JP7829079B2 - Product registration device and program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a product registration device and program.

In conventional product registration systems, when purchasing goods, the payment amount is notified to the shopper only after the registration of goods for a single transaction is complete, and then the payment method is determined. When using a payment method with a payment limit, such as a prepaid electronic money card or debit card, if the payment limit based on the electronic money balance or bank account balance is insufficient, the shopper must pay the difference in cash or other means. Therefore, with conventional product registration systems, the shopper may not realize that the payment limit is insufficient until the registration of goods for a single transaction is complete and the payment method has been determined. In this case, the shopper will have to start preparing the cash or other means to pay the difference after the registration of goods for a single transaction is complete, which leads to problems such as delays in payment.
For these reasons, it is desirable to notify shoppers if their payment limit is insufficient before the registration of all items for a transaction is completed.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-018482

This invention provides a product registration device and program that can notify a shopper if the payment method's payment limit is insufficient before the registration of all products for a single transaction is completed.

The product registration device of this embodiment comprises a registration means, an acquisition means, and a notification means. The registration means registers products to be settled. The acquisition means acquires the settlement limit of the settlement method used for settling the products to be settled. The notification means performs a notification operation to inform the settler that the settlement limit is insufficient if the settlement limit acquired by the acquisition means is less than the settlement amount for products already registered as settlement targets before the registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed.

A perspective view showing the external appearance of a product registration device according to an embodiment. A block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the product registration device. Flowchart of the CPU control process shown in Figure 2. Figures 1 and 2 show an example of an image displayed on the touch panel screen. Figures 1 and 2 show an example of an image displayed on the touch panel screen. Figures 1 and 2 show an example of an image displayed on the screen of the customer-side display device.

The product registration device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings and their descriptions, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the product registration device 1 according to this embodiment.
Product registration device 1 is connected to reader/writer 2.
The product registration device 1 performs various data processing related to product sales, such as registering products to be paid for and calculating the payment amount. The product registration device 1 can be, for example, a POS (point of sales) terminal or an electronic cash register (ECR). The product registration device 1 comprises a main unit 10, a touch panel 11, a customer-side display device 12, an input device 13, a printer 14, and a scanner 15.

The main unit 10 includes many of the various elements described later for constituting the product registration device 1.

The touch panel 11 functions as a display device that shows a screen to notify the operator of various information. The touch panel 11 also functions as an input device that accepts touch operations from the operator. The customer-side display device 12 displays various information for the shopper to confirm.

The input device 13 receives various types of information in response to operations performed by the operator. The input device 13 can be a keyboard, keypad, or buttons.
Printer 14 prints receipts and the like. Printer 14 can use various methods, such as a dot matrix printer, inkjet printer, thermal printer, laser printer, or other types of printers.
The scanner 15 reads the barcode displayed on the product and outputs the product code represented by the barcode. In Figure 1, the scanner 15 is a handheld type, but it can also be a type that is fixed to a cash register counter or similar.

The reader/writer 2 reads information recorded on cards used for payment methods with transaction limits, such as debit cards, electronic money cards, or point cards. The reader/writer 2 can also write information to the aforementioned cards.

The following describes payment methods that have transaction limits.
With a debit card, the balance in the bank account becomes the payment limit. Alternatively, if the debit card user or the debit card service provider has set a limit on the amount that can be paid with a debit card, the payment limit will be the smaller of either the balance in the account or that limit.
Furthermore, if you are using an electronic money card, the balance of the electronic money will be the payment limit.
Furthermore, with a points card, the total amount of points earned is converted into monetary value, which becomes the payment limit.
The above payment limit is recorded on either the server or the card or other device used to make the payment.

