Checkout system, settlement apparatus and method for executing settlement processing

A checkout system includes a plurality of settlement apparatuses and a registration apparatus. The registration apparatus includes a scanner, a storage unit, a communication interface, and a processor. The processor controls the scanner, the storage unit and the communication interface to identify a commodity corresponding to a scanned code, generate the settlement information, and transmit the settlement information to a selected one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses. The selected one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses determines, with respect to itself, whether a settlement processing is currently being performed and whether a settlement processing was completed within a preceding predetermined amount of time. Based on the determination, the selected one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses performs one of the settlement processing with respect to the received settlement information and transmission of the settlement information to another one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-015822, filed Jan. 29, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a checkout system, a settlement apparatus and a method for executing a settlement processing by the settlement apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In some checkout systems of retail stores, an input processing apparatus for inputting commodity data and a settlement apparatus for settling a transaction are separated. The input processing apparatus waits for input of data relating to a commodity. If the data is input by an operator, the input processing apparatus generates settlement information based on the data and sends the settlement information to the settlement apparatus. The settlement apparatus waits for input of payment data for the settlement information. If the payment data is input by the operator, the settlement apparatus processes settlement on the basis of the settlement information and the payment data. Such a checkout system in which the input processing apparatus and the settlement apparatus are separated can adopt a so-called semi-self-service system in which a store clerk operates the input processing apparatus and a customer operates the settlement apparatus. In this kind of checkout system, there is a possibility of causing confusion to the customer who carries out the settlement if new settlement information is received by the settlement apparatus which is already executing the settlement processing. Therefore, the settlement apparatus receives new settlement information only in a case in which the settlement processing is not executed.

However, even if the settlement processing for one transaction is completed, it is not always true that a customer, i.e., a person that has settled the transaction, leaves the settlement apparatus quickly. Then, there is still a possibility of causing confusion to the customer if the new settlement information is received by the settlement apparatus that is kept in a state in which the customer who finishes the settlement still stands in front of the apparatus and the settlement apparatus is capable of starting the settlement processing for another customer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A checkout system according to an embodiment includes a plurality of settlement apparatuses and a registration apparatus. The registration apparatus includes a scanner, a storage unit, a communication interface, and a processor. The processor controls the scanner, the storage unit and the communication interface to identify a commodity corresponding to a scanned code, generate the settlement information, and transmit the settlement information to a selected one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses. The selected one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses determines, with respect to itself, whether a settlement processing is currently being performed and whether a settlement processing was completed within a preceding predetermined amount of time. Based on the determination, the selected one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses performs one of the settlement processing with respect to the received settlement information and transmission of the settlement information to another one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a checkout system of a semi-self-service system installed in a store such as a retail store are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a checkout system10according to the first embodiment. The checkout system10includes a plurality of commodity registration apparatuses11and settlement apparatuses12of which the number is more than that of the commodity registration apparatuses11. The commodity registration apparatus11and the settlement apparatus12are arranged for each checkout lane of the store.

InFIG. 1, a case in which two commodity registration apparatuses11and six settlement apparatuses12are arranged in two checkout lanes is illustrated. InFIG. 1, one commodity registration apparatus11and three settlement apparatuses12are provided for one checkout lane. The number of the commodity registration apparatuses11and the number of the settlement apparatuses12included in the checkout system10are not limited. Further, a ratio of the number of the commodity registration apparatuses11to the number of the settlement apparatuses12provided in one checkout lane is not also limited, and this ratio may be different for different checkout lanes.

A store clerk21serving as a checker is an operator of the commodity registration apparatus11. A customer22who purchases a commodity sold in the store is an operator of the settlement apparatus12. There is also a case in which the settlement apparatus12is operated by the store clerk21.

The commodity registration apparatus11is mounted on a working table23inFIG. 1. The working table23has a rectangular top plate. Passages for the customers22are formed by arranging a plurality of the working tables23in such a manner that the longitudinal directions of the top plates are almost parallel. The passage is the foregoing checkout lane.

The commodity registration apparatus11performs functions including a registration processing of a purchased commodity, generation of settlement information and sending the settlement information to the settlement apparatus12. The registration processing registers a commodity as a purchased commodity provided by the customer22who enters the passage. The settlement information is necessary for settlement processing. The commodity registration apparatus11perform the function of the settlement processing. The settlement processing includes settling the transaction on the basis of the settlement information.

The settlement apparatus12performs the settlement processing based on the settlement information when the settlement information is received from the commodity registration apparatus11.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating main portions of the commodity registration apparatus11and the settlement apparatus12. The commodity registration apparatus11and the settlement apparatus12both are connected with a LAN (Local Area Network)13serving as a network. The network can also use another communication network such as an Internet or a wireless LAN instead of the LAN13. Furthermore, information may be transmitted and received between the commodity registration apparatus11and the settlement apparatus12via a server.

The commodity registration apparatus11includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)11a, a ROM (Read-only Memory)11b, a RAM (Random-access Memory)11c, an auxiliary storage unit11d, a drawer opening unit11e, a scanner11f, a touch panel11g, a printer11h, a card reader/writer11i, a communication unit11jand a transmission system11k.

The CPU11a, the ROM11b, the RAM11cand the auxiliary storage unit11dare connected by the transmission system11kto constitute a computer.

The CPU11aacts as the main unit of the computer. The CPU11acontrols each section for realizing various functions of the commodity registration apparatus11according to an operating system, middleware and an application program stored in the ROM11band the RAM11c.

