Patent Publication Number: US-2019188748-A1

Title: Product registration device and product registration method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-240644, filed on Dec. 15, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a product registration device and a product registration method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the related art, in the retail industry, services such as a point service and a stamp service are provided. The point service provides predetermined points to a purchaser when a preset condition such as the purchase amount of various kinds of products and the number of visits to the store and the like is satisfied. A purchaser who possesses points can use the points as a part of a price at the time of next and succeeding purchase of a product or use the points for exchanging with the product. Similarly, the stamp service provides a stamp to the purchaser when the preset condition is satisfied, and stamps can be used for exchange with a predetermined product when the number of stamps reaches a prescribed number. 
     In the related art, when the purchaser utilizes the point service or the stamp service, a product registration device such as the points of sales (POS) terminal treats processing of a price discount or a discount on gift certificates for a product targeted for the service. 
     When the points or the stamps are used for exchanging with the product, the product registration device treats product exchange as a discount for which the purchase price is 0 yen, or treats a unit price of a product targeted for exchange as 0 yen. That is, the product registration device treats the product exchanged using the point service or the stamp service in the same manner as a product sold by other ordinary sales except that only the sales amount is different. 
     For that reason, even if a product exchanged utilizing the point service or the stamp service is included among a plurality of products sold, it was unable to distinguish the exchanged product in screen display, receipt printing, totalization of products sold, and the like. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a product registration device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the product registration device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen used in the product registration device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of the registration screen used in the product registration device after a specific product is set according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer screen on a display of the product registration device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of a receipt issued in the product registration device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of an inspection report of the product registration device according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An exemplary embodiment provides a product registration device and a product registration method capable of distinguishing a product targeted for exchange using a service. 
     According to an embodiment, a product registration device includes display means, selection means, setting means, and output means. The display means displays a list of purchasing products registered as purchase targets. The selection means selects a product to be exchanged with points possessed by a purchaser from the purchasing products on the list. The setting means sets information indicating that the product is a target for exchanging with the points for the product. The output means outputs the product for which the information is set to be distinguished from other purchasing products. 
     Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a product registration device  10  according to the embodiment. The product registration device  10  is connected a network  12 . As the network  12 , a communication network such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wireless LAN, or the like can be used. The product registration device  10  can communicate with a server  13  via the network  12 . 
     The product registration device  10  in the embodiment is provided with various functions for providing a point service and a stamp service to a purchaser. The point service provides a predetermined points to the purchaser when a preset condition such as the purchase amount of various kinds of products and the number of visits to a store and the like are satisfied. The points provided to the purchaser can be recorded in, for example, the point card or stored in a server  14  in association with identification data (membership ID and the like) unique to the purchaser who is registered as a member. A purchaser who possesses the points can use the points as a part of the price at the time of next and succeeding purchase of the product or for exchanging with the product. The stamp service provides a stamp to the purchaser when the preset condition is satisfied. The stamp provided to the purchaser can be recorded on, for example, a paper medium or stored in the server  14  as an electronic stamp in association with identification data unique to the purchaser, similarly to the point. When the number of stamps reaches a prescribed number, the purchaser can exchange the stamps with a predetermined product. As the method of managing the points and stamp, other methods than the method described above can be used. 
     The product registration device  10  in the embodiment registers products to be exchanged with points or stamp similarly to a purchase product that an ordinary purchaser intends to purchase, and sets information indicating that the products are targets for exchange with the points or the stamp. The product registration device  10  can display the product for which this information is selected or print the product on receipts in a format distinguishable from other purchased products. 
     The product registration device  10  is installed with a computer function, and includes a central processing unit (CPU)  11   a,  a read-only memory (ROM)  11   b,  a random-access memory (RAM)  11   c,  an auxiliary storage unit  11   d,  a drawer opening unit  11   e,  a scanner  11   f,  a touch panel  11   g,  a display  11   h,  a printer  11   j,  a card reader and writer  11   m,  and a communication unit  11   n.    
     The CPU  11   a  is a circuit for controlling each unit to realize various operations as the product registration device  10  based on an operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM  11   b  and the RAM  11   c.    
     In the ROM  11   b  and the RAM  11   c,  data to be referred to in performing various processing by the CPU  11   a  are recorded, in addition to various programs executed by the CPU  11   a.  For example, in the RAM  11   c,  registration product data in which information on a product targeted for purchase by a purchaser is registered is recorded when processing of registering information of a product is executed. 
