Patent Publication Number: US-2020279252-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus, settlement apparatus, and information processing method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-037770, filed Mar. 1, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information processing apparatus, a settlement apparatus, and an information processing method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There may be a case where a plurality of coupons that can be used in the same shop are distributed and the use of some combinations of coupons is not allowed. In this case, whether or not to limit the use of a combination of coupons depends on determination of a clerk. Therefore, an unallowable combination of coupons may be used due to a clerk&#39;s mistake. Under these circumstances, it is desirable to appropriately perform application of coupons. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a self-checkout apparatus according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a main circuit configuration of the self-checkout apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating information processing by a processor illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a second error screen as an example; and 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a second error screen as another example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments disclosed herein provide an information processing apparatus that can appropriately perform application of coupons, a settlement apparatus, and an information processing method. 
     In general, according to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes input means, setting means, and inhibition means. The input means inputs designation of a coupon that is associated with a benefit provided for a settlement person of a transaction. The setting means sets, as an application coupon, the coupon that is a target of the designation input by the input means. The inhibition means inhibits the setting means from setting the coupon that is the target of the designation input by the input means as the application coupon when the coupon that is the target of the designation is not allowed to be used in combination with the application coupon that is previously set by the setting means. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus may include an input device and a processing circuit. The input device can receive designations of coupons. The processing circuit can set the first coupon and set or inhibit setting of the second coupon. 
     Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment will be described using the drawings. In the embodiment, a self-checkout apparatus as an information processing apparatus will be described as an example.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a self-checkout apparatus  100  according to the embodiment. The self-checkout apparatus  100 , according to the embodiment, will also be referred to as “self-checkout point-of-sale (POS) terminal” or “automated checkout apparatus”. The self-checkout apparatus  100  is operated by a customer. Accordingly, the customer is an operator of the self-checkout apparatus  100 . However, the clerk may also be the operator of the self-checkout apparatus  100 . 
     The self-checkout apparatus  100  includes a main body  1  and weighing units  2  and  3 . The main body  1  includes a touch panel  10 , a scanner window  11 , a handy scanner  12 , a receipt dispensing port  13 , a card insertion port  14 , a coin deposit tray  15 , a receiving tray  16 , a bill insertion port  17 , a bill discharge port  18 , a human presence sensor  19 , and a signal lamp  20 . 
     The touch panel  10  displays various screens for notifying the operator of various information. A part of the various screens configures a graphical user interface (GUI), and the touch panel  10  receives a touch operation for inputting an instruction through the GUI. The scanner window  11  is formed by covering an opening formed in the main body  1  with a transparent resin, glass, or the like. Through the scanner window  11 , a commodity that is held up to the front of the scanner window  11  by the operator can be scanned by a fixed scanner disposed inside the main body  1 . The fixed scanner will be described below. 
     The handy scanner  12  acquires a commodity code for identifying a commodity. In addition, the handy scanner  12  acquires a coupon code for identifying a coupon. As the handy scanner  12 , a well-known device capable of optically reading a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like that is formed to be optically readable can be adopted. In addition, as the handy scanner  12 , a well-known device that acquires data stored in a wireless tag by wireless communication can be adopted. 
     The receipt dispensing port  13  is a slit-shaped opening for discharging a receipt to the outside of the main body  1 . The card insertion port  14  is a slit-shaped opening for inserting a card into the main body  1  and for discharging the card to the outside of the main body  1 . 
     The coin deposit tray  15  receives coins deposited by the operator for settlement. An opening is formed in the bottom surface of the coin deposit tray  15 . The coins received by the coin deposit tray  15  are incorporated from the opening into the main body  1 . The receiving tray  16  receives coins discharged from the main body  1  as change. The bill insertion port  17  is a slit-shaped opening for incorporating bills inserted by the operator for settlement into the main body  1 . The bill discharge port  18  is a slit-shaped opening for discharging bills from the main body  1  as change or the like. The bill discharge port  18  holds bills in a state where a part of the bills protrudes to the outside of the main body  1 . 
     The human presence sensor  19  detects the presence of a human at a position where the operator for operating the self-checkout apparatus  100  stands. That is, when a human that may be the operator is positioned in front of the self-checkout apparatus  100 , the human presence sensor  19  detects this human. As the human presence sensor  19 , for example, a well-known device using an infrared sensor or an optical sensor can be used. The signal lamp  20  executes a lighting operation for notifying an apparatus state. 
