confirmation OK (Store Employee Called)" in the status display area HR102, for example, as shown in Figure 10. The process then proceeds to step S60 in Figure 13.

[0110] (Supplementary information for the flowchart, etc.) (1) As shown in the flowchart of Figure 11, the registration and settlement device 10 can receive remote age verification information at any time before the operation of the accounting button BT20 (regardless of whether or not products including age verification products are registered, or whether or not age verification products have been registered). If the registration and settlement device 10 has received remote age verification information before the operation of the accounting button BT20, it will not perform age verification after the operation of the accounting button BT20, regardless of whether or not age verification products have been registered (step S21 in Figure 12).

[0111] (2) As shown in the flowchart of Figure 11, the registration and settlement device 10 can accept an operation to declare the start of a store clerk operation (login operation) at any time before the operation of the payment button BT20. If the registration and settlement device 10 accepts an operation to declare the start of a store clerk operation before the operation of the payment button BT20, it will not perform age verification after the operation of the payment button BT20, regardless of whether or not an age verification product has been registered (step S22 in Figure 12).

[0112] (3) Related to (2) above, the process in step S12 of Figure 11 is omitted if there is no employee operation (actual employee operation). Therefore, the registration and settlement device 10 sets an employee operation flag (step S10) based on an operation (login) that declares the start of employee operation (step S7 (YES)) and sends information that an employee operation has been made to the transaction status management device 30 (step S11). However, if there is an operation (logout) that declares the end of employee operation (step S13 (YES)) without any employee operation (actual employee operation), the device does not perform product registration, product cancellation, various settings, etc. In other words, if an employee has logged in before the operation of the accounting button BT20 (step S7 (YES)), the registration and settlement device 10 does not perform age verification after the operation of the accounting button BT20, regardless of whether the employee has registered, canceled, or made various settings, etc. (step S22 in Figure 12).

[0113] (4) In relation to steps S42 to S44 in Figure 14, if the registration and settlement device 10 can confirm the age (20 years or older) within a predetermined time from the instruction to read the age verification medium by the age verification device 200, it may transmit information that the age has been confirmed to the transaction status management device 30. In other words, if the registration and settlement device 10 cannot confirm the age (20 years or older) within a predetermined time from the instruction to read, it may not transmit information that the age has been confirmed to the transaction status management device 30, but instead perform processing according to the situation. For example, if the registration and settlement device 10 cannot confirm the age (20 years or older) within a predetermined time for reasons such as the age verification medium not being inserted into the age verification device 200, it may instruct the reading of the age verification medium again, or instead of or in addition to such a second instruction, it may perform the process of calling a store clerk. Furthermore, if the registration and payment device 10 confirms that the customer is under 20 years old and not 20 years of age or older (i.e., if it obtains age identification information or a determination result from the age verification device 200 indicating that the customer is under 20 years old), it may display a message indicating that it cannot sell the age-verified product and may also call a store employee. The store employee called by the registration and payment device 10 will then cancel the age-verified product (cancellation process).

[0114] (5) In relation to steps S53 to S54 in Figure 14, if the registration and settlement device 10 receives an operation from the store clerk indicating that the customer is under 20 years old (i.e., the "No" button BT51 is pressed), it may not send information to the transaction status management device 30 indicating that the age has been verified by the store clerk, but instead accept the cancellation of the product for which the age has been verified by the store clerk.

[0115] (6) In the flowcharts in Figures 11 to 14, two flags (remote age verification flag and employee operation flag) are used to control whether or not age verification is required before and after operating the payment button BT20. However, it is also possible to control this using only one flag (employee intervention flag). In other words, when controlling whether or not age verification is required before and after operating the payment button BT20, it is not necessary to distinguish between employee operation and remote age verification, as both involve employee intervention.

[0116] (7) Although not shown in the flowcharts in Figures 11 to 14, information that can identify whether the intervention of a store employee was an employee operation or remote age verification (referred to as employee intervention type information) may be stored and retained. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 may transmit transaction information including information indicating whether or not a store employee was involved (referred to as employee intervention presence / absence information) and employee intervention type information to the store controller 40 (step S63). Alternatively, the registration and settlement device 10 may store history information (electronic journal information) including employee intervention presence / absence information and employee intervention type information. Furthermore, the transaction information and history information may include information that can identify the intervening store employee (e.g., employee code). Regarding remote age verification, the transaction status management device 30 only needs to transmit remote age verification information including the employee code of the store employee who operated the age OK button BT130 to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0117] As described above, the embodiments enable the effective operation of the self-checkout registration and payment device 10.