     The program to be executed by the CPU  11   a  includes a product registration program for executing processing of inputting information of a product targeted for purchase according to input of a product code attached to a product by the scanner  11   f  or a key operation to the touch panel  11   g,  processing of recording transaction information (including the product name, amount, subtotal amount, information indicating that the product is a target for exchange with points, and the like) according to information of the product in the registration product data, and settlement processing based on settlement information according to the transaction information. 
     The auxiliary storage unit  11   d  stores data used in performing various processing by the CPU  11   a  or data generated by processing of the CPU  11   a.  As the auxiliary storage unit  11   d,  for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid state drive (SSD) can be used. 
     The drawer opening unit  11   e  receives coins and bills to be inserted, and discharges coins and bills to be changed. 
     For example, the scanner  11   f  reads information of the product by optical scanning and inputs a product code unique to the product. The scanner  11   f  may be a fixed type or handy type two-dimensional code scanner, or may be a type that identifies the product by using an image recognition technique from an image obtained by capturing the product. 
     The touch panel  11   g  is a device of which an input operation is made by an employee, and includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays a predetermined screen such as a graphical user interface (GUI) screen. For example, the display device displays a list of registration information (the product name, amount, information indicating that the product is a target for exchange with the points, and the like) on the product registered as a purchase target, various menus, software keys for inputting various commands, and the like. As a display device, for example, a well-known device such as a color liquid crystal display (LCD) can be used. The touch sensor is disposed to overlap a display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects a touch position of an operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the CPU  11   a.  It is assumed that a keyboard is provided in addition to the touch panel  11   g  as a device of which the input operation is made by the employee. 
     The display  11   h  is, for example, a device used as a customer display for providing information to a purchaser, and a well-known device such as a color LCD can be used as the display  11   h.    
     The printer  11   j  is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues a transaction receipt, on which transaction contents such as a product name, a unit price, or a total price are printed, by printing various character strings, images, code patterns (barcode, two-dimensional code, and the like), and the like on the receipt paper. 
     The card reader and writer  11   m  reads data recorded on the card and writes data to the card. The cards include various cards for recording information on settlement processing such as a membership card and the point card, in addition to settlement cards such as a credit card, a debit card, an electronic money card, a prepaid card. The card reader and writer  11   m  may be any of a magnetic type device, a contact type device, or a non-contact type device, or may include a plurality of types of devices. On the point card, the points provided by using the point service to the purchaser is recorded. The points used in the point service is recorded not only in the point card but also in the server  14  in association with identification data (membership ID and the like) unique to the membership card (purchaser). 
     The communication unit  11   n  communicates with the server  14  and the like via the network  12 . 
     Next, the operation of the product registration device  10  in the embodiment will be described. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the product registration device  10  in the embodiment. Here, a case where in which the points provided to a purchaser by a point service is used will be described by way of an example. The provision of points by the point service is realized by an existing system and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, exchange with the product using the stamp provided to the purchaser by the stamp service is substantially the same as a case of exchanging the product by the point. Accordingly, in the following description, it is assumed that exchange with the product by the points can be replaced with exchange with the product by the stamp. 
     When product registration processing for a new purchaser is started, the CPU  11   a  clears an area for registration product data in the RAM  11   c  and displays a registration screen on the touch panel  11   g  for a store clerk (Act  1 ). The registration screen is a screen for displaying information on the product (purchased product) registered as the purchase target by the shopper, a product key for the store clerk to designate the product, various function keys, and the like. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen D 1  used in the product registration device  10  of the embodiment. 
     On the registration screen D 1 , a plurality of product keys  20  for the store clerk to designate the product, a plurality of function keys  22  provided for each of a plurality of functions, a list  24  for displaying a list of information (transaction information) of the products registered as the purchase targets by the purchaser, a subtotal display area  26  for displaying the number of products registered in the list  24  and the subtotal amount of the products, and the like are provided. 
     In the product registration device  10  of the embodiment, a PRODUCT EXCHANGE key  22 A is set in the function keys  22 . The PRODUCT EXCHANGE key  22 A is a key for instructing (declaring) selection of a product to be exchanged with the points possessed by the purchaser from the products displayed on the list  24 . 
