JP7699864B2 - Registration device and program - Google Patents

Description

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

There is a known POS system (product sales data processing system) that is equipped with a registration device that executes product registration processing in response to product registration operations performed by a store clerk, and a settlement device that executes settlement processing in response to the product registration processing executed by the registration device in response to operations by a customer. In the registration device of such a POS system, there is known a technology for displaying a settlement device designation button that allows an operation to be performed to designate the settlement device that will execute the settlement processing corresponding to the product registration processing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2018-60410 A

The settlement device designation operation performed on the registration device screen as described above is performed, for example, each time product registration processing for one transaction is completed, and is a relatively frequent operation on the registration device. For this reason, the settlement device designation operation performed on the registration device screen is required to be easy to operate, including, for example, high visibility.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to improve the operability of the settlement device designation operation performed on the registration device screen.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a registration device in a product sales data processing system having a registration device that executes a product registration process to register products to be purchased by a customer, and a plurality of settlement devices that execute a settlement process in response to a customer's operation based on product registration information corresponding to the product registration process, the registration device having a control unit that displays a second image operator that is larger in size than a first image operator that specifies the settlement device that will execute the settlement process in response to a predetermined operation being performed.

In addition, one aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer serving as a registration device in a product sales data processing system having a registration device that executes a product registration process to register products to be purchased by a customer, and a plurality of settlement devices that execute a settlement process in response to a customer's operation based on product registration information corresponding to the product registration process, to function as a control unit that displays a second image operator that is larger in size than a first image operator that specifies the settlement device that will execute the settlement process in response to a specified operation.

The present invention has the effect of improving the operability of the settlement device designation operation performed as an operation on the registration device screen.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a registration device and a settlement device in a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a registration device in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a settlement device in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a sub-planning surface in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a settlement designation expanded screen in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a settlement designation enlarged screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a settlement designation expanded screen in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a settlement designation expanded screen in a second modified example of the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
1 shows an example of the configuration of a POS system 1 according to this embodiment. The POS system 1 shown in the figure includes a management device 10, two registration devices 20-1 and 20-2, and three settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3.
In the following description, when there is no particular distinction between the registration devices 20-1 and 20-2, they will be referred to as the registration device 20. When there is no particular distinction between the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3, they will be referred to as the settlement device 30.
The management device 10, the registration device 20, and the settlement device 30 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 11.

The configuration of the POS system 1 shown in the figure is an example. For example, in the POS system 1, the number of registration devices 20 and settlement devices 30 installed is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient that there is one or more of each. Furthermore, the POS system 1 of this embodiment may be configured not to include the management device 10.
In addition, if the configuration of the POS system 1 does not include the management device 10, another device (for example, one representative registration device 20 among the multiple registration devices 20) may be made to also function as the management device 10.

The management device 10 is an information processing device that manages the POS system 1, and manages the registration devices 20 and the settlement devices 30 in the POS system 1, and manages various information such as a product master. The management device 10 appropriately transmits the latest product master to the registration devices 20 and each settlement device 30. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN code), product name (product name, item name), sales price, discount information, etc. for each product.
The management device 10 acquires a product master reflecting the latest product information from an external source (e.g., a headquarters server, a removable storage medium) and transmits it to the registration device 20 and each settlement device 30 as appropriate.

The registration device 20 executes a product registration process for registering a product to be purchased. The operation for registering a product (product registration operation) is performed, for example, by using a scanner to read a barcode attached to the product, or by operating a preset button or the like displayed on a product registration screen. By such a product registration operation, for example, product identification information is input to the registration device 20, and the registration device 20 acquires product information corresponding to the input product identification information.
Furthermore, the registration device 20 generates and stores information (hereinafter referred to as settlement information) used for settling the registered merchandise for each transaction.

The settlement information may include transaction identification information that identifies the corresponding transaction, settlement information identification information that identifies the settlement information, the registration date and time, product identification information for each registered product, the product name, sales price, discount information, transaction points (purchase points) indicating the number of products to be purchased, and the total amount (total price) of the products to be purchased. The settlement information may further include registration device identification information for identifying the registration device 20 that generated the settlement information (i.e., the registration device 20 that registered the products related to the settlement information). In this way, the settlement information has content that reflects the product registration processing results for one transaction.

The settlement information is used in the settlement process by the settlement device 30. The settlement process is a process in which the price of the registered products is paid and settled selectively using cash, electronic money, credit card, etc.

In this embodiment, multiple settlement devices 30 are installed, and any one of the multiple settlement devices 30 executes the settlement process using the settlement information generated by the registration device 20. The following first and second designation modes can be used to specify the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process from among the multiple settlement devices 30.

The first designation manner is a manner in which a store clerk uses the registration device 20 to designate the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process.
That is, the store clerk performs an operation to specify a settlement device 30 on the registration device 20, thereby specifying one of the multiple settlement devices 30 that is to execute the settlement process.
In addition, the registration device 20 may be configured to display operation information indicating the operation status of each settlement device 30, so that when a store clerk selects a settlement device 30 on the registration device 20, the operation status of each settlement device 30 can be checked.

When a store clerk designates a settlement device 30, the settlement information generated in the registration device 20 is transmitted to the designated settlement device 30 via the LAN 11. In other words, when a settlement device 30 is designated following a product registration process, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information reflecting the results of the product registration process to the designated settlement device 30.
In this embodiment, the registration device 20 transmits the settlement information directly to the settlement device 30 , but the settlement information may be transmitted to the settlement device 30 via the management device 10 .

The second designated mode is a mode in which a medium for payment processing (a receipt (registered trademark)) is issued from the registration device 20, and the receipt handed over by the store clerk is read by the customer by one payment device 30.
That is, the customer designates one of the multiple payment devices 30 that will carry out the payment process by having the payment device 30 read the bill handed to him by the store clerk.
On the receipt, registration device identification information indicating the registration device 20 that issued it and settlement information are printed in the form of a code, either a barcode (one-dimensional code) or a two-dimensional code. When the settlement device 30 reads the code on the receipt, it obtains the settlement information indicated by the read code.

The settlement device 30 executes the settlement process in response to the customer's operation. When the settlement process is completed, the settlement device 30 notifies the registration device 20 of the completion of the settlement process.

Next, examples of the configuration of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the registration device 20. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the settlement device 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the registration device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a memory unit 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner unit 204, a store clerk display unit 205, a customer display unit 205a, an operation unit 206, a communication unit 207, a buzzer 208, a printing unit 209, and a card reader 210. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the registration device 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 202 .
The storage unit 202 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 201, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

The RAM 203 is a main storage device for the CPU 201 and stores various information, for example, the RAM 203 stores product master data acquired from the management device 10, settlement information generated after the product registration process, and the like.
The scanner unit 204 optically reads the barcode (product code) attached to the product.

The store clerk display unit 205 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information for the store clerk.
For example, the store clerk display unit 205 displays a product registration screen on which preset buttons associated with product information (product code, etc.) are arranged.

The customer display unit 205a displays various information for customers. For example, the customer display unit 205a displays the price of registered products. The customer display unit 205a may be a touch panel (e.g., a liquid crystal touch panel).

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

The communication unit 207 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 .
The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound when it is necessary for a store clerk to confirm an operation.
The printing unit 209 prints and issues media as necessary. For example, the printing unit 209 can print and issue accounting tickets.

The card reader 210 is a device that reads information from an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag in the form of an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, for example.

