JP7582376B2 - Payment device, data processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a settlement device, a data processing method, and a program.

An example of a semi-self-service POS (Point Of Sales) system in which customers themselves perform operations at checkout when purchasing products is described in Patent Document 1. This POS system is composed of a registration device that registers data related to transactions of purchased products, and a settlement device that performs a settlement process that is operated by the customer themselves based on the registered data to complete the purchase and sale transaction of the products registered as items to be settled.

JP 2011-158993 A

In such a POS system, when a customer operates the system to carry out the payment process, they follow the instructions on the payment device's screen. Here, in payment devices that accept both cash and other payment methods, such as credit cards and electronic money, the customer is first asked to select the payment method before the payment process begins.

However, if a customer is unfamiliar with machine operation and intends to pay with cash, when they come to the payment device, they may insert cash immediately without looking at the screen. In this case, the payment process will not proceed because the customer is not following the correct procedure.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to improve the operability of the settlement device of a semi-self-service POS.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, each aspect of the present invention adopts the following configuration.

The settlement device in the present disclosure is
A payment device in which a customer performs an operation to perform a payment process based on payment information related to a registered product to be purchased,
A display control means for displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information;
and a settlement means for switching the screen to a screen instructing the insertion of cash when coins are inserted into the cash insertion slot while the screen is being displayed and before the operation of the selection button is accepted, and for carrying out settlement processing using cash settlement based on the settlement information.

The data processing method according to the present disclosure includes:
a payment device in which a customer performs operation and performs payment processing based on payment information related to the registered product to be purchased;
Displaying a screen including at least one selection button for a payment method including cash payment for the payment information;
When the screen is displayed and coins are inserted into the cash slot before the selection button is operated, the screen is switched to a screen instructing the insertion of cash, and settlement processing is performed using the cash settlement based on the settlement information.

The program in the present disclosure may be a program that causes at least one computer to execute the above-described method, or may be a computer-readable recording medium having such a program recorded thereon. This recording medium includes a non-transitory tangible medium.
The computer program comprises computer program code which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the data processing method on a settlement device.

In addition, any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present invention.

Furthermore, the various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to be independent entities, but may be formed as a single member by multiple components, one component may be formed from multiple components, one component may be part of another component, or part of one component may overlap with part of another component, etc.

In addition, although the method and computer program of the present invention describe multiple steps in a sequential order, the order does not limit the order in which the multiple steps are executed. Therefore, when implementing the method and computer program of the present invention, the order of the multiple steps can be changed to the extent that does not interfere with the content.

Furthermore, the multiple steps of the method and computer program of the present invention are not limited to being executed at different times. Therefore, a step may occur while another step is being executed, or the execution timing of a step may overlap in part or in whole with the execution timing of another step, etc.

The above aspects can improve the operability of the semi-self-service POS payment device.

1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the hardware configuration of a merchandise registration device and a settlement device included in the information processing system in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of the settlement device of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to the present embodiment. 1 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of an accounting settlement process in the information processing system of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device of the present embodiment. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to the present embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an information device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a settlement device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device of the present embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that in all drawings, similar components are given similar reference numerals and descriptions are omitted where appropriate.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
<System Configuration>
1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that in the following figures, configurations of parts that are not related to the essence of the present invention are omitted and are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes at least one product registration device 10 and at least one settlement device 20. Note that, although FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an information processing system 1 including one product registration device 10 and one settlement device 20, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the information processing system 1 may further include a server device that relays communication between the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20.

For example, the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 are connected to each other via a network 3. Communication between the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 may be wired or wireless. Note that relay communication equipment is not shown.

The product registration device 10 is a device used to register products to be settled, and generates settlement information including information on the products to be settled (hereinafter referred to as product information). The product information includes at least one of the following: product code, product name, product unit price, number of products per product, discount/discount information for each product, and total price of registered products. The settlement information is information used when the settlement device 20 performs settlement processing to complete the purchase and sale of products, and includes at least information on the total price of the products registered as the target of settlement. For example, the settlement information includes at least information on the unit price, number of registrations, and discount/discount information for each product obtained as described above, or information indicating the total price of the products that can be calculated from this information. The settlement device 20 performs settlement processing to complete the purchase and sale of products registered as the target of settlement in the product registration device 10. The settlement device 20 then prints a receipt indicating the details of the settlement.