The medium used to store information for using payment methods may be a magnetic card, a contact-type IC (integrated circuit) card, or a contactless IC card. Furthermore, it is not limited to card-type media; a contactless IC chip installed in a portable electronic device such as a smartphone or mobile phone may also be used as the medium for storing the above information.
The reader/writer 2 shown in Figure 1 is a type that reads and writes information to contactless IC cards or contactless IC chips. In some cases, a reader/writer 2 that reads and writes information to magnetic cards or contact-type IC cards may also be used. In short, the reader/writer 2 is a type that can read and write information to a medium that stores information for using a payment method.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the product registration device 1.
The main unit 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 101, main memory 102, auxiliary storage device 103, communication interface 104, network interface 105, and bus 106.

The CPU 101 is the central part of the computer that performs the processing and control necessary for the operation of the product registration device 1. Based on programs such as the operating system and application software stored in the main memory 102, the CPU 101 controls various parts to realize the various functions of the product registration device 1. Furthermore, the CPU 101 may also control the reader/writer 2 via the communication interface 104.

Main memory 102 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 102 stores programs such as the operating system and application software. Main memory 102 also stores data that the CPU 101 references when performing various processes. Furthermore, main memory 102 is used as a so-called work area, storing data that the CPU 101 temporarily uses when performing various processes.

The auxiliary storage device 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. The auxiliary storage device 103 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive). The auxiliary storage device 103 stores data used by the CPU 101 in performing various processes or data generated by the processing performed by the CPU 101. The auxiliary storage device 103 may also store programs such as the operating system or applications described above.
Furthermore, the main memory 102 or auxiliary storage device 103 also stores a product list, which is a list of products registered as purchased items.

The program stored in the main memory 102 or auxiliary storage device 103 includes a control program describing the control processing described later. As an example, the product registration device 1 is transferred to the user with the control program stored in the main memory 102 or auxiliary storage device 103. However, the product registration device 1 may also be transferred to the user without the control program being stored in the main memory 102 or auxiliary storage device 103. Furthermore, the control program transferred to the user may be written to the main memory 102 or auxiliary storage device 103 under the operation of the user or a service technician. This transfer of the control program can be achieved by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by downloading it via a network.

The communication interface 104 is an interface for the product registration device 1 to communicate with the reader/writer 2. The communication interface 104 may use, for example, RS-232C, USB (universal serial bus), SCSI (small computer system interface), IEEE 1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), or other interface standards.
The network interface 105 is an interface for the product registration device 1 to communicate via the network 3.
Bus 106 includes an address bus and a data bus, and is a transmission path for the various parts of the product registration device 1 to exchange signals.

Network 3 is a communication network that includes 3G (3rd generation) or LTE (long term evolution) mobile phone networks, the internet, LAN (local area network), dedicated lines, or other communication lines.

Server 4 is connected to the product registration device 1 via network 3. Server 4 may store account balances or payment limits for the above payment methods. Server 4 can utilize an existing server configuration.

The operation of the product registration device 1 when a shopper purchases a product will be explained below using diagrams. Note that the process described below is just one example; various processes that can achieve similar results can be used as appropriate.

Figure 3 is a flowchart of the control process performed by the CPU 101. The CPU 101 executes this control process based on the control program stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103.

In Act 1, the CPU 101 resets the product list stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 to return the product list to a state where no products are registered.

In Act 2, the CPU 101 checks whether the product code has been read. That is, the CPU 101 checks whether the barcode attached to the product has been read by the scanner 15. If the product code is not read, the CPU 101 determines "No" in Act 2 and proceeds to Act 3.

In Act 3, the CPU 101 determines whether or not it has been decided to use a payment method with a payment limit. That is, the CPU 101 checks whether a card or other device for using a payment method with a payment limit has been read by the reader/writer 2. If it has not been decided to use a payment method with a payment limit, the CPU 101 determines "No" in Act 3 and proceeds to Act 4.

