A self-checkout terminal is provided which includes a sensor for detecting whether or not a customer is in a position where operation of units of the self-checkout terminal by the customer is possible. When the sensor does not detect a customer, a whole guidance screen including a procedure summary of a self-checkout from start to finish is displayed. When the sensor detects a customer, the whole guidance screen is erased and a basic screen is displayed which shows guidance on performing a self-checkout. The guidance displayed on the basic screen is changed in accordance with the stage of the self-checkout.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application P2006-056265 filed on Mar. 2, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a self-checkout terminal for enabling a customer to perform a self-checkout.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10(1998)-208149, there has been a self-checkout terminal for enabling a customer to perform a self-checkout. When a customer performs a self-checkout, the customer operates each unit, such as a scanning unit provided to the terminal, by himself or herself. Since a customer trying to perform a self-checkout may be inexperienced in operating the self-checkout terminal, it is important to give some necessary guidance to the customer according to each stage of the self-checkout. A self-checkout terminal described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10(1998)-208149 includes a video camera as a sensor so as to watch a customer performing a self-checkout. When a scanning error occurs, the self-checkout terminal shows guidance prompting a customer to perform the operation for a second scanning on a display.

Incidentally, it is desirable to inform a customer of a self-checkout flow from start to finish before the customer performs the self-checkout so that the customer performs a self-checkout smoothly.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 06(1994)-028576 discloses that when a sensor provided to a POS terminal detects a customer standing by for a self-checkout, some information is given to the customer through a display. However, details about the information are not obvious. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10(1998)-208149 does not disclose informing a customer of a self-checkout flow before the self-checkout.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a self-checkout terminal that enables informing a customer of a self-checkout flow before the self-checkout without requiring stores to prepare a signboard or video footage showing the self-checkout flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a self-checkout terminal is provided which includes a settlement terminal which: (i) includes units for self-checkout including a basket placement unit for placing a shopping basket, a scanning unit for scanning merchandise codes, an input unit for inputting information, and a settlement unit for transacting settlement, each of said units being positioned so as to be operable by a customer, and (ii) executes merchandise sales data processing based on at least one of the merchandise codes scanned by the scanning unit and the information input via the input unit. A display is provided to the settlement terminal for displaying information, and a sensor detects whether or not a customer is in a position where operation of the units of the settlement terminal by the customer is possible. The self-checkout terminal includes a controller which (i) when the sensor does not detect a customer, displays on the display a whole guidance screen including a procedure summary of the self-checkout, including use of the units of the settlement terminal, from start to finish of the self-checkout, (ii) when the sensor detects a customer, erases the whole guidance screen on the display and displays on the display a basic screen showing guidance for performing the self-checkout, and (iii) changes the guidance displayed on the basic screen in accordance with a stage of the self-checkout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1 to 15.

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing a self-checkout terminal101. The self-checkout terminal101includes a settlement terminal201and a weighing apparatus301.

The settlement terminal201includes a base housing202awhich is placed on a floor of a store and a small upper housing202bwhich is set on the base housing202a. At a left side of the base housing202a, a basket placement table102for a shopping basket (not shown) to be placed is provided as a basket placement unit. At an undersurface of the basket placement table102, a sensor103is provided. The sensor103detects whether or not a customer is at a front side of the self-checkout terminal101. The sensor103is a pyroelectric infrared sensor, for example. The pyroelectric infrared sensor detects weak infrared radiation which is emitted by human bodies and which has a wavelength of about 7-20 micrometers.

A barcode scanner203as a scanning unit is provided at a front left side of the upper housing202b. A printer cover204which includes a receipt outlet208is provided at a front right side of the upper housing202b. A receipt printer251(seeFIG. 3) is provided internally at a back side of the printer cover204. A receipt (not shown) printed by the receipt printer251is issued from the receipt outlet208. Between the barcode scanner203and the printer cover204, a card insertion slot212is disposed. At a back side of the card insertion slot212, a card reader/writer252(seeFIG. 3) is provided internally as a settlement unit. The card reader/writer252reads information like a card number or a secret number which is stored on a magnetic card like a credit card. A handheld barcode scanner203ais provided as a scanning unit at a left side of the upper housing202b. The handheld barcode scanner203ais used for a customer to scan merchandise codes which are attached to large-size items or heavy items. In the upper housing202b, a speaker271(seeFIG. 3) to inform a customer of voice information that is spoken aloud is provided internally. To the upper housing202b, a LCD210which includes a LCD panel is provided as a display. The LCD210includes a touch panel211as an input unit on a display surface of the LCD210.

