Information processing device and shop support system

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and a shop support system capable of reducing cancellation actions to articles registered as a purchase object.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an information processing device is an information processing device to be made to move together with a customer walking around in a store and to be operated by the customer, and includes first display means for displaying each article registered as a purchase article on a first screen, reception means for receiving registration cancellation operation on the basis of articles displayed on the first screen, second display means for displaying a second screen on which information on an object article to be an object of the cancellation object is selectable between cancellation execution and stopping, and cancellation means for performing processing to cancel the registration of the object article when the cancellation execution is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device and a store support system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, systems have been adopted in stores such as supermarkets that allow customers to register products at the sales floor themselves. As such a system, for example, one that uses a shopping cart equipped with a tablet terminal and a scanner has been proposed.

[0003] In the above system, a customer using a scanner to scan a code symbol such as a barcode (hereinafter also referred to as a "product barcode") attached to a product he or she wishes to purchase at the store's sales floor. The product is registered based on the product code read by the scanner, and the registered product information (product code, product name, price, etc.) is stored in a tablet terminal or a store server. The product information is then transferred to an accounting machine that processes the transaction when the customer pays for the product. The customer makes the payment using the accounting machine that he or she operates.

[0004] Also, a system has been adopted that allows customers to shop using their own smartphones or other customer terminals instead of the tablet terminals and scanners provided by the store. In this system, a shopping application program is installed on the customer's smartphone. Then, the smartphone's camera captures an image of the product barcode and reads the product code.

[0005] In the above-mentioned system, customers can register products by scanning product barcodes while walking around the store, but they can also cancel product registrations. Specifically, after canceling product registration, customers can continue shopping by returning the product to the shelf. However, for stores, if product registrations are easily cancelled, this can lead to a decrease in sales, so reducing the number of cancellations by customers is an issue.

[0006] In addition, a technology has been proposed in the past that detects products that have been taken off the shelf and returned to the shelf, and changes the price of the product when the number of times the product has been avoided reaches a threshold. However, it is difficult to reduce the cancellation behavior of returning a product to the shelf itself. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a store support system capable of reducing cancellation actions of products registered as purchase targets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device of an embodiment is an information processing device that is moved with a customer wandering around a store and operated by the customer, and is equipped with a first display means for displaying a first screen representing each of the products registered as items to be purchased, a reception means for receiving a cancellation operation for a registration based on the products displayed on the first screen, a second display means for displaying information about the target products that are the subject of the cancellation operation on a second screen on which the customer can select whether to execute or cancel the cancellation, and a cancellation means for performing processing to cancel the registration of the target products when execution of the cancellation is selected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a store support system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a main hardware configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the product master according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the terminal management table according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a transaction information management table according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the inventory management table according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a shelved product table according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a hot-selling product table according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of the recommended product table 218 according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main hardware configuration of a customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of a customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the store support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a top screen displayed on the customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the store support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first sales promotion screen displayed on the customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the store support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transaction information screen displayed by the customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second sales promotion screen displayed by the customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the store support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen displayed on the customer terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the store support system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an information processing device and a store support system according to the embodiment will be described. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. Note that product registration refers to storing (registering) information on products purchased by customers.

[0011] Hereinafter, a store support system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a store support system 1. The store support system 1 is used in a store that sells products, such as a supermarket. The store support system 1 has a server device 2 and a mobile self-checkout system 3. The server device 2 and the mobile self-checkout system 3 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0012] The mobile self-checkout system 3 is a system employed in one store, and includes a customer terminal 4 operated by a customer and a billing machine 5. The customer terminal 4 and the billing machine 5 are communicatively connected to each other via an in-store network such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The customer terminal 4 and the billing machine 5 are also communicatively connected to the server device 2 via the in-store network.

