JP2020102122A - Checkout system, registration device and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a system allowing a clerk to accurately perform an explanation related to a sales promotion receipt to a customer.SOLUTION: A checkout system includes a registration device and a settlement device. The registration device includes registration means, output means, first determination means, first issuing means and notification means. The settlement device includes settlement means, second determination means and second issuing means. The output means outputs settlement data for settling a transaction registered by the registration means. The first determination means determines whether an issuing condition related to the settlement based on the settlement data is established. The first issuing means issues a sales promotion receipt when the issuing condition is established. The notification means notifies the settlement device for performing the settlement based on the settlement data of the fact that the sales promotion receipt has been issued, regardless of whether or not the sales promotion receipt is issued. The settlement means performs settlement in consideration of the settlement data. The second determination means determines whether the issuing condition is established for the settlement, and issues the sales promotion receipt when the notification is not made and the issuing condition is established.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a checkout system, a registration device, and an information processing program.

A semi-self-type checkout system is known in which transaction contents are registered by a registration device according to an operation by a store clerk, and payment of the transaction price is performed by a payment device according to an operation by a customer.
On the other hand, the checkout system issues a sales promotion receipt when a predetermined issuance condition is satisfied. When issuing such promotional receipts using the above-mentioned semi-self type checkout system, depending on the setting of the issuing conditions, whether the issuing conditions are satisfied or not depends on the settlement device. It can be fixed. Therefore, the sales receipt is issued by the payment device.

Therefore, the clerk who operates the registration device cannot know whether the sales receipt has been issued on the payment device, and even if the clerk needs to explain the sales receipt to the customer. It was not possible to properly deal with such sales staff.
Under such circumstances, it has been desired that the salesclerk can properly handle the sales receipt.

JP, 2017-62733, A

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a checkout system, a registration device, and an information processing program capable of accurately dealing with a salesclerk regarding a sales receipt.

The checkout system of the embodiment includes a registration device including a registration unit, an output unit, a first determination unit, a second determination unit, a first issuing unit and a notification unit, a settlement unit, a third determination unit, and And a settlement device having a second issuing means. The registration means registers the transaction. The output means outputs payment data for making a payment by the payment device for the transaction registered by the registration means. The first determination means determines whether or not a predetermined issuing condition is satisfied for payment based on the payment data. The second determination unit determines that the sales receipt to be issued is of the first type according to the issuance condition determined to be satisfied by the first determination unit. The first issuing means issues a sales receipt to be issued according to the issuing condition determined to be established when the second determining means determines that the type is the first type. The notification means has already issued a sales promotion receipt to the payment device that performs payment based on the payment data output by the output means when the second determination means determines that the type is the second type. To notify. The payment means performs payment in consideration of the payment data output by the output means. The third determination means determines whether or not the issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment performed by the payment means. The second issuing means has not been notified by the notifying means, and in response to the issuance condition being determined by the third determining means, the issuance condition determined to be satisfied by the third determining means. Issue a promotional receipt that should be issued according to

The perspective view showing the schematic structure of the checkout system concerning one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of a registration device and a payment device in FIG. 1 and a schematic configuration of a POS system constructed by incorporating the checkout system shown in FIG. 1. The figure which shows the structure of the data record contained in a management database typically. 3 is a flowchart of information processing regarding maintenance processing of a processor provided in the registration device in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart of information processing regarding registration processing of a processor provided in the registration device in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor provided in the payment device in FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a checkout system 10 according to this embodiment.
The checkout system 10 includes at least one registration device 1 and at least one payment device 2. FIG. 1 shows a checkout system 10 that includes two registration devices 1 and four payment devices 2, and one registration device 1 is associated with two payment devices. The number of registration devices 1 and payment devices 2 included in the checkout system 10 is arbitrary, and the ratio of the number of registration devices 1 to the payment devices 2 is also arbitrary.

The registration device 1 is operated by a store clerk 21 who plays a role called a checker. The operator of the settlement apparatus 2 is the customer 22 who is a settlement person who settles the price related to the transaction at the store. However, a part of the operation of the registration device 1 may be performed by the customer 22. In addition, the payment apparatus 2 may be operated by the clerk 21.

The registration device 1 is attached to the work table 3 in FIG. By arranging the plurality of work tables 3, a plurality of checkout lanes are formed. Two payment devices 2 associated with the registration device 1 attached to the work table 3 are arranged near one end of the work table 3 in the state shown in FIG. 1 as an example. Thus, one registration device 1 and two payment devices 2 are installed in one checkout lane.

The registration device 1 performs a registration process for registering, as a purchased product, a product that the customer 22 who has entered the aisle wants to purchase. Further, in the registration process, the registration device 1 transmits the payment data for paying the price of the registered purchased product so that the payment data is processed by any of the payment devices 2 provided in the same checkout lane.