The ROM11bis a main storage unit of the computer. The ROM11bstores the operating system. As occasion demands, the ROM11bstores the middleware and the application program. Further, as occasion demands, the ROM11balso stores data required to execute various processing by the CPU11a.

The RAM11cis another main storage unit of the computer. As occasion demands, the RAM11cstores data required to execute various processing by the CPU11a. Furthermore, the RAM11cis used as a so-called working area for storing data temporarily used when the CPU11aexecutes various processing. Specifically, the RAM11cstores a registration commodity table, a checkout table and a sending destination storage area.

The registration commodity table is capable of storing a plurality of records relating to a commodity registered as a purchased commodity. Each record includes a commodity code, a commodity name, a unit price, a quantity and an amount. The commodity code is a unique code for identifying the purchased commodity. The commodity code represented by, for example, a barcode is attached to each commodity. The commodity name and the unit price are the name and the price per unit of the purchased commodity specified by the commodity code of the corresponding record. The quantity and the amount are sales data of the purchased commodity specified by the commodity code of the corresponding record, that is, a sales quantity and a sales amount corresponding to the quantity.

The checkout system10is connected with a database server (not shown) via the LAN13. In the database server, there is a commodity database for setting commodity information such as a commodity name, a unit price and the like in association with a commodity code of each commodity. In the commodity registration apparatus11, if a commodity code is acquired, the CPU11ainquires the database server of the commodity information with the commodity code. The database server which receives the inquiry accesses the commodity database to read out the commodity information associated with the commodity code, and to notify the commodity registration apparatus11of the commodity information via the LAN13. The CPU11aof the commodity registration apparatus11adds the records generated on the basis of the commodity information received from the database server to the registration commodity table.

The checkout table stores a total quantity and a total amount of the purchased commodities. The total quantity is a total of the quantities shown in all the records stored in the registration commodity table. The total amount is a total of the amounts shown in all the records stored in the registration commodity table.

The sending destination storage area stores a sending destination ID for specifying a settlement apparatus12serving as the sending destination of the settlement information. For example, an ID for identifying one predetermined settlement apparatus12from the plurality of (three inFIG. 1) settlement apparatuses12arranged in the same checkout lane is stored in the sending destination storage area as the sending destination ID.

The auxiliary storage unit11dis an auxiliary storage section of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit11dstores data used by the CPU11awhich carries out various processing, or data generated in the processing by the CPU11a. As the auxiliary storage unit11d, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), or SSD (solid state drive) can be used.

The application program stored in the ROM11bor the auxiliary storage unit11dincludes a control program described with respect to a control processing described later. The installation of the commodity registration apparatus11is carried out in general in a state in which the control program is stored in the ROM11bor the auxiliary storage unit11d. However, in a state in which the control program is not stored in the ROM11bor the auxiliary storage unit11d, there is also a case in which the commodity registration apparatus11is transferred. In this case, the control program is recorded in a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto optical disk, an optical disk and a semiconductor memory to be transferred. Also, the control program may be transferred via the network, and this control program may be written into the auxiliary storage unit11dof the commodity registration apparatus11which is separately transferred as described above.

The drawer opening unit11eautomatically opens a drawer to which banknotes and coins are received.

The scanner11freads the information of a commodity to obtain the commodity code of the commodity. As the scanner11f, various well-known types of scanners can be used without modification. The scanner11fmay correspond to only one of various well-known types, or correspond to a plurality of types. In other words, the scanner11fmay include a fixed type or hand-held type two-dimensional code scanner. Further, as the scanner11f, a type of scanner that adopts an image recognition technology to identify the commodity from the image of the commodity may be included.

The touch panel11gincludes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays various screens such as a GUI screen and the like. As the display device, for example, a well-known device such as a color LCD can be used. The touch sensor is arranged by being overlaid on the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects a touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the CPU11a. As the touch sensor, a well-known device can be used.

The printer11hprints various character strings and images on a receipt paper to issue a receipt. As this kind of printer11h, for example, a thermal printer or an impact dot printer can be used.

The card reader/writer11iperforms a function of reading data recorded in a card and a function of writing data into the card. The card may include a member card such as a membership card or a point card, in addition to a card for settlement such as a credit card, a debit card, an electronic money card, a pre-paid card and the like. The member card includes information for identifying a member. The card reader/writer11imay be any one of a magnetic type device, a contact type device or a non-contact type device, or may include a plurality of types of devices.

The communication unit11jperforms data communication with the plurality of the settlement apparatuses12connected via the LAN13. The communication unit11jcan also perform data communication with other commodity registration apparatuses11via the LAN13.

The transmission system11ktransmits data transmitted or received among the CPU11a, the ROM11b, the RAM11c, the auxiliary storage unit11d, the drawer opening unit11e, the scanner11f, the touch panel11g, the printer11h, the card reader/writer11iand the communication unit11j. As the transmission system11k, a well-known system which includes various buses such as a system bus and the like and various interface circuits for connecting these buses with each section can be used.

As hardware of such a commodity registration apparatus11, a POS terminal corresponding to, for example, an existing face-to-face sales system can be used.

The settlement apparatus12includes a CPU12a, a ROM12b, a RAM12c, an auxiliary storage unit12d, an automatic change machine12e, a scanner12f, a touch panel12g, a printer12h, a card reader/writer12i, a communication unit12jand a transmission system12k.

The CPU12a, the ROM12b, the RAM12cand the auxiliary storage unit12dare connected by the transmission system12kand may be provided as a computer.