Figure 2 shows an example of the external appearance of the registration device 20, which includes a scanner unit 204, a store clerk display unit 205, an operation unit 206, a printing unit 209, and a card reader 210.

As shown in FIG. 4, the settlement device 30 includes a CPU 301, a memory unit 302, a RAM 303, a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a communication unit 307, a buzzer 308, a printing unit 309, a settlement unit 310, a sign pole 311, a human detection sensor 312, and a card reader 313. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The CPU 301 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the settlement device 30 by reading and executing programs stored in the memory unit 302 .
The storage unit 302 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 301, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 301, including programs.

The RAM 303 is a main storage device of the CPU 301 and stores various information. For example, the RAM 303 stores the product master acquired from the management device 10 and settlement processing information that reflects the result of executing the settlement processing based on the settlement information acquired from the registration device 20.
The scanner unit 304 optically reads, for example, a code (a barcode or a two-dimensional code) printed on a bill or a code (a membership code) attached to a membership card or the like.

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

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

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

The settlement unit 310 performs processing related to settlement (clearance). In this embodiment, the settlement unit 310 can handle at least one of the following types of settlement: cash settlement, credit card settlement, and electronic money settlement.
To accommodate payment in cash, the settlement unit 310 is equipped with a change machine. The change machine is equipped with a banknote insertion port for inserting and ejecting banknotes, a coin insertion port for inserting coins, and a change ejection port for ejecting change. The settlement unit 310 executes payment in cash using the change machine, and outputs the result of the execution of the payment (for example, information indicating whether the payment has been established) to the CPU 301 via the bus.
Furthermore, in the case where payment is made by credit card, the payment section 310 is provided with a credit card reader and performs settlement processing using information read by the credit card reader.
Furthermore, in the case where payment is made using electronic money, the settlement unit 310 is provided with an electronic money reader and performs settlement processing using information read by the electronic money reader.

The sign pole 311 has indicator lights of multiple colors, and by turning on or blinking these indicator lights, it notifies the user that the settlement device 30 is the device designated by the store clerk or that it can be operated.
The human detection sensor 312 is a sensor that detects the presence of a person (customer) within a specified range in front of the settlement device 30.
The detection output of the human detection sensor 312 is used, for example, when the settlement device 30 automatically displays a settlement screen in response to a person approaching the device, to determine whether or not a person has approached the device. However, the settlement device 30 may display the settlement screen in response to, for example, receiving settlement information or reading a barcode printed on a bill, and in this case, the human detection sensor 312 may be omitted.

The card reader 313 is a device that reads information from an RFID tag in the form of an IC card, for example.

Figure 2 shows the external configuration of the settlement device 30, which includes a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a printing unit 309, a settlement unit 310, a sign pole 311, and a card reader 313.

The registration device 20 of this embodiment displays on the clerk display unit 205 an operation screen corresponding to various operations that should be performed by the clerk, including product registration operations and operations related to various settings in the registration device 20 and the POS system 1.
5 shows an example of a product registration screen AR1, which is one of the operation screens displayed on the store clerk display unit 205. The product registration screen AR1 is a screen corresponding to a product registration operation performed by a store clerk.

The product registration screen AR1 in the figure has a structure in which sheets (product registration sheets) showing product registration contents corresponding to each transaction are stacked. Each product registration sheet has a tab (product registration tab: an example of a heading area). In the figure, three product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 are displayed. The product registration screen AR1 in the figure has a structure in which these three product registration sheets are stacked.
The product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 display numbers indicating the registration order numbers. The registration order numbers indicate the order in which product registration was started. In the figure, the product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 display registration order numbers "1,""2," and "3," respectively. This indicates that the order in which product registration was started is the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1, followed by the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-2, and then the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-3.
In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the individual product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, TAB1-3, etc., they will be referred to as product registration tab TAB1.

In this embodiment, the fact that three product registration tabs TAB1 are displayed as shown in the figure indicates that there are three transactions for which product registration has not yet been completed (product registration in progress) in the registration device 20. The store clerk can register the product for the corresponding transaction by operating the product registration sheet that is placed at the forefront among these three product registration sheets. The product registration for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet placed below the forefront is in a state where the product registration is pending.
By performing an operation (touch operation) on the product registration tab TAB1, the store clerk can move the product registration sheet with the operated product registration tab TAB1 to the front and perform product registration for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet moved to the front. In other words, the store clerk can select the product registration sheet corresponding to any one of multiple registered product transactions by operating the product registration tab TAB1 to be active, and perform product registration operation for the transaction corresponding to the active product registration sheet.

In the figure, a product registration sheet with a product registration tab TAB1-1 is shown in an active state. In the active product registration sheet, a product button area AR10 is arranged. In the product button area AR10, a product button corresponding to each product is arranged. For example, the product name indicating the corresponding product is displayed on the product button.
In the product registration operation, the sales clerk can specify the product to be registered by operating the product button. Specifically, if the sales clerk wants to specify a product with the product name "Product B" as the product to be registered, the sales clerk can operate the product button labeled "Product B" among the product buttons arranged in the product button area AR10. By operating the product button for "Product B,""ProductB" is specified as the product to be registered. Next, the sales clerk can perform an operation to input, for example, the quantity of "Product B." The sales clerk can register products sequentially by performing the above operations for each purchased product.

The product registration sheet in the figure shows that two products have been registered at the current stage. Specifically, the registered product list area AR11 of the product registration sheet in the figure shows that two products have been registered in that order: "Product A" and "Product B". The registered product area AR12 shows information about "Product B", which was registered last. The total amount area AR13 shows that the total number of products registered so far is "2", and that the total amount of these two products is 1,900 yen.

In addition, on the screen of the clerk display unit 205, a common area AR20 (an example of a common area) is arranged together with the product registration screen AR1. The common area AR20 is arranged in an area of the entire display area of the clerk display unit 205 that is different from the area of the product registration screen AR1. In this embodiment, the area in which the product registration screen AR1 is displayed corresponds to, for example, an area in which a main operation screen is displayed (an example of an operation screen area), and in this area, the display of the operation screen is switched according to the operation of the clerk and the progress of processing. The common area AR20 is an area in which the display is maintained in the same form without changing according to the switching of the display of such a main operation screen. In other words, even if the function provided by the main operation screen in the clerk display unit 205 is changed, the common area AR20 provides the same function without changing in response to this.

In the common area AR20 in the figure, settlement device designation buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, and BT1-3 (examples of first image operators) are arranged. The settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2 correspond to the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3, respectively, and are buttons for performing an operation (settlement device designation operation) to designate the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process.
In addition, when there is no particular distinction between the settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2, they will be described as settlement device designation button BT1.

In addition, an example is shown in which the enlarged display button BT2 is also arranged in the common area AR20. The enlarged display button BT2 will be described later.

The settlement device designation button BT1 displays a settlement device status that indicates the current status of the corresponding settlement device 30. In the figure, an example is shown in which the settlement device status display is performed by a badge BG arranged on each settlement device designation button BT1.
Specifically, the figure shows an example in which a badge BG displaying "Waiting" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-1. The state of this settlement device designation button BT1-1 indicates that the settlement device 30-1 is waiting for the start of settlement processing. In other words, the settlement device 30-1 at this time is in a state in which no settlement-related operation has been started, and no settlement instruction information has been received.
In addition, the settlement device designation button BT1-2 in the same figure also shows an example in which a badge BG displaying "Waiting" is placed, similar to the settlement device designation button BT1-1.
Also, an example is shown in which a badge BG displaying "In Use" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-3. Furthermore, the characters "Settlement Machine 3" on the settlement device designation button BT1-3 are crossed out. This state of the settlement device designation button BT1-3 indicates that the settlement device 30-3 is executing settlement processing based on the settlement information acquired by receiving the settlement instruction information in response to a customer's operation.
In addition, depending on the state of the settlement device 30 as described above, for example, the color, pattern, etc. of the settlement device designation button BT1 itself may be displayed so as to change.

