JP7309949B2 - Checkout system, registration device and its control program - Google Patents

Description

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a checkout system, a registration device included in this system, and a control program for causing a computer to function as a registration device.

As a checkout system for mass retailers, there is a type that separates a registration device that registers the merchandise traded in each transaction and a settlement device that processes transaction settlement based on the data of the registered merchandise. .

A registration device generally includes a scanner and generates registration data for products scanned (registered) by the scanner. The registration device then transfers the generated registration data to the settlement device. A settlement apparatus generally comprises an input device for payment data relating to cash transactions, credit transactions, and the like. The settlement device then processes the settlement of the transaction based on the registration data and the payment data entered via the input device. In a checkout system consisting of such a registration device and a settlement device, there are two systems, one in which the registration device and the settlement device are operated by separate clerks, and the other in which the registration device is operated by the clerk and the settlement device is operated by the shopper. There is a sharing system, a so-called semi-self system.

In the case of the semi-self system, if a shopper takes time to operate the payment device, the following shoppers will have to wait for the payment. In order to avoid such a situation, a plurality of settlement devices are usually connected to one registration device. After completing the registration of the products to be traded in the transaction, the registration device transfers the registration data to any of the available settlement devices.

By the way, after the registration data has been transferred from the registration device to the settlement device, the shopper may purchase additional products or cancel the purchase of the products. In such cases, conventionally, the registration data transferred to the settlement device is recalled to the registration device. Then, in the registration device, the data of the product to be additionally purchased is added to the registration data, or the data of the product to be canceled is deleted from the registration data, and then the registration data is sent again to one of the payment devices. . Therefore, the registration device requires an operation to recall the registered data and an operation to resend the recalled registration data to the settlement device.

JP 2014-220019 A

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is a checkout system that enables additional purchase of products or cancellation of purchase of products without recalling the registration data transferred to the payment device to the registration device, and a checkout system that can be used in this system. The object of the present invention is to provide a registration device that can be

In one embodiment, a checkout system includes a registration device that generates product registration data for each transaction, and a plurality of payment devices that process payment for the transaction based on the registration data.
The registration device includes a display unit, first display control means, registration data transmission means, second display control means, third display control means, update data generation means, and update data transmission means. Prepare. The first display control means causes the display unit to display a destination selection screen for selecting one of the settlement devices to which the registration data of the first transaction is to be sent. The registered data transmitting means transmits the registered data of the first transaction to the settlement device selected on the destination selection screen. The second display control means includes an interrupt reception unit that receives an interrupt instruction for updating the registration data of the first transaction during the generation of the registration data of the second transaction that is different from the first transaction. to display. The third display control means interrupts the generation of the registration data of the second transaction and cancels the additional purchase or purchase when the interruption instruction is received by the interruption receiving unit during the generation of the registration data of the second transaction. An interrupt screen displaying a button for instructing is displayed on the display unit. The update data generation means generates additional update data to be added to the registration data of the first transaction when the button for instructing additional purchase is input, and when the button for instruction to cancel the purchase is input. a, delete update data to be deleted from the registration data of the first transaction ; The update data transmitting means transmits the additional update data or the deletion update data to the payment device that is the destination of the registration data of the first transaction .
The settlement device comprises storage means, start waiting means, and update means. The storage means stores the registration data transmitted from the registration device in the storage unit. The start waiting means waits for a transaction settlement start instruction based on the registration data stored in the storage unit. The updating means updates the registration data stored in the storage section with the additional update data or the deletion update data upon receiving the addition update data or the deletion update data from the registration device while waiting for the payment start instruction.

1 is a perspective view of a checkout system in one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main circuit configurations of a registration device and a payment device included in the checkout system; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing main data memory areas formed in RAMs of the registration device and the settlement device; 4 is a schematic diagram showing main data memory areas formed in the RAM of the registration device; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU of the registration device according to the control program in the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU of the registration device according to the control program in the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU of the registration device according to the control program in the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing main procedures of reception interrupt processing executed by the CPU of the registration device according to the control program in the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU of the settlement apparatus according to the control program in the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on the touch panel of the registration device; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer destination selection screen displayed on the touch panel of the registration device; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on the touch panel of the registration device; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an additional screen displayed on the touch panel of the registration device; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cancellation screen displayed on the touch panel of the registration device; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment method selection screen displayed on the touch panel of the settlement device; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment method selection screen displayed on the touch panel of the settlement device; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment screen displayed on the touch panel of the payment device; 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a completion screen displayed on the touch panel of the payment device; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU of the registration device according to the control program in the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU of the registration device according to the control program in the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU of the registration device according to the control program in the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on the touch panel of the registration device according to the second embodiment; 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an interrupt screen displayed on the touch panel of the registration device; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU of the registration device according to the control program in the third embodiment; FIG.

An embodiment of a checkout system that enables additional purchase of merchandise or cancellation of purchase of merchandise without recalling the registration data transferred to the settlement device to the registration device will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that this embodiment exemplifies a semi-self checkout system that is built in a store such as a mass retailer, in which a salesclerk operates a registration device and a shopper operates a settlement device.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a checkout system 10 according to this embodiment. Checkout system 10 includes at least one registration device 11 and at least one payment device 12 . In FIG. 1, a checkout system 10 including two registration devices 11 and four settlement devices 12 is shown. The number of registration devices 11 and the number of payment devices 12 included in the checkout system 10 is arbitrary, and the ratio of the number of registration devices 11 and the number of payment devices 12 is also arbitrary. Registration device 11 and payment device 12 are installed at a checkout corner of a store such as a supermarket.

The registration device 11 is operated by the store clerk 21 who plays the role of a checker. The settlement device 12 is operated by the shopper 22 who purchases the merchandise sold at the store. However, the payment device 12 may be operated by the store clerk 21 in some cases.

The registration device 11 is attached to the work table 23 in FIG. The work table 23 has a rectangular top plate. A passage (checkout lane) for shoppers 22 is formed by arranging a plurality of work tables 23 such that the longitudinal directions of the top plates are substantially parallel.

The registration device 11 has functions of registering purchased products, generating registration data, transferring the registration data to the settlement device 12, and settlement processing. Registration means registering the product purchased by the shopper 22 in the registration device 11 as a purchased product. For example, by scanning a barcode attached to a product with a scanner, the product is registered in the registration device 11 as a purchased product. Registered data is data related to purchased products registered as one transaction. The registration data includes the product code, which is the identification code of the purchased product, the product name, the unit price, the quantity, the amount, and the like. Settlement processing is to process settlement of a transaction, which is an act of buying and selling products, based on registered data. For settlement, cash, credit card, electronic money, etc. are used as payment.

The payment device 12 has a payment processing function. That is, when the registration data is transferred from the registration device 11, the settlement device 12 processes settlement of transactions based on the registration data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main circuit configurations of the registration device 11 and the settlement device 12. As shown in FIG. Both the registration device 11 and the settlement device 12 are connected to a LAN (local area network) 13, which is a network. A server (not shown) is connected to the LAN 13 . The server has a product database in which product information such as product name and unit price is set in association with the product code of each product.

Registration device 11 and settlement device 12 exchange information via LAN 13 . As for the network, another communication network such as the Internet or a wireless LAN may be used instead of the LAN 13 . Further, a configuration may be adopted in which information is exchanged between the registration device 11 and the settlement device 12 via a server.

The registration device 11 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11a, a ROM (read-only memory) 11b, a RAM (random-access memory) 11c, an auxiliary storage unit 11d, a drawer opening unit 11e, a scanner 11f, and two touch panels 11g1 and 11g2. , a printer 11h, a card reader/writer 11i, a communication unit 11j and a transmission system 11k.