The product registration device 10 operates based on the operation of a store clerk. On the other hand, the settlement device 20 is a device separate from the product registration device 10, and operates based on the operation of a customer. The information processing system 1 of this embodiment is a so-called semi-self-service POS (Point Of Sales) system. However, the product registration device 10 may also have a function to settle the products registered as items to be settled, in the same way as the settlement device 20, for example, in response to customer requests.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing the hardware configuration of the merchandise registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 included in the information processing system 1 in this embodiment.

<Product Registration Device 10>
The product registration device 10 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, an input/output interface (input/output I/F) 104, and a communication unit 105. The processor 101, the memory 102, the storage 103, the input/output interface 104, and the communication unit 105 are connected by data transmission paths for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other.

The processor 101 is, for example, a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 102 is, for example, a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage 103 is, for example, a storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory card. The storage 103 may also be a memory such as a RAM or a ROM.

The storage 103 stores program modules that realize the functions of each processing unit of the product registration device 10. The processor 101 realizes the functions of each processing unit by executing each of these program modules. Here, when the processor 101 executes each of the above program modules, it may read these program modules onto the memory 102 and then execute them, or it may execute them without reading them onto the memory 102.

The input/output interface 104 is connected to a display device 1041, an input device 1042, a reading device 1045, and the like. The display device 1041 is a device, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, that displays a screen corresponding to drawing data processed by the processor 101 or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) (not shown), and the like. One or more display devices 1041 may be connected to the input/output interface 104. The input device 1042 is a device that accepts operation input from an operator, and is, for example, a keyboard, a touch sensor, and a microphone for voice input. The display device 1041 and the input device 1042 may be integrated and realized as a touch panel.

The reading device 1045 may be a code reader equipped with a light source and a light receiving element such as a photodiode to detect a product code for identifying the product, or a camera equipped with a lens and an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor to capture an image including the exterior of the product.

The communication unit 105 transmits and receives data between the settlement device 20 and other external devices. For example, settlement information generated by the product registration device 10 is transmitted to the settlement device 20 via the communication unit 105. There are various methods for connecting the product registration device 10 and external devices via the communication unit 105. For example, this connection may be a network connection via a network line, or a bus connection via a bus line (e.g., a USB (Universal Serial Bus) line). The network line may be a wireless line or a wired line.

<Settlement device 20>
The settlement device 20 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage 203, an input/output interface (input/output I/F) 204, and a communication unit 205. The processor 201, the memory 202, the storage 203, the input/output interface 204, and the communication unit 205 are connected by a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other. The hardware configuration of the settlement device 20 is substantially similar to the hardware configuration of the product registration device 10.

The settlement device 20 is a device that mainly settles merchandise payments, and therefore does not have a device equivalent to the reading device 1045. However, this device may be included. The settlement device 20 also has a card reading device 2046, which is connected to the input/output interface 204. The following mainly describes the differences from the merchandise registration device 10.

The storage 203 stores program modules that realize the functions of each processing unit of the settlement device 20. The processor 201 executes each of these program modules to realize the functions of each processing unit (such as the receiving unit 210, display control unit 220, and settlement unit 230 in FIG. 3, which will be described later). Here, when the processor 201 executes each of the above program modules, it may read these program modules onto the memory 202 and then execute them, or it may execute them without reading them onto the memory 202.

The printing device 2043 includes a mechanism for feeding out receipt printing paper that has been set in advance, a mechanism for printing the details of one settlement on the receipt printing paper, and a mechanism for cutting the receipt printing paper into receipts for one settlement unit. Note that the mechanism for cutting receipts is not required. These mechanisms of the printing device 2043 operate in accordance with output control commands sent from the processor 201. Specifically, the printing device 2043 feeds out receipt printing paper and executes the printing process based on information that controls the print contents included in the output control command from the processor 201, and controls the receipt cutting operation based on information that controls the cutting state included in the output control command from the processor 201.

The card reader 2046 includes an insertion port into which a card is inserted, a card self-propelling mechanism that self-propels the card inserted into the insertion port to take it in and ejects the card from the insertion port, and a reading unit that reads information recorded on an IC card, magnetic card, etc. The card reader 2046 may also be of a non-contact type. In that case, the insertion port and card self-propelling mechanism are not included. Also, both contact and non-contact type readers may be provided.

