JP7624246B2 - Sales data processing device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sales data processing device and a program .

Semi-self-service cash registers are becoming more common, in which the registration device for registering products and the settlement device for settling the price of the products registered on the registration device are separate devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such semi-self-service cash registers, registration and settlement are performed on separate devices, which reduces congestion at the cash register. Also, some of the registration devices in the semi-self-service cash registers mentioned above allow both product registration and settlement, and allow deposits to be made while the products are being registered.

JP 2017-224364 A

When registration and settlement are performed on separate devices, while it is possible to reduce congestion at the cash register as described above, some customers may be confused about how to pay at the settlement device. If customers are confused about how to pay and the time required to pay is prolonged, the advantages of the semi-self-service system are lost and convenience is reduced, which is a problem.

The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide technology that can improve convenience.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a product sales data processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a registration means capable of executing product registration processing, a settlement means capable of executing settlement processing, a transmission means for transmitting registration data generated in the registration processing in order to have another device execute the settlement processing, and a declaration means for declaring the execution of the settlement processing on the device itself, and is characterized in that when the declaration means declares the execution of the settlement processing on the device itself, the transmission of the registration data by the transmission means is prohibited.

The above makes it possible to improve convenience.

In the above-mentioned product sales data processing device, if the declaration means has not declared that the device is executing a checkout process, and another device is not in the process of checking out, the transmission means may be permitted to transmit the registration data.

According to the above, if no declaration is made, the transmission of registration data is permitted, allowing operation in a semi-self-service manner.

The above-mentioned product sales data processing device may be provided with a display unit for store clerks and a display unit for customers, and when the declaration means declares that the settlement process will be executed on the device itself, it may be possible to display on at least the display unit for customers that the settlement process can be executed on the device itself.

According to the above, at least the customer display unit displays that the payment process can be performed on the device, so that the customer can recognize that the payment process can be performed on the device, thereby improving customer convenience.

The above-mentioned product sales data processing device may be provided with a cash deposit/withdrawal means capable of depositing and withdrawing cash, and the declaration means may be disabled when the cash deposit/withdrawal means is in a specified state.

Based on the above, whether or not to disable the declaration means can be determined based on whether or not the deposit/withdrawal means is in a specified state.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a product sales data processing system according to another aspect of the present invention is a product sales data processing system including a registration and settlement device capable of executing a registration process for registering products and a settlement process, and a settlement device that executes the settlement process in response to a customer's operation, the registration and settlement device including a registration means capable of executing the registration process of products, a settlement means capable of executing the settlement process, a transmission means for transmitting registration data generated in the registration process to cause the settlement device to execute the settlement process, and a declaration means for declaring the execution of the settlement process on the device itself, and is characterized in that when the declaration means declares the execution of the settlement process on the device itself, the transmission of the registration data by the transmission means is prohibited.

The above makes it possible to improve convenience.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as a product sales data processing device, and causes the computer to function as a registration means capable of executing product registration processing, a settlement means capable of executing settlement processing, a transmission means for transmitting registration data generated in the registration processing in order to cause another device to execute the settlement processing, and a declaration means for declaring the execution of the settlement processing on the own device, and when the declaration means declares the execution of the settlement processing on the own device, the program prohibits the transmission means from transmitting the registration data.

The above makes it possible to improve convenience.

As described above, the convenience of the product sales data processing device can be improved.

1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a POS terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a POS terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of operation modes of the POS terminal. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating switching of the operation mode of the POS terminal. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of operation in a normal mode. 10 is a flowchart outlining an operation in a normal mode. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of operation in a normal mode. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of an operation in a normal mode. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of the operation in a full self mode. 10 is a flowchart outlining an operation in a full self mode. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of the operation in a double scan mode. 11 is a flowchart outlining an operation in a double scan mode. 13 is a display example of a POS terminal in a full self-service mode. 13 is a display example of a POS terminal in a full self-service mode. FIG. 13 is a display example on the POS terminal 20 in normal mode. 13 is a display example on the POS terminal 20 in normal mode. 13 is a flowchart showing a self-terminal settlement permission process. 13 is a flowchart showing a self-terminal settlement permission process. 13 is a display example on the POS terminal 20 in normal mode. 13 is a display example on the POS terminal 20 in normal mode. 13 is a display example on the POS terminal 20 in normal mode. 13 is a display example on the POS terminal 20 in normal mode.

Figure 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The POS system 1 shown in Figure 1 includes three POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, and a store controller (store computer, management device) 10, all of which are connected to each other via a LAN 11 so as to be able to communicate with each other. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, they will be collectively referred to as the POS terminal 20. The POS system 1 may further include a monitoring terminal (not shown) that displays the status of the POS terminal 20 (operation mode, processing status, etc.) and controls the POS terminal 20.

The POS system 1 can be installed in various stores (convenience stores, supermarkets, etc.).

Figure 2 shows an example of the installation of the POS terminal 20. Figure 2(A) is an oblique view of the POS terminal 20, etc., as seen from the customer side. Figure 2(B) is an oblique view of the POS terminal 20, etc., as seen from the store clerk side. As shown in Figure 2(A), a counter is placed to the right of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the POS terminal 20. Figure 3(A) is an oblique view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side. Figure 3(B) is an oblique view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the store clerk side. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20. In Figures 3 and 4, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

Below, an example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The POS terminal 20 comprises a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer display unit 205, a customer scanner unit 206, a card payment unit 208, a change dispenser 209, a store clerk display unit 210, a key operation unit 211, a store clerk scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, and a communication unit 215. These can communicate with each other via a bus. The reference numeral 211a will be described later.

The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the POS terminal 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 .
The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

RAM 203 is a read/write memory that stores various information. For example, RAM 203 stores information acquired from the outside (e.g., product master data acquired from store controller 10) and information generated during processing (e.g., registration information (registration data) generated during a registration process that registers products, settlement information generated during a settlement process that settles (pays) purchased products, etc.).

The hard disk 204 stores various information. For example, the hard disk 204 may store programs executed by the CPU 201 instead of the ROM 202. Also, instead of the RAM 203, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from the outside and information generated during processing.

The customer-side display unit 205 is a touch display for customers, which displays various information to customers and accepts various inputs from customers.
The customer-side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for customer use, and optically reads various types of information.
For example, the customer-side scanner unit 206 optically reads bar codes (such as product codes) attached to products and codes (such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes) printed on receipts (registered trademark). In addition to the above, the customer-side scanner unit 206 may also read codes (such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes) printed on gift certificates (gift certificates, coupons, and complimentary coupons) and various cards (such as membership cards and point cards).

The customer-side scanner unit 206 is used when a customer registers an item, but the customer may register the item using other methods. For example, if a preset key (a button for ordering the item) corresponding to the item is displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, the customer may operate (press) the preset key to register the item.

The card payment unit 208 is a payment mechanism using various cards (credit cards, prepaid cards such as transportation cards, point cards, etc.). The card payment unit 208 is equipped with a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit. The card recognition unit magnetically or electrically reads information from various cards. The read information is used to settle (settle) the purchased items. The card recognition unit may recognize various cards not only when the recognized information is used to settle (settle) the purchased items (i.e., in the case of credit card payment, prepaid card payment, and the use (consumption) of points held on a point card, etc.), but also when the recognized information is not used to settle (settle) the purchased items (for example, when a bonus is given by presenting a credit card, when points are given to a point card, etc.). The card payment unit 208 of this embodiment is equipped with a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit, but the card payment unit 208 may be equipped with at least a card recognition unit. In addition, the card recognition unit of this embodiment is compatible with contact cards (IC cards, magnetic cards), but it may also be compatible with non-contact cards (IC cards) instead of or in addition to contact cards.

The change machine 209 (cash settlement section) is a cash settlement mechanism that has an input port for banknotes and coins and an output port for banknotes and coins, calculates the amount inserted into the input port, calculates the change amount, which is the difference between the input amount and the purchase amount, and outputs the change from the output port. The change machine 209 faces the customer and is operated by the customer. When banknotes or coins are inserted into the input port, they are detected by a sensor (detecting that they have been inserted, detecting the number of coins by denomination, etc.). The card settlement section 208 and the change machine 209 form the settlement section.

The store clerk's display unit 210 is a touch display for the store clerk, which displays various information to the store clerk and receives various inputs from the store clerk.
The key operation unit 211 is made up of various keys (hardware keys, buttons) and receives various inputs from the store clerk.
The store clerk scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for store clerks, and optically reads various information. For example, the store clerk scanner unit 212 optically reads barcodes attached to products and store clerk codes attached to store clerk nametags. In addition to the above, the store clerk scanner unit 212 may also read codes printed on bills, gift certificates, and various cards.

The clerk-side scanner unit 212 is used when the clerk registers a product, but the clerk may register the product using other methods. For example, if a key corresponding to a product (such as a key corresponding to a sports newspaper) is located on the key operation unit 211, the clerk may operate (press) that key to register the product. Also, if a preset key corresponding to a product is displayed on the clerk-side display unit 210, the clerk may operate that preset key to register the product.

The printing unit 213 prints and issues various media (receipts, bills, etc.). The printing unit 213 can freely rotate to change its orientation (direction of the media issuing port) from the clerk side to the customer side, or from the customer side to the clerk side. The orientation of the printing unit 213 may be changed manually, or it may be changed automatically (mechanically controlled, etc.) based on, for example, a change in operating mode (details described later). The correctness of the orientation of the printing unit 213 may be detected by a sensor or the like. Switching between operating modes is also referred to as a transition in operating mode.

The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs audio guidance and the like.
The communication unit 215 transmits and receives information to and from other terminals (other devices: other POS terminals 20, store controller 10).

(Overview of each operation mode)
Next, the operation modes of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The POS terminal 20 has a number of operation modes. The operation modes are operation modes during normal business (operation modes related to registration processing and settlement processing), and do not include a counting mode in which sales and inventory are counted and inquired, a maintenance mode in which store clerks or maintenance personnel perform setting and maintenance work, a training mode in which new employees are trained, etc.