The CPU 11a is connected to a ROM 11b, a RAM 11c and an auxiliary storage unit 11d via a transmission system 11k to form a computer.
The CPU 11a corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The CPU 11a controls each part to realize various functions of the registration device 11 based on the operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM 11b and RAM 11c.

The ROM 11b corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The ROM 11b stores the operating system. The ROM 11b may store the above middleware or application programs. The ROM 11b may store data referred to when the CPU 11a performs various processes.

The RAM 11c corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The RAM 11c stores data referred to when the CPU 11a performs various processes. The RAM 11c is also used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used when the CPU 11a performs various processes.

The auxiliary memory unit 11d corresponds to the auxiliary memory portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 11d stores data used by the CPU 11a in performing various processes, or data generated by the processes performed by the CPU 11a. As the auxiliary storage unit 11d, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), HDD (hard disk drive), or SSD (solid state drive) can be used.

The application programs stored in the ROM 11 b or the auxiliary storage unit 11 d include control programs describing information processing executed by the registration device 11 . The registration device 11 is generally transferred with the control program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. However, the registration device 11 may be transferred without the control program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. In this case, the control program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, or the like and transferred. Alternatively, the control program may be transferred via a network and written in the auxiliary storage unit 11d of the separately transferred registration device 11 described above.

The drawer opening unit 11e automatically opens a drawer for storing money.
The scanner 11f reads the barcode attached to the product to obtain the product code of the product. As the scanner 11f, various known types can be used as they are. The scanner 11f may be compatible with only one of various known types, or may be compatible with multiple types. That is, scanner 11f may include a fixed or handheld two-dimensional code scanner. The scanner 11f may also include a scanner of the type that identifies products from product images using image recognition technology.

Of the two touch panels 11g1 and 11g2, one touch panel 11g1 is for store employees and the other touch panel 11g2 is for customers. Each of touch panels 11g1 and 11g2 includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device has a display screen of any screen such as a GUI screen. A well-known device such as a color LCD can be used as the display device. The touch sensor is arranged over the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the operator's touch position on the display surface of the display device, and sends the position information to the CPU 11a. A well-known device can be used as the touch sensor.

The clerk's touch panel 11g1 is provided on the work table 23 so that the display screen faces the clerk's 21 work space side. The customer touch panel 11g2 is provided on the work table 23 so that the display screen faces the aisle side for the shopper 22.例文帳に追加

The printer 11h issues receipts by printing various character strings or images on receipt paper. For example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer can be used as this type of printer 11h.

The card reader/writer 11i has a function of reading data recorded on a card and a function of writing data to the card. Cards may include membership cards called membership cards, point cards, etc., in addition to settlement cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards. The card reader/writer 11i reads and rewrites electronic money data (balance, etc.) stored in the electronic money card. The card reader/writer 11i may be a magnetic, contact, or non-contact device, and may include multiple types of devices.

The communication unit 11j performs data communication with a plurality of settlement devices 12 connected via the LAN13. The communication unit 11j can also perform data communication with other registration devices 11 via the LAN 13. FIG.

The transmission system 11k transmits data exchanged between the CPU 11a, the ROM 11b, the RAM 11c, the auxiliary storage unit 11d, the drawer opening unit 11e, the scanner 11f, the touch panels 11g1 and 11g2, the printer 11h, the card reader/writer 11i, and the communication unit 11j. . As the transmission system 11k, a well-known system including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits connecting these buses and various units can be used.

For example, an existing POS terminal can be used as hardware for such a registration device 11 .

The payment device 12 includes a CPU 12a, a ROM 12b, a RAM 12c, an auxiliary memory unit 12d, an automatic change dispenser 12e, a scanner 12f, a touch panel 12g, a printer 12h, a card reader/writer 12i, a communication unit 12j, and a transmission system 12k.

The automatic change dispenser 12e receives inserted coins and bills. Also, the automatic change dispenser 12e ejects coins and banknotes as change.

Other functions of the CPU 12a, ROM 12b, RAM 12c, auxiliary storage unit 12d, scanner 12f, touch panel 12g, printer 12h, card reader/writer 12i, communication unit 12j, and transmission system 12k are the functions of the CPU 11a, ROM 11b, RAM 11c, and auxiliary storage of the registration device 11. It is equivalent to the unit 11d, the touch panels 11g1 and 11g2, the printer 11h, the card reader/writer 11i, the communication unit 11j, and the transmission system 11k.

That is, the CPU 12a is connected to the ROM 11b, the RAM 11c and the auxiliary storage unit 11d via the transmission system 11k to form a computer. The CPU 12a controls each part to realize various operations as the settlement apparatus 12 based on the operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM 12b and RAM 12c.

The application programs stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d include a control program describing information processing executed by the settlement device 12. FIG. The transfer of payment device 12 is generally performed with the control program stored in ROM 12b or auxiliary storage unit 12d. However, the settlement apparatus 12 may be transferred without the control program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. In this case, the control program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, or the like and transferred. Alternatively, the control program may be transferred via a network, and this control program may be written in the auxiliary storage unit 12d of the separately transferred settlement apparatus 12 described above.

As the hardware of such a settlement device 12, for example, an existing POS terminal compatible with the self-service system can be used.

The checkout system 10 including the registration device 11 and the settlement device 12 having such configurations forms the data memory areas 31 and 32 shown in FIG.

The data memory area 31 is an area for storing registration data for one transaction. The registered data is a set of records including items such as product code, product name, unit price, quantity, and amount. A product code is a unique code for individually identifying each product. Each product has a product code represented by a barcode, for example, and the registration device 11 can acquire the product code by scanning the barcode with the scanner 11f. The product name and unit price are the name of the product identified by the corresponding product code and the price per item. The number is the number of registrations of the same product, and the amount is the amount of money for the number of registrations. The data memory area 31 is hereinafter referred to as transaction memory. The transaction memory 31a for the registration device 11 and the transaction memory 31b for the settlement device 12 are used.

The data memory area 32 is an area for storing the total number of items and the total amount. The total number is the total number of products included in the registration data. The total price is the total price of the products included in the registration data. The data memory area 32 is hereinafter referred to as total memory. The memory for the registration device 11 is represented by a total memory 32a, and the memory for the settlement device 12 is represented by a total memory 32b.

The checkout system 10 also forms the data memory areas 41 and 42 shown in FIG.

The data memory area 41 is an area for temporarily storing the product code, product name, unit price, quantity and price of one registered product. The data memory area 41 is hereinafter referred to as a temporary buffer 41 .

The data memory area 42 stores counters C1, C2, C3 and C4 in association with codes "1", "2", "3" and "4" respectively identifying each payment device 12 individually. The data memory area 42 is hereinafter referred to as a counter table 42 .

5 to 8 are flow charts showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU 11a of the registration device 11 according to the control program. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU 12a of the settlement apparatus 12 according to the control program. 10 to 14 are schematic diagrams showing various screen examples displayed on the touch panels 11g1 and 11g2 of the registration device 11. FIG. 15 to 18 are schematic diagrams showing various examples of screens displayed on the touch panel 12g of the settlement device 12. FIG. The operation of the checkout system 10 will be described below with reference to these figures. Note that the contents of the processing described below are only examples, and various processing that can obtain similar results can be used as appropriate.

First, the operation of the registration device 11 will be described.
The registration device 11 has a registration mode as one of operation modes. When the registration device 11 is activated in this registration mode, the CPU 11a starts the control processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. First, the CPU 11a initializes the RAM 11c (Act 1). This initialization clears transaction memory 31a, sum memory 32a and temporary buffer 41. FIG. Also, the counters C1 to C4 associated with the codes "1" to "4" in the counter table 42 are reset to "0".

