JP7586529B2 - Registration device, system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a registration device, a system, and a program.

There is known a POS system that includes a registration device that registers products to be purchased and a payment device that performs payment based on information about the registered products (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-273396

However, the POS system disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like have the problem that it is not possible to conveniently check the details of unsettled transactions that have been registered but not yet settled.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide technology that can conveniently confirm the transaction details of unsettled transactions.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a registration device according to one aspect of the present invention is a registration device that registers products to be purchased by a customer through the operation of a store clerk and transmits information about the registered products to a settlement device where the customer settles the transaction, and has a storage means for storing information about the settlement device that executes the settlement process and information about the registered products, and an unsettled list display means for displaying unsettled information about the registered products that are unsettled transactions stored by the storage means and device identification information for identifying the settlement device that executes the settlement process, and the unsettled list display means displays the unsettled information and the device identification information in association with each other, and displays the unsettled information, the device identification information, and information about the status of the settlement device on a single screen.

The registration device allows users to check not only the overview of unsettled transactions, but also the details.

One aspect of the registration device of the present invention is characterized in that the unsettled list display means displays a list of an overview of the unsettled information for each unsettled transaction, and displays details of the information regarding the registered products in a selected unsettled transaction from the listed unsettled transactions on a single screen together with the overview.
With this registration device, a store clerk can easily identify a transaction to some extent just by looking at the summary.

In one aspect of the registration device of the present invention, the unsettled list display means further displays a recall button for recalling information regarding the registered products that has been sent to the settlement device.
According to the registration device, since the transaction to be recalled is an unsettled transaction, convenience can be improved by displaying a recall button.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a program that registers products to be purchased by a customer through operation by a store clerk, transmits information about the registered products to a settlement device where the customer settles the payment, and causes a computer of a registration device having storage means for storing information about the settlement device that executes the settlement process and information about the registered products to execute an unsettled list display step that displays unsettled information about the registered products that are unsettled transactions stored in the storage means and device identification information for identifying the settlement device that executes the settlement process, and in the unsettled list display step, the unsettled information and the device identification information are displayed in association with each other, and the unsettled information, the device identification information, and information about the status of the settlement device are displayed on a single screen.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a POS system having a registration device that registers products to be purchased by a customer through the operation of a store clerk and transmits information about the registered products to a settlement device where the customer settles the transaction, and the settlement device, the registration device has a storage means that stores information about the settlement device that executes the settlement process and information about the registered products, and an unsettled list display means that displays unsettled information about the registered products that are unsettled transactions stored by the storage means and device identification information for identifying the settlement device that executes the settlement process, and the unsettled list display means displays the unsettled information and the device identification information in association with each other, and displays the unsettled information, the device identification information, and information about the status of the settlement device on a single screen.

As described above, you can conveniently check the details of unsettled transactions.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a registration POS register. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a settlement POS register. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a registration POS register and a settlement POS register. FIG. 13 is an example of a screen (registration screen) displayed on a registration POS register. 13 is an example of a screen (unsettled list screen) displayed on a registration POS register. 13 is an example of information stored in a registration POS register. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a registration process and a settlement process. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the registration process and the settlement process. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a display process of an unsettled list screen.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the POS system 1 includes a store controller 10, a registration POS register 20 which is a registration device, and three settlement POS registers 30 which are settlement devices. The store controller 10, the registration POS register 20, and the three settlement POS registers 30 are interconnected by a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 11.

The configuration of the POS system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the POS system 1 may be configured to include two or more registration POS registers 20, or two or less or four or more settlement POS registers 30. The POS system 1 may also be configured not to include a store controller 10. If the POS system 1 is configured not to include a store controller 10, another device (for example, a registration POS register 20, or if there are two or more registration POS registers 20, a representative registration POS register 20) may share the functions of the store controller 10 (described below).

The store controller 10 is a computer that controls the POS system 1, and manages various information such as the product master. The store controller 10 transmits the latest product master to the registration POS register 20 and each checkout POS register 30 as appropriate. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN code), product name (product name, item name), sales price, and discount information for each product. The store controller 10 obtains the product master reflecting the latest product information from an external source (e.g., a head office server, a medium such as a CD-ROM), and transmits it to the registration POS register 20 and each checkout POS register 30 as appropriate.

The registration POS register 20 executes a registration process for registering a product to be purchased. Product registration is performed, for example, by using a scanner to read a barcode attached to the product or by operating a preset button or the like displayed on a registration screen (see FIG. 5).
Furthermore, the registration POS register 20 generates and stores information relating to the registered products (hereinafter referred to as registration data).

The registration data includes registration data identification information for identifying the registration data, the registration date and time, product identification information for each registered product, the product name, sales price, discount information, the transaction point (purchase point number) indicating the number of products to be purchased, and the total price (total amount) of the products to be purchased. The registration data may further include registration device identification information for identifying the registration POS register 20 that generated the registration data (i.e., the registration POS register 20 that registered the product related to the registration data).

The registered data is used for the settlement process in the settlement POS register 30. The settlement process is a process in which the price of the registered products is paid and settled selectively using cash, electronic money, credit card, etc.