[0118] For example, the registration and settlement device 10 does not perform age verification for age-restricted products before the payment button BT20 is operated. The registration and settlement device 10 can receive remote age verification information at any time before the payment button BT20 is operated, and can also accept an operation to declare the start of a store clerk operation. If it receives remote age verification or accepts an operation to declare the start of a store clerk operation, it will not perform age verification even if an age-restricted product has been registered before the payment button BT20 is operated. In other words, the process (age verification) when purchasing age-restricted products is simplified, the convenience of the registration and settlement device 10 is improved, and the registration and settlement device 10 can be operated effectively.

[0119] (Variations, etc.) The embodiments have been described above, but the configuration of the equipment, the data configuration, the processing flow, the display and output modes, etc., can be changed as appropriate, for example, as shown in (1) to (15) below. Furthermore, (1) to (15) below can be combined as appropriate.

[0120] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the age verification medium is a driver's license or a My Number Card, but it is not limited to a driver's license or a My Number Card, as any medium that can directly or indirectly obtain age identification information is acceptable. For example, the age verification medium may be a passport, various adult identification cards (such as cards used in cigarette vending machines), etc.

[0121] (2) As also related to (1) above, the age verification medium does not have to be equipped with an IC chip. In other words, the age verification device 200 may read the information from the age verification medium electromagnetically, magnetically, or optically.

[0122] (3) Related to (1) and (2) above, multiple age verification devices 200 may be connected to the registration and settlement device 10. For example, an age verification device 200A for age verification medium A and an age verification device 200B for age verification medium B may be connected to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0123] (4) As also related to (1) to (3) above, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the registration and settlement device 10 and the age verification device 200 are separate entities, but the registration and settlement device 10 and the age verification device 200 may be an integrated unit. In other words, the registration and settlement device 10 may also incorporate the functions of the age verification device 200 (such as the function of reading age identification information from an age verification medium).

[0124] (5) In the above embodiment, an example of reading a medium (age verification medium) has been described, but information displayed on a terminal (e.g., a smartphone, a wearable device, etc.) may also be read. For example, the customer's terminal may display age-verifiable information (e.g., age identification information, information that codes the age identification information) (e.g., displayed by an app), and the registration and settlement device 10 (scanner unit 104) may read the above information, or the age verification device 200 may be equipped with a scanner unit and the age verification device 200 may read the above information. Alternatively, the customer's terminal may display information indicating the age authentication result (e.g., an age authentication result issued by an external server after accessing it via an app) (or information that codes the above information), and the registration and settlement device 10 or the age verification device 200 may read the above information.

[0125] (6) In the above embodiment, the registration and settlement device 10 has been described as displaying small screens (small screens SG01 to SG04) in front of the main screen in response to various operations, and displaying buttons and information (messages, etc.) on the small screens. However, buttons and information that will be displayed on the small screens may be displayed within the main screen (one area) before the small screens are displayed, or the screen may be switched (to the entire screen) to display buttons and information that will be displayed on the small screens.

[0126] (7) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which products registered by the customer (step S3 in Figure 11) and products registered by the store clerk (step S12 in Figure 11) are not distinguished, but they may be distinguished. For example, in step S61 in Figure 13, the registration and settlement device 10 may issue a receipt printed in a way that distinguishes between products registered by the customer and products registered by the store clerk. Alternatively, in step S63 in Figure 13, the registration and settlement device 10 may transmit transaction information that distinguishes between products registered by the customer and products registered by the store clerk to the store controller 40.

[0127] (8) In the above embodiment, regarding the staff operation, which is one of the staff interventions, an example was described in which age verification is not performed after the operation of the payment button BT20 if the staff member is logged in before the operation of the payment button BT20 (step S10 in Figure 11, step S22 in Figure 12). However, if the staff member is logged in before the operation of the payment button BT20 and the staff member performs a predetermined operation, age verification may be not performed after the operation of the payment button BT20. In other words, age verification may be performed after the operation of the payment button BT20 simply because the staff member has logged in (however, if there is remote age verification, which is another staff intervention, age verification will not be performed).