Next, the CPU 11a causes the registration screen SC1 (see FIG. 10) to be displayed on part of the screen of the touch panel 11g (Act2).

The registration screen SC1 displays the contents of the temporary buffer 41, the transaction memory 31a and the total memory 32a, and allows the store clerk 21 to confirm the progress of the registration process. An example of the registration screen SC1 is shown in FIG. The registration screen SC1 includes display areas R1 and R2. In the display area R1, a display field r11 for displaying the product name and unit price of the most recently registered product, a display field r12 for displaying the quantity, a display field r13 for displaying the price, and one transaction are displayed. A display field r14 is formed in which the total number and total price of each product registered as a purchase are displayed. In the display area R2, a list of product names, quantities, unit prices, and amounts of products registered for purchase prior to the product displayed in the display area R1 is formed.

Although not shown, the CPU 11a also displays various function buttons such as a product button for the store clerk 21 to specify a product and a subtotal button outside the area of the screen of the touch panel 11g that serves as the registration screen SC1. Let

When the store clerk 21 confirms that the registration screen SC1 is displayed on the touch panel 11g, he/she recognizes that the product to be purchased by the shopper 22 can be registered. Then, when the shopper 22 comes to the work table 23 with the purchased product, the store clerk 21 operates the scanner 11f or the product button, for example, and sequentially inputs the product code of the purchased product. When the product codes of all purchased products have been entered, the store clerk 21 touches the subtotal button. By the above operations, the registration of the products to be purchased by one shopper (the purchase registration of one transaction) is completed.

In response to such a registration operation, the CPU 11a of the registration device 11 executes the following information processing. First, the CPU 11a that displays the registration screen SC1 waits for input of a product code (Act 3). When the product code is input via the scanner 11f or the product button (YES in Act 3), the CPU 11a acquires product information such as the product name and unit price associated with the product code and set in the product database. . Further, the CPU 11a multiplies the unit price by the number of pieces to calculate the amount of money for the number of pieces. The number is the numerical value when the number is entered with the numeric keypad or the like before the product code is entered, and is "1" when the number is not entered. In this way, the CPU 11a generates product sales data including the product code, product name, unit price, quantity and price, and stores it in the temporary buffer 41 (Act 4). At this time, if merchandise sales data has already been stored in the temporary buffer 41, the CPU 11a moves the merchandise sales data to the transaction memory 31 as one record.

The CPU 11a adds the number and amount stored in the temporary buffer 41 to the total memory 32a. Then, the CPU 11a updates the registration screen SC1 so that the contents of the temporary buffer 41 and total memory 32a are displayed in the display area R1 and the contents of the transaction memory 31a are displayed in the display area R2 (Act 5).

After updating the registration screen SC1, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the next product code has been input (Act 6). If the product code has not been input (NO in Act 6), the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the subtotal button has been touched (Act 7). If the subtotal button has not been touched (NO in Act 7), the CPU 11a checks again whether or not the product code has been input (Act 6). Thus, the CPU 11a waits for the input of the product code or the touch of the subtotal button as Act6 and Act7. Note that when the CPU 11a confirms the occurrence of another event such as another operation being performed in this standby state, the CPU 11a shifts to processing corresponding to the occurrence event. Such an operation is the same in other waiting states.

In the standby state of Act6 and Act7, when the product code is input (YES in Act6), the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act4. Then, the CPU 11a repeats subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

In the waiting state of Act6 and Act7, if the subtotal button is touched (YES in Act7), the CPU 11a executes the processes of Act8 and Act9. Note that the processing procedures of Act8 and Act9 are not limited to this order. The order may be changed.

In Act 8, the CPU 11a moves the merchandise sales data stored in the temporary buffer 41 to the transaction memory 31 as one record. Then, the CPU 11a generates registration data based on the contents of the transaction memory 31a. In Act 9, the CPU 11a causes the transfer destination selection screen SC2 (see FIG. 11) to be displayed on part of the screen of the touch panel 11g.

An example of the transfer destination selection screen SC2 is shown in FIG. The transfer destination selection screen SC2 includes display areas R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 and buttons B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 and B7.

The display area R3 displays the total number of items in the total memory 32a, the total amount of money, and the like. Display area R4 displays various messages. The buttons B1 and B2 are a subtotal discount button B1 and a subtotal discount button B2 for the store clerk 21 to specify that a discount or discount should be applied to the total amount. The button B3 is a return button B3 for the store clerk 21 to specify to return a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g to the registration screen SC1.

The display areas R5 to R8 display whether or not the registration data can be transferred to each of the four settlement devices 12, respectively. Buttons B4 to B7 are transfer buttons B4 to B7 for the store clerk 21 to specify transfer of registration data to each of the four settlement devices 12. FIG. The settlement device 12 does not accept transfer of registration data while the settlement process is being executed. In the display areas R5 to R8 associated with the settlement device 12 in such a state, "transfer not possible" is displayed. Conversely, in the display areas R5 to R8 associated with the settlement device 12 that accepts transfer of registered data, "transferable" is displayed. The transfer buttons B4 to B7 may be hidden when the associated payment device 12 does not accept transfer of registered data. Instead of hiding the transfer buttons B4 to B7, the display mode may be changed according to whether or not the associated payment device 12 accepts transfer of registered data.

The CPU 11a that has displayed the transfer destination selection screen SC2 confirms whether or not the payment device 12 to which the registered data is to be transferred has been designated (Act 10). If the payment device 12 is not specified (NO in Act 10), the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the return button B3 is pressed (Act 11). If the return button B3 is not pressed (NO in Act 11), the CPU 11a checks again whether or not the payment device 12 is specified (Act 10). Thus, the CPU 11a waits for Act10 and Act11 to designate the settlement device 12 or to input the return button B3.

In the standby state of Act10 and Act11, when confirming that the return button B3 has been input (YES in Act11), the CPU 11a returns a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g to the registration screen SC1 (Act12). After that, the CPU 11a proceeds to the processing of Act 6, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

After confirming the transfer destination selection screen SC2, the store clerk 21 decides which payment device 12 is to be the transfer destination of the registered data. Then, the store clerk 21 touches the transfer buttons B4 to B7 for the payment device 12 determined as the transfer destination. At this time, the store clerk 21 decides the transfer destination of the registration data from among the transferable settlement devices 12 . If there is no settlement device 12 that can be transferred, the store clerk 21 determines the payment device 12 that is most likely to become available the earliest, and sets it as the transfer destination of the registration data.

In the standby state of Act10 and Act11, when one of the transfer buttons B4 to B7 is touched (YES in Act10), the CPU 11a controls the settlement device (hereinafter referred to as settlement device 12x) corresponding to the touched transfer button. is designated as the transfer destination of registration data. The CPU 11a then executes Act13, Act14, and Act15. The processing procedures of Act13, Act14 and Act15 are not limited to this order. The order may be changed.

In Act 13, the CPU 11a transmits registration data to the settlement device 12x (Act 13). Specifically, the CPU 11a instructs the communication unit 11j to transmit the registration data to the LAN 13 using the communication address set in the settlement device 12x as the destination address and the communication address set in itself as the source address. do. Upon receiving this command, the communication unit 11j transmits the registration data in which the destination address and the source address are set onto the LAN 13. FIG. This registration data is received by the payment device 12x whose transmission destination address matches the communication address.
Here, the CPU 11a constitutes registration data transmission means for transmitting registration data to any of the settlement devices 12 in cooperation with the communication unit 11j.

