JPH05242359A - Check-out system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Labor saving is possible while reducing the waiting time at the time of settlement. [Constitution] The customer reads the bar code displayed on each product desired to be purchased by the scanner device 54 of the hammer scanner 40. Then, the read information about each product is registered in the RAM 84 of the hammer scanner 40 and printed by the receipt printer 58. After checking the printed receipt and confirming that the desired product has been registered correctly, go to the settlement terminal 420, and hit the hammer scanner 40.
When the connector 76 of is connected to the connector 92 of the settlement terminal 420, the purchased product information in the RAM 84 of the hammer scanner 40 is output to the outside of the hammer scanner 40 by the output unit 114 and is input to the inside of the settlement terminal 420 by the input unit 116. The settlement processing unit 118 performs a predetermined settlement process.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a checkout system used for point-of-sale management, etc. in mass retailers, convenience stores, home centers, department stores, etc., and particularly by reading a barcode attached to a product with a scanner. , Checkout system that allows customers to obtain information about purchased products.

[0002] Conventionally, in the distribution business, especially in a store that sells products to general customers, it is necessary to calculate the total price of each product that the customer intends to purchase, receive money, calculate change, and settle payment. The time and effort required are problems, and POs that can perform these processes efficiently
The introduction of the S system (point-of-sale system) is being actively promoted.

In the POS system, in general, each product is provided with a barcode for each product, and P is provided at a predetermined position.
The OS terminal and cashier are arranged, and when the cashier reads the code of each product that the customer wants to purchase with the scanner, the terminal immediately displays and prints out the product name and price, and scanning is completed for all products and the total. When a key is pressed, the terminal automatically calculates and displays the total amount, and when the customer gives out money, when the amount is entered, the terminal automatically calculates and displays the change, and the cashier immediately The exact fishing can be given to the customer. In addition, based on the product code read by the POS terminal, the product sales status is automatically managed by month, day, time, etc., and the sales status is displayed and printed out according to the manager's request. Has also introduced a system that has the function of automatically ordering short items to manufacturers, distribution centers, headquarters, etc. via external lines.

By the way, in recent years, due to intensifying competition for customer acquisition, mass retailers tend to become large in scale, and convenience stores are generally open all night, but on the other hand, securing labor is extremely high. It's getting harder. Even if the number of POS terminals installed is large enough to fit the scale of the store, if there is not enough manpower, there will be unused POS terminals that are not spares, which will result in wasted capital investment, and even if it is a little crowded, there will be cashier POS terminals. Customers are concentrated on the terminal, creating a long queue. Therefore, how to achieve both improvement of customer service and labor saving is an important issue common to each store. The present invention has been made in order to meet such a demand, and in particular, it is possible to reduce the manpower while reducing the waiting time at the time of settlement of the customer.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a POS system capable of efficiently registering and paying for a customer's purchased merchandise has become widespread in the distribution business, particularly in mass retailers, convenience stores, department stores and the like. According to this POS system,
Customers can easily enter the product name and price of the product they are trying to purchase using a barcode, calculate the total amount and change with one touch, and display the product name and price of the purchased product, issue receipts, and sell It is also possible to manage the situation.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic configuration of a conventional general POS system. A plurality of POS terminals 10, 12, ..., Which are respectively installed at predetermined locations in the store, are connected to a host computer 32 via a premises line 30. Each POS
The terminals 10, 12, ...
・ ・ Is provided. The host computer 32 has
A product master file in which a product name and a price are associated with a product code and a sales master file for managing the sales situation are provided.

[0007] When a customer puts a product to be purchased in a shopping cart and comes to the POS terminal 10, the PO
The cashier of the S terminal 10 reads the barcode (product code such as JAN code) attached to the product with the scanner 20. Based on the read product code, the POS terminal 10 sends the product code together with the device number of the POS terminal 10 to the host computer 32 via the premises line 30, and the host computer 32 refers to the product master file and identifies the product name. The price is checked and returned to the POS terminal 10 indicated by the device number. The POS terminal 10 registers the product name and price in the memory, and at the same time, displays and prints out a receipt.

[0008] For all the products in the shopping cart,
When the cashier presses the total key after performing the same processing, the POS terminal 10 sums up the prices of all the products registered in the memory, displays the total price, prints out, and the customer pays. Then, when the deposit key is pressed after inputting the amount, the POS terminal 10 subtracts the total amount from the deposit to calculate the change, and displays and prints out. After the cashier gives the change and the receipt printed out this time to the customer, when he presses the end key, the sales data about this customer is read from the memory,
It is sent to the host computer 32 via the premises line 30, and the host computer 32 registers it in the sales master file.