The hardware configuration of the product registration device 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. For example, a server device that relays the exchange of settlement information and the like may be included between the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20.

<Processing Configuration>
3 is a functional block diagram showing a logical configuration of the settlement device 20 according to this embodiment. The settlement device 20 has a receiving unit 210, a display control unit 220, and a settlement unit 230. The receiving unit 210 receives settlement information from the product registration device 10. The display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 (FIG. 2) to display a screen including selection buttons for a plurality of settlement methods (cash, credit card, electronic money) including cash settlement, for the settlement information. When currency is inserted into the cash insertion slot before accepting the operation of the selection button, the settlement unit 230 performs settlement processing by cash settlement based on the settlement information.

The settlement unit 230 may perform settlement processing by credit card payment based on the settlement information when a credit card is inserted before the selection button operation is accepted, and may perform settlement processing by electronic money payment based on the settlement information when electronic money is brought close before the selection button operation is accepted.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the screen configuration of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The display control unit 220 first causes the display device 2041 (Figure 2) to display the payment method selection screen 300. Thereafter, the display control unit 220 transitions between screens in response to the customer's operations on each screen displayed on the display device 2041 to display the screens. For example, when cash payment is selected on the payment method selection screen 300, a cash insertion instruction screen 310 is displayed. Furthermore, when cash is inserted, a completion acceptance screen 320 is displayed. Furthermore, when credit card payment is selected on the payment method selection screen 300, a credit card insertion instruction screen 330 is displayed. Furthermore, when a card is inserted, a content confirmation screen 340 is displayed.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a payment method selection screen 300 of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The payment method selection screen 300 differs depending on the type of settlement method supported by the settlement device 20. For example, Figure 5(a) is an example in which the settlement device 20 supports two settlement methods, cash payment and credit settlement, and Figure 5(b) is an example in which the settlement device 20 supports three settlement methods, cash payment, credit settlement, and electronic money settlement.

The payment method selection screen 300 in FIG. 5(a) has a payment amount display section 302, a message display section 304 that prompts the customer to select a payment method, and two selection buttons 306 for selecting one of two payment methods, cash payment and credit settlement. The payment method selection screen 300 in FIG. 5(b) has the same payment amount display section 302 and message display section 304 as in FIG. 5(a), but has a different selection button 306, and has three selection buttons 306 for selecting one of three payment methods, cash payment, credit settlement, and electronic money settlement.

Figure 6 shows examples of a cash insertion instruction screen 310 and a completion acceptance screen 320 of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The cash insertion instruction screen 310 in Figure 6 (a) includes a payment amount display section 312 and a message display section 314 that prompts the customer to insert cash. The completion acceptance screen 320 in Figure 6 (b) includes a message display section 322 that prompts the customer to confirm the settlement details and give an instruction to end the settlement process, a deposited amount/change display section 324, and a completion acceptance button 326.

Figure 7 shows examples of a credit card insertion instruction screen 330 and a content confirmation screen 340 of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The credit card insertion instruction screen 330 in Figure 7 (a) includes a message display section 332 that prompts the customer to insert a credit card, and a credit amount display section 334. The content confirmation screen 340 in Figure 7 (b) includes a message display section 342 that prompts the customer to confirm payment information, a credit settlement content display section 344, and a confirm button 346.

<Example of operation>
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the accounting settlement process of the information processing system 1. The product registration device 10 recognizes the product to be settled using the reading device 1045, and includes the product information of the recognized product in the settlement information. As a result, the product recognized using the reading device 1045 is registered as a product to be settled (S11). When the registration of the product to be settled is completed, the operator of the product registration device 10 inputs that fact (YES in S12). For example, the product registration device 10 displays a button for confirming the completion of product registration on the display device and accepts the operation input from the operator. Then, in accordance with the operation input, the settlement information registered as the settlement target is transmitted to the settlement device 20 (step S13). In step S13, the product registration device 10 selects the settlement device 20 to which the settlement information is transmitted, but this selection may be performed according to the operation of the operator or according to a predetermined priority order.