In Act 4, the CPU 101 checks whether an operation to instruct registration completion has been performed. That is, the CPU 101 checks whether a predetermined operation to instruct registration completion, such as pressing the subtotal button, has been performed. Note that the operation to instruct registration completion should only be performed after at least one product has been registered. The CPU 101's behavior when an operation to instruct registration completion is performed when no products are registered may be determined by the designer of the CPU 101's control program. For example, the CPU 101 may ignore the operation to instruct registration completion. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may be configured to prevent the operation to instruct registration completion altogether when no products are registered. If no operation to instruct registration completion is performed, the CPU 101 determines "No" in Act 4 and returns to Act 2. Thus, the CPU 101 repeats Acts 2 through 4 until a product code is read, a payment method with a payment limit is decided to be used for payment, or an operation to instruct registration completion is performed.

If the CPU 101 is in a waiting state for Act2 to Act4 and a product code is read by the scanner 15, it determines "Yes" in Act2 and proceeds to Act5.
In Act 5, the CPU 101 registers the read product code in the product list. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the main memory 102 or auxiliary storage device 103 to add the read product code to the product list. In this process, the CPU 101 acts as a registration means.
Furthermore, in Act 5, the CPU 101 displays a list of products registered in the product list on the touch panel 11. That is, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the product registration screen 200 and instructs the touch panel 11 to display this image.
Furthermore, if a product code is registered in the product list while the product registration screen 200 is already displayed on the touch panel 11, the product registration screen 200 is updated to display the product list in which the product code was registered. That is, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the updated product registration screen 200 and instructs the touch panel 11 to display this image.

Figure 4 shows an example of a product registration screen 200.
The product registration screen 200 shown in Figure 4 includes a product area 210 and a price area 220.
The product area 210 displays the product name, unit price, quantity, and total amount of the products registered in the product list. The product area 210 may also display whether each product is tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive, the product code, or other product-related information.

The amount area 220 displays the subtotal, external tax amount, and total amount for the items registered in the product list. Here, the subtotal is the sum of the amounts for the items registered in the product list. The external tax amount is the sum of the external taxes applied to the items registered in the product list. The total amount corresponds to the payment amount for the items registered in the product list.

After completing the processing of Act 5, the CPU 101 returns to the standby state for Acts 2 through 4.
Thus, the CPU 101 registers each product code in the product list every time a product code is read, until the payment method is determined or an operation to instruct the system to complete registration is performed.

If the CPU 101 is in a waiting state for Act2 to Act4 and an operation to instruct it to complete registration is performed with one or more products registered, it will determine "Yes" in Act4 and proceed to Act6.
In Act 6, the CPU 101 processes the payment for the items registered in the product list, with the shopper as the payer. Since a well-known payment process can be used here, a detailed explanation of this process will be omitted.
Furthermore, in Act 6, the CPU 101 issues receipts and the like. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the printer 14 to issue receipts and the like.
After completing the processing of Act6, CPU 101 returns to Act1.

When the CPU 101 is in the waiting state of Act2 to Act4, if it is decided to use a payment method with a payment limit for payment, it determines Yes in Act3 and proceeds to Act7.
In Act 7, the CPU 101 obtains the payment limit for the payment method. Specifically, if the CPU 101 obtains the payment limit from the server 4, it instructs the network interface 105 to send information to the server 4 to send the payment limit. The CPU 101 then instructs the network interface 105 to receive the payment limit sent from the server 4. In this process, the CPU 101 acts as an acquisition means. If the CPU 101 obtains the payment limit for the payment method from a card or the like used to utilize the payment method, it instructs the reader/writer 2 to obtain the payment limit from the card or the like. In this process, the CPU 101 acts as an acquisition means.

In Act 8, CPU 101 determines whether the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. Specifically, CPU 101 calculates the total amount from the amounts of the items registered in the product list and compares it to the payment limit obtained in Act 7 to determine whether the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount, i.e., whether the payment limit is less than the total amount. If the payment limit is equal to or greater than the total amount, CPU 101 determines "No" in Act 8 and proceeds to Act 9.