     The weighing unit  2  includes a table  2   a  for placing unregistered commodities. The weighing unit  2  weighs the total weight of commodities placed on the table  2   a.  The weighing unit  3  includes: tables  3   a  and  3   b  for placing registered commodities; and an arm  3   c  for hanging a bag into which registered commodities are put. The weighing unit  3  weighs the total weight of the commodities that are placed on the tables  3   a  and  3   b  and the commodities that are put into the bag hanging on the arm  3   c.    
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a main circuit configuration of the self-checkout apparatus  100 . In  FIG. 2 , the same components as those of  FIG. 1  are represented by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will not be repeated. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in addition to the weighing units  2  and  3 , the touch panel  10 , the handy scanner  12 , the human presence sensor  19 , and the signal lamp  20 , the self-checkout apparatus  100  further includes a processor  21 , a main memory  22 , an auxiliary storage unit  23 , a fixed scanner  24 , a printer  25 , a reader-writer  26 , a speaker unit  27 , a cash receiving unit  28 , a communication unit  29 , and a transmission line  30 . The processor  21 , the main memory  22 , the auxiliary storage unit  23 , the fixed scanner  24 , the printer  25 , the reader-writer  26 , the speaker unit  27 , the cash receiving unit  28 , and the communication unit  29  are stored in the main body  1 . In addition, the weighing units  2  and  3 , the touch panel  10 , the handy scanner  12 , the processor  21 , the main memory  22 , the auxiliary storage unit  23 , the fixed scanner  24 , the printer  25 , the reader-writer  26 , the speaker unit  27 , the cash receiving unit  28 , and the communication unit  29  are connected to each other via the transmission line  30 . The processor  21 , the main memory  22 , and the auxiliary storage unit  23  are connected to each other via the transmission line  30  such that a computer for executing information processing to control the self-checkout apparatus  100  is configured. 
     The processor  21  corresponds to a central part of the computer. The processor  21  controls various parts so as to implement various functions of the self-checkout apparatus  100  by executing information processing based on an information processing program such as an operating system, middleware, or an application program stored in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage unit  23 . 
     The main memory  22  corresponds to a main memory part of the computer. The main memory  22  includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory  22  stores the above-described information processing program in the non-volatile memory area. In addition, the main memory  22  may store data required for the processor  21  to execute the information processing in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory  22  may use the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor  21 . 
     The auxiliary storage unit  23  corresponds to an auxiliary storage part of the above-described computer. The auxiliary storage unit  23  stores data used for the processor  21  to execute various processes or data generated during a process of the processor  21 . The auxiliary storage unit  23  may also store the above-described information processing program. As the auxiliary storage unit  23 , for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a hard drive disk (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD) can be used. 
     The fixed scanner  24  acquires a commodity code for identifying a commodity. In addition, the fixed scanner  24  acquires a coupon code for identifying a coupon. As the fixed scanner  24 , a well-known device that images a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like held up to the front of the scanner window  11  and identifies data represented by the barcode, the two-dimensional code, or the like through image processing can be adopted. In addition, as the fixed scanner  24 , a well-known device that optically reads a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like held up to the front of the scanner window  11  using laser light can be adopted. As the fixed scanner  24 , a device having a function of identifying a commodity using an object recognition technique based on features of an image of the commodity itself may be adopted. In addition, as the fixed scanner  24 , a well-known device that acquires data stored in a wireless tag by wireless communication can be adopted. 
     The printer  25  includes a receipt printer and a journal printer. The receipt printer dispenses various vouchers by printing various information on a receipt sheet. Examples of the various vouchers include a receipt on which the content and the like of a commercial transaction are printed. The voucher dispensed by the receipt printer is discharged from the receipt dispensing port  13  to the outside of the main body  1 . The journal printer prints journal data including information printed on the receipt sheet by the receipt printer on a journal sheet. The journal sheet remains in the main body  1  as long as it is not taken out by a maintenance person. The journal data may be stored in the auxiliary storage unit  23  and may be optionally printed on the receipt sheet by the receipt printer. 