[0128] The aforementioned prescribed operation by the store clerk may also be product registration. In this case, as also related to (7) above, the presence or absence of age verification after operating the checkout button BT20 may be controlled as in any of (a) to (c) below. (a) Whether the age-verification item is registered based on the actions of the store clerk or the customer, if the store clerk has registered at least one item (whether or not it is an age-verification item), age verification will not be performed after the operation of the checkout button BT20. (b) Whether the age-verification product is registered based on the actions of the store clerk or the customer, if the store clerk has registered at least one age-verification product, age verification will not be performed after the operation of the checkout button BT20. (c) If the age verification is only performed on items registered based on the store clerk's operation, age verification will not be performed after the BT20 checkout button is pressed.

[0129] (9) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the registration and settlement device 10 displays the small screen SG04 when a hidden button on the small screen SG03 is operated. However, the registration and settlement device 10 may display the small screen SG04 based on other conditions. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 may display the small screen SG04 when a code attached to a store employee's name tag, etc., is scanned while the small screen SG03 is being displayed.

[0130] (10) In the above embodiment, when age verification by a store employee is selected as the age verification after the operation of the accounting button BT20 (when the store employee age verification button BT31 on the small screen SG01 is operated), an example was described in which the payment method selection screen is displayed based on an explicit operation by the store employee indicating that the age is OK (operation of the Yes button BT50 on the small screen SG04). However, the payment method selection screen may be displayed even without an explicit operation by the store employee indicating that the age is OK. For example, the registration settlement device 10 may display the payment method selection screen without displaying the small screen SG04 if the hidden button on the small screen SG03 is operated, or, as also related to (9) above, if a code attached to the store employee's name tag, etc., is scanned while the small screen SG03 is displayed.

[0131] (11) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the small screen SG01 is displayed in front of the registration screen when age verification is performed after the operation of the accounting button BT20 (Figure 4(B)). However, as explained earlier, age verification after the operation of the accounting button BT20 may be considered as part of the registration process or as part of the settlement process. In this case, the small screen SG01 may be displayed in front of the payment method selection screen when age verification is performed after the operation of the accounting button BT20. The same applies to other small screens that are displayed after the small screen SG01.

[0132] (12) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the payment method selection screen is displayed as the screen to be displayed when age verification is not performed after operating the accounting button BT20 (or when age verification is performed after operating the accounting button BT20 and the age verification is OK). However, the above screen does not have to be the payment method selection screen. For example, if the registration settlement device 10 is a cash-only machine, the above screen may be a cash insertion instruction screen or the like, and if the registration settlement device 10 is a credit card-only machine, the above screen may be a card reading instruction screen or the like.

[0133] (13) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the payment method is selected after the operation of the accounting button BT20, but the payment method may be selected before the operation of the accounting button BT20. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 may display a payment method selection screen (without a payment amount field) while in standby mode (or, while in standby mode, display a standby screen (not shown) and, if a predetermined operation (e.g., operation of the start button) occurs on the standby screen, display the payment method selection screen instead of the standby screen), and after a payment method is selected on the payment method selection screen, display the registration screen (initial registration screen). After that, the customer registers the products. When the accounting button BT20 is operated, the registration and settlement device 10 performs age verification or does not perform age verification depending on the situation (presence or absence of age verification products, presence or absence of store clerk intervention), and settles the payment based on the customer's operation using the payment method selected on the payment method selection screen (i.e., executes steps S61 onwards in Figure 13). This avoids situations where the desired payment method is only available towards the end.