When the payment device 2 receives the payment data transmitted from the registration device 1, the payment device 2 performs a payment process to settle the price of the transaction based on the payment data. The plurality of payment devices 2 may be devices that have the same configuration and perform similar payment processing. The payment device 2 may also perform a process of calculating the amount of money to be paid by the payment process. The settlement apparatus 2 having such a calculation processing function is also referred to as an accounting apparatus or an accounting machine. However, the calculation process may be performed by the registration device 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of the registration device 1 and the payment device 2 and a schematic configuration of a POS system 100 built by incorporating the checkout system 10. Note that FIG. 2 shows only one registration device 1 and two payment devices 2 associated with this registration device 1. In addition, FIG. 2 shows one circuit configuration of the two payment devices 2.

The registration device 1 and the payment device 2 are both connected to a LAN (local area network) 4. Instead of the LAN 4, another communication network such as the Internet can be used. The shop server 20 is connected to the LAN 4. The store server 20 can communicate with the headquarters server 40 via the communication network 30.

The store server 20 is an information processing device for managing sales data regarding the store in which the checkout system 10 is installed. The store server 20 is installed, for example, in the backyard of the above store. As the communication network 30, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a LAN (local area network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like can be used alone or in an appropriate combination. The headquarters server 40 is an information processing device for managing sales data relating to a plurality of stores including the store in which the checkout system 10 is installed. The headquarters server 40 is installed in, for example, the headquarters that controls the above-mentioned plurality of stores.

The registration device 1 includes a processor 1a, a main memory 1b, an auxiliary storage unit 1c, a scanner 1d, a keyboard 1e, a touch panel 1f, a sub display 1g, a customer display 1h, a printer 1i, a communication unit 1j, and a transmission line 1k.

In the registration device 1, the processor 1a, the main memory 1b, and the auxiliary storage unit 1c are connected by a transmission path 1k, thereby forming a computer that performs information processing for controlling the registration device 1.

The processor 1a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 1a executes information processing according to various information processing programs such as an operating system, firmware, and application programs to control each unit so as to realize various functions as the registration device 1.

The main memory 1b corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The main memory 1b includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 1b stores the above information processing program in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 1b may also store data necessary for the processor 1a to execute processing for controlling each unit in a nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 1b uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 1a.

The auxiliary storage unit 1c corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 1c, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disc drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or other well-known various storage devices can be used. The auxiliary storage unit 1c stores data used by the processor 1a for performing various processes and data generated by the process of the processor 1a. The auxiliary storage unit 1c may also store the above information processing program.

The information processing program stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c includes an information processing program described regarding information processing described later. The registration device 1 is generally transferred in a state in which the above information processing program is stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c. However, the hardware of the registration device 1 is in a state where the above information processing program is not stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c, or another information processing program is stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c. May be transferred at. In this case, an information processing program described regarding information processing described later is recorded on a removable recording medium or transferred via a network, and written in the auxiliary storage unit 1c under the instruction of the maintenance worker, for example. .. A magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used as the removable recording medium.

The scanner 1d captures an image of a product through a scanner window with a built-in camera, and then identifies an optically readable code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code displayed on the product by image processing. Then, the scanner 1d outputs the data represented by the identified code symbol to the processor 1a. The scanner 1d can also use another type of well-known device that identifies a code symbol by using the reflection of laser light. The scanner 1d may have a function of identifying a product by using an object recognition technique based on the characteristics of the image of the product itself. In addition to the scanner 1d, another scanner such as a handy type scanner may be provided. Further, the other scanner may be provided and the scanner 1d may not be provided.

The keyboard 1e includes a numeric keypad and a plurality of function keys. The keyboard 1e receives various instructions from the operator through key operations.
The touch panel 1f includes a display device and a touch sensor, respectively. The display device displays an arbitrary screen such as a GUI (graphical user interface) screen under the control of the processor 1a. A well-known device such as a color LCD (liquid crystal display) can be used as the display device. The touch sensor is arranged so as to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device, and sends the position information to the processor 1a. A known device can be used as the touch sensor. The operation surface of the touch panel 1f is directed to the place where the store clerk 21 who operates the registration device 1 should be located.

The sub-display 1g displays an arbitrary screen such as a monitoring screen for allowing the clerk 21 to monitor the state of the payment device 2 under the control of the processor 1a. A well-known display device such as a color LCD can be used as the sub-display 1g. The display surface of the sub-display 1g is directed to the place where the clerk 21 who operates the registration device 1 should be located. A touch panel may be used for the sub display 1g.

The customer-side display 1h is directed to the place where the customer 22 waiting for the completion of the product registration process should be located. Then, the customer-side display 1h displays an arbitrary screen for notifying the customer 22 of arbitrary information under the control of the processor 1a. The screen displayed on the customer-side display 1h is, for example, a screen showing a registration result or a screen showing sales promotion information. A well-known device such as a color LCD (liquid crystal display) can be used as the customer-side display 1h. A touch panel may be used for the customer-side display 1h.

The printer 1i is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues various receipts by printing various character strings and images on receipt paper. The receipts issued by the printer 1i include transaction receipts and sales receipts, which will be described later.

The communication unit 1j performs communication via the LAN 4.
The transmission path 1k transmits data exchanged between the connected parts. The transmission line 1k may have a well-known configuration including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits that connect these buses to each unit.