Depending on the settlement device status display, various states other than the above-mentioned "standby" and "in use", such as near end, near full, or broken, may also be shown. The settlement device status display may be displayed in a manner other than the badge BG, such as by displaying characters or icons so as to fit within the settlement device designation button BT1, or by displaying in an area separate from the settlement device designation button BT1.

In addition, the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state may be displayed to show more detailed information about the "in use" state. For example, when the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state is executing a settlement process corresponding to a cash settlement type, information about the amount of money deposited as a deposit may be displayed on the corresponding settlement device designation button BT1. In this case, the information about the amount of money deposited as a deposit may be, for example, the total amount of money deposited up to the present time in response to the deposit of currency into the settlement device 30. Alternatively, the confirmed amount of the deposit may be displayed when an amount equal to or greater than the total amount of the goods is deposited and the amount of the deposit is confirmed.
In addition, when the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state is executing a settlement process corresponding to a payment type such as a credit card or electronic money, a display may be displayed indicating that a settlement process corresponding to a credit card or electronic money is being executed, such as "Card payment in progress" or "Electronic money payment in progress."
The display showing more detailed information about the "in use" state as described above may be displayed in place of the display showing the "in use" state using a badge BG in FIG. 5, for example.

The display of the status of each settlement device 30 in the registration device 20 as described above is realized in the POS system 1 by the settlement device 30 notifying about its own status periodically or in response to an inquiry from the registration device 20 or the management device 10.

For example, when the store clerk has completed the product registration operation for all products in the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1, the store clerk performs a subtotal operation. The subtotal operation may be an operation on a subtotal operation button located in a predetermined position on the store clerk display unit 205 (not shown), or an operation on a physical subtotal operation key included in the operation unit 206.

In response to the subtotal operation being performed, the product registration screen AR1 on the store clerk display unit 205 is changed to the subtotal screen.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a subtotal screen AR5 that is displayed when a subtotal operation is performed at the stage where product A and product B have been registered as shown in FIG.

The subtotal page AR5 in the figure shows the subtotal results for the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1.
In the sub-page AR5, a registered product area AR51 lists items of products that have been registered so far in the current transaction, arranged from top to bottom in the order in which they were registered.
In the registered product area AR51 in the figure, items for two products, "Product A" and "Product B", are arranged in the order of registration.
In the "Product A" item, one "Product A" with a unit price of 800 yen including tax has been registered, which indicates that the total price including tax for "Product A" is 800 yen.
In the "Product B" item, one "Product B" with a unit price of 1,100 yen including tax has been registered, which indicates that the total price including tax for "Product B" is 1,100 yen.

In the subtotal area AR5, the subtotal result based on the registration results of the products up to now is displayed in the subtotal area AR52. The subtotal area AR52 in the figure shows that the number of registered products is two, and the subtotal amount for the two registered products is 1,900 yen.
On the subtotal screen AR5, a total amount area AR53 shows the total amount based on the registration results of the products up to that point. The total amount shown is 1,900 yen, which is the same as the subtotal amount.

The subtotal screen AR5 in the figure is displayed as a switch from the product registration screen AR1 in FIG. 5 in response to a subtotal operation. In contrast, the common area AR20 does not change in response to the switch from the product registration screen AR1 to the subtotal screen AR5, and continues to display the same content as when the product registration screen AR1 in FIG. 5 was displayed.

When the subtotal screen is displayed as a result of the above-described subtotal operation, the store clerk checks which of the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3 should execute the settlement process for the transaction. In this case, the store clerk can check which settlement device 30 should execute the settlement process for the transaction, for example, by visually checking which settlement device 30 currently has a corresponding customer.
An imaging device may be provided in the settlement device 30. Based on the images captured by the imaging device, when it is determined that the same person has been continuously photographed for a certain period of time or more, the captured images may be displayed on the store clerk display unit 205 of the registration device 20. In this way, the store clerk can more accurately confirm which settlement device 30 the customer is attending to.

To perform the settlement device designation operation, the store clerk can operate the settlement device designation button BT1 that corresponds to the confirmed settlement device 30. In correspondence with the example in Figure 5, the settlement device designation button BT1 that is the target of the settlement device designation operation is the settlement device designation button BT1-1 that corresponds to settlement device 30-1. Therefore, in this case, the store clerk may operate the settlement device designation button BT1-1 as the settlement device designation operation.

In response to an operation of the settlement device designation button BT1-1, the registration device 20 transmits settlement instruction information including settlement instruction information for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 to the settlement device 30-1.
In response to sending the settlement information to the settlement device 30-1 as described above, the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 displayed on the registration device 20 up until now may be erased from the product registration screen. Instead, a product registration sheet with, for example, the product registration tab TAB1-2 may be displayed in the foreground.
In addition, when the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-2 is displayed in the foreground in this manner, the registration order number displayed in the product registration tab TAB1-2 advances from "2" to "1," and the registration order number displayed in the product registration tab TAB1-2 advances from "3" to "2."

The store clerk who operates the registration device 20 verbally tells the customer who has made the transaction for which the settlement device designation operation has been performed to go to the settlement device 30-1 designated by the settlement device designation operation to settle the transaction. The customer is made to go to the settlement device 30-1 designated by the store clerk to settle the transaction.
The settlement device 30-1 receives the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20 as described above. The customer who comes to the settlement device 30-1 performs operations for settlement. The settlement device 30-1 executes settlement processing using the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information in accordance with the operations performed by the customer.

As can be understood from the above description, the registration device 20 of this embodiment can perform an operation on the settlement device designation button BT1 located in the common area AR20 as a settlement device designation operation.
However, in the example of Fig. 5, the common area AR20 is positioned as a sub-operation area in comparison with the main operation screen area in which the product registration screen and the like are arranged. For this reason, the area that the common area AR20 occupies in the entire screen of the clerk display unit 205 is considerably smaller than the main operation area. For this reason, there is a limit to increasing the size of the settlement device designation button BT1 arranged in the common area AR20. Furthermore, the common area AR20 is arranged on the lower edge of the screen of the clerk display unit 205. Accordingly, the settlement device designation button BT1 is also arranged on the edge of the screen of the clerk display unit 205.
For this reason, some store clerks may have the impression that the operation of the settlement device designation button BT1 shown in Figure 5 is not very good in terms of size, position, etc.
As will be understood from the above explanation, the settlement device designation operation is an operation that is performed each time product registration for one transaction is completed. Therefore, the settlement device designation operation is a relatively frequent operation among the operations performed by the store clerk who operates the registration device 20. For this reason, it is preferable to improve the operability of the settlement device designation operation as much as possible.

Therefore, in this embodiment, an enlarged display button BT2 is arranged together with the settlement device designation button BT1 in the common area AR20. The enlarged display button BT2 is a button operated to enlarge and display the settlement device designation button.
When the store clerk feels that it is difficult to operate the settlement device designation button BT1 arranged in the common area AR20, the store clerk can operate the enlargement display button BT2 (enlargement instruction operation). In response to the enlargement instruction operation, an enlarged settlement designation screen is displayed on the store clerk display unit 205.