The CPU12aacts as the main unit of the foregoing computer. The CPU12acontrols each section for realizing various functions as the settlement apparatus12according to an operating system, middleware and an application program stored in the ROM12band the RAM12c.

The ROM12bis a main storage part of the computer. The ROM12bstores the operating system. As occasion demands, the ROM12bstores the middleware and the application program. Further, as occasion demands, the ROM12balso stores data required to execute various processing by the CPU12a.

The RAM12cis another main storage part of the computer. As occasion demands, the RAM12cstores data required to execute various processing by the CPU12a. The RAM12cis used as a so-called working area for storing data temporarily used when the CPU12aexecutes various processing. Specifically, the RAM12cstores a settlement buffer, a processing flag, a transfer destination storage area and a return destination storage area.

The settlement buffer temporarily stores the settlement information received from the commodity registration apparatus11.

The processing flag identifies whether or not the settlement processing based on the settlement information is being executed. In the present embodiment, the processing flag is set to “0” when the settlement processing is not being executed, and is set to “1” when the settlement processing is being executed.

The transfer destination storage area stores a transfer destination ID for specifying another settlement apparatus12serving as a transfer destination of the settlement information. For example, an ID for identifying another preset settlement apparatus12from a plurality of (three inFIG. 1) settlement apparatuses12arranged in the same checkout lane is stored in the transfer destination storage area as the transfer destination ID. In a case in which another settlement apparatus12serving as the transfer destination is not determined, the transfer destination ID is not stored in the transfer destination storage area. Otherwise, information indicating that the transfer destination ID is not set is stored.

The return destination storage area stores a communication address of a commodity registration apparatus11serving as a return destination of the settlement information. For example, an ID for identifying the commodity registration apparatus11arranged in the same checkout lane is stored in the return destination storage area as the return destination ID.

The auxiliary storage unit12dis an auxiliary storage section of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit12dstores data used by the CPU12awhich carries out various processing, or data generated in the processing by the CPU12a. As the auxiliary storage unit12d, for example, an EEPROM, an HDD, or SSD can be used.

The application program stored in the ROM12bor the auxiliary storage unit12dincludes a control program described with respect to a control processing described later. The installation of the settlement apparatus12is carried out in general in a state in which the control program is stored in the ROM12bor the auxiliary storage unit12d. However, in a state in which the control program is not stored in the ROM12bor the auxiliary storage unit12d, there is also a case in which the settlement apparatus12is transferred. In this case, the control program is recorded in a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto optical disk, an optical disk and a semiconductor memory to be transferred. Otherwise, the control program is transferred via the network, and this control program may be written into the auxiliary storage unit12dof the settlement apparatus12which is separately transferred above.

The automatic change machine12ereceives deposited coins and bills. Further, the automatic change machine12edischarges coins and bills as change.

The scanner12freads the information of a commodity to obtain the commodity code of the commodity. As the scanner12f, various well-known types of scanners can be used without any change. The scanner12fmay correspond to only one of various well-known types, or correspond to a plurality of types. In other words, the scanner12fmay include a fixed type or hand-held type two-dimensional code scanner. Further, as the scanner12f, a type of scanner that adopts an image recognition technology to identify the commodity from the image of the commodity may be included.

The touch panel12gincludes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays various screens such as a GUI screen. As the display device, for example, a well-known device such as a color LCD can be used. The touch sensor is arranged by being overlaid on the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects a touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device to send the position information to the CPU12a. As the touch sensor, a well-known device can be used.

The printer12hprints various character strings and images on a receipt paper to issue a receipt. As the printer12h, for example, a thermal printer or an impact dot printer can be used.

The card reader/writer12iperforms a function of reading data recorded in a card and a function of writing data into the card. The card may include a member card referred to as a membership card or a point card, in addition to a card for settlement such as a credit card, a debit card, an electronic money card, a pre-paid card and the like. The member card records information for identifying a member. The card reader/writer12imay be any one of a magnetic type device, a contact type device or a non-contact type device, or may include a plurality of types of devices.

The communication unit12jperforms out data communication with the plurality of the commodity registration apparatuses11connected via the LAN13. The communication unit12jcan also perform the data communication with other settlement apparatuses12via the LAN13.

The automatic change machine12e, the card reader/writer12i, and the

The transmission system12ktransmits data transmitted and received among the CPU12a, the ROM12b, the RAM12c, the auxiliary storage unit12d, the automatic change machine12e, the scanner12f, the touch panel12g, the printer12h, the card reader/writer12iand the communication unit12j. As the transmission system12k, a well-known system which includes various buses such as a system bus and the like and various interface circuits for connecting these buses with each section can be used.

As hardware of such a settlement apparatus12, a POS terminal corresponding to, for example, an existing self-system can be used.

FIG. 3andFIG. 4are flowcharts illustrating an example sequence of operations of a main processing executed by the CPU11aof the commodity registration apparatus11according to the control program.FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating an example sequence of operations of a main processing executed by the CPU12aof the settlement apparatus12according to the control program.FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating an example sequence of operations of a reception interruption processing executed by the same CPU12aaccording to the same control program. Hereinafter, with reference to these figures, operations of the checkout system10are described. Furthermore, the contents of the processing described below are one example, and various processing capable of achieving the same result can be suitably used.

First, the operations of the commodity registration apparatus11are described.