In this way, the cashier simply scans the barcode attached to the product with the scanner to automatically register, display, and print out the product name and price, and when the total key is pressed, Since the total amount is automatically calculated, displayed, and printed out, it is possible to relatively easily perform the registration / settlement process of the product that the customer intends to purchase.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional POS system, all the registration / settlement processing of the product the customer intends to purchase is done by the cashier.
It is done by operating the terminal, and the burden of cashier especially when registering products is large, and when the store is crowded with customers, a long queue is created and the waiting time at the time of settlement becomes long, customer service However, there was a problem that Moreover, in the current situation where it is difficult to secure personnel, the cashier staff is chronically short, and even if the PO in the store
Even if the number of installed S terminals is sufficient, not only the above-mentioned deterioration of customer service but also an empty PO that is not a spare
There was a problem that S-terminals were generated and the capital investment wasted. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a checkout system capable of saving labor while reducing the waiting time at the time of customer settlement.

[0011]

FIG. 1 illustrates the principle of the present invention. Reference numeral 40 is a hammer scanner that the customer carries around while shopping, 54 is a scanner device for reading the bar code displayed on the product, 84 is a RAM for registering the information on the purchased product read by the scanner device, and 58 is for the scanner device. The receipt printer 114 prints out the information about the purchased product, and the output unit 114 outputs the information about the purchased product registered in the RAM to the outside through the connector 76. On the other hand, 420 is a settlement terminal installed at a predetermined location in the store, and 92 is a connector that can be detachably connected to the connector 76 of the hammer scanner.
16 is a hammer scanner 40 coupled to the connector 76
An input unit for inputting more information about purchased products, and a payment processing unit 118 for performing a predetermined payment process based on the input information.

[0012]

When the customer wants to purchase one or more products, the scanner 54 of the hammer scanner 40 reads the bar code displayed on each product. Then, the read information about each purchased product is registered in the RAM 84 in the hammer scanner 40 and printed out by the receipt printer 58. After checking the printed receipt and confirming that each purchased product to be purchased has been correctly registered, the user goes to the settlement terminal 420 and inserts the connector 76 of the hammer scanner 40 into the settlement terminal 4
20 connectors 92. Then, the output unit reads out the information on the purchased product registered in the RAM 84 of the hammer scanner 40 via the connector 76.
On the side of the settlement terminal 420, the input unit 116 inputs information regarding the purchased product via the connector 76, and the settlement processing unit 118 performs predetermined settlement processing.

As a result, by using the hammer scanner 40, the customer can complete the registration for the purchased merchandise by himself / herself, so that the processing load on the settlement terminal 420 is greatly reduced, and even if the store is crowded, the settlement terminal 420 can be used. A long queue does not occur at 420, and the required number of staff at the store can be reduced by the burden of registration processing by the customer, and the number of payment terminals 420 installed can be reduced. Further, when the customer registers the purchased merchandise, the purchase contents are printed out, so that it is possible to confirm whether the purchase has been correctly registered, and the customer can feel secure in the settlement process.

A magnetic card reader for reading a customer card for card settlement is added to the hammer scanner, and the information about the customer read by the magnetic card reader is registered in the RAM together with the information about the purchased product read by the scanner device. When connected to the automatic settlement terminal, the automatic settlement terminal inputs information about customers and information about purchased products, and performs automatic settlement processing by card payment in cooperation with the host computer. As a result, customers can quickly receive payment for purchased products without giving or receiving money, further shorten the waiting time at the automatic payment terminal, and eliminate or greatly reduce cashier. ..

A magnetic card reader for reading a customer card for card payment is added to the automatic settlement terminal, and the automatic settlement terminal inputs information about the customer read by the magnetic card reader and purchase from a hammer scanner connected to the automatic settlement terminal. Automatic payment processing by card payment is performed in cooperation with the host computer based on the information about the product. This also allows customers to quickly receive payment for purchased products without giving or receiving money, further reducing the waiting time at the automatic payment terminal, and eliminating or greatly reducing cashiers. You can

The automatic settlement terminal is provided with a ten-key for inputting a personal identification number, and the personal identification number entered with the ten-key is compared with the personal identification number contained in the information about the customer read from the customer card. Allow the prescribed automatic payment process for payment. As a result, it is possible to prevent fraudulent payment with a customer card of another person.