A cash recycling machine221(seeFIG. 3) is provided in the base housing202aas a settlement unit. A coin slot213as a part of the cash recycling machine221is provided at a center of a top of the base housing202a. And, a coin outlet214is provided at a left side of the coin slot213. Both a bill inlet215and a bill outlet216are provided to a right side of a front of the base housing202a. The cash recycling machine221includes a mechanism (not shown) for enabling cash handling and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the cash handling mechanism. Details about a structure of the mechanism and a processing procedure by the control unit are well-known. Therefore, a description of the details will be omitted.

At a backside of the base housing202a, an indicating pole217is provided to stand upright. The indicating pole217indicates a state of the self-checkout terminal101. The indicating pole217includes a light emitting unit218at the top. The light emitting unit218selectively emits red light and blue light.

As for the weighing apparatus301, a weighing plate303is provided to the upper part of a weighing apparatus housing302, and a bag holder304is provided to the weighing plate303. The weighing plate303includes a placement table303aon a top surface of the weighing plate303. The bag holder304is provided to the placement table303a. Therefore, the weighing plate303is a pedestal for the bag holder304. That is to say, a pole-shaped supporter305is provided to stand upright at a center of aback part of the placement table303a, and a temporary placement table306is provided to a top of the supporter305. A top surface of the temporary placement table306is a flat plane. The temporary placement table306is a table on which a customer places some items temporarily after their barcodes are scanned. A pair of holding arms307and a hook308are provided to an undersurface of the temporary placement table306. The holding arms307hold a pair of handles of a plastic shopping bag by extending through the handles. Between the handles of the plastic shopping bag, an ear part is provided. The ear part is separable along a perforation line and has a hole. A plastic shopping bag is held by the holding arms307and the hook308, when the hook308is inserted into the hole. The weighing apparatus housing302includes a loadcell unit (not shown) internally. The loadcell unit translates loads of items which are placed on the weighing plate303into electronic signals. Output signals of the loadcell unit are sent to the settlement terminal201.

FIG. 2is a plan view showing a relationship between the self-checkout terminal101and a detection area S of the sensor103. As shown inFIG. 2, an area just in front of the settlement terminal201is designed as an area in which the sensor103detects a customer. Due to the detection area S, the sensor103can detect that a customer is in a position where the customer can operate each unit of the settlement terminal201. At first, during self-checkout, a customer seems to approach the settlement terminal201from a basket placement table102side (left side inFIG. 2) of the settlement terminal201to place a shopping basket on the basket placement table102. Therefore, the sensor103which is provided to the basket placement table102can detect a customer approaching the settlement terminal201from the basket placement table102side of the settlement terminal201. The sensor103sends a signal to a controller253(seeFIG. 3) of the settlement terminal201in accordance with whether a customer is in the detection area S or a customer is out of the detection area S.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the sensor103is provided to the basket placement table102is shown. However, as long as it can be detected that a customer is in a position where the customer can operate each unit of the settlement terminal201, the invention is not limited to this example. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which only the sensor103is provided is shown. However, for example, another sensor in addition to the sensor103may be provided to the front side of the weighing apparatus301.

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing an electrical hardware structure of the settlement terminal201. The settlement terminal201includes a microcomputer-organized controller253internally. A CPU255forms a core of the controller253. A ROM256storing fixed data, a RAM254storing mutable data so that the mutable data will be freely rewritable, a VRAM257generating images displayed on the LCD210, and a HDD258are connected to the CPU255through the bus line259. In the HDD258, operation programs, various display frames, and various files such as a PLU file as a merchandise data file, a department file, an image file, a voice file, and a sales file are saved. When the settlement terminal201starts up, all or part of the operation programs, the various display frames, the various files, and the like are copied onto the RAM254so as to be used.

In the PLU file, a unit price, weight of a merchandise item, an upper limit and a lower limit for the weight, a merchandise display, a distinction between discount and non-discount, a discount price, and the like which are related to merchandise codes which respectively identify merchandise items are stored so as to be freely rewritable. The merchandise display includes text data of an item name of a merchandise item identified by a merchandise code and image data of the merchandise item.

In the department file, a unit price, weight of a merchandise item, an upper limit and a lower limit for the weight, a merchandise display, a distinction between discount and non-discount, a discount price, and the like which are related to each merchandise items which are not stored in the PLU file are stored so as to be freely rewritable. The merchandise display includes text data of an item name of a merchandise item and image data of the merchandise item.