In this embodiment, there are multiple settlement POS registers 30 (see FIG. 1), and one of the multiple registers executes the settlement process using the registration data generated in the registration POS register 20. There are two ways to determine which of the multiple settlement POS registers 30 is to execute the settlement process:

In the first mode, a store clerk uses the registration POS register 20 to specify one settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process. That is, the store clerk operates the registration POS register 20 to specify one settlement POS register 30, thereby determining one settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process from among the multiple settlement POS registers 30. The registration POS register 20 may be configured to display operating information showing the operating status of each settlement POS register 30, so that the registration POS register 20 allows the store clerk to check the operating status of each settlement POS register 30 when specifying one settlement POS register 30.

When a store clerk designates one checkout POS register 30, the registration data generated in the registration POS register 20 is transmitted to the checkout POS register 30 designated by the store clerk via the LAN 11. That is, when one checkout POS register 30 is designated following the registration process, the registration POS register 20 transmits registration data based on the registration process to the designated checkout POS register 30. Note that in this embodiment, the registration POS register 20 transmits registration data directly to the checkout POS register 30, but the registration data may also be transmitted to the checkout POS register 30 via the store controller 10.

In the second mode, a store clerk issues a payment processing medium (receipt (registered trademark)) to be handed to the customer at the registration POS register 20, and the customer has one of the payment POS registers 30 read the payment ticket handed to them by the store clerk. In other words, the customer has one of the payment POS registers 30 read the payment ticket handed to them by the store clerk, thereby determining which of the multiple payment POS registers 30 will be used to execute the payment process. The payment ticket has registration data identification information and registration device identification information printed in the form of either a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code.

When a bill is read by the checkout POS register 30, the registration data (the registration data corresponding to the bill) generated by the registration POS register 20 is transmitted via the LAN 11 to the checkout POS register 30 that read the bill. That is, when the checkout POS register 30 reads a bill, it requests (sends request information) the registration data (the registration data identified by the registration data identification information obtained from the bill) corresponding to the bill from the registration POS register 20 (the registration POS register 20 identified by the registration device identification information obtained from the bill) corresponding to the bill, and the registration POS register 20 that has been requested for the registration data transmits the requested registration data to the checkout POS register 30 that made the request. In this embodiment, the checkout POS register 30 requests the registration data directly from the registration POS register 20, but it may also request the registration data from the registration POS register 20 via the store controller 10. In addition, the registration POS register 20 sends registration data directly to the checkout POS register 30, but it may also send the registration data to the checkout POS register 30 via the store controller 10.

The registration POS register 20 may issue a receipt on which the registration data is printed in a two-dimensional code, instead of a receipt on which the registration data identification information and the registration device identification information are printed in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code. When the settlement POS register 30 reads a receipt on which the registration data is printed in a two-dimensional code, it obtains the registration data directly from the receipt.

The settlement POS register 30 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation. When the settlement POS register 30 finishes the settlement process, it notifies the registration POS register 20 of the completion of the settlement process.

Next, referring to Figures 2 to 4, an example of the configuration of the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30 will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the registration POS register 20. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement POS register 30. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the registration POS register and the settlement POS register.

As shown in FIG. 2, the registration POS register 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner unit 204, a display unit (for store clerks) 205, a display unit (for customers) 205a, an operation unit 206, a communication unit 207, a buzzer 208, and a printing unit 209. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The ROM 202 is a read-only memory and stores programs in advance.
The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the registration POS register 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 .

The RAM 203 is a read/write memory that can be used at any time, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores product master data acquired from the store controller 10, registration data generated after the registration process, and information (described later) related to the checkout POS register 30 that executes the checkout process. The RAM 203 may also store operation information received from the checkout POS register 30.
The scanner unit 204 optically reads the barcode (product code) attached to the product.

The display unit (for store clerk) 205 is a touch panel (e.g., a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information for store clerks. For example, the display unit (for store clerk) 205 displays a registration screen (see FIG. 5) on which preset buttons associated with product information (product code, etc.) are arranged, an unsettled transaction list screen (see FIG. 6) on which unsettled transaction information is displayed, and the like. The display unit (for customer) 205a displays various information for customers. For example, the display unit (for customer) 205a displays the price of registered products, etc. The display unit (for customer) 205a may be a touch panel (e.g., a liquid crystal touch panel).

The operation unit 206 has various operation buttons (subtotal key, current total key, number entry key, correction key, preset key, etc.) for operating the registration POS register 20. For example, when an operation button (preset key) is operated, the operation unit 206 accepts operation input for product information (product code, etc.) that is previously set and registered in that preset key.

The communication unit 207 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 .
The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound when it is necessary for a store clerk to confirm an operation.
The printing unit 209 prints and issues media as necessary. For example, the printing unit 209 may print and issue a bill. The printing unit 209 may also print information that guides the clerk to the payment POS register 30.

Figure 4 shows the external configuration of the scanner unit 204, display unit (for store clerk) 205, operation unit 206, and printing unit 209.