However, the method of transmitting the settlement information is not limited to this. For example, if the product registration device 10 has a printing mechanism, the product registration device 10 may transmit the settlement information to a server device (not shown) and output a portable medium (e.g., a paper medium on which a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code containing the identification information is printed) that can be read by the settlement device 20 and contains identification information that can identify the settlement information. In this case, the operator of the product registration device 10 hands the output portable medium to the customer, and the customer has the portable medium read by any settlement device 20. The settlement device 20 accesses the server device based on the identification information read from the portable medium, and obtains the settlement information corresponding to the identification information from the server device.

When the settlement device 20 acquires the settlement information (step S21), it performs the settlement process described below (step S24). Here, the settlement information received from the product registration device 10 has not yet been settled. The printer 2043 outputs a receipt with the settlement result printed on it (step S25), and the money processing device 2044 pays out the difference between the amount inserted by the customer and the total price of the products included in the settlement information as change (step S26).

Figure 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the settlement process (step S24 in Figure 8) in the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. This flow starts when the receiving unit 210 receives settlement information from the product registration device 10.

The display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 (FIG. 2) to display the payment method selection screen 300 (step S101). Here, when it is detected that the customer has inserted cash (YES in step S103), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the cash insertion instruction screen 310 (step S111). Then, when the inserted amount is equal to or greater than the billed amount (YES in step S113), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the end acceptance screen 320 (step S115).

When it is detected that the customer has pressed the end acceptance button 326 (YES in step S117), the settlement unit 230 performs the settlement process with cash (step S119), and performs processes such as paying out change and issuing a receipt as necessary, and then ends this process.

On the other hand, if in step S103, no cash insertion is detected (NO in step S103), and pressing of selection button 306 is detected (YES in step S105), and selection button 306 indicates cash payment (YES in step S107), the process proceeds to step S111 and the above-mentioned process is performed.

If the selection button 306 pressed in step S105 is not cash payment (NO in step S107) and is credit card payment (YES in step S109), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the credit card insertion instruction screen 330 (step S121). Then, when it is detected that the customer has inserted a credit card (YES in step S123), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the content confirmation screen 340 (step S125).

When it is detected that the customer has pressed the Confirm button 346 (YES in step S127), the settlement unit 230 performs authentication and settlement processing using the credit card (step S129), issues a card payment statement, and if necessary, issues a receipt, etc., and then ends the process.

In other words, according to the procedure in FIG. 9, when a customer attempts to make a cash payment at the settlement device 20, the customer does not need to press the selection button 306 on the payment method selection screen 300 (NO in step S105) to insert cash, and upon detection of the cash insertion (YES in step S103), the display control unit 220 causes the cash insertion instruction screen 310 to be displayed on the display device 2041 (step S111), so that the customer can immediately proceed with the cash payment procedure. In other words, even if the customer does not look closely at the payment method selection screen 300, the settlement process is executed when the customer inserts cash.

As described above, according to the settlement device 20 of this embodiment, the insertion of coins is first detected on the payment method selection screen 300, so that even before pressing of the selection button 306 on the payment method selection screen 300 is detected, if the insertion of coins is detected, the cash settlement process begins immediately. In this way, the customer can omit the action of pressing the selection button 306, improving operability and convenience of cash payments.

In addition, in semi-self-service POS, most customers who pay in cash want to settle the payment with cash immediately and often do not look closely at the operation screen. This causes customers to have difficulty in operating the system and takes time to press the selection button 306 on the payment method selection screen 300, resulting in delays in the procedure and lost time. According to the present invention, even before the pressing of the selection button 306 is detected, if the insertion of coins is detected, the cash settlement process begins immediately, eliminating lost time and preventing a decrease in customer turnover.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Figure 10 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The settlement device 20 of this embodiment differs from the above embodiment in the operation when a settlement method other than cash settlement is selected, but is otherwise the same. The settlement device 20 has the same components as the settlement device 20 of Figure 3, and further includes a control unit 240. Note that the hardware configuration of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment is the same as that of the above embodiment, so will be described using Figure 2.

Before accepting the operation of the selection button 306, the settlement unit 230 does not perform settlement processing using any settlement method other than cash settlement. Here, other settlement methods are, for example, credit card settlement or electronic money settlement. Specifically, before accepting the operation of the selection button 306, the control unit 240 prohibits the settlement unit 230 from performing settlement processing using any settlement method other than cash settlement. In other words, even if an attempt to insert a credit card or electronic money card is detected while the payment method selection screen 300 is displayed, or if a smartphone or electronic money card is touched to a card reading device for electronic money settlement, the settlement unit 230 does not perform settlement processing.