The barcode scanner203, the handheld barcode scanner203a, the LCD210, the touch panel211, the card reader/writer252, the receipt printer251, the speaker271, the light emitting unit218, the cash recycling machine221, the sensor103, the weighing apparatus301, and the communication interface261for realizing data communication with a store controller (not shown) or an attendant terminal (not shown) are connected to the controller253through the bus line259. The controller253controls the components and executes various types of processing.

In search processing, when a barcode is scanned by the barcode scanner203, a merchandise code which is identified by the scanned barcode is recognized, the PLU file is searched, and the unit price, the weight, and the merchandise display which are related to the recognized merchandise code are acquired.

Weight check processing judges whether a weight weighed by the weighing apparatus301after scanning and a weight acquired in the search processing are same or not, by judging whether or not the weighed weight is in between the upper limit and the lower limit of the weight acquired.

Merchandise sales data processing is a processing to calculate a settlement price on the basis of a unit price acquired in the search processing and to execute a settlement in the settlement unit. When the touch panel211is touched to execute a closing operation, a settlement price is calculated in accordance with a total amount of a sales calculation including one or more essential calculations such as a consumer tax calculation. Then, the settlement price will be registered in the RAM254temporarily and will be registered in the sales file. In settlement processing, a settlement of the calculated settlement price in using cash or a magnetic card like a credit card is possible. The cash recycling machine221enables cash handling. The card reader/writer252enables handling of magnetic cards. In the present embodiment, a concept of the merchandise sales data processing is used as a broad concept including the search processing, the weight check processing, and the like.

In the structure described above, the self-checkout terminal101enables a self-checkout. In a self-checkout, the controller253aids self-checkout processing by executing processing such as various arithmetic processing and control processing for driving each unit. The settlement terminal201shows various user aiding screens on the LCD210and executes various types of processing.

A flow of a processing at the start of a self-checkout will be explained with reference to various types of image examples and flowcharts on the basis ofFIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 4is a flowchart describing a flow of a processing at the start of a self-checkout. The controller253displays a whole guidance screen G on the LCD210unless the sensor103detects that a customer is in the detection area S (step S1).

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram showing an example of the whole guidance screen G. The whole guidance screen G includes a procedure summary of a self-checkout including the use of each unit of the self-checkout terminal101from start to finish. As shown inFIG. 5, the whole guidance screen G includes an illustration G1showing an outside view of the self-checkout terminal101and guidance areas G2showing some guidance for each stage of a self-checkout. Each of the guidance areas G2includes a number display identifying a self-checkout stage, some operation guidance of each unit of the self-checkout terminal101at the stage, and an illustration aiding the operation. Hereby, a customer gets to know a self-checkout flow of the self-checkout terminal101from start to finish before the self-checkout.

To be more precise, the whole guidance screen G includes, as the guidance areas G2, a guidance area G21at an upper left edge position, a guidance area G22next to the guidance area G21, a guidance area G23next to the guidance area G22, and a guidance area G24below the guidance area G23. The guidance area G21includes a number “1”, the instruction “PLEASE PLACE YOUR SHOPPING BASKET”, and an illustration aiding the operation of placing the shopping basket. The guidance area G22includes a number “2”, the instruction “PLEASE REGISTER YOUR ITEMS”, and illustrations aiding the operation of registering the items. The guidance area G23includes a number “3”, the instruction “PLEASE PUT YOUR ITEMS INTO PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS”, and illustrations aiding the operation of putting the items in the plastic shopping bags. The guidance area G24includes a number “4”, the instruction “PLEASE PAY IN CASH OR BY CREDIT CARD”, and illustrations of cash and credit cards. The guidance area G21, the guidance area G22, and the guidance area G23are connected to the corresponding part of the illustration G1by connecters illustrated on the screen. By viewing the number in the guidance areas G2, a customer gets to know a procedure for a self-checkout clearly. In addition, by viewing the connecters connecting the guidance areas G2with the illustration G1, a customer gets to know what to operate at each stage of a self-checkout clearly.

In a state that the whole guidance screen G is displayed, the controller253outputs voice information stored in the voice file through the speaker271. The voice information is preferably voice information reading aloud the instructions displayed on the guidance areas G2. For example, voice information “FIRST, PLEASE PLACE YOUR SHOPPING BASKET” or voice information “SECOND, PLEASE REGISTER YOUR ITEMS” is preferred.