The data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 1c includes a management database for managing sales receipts.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the data record DR1 included in the management database.
The management database is a set of data records DR1 having the structure shown in FIG. One data record DR1 is associated with one sales receipt. The data record DR1 includes fields F1, F2, F3 and F4.

A promotion code for identifying a sales receipt associated with the data record DR1 is set in the field F1. In the field F2, conditions for issuing a sales receipt associated with the data record DR1 are set. The type of sales receipt associated with the data record DR1 is set in the field F3. In the present embodiment, the types of sales receipts are the first type and the second type. Then, the sales receipt belonging to the first type is a sales receipt to be issued by the registration device 1, and the sales receipt belonging to the second type is a sales receipt to be issued by the settlement device 2. In the field F4, the file path of the definition file that defines the form of the sales receipt associated with the data record DR1 is set.

The payment device 2 includes a processor 2a, a main memory 2b, an auxiliary storage unit 2c, an automatic change dispenser 2d, a touch panel 2e, a printer 2f, a reader/writer 2g, a camera 2h, a communication unit 2i, and a transmission line 2j.

In the payment apparatus 2, the processor 2a, the main memory 2b, and the auxiliary storage unit 2c are connected by a transmission line 2j, thereby forming a computer that performs information processing for controlling the payment apparatus 2.

The processor 2a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 2a executes information processing according to various information processing programs such as an operating system, firmware, and application programs, and controls each unit so as to realize various functions as the payment apparatus 2.

The main memory 2b corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The main memory 2b includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 2b stores the above information processing program in a non-volatile memory area. Further, the main memory 2b may store data necessary for the processor 2a to execute processing for controlling each unit in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 2b uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 2a.

The auxiliary storage unit 2c corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 1c can use, for example, an EEPROM, an HDD, an SSD, or other various known storage devices. The auxiliary storage unit 2c stores data used by the processor 2a for performing various processes and data generated by the process of the processor 2a. The auxiliary storage unit 2c may store the above information processing program.

The automatic change dispenser 2d receives coins and banknotes to be inserted. Further, the automatic change dispenser 2d ejects coins and bills as change.
The touch panel 2e includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen under the control of the processor 2a. A well-known device such as a color LCD can be used as the display device. The touch sensor is arranged so as to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the processor 2a. A known device can be used as the touch sensor.

The printer 2f is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues various receipts by printing various character strings and images on receipt paper. The receipts issued by the printer 2f include transaction receipts and sales receipts, which will be described later.

The reader/writer 2g reads data recorded on a recording medium such as a card or an IC chip. The reader/writer 2g writes data to the recording medium. The card may include a payment card such as a credit card, a debit card, an electronic money card, and a prepaid card, as well as various cards such as a members card and a point card that record information related to payment processing. The IC chip may be provided in an information terminal such as a smartphone in addition to the above various cards. The reader/writer 2g may be a magnetic type device, a contact type device, or a non-contact type device, and may include a plurality of types of devices.

The camera 2h takes a bird's-eye view of a range including the operation surface of the settlement apparatus 2 and its periphery. That is, the camera 2h captures the operation of the payment device 2. Note that the camera 2h can use an existing shooting device such as a shooting device for shooting a moving image or a shooting device for intermittently shooting a still image.

The communication unit 2i performs communication via the LAN 4.
The transmission path 2j transmits the data exchanged between the connected parts. The transmission path 2j may have a well-known configuration including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits that connect these buses to each unit.

Next, the operation of the checkout system 10 configured as above will be described. The contents of various processes described below are examples, and it is possible to appropriately change the order of some processes, omit some processes, or add other processes.

When the operation mode of the registration device 1 is set to the maintenance mode of the management database, the processor 1a executes the information processing described below according to the information processing program stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of information processing regarding maintenance processing of the processor 1a.
As Act1, the processor 1a inputs the sales promotion code. The processor 1a includes, for example, a user interface for inputting a sales promotion code, and causes the touch panel 1f to display a screen prompting the operator to input the sales promotion code to be maintained. The operator of the registration device 1 in the state where the operation mode is set to the maintenance mode of the management database is, for example, the administrator of the registration device 1. Then, the processor 1a inputs the sales promotion code designated by the operation by the operator on the above-mentioned user interface as the sales promotion code to be maintained. The processor 1a stores the input sales promotion code in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c.

As Act2, the processor 1a displays a confirmation screen on the touch panel 1f. The confirmation screen is a screen that allows the operator to confirm the conditions for issuing a sales promotion receipt identified by the sales promotion code input in Act1 and the current setting status of the device that issues the sales promotion receipt. The confirmation screen is a screen including a user interface for editing the issuing conditions, designating the issuing device, and for confirming. The processor 1a extracts, for example, the data record DR1 in which the sales promotion code input in Act1 is set in the field F1 from the management database. Then, if the processor 1a can extract the corresponding data record DR1, the processor 1a confirms the screen showing the issuing condition set in the field F2 of the data record DR1 and the issuing device according to the type set in the field F3. The screen. If the data record DR1 cannot be extracted, the processor 1a sets a screen indicating that the issuing condition and the issuing device are not set as a confirmation screen.