If the commodity registration apparatus11is activated in a mode of carrying out the registration processing of the purchased commodity, the CPU11astarts the control processing of the procedures shown in the flowchart inFIG. 3. First, the CPU11aclears the registration commodity table and a total table (Act1). Next, the CPU11adisplays a registration screen on a part of the screen of the touch panel11g(Act2).

The registration screen displays contents of the registration commodity table and the total table, to enable the store clerk21to confirm a status of the registration processing. The registration screen includes first and second display areas. The first display area displays the commodity name, the quantity and the unit price relating to a commodity for which purchase registration is carried out most recently, and the total quantity and the total amount of the purchased commodity after the commodity is registered. The second display area displays a list of the commodity name, the quantity, the unit price and the amount relating to a commodity for which the purchase registration is carried out prior to a commodity displayed on the registration screen.

The CPU11adisplays various function buttons such as a commodity button for the store clerk21to specify a commodity or a subtotal button outside the area of the registration screen on the screen of the touch panel11g.

In a state in which the registration screen is displayed, the store clerk21operates, for example, the scanner11for the commodity button to sequentially input the commodity codes of the commodities purchased by the customer22. Then, if the input of all the commodity codes of the purchased commodities is completed, the store clerk21touches the subtotal button.

The CPU11awaits for the acquisition of the commodity code of the commodity to be sales-registered (Act3). If the commodity code input via the scanner11for the commodity button is acquired (Yes in Act3), the CPU11adetects the commodity information such as the commodity name, the unit price and the like which is set in the commodity database in association with the commodity code. Further, the CPU11amultiplies the sales quantity by the unit price to calculate the sales amount. Then, the CPU11asets the commodity sales data including the commodity code, the commodity name, the unit price, the sales quantity and the sales amount as one record, and registers the commodity sales data in the registration commodity table (Act4). The CPU11aadds the sales quantity and the sales amount to the total table. Then, the CPU11aupdates the registration screen in conformity with the contents of the registration commodity table and the total table (Act5).

After updating the registration screen, the CPU11aconfirms whether or not the commodity code of the commodity to be sales-registered is acquired (Act6). If the commodity code is not acquired (No in Act6), the CPU11aconfirms whether or not the subtotal button is touched (Act7). If the subtotal button is not touched (No in Act7), the CPU11aconfirms whether or not the commodity code is acquired again (Act6). Thus, the CPU11awaits for the acquisition of the commodity code or the touch operation on the subtotal button as the processing in Act6and Act7. Furthermore, in the waiting state, the CPU11amay confirm generation of another event such as execution of another operation to carry out the processing corresponding to the generated event.

In the waiting states of Act6and Act7, if the commodity code is acquired (Yes in Act6), the CPU11areturns to the processing in Act4. Then, the CPU11arepeats the processing following ACT4as being similar to that described above.

In the waiting states in Act6and Act7, if the subtotal button is touched (Yes in Act7), the CPU11agenerates the settlement information on the basis of the contents of the registration commodity table and the total table at this point of time (Act8). Then, the CPU11adisplays a sending screen on a part of the screen of the touch panel11g(Act9).

The sending screen includes third and fourth display areas, a reduced price button, a discount button, a return button and a sending button. The third display area displays the total quantity and the total amount of the total table. The fourth display area displays various messages. The reduced price button and the discount button are used by the store clerk21to designate that a price reduction or a percent discount is applied to the total amount. The return button is used by the store clerk21to designate that a part of the area of the screen of the touch panel11greturns to the registration screen. The sending button is used by the store clerk21to designate that the settlement information is sent to the settlement apparatus12.

The CPU11aconfirms whether or not the return button is operated (Act10). If the return button is not operated (No in Act10), the CPU11aconfirms whether or not the sending button is operated (Act11). If the sending button is not operated (No in Act11), the CPU11aconfirms whether or not the return button is operated again (Act10). Thus, the CPU11awaits for the operation on the return button or sending button in the processing in Act10and Act11. Furthermore, in the waiting state, the CPU11aconfirms generation of another event such as execution of another operation and proceeds to the processing corresponding to the generated event. For example, if either the discount button or the reduced price button is touched by the store clerk21, the CPU11achanges the total amount included in the settlement information according to a subsequent instruction by the store clerk21.

In the waiting states of Act10and Act11, if the return button is operated (Yes in Act10), the CPU11areturns a part of the area of the screen on the touch panel11gto the registration screen (Act12). After that, the CPU11aproceeds to the processing in Act6, and repeats the processing following ACT6as being similar to that described above.

In the waiting states of Act10and Act11, if the sending button is operated (Yes in Act11), the CPU11aproceeds to the processing in Act13inFIG. 4. In other words, the CPU11aacquires the sending destination ID set in the sending destination storage area of the RAM11c(Act13). Then, the CPU11asends the settlement information generated in the processing in Act8to one settlement apparatus12identified by the acquired sending destination ID (Act14).

Specifically, the CPU11asets the communication address set in the one settlement apparatus12identified by the sending destination ID to the sending destination address, and sets the communication address set therein to a sending source address to control the communication unit11jto send the settlement information via the LAN13. With this operation, the settlement information is sent to the one settlement apparatus12identified by the sending destination ID via the LAN13. In this manner, the sending destination ID is associated with the communication address set in the settlement apparatus12. Alternately, the sending destination ID may be the communication address itself set in the settlement apparatus12.

The settlement information sent via the LAN13is received by the settlement apparatus12having the communication address coincident with the sending destination address. The settlement apparatus12that receives the settlement information can specify the commodity registration apparatus11serving as the sending source of the settlement information by storing the sending source address of the settlement information.