[0134] (14) In the above embodiment, a registration and payment device 11 having multiple operating modes has been described. However, similar to the registration and payment device 10, the registration and payment device 11 may also not perform age verification at the registration stage, but rather perform age verification when proceeding from the registration process to the payment process, depending on whether an age verification product was registered at the registration stage or whether there was staff intervention (staff operation, remote age verification) at the registration stage. When the registration and payment device 11 is operating in full self mode, it accepts remote age verification, similar to the registration and payment device 10. Also, when the registration and payment device 11 is operating in full self mode, it may accept staff operation not only on the customer display unit used by the customer but also on the staff display unit on the opposite side. When the registration and payment device 11 is operating in face-to-face mode, it may accept staff operation not only on the staff display unit used by the staff but also on the customer display unit on the opposite side. Also, when the registration and payment device 11 is operating in face-to-face mode, it may not accept remote age verification because a staff member is present.

[0135] (15) Some or all of the functions (input / output, storage, processing (including judgment)) in each device (registration and settlement device 10, registration and settlement device 11, transaction status management device 30, etc.) may be implemented in other devices different from the device described as the entity that executes the function. For example, each device may function as a so-called thin client specializing in input / output interfaces, etc. As an example, a cloud server may execute a program to control the operation of each device, and each device may display a screen, etc., using a browsing function.

[0136] <Summary of Embodiments> [Technical field] This invention relates to a product information processing device, a product information processing system, and a program. [Background technology] Self-checkout systems, where customers operate the system themselves to register and pay for their items, are well known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-069574 [Overview of the prefecture] [Problems the invention aims to solve] However, there is room for improvement in the operation of self-checkout systems, for example, in terms of convenience. This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a technology for the effective operation of self-checkout systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0137] (1) One embodiment for solving the above-mentioned problems is a product information processing device (e.g., registration and settlement device 10, registration and settlement device 11) that allows a customer to register and settle products by operating it, comprising: a registration means for registering products; a reception means for receiving a registration completion instruction (e.g., a checkout button BT20) to complete the registration of products by the registration means; and an age verification means capable of executing an age verification process (e.g., the process shown in the flowchart of Figure 14) to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion instruction if an age verification product requiring age verification has been registered up to the time the registration completion instruction has been received, wherein the product information processing device executes different controls for the age verification process depending on whether there was staff intervention (e.g., "staff operation" or "remote age verification") up to the time the registration completion instruction was received or whether there was no staff intervention up to the time the registration completion instruction was received.

[0138] According to (1), the product information processing device can be operated effectively. For example, the process for purchasing age-verified products (age verification) is simplified, the convenience of the product information processing device is improved, and the product information processing device can be operated effectively.

[0139] (2) The age verification means is the product information processing device described in (1) that is capable of performing the age verification process using a medium capable of verifying age (for example, a driver's license).

[0140] According to (2), the product information processing device can be operated effectively. For example, age can be verified more reliably.

[0141] (3) The intervention of the store clerk is the registration of the age-verification product by the store clerk (one form of "store clerk operation"; see step S12 in Figure 11), and the age verification means is a product information processing device of (1) or (2) that does not execute the age verification process if the store clerk registers the age-verification product even if the age-verification product has been registered up to the time the instruction to complete registration is received, and does not execute the age verification process if the age-verification product has been registered up to the time the instruction to complete registration is received and the store clerk has not registered the age-verification product.

[0142] According to (3), the product information processing device can be operated effectively. For example, age can be verified more reliably.

[0143] (4) The intervention of the store clerk is an age verification operation performed by the store clerk on another device (remote age verification; see step S5 in Figure 11), and the age verification means is a product information processing device of (1) or (2) that does not perform the age verification process if the store clerk performs the age verification operation on another device even if the age verification product has been registered up to the time the registration completion instruction is received, and does not perform the age verification process if the age verification product has been registered up to the time the registration completion instruction is received and the store clerk has not performed the age verification operation on another device.

[0144] According to (4), the product information processing device can be operated effectively. For example, age can be verified more reliably.

[0145] (5) A product information processing system that allows a customer to register and pay for products, comprising: a registration means for registering products; a reception means for receiving a registration completion instruction to complete the registration of products by the registration means; and, if an age-verification product requiring age verification is registered before the reception means receives the registration completion instruction, an age verification means capable of performing an age verification process to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion instruction, wherein, if an age-verification product is registered before the registration completion instruction is received, the system performs different controls for the age verification process depending on whether a store employee was involved before the registration completion instruction was received or whether a store employee was not involved before the registration completion instruction was received.

[0146] According to (5), the product information processing device can be operated effectively.