In Act 9, the CPU 101 checks whether the product code has been read. That is, similar to Act 2, the CPU 101 checks whether the barcode attached to the product has been read. If the product code is not read, the CPU 101 determines "No" in Act 9 and proceeds to Act 10.

In Act 10, the CPU 101 checks whether an operation to instruct registration completion has been performed. That is, similar to Act 4, the CPU 101 checks whether an operation to instruct registration completion has been performed. If the operation to instruct registration completion has not been performed, the CPU 101 determines "No" in Act 10 and returns to Act 9. Thus, the CPU 101 repeats Act 9 and Act 10 until a product code is read or an operation to instruct registration completion is performed.

If the CPU 101 reads a product code while in the waiting state for Act 9 and Act 10, it determines "Yes" in Act 9 and proceeds to Act 11.
In Act 11, the CPU 101 registers the read product code. That is, the CPU 101 adds the read product code to the product list, similar to Act 5. In this process, the CPU 101 acts as a registration means.
Furthermore, the CPU 101 displays or updates the product registration screen 200 in the same manner as in Act 5, according to the product list at this point.
After completing the processing of Act 11, CPU 101 returns to Act 8. In this case, CPU 101 recalculates the total amount based on the product list updated in Act 11 and compares this total amount with the payment limit.
Thus, the CPU 101 registers each product code in the product list as it is read, until the total amount exceeds the payment limit or an operation to instruct registration completion is performed.

Incidentally, when the CPU 101 is in the waiting state for Act 9 and Act 10, if an operation to instruct registration completion is performed with one or more products registered, it determines Yes in Act 10 and proceeds to Act 12.
In Act 12, CPU 101 processes the payment for the items registered in the product list, with the shopper as the payer. In this payment process, CPU 101 uses the payment method determined in Act 3. The specific payment process can be carried out using well-known methods, so a detailed explanation is omitted.
Furthermore, in Act 12, the CPU 101 issues receipts and the like. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the printer 14 to issue receipts and the like.
After completing the processing of Act12, CPU 101 returns to Act1.

If the payment limit is less than the total amount, CPU 101 determines Yes in Act 8 and proceeds to Act 13.
In Act 13, the CPU 101 initiates a notification operation to inform the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. Specifically, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the first notification screen and instructs the touch panel 11 to display this image. Through this process, the CPU 101 and the touch panel 11 work together to realize the function of the first display means. Furthermore, the CPU 101 instructs the customer-side display device 12 to display the second notification screen 300. Through this process, the CPU 101 and the customer-side display device 12 work together to realize the function of the second display means.

Figure 5 shows an example of the first notification screen 201.
The first notification screen 201 shown in Figure 5 includes a product area 210 and a price area 220, similar to the product registration screen 200. The first notification screen 201 further includes a notification area 230 that is positioned to overlap a portion of the product area 210 and the price area 220.

The notification area 230 includes a shortage notification 231, a notification instruction 232, a settlement limit 233, a shortage amount 234, a confirmation button 235, and a change button 236.

The insufficiency notification 231 is a string of characters that notifies the operator that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. For example, it may display "The payment limit is insufficient." The notification instruction 232 is a string of characters that notifies the operator to inform the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. For example, it may display "Please inform the customer."
The payment limit 233 displays the payment limit for the payment method. Figure 5 shows the case where the payment limit is 1,068 yen.
The deficit amount 234 indicates how much the payment limit is short of the total amount. Figure 5 shows the case where the deficit amount is 120 yen.

The confirmation button 235 is a button that allows the operator to take action once they have confirmed the contents displayed in the notification area 230.
The change button 236 is a button that allows the operator to cancel the decision on the payment method to be used for payment and change to another payment method.

The display in the notification area 230, as described above, prompts the operator to inform the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount. In other words, the display in the notification area 230 is directly a notification to the operator, but indirectly an action to inform the shopper. Therefore, the display in the notification area 230 is an example of a notification action to inform the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount.