Returning to the flowchart inFIG. 4, when the sensor103detects a customer (Y at step S2), the controller253erases the whole guidance screen G (step S3), generates a basic screen B, displays the basic screen B on the LCD210, and displays an early guidance screen A on the basic screen B (step S4).

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram showing an example of the early guidance screen A which is displayed on the basic screen B. The basic screen B will be described later. The early guidance screen A gives some guidance on necessary operations for starting a self-checkout. To be more precise, the instructions “PLEASE PLACE YOUR SHOPPING BASKET ON THE TABLE AT YOUR LEFT SIDE, SCAN YOUR ITEMS ONE BY ONE, AND PUT THEM INTO PLASTIC BAGS HELD ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE” is displayed together with illustrations aiding performing the instructed operations. At this time, the controller253outputs voice information to read aloud the instructions stored in the voice file through the speaker271. Hereby, a customer is informed that the first operation for the self-checkout is making the barcode scanner203scan a merchandise code attached to an item selected by the customer. In addition, the early guidance screen A includes a button A1with the label “NON-BARCODE ITEMS”. Hereby, a customer who brings only non-barcode items to the self-checkout terminal101is informed that the first operation is touching the button A1.

When the sensor103does not detect a customer because the customer has left the self-checkout terminal101in a state that the early guidance screen A is displayed on the LCD210, the controller253displays the whole guidance screen G on the LCD210again. Incidentally, when a customer having no intention to buy still approaches the self-checkout terminal101, the whole guidance screen G is erased and the early guidance screen A is displayed. However, the whole guidance screen G is displayed again when the customer leaves the self-checkout terminal101. Thus, showing a self-checkout flow to another customer is possible.

Returning to the flowchart inFIG. 4, when the first operation, of scanning a barcode or touching the button A1, is performed according to guidance of the early guidance screen A (Y at step S5), the controller253erases the early guidance screen A (step S6). When any barcode is scanned, the controller253generates a scan confirmation screen C which will be described below and displays it on the basic screen B after erasing the early guidance screen A. When the button A1is touched, the controller253erases the early guidance screen A and displays the basic screen B.

The merchandise sales data processing executed by the controller253after executing the processing at the start of the self-checkout will be explained with reference toFIGS. 7 to 10. Voice information which reads aloud instructions which are displayed on each screen example will be outputted through the speaker271. A description of the voice information will be omitted.

FIG. 7is a schematic diagram showing an example of the basic screen B. The basic screen B shows various types of guidance on performing a self-checkout according to each stage of the self-checkout. The basic screen B includes a guidance display area B1disposed in an upper part of the basic screen B and a user area B2disposed below the guidance display area B1. The guidance display area B1includes various types of text and various types of operation buttons as guidance. The user area B2includes a transaction detail B21to be a purchase list for a customer, item choice buttons B22, a payment button B23, and a total amount due B24as guidance.

The guidance display area B1of the image example inFIG. 7includes the instruction “PLEASE SCAN YOUR ITEMS”, and the instruction “IF ALL REGISTRATION IS OVER, PLEASE TOUCH “PAYMENT”BUTTON” below “PLEASE SCAN YOUR ITEMS”. In addition, the guidance display area B1includes a quit button Y to quit a processing and an attendant call button Z to call a guide attendant as operation buttons. According to a flow of a self-checkout processing, the controller253displays the text and the operation buttons as guidance which can be changed.

The user area B2includes item choice buttons B22for a customer to choose non-barcode items, the text “NON-BARCODE ITEMS”, and some information as the transaction detail B21including names, quantities, and unit prices of items to be purchased. If the number of items is too large to be fully displayed in the transaction detail B21, scrolling will be possible by touching scroll buttons which are displayed in the transaction detail B21. In addition, the user area B2includes the total amount due B24at each time and the payment button B23to be touched for executing a settlement when all registration is over. Touching the payment button B23causes closing of the self-checkout.

When a customer places a merchandise item in a front of the barcode scanner203for scanning in accordance with guidance displays which are displayed in the guidance display area B1, the controller253executes the search processing described above and acquires some necessary information from the PLU file. At this time, the controller253generates the scan confirmation screen C as guidance and displays the scan confirmation screen C on the user area B2.

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram showing an example of the scan confirmation screen C displayed on the user area B2of the basic screen B. The scan confirmation screen C includes a transaction detail of an item whose barcode is scanned. The transaction detail includes a unit price acquired from the PLU file and a quantity of an item to be bought. In addition, the scan confirmation screen C includes text based on a text data of the item name and an illustration based on an image data of the item which are based on a merchandise display stored in the PLU file. In an upper part of the scan confirmation screen C, the instruction “PLEASE PUT YOUR ITEMS INTO PLASTIC BAGS HELD ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE” is displayed as guidance. Hereby, a customer is informed of the next operation to perform.