As Act3, the processor 1a confirms whether or not the issuing condition is designated. If the corresponding designation is not made, the processor 1a determines No, and proceeds to Act4.
As Act4, the processor 1a confirms whether or not the issuing device is designated. If the corresponding designation is not made, the processor 1a determines No, and proceeds to Act5.
As Act 5, the processor 1a confirms whether or not an instruction to confirm the setting has been issued. Then, the processor 1a determines No if the corresponding instruction has not been given, and returns to Act3.
Thus, the processor 1a waits for the issuing conditions or issuing devices to be designated or to be confirmed as Act3 to Act5.

The operator confirms the current issuance conditions on the confirmation screen, and if he or she wants to change the issuance conditions, the operator edits the issuance conditions through the user interface on the confirmation screen. Then, the processor 1a determines that the issuance condition is designated, determines Yes in Act3, and proceeds to Act6.
As Act6, the processor 1a temporarily stores the edited issuing conditions in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c. After that, the processor 1a proceeds to Act8.

When the operator confirms the current issuing device on the confirmation screen and wants to change the issuing device, the operator specifies a new issuing device through the user interface on the confirmation screen. Then, the processor 1a determines Yes in Act4, and proceeds to Act7.
As Act 7, the processor 1a temporarily stores the type according to the designated issuing device in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c. That is, the processor 1a temporarily stores, for example, the "first type" when the registration device 1 is designated as the issuing device and the "second type" when the settlement device 2 is designated as the issuing device. To do. After that, the processor 1a proceeds to Act8.

As Act8, the processor 1a updates the confirmation screen to indicate the issuing condition or issuing device designated as described above. Then, the processor 1a thereafter returns to the standby state of Act3 to Act5.

When the operator finishes designating the issuing conditions and the issuing device, the operator instructs the confirmation by the user interface on the confirmation screen. Then, the processor 1a determines Yes in Act 5, and proceeds to Act 9.
As ACT9, the processor 1a confirms whether or not the data record DR1 in which the sales promotion code input in ACT1 is set in the field F1 is already included in the management database. Then, the processor 1a determines Yes if the corresponding data record DR1 is present, and proceeds to Act10.
As Act10, the processor 1a updates the data record DR1 in which the sales promotion code input in Act1 is set in the field F1. If the issuance condition is temporarily stored in Act 6, for example, the processor 1a rewrites the field F2 of the data record DR1 with the temporarily stored issuance condition. For example, if the type is temporarily stored in Act7, the processor 1a rewrites the field F3 of the data record DR1 with the temporarily stored type. Then, the processor 1a thereafter repeats the processing after Act1 in the same manner as described above.
On the other hand, when the data record DR1 in which the sales promotion code input in Act1 is set in the field F1 is not included in the management database, the processor 1a determines No in Act9, and proceeds to Act11.
As Act 11, the processor 1a adds a new data record DR1 to the management database. That is, the processor 1a sets the sales promotion code input in Act1 in the field F1 of the new data record DR1. The processor 1a sets the issuance condition temporarily stored in Act6 in the field F2 of the new data record DR1. The processor 1a sets the type temporarily stored in Act7 in the field F3 of the new data record DR1. Further, the processor 1a allows the operator to specify the file path and sets the file path in the field F4 of the new data record DR1. Then, the processor 1a thereafter repeats the processing after Act1 in the same manner as described above.
As described above, the processor 1a updates the management database indicating which of the first type and the second type is associated with each of the plurality of sales receipts in accordance with an instruction from the operator. Thus, the processor 1a executes the information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 1a as the central portion functions as an updating unit.

When the operation mode of the registration device 1 is set to the mode for executing the registration process, the processor 1a executes the information processing described below according to the information processing program stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of information processing regarding the registration processing of the processor 1a. Note that FIG. 5 mainly shows the characteristic operation of this embodiment, and a part of the operation related to the registration processing is omitted.

As Act 21, the processor 1a performs a preparation process such as initialization or deletion of data such as a product table that is temporarily used in information processing regarding one transaction. The product table is a data table showing a list of purchased products that are the targets of one transaction, and is stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c.

As Act 22, the processor 1a confirms whether or not a member code for identifying a member of the point service has been input. Then, the processor 1a determines No when the member code is not input, and proceeds to Act23.
As Act 23, the processor 1a confirms whether or not an instruction to change the list of purchased products has been issued. Then, the processor 1a determines No if the corresponding instruction has not been given, and proceeds to Act24.
As Act 24, the processor 1a confirms whether or not a payment data transfer instruction has been issued. Then, the processor 1a determines No if the corresponding instruction has not been given, and returns to Act22.
Thus, the processor 1a waits for the member code to be input or the change or transfer to be instructed as Act22 to Act24.

The customer 22 picks up the product to be purchased from the sales floor, takes it to the checkout corner, and hands it over to the store clerk 21 who operates the registration device 1. When the customer 22 is a member of the point service and wishes to use the point service, the customer 22 notifies the clerk 21 to that effect. In response to this declaration, the clerk 21 inputs a member code for identifying the member. For example, the store clerk 21 holds the barcode representing the member code over the scanner 1d. Then, the scanner 1d scans the barcode and outputs the member code represented by the barcode. The membership code may be input using any of various other well-known methods. Further, a part of the operation for inputting the membership code may be performed by the customer 22. If the membership code is thus input, the processor 1a determines Yes in Act 22, and proceeds to Act 25.