7 shows an example of the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 in this embodiment. The settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 in the figure shows an example of the screen being superimposed on the operation screen including the sub-planning screen AR5 shown in FIG. 6 in a window format.
In the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1, settlement device designation buttons BT10-1, 10-2, 10-3 (examples of second image operators) corresponding to the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 are arranged. In the following explanation, when there is no particular distinction between the settlement device designation buttons BT10-1, 10-2, 10-3, they will be referred to as the settlement device designation button BT10.

A badge BG indicating the state (status) of the corresponding settlement device 30 is placed on each settlement device designation button BT10.
An example is shown in which two badges BG are arranged on the settlement device designation button BT10-1 for the corresponding settlement device 30-1: a badge BG indicating that the device is on standby, and a badge BG indicating that there is insufficient change (a certain denomination is near the end).
In addition, an example is shown in which two badges BG are arranged on the settlement device designation button BT10-2 for the corresponding settlement device 30-2: a badge BG indicating that the corresponding settlement device 30-2 is in a waiting state, and a badge BG indicating that there is insufficient change.
Additionally, the settlement device designation button BT10-3 shows an example in which a single badge BG is placed on the corresponding settlement device 30-3, indicating that the device is in use.
In the example of the figure, the settlement device designation buttons BT10-1, BT10-2 are both displayed in an active state because the corresponding settlement devices 30-1, 30-2 are in a standby state and settlement device designation operation is possible. On the other hand, the settlement device designation button BT10-3 is displayed in an inactive state because the corresponding settlement device 30-3 is in use, indicating that operation is not possible. Specifically, the inactive state in the figure is indicated by graying out the settlement device designation button BT10-3 and shading it.

When the settlement designation expanded screen WD1 is displayed, the store clerk can perform settlement device designation operations by operating the settlement device designation button BT10 in the settlement designation expanded screen WD1, rather than the settlement device designation button BT1 located in the common area AR20.
When the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed, the settlement device designation button BT1 in the common area AR20 may be made inoperable. In this case, it is preferable to visually understand that the settlement device designation button BT1 is inoperable, for example, by displaying it in a grayed-out state. Alternatively, even when the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed, the settlement device designation button BT1 in the common area AR20 may be made operable.

The settlement device designation button BT10 arranged on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is larger in size than the settlement device designation button BT1 in the common area AR20. For this reason, it is easier for a store clerk to perform a settlement device designation operation by operating the settlement device designation button BT10 than by operating the settlement device designation button BT1 arranged in the common area AR20.
In addition, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed in the foreground at approximately the center of the screen of the store clerk display unit 205. In this respect, it is easier for the store clerk to operate the settlement device designation button BT10 as a settlement device designation operation than the settlement device designation button BT1 arranged in the common area AR20.
In this way, in this embodiment, the operability of the settlement device designation operation is improved by displaying an enlarged settlement designation screen WD1 on the clerk display unit 205, which has a settlement device designation button BT10 arranged thereon.

In addition, the settlement device designation button BT1 is located at a fixed position in the common area AR20 and is small in size. For this reason, touch operations are frequently performed on a specific small area on the touch panel of the clerk display unit 205. For this reason, the area on the touch panel of the clerk display unit 205 where the settlement device designation button BT1 is located is likely to deteriorate with use.
Therefore, by displaying the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 as in the present embodiment and allowing the settlement device specification button BT1, which is larger than the settlement device specification button BT1, to be operated, the frequency of operation of the settlement device specification button BT1 can be reduced. As a result, it is also possible to suppress the deterioration of the area of the touch panel where the settlement device specification button BT1 is located.

In addition, a subtotal area AR31 showing the total amount (subtotal amount) is arranged on the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1 in the figure. By arranging the subtotal area AR31 on the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1, the store clerk can accurately grasp the total amount of the corresponding transaction even if the subtotal area AR5 is hidden and difficult to see due to the display of the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1.
In addition, the subtotal area AR31 may show not only the total amount but also, for example, a breakdown of the total amount according to the registered products (such as the unit price of each product, the number of products, and the amount according to the unit price and number of products).

The settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 also has a close button BT20. When the close button BT20 is operated, the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 is cleared and the screen returns to the state shown in FIG. 6.

Examples of triggers (deletion triggers) for deleting the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 include an operation on the close button BT20, as well as the following.
For example, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 may be erased when the scanner unit 204 reads a code.
One example of a case where the scanner unit 204 reads a code is when a customer requests the purchase of an additional product and an operation is performed to read the product's barcode. In this case, the registration device 20 resumes the product registration process that was terminated in response to the previous subtotal operation in response to the reading of the product's barcode. In response to the resumption of the product registration process, the display on the store clerk display unit 205 is returned from the subtotal screen AR5 to the product registration screen AR1.
Another example of a case where the scanner unit 204 reads a code is when the barcode of a gift certificate for which payment can be completed by the registration device 20 is read. In this case, the registration device 20 erases the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 in response to reading the barcode of the gift certificate, and executes payment processing using the information of the gift certificate indicated by the read barcode. At this time, the registration device 20 may display an operation screen corresponding to the payment processing according to the use of the gift certificate on the clerk display unit 205.
The settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 may be erased when the member card information is read by the scanner unit 204 or the card reader 210. In this case, the registration device 20 may associate the read member card information with the transaction corresponding to the product registration process that was completed in response to the previous subtotal operation, and execute processes such as points allocation and settlement using the point balance.
The settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 may be erased in response to a store clerk operating one of the physical keys included in the operation unit 206 for specifying the use of a gift certificate that can be used to complete the settlement at the registration device 20. In this case, the registration device 20 may transition to a settlement process according to the use of the gift certificate.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Step S101: In response to the start of a product registration operation in the standby state, the registration device 20 starts executing a product registration process corresponding to one transaction. After starting the execution of the product registration process, the registration device 20 executes the product registration process corresponding to each product in response to the product registration operation performed by the store clerk for each purchased product. In addition, after the product registration process corresponding to one transaction is started, the store clerk display unit 205 displays a product registration screen AR1 with the product registration sheet for the corresponding transaction placed at the forefront.

Step S102: After the product registration process is started, the registration device 20 waits for a subtotal operation to be performed.
Step S103: When the subtotal operation is performed, the registration device 20 completes the product registration process so far, and changes the display of the main operation screen on the store clerk display unit 205 from the previous product registration screen AR1 to the sub-screen AR5 reflecting the product registration process result this time. In this case, the common area AR20 is displayed in the same manner as when the product registration screen AR1 is displayed and when the sub-screen AR5 is displayed, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Step S104: While the subarea AR5 is displayed, the registration device 20 determines whether an enlargement instruction operation has been performed. The enlargement instruction operation is an operation performed on the enlargement display button BT2 in the common area AR20.

Step S105: If it is determined that an enlargement instruction operation has been performed, the registration device 20 displays the settlement instruction enlargement screen WD1.
It should be noted that, if an operation is performed on the enlarged display button BT2 while the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is already being displayed, the registration device 20 may be configured to treat the operation as invalid.