[0013] The customer terminal 4 may be capable of communicating with the server device 2 without going through the in-store network. For example, the customer terminal 4 may be communicably connected to the server device 2 via a wide area network such as the Internet or a mobile communication network. In addition, various other devices may be connected to the in-store network. For example, a POS terminal where a store clerk performs operations related to product registration and payment, a self-service POS terminal where a customer performs operations related to product registration and payment, a semi-self-service POS system where a store clerk performs operations related to product registration and a customer performs operations related to payment, etc. may be connected to the in-store network. Furthermore, the number of customer terminals 4 and payment machines 5 is not limited to the example shown in the figure.

[0014] The server device 2 is, for example, a store server. The server device 2 receives information notifying the customer that the customer has entered a store or information notifying the start of a transaction (hereinafter, collectively referred to as store entry information) from the customer terminal 4. The store entry information includes the company code and store code of the store where the customer is located. By receiving the store entry information from the customer terminal 4, the server device 2 can identify the store where the customer terminal 4 is located. The server device 2 issues a terminal code and a transaction code to the customer terminal 4 that has transmitted the store entry information, and transmits them to the customer terminal 4. The terminal code is terminal identification information that identifies the customer terminal 4, and the transaction code is transaction identification information that identifies the transaction. In addition, when the customer terminal 4 is in the form of a terminal device lent to a customer by a store, a terminal code issued in advance may be stored in the customer terminal 4, and the customer terminal 4 may be identified using the terminal code.

[0015] When the customer terminal 4 transmits various information to the server device 2, the customer terminal 4 transmits a terminal code and a transaction code. For example, by transmitting the terminal code, the server device 2 can easily identify the customer terminal 4 that transmitted the information. In this embodiment, multiple transaction codes are not issued to one customer terminal 4 while a customer is shopping. In other words, since there is a one-to-one correspondence between the terminal code and the transaction code, it is possible for either one to have the function of the other.

[0016] Specifically, a transaction can be identified by the terminal code. Therefore, the terminal code is also an example of transaction identification information. Furthermore, the customer terminal 4 can be identified by the transaction code. Therefore, the transaction code is also an example of terminal identification information. Therefore, in the following description, the terminal code and the transaction code can be interchanged as appropriate. Furthermore, the server device 2 may issue only one of the terminal code or the transaction code.

[0017] The server device 2 receives a registration request from the customer terminal 4. The registration request includes a terminal code (and / or a transaction code) and a product code read by the customer terminal 4. The server device 2, which manages product information for each store, reads out product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request received from the customer terminal 4 and registers it as a transaction target. In other words, the server device 2 registers the above product information as part of the transaction information. The transaction information includes various information necessary for a customer to make a payment, such as product information. The product information includes information such as product code, product name, and price. In this way, the server device 2 manages the transaction information in real time for each customer, in other words, for each terminal code.

[0018] The server device 2 also receives a transaction information request from the payment machine 5. The transaction information request is for transaction information to enable a customer to make a payment, and includes a transaction code that identifies the transaction to be paid. Upon receiving the transaction information request, the server device 2 transmits to the payment machine 5 the transaction information of the transaction identified by the transaction code included in the transaction information request.

[0019] The server device 2 may be configured with a plurality of computers. In other words, the functions of the server device 2 may be distributed among a plurality of computers.

[0020] The customer terminal 4 is an example of an information processing device. The customer terminal 4 is a terminal device that is moved by a customer wandering around the store and operated by the customer. For example, the customer terminal 4 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the customer. The customer terminal 4 may also be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone lent to the customer by the store, or a terminal device such as a tablet terminal attached to a shopping cart. In this embodiment, the customer terminal 4 is configured as a smartphone owned by the customer.

[0021] An application program for the mobile self-checkout system is installed in the customer terminal 4. The customer terminal 4 captures an image of a product barcode using an imaging unit 44 (see FIG. 10 ), which will be described later, and reads the product code. The customer terminal 4 transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 2.

[0022] The payment machine 5 is a so-called self-service payment machine that is operated by the customer themselves. The payment machine 5 is equipped with a scanner unit capable of reading code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. The payment machine 5 uses the scanner unit to read a transaction code from a payment barcode (hereinafter also referred to as a payment barcode) displayed on the customer terminal 4. The payment machine 5 sends a transaction information request including the read transaction code to the server device 2.