[0147] (6) A program that causes a computer to function as a product information processing device that allows a customer to register and pay for products, wherein the computer functions as a registration means for registering products, a receiving means for receiving a registration completion instruction to complete the registration of products by the registration means, and, if an age-verification product requiring age verification is registered before the receiving means receives the registration completion instruction, an age verification means capable of performing an age verification process to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion instruction, and, if an age-verification product is registered before the receiving means receives the registration completion instruction, the program performs different controls on the age verification process depending on whether a store employee was involved before the receiving instruction and whether a store employee was involved before the receiving instruction.

[0148] According to (6), the product information processing device can be operated effectively.

[0149] Furthermore, the processing of each of the above-described devices (registration and settlement device 10, registration and settlement device 11, transaction status management device 30, headquarters server 50, age verification device 200, etc.) may be performed by recording the program for realizing the functions of each device on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. Here, "loading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Also, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Also, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may also be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the recording medium includes internal or external recording media that can be accessed from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in an executable format on the terminal device. In other words, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in an executable format on the terminal device, the format in which it is stored on the distribution server is irrelevant. Furthermore, the program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times and then combined on the terminal device, and each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" includes volatile memory (RAM) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when a program is transmitted over a network, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Moreover, the above program may be intended to implement only a part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system, such as so-called differential files (differential programs). [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 10...Registration and settlement device, 11...Registration and settlement device, 30...Transaction status management device, 40...Store controller, 50...Head office server, 200...Age verification device

Claims

1. A product information processing device that allows customers to register and pay for products, The registration method for registering products, A means of receiving customer operations, If an age-verification product requiring age verification is registered before the registration completion operation is received to complete the registration of the product by the registration means, an age verification means capable of performing an age verification process to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion operation, means of display and Equipped with, The aforementioned age verification means is, If the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received and there is no intervention from a store employee before the registration completion operation is received, the age verification process will be performed. If the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received and there is intervention from a store employee before the registration completion operation is received, the age verification process will not be performed. The aforementioned display means is If the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received, and there has been no intervention by a store employee before the registration completion operation is received, a selection screen will be displayed that accepts either a first operation declaring that the customer will perform the age verification process or a second operation declaring that a store employee will perform the age verification process. Upon receiving the first operation, a first instruction screen is displayed instructing the customer to perform the age verification process. Upon receiving the second operation, a second instruction screen is displayed instructing the customer to wait until a store employee arrives. Product information processing device.

2. The receiving means is While the first instruction screen is displayed, the system accepts customer input to transition to other screens, but while the second instruction screen is displayed, it does not accept customer input. Product information processing device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned intervention by the store clerk is the registration of the age verification product by the store clerk. The aforementioned age verification means is, Even if the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received, if a store employee registers the age verification product, the age verification process will not be performed. If the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is performed, and the store clerk does not register the age verification product, the age verification process will be executed. Product information processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned intervention by the store clerk is the store clerk's age verification operation on another device. The aforementioned age verification means is, Even if the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received, if the store clerk performs the age verification operation on another device, the age verification process will not be performed. If the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received, and the store clerk does not perform the age verification operation on another device, the age verification process will be executed. Product information processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. A program that enables a computer to function as a product information processing device, allowing customers to register and pay for products. The aforementioned computer, A means of registering products, A means of receiving customer requests. If an age-verification product requiring age verification is registered before the registration completion operation is received to complete the registration of the product by the registration means, an age verification means capable of performing an age verification process to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion operation, Display means To make it function as, The aforementioned age verification means is, If the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received and there is no intervention from a store employee before the registration completion operation is received, the age verification process will be performed. If the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received and there is intervention from a store employee before the registration completion operation is received, the age verification process will not be performed. The aforementioned display means is If the age verification product is registered before the registration completion operation is received, and there has been no intervention by a store employee before the registration completion operation is received, a selection screen will be displayed that accepts either a first operation declaring that the customer will perform the age verification process or a second operation declaring that a store employee will perform the age verification process. Upon receiving the first operation, a first instruction screen is displayed instructing the customer to perform the age verification process. Upon receiving the second operation, a second instruction screen is displayed instructing the customer to wait until a store employee arrives. program.

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