As shown in FIG. 3, the settlement POS register 30 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a communication unit 307, a buzzer 308, a printing unit 309, a settlement unit 310, a sign pole 311, and a human detection sensor 312. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The ROM 302 is a read-only memory that stores programs.
The CPU 301 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the settlement POS register 30 by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 302 .

The RAM 303 is a memory that can be read and written at any time, and stores various information, such as product master data acquired from the store controller 10 and registration data acquired from the registration POS register 20.
The scanner unit 304 optically reads, for example, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code printed on a bill or a barcode (membership code) attached to a membership card or the like.

The display unit 305 is a touch panel (e.g., a liquid crystal touch panel) that displays various information. For example, the display unit 305 displays a settlement screen on which the total amount is displayed, etc.

The operation unit 306 has various operation buttons (such as a correction key and a preset key) for operating the settlement POS register 30. For example, the operation unit 306 accepts corrections to operation inputs by operating an operation button (correction key).

The communication unit 307 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 .
When an error or the like occurs, the buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound to notify the user of the error.
The printing unit 309 prints and issues media. For example, when the payment process (i.e., the payment of the purchase amount of the products) is completed, the printing unit 309 prints and issues a payment-completed receipt for the customer to take home.

The settlement unit 310 is configured with a change dispenser, a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, etc., and their respective control units, and settlement processing is performed using the settlement unit 310 with cash, credit, and electronic money. The settlement unit 310 executes settlement with cash using the change dispenser, and outputs the result of the settlement (for example, information indicating whether the settlement has been established) to the CPU 301 via the bus. The change dispenser is equipped with a bill insertion slot for inserting and ejecting bills, a coin insertion slot for inserting coins, and a change ejection slot for ejecting change. The settlement unit 310 also executes settlement with credit, and outputs the result of the settlement to the CPU 301 via the port and the bus. The settlement unit 310 also executes settlement with electronic money, and outputs the result of the settlement to the CPU 301 via the bus.

The sign pole 311 has indicator lights of multiple colors, and by turning on or blinking these indicator lights, it notifies the user that the checkout POS register 30 is the device designated by the store clerk or that it can be operated.
The human detection sensor 312 is a sensor that detects the presence of a person (customer) within a specified range in front of the settlement POS register 30 .

Figure 4 shows the external configuration of the scanner unit 304, display unit 305, operation unit 306, printing unit 309, payment unit 310, and sign pole 311.

Figure 5 is an example of a screen (registration screen) displayed on a registration POS register. The registration POS register 20 displays a registration screen as shown in Figure 5 on the display unit (for store clerk) 205. In addition to preset buttons (buttons labeled "strawberry," "apple," etc.) associated with product information (product code, etc.), the registration screen shown in Figure 5 also includes a payment machine designation button 501 (buttons labeled "payment machine 1," "payment machine 2," or "payment machine 3") for designating the payment POS register 30 that will execute the payment process (i.e., the payment POS register 30 that will send the registration data), a receipt button 503 for printing a receipt, and an unsettled list button 502 for displaying the unsettled list screen (see Figure 6).

In this embodiment, since there are three settlement POS registers 30 in the POS system 1, i.e., there are three settlement POS registers 30 that can execute settlement processing, three buttons corresponding to each of the three registers, settlement machine 1, settlement machine 2, and settlement machine 3, are provided as settlement machine designation buttons 501.

Each adjustment machine designation button 501 may display a status (condition, etc.) of the corresponding adjustment machine. For example, the status of the corresponding adjustment machine may be displayed as a badge on each button. That is, the status may be displayed in a display mode in which a badge representing the status is attached to the adjustment machine designation button 501. The status of the adjustment machine may include whether or not it is powered on, whether or not it is capable of communication, and whether or not change is available.

For example, in the case of FIG. 5, the button of settlement machine 2 displays a badge saying "offline," and the button of settlement machine 3 displays a badge saying "insufficient change." "Offline" indicates that at least one of the settlement POS register 30 or the registration POS register 20 corresponding to the button is offline, or that the settlement POS register 30 corresponding to the button is not powered on.

"Insufficient change" indicates that the settlement POS register 30 corresponding to the button is short of change. The status displayed is not limited to the examples of "offline" and "insufficient change", and may be, for example, "near end", which indicates that there is almost a shortage of change, or "near full", which indicates that there is almost a full supply of change (e.g. 10,000 yen bills).

The display position of the badge is not limited to the display position shown in FIG. 5 (where part of the badge is displayed outside (above) the display area of the button), but may be a display position where the entire badge fits within the display area of the button. Furthermore, the display of the status is not limited to the badge, but a text display area for displaying a statement (text) indicating the status may be provided within the button, and the status may be displayed in that display area. The color of the button may also be changed depending on the status.

After the registration process, the store clerk presses either the settlement machine designation button 501 or the receipt button 503. When settlement machine 1, which is the settlement machine designation button 501, is pressed, the registration data is sent to the settlement POS register 30 that is pre-associated as settlement machine 1, when settlement machine 2, which is the settlement machine designation button 501, is pressed, the registration data is sent to the settlement POS register 30 that is pre-associated as settlement machine 2, when settlement machine 3, which is the settlement machine designation button 501, is pressed, the registration data is sent to the settlement POS register 30 that is pre-associated as settlement machine 3. When the receipt button 503 is pressed, a receipt is printed and issued.