A stamp device is added to the hammer scanner, and a predetermined stamp is put on the product after reading the bar code. As a result, the customer can easily confirm whether or not the desired product is already registered in the hammer scanner, and it is possible to prevent an error such as double registration or non-registration.

[0018]

2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, in which the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 40 denotes a hammer scanner as an example of a portable registration device, which allows only a specific customer who has a card settlement contract with a card company to register the purchased merchandise by himself / herself. 42-1 and 42-2 are automatic settlement terminals, respectively, which are installed near the entrance / exit of the store, and the hammer scanner 4
When 0s are combined, automatic settlement processing is performed by a predetermined card payment in cooperation with the host computer. 44-1, 4
Reference numeral 4-2 is an automatic gate provided in each automatic settlement terminal, and the gate is opened and closed according to a command from the corresponding automatic settlement terminal. 46 is an automatic settlement terminal 42-
1, 42-2 is a host computer connected to
When the customer's credit inquiry is received from each automatic settlement terminal, the host computer of the card company (not shown) is connected via an external line.
Inquires about the result, returns the result to the automatic settlement terminal, and performs card payment. Also, when the product name and price are inquired from each automatic settlement terminal by the product code, the product master file provided in the host computer is referenced,
The product name and price are notified, and when sales data is sent from the automatic settlement terminal, it is registered in the sales master file provided in the host computer.

3 to 5 are external views of the hammer scanner 40 as seen from each direction. In these figures, 50 is the head portion of the hammer scanner, and 52 is the laser formed on the front face 50A of the head portion. A mouth 54 is a scanner device built in near the tip of the head portion, which emits a laser beam from the laser mouth to the outside to read the bar code displayed on each product the customer is going to purchase. 56 is a stamping device that is installed side by side with the scanner device and presses a predetermined stamp (for example, "done") on the product, and 58 is the top surface 50B of the head portion.
Is a receipt printer that is provided on the side of and prints out a pair of product name and price as information about each purchased product read by the scanner device.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a magnetic card reader (MCR) provided on the side surface 50C of the head portion for reading a magnetic card as a customer card, and 62 denotes the side surface 50C.
It is a groove formed on the surface of which the magnetic card is inserted.
Reference numeral 64 denotes an operation unit provided on the side surface 50C, which has a power key 66, a registration key 68, and a return key 70. Inside the head unit 50, a memory, a CPU, etc. are built in as described later. 72 is a grip portion, 74 is a battery device built in the grip portion, 76 is provided at the lower end of the grip portion, and is detachably coupled to an automatic settlement terminal described later,
It is a connector for outputting information about customers and information about purchased products read from a magnetic card. Reference numeral 78 denotes a display unit which is provided on the rear end surface 50D of the head unit and which displays a pair of the latest product name and price read by the scanner device.

FIG. 6 is an electrical configuration diagram of the hammer scanner 40. Reference numeral 80 is a CPU for controlling the hammer scanner as a whole, and 82 is a ROM. The ROM has a program for controlling the hammer scanner and a store. Stores a product file that associates product codes, product names, and prices for all or most of the products. 84 is RA
In the RAM, it is possible to register the information about the purchased product read by the scanner device and the information about the customer read by the magnetic card reader. 86 is an interface for exchanging data with the outside,
A connector 76 is connected to the interface. Reference numeral 88 denotes a bus, which includes CPU 80, ROM 82, RA
In addition to the M84 and the interface 86, the scanner device 54, the stamp device 56, the receipt printer 58, the magnetic card reader 60, the operation unit 64, the battery device 74, and the display unit 78 are connected. Regarding the product file, a slot may be connected to the bus 88 so that the card memory containing the product file can be detachably connected.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the automatic settlement terminal 42-1 will be described. Reference numeral 90 is an insertion hole for inserting the tip of the grip portion of the hammer scanner, and 92 is a connector, which is detachable from the connector 76 of the hammer scanner. Can be combined. Reference numeral 94 denotes a display, which displays the total amount of purchased products, whether or not card settlement is possible, the result of automatic settlement processing, and the like. Reference numeral 96 is a ten-key pad for the customer to input a personal identification number, 98 is a receipt printer, and 100 is a keyboard operated by an attendant in a specific case, which has a settlement key, a deposit input key, and the like.