In Act 14, the CPU 11a counts up the counter associated with the code of the settlement device 12x in the counter table 42 (hereinafter referred to as counter Cx) by "1" (Act 14). In Act15, the CPU 11a causes the notification screen SC3 (see FIG. 12) to be displayed on part of the screen of the touch panel 11g (Act15).

An example of the notification screen SC3 is shown in FIG. The notification screen SC3 includes a display area R9 and buttons B8, B9 and B10.

The display area R9 displays the total number of items in the total memory 32a and the total amount of money, as well as a message indicating the settlement device 12x to which the registration data is transferred. The button B8 is a close button B8 that the store clerk 21 instructs to close the notification screen SC3. The button B9 is an add button B9 for the store clerk 21 to instruct additional purchase of merchandise. The button B10 is a cancel button B10 for the store clerk 21 to instruct to cancel the purchase of the product.

After confirming the notification screen SC3, the store clerk 21 notifies the shopper 22 that payment should be made with the payment device 12x displayed in the display area R9. The shopper 22 who has received this notice moves to the specified settlement device 12x and performs an operation for settlement.

By the way, there is a case where the shopper 22 offers to purchase additional products after the registration data has been transferred to the settlement device 12x. Alternatively, the shopper 22 may receive an offer to cancel the purchase of the item. If such an offer is not received, the store clerk 21 touches the close button B9. When receiving an offer for additional purchase, the store clerk 21 touches the add button B10. When receiving an offer to cancel the purchase, the store clerk 21 touches the cancel button B11.

The CPU 11a that displays the notification screen SC3 checks whether or not the close button B8 has been touched (Act 16). If the close button B8 has not been touched (NO in Act 16), the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the add button B9 has been touched (Act 17). If the add button B9 has not been touched (NO in Act 17), the CPU 11a checks whether the cancel button B10 has been touched (Act 18). If the cancel button B10 has not been touched (NO in Act 18), the CPU 11a checks again whether the close button B8 has been touched (Act 16). Thus, the CPU 11a waits for the close button B8, the add button B9, or the cancel button B10 to be touched in Act16 to Act18.

When the close button B8 is touched in the standby state of Act16 to Act18 (YES in Act16), the CPU 11a erases the notification screen SC3 and ends the information processing according to this control program. After that, the CPU 11a again starts the information processing according to the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5, and prepares for the purchase registration of the product to be purchased by the next shopper.

In the standby state of Act16 to Act18, when the add button B9 is touched (YES in Act17), the CPU 11a executes information processing according to the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. That is, the CPU 11a causes the additional screen SC4 (see FIG. 13) to be displayed on part of the screen of the touch panel 11g (Act21).

An example of the additional screen SC4 is shown in FIG. The additional screen SC4 includes a display area R10. In the display area R10, a display field r101 for displaying the product name and unit price of the additionally registered product, a display field r102 for displaying the number of the additionally registered product, and a display field r102 for displaying the number of the additionally registered product A display field r103 for displaying the amount is formed.

The CPU 11a that displays the additional screen SC4 waits for input of the product code of the product to be additionally registered (Act 22). When the product code is input via the scanner 11f or the product button (YES in Act 22), the CPU 11a retrieves the product name, unit price, etc. associated with the product code and set in the product database as described above. Get information. Further, the CPU 11a multiplies the unit price by the number of pieces to calculate the amount of money for the number of pieces. The number is the numerical value when the number is entered with the numeric keypad or the like before the product code is entered, and is "1" when the number is not entered. The CPU 11a generates additional update data including the product code, product name, unit price, quantity and amount, and stores it in the temporary buffer 41 (Act 23). Then, the CPU 11a updates the additional screen SC4 so that the product name, unit price, quantity, and amount of the additional update data stored in the temporary buffer 41 are displayed on the additional screen SC4 (Act 24).

After updating the additional screen SC4, the CPU 11a waits for the subtotal button to be touched (Act 25). If the subtotal button is touched (YES in Act25), the CPU 11a executes the processes of Act26 and Act27. Note that the processing procedures of Act26 and Act27 are not limited to this order. The order may be changed.

In Act26, the CPU 11a transfers the additional update data stored in the temporary buffer 41 to the payment apparatus 12x designated as the transfer destination of the registered data in the processing of Act10. Specifically, the CPU 11a instructs the communication unit 11j to transmit the additional update data to the LAN 13 using the communication address set to the settlement device 12x as the destination address and the communication address set to itself as the source address. command. Upon receiving this command, the communication unit 11j transmits the additional update data in which the destination address and the source address are set onto the LAN 13. FIG. This additional update data is received by the settlement device 12x whose transmission destination address matches the communication address.

In Act27, the CPU 11a causes the notification screen SC3 to be displayed again on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g.
When the processes of Act26 and Act27 are completed, the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act16, and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

When the cancel button B10 is touched in the standby state of Act16 to Act18 (YES in Act18), the CPU 11a executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. That is, the CPU 11a displays the cancel screen SC5 (see FIG. 14) on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g (Act31).

An example of the cancel screen SC5 is shown in FIG. The cancel screen SC5 includes a display area R11. In the display area R11, there are a display field r111 for displaying the product name and unit price of the product whose purchase is to be canceled, a display field r112 for displaying the number of products for which the purchase is to be canceled, and a display field r112 for displaying the number of the product for which the purchase is to be canceled. A display field r113 for displaying the amount is formed.

The CPU 11a that displays the cancellation screen SC5 waits for input of the product code of the product whose purchase should be canceled (Act 32). When the incoming product code is input via the scanner 11f or the product button (YES in Act 32), the CPU 11a retrieves the product name, unit price, etc., which are associated with the product code and set in the product database, as described above. Get product information. Further, the CPU 11a multiplies the unit price by the number of pieces to calculate the amount of money for the number of pieces. The number is the numerical value when the number is entered with the numeric keypad or the like before the product code is entered, and is "1" when the number is not entered. The CPU 11a assigns a minus sign to the number to make it the cancellation number. Further, the CPU 11a adds a minus sign to the amount to make it the cancellation amount. The CPU 11a generates cancellation update data including the product code, product name, unit price, number of cancellations, and cancellation amount, and stores it in the temporary buffer 41 (Act 33). Then, the CPU 11a updates the cancellation screen SC5 so that the product name, unit price, number of cancellations, and cancellation amount of the cancellation update data stored in the temporary buffer 41 are displayed on the cancellation screen SC5 (Act 34).

After updating the cancel screen SC5, the CPU 11a waits for the subtotal button to be touched (Act 35). If the subtotal button is touched (YES in Act35), the CPU 11a executes the processes of Act36 and Act37. Note that the processing procedures of Act36 and Act37 are not limited to this order. The order may be changed.

In Act36, the CPU 11a transfers the cancellation update data stored in the temporary buffer 41 to the payment apparatus 12x designated as the transfer destination of the registration data in the processing of Act10. Specifically, the CPU 11a instructs the communication unit 11j to transmit the cancellation update data to the LAN 13 using the communication address set in the settlement device 12x as the destination address and the communication address set in itself as the source address. command. Receiving this command, the communication unit 11j transmits to the LAN 13 the cancellation update data in which the destination address and the source address are set. This cancellation update data is received by the settlement device 12x whose transmission destination address matches the communication address.

In Act37, the CPU 11a causes the notification screen SC3 to be displayed again on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g.
When the processes of Act36 and Act37 are completed, the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act16, and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

Here, the CPU 11a displays the notification screen SC3 on the touch panel 11g, thereby providing update waiting means for waiting for the input of update data until the next transaction is started after the registration data is transferred to the settlement device 12x. Configure.