As Act 25, the processor 1a saves the entered membership code in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c. Then, the processor 1a thereafter returns to the standby state of Act22 to Act24. When the membership code is repeatedly input, the processor 1a re-executes ACT25 and overwrites the already saved membership code with the newly entered membership code. Note that the processor 1a may not determine Yes in Act 22 after performing Act 25 once.

The store clerk 21 performs a registration operation for instructing to register each product delivered from the customer 22 as described above as a purchased product. The registration operation is, for example, an operation of causing the scanner 1d to read the bar code displayed on the product, or an operation of touching the touch panel 1f to specify the product. Alternatively, the store clerk 21 performs a delete operation for instructing to exclude the registered product from the purchased products. Then, the processor 1a receives such a registration operation or a deletion operation as a change instruction, determines Yes in Act 23, and proceeds to Act 26.

As Act 26, the processor 1a updates the hand goods table according to the change instruction. For example, if a registration operation is performed, the processor 1a updates the product table so that the product specified by the registration operation is represented as a purchased product. Further, for example, when a delete operation is performed, the processor 1a updates the product table so that the product specified by the delete operation is excluded from the purchased products. Then, the processor 1a thereafter returns to the standby state of Act22 to Act24.

The store clerk 21 repeats the change instruction so that the product table represents the list of products that the customer 22 is about to purchase. In response to this, the processor 1a repeats Act26, and updates the product table in accordance with the instruction. Thus, the processor 1a executes information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 1a as a central part functions as a registration unit.

When the product table is in a state of displaying a list of all products that the customer 22 intends to purchase, the store clerk 21 predetermines, for example, touches the transfer button displayed in the display screen on the touch panel 1f. The transfer instruction is performed by the operation thus performed. Then, the processor 1a determines Yes in Act 24, and proceeds to Act 27.

As Act 27, the processor 1a generates payment data. The payment data is data for the payment device 2 to settle the transaction of the product shown in the product table. For example, the processor 1a includes a transaction number, a registration machine code, an operator code, and a product list in the payment data. Further, if the member code is stored in Act 25, the processor 1a includes the member code in the payment data. In addition to these pieces of information, the processor 1a may include information such as the payment amount in the payment data. Further, the processor 1a does not have to include some of the above information, such as the operator code, in the payment data. The processor 1a stores the payment data in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c.

The transaction number is a number that allows each transaction to be distinguished. The registered machine code is a predetermined identifier for identifying each of the registered devices 1. The operator code is an identifier for identifying the store clerk 21 who is operating the registration device 1. The product list is a list of products shown in the product table.

As Act 28, the processor 1a confirms whether or not the point service is applied to the transaction being processed. For example, the processor 1a confirms in Act25 whether or not the member code is stored. If the member code is stored, the processor 1a determines Yes and proceeds to Act29.
As Act29, the processor 1a determines a prospective point. For example, the processor 1a sets the points expected to be given when the settlement apparatus 2 performs settlement based on the settlement data generated in Act 27 as prospective points. In the payment device 2, the points to be given are determined according to a predetermined rule, taking into consideration various factors such as the payment amount, whether or not the purchased product includes a specific product, and the payment method to be applied. Thus, for example, if a rule that changes the award points according to the applied payment method is applied, the prospective points may be different from the award points in the payment device 2. Note that the processor 1a is set to have a predetermined setting for an undetermined factor for determining the prospective point. For example, cash payment is applied as a payment method. In addition, the above-mentioned rule and the setting regarding the undetermined factor may be arbitrarily set by, for example, a person in charge of the store.

As Act 30, the processor 1a confirms whether or not the sales receipt issuance condition is satisfied by the possessed points after adding the expected points. Judgment as to whether or not the issuance conditions are met includes not only comparison of holding points and issuance conditions, but also judgment of other factors such as whether the purchased product contains a specific product. Good. Then, the processor 1a determines Yes if any one of the issuing conditions is satisfied, and proceeds to Act31. That is, the processor 1a determines whether or not a predetermined issuing condition is satisfied. Thus, the processor 1a executes the information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 1a as the central portion functions as the first determining unit.
As Act31, the processor 1a confirms whether or not the data record DR1 in which the established issuing condition is set in the field F2 includes the data record DR1 in which the first type is set in the field F3. Then, if the corresponding data record DR1 exists, the processor 1a determines Yes, and proceeds to Act32.

As Act32, the processor 1a issues a sales receipt. The processor 1a extracts, for example, the data record DR1 in which the established issuing condition is set in the field F2 and the first type is set in the field F3 from the management database. Here, when the corresponding data record DR1 is extracted, the sales receipt to be issued according to the established issuing condition is the first type. In other words, the processor 1a determines that the sales receipt to be issued is the first type according to the established issuance condition. Thus, the processor 1a executes the information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 1a as the central portion functions as the second determining unit. The processor 1a generates image data representing the image of the sales receipt in the form defined by the definition file specified by the file path set in the field F4 of the extracted data record DR1. Then, the processor 1a sends the image data to the printer 1i and causes the image represented by the image data to be printed on the receipt paper. That is, the computer centered on the processor 1a realizes the function as the first issuing unit by cooperating with the printer 1i. When the processor 1a executes information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 1a as a central portion functions as a control unit that controls the printer 1i so as to realize the function as the first issuing unit. If the processor 1a can extract the plurality of data records DR1, the processor 1a issues a sales receipt corresponding to each of the plurality of data records DR1.