Figure 6 shows a second notification screen 300 as an example.
The second notification screen 300 shown in Figure 6 includes a deficit notification 301, a settlement limit 302, a total amount 303, and a deficit amount 304.

The shortfall notification 301, settlement limit 302, and shortfall amount 304 contain the same information as the shortfall notice 231, settlement limit 233, and shortfall amount 234.
The total amount of 303 displays the total amount of items registered in the product list at this point. Figure 6 shows the case where the total amount is 1,188 yen.

Thus, in the processing of Act 8 and Act 13, the CPU 101, touch panel 11, and customer-side display device 12 operate as notification means. Furthermore, the CPU 101 operates as a notification control means. Also, the touch panel 11 and customer-side display device 12 operate as notification devices.

In Act 14, the CPU 101 checks whether a predetermined operation indicating confirmation of the notification operation has been performed. If the confirmation button 235 is not operated, the CPU 101 determines "No" in Act 14 and proceeds to Act 15.

In Act 15, the CPU 101 checks whether a predetermined operation has been performed to cancel the payment method decision and change to another payment method. If the change button 236 is not operated, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 15 and returns to Act 14.
Thus, the CPU 101 repeats Act 15 and Act 16 until the confirmation button 235 or the change button 236 is operated.

If the change button 236 is operated while the CPU 101 is in the standby state for Act 14 and Act 15, it determines "Yes" in Act 15 and returns to Act 2. At this time, the CPU 101 cancels the decision on the payment method to be used for settlement and terminates the notification operation before returning to Act 2. In this notification operation termination process, the CPU 101 instructs the touch panel 11 to terminate the display of the notification area 230 and the customer-side display device 12 to terminate the display of the second notification screen 300. In this case, the CPU 101 returns to the standby state for Acts 2 to 4, allowing it to change to a payment method with a different settlement limit in Act 3. Thus, in the processing of Acts 15 and 3, the CPU 101 operates as a change means.

If the confirmation button 235 is pressed while the CPU 101 is in the waiting state for Act 14 and Act 15, it determines "Yes" in Act 14 and proceeds to Act 16.
In Act 16, the CPU 101 terminates the notification operation. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the touch panel 11 to terminate the display of the notification area 230.

In Act 17, the CPU 101 checks whether the product code has been read, in the same manner as in Act 2. If the product code has not been read, the CPU 101 determines "No" in Act 17 and proceeds to Act 18.
In Act 18, the CPU 101 checks whether an operation to instruct registration completion has been performed, in the same manner as in Act 4. If the operation to instruct registration completion has not been performed, the CPU 101 determines No in Act 18 and returns to Act 17. Thus, the CPU 101 repeats Act 17 and Act 18 until a product code is read or an operation to instruct registration completion is performed.

If the CPU 101 reads a product code while in the waiting state for Act 17 and Act 18, it determines "Yes" in Act 17 and proceeds to Act 19.
In Act 19, the CPU 101 registers the read product code in the same manner as in Act 5. In this process, the CPU 101 acts as a registration means. The CPU 101 also updates the product registration screen 200 in the same manner as in Act 5. The CPU 101 also updates the amount displayed on the second notification screen 300 to the amount corresponding to the product already registered in the product list. That is, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the display and instructs the customer-side display device 12 to display this image.
After completing the processing of Act 19, CPU 101 returns to Act 17.
Thus, the CPU 101 adds each product code to the product list as it is read, until an operation to instruct the CPU 101 to complete registration is performed.