Further, the CPU 11a cooperates with the touch panel 11g and the communication unit 11j to constitute update data transmission means for transmitting update data for the registration data transferred to the payment device 12x to the payment device 12x to which the registration data was transferred. . Specifically, the update data transmitting means transmits the input update data while waiting for the input of the update data to the payment apparatus 12x to which the registration data was transferred immediately before.

Next, the operation of the settlement device 12 will be described.
When the payment device 12 is activated, the CPU 12a starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. First, the CPU 12a sets the screen of the touch panel 12g as a standby screen (Act 51). The standby screen indicates that the settlement process is not in progress, and any information may be displayed. For example, it is assumed that the standby screen displays a message indicating that settlement processing cannot be performed, or displays an arbitrary image representing an advertisement as a screen saver. After setting the screen of the touch panel 12g to the standby screen, the CPU 12a waits for reception of registration data (Act 52).

As described above, the CPU 11a of the registration device 11 transmits registration data from the communication unit 11j to the LAN 13 in the process of Act13 in FIG. This registration data is received by the communication unit 12j provided in the settlement device 12 that is the destination. The payment apparatus 12 that has received the registration data can identify the registration apparatus 11 that is the transmission source of the registration data by storing the transmission source address of the registration data.

When receiving the registration data (YES at Act 52), the CPU 12a develops the registration data in the transaction memory 31b (Act 53). That is, the CPU 12a extracts records of product code, product name, unit price, quantity, and amount from the registered data, and stores them in the transaction memory 31b. The CPU 12a also totals the points and amounts of the records stored in the transaction memory 31b, and stores the total number and total amount in the total memory 32b.

Here, the CPU 12a cooperates with the RAM 12c to constitute storage means for storing the registration data transferred from the registration device 11 in the storage section (transaction memory 31b).

Next, the CPU 12a causes the payment method selection screen SC6 (see FIG. 15) to be displayed on part of the screen of the touch panel 12g (Act 54).
An example of the payment method selection screen SC6 is shown in FIG. The payment method selection screen SC6 includes display areas R12, R13 and buttons B11, B12. The display area R12 displays operation guidance for the shopper 22 who operates the payment device 12. FIG. The display area R13 displays the total number and total price stored in the total memory 32b. The button B11 is a payment method button B11 for the shopper to specify one of a plurality of payment methods. The button B12 is a clerk call button B13 for the shopper 22 to specify to call the clerk 21 .

In this embodiment, cash, credit card, and electronic money are exemplified as payment methods, but payment methods are not limited to these. Other payment methods may be added. Also, one of the payment methods may be omitted.

After confirming the payment method selection screen SC6, the shopper 22 determines the payment method and touches the payment method button. However, if there are any products that the shopper wishes to purchase additionally, or if there are any products that the shopper wishes to cancel the purchase of, the shopper should make a request to the clerk before touching the payment method button. Then, the user touches the payment method button after waiting for the registration device 11 to perform additional registration of the forgotten product or cancellation registration of the desired product.

The CPU 12a that displays the payment method selection screen SC6 checks whether the payment method button B11 has been touched (Act 55). If the payment method button B11 is not touched (NO in Act 55), the CPU 12a confirms whether or not additional update data or cancellation update data has been received (Act 56). If no additional update data or cancellation update data has been received (NO at Act 56), the CPU 12a checks again whether or not the payment method button B11 has been touched (Act 55). Thus, in Acts 55 and 56, the CPU 12a waits for the payment method button B11 to be touched or to receive additional update data or cancellation update data.

Here, the CPU 12a cooperates with the touch panel 12g to constitute start waiting means for waiting for a payment start instruction for a transaction based on the registration data stored in the storage unit (transaction memory 31b), that is, for a touch input on the payment method button B11. do.

In the standby state of Act 55 and Act 56, if additional update data or cancellation update data is received (YES in Act 56), the CPU 12a updates the registration data developed in the transaction memory 31b (Act 57). That is, when the additional update data is received, the CPU 12a adds the product code, product name, unit price, quantity, and amount included in the additional update data as one record to the transaction memory 31b. However, if a record containing the same product code is already stored in the transaction memory 31b, the CPU 12a adds the number and price included in the additional update data to the number and price of the record, and adds the record. Not performed. When receiving the cancellation update data, the CPU 12a searches the transaction memory 31b for a record containing the same product code. Then, the CPU 12a subtracts the number and amount included in the cancellation update data from the number and amount of the record. As a result, when the number and amount of money become "0", the CPU 12a deletes this record from the transaction memory 31b.

After updating the registration data developed in the transaction memory 31 by the additional update data or the cancellation update data, the CPU 12a recalculates the total number of items and the total amount based on the data in the transaction memory 31. FIG. Then, the CPU 12a updates the data in the total memory 32b, and also updates the total points and total amount displayed in the display area R13 of the payment method selection screen SC6 as shown in FIG. 16 (Act 58). After that, the CPU 12a advances to the processing of Act 55, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

FIG. 16 shows the payment method selection screen when the update data in the transaction memory 31b is updated with the additional registration data for one product with a price of 500 yen while the payment method selection screen SC6 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. SC6 is exemplified.

Here, the CPU 12a cooperates with the RAM 12c and the communication unit 12j to update the registration data stored in the storage unit (transaction memory 31b) to the update data when receiving the update data from the registration device 11 in the waiting state of the settlement start instruction. Configure the update means to update with.

When the payment method button B11 is touched in the standby state of Act55 and Act56 (YES in Act55), the CPU 12a displays the payment method selected by the payment method button B11 on a part of the screen of the touch panel 12g. The screen SC7 (see FIG. 17) is displayed (Act 58).

An example of the payment screen SC7 is shown in FIG. FIG. 17 shows the payment screen SC7 when cash is selected as the payment method. The payment screen SC7 includes display areas R13, R14 and a button B13. The display area R13 displays operation guidance for the shopper 22 who operates the payment device 12. FIG. The display area R14 displays the total amount, the input amount, and the remaining amount. The button B13 is a checkout button B13 for a shopper who has finished putting in cash to designate execution of checkout. A shopper who selects cash as a payment method inserts cash into the automatic change machine 12e. Then, when the amount of cash equal to or greater than the total amount has been thrown in, the user touches the settlement button B13.

The CPU 12a that displays the payment screen SC7 waits for the settlement button B13 to be touched (Act 59). If the settlement button B13 is touched (YES in Act 59), the CPU 12a executes settlement processing by the selected payment method (Act 60). For example, when cash is selected as the payment method, the CPU 12a executes settlement processing for cash payment. The CPU 12a controls the printer 12h to issue receipts, and controls the automatic change machine 12e to dispense change. When the credit card is selected, the CPU 12a executes settlement processing for credit payment. The CPU 12a then controls the printer 12h to issue a credit slip. When electronic money is selected, the CPU 12a executes settlement processing for electronic money payment. The CPU 12a controls the printer 12h to issue a receipt, and controls the card reader/writer 12i to update the electronic money balance. Since such settlement processing is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the settlement process is completed, the CPU 12a causes the completion screen SC8 (see FIG. 18) to be displayed on part of the screen of the touch panel 12g (Act61).

An example of the completion screen SC8 for cash payment is shown in FIG. The completion screen SC8 includes display areas R15, R16, and R17. The display area R15 displays operation guidance for the shopper 22 who operates the payment device 12. FIG. The display area R16 displays a guidance image. The guide image is an image that guides the shopper 22 to the receipt issuing port and the change dispensing port. Therefore, the shopper can easily know the place where the receipt is issued and the place where the change is paid out from the guidance image. The display area R16 displays the amount of change. Therefore, the shopper can know the amount of change from the data in the display area R16.