The store clerk can press the Unsettled List button 502 at any time, including during the registration process, so that the Unsettled List screen, which will be described later, can be displayed immediately as necessary. Also, if there are no unsettled transactions, the Unsettled List button 502 may be dimmed, for example, to make it clear that it cannot be pressed.

Figure 6 is an example of a screen (unsettled list screen) displayed on the registration POS register. When the unsettled list button 502 arranged on the registration screen is pressed, the registration POS register 20 displays the unsettled list screen as shown in Figure 6 on the display unit (for store clerk) 205. The unsettled list screen is a screen that displays unsettled transaction information related to unsettled transactions (transactions that have been registered but not yet settled). The unsettled transaction information includes the registration data of the unsettled transaction (an overview of the registered data, or details of the registered data) and information about the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process. The information about the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process is, specifically, settlement device identification information for identifying the specified settlement POS register 30 when a settlement POS register 30 is specified in the registration POS register 20, and information indicating that a receipt has been issued when a receipt has been printed and issued in the registration POS register 20.

The unsettled list screen shown in FIG. 6 has a list display area (overview display area) 601 and an individual display area (detailed display area) 602, and also has a recall button 603, a cancel button 604, a previous button, a next button, a sort button, a lump-sum settlement button, etc.

The list display area 601 is a display area that displays a list of unsettled transaction information for multiple unsettled transactions. Specifically, the list display area 601 displays an overview of the registered data for multiple unsettled transactions (a part of the registered data such as the registration time, registered data identification information, transaction points, and total amount) and information on the settlement POS register 30 that executes the settlement process for each unsettled transaction, in order of most recent registration time.
For example, in the first row "1" of the list display area 601 shown in FIG. 6, the unsettled transaction information with the most recent registration time is displayed as follows: registration time "17:22:34," registration data identification information "TJ019," transaction points "27 points," total amount "2,558 yen," member number "10302," elapsed time "00:00:26," and "settlement machine 1."

The member number displayed on the unsettled list screen is, for example, the number obtained by reading the member card. That is, for example, before, during, or after the registration process, the store clerk has the registration POS register 20 read the member card presented by the member customer, and the card is stored as transaction information (for example, unsettled transaction information as shown in FIG. 6) as described above. The elapsed time displayed on the unsettled list screen is the time elapsed from the end of the registration process, and is the elapsed time based on the time when the settlement machine designation button 501 was pressed when the settlement POS register 30 was specified, and the elapsed time based on the time when the settlement ticket was issued (or the time when the settlement ticket button 503 was pressed) when a receipt was issued. The elapsed time "00:00:26" on the first row of the list display area 601 shown in FIG. 6 indicates the elapsed time based on the time when the "payment machine 1" button was pressed at 17:23:00 (current time).

The next row, "2," displays the second most recently registered unsettled transaction information, which includes the registration time "17:21:05," the registration data identification information "TJ018," the transaction points "6 points," the total amount "525 yen," the elapsed time "00:01:55," and "billing ticket."
Regarding this "receipt", when the customer has the receipt read by the settlement POS register 30, the display content may be changed to include the receipt POS register 30 that has been read. In this case, when the customer has the receipt read by the "payment machine 2", for example, the display content is changed from "receipt" to "receipt/payment machine 2". By changing the display content in this way, it is possible to grasp the settlement situation in more detail, such as whether the receipt was read before or after. Furthermore, the elapsed time "00:01:55" indicates the elapsed time based on the issuance of the receipt at 17:23:00 (current time).

The "3" in the third row shows the third most recent unsettled transaction information, with the registration time "17:20:14", the registration data identification information "TJ017", the transaction points "9 points", the total amount "926 yen", the membership number "05812", the elapsed time "00:02:46", "gift certificate A", and "cash settlement machine 3". In the case of the third row, "gift certificate A" is shown, which indicates that gift certificate A was used at the time of registration. The same is true for "gift certificate B" in the fifth row. As shown by the "insufficient change" badge displayed on "cash settlement machine 3", the status of each cash settlement machine is also displayed on this unsettled transaction list screen. As with the buttons in FIG. 5, the color of the button may be changed according to the status.

In addition, in the unsettled transaction information displayed in "1" on the first row, the registration time "17:22:34", the registration data identification information "TJ019", the transaction points "27 points", and the total amount "2,558 yen" correspond to the "overview of registered data", and "Settlement machine 1" corresponds to "information about the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process". In addition, in the unsettled transaction information displayed in "2" on the second row, the registration time "17:21:05", the registration data identification information "TJ018", the transaction points "6 points", and the total amount "525 yen" correspond to the "overview of registered data", and "receipt" corresponds to "information about the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process".