     In a state where the registration screen D 1  is displayed, the CPU  11   a  waits for an event such as reading the card by the card reader and writer  11   m,  a touch operation to the product key  20  displayed on the screen of the touch panel  11   g,  a touch operation to the subtotal key for instructing settlement processing by closing accounting, input of a product code by the scanner  11   f,  and the like. 
     For example, in a case of using the points as a part of the price or intending to exchange the product using the point, the purchaser provides the point card or a membership card to the store clerk. The store clerk causes the card reader and writer  11   m  to read the point card or the membership card. When the points recorded on the point card is input through the card reader and writer  11   m  (Yes in Act  2 ), the CPU  11   a  records the points in the RAM  11   c  (Act  3 ). When the membership ID is read from the membership card through the card reader and writer  11   m,  the CPU  11   a  requests the server  14  to transmit member data recorded in association with the membership ID. When the member data is received from the server  14  (Yes in Act  2 ), the CPU  11   a  causes the RAM  11   c  to store data indicating the points included in the received data (Act  3 ). 
     Input of points possessed by the purchaser can be executed at any time as long as it is before the operation (accounting closure) to the subtotal key. When the points of the purchaser are input, the CPU  11   a  can display the number of points on the registration screen D 1 . 
     On the other hand, when it is detected that a product is designated from the product key  20  by the store clerk or the product code attached to the product is read from the scanner  11   f  (Yes in Act  5 ), the CPU  11   a  adds (updates) the product information (product name, unit price (amount), and the like) to the registration product data (Act  6 ). The CPU  11   a  updates display of the list  24  on the registration screen D 1  according to the contents of the updated registration product data (Act  7 ). Thereafter, as described above, the CPU  11   a  sequentially adds information on the product corresponding to the acquired product code to the registration product data every time the store clerk inputs the product targeted for purchase (Acts  5  to  7 ). 
     In the list  24  of the registration screen D 1  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , for example, a state in which one “PRODUCT E”, one “PRODUCT F”, two “PRODUCT I”, and four “PRODUCT E” are input is indicated. In the list  24 , the amount is displayed for each product. In the subtotal display area  26 , the score “8 PCS” of the registered purchased product displayed in the list  24  and the subtotal amount “5,230¥” are displayed. 
     The CPU  11   a  causes the customer screen  11   h  including the same information as the list  24  and the subtotal display area  26  to be displayed on the registration screen D 1  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     Thus, after at least one product is registered, it is possible to set the registered purchased product as a target for product exchange using points in response to a request from the purchaser. When a request for product exchange by the points and designation of the product targeted for exchange from the purchaser, the store clerk can set the product to be exchanged with the points by operating the PRODUCT EXCHANGE key  22 A. 
     For example, after any purchased product is designated by the touch operation to the position where the purchased product displayed in the list  24  or by the operation to the keyboard, when it is determined that the operation to the PRODUCT EXCHANGE key  22 A is detected (Yes in Act  8 ), the CPU  11   a  determines that the product exchange by the points is instructed. The CPU  11   a  selects the purchased product selected in the list  24  (hereinafter, may be referred to as a specific product) as a target for exchange with the points (Act  9 ). 
     Here, the CPU  11   a  determines whether or not the specific item can be exchanged with the points based on a preset condition. As the preset condition, for example, a condition that it is not an exchangeable product such as a cash voucher sale product, for example, that it is not a product whose unit price (amount) is provided as “0 yen” for promotion such as a promotion declared product, a condition that it is the amount that can be exchanged by the points possessed by the purchaser and the like are included. Other conditions may be set. 
     The amount that can be exchanged by the points possessed by the purchaser is determined according to the amount for the preset points. For example, when the points product exchange rate is set to “1 yen” for 1 point, the product of which the price (amount) is equal to or less than the points possessed by the purchaser can be exchanged for the points. 
     When the points possessed by the purchaser are designated to use for ordinary payment (point payment) by points rather than product exchange, the CPU  11   a  determines whether or not point exchange including the points used for this payment is possible. 
     That is, when the following condition regarding the points is satisfied, it is possible to exchange the product by the points. 
     Amount of specific product (number×unit price)≤(number of points possessed by purchaser−number of points for point payment)×(point product exchange rate) 
     In the embodiment, the product targeted for exchange is selected from the list  24 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in the list  24 , when a plurality of identical products are registered, the plurality of identical products are displayed as one product (one row). For that reason, a plurality of identical products are collectively handled as a target to be exchanged (specific product) with points. In the list  24  of the registration screen D 1  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , for example, a state in which two “PRODUCT I” are designated by the store clerk&#39;s operation is indicated. In this case, two “PRODUCT I” (price “1000¥”) become the target to be exchanged (specific product) with points. When a plurality of identical products are purchased, it becomes possible to designate a specific product targeted for exchange with the points from the plurality of identical products by registering the products in units of products (one or plural) targeted for exchange with the points. 