[0023] When the accounting machine 5 receives transaction information from the server device 2 as a response to the transaction information request, it executes accounting processing based on the transaction information. Accounting processing is processing for making payment for the price of the goods purchased by the customer. In the case of cash payment, accounting processing includes, for example, displaying transaction information, calculating the change amount, and paying out the change, while in the case of cashless payment, accounting processing includes sending and receiving various information with the payment server of the payment service provider. The accounting machine 5 sends and receives various information to and from the server device 2.

[0024] Next, the configurations of the above-mentioned server device 2 and customer terminal 4 will be described.

[0025] First, the server device 2 will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a main hardware configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 20, the storage unit 21, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the communication unit 24 are connected to each other via a bus 25 or the like.

[0026] The control unit 20 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 25.

[0027] The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the server device 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 201, and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and loads various programs and data stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21. The control unit 20 executes various control processes of the server device 2 by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21 and loaded in the RAM 203.

[0028] The storage unit 21 is composed of storage media such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 21 stores a control program 211, a product master 212, a terminal management table 213, a transaction information management table 214, an inventory management table 215, a reshelving product table 216, a best-selling product table 217, and a recommended product table 218.

[0029] The control programs 211 are various programs that can be executed by the CPU 201. For example, the control programs 211 include programs for implementing functional configurations that will be described later.

[0030] The product master 212 is a master file that stores information on products handled at each store. The product master 212 is updated, for example, based on information acquired from each store. Since the products handled at each store change daily, the product master 212 is updated appropriately for each store. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the product master. The product master 212 stores company codes, store codes, product codes, product names, prices, additional information, etc. in association with each other.

[0031] The company code is information that identifies a company that operates a store that uses the store support system 1. The store code is information that identifies a store that uses the store support system 1. When multiple stores in one company use the store support system 1, multiple store codes are associated with the company code.

[0032] A product code is information that identifies a product. Since many products are sold at one store, multiple product codes are associated with a store code. A product name is information that indicates the name of a product. A price is information that indicates the price of a product. A product name and price are associated one-to-one with a product code. Additional information stores additional information about a product. For example, if a product is subject to a discount or reduction in price, the additional information stores information indicating that the product is subject to a discount or reduction in price and information indicating the discount amount or discount rate.

[0033] The terminal management table 213 is a data table for managing the customer terminals 4 used in the mobile self-checkout system 3. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the terminal management table 213. The terminal management table 213 stores a terminal code, a notification destination, a company code, and a store code in association with each other.

[0034] The terminal code is information for identifying a customer terminal 4 that uses the store support system 1. When the server device 2 receives store entry information from the customer terminal 4, it issues a terminal code to the customer terminal 4 and registers it in the terminal management table 213. The terminal code may be an identification number that the customer terminal 4 itself has, such as an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). In this case, the customer terminal 4 may include its own identification number in the store entry information and transmit it, and the server device 2 may use the identification number included in the store entry information as the terminal code.

[0035] The notification destination is information indicating the notification destination of the customer terminal 4, such as the communication address of the customer terminal 4. The company code is information identifying the company that operates the store where the customer terminal 4 is located. The store code is information identifying the store where the customer terminal 4 is located. The notification destination, company code, and store code are registered based on the store entry information received from the customer terminal 4. Of the information registered in the terminal management table 213, information related to the terminal codes of customers who have completed payment for a transaction may be sequentially deleted. In this case, the same terminal code can be used multiple times, so the number of digits of the terminal code used can be reduced.

[0036] The transaction information management table 214 is a data table that manages the transaction information of each store for each transaction. The transaction information management table 214 is updated, for example, based on information from the customer terminal 4 and the payment machine 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the transaction information management table 214. The transaction information management table 214 stores, in association with each other, a transaction code, a terminal code, a check-in time, a payment instruction time, a payment machine number, a transaction amount, a payment completed flag, product information, a registration time, and a cancellation flag.