The control unit 240 may prohibit settlement processing using a settlement method other than cash settlement by, but not limited to, the following examples. In addition, a combination of the following methods may be used.
(1) The operation of the card self-propelling mechanism of the card reader 2046 is inhibited.
(2) Close the card slot.
(3) The operation of the contactless IC card reading mechanism of the card reader 2046 is stopped.

Figure 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The procedure in this figure is the same as that in Figure 9, except that steps S201 and S203 are included before steps S101 and S123, respectively, in the procedure in Figure 9 of the above embodiment. Below, only the procedure that differs from Figure 9 will be explained.

First, the settlement unit 230 of the settlement device 20 prohibits the operation of the card self-propelled mechanism of the card reading device 2046 before accepting the operation of the selection button 306 (step S201). Then, when pressing of the selection button 306 for credit card payment (or electronic money payment) is detected (YES in step S109), the settlement unit 230 allows the operation of the card self-propelled mechanism of the card reading device 2046 (step S203).

In addition, if multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the operation of the selection button 306 is accepted, the display control unit 220 closes the payment method selection screen 300 and displays another screen on the display device 2041.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an alarm screen 350 as an example of another screen. The alarm screen 350 displays a message instructing the customer to wait for a staff member to arrive. At this time, the control unit 240 performs processing to call the store staff member, but this processing is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 240 transmits notification information indicating that multiple attempts to insert a credit card have been made, together with the identification information of the settlement device 20, to the product registration device 10 via the communication unit 205. Alternatively, the control unit 240 notifies the mobile terminal of a pre-registered store staff member.

Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the processing steps when card insertion is detected in the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. The steps in this figure are the same as those in Figure 9, except that steps S211 to S217 are included before step S105 in the steps in Figure 9 of the above embodiment. Only the steps that differ from Figure 9 will be explained below. Also, the steps in Figure 11 and this figure can be combined.

First, in step S101, when the payment method selection screen 300 is displayed and neither the insertion of cash nor the pressing of the selection button 306 is detected (NO in step S103 and NO in step S105), if an attempt to insert a credit card is detected (YES in step S211), the control unit 240 increments the counter i (step S213). Then, the process returns to step S101 until the counter i is greater than 3 (NO in step S215). Then, when the counter i exceeds 3 (YES in step S215), the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the alarm screen 350 in FIG. 12 (step S217). The control unit 240 also notifies the store clerk (not shown).

As described above, according to the settlement device 20 of this embodiment, unless the selection button 306 is pressed, a card cannot be inserted so that settlement methods other than cash payment, for example credit card settlement, are not possible. This makes it possible to complete the settlement process with fewer steps for cash payment, improving convenience. Also, if multiple attempts are made to insert a card without pressing the selection button 306, it is possible that the customer is confused because they do not know how to operate the device, so the customer can be made to stop the operation and a staff member can be notified. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in customer turnover.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the logical configuration of the settlement device 20 of the third embodiment.
The settlement device 20 of this embodiment has a display control unit 220 and a settlement unit 230 similar to those in Fig. 3. The display control unit 220 displays a screen including selection buttons for multiple settlement methods (cash, credit card, electronic money) including cash settlement, on the display device 2041, regarding the settlement information. When currency is inserted into the cash insertion slot before accepting the operation of the selection button, the settlement unit 230 performs settlement processing by cash settlement based on the settlement information.

The operation of the settlement device 20 configured in this manner will be described below. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device 20 of this embodiment. First, the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display a screen (payment method selection screen 300 in FIG. 5) including selection buttons for multiple settlement methods (cash, credit card, electronic money) including cash settlement, for the settlement information (step S301). Then, before the operation of the selection button is accepted (NO in step S303), when coins are inserted into the cash insertion slot (YES in step S305), the settlement unit 230 performs settlement processing by cash settlement based on the settlement information (step S307). When the operation of the selection button is accepted (YES in step S303), processing according to the accepted operation is performed (not shown).