When a customer puts items whose barcodes have been scanned into a plastic bag, the items in the plastic bag apply their loads to the weighing plate303of the weighing apparatus301. The loads are weighed by the loadcell unit. A weighing result of the loadcell unit is sent to the settlement terminal201. The settlement terminal201receives the weighing result and executes the weight check processing. When the weight weighted by the loadcell is judged not to be the same as the weights of the scanned merchandise items that are stored in the PLU file as a result of the weight check processing, the controller253stops executing the merchandise sales data processing and changes an emission color of the light emitting unit218to red from blue in order to let shop attendants know that an operation error or an irregularity has occurred. At this time, because what is displayed on the LCD210is still the scan confirmation screen C, a customer knows that executing of the processing has stopped. On the other hand, when the weight weighed by the loadcell is judged to be the same as the weights of the scanned merchandise items that are stored in the PLU file, the controller253permits execution of the merchandise sales data processing and erases the scan confirmation screen C.

In the user area B2shown inFIG. 7, item choice buttons B22, which are shown as being four kinds of touch buttons, namely “VEGETABLES”, “FRUITS”, “PREPARED MEALS”, and “SEAFOODS”, are displayed as images to register non-barcode items. If a customer wants to buy a non-barcode item, the customer has to touch the item choice buttons B22through the touch panel211. In addition, if a customer touches the button A1of the early guidance screen A at step S5of the flowchart shown inFIG. 4, the early guidance screen A will be erased and the customer has to touch the item choice buttons B22according to guidance displayed on the user area B2. When any of the item choice buttons B22are touched, the transaction detail B21displayed on the user area B2changes into a department choice screen E as guidance.

FIG. 9is a schematic diagram showing an example of the basic screen B in a state that the department choice screen E is displayed in the user area B2. The image example inFIG. 9shows a state that “SEAFOODS” is touched. In this state, the department choice screen E scrollably shows 16 kinds (four rows and four columns) of various foods in a “SEAFOODS” category. A return button E1is displayed in the department choice screen E, also. When the return button E1is touched through the touch panel211, the department choice screen E changes into the transaction detail B21. While the department choice screen E is displayed in the user area B2, the controller253displays the instruction “PLEASE TOUCH YOUR ITEM” as guidance in guidance display area B1. Hereby, a customer is informed of the next operation. When a customer touches a food item in the department choice screen E through the touch panel211in accordance with the guidance, the department registration screen F as guidance on the food item appears on the user area B2of the basic screen B.

FIG. 10is a schematic diagram showing an example of the department registration screen F displayed on the user area B2of the basic screen B. The department registration screen F includes a transaction detail. The transaction detail includes a unit price and a quantity of an item to be bought. In addition, the department registration screen F includes text based on a text data of a name of an item, an illustration based on an image data of the item, and a numeric keypad. The department registration screen F may include a discount price and the like. The numeric keypad enables a customer to input a quantity of an item, which is one by default, in order to change the quantity of the item to be purchased. The various types of data are based on information stored in the department file. The department registration screen F includes a button F1“VOID” and a button F2“ENTER”. When the button F1is touched through the touch panel211, the basic screen B where the department choice screen E is displayed on the user area B2returns.

In addition, the department registration screen F includes the instruction “PLEASE INPUT THE QUANTITY YOU NEED AND TOUCH “ENTER” BUTTON” as guidance. Hereby, a customer is informed of the next operation. When the button F2is touched after inputting a quantity of an item in accordance with the guidance, a department registration of the item by the quantity is finished. Then, the controller253displays the scan confirmation screen C on the user area B2. The weight check processing is executed after displaying the scan confirmation screen C. That is to say, there is a similarity between the processing when the merchandise item does not have a barcode and the processing which is executed when a barcode is scanned by the barcode scanner203. Therefore, a description of the processing which is executed after displaying the scan confirmation screen C will be omitted.

The settlement processing will be explained with reference toFIGS. 11 to 15.

FIG. 11is a flowchart describing a flow of the settlement processing. When a customer touches the payment button B23through the touch panel211according to guidance “IF ALL REGISTRATION IS OVER, PLEASE TOUCH “PAYMENT” BUTTON” which is displayed in the guidance display area B1(Y at step S11), the controller253changes what is displayed in the user area B2into a payment method choice screen J as guidance (step S12).