FIG. 8 is an electrical configuration diagram of the automatic settlement terminal 42-1. Reference numeral 102 is a CPU that controls the automatic settlement terminal as a whole, and 104 is a memory. The memory controls the automatic settlement terminal. The program is stored, and the information about the customer, the information about purchased products, etc. input from the hammer scanner can be temporarily registered. 106 is an interface for exchanging data and the like with a hammer scanner, 108 is an interface for communicating with the host computer 46 in the store, 1
Reference numeral 10 denotes a coupling detection unit that detects that the hammer scanner 40 is coupled to the connector 92, and outputs a coupling detection signal to the CPU 102 via the interface 106. Reference numeral 112 denotes a bus, which includes the CPU 102 and the memory 10.
4, the interfaces 106 and 108, the display 94, the ten-key pad 96, the receipt printer 98, the keyboard 100, and the automatic gate 44-1 are also connected.
The automatic settlement terminal 42-2 has the same configuration as that of 42-1.

9 and 10 are flow charts showing the operation of the hammer scanner 40, and FIGS. 11 to 13 are automatic settlement terminals 42-.
3 is a flowchart showing the operations of Nos. 1 and 42-2, which will be described below with reference to these figures. A customer who wants to register a purchased product by using the hammer scanner 40, first holds the shopping cart and the hammer scanner 40, and first presses the power key 66. Then, the CPU 80 supplies the battery device 68 to each unit and brings it into an operable state (step 201 in FIG. 9,
202).

In this state, it waits until the magnetic card is loaded on the magnetic card reader 60 (step 203). When the customer inserts the magnetic card into the groove 62 of the head unit 50, the magnetic card reader 60 reads the recorded data of the magnetic card, and the CPU 80 checks whether the read recorded data is usable in the store (steps 204, 20).
5) If the card cannot be used, the display section 78 displays "unusable" (step 206) and returns to step 203 without waiting for the subsequent steps to wait for the insertion of the correct card. This can prevent a customer who cannot make a card payment from using the hammer scan 40. If it is usable in step 205, the content read from the magnetic card is registered in the RAM 84 as customer information (step 207). The customer information includes a personal identification number, a card company number, a customer's card company member number, and the like.

In this state, if there is a product to be purchased, the registration key 68 is pressed. Then, the CPU 80 activates the scanner device 54 (steps 208, 20).
9). At this time, the laser beam is emitted from the laser port 52 to the outside. Then, the laser port 5 of the hammer scanner 40 is added to the bar code displayed on the product the customer desires to purchase.
2 is applied and becomes readable, the scanner device 5
4 reads the barcode, RAM8 as the product code
4 (steps 210 and 211). At this time, C
The PU 80 refers to the product file in the ROM 82, and if there is the same code, reads out the product name and price, and registers the product name and price in the RAM 84 in association with the previously registered product code (step 212, see FIG. 7). Subsequently, when the product name and price of the product registered this time are known, the CPU 80 displays them on the display unit 78, such as "canned food" and "75 yen" (step 213, FIG. 5). Then, the receipt printer 58 prints (step 214). Then, the stamp device 56 is used to stamp the product with a mark of "done" (step 21).
5).

By printing the product name and price on the receipt printer 58 and displaying the product name and price on the display unit 78, the customer can confirm whether or not the product to be purchased is correctly registered in the hammer scanner 40, and also the price. I can confirm. In addition, since the “completed” mark is put on the registered product, it is easy to confirm whether the product is a registered product or an unregistered product. If the product registered this time does not exist in the product file, the product name and price are displayed and printed out as “**” and “*”.
* ”. As a result, it is understood that a certain product has been registered although the product name and price are unknown.

When the customer still has another product to purchase, the laser port 52 is again applied to the bar code displayed on the unregistered product, and the scanner device 54 reads the bar code to read the product code. As the code existing in the product file, the product name and the price are also registered as a pair (step 210).
212 to 212), when the product name and the price are discriminated, the product name is displayed on the display unit 78 and is printed by the receipt printer 58. When they are not discriminated, the product name is "*".
* "And the price as" ** "are displayed and printed out (steps 213 and 214). Then, the stamp device 56 stamps "done" on the product registered this time (step 215).