[0037] The transaction code is information that identifies a transaction. When the server device 2 receives store entry information from the customer terminal 4, it issues a transaction code and a terminal code and registers them in the transaction information management table 214. The check-in time is information that indicates the time when the customer entered the store, for example, the time when the server device 2 received the store entry information from the customer terminal 4.

[0038] The transaction instruction time is information that indicates the time when the server device 2 received the transaction instruction from the customer terminal 4. The transaction machine number is information that identifies the transaction machine 5 that executes the transaction process related to the corresponding transaction code. In other words, the transaction machine number is information that identifies the transaction machine 5 that read the corresponding transaction code from the transaction screen of the customer terminal 4. The transaction machine number is registered based on a transaction information request from the transaction machine 5.

[0039] The transaction amount is information that indicates the total price of goods in one transaction. The payment completed flag is information that indicates whether or not the payment for the transaction has been completed, in other words, whether or not the payment process by the accounting machine 5 has been completed. The payment completed flag is registered as "1" if the payment for the transaction has been completed, and "0" if it has not been completed. The payment completed flag is rewritten to "1" based on the payment completion notification obtained from the accounting machine 5.

[0040] The product information is information indicating the product code, product name, and price. When multiple products are purchased in one transaction, multiple pieces of product information are registered corresponding to the transaction code. The registration time is information indicating the time when the product information was registered. The cancellation flag is information indicating whether the product information has been canceled or not; if it has been canceled, "1" is registered, and if it has not been canceled, "0" is registered. The cancellation flag is rewritten to "1" based on cancellation information from the customer terminal 4. The cancellation information is information that instructs the cancellation of the product registration, and includes the product code of the product registration to be canceled.

[0041] The inventory management table 215 is a data table that manages the stock quantity of products sold at each store. The inventory management table 215 is updated, for example, based on information acquired from each store and the status of the products registered in the transaction information management table 214. Since the stock quantity of products changes every moment, the inventory management table 215 is updated as appropriate. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the inventory management table 215. The inventory management table 215 stores company codes, store codes, product codes, number of items received, number of items sold, number of items registered, etc., in association with each other.

[0042] The company code, store code, and product code are the same information as in the product master 212. The number of items in stock is information indicating the number of items in stock that correspond to the product code. The number of items sold is information indicating the number of items sold that correspond to the product code. The number of registered items is information indicating the number of items that correspond to the product code that have been registered. The number of registered items is the number of items before they are sold, and is recorded as the number of items sold after going through accounting procedures. Hereinafter, the value obtained by subtracting the number of items sold from the number of items in stock is also referred to as the "number in stock." Additionally, the value obtained by subtracting the total value obtained by adding the number of items sold and the number of items registered from the number of items in stock is also referred to as the "projected number in stock."

[0043] The reshelved product table 216 is a data table for managing products whose product information has been cancelled at each store, i.e., products that have been returned to the product shelf. The reshelved product table 216 is updated, for example, based on the state of the cancellation flag of the product registered in the transaction information management table 214. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the reshelved product table 216. The reshelved product table 216 stores company codes, store codes, product codes, the number of times the product has been reshelved, etc., in association with each other.

[0044] The company code, store code, and product code are the same information as in the product master 212. The number of reshelves is information indicating the number of times the product information of the product corresponding to the product code has been canceled in the store corresponding to the store code. Specifically, the number of reshelves is a value obtained by counting the number of products whose cancellation flag is set to "1" in the transaction information management table 214 for each product code and for each store code corresponding to the transaction code (or terminal code).

[0045] The reshelving product table 216 may be configured to store a value obtained by dividing the number of reshelves by the number of items sold (hereinafter, also referred to as a reshelving rate). In this case, the reshelving rate can be calculated by dividing the number of reshelves by the number of items sold in the inventory management table 215 that meets the conditions of the store code and the product code related to the derivation of the number of reshelves. The reshelving rate may be expressed as an index value divided into a plurality of stages such as "high", "medium", and "low" instead of a numerical value.