The CPU 12a that displays the completion screen SC8 notifies the registration device 11, which is the transmission source of the registration data, of the completion of the transaction (Act 62). Specifically, the CPU 12a uses the transmission source address stored at the time of receiving the registration data as the transmission destination address and the communication address set for itself as the transmission source address, and transmits a transaction completion notification command to the LAN 13. The communication unit 12j is controlled as follows. As a result, a transaction completion notification command in which the destination address and the source address are set is transmitted via the LAN 13 . This command is received by the registration device 11 whose destination address matches the communication address.

The CPU 11a of the registration device 11, which has received the transaction completion notification command, executes reception interrupt processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. That is, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the received command is a transaction completion notification (Act 41). If the command is other than the transaction completion notification (NO in Act 41), the CPU 11a executes processing according to the command.

If the received command is a transaction completion notification (YES in Act 41), the CPU 11a resets the counter Cx associated with the code identifying the settlement device 12x of the command transmission source in the counter table 42 to "0". (Act 42). With this, the CPU 11a terminates the reception interrupt process.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, even if the shopper purchases additional products or cancels the purchase of products after the registration data has been transferred from the registration device 11 to the settlement device 12, The registration data transferred to the settlement device 12 can be dealt with without recalling it to the registration device 11 .

Therefore, in the registration device 11, the operation for recalling the registered data and the operation for retransmitting the recalled registration data to the settlement device 12 are unnecessary, so that the operation can be simplified.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, if it is within the period from when the registration data is transferred from the registration device 11 to the settlement device 12 to when the close button B8 on the notification screen SC3 is operated, the shopper 22 associated with the registration data can purchase additional products or cancel purchases. Conversely, if the store clerk 21 operates the close button B8 of the notification screen SC3, the shopper 22 cannot purchase additional products or cancel the purchase.

Therefore, next, even after the close button B8 is operated on the registration device 11 and the registration of the product to be purchased by the next shopper is started, if the payment method is not selected on the settlement device 12, additional purchase of the product or A second embodiment that enables purchase cancellation will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings common to the first embodiment are incorporated, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Specifically, FIGS. 1 to 4, 8, 9, and 11 to 18 are referred to.

19 to 21 are flow charts showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU 11a of the registration device 11 according to the control program in the second embodiment, and FIG. 22 schematically shows an example of the registration screen SC11. It is a diagram. 19 to 22, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the corresponding figures (FIGS. 5 to 7 and 10) of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the second embodiment, an interrupt button B21 is added to the registration screen SC11. After the notification screen SC3 is closed and the next shopper (hereinafter referred to as the shopper 22b) starts registering the products to be purchased, the interrupt button B21 is pressed by the previous shopper (hereinafter referred to as the shopper 22a). ), the store clerk 21 touches when receiving a request for additional purchase or cancellation of purchase.

As shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 11a of the registration device 11 further waits for the interrupt button B21 to be touched in the standby states of Act6 and Act7 (Act71). When the interrupt button B21 is touched (YES in Act71), the CPU 11a executes the processes of Act72, Act73 and Act74. Note that the processing procedures of Act72, Act73 and Act74 are not limited to this order. The order may be changed.

In Act72, the CPU 11a sets an interrupt flag. The interrupt flag is 1-bit data stored in the RAM 11c, for example. In Act73, the CPU 11a moves the data in the temporary buffer 41 to the save buffer. The save buffer has the same area structure as the temporary buffer 41 and is formed in the RAM 11c. In Act74, the CPU 11a causes the interrupt screen SC12 (see FIG. 23) to be displayed on part of the screen of the touch panel 11g.

An example of the interrupt screen SC12 is shown in FIG. The interrupt screen SC12 includes buttons B22, B23, and B24. The button B22 is a close button B22 for the store clerk 21 to instruct to close the interrupt screen SC12. The button B23 is an add button B23 for the store clerk 21 to instruct additional purchase of merchandise. The button B10 is a cancel button B24 for the store clerk 21 to instruct to cancel the purchase of the product.

After confirming the interrupt screen SC12, the store clerk 21 touches the add button B23 if the offer from the shopper 22a is an additional purchase, and touches the cancel button B11 if it is a purchase cancellation. If the request for additional purchase or purchase cancellation is canceled, the close button B22 is touched.

The CPU 11a that displays the interrupt screen SC12 checks whether the close button B22 has been touched (Act75). If the close button B22 has not been touched (NO in Act75), the CPU 11a checks whether the add button B23 has been touched (Act76). If the add button B23 has not been touched (NO in Act76), the CPU 11a checks whether the cancel button B24 has been touched (Act77). If the cancel button B24 has not been touched (NO in Act77), the CPU 11a checks again whether the close button B22 has been touched (Act75). Thus, the CPU 11a waits for the close button B22 to be touched, the add button B23 to be touched, or the cancel button B24 to be touched at Act75 to Act77.

When the close button B22 is touched in the standby state of Act75 to Act77 (YES in Act75), the CPU 11a executes the processes of Act78, Act79 and Act80. Note that the processing procedures of Act78, Act79 and Act80 are not limited to this order. The order may be changed.

In Act78, the CPU 11a resets the interrupt flag. In Act 79 , the CPU 11 a restores the data saved in the saving buffer to the temporary buffer 41 . In Act80, the CPU 11a clears the interrupt screen SC12 and causes the registration screen SC11 to be displayed again on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g.

After completing the processes of Act78, Act79 and Act80, the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act6 and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

In the standby state of Act75 to Act77, when the add button B23 is touched (YES in Act76), the CPU 11a executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. This processing substantially matches the processing described with reference to FIG. 6 in the first embodiment. A different point is the processing after the subtotal button is touched in Act25.

That is, if the subtotal button is touched (YES in Act 25), the CPU 11a determines the transfer destination of the additional update data (Act 81). Specifically, the CPU 11a searches the counter table 42 and recognizes the settlement apparatus 12x whose counter C is incremented to "1" as the transfer destination of the additional update data. Then, the CPU 11a transmits additional update data generated from the data stored in the temporary buffer 41 to the settlement device 12x (Act 82). After transmitting the additional update data, the CPU 11a proceeds to the processing of Act 78, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

In the standby state of Act75 to Act77, when the cancel button B24 is touched (YES in Act77), the CPU 11a executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. This process substantially matches the process described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment. The difference is the processing after the subtotal button is touched in Act35.

That is, if the subtotal button is touched (YES in Act 35), the CPU 11a determines the transfer destination of the cancellation update data (Act 83). Specifically, the CPU 11a searches the counter table 42 and recognizes the settlement apparatus 12x whose counter C is incremented to "1" as the transfer destination of the cancellation update data. The CPU 11a then transmits the cancellation update data generated from the data stored in the temporary buffer 41 to the settlement device 12x (Act 84). After transmitting the cancellation update data, the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act 78, and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, the payment device 12 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, in the state where the payment method selection screen SC6 is displayed on a part of the screen of the touch panel 12g, the CPU 12a executes the processing of Act57 and Act58 when the additional update data or the cancellation update data is received.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, even after the registration of the product to be purchased by the next shopper 22b is started in the registration device 11, before the previous shopper 22a selects a payment method in the settlement device 12, If so, the shopper 22a can purchase additional products or cancel the purchase. At this time, as in the first embodiment, the registration data transferred to the settlement device 12 is not recalled to the registration device 11, so the operation can be simplified.

(Third embodiment)
In the second embodiment, when the shopper 22a makes an offer to purchase additional products or to cancel the purchase, the registration of the products to be purchased by the shopper 22b is interrupted to deal with the offer. However, if the registration is interrupted, there is no guarantee that complaints will not be made from the shopper 22b.