     When the points possessed by the purchaser is already input, the CPU  11   a  may display the products that can be exchanged with points among the purchased products displayed in the list  24  in a form different from that of the product that makes point exchange impossible, based on the determination result based on the conditions described above. For example, as a display form, it is possible to use a method such as changing a character color or a background color and adding a specific mark or symbol in association with the product name. 
     With this configuration, when a specific product targeted for product exchange is designated from the list  24 , it is possible to identify in advance whether the product requested for the exchange target from the purchaser is exchangeable, and it is possible to facilitate the operation of selecting the specific product from the plurality of purchased product. 
     As a result of determining whether or not the specific product described above is exchangeable for points, when it is determined that it is not possible to exchange the specific product with the points (No in Act  10 ), the CPU  11   a  displays an error indication on the touch panel  11   g  (or outputting an error sound or the like) to notify that the product exchange setting could not be made, for example. Thereafter, the CPU  11   a  returns to the state of product registration. 
     As a result of determining whether or not the specific item described above can be exchanged for points, when it is determined that the specific product can be exchanged for points (Yes in Act  10 ), the CPU  11   a  updates data on the specific product in the registration product data (Act  6 ). That is, the CPU  11   a  sets the amount of the specific product to “0 yen” and sets information indicating that the product is a target for exchange with the points (Act  6 ). The CPU  11   a  updates display of the list  24  on the registration screen D 1  according to the contents of the updated registration product data (Act  7 ). Here, the CPU  11   a  distinguishes the specific product from other purchased product so as to indicate that the specific merchandise is set as a product (point exchange product) targeted for exchange with the points and displays the specific product. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen D 2  after the specific product used in the product registration device  10  of the embodiment is set. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a display example in which two “PRODUCT I” are set as point exchange products is illustrated, and a specific character string “P EXCHANGE” which clearly indicates that the product is a point exchange product is added to the position indicating the amount of the product instead of displaying the amount. With this configuration, it can be easily recognized that the product is the point exchange product and is out of a calculation target of the total amount. The specific character string is not limited to “P EXCHANGE” but can be arbitrarily changed in the setting processing for the product registration device  10 . 
     In addition to adding a specific character string, other display forms such as adding a mark, a symbol, a figure, and the like or to making the display color of the character and background different from that of other products can be used as the display form for distinguishing the product from other purchased products. 
     The CPU  11   a  does not change the purchase product score “8 pcs” in the subtotal display area  26 , updates the subtotal amount to “4,230¥” obtained by subtracting the amount (“1000 yen”) of the point exchange product, and displays the subtotal amount. 
     The CPU  11   a  causes the customer screen including the same information as the list  24  and the subtotal display area  26  on the registration screen D 2  illustrated in  FIG. 4  to be displayed on the customer display  11   h  for providing information to the purchaser. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer screen D 3  on the display  11   h  of the product registration device  10  of the embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , on the customer screen D 3 , a list  30  for displaying a list of information (transaction information) of the products registered as the purchase targets, a product information display area  34  for displaying the product name, the unit price, the quantity, and the amount of the product registered in the list  30 , a subtotal display area  32  for displaying the number of purchased product and the subtotal amount, and the like are provided. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when the point exchange product is set, in the list  30 , similar to the list  24 , the point exchange product is distinguished from other purchased products and displayed so as to indicate that the point exchange product is set. That is, instead of displaying the amount, a specific character string “P EXCHANGE” indicating that the product is the point exchange product is added. In the product information display area  34 , the product name (“PRODUCT I”) and the quantity (“2”) of the product which is set as the point exchange product are displayed and the specific character string “P EXCHANGE” is displayed in the display area of the amount. In addition, in the subtotal display area  32 , the subtotal amount is updated to “4,230¥” obtained by subtracting the amount of the point exchange product (“1000 yen”) and the subtotal amount is displayed. 
     With this configuration, the purchaser can confirm that the exchange product with the points possessed according to the request is correctly set based on the customer screen D 3  displayed on the display  11   h.    