Step S106: After the processing of step S105, or if it is determined in step S104 that an enlargement instruction operation has not been performed, the registration device 20 determines whether or not a settlement device designation operation has been performed. In step S106, if the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is not displayed, the registration device 20 determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the settlement device designation button BT1 in the common area AR20. On the other hand, if the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed, the registration device 20 determines in step S106 whether or not an operation has been performed on the settlement device designation button BT1 on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1.

Step S107: If it is determined in step S106 that the settlement device designation operation is not performed, the registration device 20 determines whether or not a deletion trigger for the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 has occurred. Note that, in a situation where the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is not displayed, the process of step S107 may be skipped.
If it is determined that the erase trigger has not occurred, the process returns to step S106.

Step S108: If it is determined in step S107 that a deletion trigger has occurred, the registration device 20 deletes the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 that has been displayed up until that point.

Step S109: For example, when the close button BT3 is operated as a deletion trigger, in response to deleting the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 in step S108, a process is executed to return to the state before the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 was displayed. Specifically, the registration device 20 executes a process to return to the state in which the subdivision AR5 is displayed as the main operation screen as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, if the erase trigger that has occurred this time is the reading of a code by the scanner unit 204, the reading of information on a membership card, the operation of a physical key for specifying the use of a gift certificate, etc., the registration device 20 transitions to a process such as resumption of product registration processing, settlement processing, etc. In other words, in this case, the registration device 20 transitions to a predetermined other process that is different from the process of displaying the state before the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 was displayed.
Therefore, the registration device 20 determines whether or not a transition to another process is necessary in response to the currently occurring deletion trigger.
For example, if the current deletion trigger is an operation on the close button BT3, the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 is deleted in step S108, and the sub-screen AR5 is displayed in the foreground as is, so it is determined that transition to another process is unnecessary. If it is determined that transition to another process is unnecessary, the process returns to step S104.
On the other hand, if the erasure trigger is the reading of a code by the scanner unit 204, the reading of information on a membership card, the operation of a physical key to specify the use of a gift certificate, etc., the registration device 20 determines that a transition to another process is necessary.
Step S110: If it is determined in step S109 that transition to another process is necessary, the registration device 20 transitions to another process according to the generated deletion trigger.

Step S111: If it is determined in step S106 that a settlement device designation operation has been performed, the registration device 20 transmits settlement instruction information to the settlement device 30 designated by the settlement device designation operation.

Second Embodiment
Next, the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 shows an example of the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 in this embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 in this figure may be displayed by the store clerk operating the enlarged display button BT2 in the common area AR20 after the subtotal operation. In this figure, the same parts as in Fig. 7 are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

In the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1 in the figure, settlement instruction buttons BT11-1 to BT11-4 (an example of a third image operator) are arranged.
In the POS system 1 of this embodiment, for certain payment types that do not require handling of cash, for example, the payment process can be completed by the registration device 20 without relying on the settlement process of the settlement device 30.
The payment instruction buttons BT11-1 to BT11-4 are buttons operated to specify a specific one of the payment types that can be completed by the registration device 20 and to instruct the registration device 20 to execute the payment processing.

In this embodiment, the payment types (single payment types) that can be completed by the registration device 20 include payment by credit card, payment by electronic money, payment by points, and payment by gift certificate.
The payment instruction button BT11-1 is a button for instructing the execution of a payment process corresponding to a single payment type, which is a payment by credit card. When the payment instruction button BT11-1 is operated, the registration device 20 transitions to a payment process corresponding to the use of a credit card.
The payment instruction button BT11-2 is a button for instructing the execution of a payment process corresponding to the payment by using electronic money among the single payment types. When the payment instruction button BT11-2 is operated, the registration device 20 transitions to a payment process corresponding to the use of electronic money.
The payment instruction button BT11-3 is a button for instructing the execution of a payment process corresponding to the use of points among the individual payment types. When the payment instruction button BT11-3 is operated, the registration device 20 transitions to a payment process corresponding to the use of points.
The payment instruction button BT11-4 is a button for instructing the execution of a payment process corresponding to a payment by using a gift certificate among the individual payment types. When the payment instruction button BT11-4 is operated, the registration device 20 transitions to a payment process corresponding to the use of a gift certificate.
In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the payment instruction buttons BT11-1 to BT11-4, they will be referred to as the payment instruction button BT11.

In the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 of the first embodiment, the subtotal area AR31 was arranged. The settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 on which the subtotal area AR31 is arranged has a function of providing information on the product registration processing result (subtotal result) of the corresponding transaction by showing the total amount. In other words, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 may have a function other than accepting the settlement device designation operation.
In this embodiment, the settlement instruction button BT11 is arranged on the settlement instruction enlarged screen WD1 as shown in the figure. That is, in this embodiment, the settlement instruction enlarged screen WD1 is provided with a function to accept an operation to instruct the registration device 20 to execute a settlement process by a payment type corresponding to the single payment type.

The store clerk can select between specifying a settlement device and specifying a single payment type and instructing the execution of the settlement process on the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 displayed after the subtotal operation. In other words, for example, if the store clerk is asked by a customer to settle using the registration device 20 using a single payment type, the store clerk can operate the payment instruction button BT11 corresponding to the single payment type specified by the customer to complete the settlement using the registration device 20. On the other hand, if the settlement should be made using a payment type other than a single payment type, such as a payment that includes handling of cash, or if the customer wishes to settle using the settlement device 30 even if it is a single payment type, the store clerk can operate the settlement device specification button BT10.

As a modification of this embodiment, the operator (payment operator) corresponding to the payment instruction button BT11 may be located at a predetermined position on the entire screen when, for example, the product registration screen illustrated in Fig. 5 or the sub-screen illustrated in Fig. 6 is displayed. Alternatively, the payment operator may be located at a predetermined position on the screen of the customer display unit 205a at a predetermined timing after product registration is started.
Then, if an operation on the payment operator displayed as described above is performed before the settlement designation expanded screen WD1 is displayed and an instruction for payment processing has been given to the registration device 20, the settlement designation expanded screen WD1 may be changed from the form shown in Figure 9 as follows.
That is, in this case, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 may be displayed to indicate the settlement type designated by the previous operation on the settlement operator. In this way, when displaying the designated settlement type on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1, the settlement instruction button BT11 may not be placed, or the settlement instruction button BT11 may be changed to a mode indicating that it cannot be operated, for example, by being grayed out. In this way, it is possible to prevent duplicate operations of instructing the registration device 20 to perform a settlement process at the display stage of the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 in Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 corresponding to the first and second embodiments, settlement device designation buttons BT10 corresponding to all of the settlement devices 30 associated with the registration device 20 are arranged. The registration device 20 can designate the associated settlement device 30 as the destination of settlement instruction information. Specifically, in the example of the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 in Fig. 7 and Fig. 9, three settlement device designation buttons BT10 corresponding to the three settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 arranged in the POS system 1 are arranged.
In this case, for example, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 9, the settlement device designation button BT10 corresponding to the settlement device 30 that is currently in use and therefore cannot be designated as the destination for sending settlement instruction information is also constantly displayed, although in an inactive state.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the settlement designation expanded screen WD1 arranges the settlement device designation buttons BT10 corresponding to settlement devices 30 that are currently capable of transmitting settlement instruction information, and omits the arrangement of those corresponding to settlement devices 30 that are not capable of transmitting settlement instruction information.