Therefore, next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, in which additional purchases or cancellation of purchases by the shopper 22a are handled after the completion of the registration of the products to be purchased by the shopper 22b. In addition, the drawings common to the first and second embodiments are used, and the description thereof is omitted. Specifically, FIGS. 1 to 4, 8, 9, 11 to 18, and 20 to 23 are referred to.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing main procedures of information processing executed by the CPU 11a of the registration device 11 according to the control program in the third embodiment. In FIG. 24, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the corresponding drawing (FIG. 5) of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 24, the CPU 11a causes the registration screen SC11 (see FIG. 22) to be displayed on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g in Act2. Confirm whether or not (Act 91). As described in the second embodiment, when the interrupt button B21 is touched during purchase registration, the CPU 11a sets an interrupt flag. Therefore, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the interrupt flag is set.

If the interrupt flag is not set (NO in Act91), the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act3. That is, the CPU 11a waits for input of a product code. When the product code is input via the scanner 11f or the product button (YES in Act3), the CPU 11a generates product sales data and stores it in the temporary buffer 41 (Act4). Further, the CPU 11a adds the number and amount of money stored in the temporary buffer 41 to the total memory 32a, and updates the registration screen SC1 (Act 5).

After updating the registration screen SC1, the CPU 11a waits for the product code to be input (Act 6) or the subtotal button to be touched (Act 7). Also, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not an interrupt flag is set (Act 92). If the interrupt flag is not set (NO at Act92), the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the interrupt button B21 is touched (Act93). If the interrupt button B21 is not touched (NO at Act93), the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act6, and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above. On the other hand, if the interrupt flag is set (YES at Act92), the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act6 without executing the process of Act93, and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

Therefore, when the interrupt flag is not set, the CPU 11a waits for the product code to be input, the subtotal button to be touched, or the interrupt button B21 to be touched. When the interrupt flag is set, the CPU 11a waits for the product code to be input or the subtotal button to be touched.

When the shopper 22a requests additional purchase or cancellation of the purchase while the shopper 22b is registering the products to be purchased, the store clerk 21 touches the interrupt button B21. However, the work of registering the products purchased by the shopper 22b is not interrupted.

When the interrupt button B21 is touched (YES at Act93), the CPU 11a executes the processes of Act94 and Act95. Note that the processing procedures of Act 94 and Act 95 are not limited to this order. The order may be changed.

In Act94, the CPU 11a sets an interrupt flag. In Act 95, the CPU 11a further counts up the counter Cx whose count value is "1" among the counters in the counter table 42 by "1".

When the processes of Act 94 and Act 95 are completed, the CPU 11a advances to the process of Act 6 and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above. Therefore, in this case, since the interrupt flag is set, the CPU 11a waits for the product code to be input or the subtotal button to be touched. In this waiting state, the operation when a product code is entered or when the subtotal button is touched is the same as in the first or second embodiment.

On the other hand, if the interrupt flag is set in Act 3 (YES in Act 91), the interrupt button B21 is touched during registration of the product to be purchased by the shopper 22b. In this case, the CPU 11a executes the processes of Act96 and Act97. The processing procedures of Act96 and Act97 are not limited to this order. The order may be changed.

In Act96, the CPU 11a resets the interrupt flag. In Act97, the CPU 11a causes the interrupt screen SC12 (see FIG. 23) to be displayed on part of the screen of the touch panel 11g.

After confirming the interrupt screen SC12, the store clerk 21 touches the add button B23 if the offer from the shopper 22a is an additional purchase, and touches the cancel button B11 if it is a purchase cancellation. If the request for additional purchase or purchase cancellation is canceled, the close button B22 is touched.

The CPU 11a that displays the interrupt screen SC12 checks whether or not the close button B22 has been touched (Act98). If the close button B22 has not been touched (NO at Act98), the CPU 11a checks whether the add button B23 has been touched (Act99). If the add button B23 has not been touched (NO at Act99), the CPU 11a checks whether the cancel button B24 has been touched (Act100). If the cancel button B24 has not been touched (NO at Act100), the CPU 11a checks again whether the close button B22 has been touched (Act98). Thus, the CPU 11a waits for the close button B22 to be touched, the add button B23 to be touched, or the cancel button B24 to be touched in Act98 to Act100.

When the close button B22 is touched in the standby state from Act98 to Act100 (YES at Act98), the CPU 11a proceeds to the processing of Act2, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above. Therefore, in this case, after part of the screen of the touch panel 11g is used as the registration screen SC11 (Act 2), input of the product code is awaited (Act 3).

In the standby state from Act98 to Act100, when the add button B23 is touched (YES at Act99), the CPU 11a executes the process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20 described in the second embodiment. After transmitting the additional update data to the settlement device 12x (Act 82), the CPU 11a proceeds to the processing of Act 2, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

In the standby state from Act98 to Act100, when the cancel button B24 is touched (YES at Act100), the CPU 11a executes the process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 described in the second embodiment. After transmitting the cancellation update data to the settlement device 12x (Act 84), the CPU 11a proceeds to the processing of Act 2, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, the payment device 12 operates in the same manner as in the first or second embodiment. That is, in the state where the payment method selection screen SC6 is displayed on a part of the screen of the touch panel 12g, the CPU 12a executes the processing of Act57 and Act58 when the additional update data or the cancellation update data is received.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, after the registration of the product to be purchased by the next shopper 22b is started in the registration device 11, the previous shopper 22a requests additional purchase or cancellation of purchase of the product. If so, it can be dealt with after the shopper 22b has finished registering the products for purchase. At this time, the registration data transferred to the settlement device 12 is not recalled to the registration device 11, as in the first or second embodiment, so the operation can be simplified.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.
For example, in the above embodiment, the payment method selection screen SC6 is displayed on the settlement device 12 that receives the registration data transferred from the registration device. By waiting for the touch input of the payment method button B11 on the payment method selection screen SC6, the payment start instruction for the transaction based on the registration data stored in the storage unit (transaction memory 31b) is awaited. If there is only one payment method, the payment method selection screen SC6 is not displayed on the payment device 12 that has received the registration data. In that case, the settlement device 12 is provided with a declaration button for the shopper to declare the start of payment. For example, in response to receiving the registration data, the CPU 12a may display a declaration button on part of the screen of the touch panel 12g. By waiting for the declaration button to be input, the CPU 12a waits for a transaction settlement start instruction based on the registered data stored in the storage unit (transaction memory 31b).

In the above embodiment, the semi-self checkout system was exemplified, but the functions of this embodiment can also be applied to a two-person checkout system.