The settlement device 20 of this embodiment configured in this way achieves the same effect as the above embodiment, and since the insertion of coins is first detected on the payment method selection screen 300 (Figure 5), the cash settlement process begins as soon as the insertion of coins is detected, even before pressing of the selection button 306 on the payment method selection screen 300 is detected. In this way, the customer can omit the action of pressing the selection button 306, improving operability and convenience of cash payments.

In semi-self-service POS, most customers who pay in cash want to settle the payment with cash immediately and often do not look closely at the operation screen. This causes customers to have difficulty in operating the system and takes time to press the selection button 306 on the payment method selection screen 300, resulting in delays in the procedure and lost time. According to the present invention, even before the pressing of the selection button 306 is detected, if the insertion of coins is detected, the cash settlement process begins immediately, eliminating lost time and preventing a decrease in customer turnover.

The components of the functional block diagrams (Figs. 3, 10, and 16) of the settlement device 20 of the above embodiments are realized by any combination of computer hardware and software in Fig. 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are various variations in the implementation methods and devices. The functional block diagrams showing the settlement device 20 of each embodiment described below show logical functional unit blocks, rather than a hardware unit configuration.

The computer program of this embodiment is written to cause a computer (processor 201 in FIG. 2) for implementing the settlement device 20 to execute the steps of displaying on the display device 2041 a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method, including cash settlement, with respect to the settlement information, and, when coins are inserted into the cash insertion slot before the selection button is operated, performing settlement processing using cash settlement based on the settlement information.

This computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. There are no particular limitations on the recording medium, and various types of recording medium are possible. The program may also be loaded from the recording medium into the computer's memory 202 (Figure 2), or may be downloaded to the computer via a network and loaded into the memory 202.

The recording medium for recording the computer program includes a non-transitory, tangible computer-usable medium in which computer-readable program code is embedded. When the computer program is executed on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the above-described data processing method for realizing the settlement device 20.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted.
For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which one settlement method is selected from a plurality of settlement methods, but in other embodiments, the settlement device 20 may be capable of only cash settlement.

Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of a payment start screen 360 of a settlement device 20 in another embodiment of the present invention. The payment start screen 360 includes a payment amount display section 362, a message display section 364 that prompts the customer to start payment, and a payment start button 366.

Figure 15 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device 20 in another embodiment. The processing procedure in Figure 15 includes steps S103 to S105 and steps S111 to S117 of the processing procedure in Figure 9 of the above embodiment, and further includes step S221. Below, only the steps that differ from Figure 9 will be explained.

In step S221, the display control unit 220 causes the display device 2041 to display the payment start screen 360 of FIG. 14. Here, before detecting the pressing of the payment start button 366 in step S105, the cash deposit is detected in step S103, and when the cash deposit is detected (YES in step S103), the display control unit 220 causes the cash deposit instruction screen 310 to be displayed on the display device 2041 (step S111) even before the payment start button 366 is pressed.

In this way, in other embodiments, as in the above embodiment, the insertion of coins is first detected on the payment method selection screen 300, so that even before pressing of the start payment button 366 is detected on the payment method selection screen 300, the cash settlement process begins as soon as the insertion of coins is detected. In this way, the customer can omit the action of pressing the start payment button 366, improving the convenience of cash payments. In this way, other embodiments also achieve the same effects as the above embodiment.

The other embodiment can be combined with either the first or second embodiment.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments and examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and examples. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.
In the present invention, when information about a user is acquired and used, this shall be done lawfully.