After the settlement information is sent, the CPU11awaits for a response signals from the settlement apparatus12(Act15). As described later, in the settlement apparatus12that receives the settlement information, there may be a case of returning a reception response signal to the commodity registration apparatus11or a case of returning an error response signal thereto. If either of these response signals are received via the communication unit11j(Yes in Act15), the CPU11afirst confirms whether or not the received response signal is the reception response (Act16). If the received response signal is the reception response (Yes in Act16), the CPU11adisplays a guidance screen on a part of the screen on the touch panel11g(Act17).

The guidance screen enables the store clerk21to confirm the settlement apparatus12serving as the sending destination of the settlement information. The guidance screen includes a fifth display area and a close button. The fifth display area displays a message together with the total quantity and the total amount of the total table. The message, such as “Please settle at settlement apparatus B”, for example, enables the store clerk21to recognize the settlement apparatus12which carries out a storage processing on the settlement information. The specific settlement apparatus12which carries out the storage processing on the settlement information is indicated in the reception response as described below. Content of the message is not particularly limited. For example, the content of the message may be “Sent to the settlement apparatus B”, or simply “Settlement apparatus B” or “B”. The close button is used by the store clerk21to designate close of the guidance screen. If the close button is operated, the CPU11acloses the guidance screen to finish the information processing of one transaction. After that, the CPU11arestarts the processing from Act1.

On the other hand, if the response signal is the error response but not the reception response (No in Act16), the CPU11aexecutes a transmission disable processing (Act18). The transmission disable processing is, for example, a processing for informing the store clerk21that the settlement information sent in the processing in Act14is not received by all the settlement apparatuses12which are arranged in the same checkout lane. Furthermore, for example, the transmission disable processing includes notification to the store clerk21that the settlement processing on the settlement information is carried out using the commodity registration apparatus11and the settlement processing is executed. The transmission disable processing is not limited to the operation for executing the settlement processing using the commodity registration apparatus11. For example, the settlement apparatus shared by all the checkout lanes is arranged at the service counter of the store in advance, and the settlement information that cannot be sent to this settlement apparatus may be sent via the LAN13.

If the transmission disable processing is ended, the CPU11aterminates the information processing on one transaction. After that, the CPU11arestarts the processing from Act1.

If the reception response signal is received from the settlement apparatus12, the store clerk21who confirms the guidance screen displayed on the touch panel11gnotifies the customer22of a message indicating that the settlement can be carried out with the settlement apparatus12which is indicated in the guidance screen. The customer22who receives the notification moves to the indicated settlement apparatus12, and carries out the operation for settlement.

Next, the operations of the settlement apparatus12are described.

If the settlement apparatus12is activated, the CPU12astarts the main processing indicated by the procedures shown in the flowchart inFIG. 5. Firstly, the CPU12ainitializes a processing flag F to “0” (Act21).

The CPU12adisplays the screen of the touch panel12gas a standby screen (Act22). The standby screen indicates that the settlement apparatus12is in a state in which the settlement processing cannot be carried out, but information displayed may be selectable. For example, it is assumed that the standby screen displays a message indicating that the settlement processing cannot be carried out or any image indicating an advertisement as a screen saver.

On the other hand, the CPU12awhich starts the main processing is executable with respect to performing the reception interruption processing shown inFIG. 6in parallel with this main processing. If information whose sending destination address is set in the communication unit12jas the communication address is received by the communication unit12j, the CPU12astarts the reception interruption processing.

If the reception interruption processing is started, the CPU12aconfirms whether or not the received information is the settlement information (Act41). In the received information, a category code indicating category of the information is included. The CPU12aidentifies whether or not the received information is the settlement information according to the category code. If the received information is information other than the settlement information (No in Act41), the CPU12aexecutes the information processing corresponding to the category of the received information.

If the received information is the settlement information (Yes in Act41), the CPU12aconfirms whether or not the processing flag F is set to “1” (Act42). If the processing flag F is reset to “0” (No in Act42), in other words, in a case in which the settlement processing is not executed by the settlement apparatus12, the CPU12aconfirms whether or not a timer described later is operating (Act43). If the timer is not operated (No in Act43), the CPU12anotifies the main processing of the reception of the settlement information (Act44).

On the other hand, if the processing flag F is set to “1” (Yes in Act42), or if the timer is operating (Yes in Act43), the CPU12aconfirms whether or not the transfer destination ID is stored in the transfer destination storage area (Act45). If the transfer destination ID is not stored in the transfer destination storage area (No in Act45), the CPU12asends the error response signal to the commodity registration apparatus11identified by the return destination ID stored in the return destination storage area (Act46). In other words, the CPU12asends the error response signal to the commodity registration apparatus11arranged in the same checkout lane. Specifically, the CPU12asets the communication address set in the corresponding commodity registration apparatus11to the sending destination address and sets the communication address to the sending source address, and controls the communication unit12jto send the error response signal to the LAN13. In this way, the error response signal is sent to the corresponding commodity registration apparatus11via the LAN13.

On the other hand, if the transfer destination ID is stored in the transfer destination storage area (Yes in Act45), the CPU12aacquires the transfer destination ID from the transfer destination storage area (Act47). Then, the CPU12atransfers the settlement information to another settlement apparatus12identified by the transfer destination ID (Act48).