If there is a product that has been double-registered by mistake, or if there is a product that you want to cancel after purchasing once, the return key 70 is pressed and the laser port 52 is displayed on the bar code of the product. Guess Then, if the scanner device 54 reads the bar code, the CPU 80 causes the RAM 8 to operate.
4 is searched for one registered merchandise with the same code, and if it exists, deregistration processing of the merchandise code, merchandise name, and price relating to the one registered merchandise is performed (steps 301 to 30 in FIG. 10).
4). Furthermore, the corresponding product code is searched from the product file in the ROM 82, and if it exists, the product name and price are underlined and displayed on the display unit 78, for example, " canned food " and " 75 yen". Receipt printer 5
If the corresponding product code does not exist, it is displayed and printed out as " ** " and " ** " so that the customer can confirm that the registration has been deleted (steps 305 and 306). ). Then, the CPU 80 returns to step 210 of FIG. If it is determined in step 300 that there is no such item, "not applicable" is displayed on the display unit 78 to indicate that it has not been registered (step 307).

When the registration of all products desired to be purchased is completed as described above, the receipt printer 58
Check if the contents of the receipt printed out in step 1 and the items in the shopping cart match, and if they match, checkout terminal 4
One of 2-1 and 42-2, for example, the settlement terminal 42-1
Then, insert the connector 76 of the hammer scanner 40 into the insertion hole 90, and connect it with the connector 92. Then, the bond detector 110 detects the bond of the hammer scanner 40 and outputs a bond detection signal to the CPU 102. The CPU 102 that has input the coupling detection signal is
Through the CPU 80 of the hammer scanner 40 to transfer the customer information registered in the RAM 84 and the information regarding the purchased product, and temporarily register it in the memory 104 (steps 308, 309 in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11). Steps 401-403).

Next, the CPU 102 causes the display 94
Is displayed to prompt the customer to input the personal identification number, and then the input of the personal identification number by the ten-key pad 96 is waited (steps 404 and 405). When the customer inputs the personal identification number with the numeric keypad 96, the CPU 102 compares the personal identification number of the customer information previously registered in the memory 104 with the personal identification number (step 406), and if not, “the number is different. Is displayed (step 407),
When the password is prompted again and if there is a mismatch for three consecutive times, it is suspected that the customer is a legitimate customer, so predetermined error handling is performed, and "Please wait for the staff to come" is displayed on the display 94. The host computer 46 is notified of the occurrence of the error and the attendant is called (steps 408 and 409).

If they match in step 406, the CP
U102 searches the purchased product information registered in the memory 104 for a product whose product name and price are unknown, and if there is, notifies the host computer 46 of the product code and the device number of the settlement terminal 42-1. The host computer 46 refers to the product master file to read the product name and price of the product code, and returns the product name and price to the settlement terminal 42-1. When the payment terminal 42-1 inputs the product name and the price, it is additionally registered as information on the corresponding product in the memory 104 (step 410). In the same manner, if the product names and prices of all the purchased products registered in the memory 104 are known, the CPU 102 calculates the total price of all the purchased products registered in the memory 104 and registers them in the memory 104. (Step 411) The host computer 46 is notified of the card company code in the customer information, the member number of the customer at the card company, the previously calculated total purchase amount, and the device number of the automatic settlement terminal 42-1. Then, the credit inquiry and the card settlement are requested (step 412).

The host computer 46 sends the membership number to the host computer of the card company indicated by the card company code through the external line to make a credential inquiry and to be notified of the credibility frame and the like. If the credit limit is equal to or more than the total purchase amount, card payment can be made. Therefore, the card company is notified of the member number and the payment amount, and the card is automatically debited. To notify. If the credit line cannot be settled for some reason, such as when the credit limit is less than the total purchase amount, the fact is notified to the automatic settlement terminal 42-1 and the staff is called.

When the card is settled, the CPU 102 of the automatic settlement terminal 42-1 causes the display 94 to display "settlement completed" (steps 501 and 502 in FIG. 12),
The receipt printer 98 is used to print the content of the purchased merchandise information in the memory 104 and the total amount (step 503), and the automatic gate 44-1 is controlled to open the gate so that the customer can pass through it (step 504). ). Then, the CPU 102 notifies the host computer 46 of the current purchased product information, and causes the host computer 46 to register in the sales master file (step 50).
5). The customer who receives the receipt removes the hammer scanner 40 from the checkout terminal 42-1 and presses the power key 66 to turn off the power, and after passing through the automatic gate 44-1, places the shopping cart and the hammer scanner 40 at a predetermined location. .. After confirming that the customer has passed through the gate, the CPU 102 controls the automatic gate 44-1 to close the gate (steps 506 and 507). Then, after confirming that the hammer scanner 40 has been removed from the output of the combination detecting unit 110 (step 508), the process returns to step 401 in FIG.