Figure 5 is a diagram outlining the operating modes of the POS terminal 20. The POS terminal 20 has, for example, three operating modes (normal mode (standard mode), full self-service mode, and semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode)) shown in Figure 5 (A). The POS terminal 20 may have the normal mode (restricted mode) shown in Figure 5 (B) instead of or in addition to the normal mode (standard mode) shown in Figure 5 (A). The POS terminal 20 may have the semi-self-service mode (registration only mode) shown in Figure 5 (B) instead of or in addition to the normal mode (standard mode) shown in Figure 5 (A). The POS terminal 20 may have the semi-self-service mode (registration only mode) shown in Figure 5 (B) instead of or in addition to the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) shown in Figure 5 (A).

In FIG. 5(A), the columns indicate each operating mode, and the rows indicate each function ("Product registration (clerk side)", "Product registration (customer side)", "Insert coins", ..., "Read receipt"). The same is true in FIG. 5(B) (however, the functions are not shown in FIG. 5(B)).

In Figure 5(A) (and also in Figure 5(B)), an "o" in a field identified by a column and row indicates that the function of that row is enabled in the operating mode of that column. For example, an "o" in a field identified by the column "normal mode (standard mode)" and the row "product registration (clerk side)" indicates that product registration (clerk side) is enabled in normal mode (standard mode). Also, a "-" in a field identified by a column and row indicates that the function of that row is disabled in the operating mode of that column. For example, a "-" in a field identified by the column "normal mode" and the row "product registration (customer side)" indicates that product registration (customer side) is disabled in normal mode.

(Explanation of each function)
Below, an overview of each function shown in FIG.

(Product registration (store clerk side))
"Product registration (clerk side)" is a function for registering purchased products on the clerk side (clerk side scanner unit 212, clerk side display unit 210, key operation unit 211). In other words, it is a function for executing registration processing of purchased products by operations of the clerk (scanning by clerk side scanner unit 212, touching on clerk side display unit 210, operating key operation unit 211).

(Product registration (customer side))
"Product registration (customer side)" is a function for registering purchased products on the customer side (customer side scanner unit 206, customer side display unit 205). In other words, this is a function for executing registration processing of purchased products by customer operations (scanning by customer side scanner unit 206, touching customer side display unit 205).

(Depositing currency)
"Deposit of money" is a function for accepting the insertion of money (banknotes, coins), that is, a function for accepting an operation for settling with cash (insertion of money into the change machine 209).

(Transmitting registration information to other devices)
"Sending registration information to other terminals" is a function to send the registration information generated in the registration process to other terminals (other terminals capable of executing settlement processes, for example, other POS terminals 20) (either directly to the other terminals, or indirectly to the other terminals via the store controller 10 or a monitoring terminal, etc.; the same applies below).

(Issuance of bills)
The "issuance of a receipt" function encodes the registration information generated in the registration process and issues a printed medium (receipt).

(Receiving registration information from other devices)
"Receiving registration information from another terminal" is a function to receive registration information generated in the registration process of another terminal (receiving directly from another terminal, or receiving indirectly from another terminal via the store controller 10 or a monitoring terminal, etc. The same applies below). The terminal that receives the registration information from another terminal executes the settlement process based on the registration information.

(Reading the bill)
"Read receipt" is a function to read receipts (specifically, the code printed on the receipt or the coded information). A terminal that reads a receipt issued by another terminal executes a settlement process based on the registration information obtained by reading the receipt.

(Explanation of each operation mode)
Next, an overview of each operation mode shown in FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(B) will be described.

(Normal mode (standard mode))
The normal mode (standard mode) is an operation mode in which product registration (clerk side) is enabled "◯" and product registration (customer side) is disabled "-" as shown in Fig. 5 (A). In other words, the normal mode (standard mode) is an operation mode in which the registration process is not performed on the customer side but is performed on the clerk side.

5A, the normal mode (standard mode) is an operation mode in which the insertion of coins, the transmission of registration information to other terminals, and the issuance of accounting tickets are all enabled "O". In other words, in the normal mode (standard mode), the settlement process after the registration process on the store clerk's side can be performed on the store's own terminal (own device) or can be performed by another terminal.
Specifically, in normal mode (standard mode), the settlement process is executed on the terminal itself by accepting coins inserted into the change dispenser 209, and the settlement process is caused to be executed by another terminal by transmitting registration information to the other terminal (or by issuing a bill).

As shown in FIG. 5A, the normal mode (standard mode) is an operating mode in which both the reception of registration information from other terminals and the reading of the bill are enabled. In other words, in the normal mode (standard mode), the settlement process can be performed based on the registration information generated in the other terminal. The settlement process after the reception of the registration information (or the reading of the bill) may be performed in the semi-self-service mode of FIG. 5A. In other words, when the registration information is received (or the bill is read) in the normal mode (standard mode), the device may automatically switch from the normal mode (standard mode) to the semi-self-service mode (only for billing) (permission from the store clerk may be required) and the settlement process may be performed in the semi-self-service mode (only for billing). In addition, when the device switches to the semi-self-service mode (only for billing) and the settlement process is performed, the device may automatically switch (return) from the semi-self-service mode (only for billing) to the normal mode (standard mode) (permission from the store clerk may be required), or the device may remain in the semi-self-service mode (only for billing).

In addition, in normal mode (standard mode), at least one of receiving registration information from other terminals and reading receipts may be disabled ("-").

(Full selfie mode)
As shown in FIG. 5A, the full self-service mode is an operating mode in which product registration (customer side) is enabled (O). In other words, the full self-service mode is an operating mode that assumes registration processing on the customer side. However, the full self-service mode also enables product registration (clerk side) (O). In other words, the full self-service mode is an operating mode that assumes registration processing on the customer side, but also allows registration processing on the clerk side. The state in which registration processing is performed on both the customer side and the clerk side is sometimes referred to as double scan mode.

In the example shown in FIG. 5(A), product registration (by the store clerk) is enabled (◯) in the full self-service mode, but product registration (by the store clerk) may be disabled (-) in the full self-service mode.

As shown in FIG. 5(A), the full self-service mode is an operating mode in which inserting coins is enabled (◯) and sending registration information to other terminals and issuing receipts is disabled (-). In other words, the full self-service mode is an operating mode that assumes that the settlement process will be carried out at the terminal in question.

As shown in FIG. 5(A), the full self-service mode is an operating mode in which both receiving registration information from other terminals and reading the bill are enabled, as in the normal mode (standard mode). In other words, in the full self-service mode, the settlement process can be performed based on the registration information generated in the other terminal, as in the normal mode (standard mode). The settlement process after receiving the registration information (or reading the bill) may be performed in the semi-self-service mode of FIG. 5(A). In other words, when in the full self-service mode, if the registration information is received (or the bill is read), the device may automatically switch from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) and perform the settlement process in the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode). In addition, when the device switches to the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) and performs the settlement process, the device may automatically switch (return) from the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) to the full self-service mode, or may remain in the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode).

(Semi-self mode (accounting only mode))
As shown in Fig. 5(A), the semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode) is an operating mode in which the reception of registration information from other terminals, the reading of accounting tickets, and the insertion of coins are enabled "〇", and product registration (clerk side) and product registration (customer side) are disabled "-". In other words, the semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode) is an operating mode in which the registration process is not performed on the terminal itself, and the settlement process is performed solely based on registration information generated on other terminals. Note that, because the semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode) is an operating mode in which the registration process is not performed (because registration information is not generated), as shown in Fig. 5(A), the sending of registration information to other terminals and the issuance of accounting tickets are both disabled "-".

(Normal mode (Limited mode))
As shown in Fig. 5(B), the normal mode (restricted mode) is an operation mode in which the sending of registration information to other terminals and the issuing of accounting tickets, which are enabled (◯) in the normal mode (standard mode) in Fig. 5(A), are disabled (-). In other words, the normal mode (restricted mode) is an operation mode in which the function of causing other terminals to execute settlement processing, which is permitted in the normal mode (standard mode), is restricted.

(Semi-self mode (registration only mode))
As shown in Fig. 5(B), the semi-self-service mode (registration-only mode) is an operating mode in which product registration (store clerk side), sending of registration information to other terminals, and issuing of receipts are enabled "〇", and product registration (customer side), insertion of coins, receiving of registration information from other terminals, and reading of receipts are disabled "-". In other words, the semi-self-service mode (registration-only mode) is an operating mode in which the registration process is carried out exclusively on the terminal itself, and the payment process is carried out on other terminals. Note that because the semi-self-service mode (registration-only mode) is premised on the registration operation being carried out by a store clerk, product registration (customer side) is disabled "-".

(About enabling and disabling functions)
In the above, it has been explained that the various functions of the POS terminal 20 itself (product registration (clerk side), product registration (customer side), coin insertion, ..., receipt reading in Fig. 5(A)) are enabled "O" or disabled "-" depending on the operation mode. In other words, it has been explained above that the POS terminal 20 originally has all functions (product registration (clerk side), product registration (customer side), coin insertion, ..., receipt reading in Fig. 5(A)), and some of these functions are disabled depending on the operation mode (for example, as shown in Fig. 5(A) , the POS terminal 20 disables product registration (customer side) "-" when in normal mode (standard mode), and disables sending registration information to other terminals and issuing receipts "-" when in full self-service mode).

However, the POS terminal 20 may have different executable functions depending on the operation mode, and the POS terminal 20 does not necessarily have to have all the functions from the beginning and disable some of the functions depending on the operation mode. For example, the POS terminal 20 does not have all the functions (programs for realizing the functions) from the beginning, but rather acquires a program for realizing a function required in the operation mode (e.g., a function corresponding to the function marked as "○" in FIG. 5) from the outside (e.g., the store controller 10, a monitoring terminal, a server outside the store (e.g., cloud, etc.)) depending on the operation mode (e.g., when switching the operation mode), and makes it executable, and if a program for realizing a function not required for the operation mode (a function corresponding to the function marked as "-" in FIG. 5) exists (when held), the program may be made in an inexecutable state (e.g., erased). Note that the program for realizing the unnecessary function may be made in an inexecutable state, and then the program for realizing the necessary function may be acquired and made executable. For example, when switching operating modes, the POS terminal 20 may first render all programs inexecutable, regardless of the operating mode to which it is transitioning, and then obtain from the outside a program for realizing the functions required in that operating mode and render it executable.
In other words, the configuration of the POS terminal 20 may be such that some of the various functions originally provided are disabled ("-") depending on the operating mode, or it may be such that only the necessary functions are provided as appropriate depending on the operating mode.