In addition to the normal transaction receipt that shows the contents of the transaction and the settlement result, various types of vouchers such as coupons or various notifications or advertisements are issued using the receipt paper as the medium. It is a printed matter. The contents of the definition file that defines the form of the image of the sales receipt is arbitrarily determined by, for example, the person in charge of the store.

When the processor 1a finishes issuing the sales promotion receipt, the processor 1a proceeds to Act 33.
As Act 33, the processor 1 a adds the issued data to the payment data generated in Act 27. The issued data includes at least the sales promotion code of the sales promotion receipt issued in Act32. That is, the processor 1a generates issued data as data including the sales promotion code set in the field F1 of the data record DR1 extracted in Act32 and adds it to the payment data.

After this, the processor 1a proceeds to Act34. If the processor 1a determines No in Act28 because the member code is not stored in Act25, the processor 1a passes Act29 to Act33 and proceeds to Act34. In addition, if none of the issuance conditions is satisfied due to the prospective points and the determination is No in Act 30, the processor 1 a passes Act 31 to Act 33 and proceeds to Act 34. Further, if the issuing condition is satisfied, but the satisfied issuing condition is set in the field F2, the processor 1a sets the second type in the field F3 for all the data records DR1. It is determined No in Act 31. Then, in this case, the processor 1a passes through Act32 and Act33 and proceeds to Act34. That is, in none of these cases, the processor 1a issues a sales promotion receipt and does not add issued data.

As Act 34, the processor 1a sends the payment data from the communication unit 1j to the LAN 4 to one of the associated two payment devices 2. It should be noted that the processor 1a follows a predetermined rule as to which of the two payment devices 2 is to be the payment device. The rule may be arbitrarily set by, for example, the designer of the registration device 1. As an example of the rule, the settlement apparatus 2 capable of starting a new settlement process is set as the destination. As an example of the rule, a specific payment device 2 which is predetermined as one of the two payment devices is always set as the destination. As an example of the rule, one payment device 2 randomly selected from the two payment devices 2 is set as the destination. As an example of the rule, one settlement device 2 designated by the operator operating the registration device 1 is set as the destination. Such transmission of payment data is an example of outputting payment data. Thus, the processor 1a executes information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 1a as a central portion functions as an output unit.
When this payment data is transmitted to the payment device 2 which is the destination via the LAN 4, the payment data is received by the communication unit 2i provided in the payment device 2. Accordingly, when the settlement data includes the issued data, the settlement device 2 is notified of the sales receipt that has been issued because it is the first type. Thus, the processor 1a executes the information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 1a as the central portion functions as the notification means.

When the payment device 2 is operating in the operation mode for executing the payment process based on the payment data sent from the registration device 1, the processor 2a executes the following process according to the information processing program stored in the main memory 2b or the auxiliary storage unit 2c. Information processing as described is executed.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of information processing of the processor 2a. Note that FIG. 6 mainly shows the characteristic operation of this embodiment, and a part of the processing is omitted in the drawing.

As Act 41, the processor 2a waits for payment data to arrive. Then, the processor 2a determines Yes when the payment data is received by the communication unit 2i as described above, and proceeds to Act 42.
When the rule for the processor 1a of the registration device 1 to determine the payment device 2 as the destination of the payment data is a rule irrelevant to whether the payment device 2 is ready to start a new payment process, After the processor 1a proceeds to Act 42 in the information processing shown in FIG. 6, the settlement data may arrive before returning to the standby state of Act 41 as described later. Therefore, the processor 1a waits for payment data to arrive as another information processing while executing Act 42 and subsequent steps in the process shown in FIG. Then, when new payment data is received by the communication unit 2i, the payment data is transferred to another predetermined payment device 2 or returned to the registration device 1.

As Act 42, the processor 2a waits for designation of a payment method. At this time, the processor 2a causes the touch panel 2e to display a selection screen for allowing the operator to select a payment method, for example. As the payment method, various payment methods using cash, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, electronic money, points, cash vouchers, etc. can be appropriately used. If the payment method is designated, the processor 2a determines Yes, and proceeds to Act 43.

Note that the processor 2a may change the standby of Act 42 to the standby of a payment method designation or a change instruction. Then, in this case, if the operator performs a predetermined operation for instructing to change the transaction content, the processor 2a changes the purchase item according to the instruction, and the item list included in the payment data. After editing, return to the above standby state.

As Act 43, the processor 2a performs a payment process for payment by the specified payment method. Since well-known processing can be directly applied to this settlement processing, its illustration and detailed description are omitted. Thus, the processor 2a executes information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 2a as a central part functions as a settlement means.