As described above, the list display area 601 displays unsettled transaction information in reverse chronological order of registration time, because operations such as adding a product, forgetting to read the membership card at the registration device, and forgetting to use a gift certificate, which are the causes (purposes) of recalling a transaction, as described below, are often performed on the most recent customer. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6, by displaying the membership number on the unsettled list screen, the store clerk can immediately check whether the customer's membership card has been read. Similarly, if a gift certificate has been used, a message to that effect is displayed on the unsettled list screen, so that the store clerk can immediately check whether the customer has used the gift certificate.
In this way, by default, the unsettled transactions are displayed in order of most recently registered time, but by using the sort button, it is also possible to display the transactions in order of oldest registered time, largest or smallest amount, or largest or smallest number of transactions. By using these various sorting methods, the store clerk can easily find the transaction he or she is looking for.

In the list display area 601 shown in FIG. 6, the maximum number of unsettled transaction information items that can be displayed at one time (simultaneously) is set to five, but the maximum number of unsettled transaction information items that can be displayed at one time may be four or less, or six or more. The previous button and next button are buttons for displaying unsettled transaction information that is not displayed in the list display area 601 in the list display area 601. In other words, if there is more than the maximum number of unsettled transaction information items and the previous button or next button is pressed, all or part of the unsettled transaction information displayed in the list display area 601 is replaced.

The individual display area 602 is a display area that displays unsettled transaction information for a certain unsettled transaction. Specifically, the individual display area 602 displays details of the registered data for a certain unsettled transaction (registration date and time, registered data identification information, registered device identification information, product identification information, product name, sales price, discount information, transaction points, total amount, etc., all or almost all of the registered data, membership number, gift certificate). For example, the individual display area 602 shown in FIG. 6 displays the registration date and time "Tuesday, September 16, 2014, 17:22:34", registered data identification information "TJ019", registered device identification information "J003", membership number "10302", product identification information "P0086", etc., product name "eggplant", etc., sales price "400 yen", etc., and the details of the bulk discount, as unsettled transaction information corresponding to the unsettled transaction "1" in the first row of the list display area 601. Note that because the unsettled transaction "1" in the first row of the list display area 601 has a high transaction amount of 27 items, some of the information about the items (item identification information, product name, sales price), the transaction amount of "27 items," and the total amount of "2,558 yen" are not displayed in the individual display area 602. When the store clerk checks these, they use the scroll button (a button with an inverted triangle mark) and the page button (a button that says "next page").

Immediately after the unsettled list screen is displayed (immediately after the unsettled list button 502 is pressed), the individual display area 602 initially displays unsettled transaction information corresponding to the unsettled transaction "1" in the first row of the list display area 601. The clerk can also select an unsettled transaction in the list display area 601 by pressing it, and when an unsettled transaction is selected in the list display area 601, the individual display area 602 displays unsettled transaction information corresponding to the unsettled transaction selected by the clerk. Therefore, the clerk can select the unsettled transaction whose details he or she wants to check from the list display area 601 and check it in the individual display area 602.

Next, the recall button 603 will be described. The recall button 603 is a button for suspending the execution of the settlement process based on the registration data after sending the registration data to the settlement POS register 30, and for recalling the registration data sent to the settlement POS register 30. The recall button 603 is used when canceling a product registered in the registration POS register 20, or when registering an additional product for purchase. In other words, when a request to cancel or purchase an additional product is made after sending the registration data and before settlement (when recalling an unsettled transaction), the store clerk selects the unsettled transaction to be recalled from the list display area 601, confirms it in the individual display area 602, and presses the recall button 603. The bulk selection button is used when recalling transactions collectively, rather than just one such transaction. Specifically, the clerk selects the "Select All" button to recall all transactions, the "Select Settlement Machine 1" button to recall all unsettled transactions at settlement machine 1, the "Select Settlement Machine 2" button to recall all unsettled transactions at settlement machine 2, or the "Select Settlement Machine 3" button to recall all unsettled transactions at settlement machine 3, and then presses the recall button 603. Also, the clerk may be able to recall multiple transactions selected at will all at once.

By using a bulk selection button for recalling all unsettled transactions for each settlement machine, such as the above-mentioned "Select settlement machine 1" button, when the settlement machine becomes unusable and requires time to restore, it is possible to immediately recall all unsettled transactions for that settlement machine. An example of a situation in which a settlement machine becomes unusable is when the change is jammed.
By recalling all unsettled transactions in this way, the store clerk can transmit the registration data to an available settlement machine and issue a receipt, so that the customer can immediately settle the transaction at the available settlement machine without having to wait until the settlement machine is restored.

Specifically, for example, the recall is performed as follows. When the recall button 603 is pressed by a store clerk, the registration POS register 20 sends a notification to the settlement POS register 30 that executes the settlement process for the unsettled transaction selected in the list display area 601 at the time the recall button 603 was pressed, indicating that the execution of the settlement process will be suspended for that unsettled transaction, and the settlement POS register 30 that receives the notification suspends the execution of the settlement process for the notified unsettled transaction.