The normal mode (standard mode), full self-service mode, and semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) in Figure 5 (A), and the normal mode (restricted mode) and semi-self-service mode (registration only mode) in Figure 5 (B) have been explained above, but the following explanation will focus on the normal mode (standard mode), full self-service mode, and semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) in Figure 5 (A). Note that in the following explanation, normal mode (standard mode) may be simply referred to as normal mode. Also, semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) may be simply referred to as semi-self-service mode.

(Switching (transitioning) operation modes)
Next, the switching (transition) of the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The operation mode of the POS terminal 20 is basically switched in accordance with an explicit mode switching operation (also called a mode transition operation; details will be described later) performed by a store clerk to switch the operation mode. The operation mode of the POS terminal 20 may also be switched in accordance with an operation other than the mode switching operation (for example, reading a store clerk code, etc.).

The POS terminal 20 may switch its operating mode without being operated by a store clerk. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 may switch its operating mode according to a mode switching command (mode switching instruction) from another terminal (the POS terminal 20, a monitoring terminal, a mobile terminal, etc.). The POS terminal 20 may switch its operating mode according to a time condition (e.g., the time elapsed since the last operation, a fixed time according to a schedule, etc.). The POS terminal 20 may switch its operating mode at the start of a process (e.g., at the start of a settlement process based on the received registration information, at the start of a settlement process based on a receipt, etc.). The POS terminal 20 may switch its operating mode at the end of a process (e.g., at the end of a settlement process based on the received registration information, at the end of a settlement process based on a receipt).

Figure 6 is a diagram explaining the switching of the operation mode of the POS terminal 20. The left side of Figure 6 shows the combination of operation modes before and after the switch (operation mode before switching → operation mode after switching), and the right side shows the conditions for switching the operation mode (one example). For example, row a shows that, as one example of the conditions for switching the operation mode from normal mode to full self mode, there is a mode switching operation, a mode switching command, or the passage of a predetermined time (not used). In other words, when the operation mode is normal mode, if there is, for example, a mode switching operation, a mode switching command, or the passage of a predetermined time (not used), the operation mode will switch from normal mode to full self mode. The mode switching operation will be described in detail later.

(Normal mode → Full self mode)
As shown in a, when in the normal mode, for example, if a mode switching operation, a mode switching command (such as a mode switching command in which full self mode is specified as the operation mode to be transitioned to), or a predetermined time has elapsed (a predetermined period of non-use), the operation mode will switch from the normal mode to the full self mode.

(Normal mode → Semi-self mode (accounting only mode))
As shown in b, when in normal mode, for example, if there is a mode switching operation or a mode switching command (such as a mode switching command specifying semi-self mode (accounting only mode) as the destination operating mode), the operating mode switches from normal mode to semi-self mode (accounting only mode). Also, when in normal mode, for example, if registration information is received from another terminal or an accounting ticket is read, the operating mode may be switched from normal mode to semi-self mode (accounting only mode).

(Full self mode → Normal mode)
As shown in c, when in the full self-service mode, for example, if there is a mode switching operation or a mode switching command (such as a mode switching command in which the normal mode is specified as the operation mode to be switched to), the operation mode is switched from the full self-service mode to the normal mode. Also, when an operation is accepted on the customer side during standby in the full self-service mode (when the registration start button BT30 is operated, the customer side display unit 205 is touched, or a product is registered on the customer side scanner unit 206), the full self-service mode may be continued, and when an operation is accepted on the store clerk side (when a product is registered on the store clerk side, when a touch operation on the store clerk side display unit 210 is accepted, or when an operation declaring use by the store clerk (for example, when logging in) is accepted), the operation may be automatically switched to the normal mode. If the timing at which the customer's operation is accepted and the timing at which the store clerk's operation is accepted are the same, it is possible to set in advance which operation mode, full self-service mode or normal mode, will be prioritized, or to display at least one of the screens to confirm the operation mode change or to notify the customer to perform an operation to encourage the change of operation mode.

(Full self-service mode → Semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode))
As shown in FIG. 1D, when in full self-service mode, for example, if there is a mode switching operation or a mode switching command (such as a mode switching command specifying semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) as the destination operating mode), the operating mode switches from full self-service mode to semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode). Also, when in full self-service mode, for example, if registration information is received from another terminal or an accounting ticket is read, the operating mode may be switched from full self-service mode to semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode).

(Full self mode → Double scan mode)
As shown in FIG. 5(e), when in the full self-service mode, if, for example, a store clerk code is read, the operation mode switches from the full self-service mode to the double scan mode. The double scan mode is one aspect of the full self-service mode (a state in which the product registration (store clerk) function is used in addition to the product registration (customer) function; see FIG. 5(A)).

Note that if the clerk code is read while in full self-service mode, the operating mode may always switch to double scan mode regardless of the state of product registration, or may switch to a different operating mode depending on the state of product registration. For example, if the clerk code is read when a product has not yet been registered (i.e., the customer has not yet registered a product), the operating mode may switch from full self-service mode to normal mode, and if the clerk code is read when a product has already been registered (i.e., the customer has registered a product), the operating mode may switch from full self-service mode to double scan mode.

(Semi-self mode (accounting only mode) → Normal mode)
As shown in FIG. 1f, when in the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode), the operation mode switches from the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) to the normal mode if, for example, a mode switching operation or a mode switching command (such as a mode switching command in which the normal mode is specified as the operation mode to be transitioned to) is performed. Also, when in the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode), the operation mode may be switched from the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) to the normal mode if, for example, a settlement process (for example, a settlement process based on received registration information, a settlement process based on a bill) is completed.

(Semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) → Full self-service mode)
As shown in FIG. 1g, when in the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode), for example, if there is a mode switching operation or a mode switching command (such as a mode switching command in which the full self-service mode is specified as the operation mode to be transitioned to), the operation mode switches from the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) to the full self-service mode. Also, when in the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode), for example, if a settlement process (for example, a settlement process based on received registration information, a settlement process based on a bill) is completed, the operation mode may be switched from the semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) to the full self-service mode.

Note that the mode switching operation may be one in which the destination operation mode is specified according to the operation. For example, if a separate button for each destination is provided (or displayed), the operation mode may be switched to each destination according to the mode switching operation of pressing the respective button. Also, if a single button that switches the destination each time it is pressed is provided (or displayed), the operation mode may be switched each time the mode switching operation of pressing that button is performed.

In addition, a button for selecting the destination operation mode and a button for confirming the transition to the operation mode selected by the button may be provided (or displayed) separately.

(Transition of operation mode by mode switching operation)
Next, the transition of operation modes by mode switching operation will be described. The POS terminal 20 switches operation modes in response to an explicit mode switching operation by a store clerk (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the operation mode is switched in response to the operation of the mode switching button 211a (see FIG. 3B) located at the top and right end of the key operation unit 211.

In addition, since the mode switching button 211a is located at a corner of the key operation unit 211, it is possible to reduce operational errors when switching between operation modes and to easily switch between operation modes. In other words, when the mode switching button 211a is located at a corner of the key operation unit 211, compared to when the mode switching button 211a is located near the center of the key operation unit 211, for example, there are fewer other buttons adjacent to the mode switching button 211a that is the object of operation. This makes it less likely that an operational error will occur, such as hastily operating another button, and also makes it possible to instantly identify the position of the mode switching button 211a that is the object of operation, allowing for stress-free mode switching operations.

Furthermore, because the mode switching button 211a is located in the upper right corner (top row and rightmost) of the key operation unit 211, mode switching can be performed not only when the store clerk is on the store clerk side, but also when the store clerk is on the customer side. In other words, a store clerk on the customer side cannot normally see the buttons on the key operation unit 211, but the mode switching button 211a located on the upper right corner of the key operation unit 211 can be easily recognized as the mode switching button 211a to be operated by reaching out from the customer side and feeling around (by touch), so a store clerk on the customer side can perform mode switching without moving to the store clerk side.

In this embodiment, the mode switching button 211a is located in the upper right corner of the key operation unit 211, but the mode switching button 211a may be located in a position other than the upper right corner of the key operation unit 211 as long as the position is recognizable by touch alone (a position that is relatively easy to recognize). Also, instead of or in addition to locating the mode switching button 211a in a position that can be recognized by touch alone (for example, the upper right corner), the mode switching button 211a may be formed so that it can be distinguished from other buttons even from the customer's side. For example, the size of the mode switching button 211a may be different from the size of the other buttons, the shape of the mode switching button 211a may be different from the shape of the other buttons, or the height of the mode switching button 211a may be different from the height of the other buttons (for example, the mode switching button 211a may be made to protrude further than the other buttons), or the feel of all or part of the surface of the mode switching button 211a (the surface that the hand touches) may be different from the feel of the other buttons (for example, only the surface of the mode switching button 211a may be made to feel rough or bumpy, or only the surface of the mode switching button 211a may be provided with protrusions or depressions).

In this embodiment, taking into consideration the various advantages described above, the mode switching button 211a is provided on the key operation unit 211. However, instead of or in addition to providing the mode switching button 211a on the key operation unit 211, a mode switching button (not shown) may be provided on the screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 210.

(Operation of each operation mode)
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of operation in normal mode. Specifically, Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of processing and the actions of people (store clerks, customers) when a settlement process is performed at the user's own terminal in normal mode. Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an overview of operation in normal mode. Specifically, Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an overview of operation when a settlement process is performed at the user's own terminal in normal mode.

In normal mode (either when the payment process is performed at the store's own terminal or when the payment process is performed at another terminal), the store clerk registers the items purchased by the customer on the store clerk side (store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211) (top of Figure 7). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items through the operations of the store clerk (scanning with the store clerk scanner unit 212, touching the store clerk display unit 210, operating the key operation unit 211) (top of Figure 7).

When the store clerk has completed the registration process, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the store clerk display unit 210 and settles the bill by inserting coins (cash) into the change machine 209 or by operating the card payment unit 208 (lower part of Figure 7). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting cash into the change machine 209, operating the card payment unit 208) (lower part of Figure 7).

That is, when performing the settlement process on the user's own terminal in normal mode, as shown in FIG. 8, the clerk first scans the product (step S10: YES) and registers the product (step S11). After pressing a subtotal key (e.g., a subtotal key displayed on the clerk display unit 210 or a subtotal key located on the key operation unit 211) (step S30: YES), the customer settles the amount using, for example, the change dispenser 209 (step S50), and the process is completed. The subtotal key in step S30 is an operation key for completing the registration process, and may also be called a subtotal button, registration completion key, registration completion button, bill key, bill button, etc.