Additionally, while several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the original claims of the present application is appended below.
[1] In a checkout system including a registration device that generates product registration data for each transaction, and a plurality of settlement devices that process transaction settlements based on the registration data, the registration device may generate the registration data to any of the payment devices; and transmission means for sending update data for the registration data transferred to the payment device to the payment device to which the registration data was transferred, The settlement device includes storage means for storing the registration data transferred from the registration device in a storage unit, start waiting means for waiting for an instruction to start settlement of transactions based on the registration data stored in the storage unit, and updating means for updating the registration data stored in the storage unit with the update data when the update data is received from the registration device in the payment start instruction waiting state. system.
[2] The registration device further comprises update waiting means for waiting for the input of the update data until the next transaction is started after the registration data is transferred to the settlement device, and the transmission means. The checkout system according to appendix [1], wherein the update data input while waiting for the input of the update data is transmitted to the settlement apparatus to which the registration data was transferred immediately before.
[3] The registration device further includes transfer destination storage means for storing information identifying the settlement device that transferred the registration data, and update reception means for receiving an input instruction for the update data, and the transmission The check according to appendix [1], wherein, in response to receiving an instruction to input the update data, the means transmits the update data input thereafter to the settlement device identified from the information. out system.
[4] further comprising update waiting means for waiting for the input of the update data by interrupting the generation of the registration data when an input instruction for the update data is received during the generation of the registration data; The checkout system according to appendix [3], wherein the update data input while waiting for the input of the update data is transmitted to the settlement device identified from the information.
[5] When an input instruction for the update data is received while the registration data is being generated, the registration data is generated, and the update data is waited until the transfer means transfers the update data to any of the settlement devices. update waiting means for waiting for an input of said transmission means, said transmission means transmitting said update data input in said update data input waiting state to said settlement apparatus identified from said information A checkout system according to appendix [3].
[6] In a settlement device that processes settlement of transactions based on the registration data transferred from a registration device that generates product registration data for each transaction, a storage unit that stores the registration data transferred from the registration device storage means for storing data in the storage unit, start waiting means for waiting for an instruction to start settlement of a transaction based on the registration data stored in the storage unit, and update data for the registration data from the registration device in the waiting state for the settlement start instruction and updating means for updating the registration data stored in the storage unit with the update data when receiving the update data.
[7] The registration data transferred from the registration device is transferred to the computer of the payment device which processes the settlement of the transaction based on the registration data transferred from the registration device which generates the registration data of the product for each transaction. a function of storing data in a storage unit; a function of waiting for an instruction to start settlement of a transaction based on the registration data stored in the storage unit; A control program for realizing a function of updating the registration data stored in the storage unit with the update data upon receiving the update data.

11 registration device 12 settlement device 11a, 12a CPU 11b, 12b ROM 11c, 12c RAM 11d, 12d auxiliary storage unit 11e drawer opening unit 12e automatic change dispenser 11f, 12f scanner 11g1, 11g2, 12g touch panel 11h, 12h printer 11i, 12i card reader/writer 11j, 12j communication unit 11k, 12k transmission system 13 LAN 31 (31a, 31b) ... Transaction memory 32 (32a, 32b) ... Total memory 41 ... Temporary buffer 42 ... Counter table SC1, SC11 ... Registration screen SC2 ... Transfer destination selection screen SC3 ... Notification screen SC4 ... Addition screen SC5 ... Cancellation screen, SC6...Payment method selection screen, SC7...Payment screen, SC8...Completion screen, SC12...Interruption screen.

Claims (6)

In a checkout system including a registration device that generates product registration data for each transaction, and a plurality of payment devices that process payment for transactions based on the registration data,
The registration device
a display unit for displaying a registration screen displaying the contents of the registration data ;
first display control means for causing the display unit to display , instead of the registration screen, a transmission destination selection screen for selecting one of settlement devices to be a transmission destination of the registered data of the first transaction;
registered data transmitting means for transmitting the registered data of the first transaction to the payment device selected on the destination selection screen;
An interrupt reception unit for receiving an interrupt instruction for updating the registration data of the first transaction is displayed on a part of the registration screen while the registration data of the second transaction different from the first transaction is being generated. a second display control means that causes
When the interruption instruction is received by the interruption reception unit during the generation of the registration data of the second transaction, the generation of the registration data of the second transaction is interrupted, and the registration screen is displayed on the display unit a third display control means for displaying an interrupt screen displaying a button instructing additional purchase or purchase cancellation instead ;
When the button for instructing the additional purchase is input, additional update data to be added to the registration data of the first transaction is generated, and when the button for instructing cancellation of the purchase is input, update data generation means for generating deletion update data to be deleted from the registration data of the first transaction;
update data transmission means for transmitting the additional update data or the deletion update data to a settlement device that is a transmission destination of the registration data of the first transaction;
re-display means for returning the screen of the display unit to a registration screen displaying the content of the registration data of the second transaction after the update data transmission means has transmitted the additional update data or the deletion update data;
and
The payment device
storage means for storing the registration data transmitted from the registration device in a storage unit;
start waiting means for waiting for an instruction to start settlement of transactions based on the registration data stored in the storage unit;
Updating means for updating the registration data stored in the storage unit with the additional update data or the deletion update data when the additional update data or the deletion update data is received from the registration device in the payment start instruction waiting state. and,
A checkout system with The interrupt screen further displays a close button for instructing closing of the interrupt screen,
The registration device includes erasing means for erasing the interrupt screen when the close button is pressed;
The checkout system of Claim 1, further comprising: A registration device that constitutes a checkout system together with a plurality of payment devices that generate product registration data for each transaction and process settlement of transactions based on the registration data,
a display unit for displaying a registration screen displaying the contents of the registration data ;
first display control means for causing the display unit to display , instead of the registration screen, a transmission destination selection screen for selecting one of settlement devices to be a transmission destination of the registered data of the first transaction;
registered data transmitting means for transmitting the registered data of the first transaction to the payment device selected on the destination selection screen;
An interrupt reception unit for receiving an interrupt instruction for updating the registration data of the first transaction is displayed on a part of the registration screen while the registration data of the second transaction different from the first transaction is being generated. a second display control means that causes
When the interruption instruction is received by the interruption reception unit during the generation of the registration data of the second transaction, the generation of the registration data of the second transaction is interrupted, and the registration screen is displayed on the display unit a third display control means for displaying an interrupt screen displaying a button instructing additional purchase or purchase cancellation instead ;
When the button for instructing the additional purchase is input, additional update data to be added to the registration data of the first transaction is generated, and when the button for instructing cancellation of the purchase is input, update data generation means for generating deletion update data to be deleted from the registration data of the first transaction;
update data transmission means for transmitting the additional update data or the deletion update data to a settlement device that is a transmission destination of the registration data of the first transaction;
re-display means for returning the screen of the display unit to a registration screen displaying the content of the registration data of the second transaction after the update data transmission means has transmitted the additional update data or the deletion update data;
A registration device comprising: The interrupt screen further displays a close button for instructing closing of the interrupt screen,
Erasing means for erasing the interrupt screen when the close button is pressed;
4. The registration device of claim 3, further comprising: A display unit that generates product registration data for each transaction, configures a plurality of payment devices and a checkout system that processes transaction settlement based on the registration data, and displays a registration screen that displays the content of the registration data. a registration device computer equipped with
first display control means for causing the display unit to display , instead of the registration screen, a transmission destination selection screen for selecting one of settlement devices to be a transmission destination of the registered data of the first transaction;
registered data transmitting means for transmitting the registered data of the first transaction to the settlement device selected on the destination selection screen;
An interrupt reception unit for receiving an interrupt instruction for updating the registration data of the first transaction is displayed on a part of the registration screen while the registration data of the second transaction different from the first transaction is being generated. second display control means for
When the interruption instruction is received by the interruption reception unit during the generation of the registration data of the second transaction, the generation of the registration data of the second transaction is interrupted, and the registration screen is displayed on the display unit A third display control means for displaying an interrupt screen displaying a button for instructing additional purchase or purchase cancellation instead ;
When the button for instructing the additional purchase is input, additional update data to be added to the registration data of the first transaction is generated, and when the button for instructing cancellation of the purchase is input, update data generation means for generating deletion update data to be deleted from the registration data of the first transaction;
update data transmission means for transmitting the additional update data or the deletion update data to a settlement device that is a transmission destination of the registration data of the first transaction ; and
re-display means for returning the screen of the display unit to a registration screen displaying the content of the registration data of the second transaction after the update data transmission means has transmitted the additional update data or the deletion update data;
A control program for functioning as The interrupt screen further displays a close button for instructing closing of the interrupt screen,
said computer,
Erasing means for erasing the interrupt screen when the close button is pressed;
6. The control program according to claim 5, further functioning as a