As Act 44, the processor 2a confirms whether or not the point service is applied. For example, if the payment data includes the membership code, the processor 2a determines Yes, and proceeds to Act 45.
As Act 45, the processor 2a determines an award point for the current transaction. The processor 2a makes this determination according to the content of the transaction targeted for settlement in Act 43 and the settlement result in accordance with the rule described with respect to Act 29 in FIG.

As Act 46, the processor 2 a gives points to the customer 22. For example, the processor 2a performs a process for adding the above-mentioned granted points to the holding points associated with the membership code included in the payment data. For example, if the possessed points are recorded on a recording medium such as a membership card, the processor 2a adds the awarded points to the possessed points read from the recording medium to obtain a new possessed point, and determines the new possessed point. Write on the recording medium. For example, if the possessed points are managed by a point management device such as the headquarters server 40 or a server (not shown), the processor 2a adds points to the point management device together with a member code and award point notification. To request.

As Act 47, the processor 2a confirms whether or not the issuing condition is satisfied by the possessed points after adding the granted points. The issuing condition referred to by the processor 2a is the same as the issuing condition referred to by the processor 1a in Act30. Thus, the processor 2a executes the information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 2a as the central portion functions as the second determining unit. Then, the processor 2a determines Yes if the issuing condition is satisfied, and proceeds to Act48. The processor 2a here refers to, for example, the management database stored in the auxiliary storage unit 1c of the registration device 1 or the management database copied to the auxiliary storage unit 2c. When copying the management database to the auxiliary storage unit 2c, the field F3 of each data record DR1 may be deleted.

As Act 48, the processor 2a confirms whether at least one of the sales receipts corresponding to the established issuance condition has not been issued by the registration device 1. For example, the processor 1a confirms whether or not the sales promotion code of the corresponding sales receipt includes a sales promotion code not included in the issued data. Then, if there is the corresponding sales promotion code, it is determined to be Yes, and the process proceeds to Act 49.
As Act 49, the processor 1a issues a sales receipt that has not been issued by the registration device 1 in response to the established issuance condition. The processor 2a, for example, generates image data representing an image of a sales receipt whose sales promotion code corresponding to the established issuance condition does not include the sales promotion code in the issued data. Then, the processor 2a sends the image data to the printer 2f, and causes the image represented by the image data to be printed on the receipt paper. That is, the computer having the processor 2a as a center realizes the function as the second issuing unit by cooperating with the printer 2f.

When the processor 2a finishes issuing the sales receipt, the processor 2a proceeds to Act50. If the payment data does not include the member code, the processor 2a determines No in Act 44, and passes Act 45 to Act 49 and proceeds to Act 50. If none of the issuing conditions is satisfied and the determination at Act 47 is No, the processor 2a passes Act 48 and Act 49, and proceeds to Act 50. If all the sales promotion codes of the sales receipt corresponding to the established issuance conditions are included in the issued data, the processor 2a determines No in Act 48, and passes Act 49 and proceeds to Act 50. That is, the processor 2a determines whether or not the issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment. Thus, the processor 2a executes the information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer having the processor 2a as the central portion functions as the third determining unit.

As Act 50, the processor 2a issues a transaction receipt. The processor 2a, for example, generates image data representing a list of purchased commodities related to transactions targeted for settlement in Act43, results of settlement in Act43, and the like. Then, the processor 2a sends the image data to the printer 2f, and causes the image represented by the image data to be printed on the receipt paper.
When the processor 2a finishes issuing the transaction receipt, it returns to the standby state of Act41. That is, the processor 2a shifts to a state of waiting for the arrival of the next payment data.

As described above, according to the checkout system 10, the registration receipt is issued by the registration device 1 and the payment receipt is not issued by the registration receipt. Therefore, the sales promotion receipt defined in the first type is handed over to the customer 22 by the salesclerk 21, and the salesperson 21 can appropriately handle the sales receipt, such as an explanation to the customer 22.
However, since the granted points determined in Act 45 may be different from the expected points determined in Act 29, the registration device 1 has not yet registered the first type of sales receipt for which the issuance condition is satisfied in Act 47. It can also be an issue. Then, in this case, the processor 2a issues the first type of sales receipt in Act49. However, as compared with the case where all the sales receipts are issued by the settlement apparatus 2, it is possible to appropriately deal with the salesclerk regarding the first type of sales receipt.
Further, according to the checkout system 10, the issuance of the sales receipt defined in the second type is not performed by the registration device 1 but by the settlement device 2. That is, the payment receipt is issued by the settlement apparatus 2 for the sales receipt which does not require the handling by the clerk 21. As a result, the load on the clerk 21 is reduced, and the sales promotion receipt can be issued based on the result of the settlement process.

It should be noted that the settlement apparatus 2 determines whether or not to issue a sales receipt satisfying the issuance condition, based on the issued data included in the settlement data. Therefore, the payment device 2 need not be aware of the type of sales receipt, and only the registration device 1 needs to manage it.

Further, according to the checkout system 10, the notification that the sales promotion receipt has been issued is made by the issued data including the payment data. Therefore, the notification that the sales receipt has been issued is sent and received as the settlement data. It is not necessary to perform separately from the above, and the efficiency of the processing can be improved.