The customer may wait until the registration process is completed by the store clerk (until the total amount is confirmed), but may also insert cash into the change dispenser 209 before the registration process is completed. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can accept deposits during the registration process (upper part of Figure 7).

The customer may also select a payment method (also called a payment type, settlement method, or payment type) before completing the registration process. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can accept the selection of a payment method during the registration process.

The store clerk may wait until the customer has completed the payment (until the customer has received their change and receipt), but may also register the items purchased by the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can register the items purchased by the next customer while the payment is being processed (lower part of Figure 7). The store clerk may also be absent while the customer is paying (lower part of Figure 7). In other words, the store clerk may finish serving the customer while the customer is paying.

In addition, when there is change, the POS terminal 20 may control the dispenser 209 to dispense the change and change tag to prevent the customer from forgetting to take the change, and after recognizing with a sensor or the like that the customer has removed the change and change tag, control the printing unit 213 to print a receipt. The same applies to other operating modes.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram outlining operation in normal mode. Specifically, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the process flow and the actions of people (store clerks, customers) when another terminal is made to execute the settlement process in normal mode (standard mode). Figure 10 is a flowchart outlining operation in normal mode, etc. Specifically, Figure 10 (A) is a flowchart outlining operation when another terminal is made to execute the settlement process in normal mode (standard mode). Note that Figure 10 (B) is a flowchart showing the basic flow of operation in the other terminal (other device) in Figure 10 (A).

In normal mode (either when the payment process is performed at the store's own terminal or when another terminal is made to perform the payment process), the store clerk registers the items purchased by the customer on the store clerk side (store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211) (top of Figure 9). In other words, the POS terminal 20 (POS terminal 20-1 in the example of Figure 9) executes the registration process of the purchased items through the operation of the store clerk (operation of the store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.) (top of Figure 9).

When the store clerk has completed the registration process, the customer moves to another POS terminal 20 (POS terminal 20-2 in the example of FIG. 9), checks the total amount of the purchased items on the store clerk display unit 210, and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change machine 209 or operating the card payment unit 208 (lower part of FIG. 9). In other words, the other POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process in response to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change machine 209, operating the card payment unit 208) (lower part of FIG. 9).

In addition, the other POS terminal 20 (POS terminal 20-2) is provided with information necessary for the settlement process (such as the registration information generated in POS terminal 20-1).

The store clerk uses POS terminal 20-1 to specify the POS terminal 20 that will execute the settlement process (in the example of FIG. 9, either POS terminal 20-2 or POS terminal 20-3). Alternatively, the store clerk may use POS terminal 20-1 to issue a medium (a bill) that will be read by the POS terminal 20 that will execute the settlement process (in the example of FIG. 9, POS terminal 20-2 or POS terminal 20-3).

That is, when the checkout process is to be executed by another terminal in normal mode, as shown in FIG. 10(A), the clerk first scans the product (step S10: YES) and registers the product (step S11). After pressing a subtotal key (e.g., a subtotal key displayed on the clerk display unit 210 or a subtotal key located on the key operation unit 211) (step S30: YES), for example, another POS terminal 20 to execute the checkout process is designated (step S31: YES), and the registration information is sent to the designated POS terminal 20 (step S32), completing the registration process.

After specifying another terminal, the store clerk can register the next customer's purchase (lower part of Figure 9). Also, after specifying another terminal, the store clerk may not be present (lower part of Figure 9).

In the example shown in FIG. 10(A), another POS terminal 20 is specified after pressing the subtotal key, but it is also possible to specify another POS terminal 20 without pressing the subtotal key. For example, a subtotal key and a key for specifying another POS terminal 20 may be arranged on the registration screen (and a key for issuing a receipt may also be arranged), and registration information may be sent when the key for specifying a POS terminal 20 is pressed. In the aspect of specifying another POS terminal 20 without pressing the subtotal key, it is not necessary to press the subtotal key after pressing the key for specifying another POS terminal 20.

Although not shown in the example shown in FIG. 10A, a billing ticket to be read by another POS terminal 20 may be issued, and the other POS terminal 20 may execute the settlement process.
The key for issuing a receipt may be pressed after the subtotal key is pressed, or may be pressed before the subtotal key. In the case where the key for issuing a receipt is pressed before the subtotal key is pressed, it is not necessary to press the subtotal key after pressing the key for issuing a receipt.

The other POS terminal 20 that received the registration information (POS terminal 20-2 in the example of FIG. 9) transitions (switches) to semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) if it is not in semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) after receiving the registration information (step S40: YES), as shown in FIG. 10 (B). In other words, if the current operating mode (at the time of receiving the registration information) is full self-service mode (step S41: YES), it transitions from full self-service mode to semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) (step S42), and if the current operating mode is normal mode (step S43: YES), it transitions from normal mode to semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) (step S42). Then, at the customer's side, settlement is performed by, for example, the change dispenser 209 (step S50), and the settlement process is completed.

In the example shown in FIG. 10(B), the other POS terminal 20 that received the registration information switches to semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode) after receiving the registration information if it is not already in semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode), but it does not have to switch to semi-self-service mode (accounting only mode). In other words, because payment processing is possible even in normal mode or full self-service mode (see FIG. 5), payment processing may be performed while remaining in normal mode or full self-service mode.

As described above, the normal mode (standard mode) includes a function for a store clerk to execute a registration process and then execute a settlement process at the customer's terminal using the registration information generated in the registration process (see Figures 7 and 8); a function for sending the registration information generated in the registration process to another terminal (another terminal capable of executing a settlement process, such as another POS terminal 20) and having the other terminal execute the settlement process (see Figures 9 and 10); and a function for issuing a receipt printed with the registration information generated in the registration process (or information for obtaining the registration information) as a code (barcode, two-dimensional code, etc.), and having the other terminal execute the settlement process.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the normal mode (restricted mode) is a mode in which, among the functions of the normal mode (standard mode) described above, the function of sending the registration information generated in the registration process to another terminal and having the other terminal execute the settlement process, and the function of issuing an accounting ticket that is printed by encoding the registration information generated in the registration process (or information for obtaining the registration information) and having the other terminal execute the settlement process are restricted.

In addition, among the functions of the normal mode (standard mode) described above, the function of sending the registration information generated in the registration process to another terminal and having the other terminal execute the settlement process, and the function of issuing a bill on which the registration information generated in the registration process (or information for acquiring the registration information) is coded and printed, and having the other terminal execute the settlement process, are also functions of the semi-self-service mode (registration-only mode). In other words, the semi-self-service mode can be classified into a registration-only mode and a billing-only mode, but the semi-self-service mode (registration-only mode) includes a function of sending the registration information generated in the registration process to another terminal and having the other terminal execute the settlement process, and a function of issuing a bill on which the registration information generated in the registration process (or information for acquiring the registration information) is coded and printed, and having the other terminal execute the settlement process, as shown in FIG. 5 (B). In other words, the semi-self-service mode (registration-only mode) is a mode in which the function of executing the registration process on the customer's side using the registration information generated in the registration process after the clerk executes the registration process is restricted from the functions of the normal mode (standard mode) described above. In other words, the semi-self mode (registration-only mode) is an operating mode that exclusively performs the registration process.

As shown in FIG. 5(A), the semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode) includes a function to receive registration information generated in the registration process at another terminal and execute the settlement process, and a function to read an accounting ticket issued at another terminal and execute the settlement process. In other words, the semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode) is an operating mode that exclusively executes the settlement process.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram outlining the operation of the full self mode. Figure 12 is a flowchart outlining the operation of the full self mode.

In the full self-service mode, the customer registers the items he or she has purchased on the customer side (customer side scanner unit 206, customer side display unit 205) (top of Fig. 11). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process for the purchased items through the customer's operation (scanning with the customer side scanner unit 206, touching the customer side display unit 205) (top of Fig. 11).

When the registration process is complete, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the customer display unit 205 and settles the bill by inserting cash into the change machine 209 or operating the card payment unit 208 (lower part of Fig. 11). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process based on the customer's operation (inserting cash into the change machine 209, operating the card payment unit 208) (lower part of Fig. 11).

That is, in the case of full self-service mode, as shown in FIG. 12, the customer scans the product (step S20: YES) and registers the product (step S21). After pressing a registration completion key (e.g., a registration completion key displayed on the customer display unit 205) (step S40: YES), the customer uses, for example, the change dispenser 209 to settle the bill (step S50), completing the process. The registration completion key in step S40 is an operation key for completing the registration process, and may also be referred to as a registration completion button, subtotal key, subtotal button, bill key, bill button, etc.

In the full self-service mode, as shown in FIG. 11, the customer performs both the registration process and the settlement process, but this does not mean that the store clerk cannot do anything. In other words, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, the store clerk can, for example, scan products (double scan mode) or display various information.

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram outlining the operation of the double scan mode. Figure 14 is a flow chart outlining the operation of the double scan mode. Note that the double scan mode is one aspect of the full self mode, but for the sake of convenience, the two operation modes are described separately in Figures 13 and 14.

In the full self-service mode, the customer registers the items he or she has purchased on the customer side (top row of FIG. 11, top row of FIG. 13). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process for the purchased items through the customer's operation (top row of FIG. 11, (top row of FIG. 13)).

In the middle of the customer's registration process, the store clerk registers the items purchased by the customer (middle part of Figure 13). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process operated by the customer and the registration process operated by the store clerk (middle part of Figure 13).

When the registration process is complete, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the customer display unit 205 and settles the bill by inserting cash into the change machine 209 or operating the card payment unit 208 (lower part of FIG. 13). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting cash into the change machine 209, operating the card payment unit 208) (lower part of FIG. 13).

In other words, when the registration process is being performed in full self-service mode (see FIG. 12), if the store clerk code is read by the store clerk scanner unit 212 (step S110: YES), as shown in FIG. 14 (A), the operating mode transitions from full self-service mode to double scan mode (step S111).

