Management device for retail transaction processing systems and method

A retail transaction processing system, comprising:

• a merchandise registration unit including:
• a product scanner, and
• a registration display device;
• a first checkout unit including:
• a first checkout display device, and
• a first payment processing device;
• a second checkout unit including:
• a second checkout display device, and
• a second payment processing device;
• a management device including:
• a first connection interface connected to the merchandise registration unit,
• a second connection interface connected to the first checkout unit,
• a third connection interface connected to the second checkout unit, and
• a processor configured to:
• control the merchandise registration unit via the first connection interface to perform a merchandise registration process of a sales transaction,
• select between the first checkout unit and the second checkout out unit for a settlement process of the sales transaction, and
• control the selected one of the first and second checkout units to perform the settlement process for the sales transaction.

A method for a retail transaction processing system, the method comprising:

• establishing, in a management device, a first virtual checkout device corresponding to a first checkout unit connected to the management device via a first checkout interface connection;
• establishing, in the management device, a second virtual checkout device corresponding to a second checkout unit connected to the management device via a second checkout interface connection;
• controlling a merchandise registration unit via a first connection interface to perform a merchandise registration process of a sales transaction;
• selecting between the first checkout unit and the second checkout out unit for a settlement process of the sales transaction;
• and
• controlling the selected one of the first and second checkout units to perform the settlement process for the sales transaction via the corresponding one of the first and second virtual checkout devices.