FIG. 12is a schematic diagram showing an example of the basic screen B in a state that the payment method choice screen J is displayed on the user area B2. The payment method choice screen J includes, as guidance, the instruction “PLEASE CHOOSE A PAYMENT METHOD”, total amount due B24, a button J1and a button J2. The button J1is touched to choose a settlement in cash. The button J2is touched to choose a settlement in credit.

Returning to the flowchart inFIG. 11, when the button J1is touched (Y at step S13), the controller253executes a settlement in cash (step S14). First, the controller253changes what is displayed in the user area B2into a cash settlement guidance screen (not shown) which gives guidance on the inserting of money into the cash recycling machine221to a customer. For example, if any money is not inserted into the cash recycling machine221, the cash settlement guidance screen shows guidance such as the instruction “PLEASE INSERT MONEY” and an illustration showing an operation of inserting money. When money is inserted, guidance “WHEN MAKING A PAYMENT, PLEASE TOUCH A “CONFIRM” BUTTON” is displayed and an amount inserted confirmation button appears. When the amount inserted confirmation button is touched, the controller253changes what is displayed in the in the user area B2into a cash settlement confirmation screen (not shown). The cash settlement confirmation screen includes a button “YES” and a button “NO”. When the button “NO” is touched, the controller253changes what is displayed in the in the user area B2into the cash settlement guidance screen displayed last. When the button “YES” is touched, the controller253changes what is displayed in the in the user area B2into a cash settlement finish screen M as guidance.

FIG. 13is a schematic diagram showing an example of the basic screen B in a state that the cash settlement finish screen M is displayed on the user area B2. The cash settlement finish screen M includes guidance including the instruction “PLEASE TAKE YOUR RECEIPT AND YOUR CHANGE” and an illustration showing the operation of taking the receipt and change to a customer.

Returning to the flowchart inFIG. 11, when the button J2is touched (Y at step S15), the controller253executes a settlement in credit (step S16). First, the controller253changes what is displayed in the user area B2into a credit settlement guidance screen K as guidance.

FIG. 14is a schematic diagram showing an example of the basic screen B in a state that the credit settlement guidance screen K is displayed on the user area B2. The credit settlement guidance screen K includes the instruction “PLEASE INSERT YOUR CREDIT CARD” and an illustration aiding the operation of inserting a credit card as guidance. At this time, a payment method switching button K1is displayed in the guidance display area B1. When the payment method switching button K1is touched, the controller253returns what is displayed in the user area B2into the payment method choice screen J.

A customer inserts a credit card into the card insertion slot212according to the guidance. When the card reader/writer252reads information on a magnetic stripe of the credit card, the controller253changes what is displayed in the user area B2into a credit settlement confirmation screen (not shown). If the card reader/writer252cannot read information on a magnetic stripe precisely, some guidance prompting the customer to perform the operation for a second reading will be displayed. The credit settlement confirmation screen includes a button “YES” and a button “NO”. When the button “NO” is touched, the controller253changes what is displayed in the user area B2into the credit settlement guidance screen K displayed last. When the button “YES” is touched, a verification screen (not shown) including the text “CARD VERIFYING IS IN PROGRESS” is displayed and a verification processing is executed. When the card verification is not successful, the controller253changes what is displayed in the user area B2into a verification refusal screen (not shown). On the other hand, when the card verification is successful, the controller253changes what is displayed in the user area B2into a credit settlement finish screen (not shown) including the instruction “PLEASE TAKE YOUR RECEIPT” and an illustration showing the operation of taking the receipt.

Returning to the flowchart inFIG. 11, when a predetermined time passes after a settlement in cash or credit (Y at step S17), the controller253erases the basic screen B and displays a final screen N (step S18).

FIG. 15is a schematic diagram showing an example of the final screen N. The final screen N includes the text “WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SHOPPING WITH US AGAIN” and an illustration of a shop attendant.

Returning to the flowchart inFIG. 11, when the final screen N is displayed (step S18) and the sensor103does not detect a customer, since the customer has left the self-checkout terminal101because the customer's self-checkout is over (Y at step S19), the controller253erases the final screen N and displays the whole guidance screen G on the LCD210again (step S20). That is, when the sensor103does not detect a customer after execution of the merchandise sales data processing is over, the whole guidance screen G is displayed on the LCD210. Hereby, it will be possible to show a flow of the self-checkout to other customers who have not yet performed the self-checkout. When the sensor103does not detect a customer, each unit provided to the settlement terminal201may enter a sleep mode.