10 shows an example of the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 in this embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 in this figure may be displayed by the store clerk operating the enlarged display button BT2 in the common area AR20 after the subtotal operation. In this figure, the same parts as in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.
This figure corresponds to a situation in which, currently, of the three settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3 arranged in the POS system 1, it is possible to send settlement instruction information to settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2, but it is not possible to send settlement instruction information to settlement device 30-3.
In response to this current situation, two settlement device designation buttons BT10-1 and BT10-2 corresponding to the settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2 out of the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3 are arranged on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 in the figure. On the other hand, no settlement device designation button corresponding to the settlement device 30-3 is arranged on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 in the figure.

On the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 of this type, only the settlement device designation button BT10 that can be operated is arranged. This prevents the store clerk from accidentally touching the settlement device designation button BT10 that corresponds to a settlement device 30 that cannot be designated as the destination of settlement instruction information.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiments, the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 is displayed in response to an operation of the enlargement button BT2 as an enlargement instruction operation after a subtotal operation.
In contrast, in this embodiment, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed in response to a subtotal operation. That is, in this embodiment, the subtotal operation corresponds to the enlargement instruction operation. According to this embodiment, there is no need to perform an enlargement instruction operation after the subtotal operation, and the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 can be displayed immediately in response to the subtotal operation.

The settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 displayed in this embodiment may be any of the forms shown in FIG.
In addition, in this embodiment, when the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed in window format as shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10, the main operation screen displayed on the back side of the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 may also be the sub-screen AR5, as in Figures 7, 9, and 10.
In addition, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 displayed in this embodiment may also be erased in response to the occurrence of an erasure trigger similar to that in the previous embodiment. After the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is erased, the registration device 20 may be configured to display the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 again in response to an operation on the enlarged display button BT2 in the common area AR20. In addition, in a state in which the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is erased, the registration device 20 can transmit settlement instruction information to the settlement device 30 in response to an operation on the settlement device designation button BT1 arranged in the common area AR20.

<Modification>
A modification of this embodiment will now be described.
[First Modification]
In the above-described embodiments, the enlargement instruction operation for displaying the settlement enlarged screen WD1 is performed by operating the enlargement button BT2 after the subtotal operation or by performing the subtotal operation. In other words, the enlargement instruction operation is performed after the product registration corresponding to one transaction is completed.
In contrast, in this modified example, the enlargement instruction operation may be performed at any time after product registration for one transaction has begun, regardless of whether or not a subtotal operation has been performed. In this modified example in which the enlargement instruction operation is possible before or after a subtotal operation, it is preferable that the enlargement instruction operation is performed on the enlargement button BT2, and is performed as a different operation from the subtotal operation.
In this case, if the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed at a stage before the subtotal operation, the product registration process has not yet been completed, and therefore the operation of the settlement device designation button BT10 is not accepted. Therefore, in this modified example, if the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed at a stage before the subtotal operation, the subtotal operation may be possible while the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is displayed. In this case, the settlement device designation button BT10 arranged on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 may be activated in response to the subtotal operation being performed.

Furthermore, if the settlement specification expanded screen WD1 is displayed at a stage prior to the subtotal operation, the subtotal area AR31 may be displayed in a manner indicating that the subtotal result is undetermined until the subtotal operation is performed, for example because the product registration process has not been completed. Then, once the subtotal operation is performed, the subtotal area AR31 may be displayed to reflect the confirmed subtotal result, such as by displaying the total amount.

[Second Modification]
In this modified example, the settlement designated enlarged screen WD1 can be displayed by the enlargement instruction operation regardless of whether the subtotal operation is performed or not, as in the first modified example. As described above, if the settlement designated enlarged screen WD1 is displayed at a stage before the subtotal operation, the operation of the settlement device designation button BT10 is not accepted unless the subtotal operation is performed. In this case, it can be considered that there is no usefulness in displaying the settlement device designation button BT10 on the settlement designated enlarged screen WD1 until the subtotal operation is performed.
Therefore, in this modified example, when the settlement designation expanded screen WD1 is displayed before the subtotal operation, the settlement designation expanded screen WD1 displayed will display, for example, instead of the settlement device designation button BT10, the status of each settlement device 30 in more detail than the badge BG.

11 shows an example of the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1 displayed in this modified example. The enlarged settlement designation screen WD1 in the figure includes a change status area AR121, a settlement process status area AR122, and a printer status area AR123.
The change status area AR121 shows the change status of each of the settlement devices 30-1 ("Settlement Machine 1"), 30-2 ("Settlement Machine 2"), and 30-3 ("Settlement Machine 3"). In the example shown in the figure, the "number of coins" and the "status" corresponding to the number of coins of each denomination are shown for each of the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3 in correspondence with the classification of the denominations.
The settlement processing status area AR122 shows the change status of each of the settlement devices 30-1 ("Settlement Machine 1"), 30-2 ("Settlement Machine 2"), and 30-3 ("Settlement Machine 3"). In the figure, an example is shown in which the settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2 are "on standby" and the settlement device 30-3 is "in use."
The printer status area AR123 shows the printer status of each of the settlement devices 30-1 ("Settlement Machine 1"), 30-2 ("Settlement Machine 2"), and 30-3 ("Settlement Machine 3"). The figure shows an example in which the settlement devices 30-1 and 30-3 are "normal" and the settlement device 30-2 is "receipt near end."

In the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 in the figure, information on settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3 is presented in a manner that divides the information into information items such as change status, settlement processing status, and printer status. By presenting the information in this manner, it becomes easier for store clerks to grasp the status of settlement devices 30-1 and 30-3 by focusing on each of the change status, settlement processing status, and printer status.

In addition, unlike the example shown in the figure, when presenting detailed information about multiple settlement devices 30 on one settlement designation expanded screen WD1, the change status, settlement processing status, and printer status may be grouped together for each of the multiple settlement devices 30. Whether to use the format shown in the figure or to group the change status, settlement processing status, and printer status for each of the multiple settlement devices 30 may be set in advance by, for example, operating the registration device 20.

In this modified example, when a subtotal operation is performed while the content shown in the figure is displayed, the settlement designation expanded screen WD1 is changed to a form in which a settlement device designation button BT10 is arranged as shown in Figures 7, 9, 10, etc.
Alternatively, when a subtotal operation is performed, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 of this modified example may be changed to a mode in which, in addition to the contents shown in the same figure, a settlement device designation button BT10 is further arranged.
Alternatively, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 of this modified example may have the settlement device designation button BT10 already arranged from the time the display starts, together with detailed information such as the change status area AR121, the settlement processing status area AR122, and the printer status area AR123. In addition, the settlement device designation button BT10 may be in an inactive state and cannot be operated until a subtotal operation is performed. Then, when a subtotal operation is performed, the settlement device designation button BT10 may be activated and changed to a state where it can be operated.

[Third Modification]
The settlement device designation button BT10 arranged on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is larger in size than the settlement device designation button BT1 in the common area AR20. Therefore, the degree of deterioration of the touch panel in response to a touch operation on the area corresponding to the settlement device designation button BT10 is lower compared to the common area AR20. However, there is no particular reason to prevent the progress of deterioration of the touch panel in response to an operation on the settlement device designation button BT10 on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 from being suppressed, and this can be said to be preferable.

Therefore, in this modified example, the position that is the target of the touch operation on the touch panel as the settlement device designation operation performed on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is configured to be changed appropriately.