     The reader-writer  26  reads data recorded in a portable recording medium. In addition, the reader-writer  26  writes data into the recording medium. As the reader-writer  26 , a well-known device that reads and writes data in a state where it is in contact with a magnetic card, an integrated circuit (IC) card, or the like inserted into the card insertion port  14  by the customer can be adopted. In addition, as the reader-writer  26 , for example, a well-known device that reads and writes data in a state where it is not in contact with a contactless IC card or the like can be adopted. Examples of the above-described recording medium include a point card and an IC card for settlement. The reader-writer  26  may read a coupon code from a recording medium such as a membership card in which a coupon code is recorded. 
     The speaker unit  27  includes a speaker and a drive circuit. The speaker unit  27  outputs any sound under the control of the processor  21 . The cash receiving unit  28  counts coins incorporated from the opening of the coin deposit tray  15  into the main body  1  per denomination and then stores the coins. The cash receiving unit  28  discharges coins to the receiving tray  16  as change or the like. The cash receiving unit  28  counts bills inserted from the bill insertion port  17  per denomination and stores the bills. The cash receiving unit  28  discharges bills from the bill discharge port  18  as change. 
     The communication unit  29  is connected to an in-shop network such as a local area network (LAN) or a communication network such as the Internet, and communicates with any apparatus such as a POS server. The transmission line  30  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line, and transmits data and a control signal to be transferred between the respective parts connected to each other. 
     Next, an operation of the self-checkout apparatus  100  having the above-described configuration will be described. When the self-checkout apparatus  100  is set to an operation mode where a process for checking out commodities purchased by a customer is performed in response to an operation of the customer, the processor  21  executes information processing described below. 
     The main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage unit  23  stores the information processing program described below in detail regarding the information processing. When hardware of the self-checkout apparatus  100  is transferred, the information processing program may be stored in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage unit  23  or may be transferred separately from the hardware. In the latter case, the information processing program is transferred via a network or a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory in which the information processing program is recorded. In the latter case, a case can be assumed in which the information processing program that is provided as a version-up program and is written in the auxiliary storage unit  23  is rewritten with the same type of another information processing program that is previously stored in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage unit  23 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating the information processing by the processor  21 . The content of the following processing is merely exemplary and, for example, change in the order of a part of the processing, omission of a part of the processing, or addition of another processing can be appropriately made. 
     In ACT  1 , the processor  21  executes registration processing. In the registration processing, commodities to be purchased by the customer are registered as purchase commodities. For example, the processor  21  updates a commodity table such that the commodity table includes a commodity code that is input using the touch panel  10  or a commodity code that is acquired by the handy scanner  12  or the fixed scanner  24 . The commodity table is a data table showing a list of purchased commodities and is stored in, for example, the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage unit  23 . That is, the commodity table is a data table showing the content of commodity sales as an example of a transaction. Thus, by the processor  21  executing the information processing based on the information processing program, a computer including the processor  21  as a central part functions as the registration unit configured to register the content of a transaction. For example, after completion of the commodity registration is declared by a predetermined operation in the touch panel  10 , the processor  21  proceeds to ACT  2 . 
     In ACT  2 , the processor  21  checks whether or not a settlement medium used for settling the price of registered purchase commodities is designated. When the designation cannot be checked, the processor  21  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  3 . In ACT  3 , the processor  21  checks whether or not a cancellation instruction described below is given. When the cancellation instruction cannot be checked, the processor  21  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  4 . In ACT  4 , the processor  21  checks whether or not a coupon code is input. When the input of the coupon code cannot be checked, the processor  21  determines NO and returns to ACT  2 . Thus, in ACT  2  to ACT  4 , the processor  21  waits for any one of the designation of the settlement medium, the cancellation instruction, and the input of the coupon code. At this time, the processor  21  displays, for example, a GUI screen on the touch panel  10 . This GUI screen shows one or more buttons for designating the settlement medium that can be used for the settlement. In addition, the GUI screen shows a button for the cancellation instruction. In addition, when the customer wants to apply a coupon, the GUI screen shows a character message that guides the customer to perform an operation for inputting a coupon code of the coupon to be applied. 