When making a credit card payment, the host computer 46 calculates the difference between the credit line and the total purchase amount, and sends the result to the automatic settlement terminal 42-1 and the receipt printer 9
When printing the content of the purchased product in 8, the credit balance may be printed. In this way, when the legitimate customer correctly inputs the personal identification number and there is a prediction of the total purchase amount or more, the payment terminal 42-1 and the host computer 46 cooperate with each other to automatically perform card payment in a very short time. Since the settlement process is completed, the customer does not have to wait at the automatic settlement terminal even in the case of congestion, and the cashier's hands are not bothered, so that a large labor saving can be achieved.

When the card payment is impossible, the clerk comes to the automatic settlement terminal 42-1 and uses the keyboard 10
Press the 0 settlement key. Then, the CPU 102 causes the total amount registered in the memory 104 to be displayed on the display 94 (steps 501, 509, 510 in FIG. 12), and if the customer pays, the attendant uses the keyboard 1 for the amount.
Input using the deposit input key including the numeric keypad of 00. Then, the CPU 102 calculates the difference from the total amount as change and displays it on the display 94 (step 51).
1, 512), the receipt printer 98, and the memory 10
The contents of the purchased product information of 4, the total amount, the deposit amount, and the change are printed (step 503). Then, the automatic gate 44-1 is controlled to open the gate so that the customer can pass through (step 504). Then, the CPU 102
Informs the host computer 46 of the current purchased product information, and causes the host computer 46 to register in the sales master file (step 505).

The customer who received the change and the receipt removes the hammer scanner 40 from the automatic settlement terminal 42-1.
Press the power key 66 to turn off the power, and the automatic gate 44
After passing -1, the shopping cart and the hammer scanner 40 are placed in a predetermined place. After confirming that the customer has passed through the gate, the CPU 102 controls the automatic gate 44-1 to close the gate (steps 506 and 507). Then, from the output of the combination detection unit 110, the hammer scanner 4
After confirming that 0 has been removed (step 508),
Returning to step 401 in FIG. As a result, even if the card payment is impossible, the automatic gate 44-1 is closed, so that the customer can be surely settled by cash, and the personnel can spend a little time in a short time. The payment process can be completed within a minute, and the customer does not have to wait long at the automatic payment terminal.

If YES in step 408 of FIG. 11, the clerk who received the call is the automatic settlement terminal 42.
Press the -1 settlement key to instruct manual settlement. Then, the CPU 102 searches the purchased merchandise information stored in the memory 104 for a merchandise whose product name and price are unknown, and if there is, purchases the merchandise code and the device number of the automatic settlement terminal 42-1 from the host computer 46. The host computer 46 refers to the product master file to read the product name and price of the product code, and returns the product name and price to the automatic settlement terminal 42-1. When the automatic settlement terminal 42-1 inputs the product name and the price, the memory 10
4 is additionally registered as information on the corresponding product (steps 601 and 602 in FIG. 13). If you know the product name and price of all the purchased products registered in the memory 104, C
The PU 102 calculates the total price of all the purchased commodities registered in the memory 104 (step 603), and the display 94
Is displayed (step 510 in FIG. 12).

When the customer has paid out money, the clerk inputs the amount of money using the deposit input keys including the ten keys of the keyboard 100. Then, the CPU 102 calculates the difference from the total amount as change and displays it on the display 94 (steps 411 and 412), and the receipt printer 98.
Then, the contents of the purchased product information in the memory 104, the total amount, the deposit amount, and the change are printed (step 50).
3). Then, the automatic gate 44-1 is controlled to open the gate so that the customer can pass through (step 504).
Then, the CPU 102 notifies the host computer 46 of the current purchased product information, and causes the host computer 46 to register in the sales master file (step 50).
5).