Specifically, the CPU12acontrols the communication unit12jto send the settlement information over the LAN13without any change. However, the CPU12asets the communication address set in one settlement apparatus12identified by the transfer destination ID to the sending destination address, and sets the its own communication address as the sending source address. In this way, the settlement information is sent to one settlement apparatus12identified by the transfer destination ID via the LAN13. In this manner, the transfer destination ID is associated with the communication address set in the settlement apparatus12. Alternately, the transfer destination ID may be the communication address set in the settlement apparatus12.

Furthermore, in the sending destination storage area of the commodity registration apparatus11and the transfer destination storage area of each of the plurality of the settlement apparatuses12, the transfer destination IDs are determined in such a manner that the settlement information is sequentially transferred to the plurality of the settlement apparatuses12arranged in the same checkout lane. Specifically, for example, the commodity registration apparatus11and the three settlement apparatuses12arranged in the checkout lane at the upper side shown inFIG. 1are respectively referred to as the commodity registration apparatus11-1and the settlement apparatuses12-1,12-2and12-3. In this case, the ID of the settlement apparatus12-1is stored in the sending destination storage area of the commodity registration apparatus11-1as the sending destination ID. Then, for example, the ID of the settlement apparatus12-2and the ID of the settlement apparatus12-3are stored respectively in the transfer destination storage area of the settlement apparatus12-1and in the transfer destination storage area of the settlement apparatus12-2as the sending destination IDs. At this time, no sending destination ID is stored in the transfer destination storage area of the settlement apparatus12-3. The ID of the commodity registration apparatus11-1is stored in the return destination storage area of the settlement apparatus12-3as the return destination ID.

Description returns to the description inFIG. 5. The CPU12athat terminates the processing in Act21and Act22waits for the reception of the settlement information (Act23). Then, if the settlement information by the reception interruption processing in Act44is received (Yes in Act23), the CPU12astores the settlement information received by the communication unit12j(Act24). Further, the CPU12asets the processing flag F to “1” (Act25).

The CPU12afinishes the processing in Act24and Act25and sends the reception response signal to the commodity registration apparatus11arranged at the same checkout lane (Act26).

Specifically, the CPU12asets the communication address set in the corresponding commodity registration apparatus11to the sending destination address, and the communication address set in itself to the sending source address, and controls the communication unit12jto send the reception response signal to the LAN13. In this way, the reception response signal is sent to the corresponding commodity registration apparatus11via the LAN13.

After that, the CPU12adisplays a settlement screen on a part of the screen of the touch panel12g(Act27). The settlement screen includes sixth and seventh display areas, a cash button, an electronic money button and a call button. The sixth display area displays an operation guidance to the customer22who operates the settlement apparatus12. The seventh display area displays the total quantity and the total amount included in the settlement information stored in the settlement buffer. The cash button is used by the customer22to designate that a payment method is a cash payment. The electronic money button is used by the customer22to designate that the payment method is an electronic money payment. The call button is used by the customer22to designate call of the store clerk21.

The customer22who confirms the settlement screen determines the payment method, i.e., cash or electronic money. In a case of paying with cash, the customer22touches the cash button and deposits cash of the total amount or more to the automatic change machine12e. On the other hand, in a case of paying with electronic money, the customer22touches the electronic money button and reads the data of the electronic money card with the card reader/writer12i.

The CPU12awaits for the touch on the cash button or the electronic money button (Act28). If the cash button or the electronic money button is touched, the CPU12aexecutes the settlement processing according to the payment method selected by the touched button (Act29). If the cash button is touched, the CPU12aexecutes the settlement processing for the cash payment. If the electronic money button is touched, the CPU12aexecutes the settlement processing for the electronic money payment. Since the settlement processing for the cash payment or for the electronic money payment is well-known in the existing self-checkout POS terminal, the description thereof is omitted.

The settlement method is not limited to the cash or the electronic money. For example, the settlement apparatus12can treat other settlement methods such as a credit card, a cash voucher such as a gift voucher and the like.

If the settlement processing is ended, the CPU12aexecutes a receipt issuing processing (Act30). In other words, the CPU12aedits print data of a receipt on the basis of the settlement information stored in the settlement buffer. Then, the CPU12aenables the printer12hto operate to issue the receipt.

If the issuance of the receipt is completed, the CPU12aactivates the timer (Act31). Once the timer is activated, the timer continuously operates for a period in which counting of a predetermined standby time is finished. The timer can be realized as, for example, a software timer with processing in another task or job by the CPU12a. Alternately, a device for carrying out the foregoing counting operation may be added. The standby time may be fixedly determined by a designer of the settlement apparatus12, or may be optionally changed according to an instruction by a user. In a case of changing the standby time according to the instruction by the user, the CPU12a, for example, stores information indicating the standby time in the auxiliary storage unit12dif determining the standby time according to the instruction by the user. Then, the CPU12acontrols the foregoing timer to count the standby time indicated by the stored information. Even if the standby time can be changed optionally according to the instruction by the user, it may be arranged that the standby time is selected from default values determined in advance. The standby time is determined to be a sufficient time, for example, 20 seconds, for the customer22who completes the settlement to leave the settlement apparatus12. Afterward, the CPU12areturns to the processing in Act4. Then, CPU12arepeats the processing following ACT4as being similar to that described above.

In this way, the timer maintains an operation state until the predetermined standby time elapses from the completion of the settlement processing. Thus, according to the processing of the CPU12ain the reception interruption processing described above, the settlement apparatus12does not start a new settlement processing until the predetermined standby time elapses from the completion of the settlement processing.