A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
1. A payment device that performs payment processing by a customer operating the device based on payment information for a product transmitted from a product registration device operated by a store clerk to register the product to be purchased,
A display control means for displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information;
a settlement means for performing a settlement process by cash settlement based on the settlement information when coins are inserted into the cash insertion slot before the operation of the selection button is accepted.
2. In the settlement device described in 1.,
The settlement means does not perform the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting operation of the selection button.
3. In the settlement device described in 2.,
The settlement device, wherein the other settlement method is credit card settlement or electronic money settlement.
4. In the settlement device according to any one of 1 to 3,
When multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the selection button is operated, the display control means transitions to another screen.
5. In the settlement device according to any one of 1 to 4,
When the settlement information is received from the product registration device, the settlement process of the settlement information has not been performed.
6. A payment device that is operated by a store clerk and that registers products to be purchased and that is operated by a customer based on payment information for the products transmitted from the product registration device, and that performs payment processing;
Displaying a screen including at least one selection button for a payment method including cash payment for the payment information;
A data processing method for a settlement device, which performs a settlement process using cash settlement based on the settlement information when coins are inserted into a cash insertion slot before the operation of the selection button is accepted.
7. In the data processing method of the settlement device described in 6.,
The settlement device,
A data processing method for a settlement device, in which the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement is not performed before the operation of the selection button is accepted.
8. In the data processing method of the settlement device described in 7.,
The data processing method of the settlement device, wherein the other settlement method is credit card settlement or electronic money settlement.
9. In the data processing method of the settlement device described in any one of 6. to 8.,
The settlement device,
A data processing method for a settlement device, which transitions to another screen when multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the operation of the selection button is accepted.
10. In the data processing method for a settlement device according to any one of 6. to 9.,
A data processing method for a settlement device, wherein when the settlement information is received from the product registration device, the settlement process for the settlement information has not been performed.
11. A computer that realizes a payment device that performs payment processing by a customer operating the device based on payment information of a product that is registered by a store clerk and is transmitted from a product registration device that registers a product to be purchased,
a step of displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information;
A program for executing a procedure for performing a cash settlement process based on the settlement information when coins are inserted into the cash slot before the operation of the selection button is accepted.
12. In the program according to 11.,
A program that, in the procedure for performing the settlement process, does not perform the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting operation of the selection button.
13. In the program according to 12.,
The program, wherein the other settlement method is credit card settlement or electronic money settlement.
14. In the program according to any one of 11 to 13,
A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for transitioning to another screen when multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the operation of the selection button is accepted.
15. In the program according to any one of 11 to 14,
A program for not carrying out a settlement process for the settlement information when the settlement information is received from the product registration device.

1 Information processing system 3 Network 10 Product registration device 101 Processor 102 Memory 103 Storage 104 Input/output interface 105 Communication unit 1041 Display device 1042 Input device 1045 Reading device 20 Settlement device 201 Processor 202 Memory 203 Storage 204 Input/output interface 205 Communication unit 2043 Printing device 2044 Money processing device 2046 Card reading device 210 Receiving unit 220 Display control unit 230 Settlement unit 240 Control unit 300 Payment method selection screen 302, 312, 362 Payment amount display unit 304, 314, 322, 332, 342, 364 Message display unit 306 Selection button 310 Cash insertion instruction screen 320 End acceptance screen 324 Inserted amount and change display unit 326 End acceptance button 330 Credit card insertion instruction screen 334 Credit amount display section 340 Content confirmation screen 344 Credit settlement content display section 346 Confirm button 350 Alarm screen 360 Payment start screen 366 Payment start button

Claims (7)

A payment device in which a customer performs an operation to perform a payment process based on payment information related to a registered product to be purchased,
A display control means for displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information;
a settlement means for switching the screen to a screen instructing the user to insert cash when coins are inserted into the cash slot while the screen is being displayed and before the selection button is operated and performing settlement processing using cash based on the settlement information. The settlement device according to claim 1,
The settlement means does not perform the settlement process using a settlement method other than cash settlement before accepting operation of the selection button. The settlement device according to claim 2,
The settlement device, wherein the other settlement method is credit card settlement or electronic money settlement. In the settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When multiple attempts to insert a credit card are detected before the selection button is operated, the display control means transitions to another screen. In the settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the settlement information is received from the product registration device, the settlement process of the settlement information has not been performed. a payment device in which a customer performs operation and performs payment processing based on payment information related to the registered product to be purchased;
Displaying a screen including at least one selection button for a payment method including cash payment for the payment information;
A data processing method for a settlement device, in which, when the screen is displayed and coins are inserted into the cash slot before the selection button is operated, the screen is switched to a screen instructing the insertion of cash, and settlement processing is performed using cash settlement based on the settlement information. A computer that realizes a payment device in which a customer performs an operation based on payment information related to a registered product to be purchased and performs a payment process,
a step of displaying a screen including a selection button for at least one settlement method including cash settlement with respect to the settlement information;
A program for executing a procedure in which, when the screen is displayed and coins are inserted into the cash slot before the selection button is operated, the screen is switched to a screen instructing the insertion of cash, and settlement processing is performed using cash settlement based on the settlement information.

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