The customer who receives the change and the receipt removes the hammer scanner 40 from the automatic settlement terminal 42-1.
Press the power key 66 to turn off the power, and the automatic gate 44
After passing -1, the shopping cart and the hammer scanner 40 are placed in a predetermined place. After confirming that the customer has passed through the gate, the CPU 102 controls the automatic gate 44-1 to close the gate (steps 506 and 507). Then, from the output of the combination detection unit 110, the hammer scanner 4
After confirming that 0 has been removed (step 508),
Returning to step 401 in FIG. As a result, even if the personal identification numbers do not match, the automatic gate 44-1 is closed, so it is possible to reliably make a cash settlement to the customer, and with a relatively small amount of labor by the staff. The settlement process can be completed in a short time, and the customer does not have to wait long at the automatic settlement terminal.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the card is automatically settled in the normal state, and even when the settling is performed by the operation of the clerk, the labor of the clerk is very small.
One staff member can handle multiple automatic settlement terminals, and even if there is a shortage of manpower, there will be no unused spare terminals. In the embodiment described above, the magnetic card reader is provided on the hammer scanner side, the customer information read from the customer's magnetic card is once registered inside the hammer scanner, and the hammer scanner is connected to the automatic settlement terminal. After that, the customer information was transmitted from the hammer scanner to the automatic settlement terminal, but the magnetic card reader was provided on the automatic settlement terminal side, regardless of whether it was a specific customer or a general customer.
For customers who want to make cash payments, enable customers to register purchased products with a hammer scanner, and only customers who want to pay by credit card can put a magnetic card on the magnetic card reader of the automatic payment terminal to receive automatic payment processing by card payment. In some cases, payment may be made by key operation by a staff member.

Alternatively, the magnetic card may be a prepaid card so that the automatic settlement process can be performed very easily without comparing the personal identification number or making an inquiry to the card company. Further, by sending the total purchase amount obtained at the automatic settlement terminal side to the hammer scanner connected to the automatic settlement terminal and printing it out by the receipt printer (the purchase item information sent from the hammer scanner indicates the product name and price). If you have any questions, before sending the total purchase price, send the unknown product name and price to the receipt printer and print it out), or omit the receipt printer on the automatic settlement terminal side. it can. Also, the total price of the products registered so far can be displayed on the display of the hammer scanner (however, if there is a product for which the price is unknown, "**" is displayed), or the total key is displayed on the operation unit. After the registration is completed for all products that the customer wants to purchase, the total amount may be printed out on the receipt printer when the total key is pressed (however, the product whose price is unknown When there is, it is written as "**"). Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, modified examples, and application examples, the present invention can be modified in various ways according to the gist of the present invention described in the claims, and the present invention does not exclude these. ..

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, a checkout system is constituted by a portable registration device and a settlement terminal device.
When the bar code displayed on each product the customer wishes to purchase is read by the scanner device of the portable registration device, the read information on each purchased product is registered in the memory of the portable registration device and is printed out by the printer. To be done. After checking the printed contents and confirming that the registration is correct, go to the settlement device and connect the connection means of the portable registration device to the connection means of the settlement device. The registered information about the purchased product is read out and output to the settlement device side through the connection means, the information about the purchased product is input through the connection device on the settlement device side, and the predetermined settlement processing is performed by the settlement processing unit. Since it is configured to do so, by using the portable registration device, the customer can complete the registration of the purchased product while shopping,
The processing load on the settlement device is greatly reduced, and even if the store is crowded, there is no long queue in the settlement device.
The number of staff required for the store can be reduced by the burden of registration processing by the customer, and the number of settlement devices installed can be reduced. Further, when the customer registers the purchased merchandise, the purchase contents are printed out, so that it is possible to confirm whether the purchase has been correctly registered, and the customer can feel secure in the settlement process.

Further, a checkout system is constituted by a portable registration device and an automatic settlement device, a card reading means for reading a customer card for card payment is added to the portable registration device, and the customer is read by the card reading means. The information is registered in the memory together with the information about the purchased product read by the scanner device, and when the portable registration device is connected to the automatic settlement device, the automatic settlement device inputs the information about the customer and the information about the purchased product and makes a card payment. Since it is configured to perform automatic payment processing by customers, customers can quickly receive the payment of purchased products without giving or receiving money, and it is possible to further reduce the waiting time at the automatic payment device and the cashier. It can be eliminated or greatly reduced.