     When the customer wants to apply a coupon belonging to the customer to the present transaction, a coupon code of the coupon is read by the handy scanner  12  or the fixed scanner  24 . Accordingly, the handy scanner  12  or the fixed scanner  24  inputs the coupon code and notifies the processor  21  of the input coupon code. Through this notification, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  4  and proceeds to ACT  5 . The coupon code may be input through the touch panel  10  or the reader-writer  26 . Thus, a device used for inputting the coupon code among the touch panel  10 , the handy scanner  12 , the fixed scanner  24 , and the reader-writer  26  is an example of the input unit configured to input designation of a coupon. 
     In ACT  5 , the processor  21  checks whether or not an application condition of the coupon that is identified by the input coupon code is satisfied. The application condition is previously determined depending on coupons, and examples thereof include “the price of purchase commodities is 1000 yen or more” and “purchase commodities include a commodity having a commodity code OOO”. In addition, the application condition may include an expiration date or a valid shop. Referring to a data table that can be referred to check the application condition predetermined for the coupon identified by the coupon code, the processor  21  determines the application condition of the coupon identified by the input coupon code, for example, based on the coupon code. The data table may be stored in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage unit  23  or may be stored in any other recording device such as a recording device included in a POS server. When the application condition is not satisfied, the processor  21  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  6 . 
     In ACT  6 , the processor  21  displays a first error screen on the touch panel  10 . The first error screen is a screen for notifying the customer that the designated coupon cannot be applied because the application condition is not satisfied. At a predetermined timing at which, for example, the customer declares that the notification on the first error screen is checked or the display time of the first error screen reaches a predetermined time, the processor  21  ends the display of the first error screen and returns to the wait state of ACT  2  to ACT  4 . 
     When the application condition is satisfied, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  5  and proceeds to ACT  7 . In ACT  7 , the processor  21  checks whether or not an application coupon that is previously set is present. The application coupon is a coupon that is set to be applied to the present transaction as described below. When the application coupon is not present, the processor  21  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  8 . 
     In ACT  8 , the processor  21  sets the coupon that is identified by the input coupon code as the application coupon. For example, the processor  21  adds the input coupon code to a data table showing a list of application coupons. Thus, by the processor  21  executing the information processing based on the information processing program, a computer including the processor  21  as a central part functions as the setting unit configured to set the application coupon. Next, the processor  21  returns to the wait state of ACT  2  to ACT  4 . Thus, after setting the application coupon, the customer can designate a coupon code of another coupon. When another coupon code is input in a state where even one application coupon is set, the processor  21  proceeds to ACT  7 . In this case, the processor  21  determines YES and proceeds to ACT  9 . 
     In ACT  9 , the processor  21  checks whether or not a combination (hereinafter, referred to as “type combination”) of a type of the coupon (hereinafter, referred to as “designated coupon”) that is identified by the coupon code input at this time and a type of the application coupon that is previously set is appropriate. For example, the type of the coupon is determined depending on a providing form of a benefit provided by the application of the coupon. That is, for example, it is assumed that a plurality of coupons of which benefits are discount in a given discount amount from the price of a target commodity included in purchase commodities have the same type (hereinafter, referred to as “first type”) even when the discount amounts, the application conditions, and the like thereof are different from each other. That is, for example, it is assumed that a plurality of coupons of which benefits are discount at a given discount ratio from the price of a target commodity included in purchase commodities have the same type (hereinafter, referred to as “second type”) even when the discount ratios, the application conditions, and the like thereof are different from each other. In addition, for example, it is assumed that a plurality of coupons of which benefits are discount in a given discount amount from the sum of individual prices of purchase commodities, that is, from the subtotal amount have the same type (hereinafter, referred to as “third type”) even when the discount amounts, the application conditions, and the like thereof are different from each other. In addition, for example, it is assumed that a plurality of coupons of which benefits are discount at a given discount ratio from the subtotal amount have the same type (hereinafter, referred to as “fourth type”) even when the discount ratios, the application conditions, and the like thereof are different from each other. In addition, for example, it is assumed that a plurality of coupons of which benefits are discount in a discount amount or at a discount ratio that varies depending on ranks set for customers have the same type (hereinafter, referred to as “fifth type”) even when the discount amounts or discount ratios, the application conditions, and the like thereof are different from each other. For example, the first type and the second type can be used in combination with another type, but the third type, the fourth type, and the fifth type cannot be used in combination with each other. In this case, for example, when the type of the designated coupon is the first type or the second type, the designated coupon can be used in combination with the application coupon irrespective of the type of the application coupon. Therefore, the processor  21  determines that the type combination is appropriate. In addition, in a case where it is assumed that the type of the designated coupon is the third type, the fourth type, or the fifth type, when the application coupon is not a coupon having any one of the third type, the fourth type, or the fifth type, the processor  21  determines that the type combination is appropriate; and when the application coupon is a coupon having any one of the third type, the fourth type, or the fifth type, the processor  21  determines that the type combination is not appropriate. 