As described above, in the checkout system10of the present embodiment, if the registration job of the purchased commodity by the store clerk21is ended on the commodity registration apparatus11, the store clerk21touches the sending button of the sending screen. Then, the settlement information including the sales data of the purchased commodity is sent to one settlement apparatus12identified by the sending ID set in the sending destination storage area among the plurality of the settlement apparatuses12arranged at the same checkout lane at which the commodity registration apparatus11is arranged. Then, depending on the states of the plurality of the settlement apparatuses12arranged at the same checkout lane, the settlement information is sequentially transferred among the settlement apparatuses12, and the settlement information is finally received by an available one of the settlement apparatuses12.

In other words, in a case in which the IDs are stored, as stated above, in the sending destination storage areas, the transfer destination storage areas and the return destination storage areas of the commodity registration apparatus11-1and the settlement apparatuses12-1,12-2and12-3arranged at the checkout lane at the upper side shown inFIG. 1, the settlement information is treated as follows.

First, no matter what each state of the settlement apparatuses12-1,12-2and12-3is, the settlement information is sent from the commodity registration apparatus11-1to the settlement apparatus12-1.

In the settlement apparatus12-1, if the settlement processing is not executed, and the standby time already elapses after the last time settlement processing is finished, the processing flag F is reset to “0”, and the timer does not operate. At this time, the settlement information is stored in the settlement buffer of the settlement apparatus12-1. Further, the reception response signal is sent from the settlement apparatus12-1to the commodity registration apparatus11-1. As a result, the guidance screen for indicating that the sending destination of the settlement information is the settlement apparatus12-1is displayed on the touch panel11gof the commodity registration apparatus11-1. Thus, the store clerk21tells the customer22to carry out the settlement by the settlement apparatus12-1.

The customer22goes to the settlement apparatus12-1. At this time, the settlement screen is displayed on the touch panel12gof the settlement apparatus12-1, and thus the customer22carries out the settlement with cash, electronic money or the like.

On the other hand, in the settlement apparatus12-1, in a case in which the settlement processing is being executed, or the standby time does not elapse after the last time settlement processing is ended although the settlement processing is not executed, the processing flag F is set to “1”, or the timer is in the operation state. At this time, the transfer destination ID for identifying the settlement apparatus12-2is stored in the transfer destination storage area of the settlement apparatus12-1, and thus, the settlement information sent from the commodity registration apparatus11to the settlement apparatus12-1is transferred from the settlement apparatus12-1to the settlement apparatus12-2via the LAN13.

In the settlement apparatus12-2, the settlement information transferred from the settlement apparatus12-1is stored in the settlement buffer of the settlement apparatus12-2or is transferred to the settlement apparatus12-3, as the same as the case of the settlement apparatus12-1. Ina case in which the settlement information is stored in the settlement buffer of the settlement apparatus12-2, the reception response signal is sent from the settlement apparatus12-2to the commodity registration apparatus11-1. As a result, the guidance screen for indicating that the sending destination of the settlement information is the settlement apparatus12-2is displayed on the touch panel11gof the commodity registration apparatus11-1. Thus, the store clerk21tells the customer22to execute the settlement on the settlement apparatus12-2.

In the settlement apparatus12-3, if the settlement processing is not executed and the standby time already elapses after the last time settlement processing is ended, the settlement information is stored in the settlement buffer of the settlement apparatus12-3. Further, the reception response signal is sent from the settlement apparatus12-3to the commodity registration apparatus11-1. As a result, the guidance screen for indicating that the sending destination of the settlement information is the settlement apparatus12-3is displayed on the touch panel11gof the commodity registration apparatus11-1. Thus, the store clerk21tells the customer22to execute the settlement on the settlement apparatus12-3.

On the other hand, in the settlement apparatus12-3, in a case in which the settlement processing is being executed, or the standby time does not elapse after the last time settlement processing is ended although the settlement processing is not executed, the error response signal is sent from the settlement apparatus12-3to the commodity registration apparatus11-1. As a result, in the commodity registration apparatus11-1, the transmission disable processing is executed. According to the transmission disable processing, for example, the store clerk21operates the commodity registration apparatus11-1to process the settlement of the customer22, instead of the settlement apparatus12.

As described above, according to the checkout system10of the first embodiment described above, the settlement information is received by the settlement apparatus12capable of receiving the settlement information while the settlement information is sequentially transferred to the plurality of the settlement apparatuses12. In such an operation, the settlement apparatus12does not receive new settlement information for a period for which not only the settlement processing is being executed but also the standby time elapses after the settlement processing is ended. Thus, it reduces a situation in which the settlement information relating to the transaction of another customer22is received by the settlement apparatus12even when the customer22who completes the settlement still stands in front of the settlement apparatus12occurs. As a result, it can reduce confusion caused to the customer22.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7is a block diagram illustrating the circuit arrangement of main portion of a checkout system20according to the second embodiment. InFIG. 7, the same reference numerals are applied to the same elements asFIG. 2, and thus the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The checkout system20includes a plurality of commodity registration apparatuses11and settlement apparatuses14of which the number is more than that of the commodity registration apparatuses11. In other words, the checkout system20includes the settlement apparatus14instead of the settlement apparatus12in the checkout system10. The arrangement of the settlement apparatus14is similar to that of the settlement apparatus12.

The settlement apparatus14includes the CPU12a, the ROM12b, the RAM12c, the auxiliary storage unit12d, the automatic change machine12e, the scanner12f, the touch panel12g, the printer12h, the card reader/writer12i, the communication unit12j, the transmission system12kand a human sensor14a. In other words, the settlement apparatus14includes the human sensor14aadded to the settlement apparatus12.