Although an example has been described in which the recall button 603 is used to suspend the execution of the settlement process after the registration data has been sent, a method of using a receipt to suspend the execution of the settlement process before the registration data is sent is also possible. For example, if a receipt is issued and the issued receipt is not read by the settlement POS register 30, the registration data is not sent. In this case, the issued receipt may be read by the registration POS register 20, and the execution of the unsettled transaction corresponding to the receipt may be suspended (for example, the state may be restored to the state before the receipt was issued).

The Cancel button 604 is a button for closing the unsettled list screen and displaying the registration screen.

In the unsettled list screen shown in FIG. 6, information about the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process is displayed in the list display area 601, and is not displayed in the individual display area 602, but information about the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process may also be displayed in the individual display area 602.

As described above, the unsettled list screen has a list display area 601 and an individual display area 602, so the contents of unsettled transactions can be conveniently confirmed. In addition, the unsettled list screen is a screen that displays the list display area 601, the individual display area 602, and the recall button 603 on a single screen.

The unsettled transaction information (an overview of the registered data of multiple unsettled transactions, and information on the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process) displayed in the list display area 601 of the unsettled list screen is based on the registered data stored in RAM 203 and information on the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process. In other words, the CPU 201 refers to the registered data of the unsettled transactions and information on the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process that is stored in association with the registered data, and displays the unsettled transaction information in the list display area 601.

In addition, the unsettled transaction information (details of the registered data of a certain unsettled transaction) displayed in the individual display area 602 of the unsettled transaction list screen is based on the registered data stored in the RAM 203. That is, the CPU 201 refers to the registered data of the unsettled transaction and displays the unsettled transaction information in the individual display area 602.

Figure 7 is an example of information stored in a registration POS register. As described above, in order to display unsettled transaction information in the list display area 601 and individual display area 602 of the unsettled list screen, the registration POS register 20 stores in RAM 203, for example, as shown in Figure 7, in association with the registration data of the unsettled transaction and information relating to the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process. In other words, the information stored in RAM 203 illustrated in Figure 7 is unsettled transaction information. Note that in Figure 7, "Settlement machine/cash slip" corresponds to information relating to the settlement POS register 30 that will execute the settlement process. Also, the "1" in "Settlement machine/cash slip" indicates settlement machine 1. That is, according to FIG. 7, RAM 203 stores registration data A of unsettled transactions for which settlement processing is performed at settlement POS register 30, which is settlement machine 1, registration data B of unsettled transactions for which settlement processing is performed at any settlement POS register 30 among settlement machines 1-3 that reads the bill, and registration data C of unsettled transactions for which settlement processing is performed at settlement POS register 30, which is settlement machine 3. The information shown in FIG. 7 is deleted when settlement completion information, which will be described later, is notified from settlement POS register 30.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the registration process and the settlement process. Specifically, the flow chart shown in Fig. 8 shows the flow of the process of the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30 when the store clerk selects the settlement POS register 30 using the settlement machine selection button 501.
Step S101: The registration POS register 20 executes a registration process in response to an operation by a store clerk.
Step S102: The registration POS register 20 determines the payment POS register 30 that will execute the payment process by the store clerk pressing the payment machine designation button 501.
Step S103: The registration POS register 20 generates registration data for the registration process executed in step S101.
Step S104: The registration POS register 20 associates the registration data generated in step S103 with the settlement device identification information of the settlement POS register 30 determined in step S102, and stores them in the RAM 203. Note that "1" and "3" among the information (unsettled transaction information) illustrated in Fig. 7 are information stored in the RAM 203 in step S104 that has not been marked as settled in step S109 described below (for example, information for which a settled flag indicating that the transaction has been settled has not been set).
Step S105: The registration POS register 20 transmits the registration data generated in step S103 to the settlement POS register 30 determined in step S102. Each device in the POS system 1 can identify an address (e.g., IP address or MAC address) for transmitting information from the settlement device identification information to the settlement POS register 30 identified by the settlement device identification information.

Step S106: The settlement POS register 30 receives the registration data and stores it in the RAM 303.
Step S107: The settlement POS register 30 executes settlement processing based on the registration data stored in the RAM 303 in step S106, in response to the customer's operation.
Step S108: The checkout POS register 30 transmits checkout completion information indicating that the checkout process has been completed to the registration POS register 20 that transmitted the registration data. The checkout completion information includes registration data identification information that identifies the registration data corresponding to the completed checkout process (the registration data used in the checkout process). The checkout POS register 30 may store the address (e.g., IP address or MAC address) of the registration POS register 20 that transmitted the registration data when receiving the registration data, and may transmit the checkout completion information to the registration POS register 20 that transmitted the registration data. If the registration data includes registration device identification information (the registration device identification information of the registration POS register 20 that transmitted the registration data), the checkout completion information may be transmitted to the registration POS register 20 identified by the registration device identification information. Each device in the POS system 1 can specify an address for transmitting information to the registration POS register 20 identified by the registration device identification information from the registration device identification information. The same applies to the flowchart in FIG.

Step S109: The registration POS register 20 receives the settlement completion information, and among the multiple registration data stored in the RAM 203, marks the registration data identified by the registration data identification information included in the settlement completion information as settled (for example, a settlement completion flag may be set to indicate that the settlement has been completed).