     Whether or not the types of coupons and the type combination are appropriate may be appropriately determined depending on, for example, an operation policy of a shop where the self-checkout apparatus  100  is provided. The processor  21  may execute the determination in ACT  9  through a process that is defined by the information processing program according to a specific regulation as described above or may execute the determination in ACT  9  with respect to a setting table showing whether or not each type combination is appropriate. 
     When the type combination is appropriate, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  9  and proceeds to ACT  8 . When the type combination is not appropriate, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  9  and proceeds to ACT  10 . In ACT  10 , the processor  21  checks whether or not a combination (hereinafter, referred to as “coupon combination”) of the designated coupon and the application coupon is appropriate. When the coupon combination is appropriate, the processor  21  determines YES and proceeds to ACT  8 . 
     As described above, when the application coupon is present and the type combination is appropriate or when the application coupon is present, the type combination is not appropriate, and the coupon combination is appropriate, the processor  21  proceeds to ACT  8 . That is, even in a case where the type combination is not appropriate, when the use of the combination of the designated coupon and the application coupon is exceptionally allowed, the processor  21  proceeds to ACT  8 . For example, a plurality of coupons that are issued under the same project may be allowed to be used in combination. In this case, the coupons that are issued under the same project have the same type, and thus the type combination may not be appropriate. However, the processor  21  determines that the coupon combination is appropriate in ACT  10 . In this case, a project code for identifying a project under which each coupon is issued can be checked based on the coupon code or with respect to the setting table based on the coupon code. For example, when the project code of the designated coupon matches the project code of the application coupon, the processor  21  determines that the coupon combination is appropriate. 
     Whether or not the coupon combination is appropriate may be appropriately determined depending on, for example, an operation policy of a shop where the self-checkout apparatus  100  is provided. The processor  21  may execute the determination in ACT  9  through a process that is defined by the information processing program according to a specific regulation as described above or may execute the determination in ACT  9  with respect to a setting table showing whether or not each coupon combination is appropriate. When the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  9  or ACT  10  and executes ACT  8  again, the processor  21  adds and sets the designated coupon as a new application coupon without deselecting the application coupon that is previously set. 
     When the coupon combination is also not appropriate, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  10  and proceeds to ACT  11 . In ACT  11 , the processor  21  displays a second error screen on the touch panel  10 . The second error screen is a screen for notifying the customer that the coupon that is designated at this time cannot be applied due to a relationship with the application coupon that is previously set. At a predetermined timing at which, for example, the customer declares that the notification on the second error screen is checked or the display time of the second error screen reaches a predetermined time, the processor  21  ends the display of the second error screen and returns to the wait state of ACT  2  to ACT  4 . 
     That is, when the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  10 , the processor  21  avoids the execution of ACT  8 . Thus, by the processor  21  executing the information processing based on the information processing program to inhibit the designated coupon from being set as the application coupon, a computer including the processor  21  as a central part functions as the inhibition unit. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a second error screen SC 1  as an example. The second error screen SC 1  includes a character string CS 1  and a button BU 1 . The character string CS 1  is a character message showing that the coupon designated at this time cannot be used without showing whether or not the coupon combination is not appropriate. The button BU 1  is a button for receiving the declaration of the customer showing that the notification on the second error screen SC 1  is checked. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a second error screen SC 2  as another example. The second error screen SC 2  is a screen in which the character string CS 1  on the second error screen SC 1  is replaced with a character string CS 2 . The character string CS 2  is a character message showing that the coupon designated at this time cannot be used by showing whether or not the coupon combination is not appropriate. 