This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.
The issued data may be transmitted from the registration device 1 to the payment device 2 without being included in the payment data, alone or in other arbitrary data.

The sales receipt issuance condition may determine whether or not the sales receipt is issued regardless of the holding points.

The transaction targeted for registration and settlement in the checkout system 10 may be any transaction regardless of the sale of goods, such as provision of services without transfer of goods.

The management database may be stored in a storage device provided outside the registration device 1, such as a storage device provided in the store server 20, for example. In this case, the management database stored in the storage device may be referred to by both the processors 1a and 2a.

Each of the functions realized by the processor 1a and the processor 2a by the information processing can be realized by a part or all of the hardware such as a logic circuit that executes information processing that is not based on a program. Further, each of the above-mentioned respective functions can be realized by combining hardware such as the above logic circuit with software control.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and an equivalent range thereof.

1... Registration device, 1a... Processor, 1b... Main memory, 1c... Auxiliary storage unit, 1d... Scanner, 1e... Keyboard, 1f... Touch panel, 1g... Sub display, 1h... Customer display, 1i... Printer, 1j... Communication Unit, 1k... Transmission line, 2... Payment device, 2a... Processor, 2b... Main memory, 2c... Auxiliary storage unit, 2d... Automatic change machine, 2e... Touch panel, 2f... Printer, 2g... Reader/writer, 2h... Camera, 2i...communication unit, 2j...transmission path, 10...checkout system, 100...POS system.

Claims (5)

It has a registration device and a payment device,
The registration device is
Registration means for registering transactions,
Output means for outputting payment data for making a payment by the payment device for the transaction registered by the registration means;
First determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined issuing condition is satisfied for payment based on the payment data;
Second determining means for determining that the sales receipt to be issued is the first type according to the issuing condition determined to be satisfied by the first determining means;
First issuing means for issuing a sales receipt to be issued according to the issuance condition determined to be satisfied when the second determining means determines that the type is the first type;
Notifying the settlement apparatus that makes a settlement based on the settlement data output by the output unit that the sales receipt that has been determined to be of the first type by the second determination unit has been issued. Notification means,
Equipped with,
The payment device,
Payment means for performing payment in consideration of the payment data output by the output means,
Third determination means for determining whether or not the issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment performed by the payment means,
In response to the notification not being made by the notifying unit and the issuing condition being determined to be satisfied by the third determining unit, the sales promotion to be issued according to the issuing condition determined to be satisfied. A second issuing means for issuing a receipt,
A checkout system that includes: A payment method that performs payment in consideration of the acquired payment data,
Third determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined issuing condition is satisfied with respect to the payment performed by the payment means;
In response to the fact that the notification that the sales receipt has been issued has not been given, and the third determination means has determined that the issuance condition for the sales receipt has been satisfied, the issuance determined to be satisfied Second issuing means for issuing a sales receipt to be issued according to the conditions,
A registration device that constitutes a checkout system together with a payment device that comprises:
Registration means for registering transactions,
Output means for outputting payment data for clearing the transaction registered by the registration means,
First determination means for determining whether or not the issuance condition is satisfied for payment based on the payment data;
Second determining means for determining that the sales receipt to be issued is the first type according to the issuing condition determined to be satisfied by the first determining means;
First issuing means for issuing a sales receipt to be issued according to the issuance condition determined to be satisfied when the second determining means determines that the type is the first type;
Notifying the settlement apparatus that makes a settlement based on the settlement data output by the output unit that the sales receipt that has been determined to be of the first type by the second determination unit has been issued. Notification means,
A registration device comprising: The notification means gives the notification by including issued data indicating that the sales receipt has been issued in the payment data output by the output means.
The registration device according to claim 2. Updating means for updating a database indicating which of the first type and the second type different from the first type is associated with each of a plurality of sales receipts in response to an instruction from an operator,
Further equipped with,
The second determination means determines that the promotional receipt is of the first type based on the database.
The registration device according to claim 2 or claim 3. A payment method that performs payment in consideration of the acquired payment data,
Third determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined issuing condition is satisfied with respect to the payment performed by the payment means;
The notification that the sales receipt has been issued has not been given, and the third determination means has determined that the issuance condition for the sales receipt has been satisfied. Second issuing means for issuing a sales receipt to be issued according to the issuing conditions;
A computer that configures a checkout system together with a payment device that includes and controls a registration device that includes a printer,
Registration means for registering transactions,
Output means for outputting payment data for clearing the transaction registered by the registration means,
First determination means for determining whether or not the issuance condition is satisfied for payment based on the payment data;
Second determining means for determining that the sales receipt to be issued is the first type according to the issuing condition determined to be satisfied by the first determining means;
Control means for controlling the printer so as to issue a sales promotion receipt to be issued according to the issuance condition determined to be satisfied when the second determination means determines that the type is the first type; ,
Notifying the settlement apparatus that makes a settlement based on the settlement data output by the output unit that the sales receipt that has been determined to be of the first type by the second determination unit has been issued. Notification means,
An information processing program that causes it to function.