After switching to the double scan mode, as shown in FIG. 14B, the clerk scanner unit 212 scans the item (step S10: YES), registers the item (step S11), and the customer scanner unit 206 scans the item (step S20: YES), registers the item (step S21). After pressing a subtotal key (e.g., a subtotal key displayed on the clerk display unit 210 or a subtotal key located on the key operation unit 211) or a registration completion key (e.g., a registration completion key displayed on the customer display unit 205) (step S41: YES), the customer uses, for example, the change dispenser 209 to settle the amount (step S50), and the process is completed.

In double scan mode, the store clerk may wait until the customer has completed the payment (until the customer has received their change and receipt), but may also register the items purchased by the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can register the items purchased by the next customer while the payment is being processed (lower part of Figure 13). Also, the store clerk may be absent while the customer is paying (lower part of Figure 13). In other words, the store clerk may finish serving the customer while the customer is paying.

As shown in FIG. 14(A), when the clerk code is read in full self-service mode, the operation mode transitions from full self-service mode to double scan mode. However, reading the clerk code may be one of the login operations. The operation mode may also transition from full self-service mode to double scan mode when another operation (e.g., a login operation other than reading the clerk code) is performed in full self-service mode. The operation mode may also transition from double scan mode to full self-service mode when no operation is performed by the clerk in double scan mode (e.g., when a predetermined time has passed since the last operation).

(Operation mode notification)
Each POS terminal 20 may notify the current operation mode of the terminal itself. For example, each POS terminal 20 may display the current operation mode of the terminal itself on the store clerk display unit 210.
Specifically, each POS terminal 20 may display a screen having an operation mode display field of the terminal on the clerk display unit 210, and may display the current operation mode of the terminal in the operation mode display field on the screen. Also, each POS terminal 20 may display a screen on which images (e.g., button-like images) corresponding to each operation mode are arranged on the clerk display unit 210, and may display the image corresponding to the current operation mode of the terminal on the screen in a different display mode (e.g., a display mode that is more prominent than the display mode of other images) from the images that do not correspond to the current operation mode. For example, when operating with two operation modes, normal mode and full self-service mode, the normal mode image and full self-service mode image may be always displayed, and when the current operation mode of the terminal is normal mode, the normal mode image may be displayed in a display mode that is more prominent than the full self-service mode image, and when the current operation mode of the terminal is full self-service mode, the full self-service mode image may be displayed in a display mode that is more prominent than the normal mode image. Note that each POS terminal 20 may also display the current operation mode of the terminal on the customer display unit 205 in the same manner.

Also, each POS terminal 20 may report the current operating mode of the other terminal instead of or in addition to its own current operating mode. That is, each POS terminal 20 may report the current operating mode of the other terminal by recognizing the current operating mode of the other terminal. One example of a method for each POS terminal 20 to recognize the current operating mode of the other terminal is a method in which each POS terminal 20 notifies the other terminal of the new operating mode (latest operating mode) after switching the operating mode (by directly notifying the other terminal via the LAN 11, or by notifying the other terminal via the store controller 10, a monitoring terminal, etc.). Also, each POS terminal 20 may report the current processing status of the other terminal as well as the current operating mode of the other terminal.

Each POS terminal 20 may also report information according to its own current operating mode (operating mode, processing status, etc.). For example, when the current operating mode of the POS terminal 20 is a full self mode, for example when it is in standby, the POS terminal 20 may display various information on the customer side display unit 205. The POS terminal 20 may also report information according to the current operating mode of other terminals instead of or in addition to information according to its own current operating mode.

The operating mode of the terminal itself and other terminals will be notified even if the operating mode is changed by a store clerk (by a mode switching operation, reading of a store clerk code, etc.) or if the operating mode is changed without a store clerk's operation (by a mode switching command, the passage of a specified time, etc.).

(Storage of information regarding operation modes)
Each POS terminal 20 may store, as information about the operation mode, in which operation mode a transaction (processing) was performed. For example, when a POS terminal 20-1 operating in a normal mode (standard mode) performs a registration process and a settlement process for a certain transaction, the POS terminal 20-1 that performed the registration process and the settlement process may store information (e.g., information that can identify the operation mode) that the registration process and the settlement process for the transaction were performed in the normal mode (standard mode) as information about the transaction (e.g., settlement information) (or in association with the information about the transaction).

Each POS terminal 20 may also store at which terminal the transaction (processing) was performed. In the above example, the POS terminal 20-1 may store, as information related to the transaction, information that the registration process and the settlement process were performed at its own terminal (the POS terminal 20-1).
More specifically, the POS terminal 20-1 may store its own terminal identification information as the identification information (terminal identification information) of the terminal that executed the registration process, and may also store its own terminal identification information as the terminal identification information of the terminal that executed the settlement process. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20-1 may store its own terminal identification information as the terminal identification information of the terminal that executed the entire process (registration process, settlement process).

For example, if a POS terminal 20-1 operating in normal mode (standard mode) first executes a registration process for a certain transaction, and then a POS terminal 20-2 operating in semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode) executes a settlement process for that transaction based on the registration information from the above registration process, the POS terminal 20-2 that executed the settlement process may store information that the registration process for that transaction was performed in normal mode (standard mode) as information about that transaction (for example, settlement information) (or in association with information about that transaction), and may also store information that the settlement process for that transaction was performed in semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode). In addition to the above, the POS terminal 20-1 that executed the registration process may also store information that the registration process for that transaction was performed in normal mode (standard mode).

In the above example, the POS terminal 20-2 that executed the settlement process may store information regarding the transaction that the registration process was executed at another terminal (POS terminal 20-1), and may also store information that the settlement process was executed at its own terminal (POS terminal 20-2).
More specifically, the POS terminal 20-2 may store the terminal identification information of the other terminal (the POS terminal 20-1) as the information of the terminal that executed the registration process (terminal identification information), and may store the terminal identification information of its own terminal (the POS terminal 20-2) as the terminal identification information of the terminal that executed the settlement process. In the above example, it is sufficient that the POS terminal 20-2 that executes the settlement process is able to obtain the terminal identification information of the POS terminal 20-1 that executed the registration process and information identifying the operation mode (specifically, the normal mode (standard mode)). For example, it is sufficient that the terminal identification information of the POS terminal 20-1 and information identifying the operation mode are supplied from the POS terminal 20-1 to the POS terminal 20-2 (for example, transmitted and received as registration information, or supplied via a bill).

Each POS terminal 20 may also store information about transitions (switches) of operation modes as information about operation modes. For example, when the operation mode of the POS terminal 20-1 transitions from one operation mode to another, the POS terminal 20-1 may store information about which operation mode it transitioned to (e.g., information that can identify the operation mode after the transition) along with the time of the operation mode transition. The POS terminal 20-1 may also store information about which operation mode it transitioned from to (e.g., information that can identify the operation mode before the transition, information that can identify the operation mode after the transition) along with the time of the operation mode transition.

Each POS terminal 20 may store information regarding the transition of the operating mode, whether the operating mode was switched by an operation by a store clerk (by a mode switching operation, reading of a store clerk code, etc.) or not by an operation by a store clerk (by a mode switching command, the passage of a predetermined time, etc.). In the above cases, each POS terminal 20 may store information regarding the basis on which the operating mode was switched (for example, that the operating mode was switched by an operation by a store clerk with clerk code "xxx", that the operating mode was switched by a mode switching command from a POS terminal 20 with terminal identification information "xxx").

In addition to or in addition to the POS terminal 20, the store controller 10 or a monitoring terminal may store information regarding the operating mode.

In addition, the information about the operation mode stored as described above may be output (displayed, transmitted, printed, etc.) as necessary. For example, the POS terminal 20 may print information (information that only the store clerk can recognize, or information that can also be recognized by the customer) indicating that the process (registration process, settlement process) was performed in the full self-service mode on a receipt output in the full self-service mode. Receipts output in other operation modes may be printed in a similar manner. In addition, for example, the POS terminal 20 (or the monitoring terminal) may display the operation mode at the time of processing. As an example, when a transaction number (information that can identify a transaction) is entered on a specified search screen, the POS terminal 20 (or the monitoring terminal) may display the terminal (terminal identification information, etc.) on which the process was performed and the operation mode (information that can identify the operation mode) for at least one of the registration process and the settlement process for the corresponding transaction.

In the following explanation, it is assumed that POS terminal 20-1 and POS terminal 20-2 are in normal mode (specifically, normal mode (standard mode)). In addition, it is assumed that POS terminal 20-3 is in full self-service mode.

(Display example of POS terminal 20 in full self-service mode)
Figures 15 and 16 are examples of displays on the POS terminal 20 in the full self-service mode. Specifically, Figures 15(A), 15(B), and 16(A) to 16(F) are all examples of displays on the customer-side display unit 205 of a POS terminal 20-3 in the full self-service mode.

Figure 15 (A) shows the display contents of the registration start screen before the start of the registration process. In Figure 15 (A), the registration start button BT30 on the right of the screen is a button for instructing the start of product registration. The customer operates the registration start button BT30 when starting product registration. Buttons BT35 to BT37 on the bottom left of the screen are buttons for switching the display language between English, Chinese, and Korean, respectively.

Figure 15 (B) shows the display contents of the registration screen when the second product (daifuku mochi) has been registered. Note that when the registration start button BT30 is operated on the registration start screen shown in Figure 15 (A), the POS terminal 20-3 displays a registration screen in which no products have yet been registered, but for ease of explanation, Figure 15 (B) shows the registration screen after the products (tea and daifuku mochi) have already been registered.

In FIG. 15(B), image GA01 at the bottom left of the screen shows the state of the other terminal (POS terminal 20-1) (specifically, that it is in normal mode). Image GA02 at the bottom left of the screen shows the state of the other terminal (POS terminal 20-2) (specifically, that it is in normal mode). The checkout button BT32 at the bottom right of the screen is a button for instructing the end of product registration. The customer operates the checkout button BT32 after product registration is complete. The store clerk call button BT33 is a button for calling a store clerk. The customer operates the store clerk call button BT33 when calling a store clerk (for example, when the customer needs the support of a store clerk).

As mentioned above, buttons BT35 to BT37 are buttons for switching the display language between English, Chinese, and Korean, respectively. Also, the "Vegetables" button BT38 is a button for displaying each preset key for vegetables.

Figure 16 (A) shows the display contents of the settlement screen (payment method selection screen) that is displayed when the settlement process is started. For example, when the checkout button BT32 is operated on the registration screen (see Figure 15 (B)), the POS terminal 20-3 displays the payment method selection screen as shown in Figure 16 (A).