If the CPU 101 receives an instruction to complete registration while in the waiting state for Act 17 and Act 18, it determines "Yes" in Act 18 and proceeds to Act 20. In Act 20, the CPU 101 processes the payment for the items registered in the product list, with the shopper as the payer.
In this payment processing step, since the payment limit for the payment method determined in Act 3 is insufficient to cover the payment amount, the remaining amount is added before processing the payment.
Any remaining balance can be paid using various payment methods, including cash, credit card, debit card, electronic money, and points.
Furthermore, if the payment method determined in Act 3 is one that allows for an increase in the payment limit, the CPU 101 may increase the payment limit and then proceed with the payment. For example, if an electronic money card is used as the payment method, the CPU 101 can increase the payment limit by instructing the reader/writer to add electronic money to the electronic money balance.
The processing of payments using each of the above payment methods, and the processing of adding electronic money to the electronic money balance, can be done using well-known methods, so a description of these processes will be omitted.
Furthermore, in Act 21, the CPU 101 issues receipts and the like. That is, the CPU 101 instructs the printer 109 to issue receipts and the like.
After completing the processing of Act21, CPU 101 returns to Act1.

As described above, the product registration device 1 performs a notification operation to inform the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount before the registration of one transaction's worth of products is completed. This notification allows the shopper to recognize that the payment limit of their intended payment method is insufficient for the payment amount before the registration of one transaction's worth of products is completed. Therefore, while the remaining product registration is being performed, the shopper can consider changing their payment method or prepare to pay the insufficient amount. As a result, they can complete the payment quickly after the product registration is finished. Incidentally, preparations for paying the insufficient amount include, for example, preparing cash.

The product registration device 1 performs the above notification operation by displaying the information on the touch panel 11 or the customer-side display device 12. Therefore, the operator or shopper can easily visually confirm that the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount.
The product registration device 1 also changes the payment method used in response to an operation by the operator if the payment limit of the payment method being used is insufficient for the total amount. Therefore, shoppers can change to a payment method with a higher payment limit.

The product registration device 1 can also notify the customer of the amount short of the payment limit relative to the total payment amount during its notification operation. Therefore, shoppers can more easily estimate the shortfall at the time of payment, allowing them to prepare the necessary cash or other funds to cover the shortfall more quickly.

This embodiment can be modified as follows:

The CPU 101 may determine whether the payment limit is insufficient for the total amount after reading the product code, but before registering the product in question in the product list. In this case, if the payment limit is insufficient for the amount obtained by adding the unit price of the last product identified by the read product code to the total amount of products already registered in the product list, a notification will be issued. This allows for notification before the payment limit becomes insufficient for the total amount.

The CPU 101 may be capable of registering products during the notification operation. That is, in the standby state for Act 14 and Act 15, the CPU 101 waits for the product code to be read, and once the product code is read by the scanner 15, it performs the same processing as in Act 2 and Act 5 to register the product in the product list.

The CPU 101 may delete registered products in response to user input during notification operation. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may delete registered products and register other products in their place in response to user input during notification operation.

In the above explanation, the notification area 230 is positioned overlapping a portion of the product area 210 and the amount area 220, but this is not limited to this configuration. For example, a portion of the product registration screen may be designated as the notification area 230. Alternatively, the display of the product registration screen may be stopped, and only the notification area 230 may be displayed on the touch panel 11. In this case, the CPU 101 generates an image corresponding to the display and instructs the touch panel 11 to display this image.

The CPU 101 may increase the payment limit at any time at the request of the shopper. That is, the CPU 101 waits for an instruction to increase the payment limit in at least one of the waiting states of Act 2 to Act 4, Act 9 and Act 10, Act 14 and Act 15, and Act 17 and Act 18. When such an instruction is received, the CPU 101 increases the payment limit.

The payment limit and the remaining balance may be displayed not only when the notification area 230 is displayed, but also at all times within the product registration screen.

In the above explanation, the payment processing was performed by the product registration device 1. However, an external payment device connected to the product registration device 1 may also perform the payment processing based on instructions from the CPU 101. Furthermore, if the payment device is capable of communication via the network 3, it may obtain the payment limit for the payment method from the server 4 based on instructions from the CPU 101.

In the above explanation, the reader/writer 2 is externally attached to the product registration device 1. However, the reader/writer 2 may also be built into the product registration device 1.