[0046] The best-selling item table 217 is a data table for managing items that sell well at each store (hereinafter also referred to as best-selling items). Best-selling items can be determined based on various indicators, such as items whose sales points (or registered points) per specified time period exceed a threshold value, or items with high sales points (or registered points). The best-selling item table 217 is updated based on, for example, the registered points for each item code of the item information registered in the transaction information management table 214. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the best-selling item table 217. The best-selling item table 217 stores company codes, store codes, item codes, rankings, etc. in association with each other.

[0047] The company code, store code, and product code are the same information as in the product master 212. The product code and ranking are information indicating the product codes of best-selling products at the store corresponding to the store code and the ranking based on the number of sales points. Specifically, the best-selling product table 217 in Fig. 8 shows an example in which products with the highest number of sales points are considered best-selling products, and for example, the product codes of the top three products with the largest number of sales points are registered.

[0048] The recommended product table 218 is a data table for managing products (hereinafter also referred to as recommended products) that are recommended to customers at each store. Recommended products can be set arbitrarily. For example, recommended products may be products that are subject to a discount or price reduction (hereinafter also referred to as discounted products). For example, recommended products may be a set of products that are subject to a discount or price reduction when purchased as a set (hereinafter also referred to as set discount products). Also, recommended products may be a set of products (ingredients) that make up a recipe for a specific dish (hereinafter also referred to as recipe products). Also, recommended products may be products (for example, new products) that are actively sold by a store or a manufacturer that manufactures the products.

[0049] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the recommended product table 218. The recommended product table 218 stores company codes, store codes, recommendation codes, recommendation information, recommended products, etc. in association with each other.

[0050] The company code, store code, and product code are the same information as in the product master 212. The recommendation code is information capable of identifying the type of recommended product, such as discounted products, set discount products, recipe products, etc. The recommendation information includes information on the recommended product, such as discounted products and set discount products. For example, the recommendation information includes information such as the discount amount and discount rate of the recommended product. In addition, for example, if the recommended product is a recipe product, the recommendation information includes information such as the name of the dish corresponding to the recipe. Furthermore, the recommendation information may include an introduction or recommendation introducing the product created by a store clerk or a manufacturer that manufactures the product. Furthermore, the recommended product is information indicating the product code of the product that is the subject of the recommended product.

[0051] The above-mentioned terminal management table 213 and transaction information management table 214 are updated in real time. Also, the inventory management table 215, the shelved product table 216, the best-selling product table 217, and the recommended product table 218 may be updated in real time or at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes).

[0052] Returning to FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the server device 2 will be described.

[0053] The display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information. The operation unit 23 is for inputting information to the control unit 20, and is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and the like.

[0054] The communication unit 24 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the customer terminal 4 and the accounting machine 5. The control unit 20 is connected to an external device via the communication unit 24, thereby enabling transmission and reception of information (data) with the external device.

[0055] Next, the customer terminal 4 will be described in detail. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a main hardware configuration of the customer terminal 4. The customer terminal 4 includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, a display unit 42, an operation unit 43, an imaging unit 44, and a communication unit 45. The control unit 40, the storage unit 41, the display unit 42, the operation unit 43, the imaging unit 44, and the communication unit 45 are connected to each other via a bus 46 or the like.

[0056] The control unit 40 is configured as a computer including a CPU 401, a ROM 402, and a RAM 403. The CPU 401, the ROM 402, and the RAM 403 are connected to one another via a bus .

[0057] The CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the customer terminal 4. The ROM 402 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 401, and various data. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401, and loads various programs and data stored in the ROM 402 and the storage unit 41. The control unit 40 executes various control processes of the customer terminal 4 by the CPU 401 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 402 and the storage unit 41 and loaded in the RAM 403.

[0058] The memory unit 41 is configured with a storage medium such as a HDD or a flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The memory unit 41 stores a control program 411, a terminal code section 412, and a transaction information section 413.

[0059] The control program 411 is various programs that can be executed by the CPU 401. For example, the control program 411 includes an application program for making the customer terminal 4 function as an input device and an output device for various information in a mobile self-checkout system. The control program 411 also includes a program for realizing a functional configuration to be described later.