Specifically, in this modified example, the position at which the text "Settlement Machine 1", "Settlement Machine 2", "Settlement Machine 3", etc. is displayed may be changed as appropriate on the settlement device designation button BT10 located on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1. When a store clerk operates the settlement device designation button BT10, they tend to unconsciously perform a touch operation targeting the position at which the text is displayed in the area of the settlement device designation button BT10. Therefore, by appropriately changing the position of the text displayed on the settlement device designation button BT10, it becomes possible for the store clerk to disperse the positions at which the touch operation is performed when operating a certain settlement device designation button BT10.

In addition, as a modification of this embodiment, a target mark indicating the position to be touched with a finger during a touch operation may be placed on the settlement device designation button BT10, and the position of the target mark may be changed as appropriate on the settlement device designation button BT10.

In addition, in this modified example, the position where the settlement device designation button BT10 is located on the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 may be changed as appropriate.
In addition, in this modified example, the position where the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1 is arranged on the entire screen of the store clerk display unit 205 may be changed as appropriate.

In this modified example, the position that is the target of the touch operation may be changed, for example, each time the display of the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is started in one registration device 20. Alternatively, the position that is the target of the touch operation may be changed when a certain period of time has elapsed while the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 is being displayed.

[Fourth Modification]
In the above embodiments, the POS system 1 is provided with a product registration device that performs product registration processing in response to an operation by a store clerk, and a payment device that performs payment processing in response to an operation by a customer.
However, the configuration of this embodiment in which a transaction corresponding to a product registration performed in the registration device 20 is associated with a settlement-related operation as in each of the above embodiments may also be applied to a POS system such as the one described below.
That is, the configurations of the above embodiments may also be applied to a POS system equipped with multiple POS registers in which a store clerk performs product registration operations and a customer performs operations corresponding to settlement in front of the store clerk. In the case of such a POS system, it is sufficient that the POS register in which the product has been registered issues an instruction (sends settlement instruction information) to execute settlement processing at one of the other multiple POS registers.
The configurations of the above embodiments can also be applied to a POS system having multiple POS registers that can be switched between a first accounting mode in which a store clerk performs an operation to register products and an operation corresponding to settlement, a second accounting mode in which a store clerk performs an operation to register products and a customer performs an operation corresponding to settlement, and a third accounting mode in which a customer performs an operation to register products and an operation corresponding to settlement. In the case of such a POS system, for example, a POS register that has registered products in response to an operation by a store clerk in the first or second accounting mode may issue an instruction (send settlement instruction information) to one of the other POS registers in the second or third accounting mode to carry out a settlement process.

[Fifth Modification]
In the above embodiment, the manner in which a settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process is designated from among the multiple settlement devices 30 includes a manner in which a store clerk designates the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process using the registration device 20 (first designation manner), and a manner in which a receipt to be handed to a customer is issued from the registration device 20, and the customer has one settlement device 30 read the receipt handed to them by the store clerk (second designation manner). However, the manner in which a settlement device 30 is designated is not limited to the above-mentioned manner. For example, a settlement device 30 may be designated as in the following third to seventh designation manners.

As a third specification mode, in response to an operation performed on the send button displayed on the store clerk display unit 205 upon completion of product registration (or an operation that declares the completion of product registration), the registration device 20, for example, inquires about the status of the settlement devices 30 to recognize settlement devices 30 that are capable of settlement processing (for example, no failures have occurred and the settlement devices 30 are not in use), and selects one settlement device 30 from among the settlement devices 30 that are not in use according to predetermined rules. The registration device 20 then transmits settlement information to the selected settlement device 30 and instructs it to execute the settlement processing.

As a fourth specification mode, the priority of the settlement process for the settlement devices 30 is set in advance. Then, in response to completion of product registration, the clerk display unit 205 displays a display that enables the operation of a send button that instructs the sending of settlement information to the settlement device 30. In response to the operation of the send button, the registration device 20 checks whether the settlement process is possible for the settlement device 30 in the order according to the set priority, and if it is not confirmed that the settlement process is possible, it checks the settlement device 30 with the next highest priority. Then, the registration device 20 sends settlement information to the settlement device 30 that was first confirmed to be able to process the settlement, and instructs it to execute the settlement process.

The priority of the settlement devices 30 according to the predetermined rules in the third designation mode or the settlement devices 30 in the fourth designation mode may be determined, for example, based on the number assigned to the settlement devices 30. Alternatively, it may be determined based on the distance from the registration device 20 to the settlement devices 30. Alternatively, it may be determined based on the relationship between the breakdown of the change denominations predicted based on the total amount and the number of coins of each denomination stored in the change dispenser of the settlement device 30.

As a fifth designation mode, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information to all of the settlement devices 30. When the settlement device 30 that has received the settlement information becomes capable of executing settlement processing using the settlement information contained in the settlement information that it has received, it transmits a settlement processing execution notification to the registration device 20 that is the sender of the settlement information notifying that it will execute the settlement processing.
In response to receiving the settlement processing execution notification, the registration device 20 displays (a settlement processing execution display) the settlement device 30 to which the settlement processing execution notification was sent. The store clerk can look at the settlement processing execution display and tell the customer which settlement device 30 will execute the settlement processing.
At this time, together with the display indicating that the settlement process is being executed, the sign pole 311 of the settlement device 30 that sent the settlement process execution notification may be lit in a predetermined pattern or a predetermined alarm sound may be output from the settlement device 30 to notify the user that it will be executing the settlement process.

By specifying the settlement device 30 according to the third to fifth specification modes described above, it is not necessary to determine which settlement device 30 should execute the settlement process.

As a sixth designation mode, a store clerk moves a shopping basket containing products that have been registered at the registration device 20 to one of the basket locations installed corresponding to each settlement device 30.
The basket placement area is equipped with a sensor (weight sensor, light sensor, etc.) that detects a placed shopping basket. When the sensor determines that a shopping basket has been placed in the basket placement area, the corresponding settlement device 30 makes a request to obtain corresponding settlement information from the registration device 20 and executes settlement processing.
In this case, too, the settlement device 30 that has decided to execute the settlement process may announce that it will be executing the settlement process by, for example, lighting up the sign pole 311 or emitting an alarm sound.
Instead of a sensor that detects a placed shopping basket, for example, a human presence sensor or an imaging device may be provided corresponding to the store clerk. The registration device 20 judges the movement of the store clerk based on the detection output of the human presence sensor or the image captured by the imaging device, and based on the judgment result, determines in which of the basket locations installed corresponding to each settlement device 30 the store clerk has placed the shopping basket. The settlement device 30 corresponding to the determined basket location may then be determined as the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process.

As a seventh designation mode, the registration device 20 transmits, to one of the settlement devices 30, settlement instruction information including settlement information and transfer order information that sets the transfer order among the multiple settlement devices 30. The transfer order information may designate the transfer order cyclically among the settlement devices 30.
If the settlement device 30 that has received the settlement instruction information is capable of executing the settlement process, it transmits a settlement process execution notification to the registration device 20 that has sent the settlement instruction information, and executes the settlement process using the settlement information contained in the received settlement instruction information.
On the other hand, if the settlement device 30 that has received the settlement instruction information is unable to execute the settlement process, it transfers the received settlement instruction information to the next settlement device 30 in the transfer order, in accordance with the transfer order information included in the received settlement instruction information. In this way, by sequentially transferring the settlement instruction information between the settlement devices 30, a procedure equivalent to specifying the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process is realized.

In each of the above designation modes, the process for determining the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process may be executed by a predetermined device other than the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30, such as the management device 10, in response to the completion of the product registration process by the registration device 20. The predetermined device other than the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 may be, for example, a device provided for monitoring the status of the settlement device 30.