The timing when the clerk can press the Unsettled List button 502 on the registration POS register 20 is when the registration process is not being executed. Specifically, this is the timing after step S102 described above. Therefore, when the Unsettled List button 502 is pressed at any timing after step S102 described above, the registration POS register 20 references the registration data that has not been settled among the multiple registration data stored in the RAM 203 (e.g., registration data for which the settled flag has not been set) and the settlement device identification information stored in association with the registration data, and displays the unsettled list screen as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit (for clerk) 205.

8 distinguishes whether the registered data in RAM 203 is registered data for an unsettled transaction or a registered data for a settled transaction based on whether the registered data has a settled flag attached to it, but the manner of distinguishing whether the registered data is registered data for an unsettled transaction or a registered data for a settled transaction is not limited to this. For example, the registered data for an unsettled transaction and the registered data for a settled transaction may be separately stored in RAM 203, thereby distinguishing whether the registered data is registered data for an unsettled transaction or a registered data for a settled transaction. In the case where the registration data for unsettled transactions and the registration data for settled transactions are stored separately in RAM 203, for example, the registration POS register 20 stores the registration data for the unsettled transactions in step S104, and in step S109, the registration data for the corresponding unsettled transactions is treated as the registration data for settled transactions (the registration data for the unsettled transactions is deleted, and the contents of the deleted registration data for the unsettled transactions are stored as the registration data for settled transactions).

9 is a flow chart showing another example of the registration process and the settlement process. Specifically, the flow chart shown in FIG. 9 shows the flow of the process of the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30 when the store clerk prints a receipt using the receipt button 503.
Step S201: The registration POS register 20 executes a registration process in response to an operation by a store clerk.
Step S202: When the store clerk presses the receipt button 503, the registration POS register 20 prints and issues a receipt.
Step S203: The registration POS register 20 generates registration data for the registration process executed in step S201.
Step S204: The registration POS register 20 associates the registration data generated in step S203 with information indicating that a receipt has been issued, and stores them in the RAM 203. Note that among the information (unsettled transaction information) shown in Fig. 7, "2" indicates, among the information stored in the RAM 203 in step S204, information that has not been marked as settled in step S212 (for example, information for which a settled flag indicating that the payment has been settled has not been set).

Step S205: The settlement POS register 30 reads the bill, i.e., obtains the registration data identification information and the registration device identification information.
Step S206: The checkout POS register 30 transmits registration data request information requesting the registration data identified by the registration data identification information acquired in step S205 to the registration POS register 20 identified by the registration device identification information acquired in step S205. The registration data request information includes registration data identification information that identifies the requested registration data.

Step S207: The registration POS register 20 receives the registration data request information, and stores settlement device identification information that identifies the settlement POS register 30 that sent the registration data request information, in association with the registration data identified by the registration data identification information included in the registration data request information among the multiple registration data stored in RAM 203. In other words, the registration POS register 20 stores which settlement POS register 30 will perform the settlement process for the transaction that issued the bill.

Step S208: The settlement POS register 30 receives the registration data request information and transmits, from among the multiple registration data stored in RAM 203, the registration data identified by the registration data identification information included in the registration data request information received in step S207 to the settlement POS register 30 that sent the registration data request information.

Step S209: The settlement POS register 30 receives the registration data and stores it in the RAM 303.
Step S210: The settlement POS register 30 executes settlement processing based on the registration data stored in the RAM 303 in step S209, in response to an operation by the customer.
Step S211: The settlement POS register 30 transmits settlement completion information indicating that the settlement process has been completed to the registration POS register 20 which is the sender of the registration data.

Step S212: The registration POS register 20 receives the settlement completion information, and among the multiple registration data stored in the RAM 203, marks the registration data identified by the registration data identification information included in the settlement completion information as settled (for example, a settlement completion flag may be set to indicate that the settlement has been completed).

The timing when the clerk can press the Unsettled List button 502 on the registration POS register 20 is when the registration process is not being executed. Specifically, this is the timing after step S202 described above. Therefore, when the Unsettled List button 502 is pressed at any timing after step S202 described above, the registration POS register 20 references the registration data that has not been settled among the multiple registration data stored in the RAM 203 (e.g., registration data for which the settled flag has not been set) and the settlement device identification information stored in association with the registration data, and displays the unsettled list screen as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit (for clerk) 205.

10 is a flowchart showing an example of a display process of the unsettled list screen. The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 starts when the unsettled list button 502 is pressed.
Step S301: The registration POS register 20 displays an unsettled transaction list screen. At this time, based on each unsettled transaction information (transaction data of the unsettled transaction, information on the settlement POS register 30 that executes the settlement process) stored in the RAM 203, the list display area 601 displays a list of unsettled transaction information (summary) of multiple unsettled transactions, and the individual display area 602 displays, as an initial display, unsettled transaction information (details) corresponding to the unsettled transaction "1" in the first row of the list display area 601. It is assumed here that multiple pieces of unsettled transaction information are displayed in the list display area 601.
Step S302: The registration POS register 20 determines whether any of the unsettled transaction information items displayed in the list display area 601 has been pressed. If any of the unsettled transaction information items has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S303. If none of the unsettled transaction information items has been pressed, the process skips step S303 and proceeds to step S304.