[0060] The terminal code section 412 stores the terminal code received from the server device 2. The terminal code is issued by the server device 2 in response to the store entry information from the customer terminal 4.

[0061] The transaction information unit 413 stores transaction information in which a transaction code received from the server device 2 is associated with product information registered in the server device 2. Specifically, the product information registered by the server device 2 is sequentially registered in the transaction information unit 413 in association with the transaction code.

[0062] When the customer terminal 4 receives a transaction completion notification from the server device 2, the information stored in the terminal code section 412 and the transaction information section 413 is cleared. The terminal code section 412 and the transaction information section 413 store new information for each transaction.

[0063] The display unit 42 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information. For example, the display unit 42 displays product information of products registered in the server device 2 and the total price of the registered products. The display unit 42 also displays an accounting screen. The accounting screen displays an accounting barcode to be read by the accounting machine 5.

[0064] The operation unit 43 is configured, for example, with a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 42, and inputs information corresponding to the position touched by the user to the control unit 40. When the customer operates an operator displayed on the display unit 42, the operation unit 43 inputs information corresponding to the operator to the control unit 40.

[0065] The imaging unit 44 is an imaging device having an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS. The imaging unit 44 captures an image of a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code displayed at the entrance of a store or a barcode attached to a product, and inputs the image (or video) data (hereinafter also referred to as imaging data) obtained by the imaging to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 reads information from the image of the code symbol. When the customer terminal 4 recognizes a product code corresponding to a product using a so-called full object recognition technology, the imaging unit 44 captures an image of the exterior of the product and inputs the image to the control unit 40.

[0066] The communication unit 45 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the server device 2. The control unit 40 is connected to the external device via the communication unit 45, thereby enabling transmission and reception of information (data) with the external device.

[0067] Next, the functional configuration of the server device 2 and the customer terminal 4 will be described.

[0068] First, a functional configuration of the server device 2 will be described. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a main functional configuration of the server device 2. The control unit 20 functions as a transmission / reception unit 2001, an information management unit 2002, an information processing unit 2003, and an information providing unit 2004 by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the storage unit 21. Each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0069] The transmitting / receiving unit 2001 transmits and receives various information between the customer terminal 4 and the accounting machine 5. For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives store entry information from the customer terminal 4, and transmits a terminal code and a transaction code to the customer terminal 4 that is the sender of the store entry information.

[0070] The transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives an information request from a customer terminal 4, and in response transmits promotional information indicating best-selling products, recommended products, etc. to the customer terminal 4 that is the sender of the information request. The information request requests information on products such as best-selling products and recommended products, and includes a terminal code.

[0071] The transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a registration request including a terminal code and a product code from the customer terminal 4, and transmits the registered product information and transaction amount in response to the customer terminal 4 that is the sender of the registration request.

[0072] When a cancellation request including a terminal code and a product code is sent from the customer terminal 4, the transmission / reception unit 2001 transmits hold information (described later) and a confirmation screen display instruction for confirming the execution of the cancellation to the customer terminal 4 that is the sender of the cancellation request. The confirmation screen display instruction is information that instructs the customer terminal 4 to display a confirmation screen for confirming the execution of the cancellation. When the customer terminal 4 instructs the execution of the cancellation based on the confirmation screen, the transmission / reception unit 2001 officially receives the cancellation request. In addition, the transmission / reception unit 2001 transmits a cancellation completion notification to the customer terminal 4 that is the sender of the cancellation request as a response to the cancellation request. The cancellation completion notification is information indicating that the cancellation of the product information has been completed, and includes the product code. Note that if the customer terminal 4 instructs the cancellation to be aborted based on the confirmation screen, the transmission / reception unit 2001 discards the cancellation request.

[0073] The transceiver unit 2001 receives a billing instruction including a transaction code from the customer terminal 4, and transmits the transaction amount of the transaction identified by the transaction code and an instruction to display the billing screen to the customer terminal 4 that sent the billing instruction. The billing instruction is information indicating that product registration has been completed for one transaction. The instruction to display the billing screen is information that instructs the customer terminal 4 to display the billing barcode. The transaction amount may be calculated by the customer terminal 4.