Payment processing may be performed using a semi-self-service checkout device. In this case, the product information and payment amount registered in the product list are sent to the checkout device, and the checkout device processes the payment. If it is possible to send the information read by the reader/writer 2 to the checkout device, that information may also be sent to the checkout device. If it is not possible to send such information, or if writing to the card used for payment is necessary, the checkout device reads and writes the information stored on the card used for payment.

The product registration device may be a self-service type. In this case, the operator is the shopper.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.
The invention described in the original claims of this application is listed below.
[1] A product registration device comprising: a registration means for registering products to be settled; an acquisition means for acquiring a settlement limit for a settlement method used to settle the products to be settled; and a notification means for performing a notification operation to notify the settler that the settlement limit is insufficient when the settlement limit acquired by the acquisition means is less than the settlement amount for settling products that have been registered as products to be settled before the registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed.
[2] The product registration device according to [1], further comprising: a change means for canceling the payment method used for settling the product to be settled and changing it to another payment method if the settlement limit amount obtained by the acquisition means is less than the settlement amount for settling a product that has been registered as a product to be settled before the registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed .
[3] The product registration device according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the notification means notifies the amount of the payment limit that is insufficient.
[4] The product registration device according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that the notification means comprises at least one of a first display means for prompting the operator to notify the payer that the payment limit is insufficient, and a second display means for notifying the payer that the payment limit is insufficient.
[5] A program to cause a computer that controls a product registration device equipped with a notification device to function as: a registration means for registering products to be settled; an acquisition means for acquiring the settlement limit of the settlement method used for settling the products to be settled; and a notification control means for controlling the notification device to perform a notification operation to notify the settler that the settlement limit is insufficient when the settlement limit acquired by the acquisition means is less than the settlement amount for settling products that have been registered as products to be settled before the registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed.

1…Product registration device, 2…Reader/writer, 3…Network, 4…Server, 10…Main unit, 11…Touch panel, 12…Customer-side display device, 15…Scanner, 101…CPU, 102…Main memory, 103…Auxiliary storage device, 104…Communication interface, 105…Network interface, 201…First notification screen, 230…Notification area, 300…Second notification screen.

Claims (5)

A registration method for registering products to be paid for through the shopper's actions,
An acquisition means for acquiring the payment limit of a first payment method used for payment of the goods subject to payment,
A notification means that, when an additional product to be paid for is registered, the payment limit obtained by the acquisition means falls below the payment amount for a product already registered as a payment target before the registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed, notifies the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient.
If the aforementioned payment limit is insufficient, a payment means is provided to settle the remaining amount of the payment using the first payment method by the shopper using a second payment method different from the first payment method, through the shopper's operation.
Display device and,
It is equipped with,
The notification means includes a display means that displays a button on the display device for canceling the payment method used for the payment of the product subject to payment and changing to another payment method.
Product registration device. The aforementioned button is a button intended for shoppers to operate.
The product registration device according to claim 1. The notification means notifies the amount of the payment limit that is insufficient.
A product registration device according to claim 1 or claim 2. The product registration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a deletion means for deleting products already registered as payment targets during the notification operation. A computer that controls a product registration device equipped with a notification device including a display device,
A registration method for registering products to be paid for through the shopper's actions,
An acquisition means for acquiring the payment limit of a first payment method used for payment of the goods subject to payment,
A notification control means controls a notification device to perform a notification operation to inform the shopper that the payment limit is insufficient when, by registering additional products to be paid for, the payment limit obtained by the acquisition means falls below the payment amount for products already registered as payable before the registration of one transaction by the registration means is completed.
If the aforementioned payment limit is insufficient, a payment means is provided to settle the remaining amount of the payment using the first payment method by the shopper using a second payment method different from the first payment method, through the shopper's operation.
and make it work
The notification control means includes a display means that displays a button on the display device for canceling the payment method used for the payment of the product subject to payment and changing to another payment method.
program.