Step S303: The registration POS register 20 displays details of the pressed unsettled transaction information in the individual display area 602. For example, the registration POS register 20 may search the RAM 203 for details of the unsettled transaction information identified by the registration data identification information included in the pressed unsettled transaction information, and display the details in the individual display area 602.
Step S304: The registration POS register 20 determines whether or not the stop button 604 has been pressed. If the stop button 604 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S305. If the stop button 604 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S302.
Step S305: The registration POS register 20 closes the unsettled transaction list screen and ends this process.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the details of unsettled transactions can be conveniently confirmed. For example, in the list display area 601 of the unsettled list screen, a store clerk can easily grasp the outline of unsettled transactions and which settlement POS register 30 each unsettled transaction will be settled at (or whether a receipt has been printed or issued), and can also check the details of a specific unsettled transaction in the individual display area 602.

As explained above, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code is printed on the receipt, but the format of the code printed on the receipt (one-dimensional code, two-dimensional code) may be stored and displayed in at least one of the list display area 601 and the individual display area 602 of the unsettled items list screen.

The above-described POS register (the registration POS register or the settlement POS register) and the program for implementing the POS system may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read and executed by the computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes storage devices that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The above-mentioned program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device, etc., to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. The term "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may also be one that realizes some of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be one that realizes the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, a so-called differential file (differential program).

1... POS system, 10... store controller, 11... LAN, 20... registration POS register, 30... settlement POS register, 201... CPU, 202... ROM, 203... RAM, 204... scanner unit, 205... display unit (for store clerk), 205a... display unit (for customer), 206... operation unit, 207... communication unit, 208... buzzer, 209... printing unit, 301... CPU, 302... ROM , 303...RAM, 304...scanner unit, 305...display unit, 306...operation unit, 307...communication unit, 308...buzzer, 309...printing unit, 310...payment unit, 311...signpost, 312...human detection sensor, 501...payment machine selection button, 502...unpaid list button, 503...account ticket button, 601...list display area (overview display area), 602...individual display area (detailed display area)

Claims (3)

A registration device operated by a store clerk,
A registration means for registering a product;
a transmitting means for transmitting information about the products registered by the registration means so that the information can be settled by a settlement device that settles the bill based on an operation of a customer;
a display means capable of displaying a registration screen for displaying information on the products registered by the registration means, and an unsettled transaction list screen for displaying a list of unsettled transactions which are transactions that have not been settled at the settlement device,
The display means is
a payment device designation button for designating a payment device to which the transmission means transmits information related to the product registered by the registration means; a receipt button for printing a receipt printed by coding registration data identification information for identifying information related to the product registered by the registration means and device identification information of the registration device; and an unsettled list button for displaying the unsettled list screen,
When there is an unsettled transaction, the unsettled transaction list button is displayed on the registration screen in an operable manner even during product registration by the registration means;
A registration device characterized in that, when there is no unsettled transaction, the unsettled transaction list button is displayed on the registration screen in an inoperable state. A system having a registration device that registers products based on an operation by a store clerk and a payment device that settles a payment based on an operation by a customer,
The registration device includes:
A registration means for registering a product;
a transmitting means for transmitting information about the product registered by the registration means so that the product can be settled at the settlement device;
a display means capable of displaying a registration screen for displaying information on the products registered by the registration means, and an unsettled transaction list screen for displaying a list of unsettled transactions which are transactions that have not been settled at the settlement device,
The display means is
a payment device designation button for designating a payment device to which the transmission means transmits information related to the product registered by the registration means; a receipt button for printing a receipt printed by coding registration data identification information for identifying information related to the product registered by the registration means and device identification information of the registration device; and an unsettled list button for displaying the unsettled list screen,
When there is an unsettled transaction, the unsettled transaction list button is displayed on the registration screen in an operable manner even during product registration by the registration means;
When there are no unsettled transactions, the system displays the unsettled transaction list button on the registration screen in an inoperable state. A program for causing a computer to function as a registration device operated by a store clerk, the program comprising:
The computer,
A registration means for registering a product;
a transmitting means for transmitting information about the products registered by the registration means so that the information can be settled by a settlement device that settles the bill based on an operation of a customer;
the display unit functions as a display control unit for controlling the display of a registration screen for displaying information about products registered by the registration unit and an unsettled transaction list screen for displaying a list of unsettled transactions that are transactions that have not been settled at the settlement device,
The display control means
a payment device designation button for designating a payment device to which the transmission means transmits information related to the product registered by the registration means; a receipt button for printing a receipt printed by coding registration data identification information for identifying information related to the product registered by the registration means and device identification information of the registration device; and an unsettled list button for displaying the unsettled list screen,
When the unsettled transaction exists, the unsettled transaction list button is controlled to be displayed on the registration screen in an operable manner even during product registration by the registration means;
A program characterized by controlling the display of the unsettled transaction list button on the registration screen in an inoperable state when there is no unsettled transaction.

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