In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned registration device 20, settlement device 30, etc. may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the above-mentioned registration device 20, settlement device 30, etc. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, WAN, LAN, dedicated lines, and other communication lines. In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In addition, the recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside the computer that can be accessed from a distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by a terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server does not matter as long as the program can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed on the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes a storage medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a program that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

<Overview of the embodiment>
(1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a registration device in a product sales data processing system (POS system 1) having a registration device (20) that executes a product registration process to register products that are to be purchased by a customer, and a plurality of settlement devices (30) that execute a settlement process in response to customer operation based on product registration information corresponding to the product registration process, and the registration device is equipped with a control unit that displays a second image operator (e.g., a settlement device designation button BT10) that is larger than a first image operator (e.g., a settlement device designation button BT1) that designates the settlement device that is to execute the settlement process in response to a specified operation.

According to the above configuration, an expanded settlement designation screen WD1 including a settlement device designation button BT10 larger in size than the settlement device designation button BT1 can be displayed in response to a specified operation as an image operator for performing the settlement device designation operation. By being able to perform operations on the settlement device designation button BT10 displayed in this way, the operability of the settlement device designation operation performed on the screen of the registration device 20 is improved.

(2) One aspect of this embodiment is the registration device described in (1), in which the control unit displays the second image operator in response to operation of an operator (e.g., the enlarged display button BT2) that instructs the display of the second image operator.

With the above configuration, the store clerk can determine whether or not the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 needs to be displayed, and can choose to display or not display the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 at the discretion of the store clerk.

(3) One aspect of this embodiment is the registration device described in (1) or (2), in which the control unit displays the second image operator in response to an operation (e.g., a subtotal operation) corresponding to a declaration of completion of the product registration process corresponding to one transaction.

With the above configuration, the store clerk can display the settlement specification enlarged screen WD1 by performing the subtotal operation without performing any other operations.

(4) One aspect of this embodiment is a registration device as described in any one of (1) to (3), in which the control unit displays a third image operator (e.g., a payment instruction button BT11) that is operated to instruct the execution of a payment process corresponding to each payment type for which the registration device is capable of performing payment processing, together with the second image operator.

According to the above configuration, a screen on which the settlement instruction button BT11 is arranged along with the settlement device designation button BT10 can be displayed. The store clerk can operate both the settlement device designation button BT10 and the settlement instruction button BT11 on the same screen, depending on the payment type designated by the customer when settling the payment.

(5) One aspect of this embodiment is a registration device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the control unit further includes a processing means for erasing the display of the second image manipulator in response to the occurrence of a trigger for erasing the displayed second image manipulator, and for transitioning to a predetermined other process different from the process of displaying the state before the second image manipulator was displayed in response to the occurrence of a predetermined one of the triggers.

According to the above configuration, in response to, for example, an erase trigger such as reading a code by the scanner unit 204, reading information on a membership card, or operating a physical key to specify use of a gift certificate, the registration device 20 can erase the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1 that was displayed up until that point, and transition to the process to be executed in response to the erase trigger. This eliminates the need for the store clerk to first perform an operation to erase the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1, and then to read a code by the scanner unit 204, read information on a membership card, or operate a physical key to specify use of a gift certificate, etc., to transition to the process. In other words, the operations that the store clerk must perform when erasing the enlarged settlement designation screen WD1 and transitioning to an operation other than the settlement designation operation are simplified.

(6) One aspect of this embodiment is a registration device according to any one of (1) to (5), in which the control unit is arranged in an area different from an operation screen area in which the functions provided by the operation screen can be changed, and displays the first image operator in a common area (e.g., common area AR20) in which the functions provided do not change regardless of changes to the functions of the operation screen in the operation screen area.

According to the above configuration, the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 on which the settlement device designation button BT10 is located can be displayed in response to the operation of the store clerk, while the settlement device designation button BT1 can be constantly displayed in the common area AR20. This allows the store clerk to operate the settlement device designation button BT1 located in the common area AR20 without displaying the settlement designation enlarged screen WD1 depending on the situation. In other words, the store clerk can flexibly use the settlement device designation button BT1 and the settlement device designation button BT10 to perform the settlement device designation operation.

(7) One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer serving as a registration device in a product sales data processing system having a registration device that executes a product registration process to register products to be purchased by a customer, and a plurality of settlement devices that execute a settlement process in response to a customer's operation based on product registration information corresponding to the product registration process, to function as a control unit that displays a second image operator that is larger in size than a first image operator that specifies the settlement device that will execute the settlement process in response to a specified operation.

1 POS system, 10 Management device, 11 LAN, 20 (20-1, 20-2) Registration device, 30 (30-1 to 30-3) Payment device, 201 CPU, 202 Memory unit, 203 RAM, 204 Scanner unit, 205 Display unit for store clerks, 205a Display unit for customers, 206 Operation unit, 207 Communication unit, 208 Buzzer, 209 Printing unit, 210 Card reader, 301 CPU, 302 Memory unit, 303 RAM, 304 Scanner unit, 305 Display unit, 306 Operation unit, 307 Communication unit, 308 Buzzer, 309 Printing unit, 310 Payment unit, 311 Sign pole, 312 Human detection sensor, 313 Card reader

Claims (6)

A registration device in a product sales data processing system having a product registration process for registering a product to be purchased by a customer, and a plurality of payment devices for performing a payment process in response to an operation by a customer based on product registration information corresponding to the product registration process,
a declaration section for declaring completion of a product registration process corresponding to one transaction;
a control unit that displays information corresponding to the one transaction;
A first transmission unit that transmits registration data so that a payment can be made at the payment device in response to the operation of a first image operator;
a second transmission unit that transmits registration data corresponding to a product registration process performed under one transaction in response to the operation of a second image operator that is larger than the first image operator so that the product can be settled at the settlement device;
Equipped with
The control unit switches from the product registration screen to a sub-screen display in response to the declaration by the declaration unit, and displays an operation screen including the second image operator superimposed on the sub-screen display. The control unit is
The registration device according to claim 1 , further comprising a display for displaying a total amount together with the second image operator. The control unit is
The registration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the second image operators are displayed, second image operators corresponding to settlement devices that cannot execute settlement processing are not displayed. The registration device is capable of settlement processing corresponding to a plurality of predetermined payment types,
The control unit is
The registration device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a display unit configured to display, together with the second image operator, the predetermined plurality of payment types for which settlement can be processed by the registration device. The control unit is
The registration device according to claim 1 , wherein after the display of the operation screen is erased, an operation can be performed on the first image operator arranged together with the small screen. A computer as a registration device in a product sales data processing system having a registration device that executes a product registration process for registering a product to be purchased by a customer, and a plurality of payment devices that execute a payment process in response to an operation by a customer based on product registration information corresponding to the product registration process,
a declaration section for declaring the completion of a product registration process corresponding to one transaction;
a first transmission unit that transmits registration data so that a payment can be made at the payment device in response to the operation of a first image operator;
a second transmission unit that transmits registration data corresponding to a product registration process performed under one transaction in response to the operation of a second image operator that is larger than the first image operator, so that the product can be settled at the settlement device;
A program for functioning as a control unit that displays information corresponding to the one transaction, which switches from a product registration screen to a sub-screen display in response to a declaration by the declaration unit, and displays an operation screen including the second image operator superimposed on the sub-screen.

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