Figure 16 (B) shows the display contents of the settlement screen (deposit screen) displayed when starting a cash payment. For example, when cash is operated on the payment method selection screen (see Figure 16 (A)), the POS terminal 20-3 displays the deposit screen as shown in Figure 16 (B).

Figure 16 (C) shows the display contents of the settlement screen (deposit screen) displayed when deciding the deposit amount. For example, when cash (deposit) equal to or greater than the payment amount (purchase amount) is inserted, the POS terminal 20-3 displays the deposit screen as shown in Figure 16 (C).

Figure 16 (D) shows the display contents of the settlement screen (change screen) displayed when dispensing change. For example, when the End (receipt) button BT40 is operated on the deposit screen (Figure 16 (C)), the POS terminal 20-3 displays the change screen as shown in Figure 16 (D).

Figure 16 (E) shows the display contents of the settlement screen (receipt screen) displayed when change has been removed. For example, when change has been removed from the outlet of the change dispenser 209, the POS terminal 20-3 displays a receipt screen such as that shown in Figure 16 (E). The POS terminal 20 may have a sensor such as a photosensor installed near the outlet, and may determine that change has been removed when the sensor recognizes an object (presumably a customer's hand). Figure 16 (F) is an example of a standby screen. The standby screen may display advertisements (product advertisements, event advertisements, etc.).

After displaying the receipt screen (FIG. 16(E)), the POS terminal 20-3 displays the registration start screen (FIG. 15(A)). For example, the POS terminal 20-3 displays the registration start screen after the receipt is removed from the issuing port of the printing unit 213. The POS terminal 20 may be equipped with a sensor that can recognize that the receipt has been removed from the issuing port. Also, if no change is to be made, the screen may transition from the deposit screen (FIG. 16(C)) to the receipt screen (FIG. 16(E)) without displaying the change screen (FIG. 16(D)).

Next, a process for permitting the execution of a settlement process when the execution of a settlement process at the own terminal is declared, regardless of whether the other terminal is in the process of settlement (hereinafter, also referred to as "own terminal settlement permission process") will be described. To explain this process, the layout shown in FIG. 17 will be used as an example. The layout shown in FIG. 17 is a layout in which POS terminal 20A is provided on the upstream side, and POS terminal 20C is provided on the downstream side. POS terminal 20A operates in normal mode (standard mode), and POS terminal 20C operates in semi-self mode (accounting only mode). Since POS terminal 20A operates in normal mode (standard mode), it is possible to control the execution of a settlement process at the own terminal and the execution of a settlement process at the other terminal. Note that POS terminal 20A is any one of POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3 in FIG. 1, and POS terminal 20C is any one of POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3 that is different from POS terminal 20A.

In the layout shown in FIG. 17, a customer first goes to the upstream POS terminal 20A, and the product is registered by a store clerk at the POS terminal 20A. In this embodiment, as a rule, depositing money into the change dispenser 209 is prohibited, and the settlement process is executed at the downstream POS terminal 20C. When the execution of the settlement process at the POS terminal 20A is declared, or when the settlement process cannot be executed at the POS terminal 20C, the settlement process is executed at the POS terminal 20A as an exception. Therefore, in the POS terminal 20A, the settlement at the POS terminal 20C is set as the default for all customers. The execution of the settlement process at the POS terminal 20A is declared by the store clerk. When a customer is considered to be unfamiliar with the operation of the POS terminal 20C (e.g., a child, an elderly person, etc.), the store clerk declares the execution of the settlement process at the POS terminal 20A. When the execution of the settlement process at POS terminal 20A is declared, the execution of the settlement process is permitted regardless of whether POS terminal 20C is currently processing the settlement. In the following explanation, a customer who is permitted to settle the payment at POS terminal 20A may be referred to as a target customer.

The period during which it is possible to declare the execution of the settlement process at POS terminal 20A is, for example, while the previous customer is being served (registration of the product of the previous customer of the target customer and transmission of the registration data) and the period from registration of the target customer's product to completion of registration. For example, in FIG. 17, customer 1 is a customer who is accustomed to settlement at POS terminal 20C, and customer 2 is a customer (target customer) who is not accustomed to settlement at POS terminal 20C. First, as shown in FIG. 17(A), the registration process of customer 1's product is being carried out, and then, as shown in FIG. 17(B), customer 2 lines up at POS terminal 20A.

At this time, the clerk determines that Customer 2 is the target customer and declares that Customer 2, the next customer, will carry out the settlement process at POS terminal 20A while Customer 1's products are being registered. After registration of Customer 1's products is complete, Customer 1 settles the payment at POS terminal 20C, while Customer 2's products are registered at POS terminal 20A, and Customer 2 can settle the payment at POS terminal 20A. As described above, since POS terminal 20 can accept deposits during the registration process, Customer 2 can make a deposit during the registration process. Even if Customer 2 is confused about how to make a deposit, the clerk can immediately assist them, and the settlement process can be carried out smoothly, which increases customer convenience and improves the productivity of POS terminal 20.

Next, examples of screens displayed on the customer display unit 205 and the store clerk display unit 210 will be described.
FIG. 18A shows a registration screen that is displayed on the store clerk display unit 210 when execution of the payment process is permitted.

The registration screen shown in FIG. 18(A) displays the self-terminal settlement button 301, other-terminal settlement button 302, next customer settlement reservation button 303, register C designation button 304, permission display field 305, and deposit display field HR01. Of these, the self-terminal settlement button 301, other-terminal settlement button 302, next customer settlement reservation button 303, and register C designation button 304 change their display mode (in the figure, they are shown as white (referred to as white display), hatched (referred to as hatched display), and diagonal lines (referred to as diagonal line display)). Buttons displayed in white (for example, the next customer settlement reservation button 303 in FIG. 18(A)) indicate that they can be pressed by a store clerk. Buttons displayed in shaded (for example, the self-terminal settlement button 301 in FIG. 18(A)) indicate that they have been pressed by a store clerk or automatically selected by the POS terminal 20. Buttons that are displayed with diagonal lines (for example, in FIG. 18(A) , the Other Terminal Settlement button 302) indicate that they cannot be pressed by store clerks.

In the case of FIG. 18, therefore, the self-terminal settlement button 301 indicates that it has been pressed by a store clerk or automatically selected by the POS terminal 20. The other-terminal settlement button 302 and register C designation button 304 indicate that they cannot be operated by a store clerk. The next customer settlement reservation button 303 indicates that it can be pressed by a store clerk.

In this embodiment, since the only POS terminal 20 operating in semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode) is POS terminal 20C, only the register C designation button 304 for designating settlement at POS terminal 20C is displayed; however, buttons similar to register C designation button 304 are provided for each POS terminal 20 operating in semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode) that can be designated by POS terminal 20A.

The above-mentioned self-terminal settlement button 301 and next customer settlement reservation button 303 are buttons for declaring the execution of settlement processing at the self-terminal (POS terminal 20A in this embodiment). The difference between these buttons is whether the target customer is the customer currently being served or the next customer. Specifically, the self-terminal settlement button 301 is a button for the currently served customer to declare that settlement processing will be executed at the POS terminal 20A. The next customer settlement reservation button 303 is a button for the customer following the currently served customer (corresponding to customer 2 in Figure 17) to declare that settlement processing will be executed at the POS terminal 20A.

In the example of FIG. 17, there was Customer 1 before the target customer, but there is not necessarily a customer before the target customer. Therefore, if there is no customer before the target customer, the clerk uses the self-terminal settlement button 301 to declare that the customer currently being served (target customer) will execute the settlement process at the POS terminal 20A. On the other hand, if the next customer is the target customer, the clerk presses the next customer settlement reservation button 303. As a result, while the default is set to settle at another terminal for all customers, settlement at the self-terminal is exceptionally permitted for the next customer, and the registration screen of FIG. 18 (A) that is displayed when it becomes possible to register the next customer's products is displayed, since settlement at the self-terminal has been confirmed, the self-terminal settlement button 301 is displayed with a shaded area, and the other terminal settlement button 302 and the register C designation button 304 are displayed with diagonal lines. Note that the register C designation button 304 displays the status of the POS terminal 20C. In the case of FIG. 18 (A), "Processing" is displayed, indicating that the settlement process is in progress. Other statuses that can be displayed include "offline" indicating that the device is operating offline, "fault" indicating that a fault has occurred, "replenish change" indicating that change is being refilled, "checking" indicating that the POS terminal 20C is being checked, and "out of paper" indicating that receipts have run out. When the POS terminal 20C cannot be used, such as "processing", "offline", "fault", "replenish change", "checking", or "out of paper", the register C designation button 304 is displayed with diagonal lines. Note that when the change machine 209 (cash deposit/withdrawal section) of the device itself is in a specified state (detecting an error such as a fault, near full, or near end), the own terminal settlement button 301 and next customer settlement reservation button 303 may be displayed with a shaded area to disable them. Note that this does not apply when a payment method other than cash is selected.

The permission display field 305 is a field that displays whether or not the currently serving customer is permitted to make a deposit at the customer's own terminal. If permitted, "Deposit permitted" is displayed, and if not permitted, "Deposit not permitted" is displayed. The deposit display field HR01 is a field that displays the amount of a deposit from a customer when a deposit is permitted at the customer's own terminal.

18B is a diagram showing a customer screen displayed on the customer display unit 205 when the execution of the settlement process is permitted. The customer screen displays a notification field 310 and a small screen 311. The notification field 310 displays a message to encourage the customer to settle the bill at their own terminal and a message indicating that money can be deposited into the change dispenser 209. In the case of FIG. 18B, the message "Please settle the bill at this register. You can deposit money" is displayed in the notification field 310. In this way, information (message displayed in the notification field 310) corresponding to the control result (settlement process at the customer's own terminal or settlement process at the other terminal) of controlling the execution of the settlement process at the customer's own terminal and the execution of the settlement process at the other terminal can be displayed at least on the customer display unit 205. This allows the customer to take action according to the control result (settlement at their own terminal), thereby improving customer convenience.

The small screen 311 allows the customer to select a payment method. The customer selects either cash, credit, or electronic money as the payment method on the small screen 311. If the customer desires cash as the payment method, he or she may insert cash (a deposit) before selecting cash as the payment method on the small screen 311. The POS terminal 20A clears the small screen 311 when any payment method is selected on the small screen 311. Furthermore, if cash is inserted before a payment method is selected on the small screen 311, the POS terminal 20A processes this as cash being selected as the payment method and clears the small screen 311.