     Thus, after at least one product is registered, when it is determined that a touch operation to the subtotal key is detected (Yes in Act  4 ), the CPU  11   a  generates settlement information for settlement processing based on the contents registered in the registration product data (Act  11 ). When the operation necessary for the settlement processing is completed, the CPU  11   a  executes the settlement processing (Act  12 ). That is, the CPU  11   a  executes processing according to a payment method such as cash payment, credit card payment, and the like, and completes settlement. Then, the CPU  11   a  causes the printer  11   jh  to print a receipt of the result of the settlement processing and causes the receipt to be ejected (Act  13 ). 
     The CPU  11   a  records the contents of transaction whose settlement processing is completed as journal data (Act  14 ). In the journal data, setting contents of the point exchange product described above and settlement information according to setting of the point exchange product are included. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of a receipt P 1  issued in the product registration device  10  in the embodiment. 
     In the receipt P 1  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when the purchased products include the point exchange product, in the list of the purchased products, the same specific character string “P Exchange”  40  as that of the list  24  is printed at the printing position of the amount corresponding to the point exchange product, instead of printing the amount. Thus, since the point exchange product is displayed to be distinguished from the other purchase products in the receipt P 1 , the purchaser can confirm the content of settlement including the point exchange product. 
     In the receipt P 1 , in addition to printing a specific character string “P Exchange”  40  as a printing form for distinguishing the point exchange product from other purchased products, it is also possible to use another printing form. It is also possible to use a form different from the list  24  on the registration screen D 2 . For example, displaying of the specific character string on the list  24  may be different from printing of the specific character on the receipt P 1 . 
     In the receipt P 1 , data on points is printed. As data relating to points, for example, the number of points  42  of this time point provided to the purchaser by this settlement (product purchase), the number of points  44  of exchange points used by product exchange, the number of points  46  of use point used as a part of price, and the number of points  48  of accumulated points possessed by the purchaser after settlement processing are included. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , since the number of points  44  of the exchange points is independently printed, it is possible to clearly ascertain the number of points used by the product exchange. 
     Although  FIG. 6  illustrates an example of the receipt P 1 , the product registration device  10  can print journal data on a receipt and output the journal data. In this case, the product registration device  10  can print information relating to the point exchange product using a printing format similar to the receipt P 1  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , for example. Output of the number of points is not limited to the receipt P 1 , and may be appropriately displayed on the display  11   h  for the customer or the display  11   g  for the employee, as needed. 
     Furthermore, in order to inspect a transaction status, the product registration apparatus  10  can execute inspection report processing of printing data obtained by summarizing the transaction status on the receipt and outputting the data. The inspection report includes, for example, a report by each transaction, a report by each product, and a report by each category. In this case, it is possible to totalize data on product exchange and print data. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of an inspection report P 2  of the product registration device  10  in the embodiment. 
     In the inspection report P 2  illustrated in  FIG. 7 , totalization information  50  to  56  for each of the charges, the promotion discount, the discount/total of discount, and the discount coupon difference is printed, for example. In the totalization information  50  to  56 , for example, the total score and the total amount of the targeted products are printed. Furthermore, totalization information  58  is also printed for product exchanges. In the totalization information  58 , for example, a total score  58 A of the products targeted for product exchange (point exchange product) and a total amount  58 B of the products exchanged with the points (point exchange product) are printed. 
     Thus, in the inspection report P 2 , it is possible to output information on the product exchange to be distinguished from information on other transaction information in the result of totalizing a plurality of transactions. Output of the number of products exchanged with the points is not limited to the inspection report P 2  and may be displayed on any one of the display  11   h  for the customer, the display  11   g  for the employee, and the receipt P 1 . 
     By doing as described above, in the product registration device  10  according to the embodiment, when the product is exchanged using the point service or the point service, in the list  24  and the list  30 , it is possible to display the exchange product to be distinguished from another purchased product. After settlement processing, it is possible to print the exchange product (point exchange product) to be distinguished from other purchased products in the same manner, even in the record P 1 , the journal data, and the inspection report P 2 . 
     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. 
     Processing described in the embodiment described above can be provided to various devices by being written in various recording media such as a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk, and the like), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, and the like), and semiconductor memory as a program that can be executed on a computer. The program can also be provided to various devices by being transmitted through a communication medium. The computer reads a program recorded on a recording medium or receives a program via the communication medium, and the operation is controlled by the program to thereby execute the processing described above.