[0074] The transceiver unit 2001 receives a transaction information request including a transaction code from the billing machine 5, and transmits transaction information identified by the transaction code in response. The transceiver unit 2001 receives a billing completion notice from the billing machine 5. The billing completion notice is information indicating that payment for the transaction has been completed, and includes the transaction code.

[0075] The transmitting / receiving unit 2001 also receives a recommended product registration request from each store. The recommended product registration request is information requesting registration of a recommended product, and includes, for example, a company code, a store code, a recommendation code, recommendation information, and a product code of the recommended product.

[0076] The information management unit 2002 manages various types of information based on information received by the transmission / reception unit 2001. Here, managing information means writing various types of information (data) to the storage unit 21 or updating existing information.

[0077] For example, when the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives store entry information, the information management unit 2002 writes the terminal code and the transaction code in the terminal management table 213 and the transaction information management table 214 .

[0078] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a registration request, the information management unit 2002 registers product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request in the transaction information management table 214. Specifically, the information management unit 2002 refers to the terminal management table 213 and reads out the company code and store code corresponding to the terminal code included in the registration request. The information management unit 2002 then reads out product information associated with the company code and store code and corresponding to the product code included in the registration request from the product master 212 and registers it in the transaction information management table 214.

[0079] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a cancellation request, the information management unit 2002 rewrites the cancellation flag of the product information corresponding to the terminal code and product code included in the cancellation request to "1." Specifically, the information management unit 2002 refers to the terminal management table 213 and reads out the company code and store code corresponding to the terminal code included in the registration request. Then, the information management unit 2002 rewrites the cancellation flag associated with the company code and store code and associated with the product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request to "1."

[0080] As described above, the information management unit 2002 manages the transaction information management table 214 that stores transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code) and transaction information in association with each other, and is an example of a transaction management means.

[0081] The information management unit 2002 also updates the sales points and registered points in the inventory management table 215 based on the product information registered in the transaction information management table 214. Specifically, the information management unit 2002 identifies the terminal code associated with the same store code from the transaction information management table 214 based on the terminal management table 213. The information management unit 2002 counts the points for each product code registered in the transaction information management table 214 in units of terminal codes associated with the same store code, that is, in units of stores. Furthermore, the information management unit 2002, among the counted points for each product code, sets the number of points with a transaction completed flag of "1" as the sales points, and sets the number of points with a transaction completed flag of "0" and a cancellation flag of "0" as the registered points. The information management unit 2002 then updates the inventory management table 215 by registering the sales points and registered points derived for each store code and product code in the inventory management table 215. The information management unit 2002 may update the inventory management table 215 every time the inventory management table 215 is updated, that is, in real time, or at a predetermined time interval (for example, 5 minutes).

[0082] Furthermore, the information management unit 2002 updates the shelving points in the shelving product table 216 based on the state of the cancellation flag of the product information registered in the transaction information management table 214. Specifically, the information management unit 2002 specifies the terminal code associated with the same store code in the transaction information management table 214 based on the terminal management table 213. The information management unit 2002 counts the points for each product code whose cancellation flag is "1" registered in the transaction information management table 214 in units of terminal codes associated with the same store code, that is, in units of stores. Then, the information management unit 2002 updates the shelving product table 216 by registering the counted results derived for each store code and product code as the shelving points. The information management unit 2002 may update the shelving product table 216 every time the inventory management table 215 is updated, that is, in real time, or at a predetermined time interval (for example, 5 minutes, etc.). In addition, the information management unit 2002 may use the number of sales points registered in the inventory management table 215, and register the reshelving rate derived by dividing the number of sales points by the number of reshelvings with the same store code and product code in the reshelving product table 216.