The human sensor14adetects the presence of a person located in front of the settlement apparatus14. A well-known sensor such as an infrared sensor can be used as the human sensor14a.

Hereinafter, the operations of the checkout system20are described. Contents of the processing described below are one example, and various processing capable of achieving the same result can be suitably adopted.

In the operations of the checkout system20, the difference from the operations in the checkout system10is a part of the processing executed by the CPU12aaccording to the control program.

The CPU12ain the checkout system20does not carry out the processing in Act31in the main processing shown inFIG. 5. In other words, the CPU12ain the checkout system20carries out the processing in Act21-Act30shown inFIG. 5in the same way as the first embodiment. Then, the CPU12ain the checkout system20returns to the processing in Act21if the issuance of the receipt is completed in the processing in Act31.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating main procedures of the reception interruption processing executed by the CPU12aaccording to the second embodiment. InFIG. 8, the same reference numerals are applied to the same processing as that shown inFIG. 6, and thus the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

If the reception interruption processing is started, the CPU12aof the checkout system20carries out the same processing as the first embodiment in Act41and Act42. Then, if the processing flag is reset to “0” (No in Act42), the CPU12aof the checkout system20confirms whether or not a person is detected by the human sensor14a(Act51). If the person is not detected (No in Act51), the CPU12aproceeds to the processing in Act44and carries out the same processing following ACT44as the first embodiment.

On the other hand, if the processing flag is set to “1” (Yes in Act42), or if the person is detected (Yes in Act51), the CPU12aproceeds to the processing in Act45and carries out the same processing following ACT45as the first embodiment.

In this way, according to the checkout system20, the settlement information is received by the settlement apparatus14capable of receiving the settlement information while the settlement information is sequentially transferred to the plurality of the settlement apparatuses14. In such an operation, the settlement apparatus14does not receive new settlement information in a case in which the settlement processing is being executed and also in a case in which a person who stands in front of the settlement apparatus14is detected even if the settlement processing is not executed. Thus, it reduces a situation that the settlement information is received by the settlement apparatus14when another customer22different from the customer22corresponding to the transaction stands in front of the settlement apparatus14occurs. As a result, it can reduce confusion caused to the customer22.

The present invention is not limited to each embodiment described above. The condition and the route under which the settlement information is sent to one of a plurality of settlement apparatuses are not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the following various cases are assumed:

(1) If the store clerk designates one of the settlement apparatuses on the commodity registration apparatus, the commodity registration apparatus sends the settlement information to the designated settlement apparatus.

(2) The plurality of the settlement apparatuses sequentially transfer the settlement information as with the first and second embodiments in the order shown in the list stored in each of the settlement apparatuses or in the order shown in the list appended to the settlement information.

(3) The commodity registration apparatus monitors the execution statuses of the settlement processing in the plurality of the settlement apparatuses arranged in the same checkout lane. Then, the commodity registration apparatus determines one of the settlement apparatuses which does not execute the settlement processing, and automatically or in response to the instruction by the store clerk sends the settlement information to the determined settlement apparatus.

(4) The commodity registration apparatus monitors the execution statuses of the settlement processing in the plurality of the settlement apparatuses arranged in the same checkout lane, and the elapsed time after the end of the settlement processing or the detection result of the human sensor14a. Then, the commodity registration apparatus determines one of the settlement apparatuses for which the condition of receiving the settlement information is established in the first or second embodiment, automatically or in response to the instruction by the store clerk to send the settlement information to the determined settlement apparatus.

Furthermore, in the foregoing cases (1)˜(3), the settlement apparatus to which the settlement information is sent determines whether or not the settlement information is received according to the same processing as in the first or second embodiment. In the case of foregoing (4), the settlement apparatus is not required to execute the determination of reception performed in consideration of the execution status of the settlement processing and the elapsed time after the end of the settlement processing or the detection result of the human sensor14a.

The transfer destination storage area of each settlement apparatus12(14) in which the transfer destination ID is stored therein may also store therein ID for identifying each settlement apparatus12(14) arranged at, for example, the adjacent checkout lane. With the above, even if all the settlement apparatuses12(14) arranged in the same lane execute the settlement processing, the customer can carry out settlement with the settlement apparatus12(14) if at least one settlement apparatus12(14) arranged at the adjacent checkout lane is in the standby state.

The sending destination ID stored in the sending destination storage area of the commodity registration apparatus11may be stored in the transfer destination storage area of the settlement apparatus12to which the settlement information is transferred finally. With the above, even if all the settlement apparatuses12arranged at the same lane execute settlement processing temporarily, the store clerk can tell the customer that settlement can be executed on the settlement apparatus12at the time another customer finishes settlement on the same settlement apparatus.

The return destination storage area is not formed in the RAM12c, but the ID for identifying the commodity registration apparatus11may be stored in the transfer destination storage area of the settlement apparatus12(14) to which the settlement information is transferred finally.

In the embodiments described above, the purchase of the commodity is described as a transaction; however, the transaction may not be accompanied with the purchase of the commodity. For example, the checkout system of the present invention can also be applied to a transaction on which fee for service rendering such as charge for use of facilities, fee for rental articles and the like is incurred. In other words, “commodity” is not limited to tangible article, and may be service. Thus, “purchased commodity” includes service provided for a fee to a beneficiary recipient from a provider.