Further, a card reading means for reading a customer card for card settlement is added to the automatic settlement device, and the automatic settlement device is provided with the information about the customer read by the card reading means and a portable type connected to the automatic settlement device. Since it is configured to perform automatic payment processing by card payment based on the information on purchased products input from the registration device, customers can quickly receive payment for purchased products without giving and receiving money, and with the automatic payment device The waiting time can be further shortened, and the cashier can be eliminated or greatly reduced.

Further, the automatic settlement device is provided with means for inputting a personal identification number, and the personal identification number entered by the means is compared with the personal identification number contained in the information on the customer read from the customer card. Since it is configured to allow a predetermined automatic settlement process only in card payment, it is possible to prevent unauthorized payment with another customer's customer card.

A stamp device is added to the portable registration device,
Since it is configured to put a predetermined stamp on the product after reading the barcode, the customer can easily confirm whether or not the product desired to be purchased has been registered in the hammer scanner. The occurrence of mistakes can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a hammer scanner.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hammer scanner.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the hammer scanner.

FIG. 6 is an electrical configuration diagram of a hammer scanner.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of information registered in the RAM of the hammer scanner.

FIG. 8 is an electrical configuration diagram of an automatic settlement terminal.

FIG. 9 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the hammer scanner.

FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the hammer scanner.

FIG. 11 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the automatic settlement terminal.

FIG. 12 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the automatic settlement terminal.

FIG. 13 is a third flowchart showing the operation of the automatic settlement terminal.

FIG. 14 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a conventional general POS system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 40, 400 Hammer scanner 42-1, 42-2 Automatic settlement terminal 46 Host computer 54 Scanner device 58 Receipt printer 60 Magnetic card reader 76, 92 Connector 84 RAM 80, 102 CPU 86 106 Interface 114 Output section 116 Input section 118 Settlement processing Department

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A portable registration device (40) and a settlement device (4)
The portable registration device (40) has a scanner device (54) for reading the bar code displayed on the product, and a memory (84) for registering information about the product read by the scanner device (54) in the portable registration device (40). A printer (58) for printing out information about the product read by the scanner device (54), and a means (114) for outputting the information about the product registered in the memory (84) to the outside through the connecting means (76). ) Is provided, and the settlement device (420) is provided with a connecting means (92) removably connectable to the connecting means (76) and a portable registration device (4) connected to the connecting means (92).
0) means for inputting information on products (116)
And a means (118) for performing a predetermined settlement process based on the information about the product. 2. A portable registration device (40) and an automatic checkout device (42-1, 46) are provided, and the portable registration device (40) has a scanner device (54) for reading a bar code displayed on a product. ), A card reading means (60) for reading the record information of the customer card for card payment, and a memory for registering the information about the product read by the scanner device (54) and the information about the customer read by the card reading means (60). (84) and means (80, 86) for outputting the information about the product and the information about the customer registered in the memory (84) to the outside through the connecting means (76), and the automatic settlement device (42-1, A connecting means (92) detachably connectable to the connecting means (76) of the portable registration device (40), and a portable registration device (4) connected to the connecting means (92).
0) means for inputting information about a customer and information about a product, and means (102, 46) for performing a predetermined automatic settlement process by card payment based on information about a customer and information about a product. , A checkout system featuring. 3. A portable registration device (40) and an automatic settlement device, wherein the portable registration device (40) includes a scanner device (54) for reading a bar code displayed on a product, and a scanner device (54). ) Is provided with a memory (84) for registering the information on the product read by (1) and a means (86) for outputting the information on the product registered in the memory (84) to the outside through the connecting means (76). The connecting means (92) is detachably connectable to the connecting means (76) of the portable registration device (40), and the portable registration device (4) connected to the connecting means (92).
0) means for inputting information about products (102, 1)
06), a card reading means for reading recorded information of a customer card for card payment, and means (102, 46) for performing a predetermined automatic settlement process in card payment based on information about a customer and information about a product, Check-out system featuring. 4. The portable registration device (40) is further provided with a printer (58) for printing out information relating to the merchandise read by the scanner device (54). Checkout system. 5. The means (96) for inputting a personal identification number into the automatic settlement device (42-1, 46), and the personal identification number input by the means (96) and the information about the customer read from the customer card. The check-out system according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: means (102) for verifying the personal identification number included in, and permitting a predetermined automatic settlement process in card settlement only when the personal identification numbers match. 6. The portable registration device (40) is provided with a stamp device (56) for pressing a predetermined stamp on a product after reading a barcode, wherein the stamp device (56) is provided. The checkout system according to item 3.