     The content of the error screen may be appropriately determined by a designer, a manager, or the like of the self-checkout apparatus  100 . Alternatively, one error screen that is designated by the manager or the like among a plurality of error screens determined by the designer may be set as a screen of a display target in ACT  11 . The processor  21  may display a predetermined error screen to be displayed in ACT  11  on the touch panel  10 . 
     When the second error screen SC 2  is displayed, the processor  21  determines an application coupon of which combination with the designated coupon is not appropriate. The processor  21  sets a coupon name or the like based on which the customer can identify the corresponding application coupon to the portion “OO coupon” in the character string CS 2 . Thus, when the second error screen SC 2  is displayed, the customer can easily recognize an unallowable combination of coupons. 
     When the processor  21  is in the wait state of ACT  2  to ACT  4  and the setting of the application coupon is canceled, the customer executes the cancellation instruction by touching a button in the GUI screen displayed on the touch panel  10 . As a result, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  3  and proceeds to ACT  12 . In ACT  12 , the processor  21  deselects all the application coupons. The processor  21  may display a screen showing a list of application coupons on the touch panel  10  such that only designated coupons can be deselected from the application coupons. Next, the processor  21  returns to the wait state of ACT  2  to ACT  4 . 
     The customer designates the settlement medium for the settlement by touching a button in the GUI screen displayed on the touch panel  10  in a state where the setting of the application coupon is in a desired state, for example, the coupon is not used. As a result, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  2  and proceeds to ACT  13 . In ACT  13 , the processor  21  executes coupon application processing. That is, for example, the processor  21  executes a process for providing the customer with a benefit that is associated with the coupon set as the application coupon. For example, when a coupon belonging to the first type is set as the application coupon, the processor  21  sets an amount obtained by subtracting a given discount amount from the price of a target commodity as a selling price of the commodity during the calculation of the amount of settlement. When a coupon set as the application coupon is not present, the processor  21  only needs to check that the application coupon is not present in ACT  13 . Thus, by the processor  21  executing the information processing based on the information processing program, a computer including the processor  21  as a central part functions as the providing unit configured to provide a benefit associated with the application coupon. 
     In ACT  14 , the processor  21  executes settlement processing of settling the amount of settlement using the designated settlement medium. This settlement processing may be the same processing as processing that is performed by the same type of an existing self-checkout apparatus. In addition, the settlement medium may be, for example, cash, a credit card, electronic money, virtual currency, a prepaid card, a gift certificate, or any other medium. Thus, by the processor  21  executing the information processing based on the information processing program, a computer including the processor  21  as a central part functions as the settlement unit. After the end of the settlement processing, the processor  21  ends the information processing illustrated in  FIG. 3 . After the end of the settlement processing, the processor  21  may cause the printer  25  to dispense a receipt. 
     As described above, with the self-checkout apparatus  100 , any coupon included in unallowable combinations of coupons is inhibited from being set as the application coupon. Accordingly, coupons that cannot be used in combination can be prevented from being used in combination, and the application of coupons can be appropriately executed. 
     This embodiment can be modified as follows in various ways. The embodiment is also applicable to a POS terminal, a cash register, or the like called a face-to-face type where the operator is a clerk. 
     In addition, the embodiment is also applicable to a registration apparatus or a settlement apparatus in a self-service checkout system. In the case of the registration apparatus, for example, ACT  2  in  FIG. 3  is changed to a process of checking whether or not an instruction of transfer to the settlement apparatus is given. ACT  13  and ACT  14  are changed to a process of transferring the commodity table and the data table showing a list of the application coupons to the settlement apparatus. In the case of the settlement apparatus, for example, ACT  1  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is changed to a process of receiving a commodity table generated by the registration processing in the registration apparatus. 
     Either ACT  9  or ACT  10  may be omitted. 
     In at least one of ACT  6  and ACT  11 , the processor may return to the wait state of ACT  2  to ACT  4  in response to a special operation of the clerk. 
     For example, the benefit may be any other benefit such as the adding of a point, the issuing of another coupon, or the giving of a gift. 
     A part or all of the respective functions that are implemented by the processor  21  through the information processing can also be implemented by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, for example, a logic circuit. In addition, each of the respective functions can also be implemented by a combination of the hardware such as a logic circuit and a software control. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.