In the example screen of FIG. 18 described above, the number of registered items is 0 points, but regardless of the number of points of the registered items, the display format of the local terminal settlement button 301, other terminal settlement button 302, next customer settlement reservation button 303, and register C designation button 304 is the same, and the same message is displayed in the notification field 310. Next, we will explain the screen that is displayed when the execution of the settlement process is not permitted.

19(A) is a diagram showing a registration screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 210 when the execution of the settlement process is not permitted. The registration screen shown in FIG. 19(A) displays the self-terminal settlement button 301, the other-terminal settlement button 302, the next customer settlement reservation button 303, the register C designation button 304, the permission display field 305, and the deposit display field HR01. In the case of FIG. 19(A), the execution of the settlement process is not permitted, but the self-terminal settlement button 301 is displayed in white. This is because, as described above, settlement at the self-terminal can be permitted even while the corresponding customer is being registered. Also, since settlement at the other terminal is set as the default, the other-terminal settlement button 302 is displayed in a shaded manner. Also, the permission display field 305 displays "Deposit not permitted". Since deposits are not permitted at the self-terminal, the deposit display field HR01 displays the customer's deposit amount "0".

19(B) is a diagram showing a customer-side screen displayed on the customer-side display unit 205 when the execution of the settlement process is not permitted. The customer-side screen displays a notification field 310. The notification field 310 displays a message encouraging the customer to settle the transaction at another terminal and a message indicating that the change machine 209 cannot be deposited. In the case of FIG. 19(B), the message "Sorry, please settle the transaction at the neighboring register. Money cannot be inserted" is displayed in the notification field 310. In this way, information corresponding to the control result of controlling the execution of the settlement process at the customer's terminal and the execution of the settlement process at the other terminal (message displayed in the notification field 310) can be displayed at least on the customer-side display unit 205. This allows the customer to take action according to the control result (settle the transaction at the other terminal), thereby improving customer convenience.

In FIG. 19(A), the status of the POS terminal 20C is "empty", but if the status of the POS terminal 20C is not "empty", the notification field 310 in FIG. 19(B) is not displayed. This is because even after the registration of the product is complete, the status of the POS terminal 20C may not become "empty", in which case the payment will be made at the terminal itself, so the notification field 310 is not displayed to confuse the customer. In this way, the POS terminal 20A in this embodiment allows the payment process to be performed at the terminal itself when the other terminal is in the process of payment, and allows the registration data to be sent when the other terminal is not in the process of payment.

In the example screen of FIG. 19 described above, the number of registered items is 0, but regardless of the number of registered items, the display format of the local terminal settlement button 301, other terminal settlement button 302, next customer settlement reservation button 303, and register C designation button 304 is the same, and the same message is also displayed in the notification field 310.

Next, a flowchart showing the above-mentioned local terminal settlement permission process will be described. Figures 20 and 21 are diagrams showing a flowchart showing the local terminal settlement permission process in POS terminal 20A. The flowcharts shown in Figures 20 and 21 show the process from the point when the previous customer's transaction is completed (or when the start-up process after powering on is completed) to the sending of settlement or registration data.

The POS terminal 20 initializes the free flag to OFF, initializes the permission flag to OFF, and initializes the display mode of each button (step S101). The free flag is a flag that indicates whether or not settlement processing is possible at the other terminal to which the registration data is sent, and is ON if settlement processing is possible and OFF if it is not possible. The permission flag is a flag that indicates whether or not settlement at the own terminal is permitted, and is ON if settlement at the own terminal is permitted and OFF if it is not permitted. The various buttons whose display mode is initialized in step S101 are the own terminal settlement button 301, other terminal settlement button 302, and register C designation button 304, and are displayed in white.

The POS terminal 20A determines whether the reservation flag is on (step S102). The reservation flag is a flag that indicates whether the next customer settlement reservation button 303 was pressed while the previous customer was being served; if it was pressed, the flag is on; if it was not pressed, the flag is off. If the reservation flag is on (step S102: YES), a permission display is performed (step S103). The permission display is to display "Deposit permitted" in the permission display field 305, to display the local terminal settlement button 301 in a shaded manner, to display the other terminal settlement button 302 and register C designation button 304 in a diagonal line, and to display the message "Please settle at this register. You can deposit money" in the notification field 310.

The POS terminal 20A turns on the permission flag (step S104). It also turns off the reservation flag (step S105). At this time, the next customer payment reservation button 303 is displayed in white. In step S102 above, if the reservation flag is off (step S102: NO), the process proceeds to step S106.

The POS terminal 20A determines whether the free flag is off (step S106). That is, it determines whether settlement is not possible at the POS terminal 20C. If the free flag is on (step S106: NO), the process proceeds to step S201 in FIG. 21. If the free flag is off (step S106: YES), the POS terminal 20A inquires of the other terminal (POS terminal 20C) whether settlement is possible and receives the response.

As a result of the inquiry, the POS terminal 20A determines whether the other terminal is available for settlement (step S108). If settlement is not possible (step S108: NO), the process proceeds to step S201 in FIG. 21. If settlement is possible (step S108: YES), the POS terminal 20A turns on the vacant flag (step S109) and updates the display state of the register C designation button 304 (step S110). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19(A), the status displayed on the register C designation button 304 is updated to a display state that reads "vacant."

The POS terminal 20A determines whether the permission flag is off (step S111). If the permission flag is on (step S111: NO), the process proceeds to step S201 in FIG. 21. If the permission flag is off (step S111: YES), the POS terminal 20A displays a denial of permission (step S112). The denial of permission means displaying "Deposit not permitted" in the permission display field 305, displaying the other terminal settlement button 302 in a shaded state, and displaying the message "Sorry, please settle at the neighboring register. Money cannot be deposited" in the notification field 310.

In FIG. 21, the POS terminal 20A determines whether the barcode attached to the product has been scanned (step S201). If the barcode has been scanned (step S201: YES), the POS terminal 20A registers the product and displays the registered product on the customer display unit 205 and the store clerk display unit 210 (step S202), and returns to step S106. If the barcode has not been scanned (step S201: NO), the POS terminal 20A determines whether the next customer payment reservation button 303 has been pressed (step S203).

If the next customer payment reservation button 303 is pressed (step S203: YES), the POS terminal 20A turns on the reservation flag (step S204) and returns to step S106. At this time, the next customer payment reservation button 303 is displayed with a cross-hatched pattern. If the next customer payment reservation button 303 is not pressed (step S203: NO), the POS terminal 20A determines whether the local terminal payment button 301 is pressed and the permission flag is off (step S205). In other words, when the local terminal payment is not permitted, the POS terminal 20A determines whether the store clerk has permitted the local terminal payment. This allows the store clerk to declare that the customer currently being served (the target customer) will perform the payment process at the POS terminal 20A by using the local terminal payment button 301, even if there is no customer in front of the target customer.

When the local terminal settlement button 301 is pressed and the permission flag is off (step S205: YES), the POS terminal 20A displays the permission as described above (step S206), turns on the permission flag (step S207), and returns to step S106. In this way, when the local terminal settlement button 301 is pressed to declare that the settlement process will be executed at the local terminal, the customer side display unit 205 displays that the settlement process can be executed at the local terminal.

If the self-terminal settlement button 301 has not been pressed or the permission flag is on (step S205: NO), the POS terminal 20A determines whether the subtotal button has been pressed and the permission flag is on (step S208). In other words, it determines whether the subtotal button has been pressed when settlement at the self-terminal is permitted.

If the subtotal button is pressed and the permission flag is on (step S208: YES), the POS terminal 20A displays the settlement screen (step S209), performs the settlement process (step S210), and ends the process. If the subtotal button is not pressed or the permission flag is off (step S208: NO), the POS terminal 20A determines whether the register C designation button 304 is pressed, the vacant flag is on, and the permission flag is off (step S211). In other words, it determines whether the register C designation button 304 is pressed when settlement is possible at the POS terminal 20C and settlement at the terminal itself is not permitted.

If the register C designation button 304 is pressed, the vacant flag is on, and the permission flag is off (step S211: YES), the POS terminal 20A sends the registration data to the POS terminal 20C (step S212) and ends the process. If the register C designation button 304 is not pressed, the vacant flag is off, or the permission flag is on (step S211: NO), the process returns to step S106.

In step S211, the permission flag being on indicates that the execution of the settlement process at the own terminal has been declared. Therefore, as shown in step S211, when the execution of the settlement process at the own terminal has been declared, the process does not branch to the registration data transmission process of step S212. In other words, the transmission of the registration data is prohibited. Furthermore, the permission flag being off indicates that the execution of the settlement process at the own terminal has not been declared. Furthermore, the free flag being on indicates that the other terminal is not in the settlement process. In this state, when the register C designation button 304 is pressed, the process branches from step S211 to step S212, and the registration data is transmitted. In other words, when the execution of the settlement process at the own terminal has not been declared and the other terminal is not in the settlement process, the transmission of the registration data is permitted.

Next, an example of the screen transition from registration to settlement when settlement at the terminal itself is permitted will be described. When the POS terminal 20A is in a state where the registration screen of FIG. 18 (A) is displayed on the store clerk display unit 210, if a can of beer costing 215 yen is registered and 500 yen is inserted by the customer, the POS terminal 20A will display a registration screen as shown in FIG. 22 (A) on the store clerk display unit 210. In addition, since the product has been registered, the subtotal button BT10 will be displayed.

When the POS terminal 20A displays a registration screen such as that shown in FIG. 22(A) on the store clerk display unit 210, it displays a settlement screen (deposit screen) such as that shown in FIG. 22(B) on the customer display unit 205. Note that the small screen 311 is hidden because the customer has inserted 500 yen.

When the POS terminal 20A is displaying the registration screen of FIG. 22(A) on the clerk display unit 210, and the clerk registers the second product (asparagus) and the third product (seaweed bento), and the customer deposits an additional 500 yen, the POS terminal 20A displays a registration screen as shown in FIG. 23(A) on the clerk display unit 210. As the customer has deposited an additional 500 yen, the deposit display field HR01 in the upper right corner of the screen in FIG. 23(A) shows 1000.

When the POS terminal 20A displays a registration screen such as that shown in FIG. 23(A) on the store clerk display unit 210, it displays a settlement screen (deposit screen) such as that shown in FIG. 23(B) on the customer display unit 205.

In addition, on the registration screen in FIG. 23(A), the status of POS terminal 20C displayed on the register C designation button 304 is "empty," but because settlement at the terminal is permitted and the customer has already inserted 1,000 yen, the status remains diagonally lined out and does not change.

When the POS terminal 20A is in a state where the registration screen of FIG. 23(A) is displayed on the clerk display unit 210 and the clerk operates the subtotal button BT10, the clerk display unit 210 displays the small screen 312 superimposed on the registration screen as shown in FIG. 24(A), and the customer display unit 205 displays the settlement screen (deposit screen) as shown in FIG. 24(B). The small screen 312 notifies the clerk of settlement-related information (total amount, amount deposited in the machine (deposit amount)). Also, the next customer settlement reservation button 303 shown in FIG. 24(A) is displayed with a shaded area. This is because the clerk determined that the next customer is also a target customer and pressed the next customer settlement reservation button 303.

When the customer operates the Finish (receipt) button BT40 while the settlement screen (deposit screen) of FIG. 24 (B) is displayed on the customer display unit 205, the POS terminal 20A displays the message screen 313 superimposed on the registration screen as shown in FIG. 25 (A) on the store clerk display unit 210, and displays the settlement screen (change screen) as shown in FIG. 25 (B) on the customer display unit 205.

The message screen 313 notifies the store clerk about the change. The POS terminal 20A erases the message screen 313 that is displayed superimposed on the registration screen without the operation of the store clerk (for example, automatically after a predetermined time has passed). The POS terminal 20A may erase the message screen 313 that is displayed superimposed on the registration screen in response to the operation of the store clerk (such as touching the message screen 313).

In the example shown in FIG. 24, when the subtotal key is operated, the POS terminal 20A displays the small screen 312 superimposed on the registration screen (FIG. 24(A)). However, when the subtotal key is operated, the POS terminal 20A may display (switch to) a small screen that displays the information displayed on the small screen 312 instead of (switch to) the registration screen.

As described above, in this embodiment, the productivity of the POS terminal 20 is improved by, as a rule, having the settlement performed at another terminal. On the other hand, for customers who are considered to be unfamiliar with the operation of the POS terminal 20 operating in semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode), it is possible to exceptionally have the settlement performed at the POS terminal itself, thereby improving the convenience of the POS terminal 20 and shortening the operation time of customers who are considered to be unfamiliar with the operation, which ultimately improves the productivity of the POS terminal 20. Therefore, the self-terminal settlement permission process described in this embodiment is a further improvement of the full-self-service method, improving productivity and convenience.

In addition, customers who are unfamiliar with the operation can be allowed to pay on their own terminals, which can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty for customers who are allowed to pay on their own terminals. This can lead to increased average customer spending and word-of-mouth effects, which can improve store sales.

In this embodiment, the control results are displayed in the notification field 310 shown in Figures 18 (B) and 19 (B), allowing the customer to know at a glance which terminal they should use to settle the bill, and the customer can take action according to the control results, thereby improving customer convenience.

In addition, the next customer settlement reservation button 303 allows the next customer to be entered in advance as the target customer, allowing for smooth handling of the next customer.

In the above embodiment, the target customers are customers who are considered to be unfamiliar with the operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, customers who pay with credit cards or prepaid cards (including electronic money) may be the target customers. Even in this case, the productivity of the POS terminal 20 is not impaired because the payment with a credit card or prepaid card is completed in a short time. As an example of operation, the customer is asked to input the payment type at the POS terminal 20A, or the store clerk asks the type of payment, and if it is determined that the payment is to be made with a credit card or prepaid card, the payment at the terminal is permitted.

Furthermore, when a customer pays with a prepaid card, it may be possible to check the balance on the prepaid card or to charge the prepaid card. Specifically, while the store clerk is registering the product, the customer can have the card payment unit 208 read the prepaid card to check the balance or insert coins into the change machine 209. In this way, customers can prevent running out of funds.

In addition, in this embodiment, the target customer is determined by the store clerk, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the POS terminal 20 may read a membership card that can acquire attributes including the customer's age, and determine whether or not the customer is a target customer based on the age and other attributes. The POS terminal 20 may also be provided with a key for inputting the customer's age range, and the POS terminal 20 may determine whether or not the customer is a target customer based on the age range input using the key.

In the above embodiment, the registration data is sent directly from the POS terminal 20A to the POS terminal 20C, but the registration data may be sent via another terminal, such as the store controller 10. Also, although "fault occurred" has been given as an example of the state of the POS terminal 20C, other states such as "maintenance,""call for store clerk,""changeforgotten," and "receipt jam" may also be displayed. Also, although "offline" has been given as an example of the state described above, in this case, an accounting ticket may be issued by the printing unit 213, and the payment may be made using that accounting ticket.
Furthermore, it may be possible to make the payment by sending information for settlement (e.g., a URL for identifying registration data) to a customer's mobile terminal and having the POS terminal 20 read the information sent to the mobile terminal.

In the above embodiment, the POS terminal 20C is in a state where payment is possible, but it may be in a state where it is "empty" when payment is expected to be completed in a short time, such as when the POS terminal 20C is waiting for the operation just before payment is completed, such as the finish button BT40 shown in FIG. 16(C). This is effective when the path from the POS terminal 20A to the POS terminal 20C is relatively long, for example. In this way, when it takes time for a customer to move around, it may be set to "empty" taking that time into consideration.

In addition to "failures," other conditions that prevent the POS terminal 20C from sending registration data also mean that the POS terminal 20C's operation mode is switched to a normal mode or full self-service mode in which registration information from other terminals is not received. Examples of times when the operation mode of the POS terminal 20C is changed include a time when the peak number of customers has ended or is about to end, and a time when the staff deployment changes due to staff work shifts. Another example is a time when the peak number of customers has ended and it is possible to adequately handle customers by settling at the terminal itself. In this way, when the time arrives when settlement is possible at the terminal itself, the default settlement at the other terminal may be changed to the default settlement at the terminal itself.

The operation mode of the POS terminal 20C can also be changed automatically by the store controller 10. When the operation mode of the POS terminal 20C is changed by the store controller 10, the store clerk is notified, for example, by displaying the change on the store clerk display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20A. In addition, for example, when the operation mode is changed before a customer operates the terminal while the terminal is operating in full self-service mode, the customer display unit 205 may display that the operation mode is changing. In this way, even when the operation mode of the POS terminal 20C is automatically changed by the store controller 10, it may be possible to determine whether to set the settlement at the terminal itself or the settlement at another terminal as the default depending on the changed operation mode, and control the operation mode to either one.

In the above embodiment, the layout shown in FIG. 17 is described as an example with two POS terminals 20, but the number and layout of the POS terminals 20 are not limited to this. For example, a layout with four POS terminals 20 in one island may be used, with two POS terminals 20 operating in normal mode (standard mode) and two POS terminals 20 operating in semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode).

In the embodiment described above, even when the POS terminal 20 is in standby, it waits in one of the operation modes of normal mode, semi-self-service mode, full-self-service mode, and double scan mode, but it may also wait in a state that does not belong to any of the operation modes. In this case, it operates in one of the operation modes depending on the content accepted during standby. Specifically, when an operation is accepted on the customer side (when the registration start button BT30 is operated, when the customer side display unit 205 is touched, or when a product is registered on the customer side scanner unit 206), it transitions to full-self-service mode. Also, when an operation is accepted on the store clerk side (when a product is registered on the store clerk side, when a touch operation on the store clerk side display unit 210 is accepted, or when an operation declaring use (for example, login, etc.) is accepted by the store clerk), it transitions to normal mode. Furthermore, when registration data is received, it transitions to semi-self-service mode (accounting-only mode). In this way, the operability of the POS terminal 20 can be improved. Note that when the POS terminal 20 is in standby in a state that does not belong to any of the operation modes, it may perform mirror display. Mirror display refers to displaying an operable screen that can be operated by a store clerk on the store clerk display unit 210. The operable screen is a screen that shows all or part of the operation unit displayed on the customer display unit 205 of the POS terminal 20.

The program for implementing the POS terminal 20 described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read into a computer system for execution. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an 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 a 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 program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a 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 for implementing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, i.e., a differential file (differential program).

The above describes the embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiment, and includes designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

1 POS system 10 store controller 20 POS terminal 201 CPU
202...ROM
203...RAM
204: Hard disk 205: Customer display unit 206: Customer scanner unit 208: Card payment unit 209: Change machine 210: Clerk display unit 211: Key operation unit 212: Clerk scanner unit 213: Printing unit 214: Audio output unit 215: Communication unit

Claims (2)

A registration means capable of executing a product registration process;
A settlement means capable of executing a settlement process;
A transmission means for transmitting registration data generated in the registration process so that another device can execute a settlement process;
a declaration means for declaring execution of a settlement process at the device itself based on an operation by a store clerk ;
a display means for displaying to a store clerk , when the declaration is made by the declaration means, a message indicating that a payment process will be executed by the device itself and a message indicating to a customer that a payment method can be selected ;
A deposit and withdrawal means capable of depositing and withdrawing cash,
A sales data processing device characterized in that, when the deposit/withdrawal means is in a specified state and a cash payment means is selected, the declaration means is invalidated, and when a payment means other than cash is selected even if the deposit/withdrawal means is in a specified state, the declaration means is valid. A program for causing a computer to function as a sales data processing device,
The computer,
A registration means capable of executing a product registration process;
A settlement means capable of executing a settlement process;
A transmission means for transmitting the registration data generated in the registration process so that the settlement process can be executed in another device;
a declaration means for declaring execution of a payment process at the device itself based on an operation by a store clerk ;
a display means for displaying to a store clerk , when the declaration is made by the declaration means, that a payment process will be executed by the device itself , and for displaying to a customer that a payment method can be selected ;
It functions as a means of deposit and withdrawal that allows cash to be deposited and withdrawn,
A program characterized by invalidating the declaration means when the deposit/withdrawal means is in a specified state and a payment means by cash is selected, and validating the declaration means when a payment means other than cash is selected even if the deposit/withdrawal means is in a specified state.

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