[0083] The information management unit 2002 also updates the rankings in the best-selling product table 217 based on the product information registered in the transaction information management table 214. Specifically, the information management unit 2002 identifies terminal codes associated with the same store code from the transaction information management table 214 based on the terminal management table 213. The information management unit 2002 counts up the points for each product code registered within a predetermined time (e.g., within 30 minutes) until the current time, for each terminal code associated with the same store code, that is, for each store, based on date and time information such as the registration date and time registered in the transaction information management table 214. The information management unit 2002 also extracts multiple product codes with higher top-ranked points for each store code. The information management unit 2002 then registers the product codes extracted for each store code in the inventory management table 215 in descending order of the top product codes, thereby updating the inventory management table 215.

[0084] The product codes for which the points are tallied may be product codes whose transaction completed flag is "1" or product codes whose cancellation flag is other than "1." The rankings in the best-selling product table 217 may be updated based on the sales points and registered points registered in the inventory management table 215.

[0085] Furthermore, the information management unit 2002 updates the recommended product table 218 in response to instructions from each store. For example, when the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a recommended product registration request, the information management unit 2002 registers the company code, store code, recommendation code, recommended information, and recommended product included in the recommended product registration request in the recommended product table 218.

[0086] The information processing unit 2003 executes various information processing. For example, the information processing unit 2003 calculates the transaction amount of one transaction. The information processing unit 2003 also performs a process of allocating a transaction code and a terminal code, and issues these transaction codes and terminal codes.

[0087] The information providing unit 2004 is an example of a providing means. The information providing unit 2004 provides various information related to sales support and purchase support of products to the customer terminal 4. For example, when the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives an information request, the information providing unit 2004 provides the customer terminal 4 with information on best-selling products and information on recommended products as promotional information. Specifically, the information providing unit 2004 identifies a store code associated with the terminal code included in the information request from the terminal management table 213. The information providing unit 2004 reads out promotional information on best-selling products and promotional information on recommended products associated with the identified store code from the product master 212, the best-selling product table 217, the recommended product table 218, etc. Then, the information providing unit 2004 provides the promotional information to the customer terminal 4 via the transmitting / receiving unit 2001.

[0088] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a registration request, the information providing unit 2004 provides promotional information of a product related to the product code included in the registration request to the customer terminal 4. Specifically, the information providing unit 2004 identifies a store code associated with the terminal code included in the registration request from the terminal management table 213. The information providing unit 2004 identifies a product related to the product code included in the registration request from among recommended products in the recommended product table 218 associated with the identified store code, and provides promotional information related to the product to the customer terminal 4.

[0089] For example, if the product code in the registration request is a discounted product, the information providing unit 2004 provides the recommendation information associated with the discounted product as sales promotion information to the customer terminal 4 via the transmission / reception unit 2001. Also, for example, if the product code in the registration request is part of a set sale, the information providing unit 2004 reads out other product codes constituting the set sale together with the recommendation information from the recommended product table 218, and provides this as sales promotion information to the customer terminal 4 via the transmission / reception unit 2001. Also, for example, if the product code in the registration request is part of a recipe product, the information providing unit 2004 reads out other product codes constituting the recipe product together with recommendation information from the recommended product table 218, and provides this as sales promotion information to the customer terminal 4 via the transmission / reception unit 2001.

[0090] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a cancellation request, the information providing unit 2004 generates hold information including information about the product to be canceled, and provides the generated hold information to the customer terminal 4. Specifically, the information providing unit 2004 identifies the store code associated with the terminal code included in the cancellation request from the terminal management table 213. The information providing unit 2004 generates hold information indicating the reason (evidence) for holding the cancellation based on information related to the identified store code, the terminal code included in the cancellation request, and the product code. More specifically, the information providing unit 2004 generates hold information for the target product to be canceled, including information indicating benefits resulting from the purchase of the target product and information indicating disadvantages resulting from canceling the target product.

[0091] For example, if the product code of the cancellation request is a discounted product, the information providing unit 2004 reads out the recommendation information associated with the discounted product. The information providing unit 2004 then provides the recommendation information, along with retention information including information informing the customer that the discount will no longer be valid and a message proposing to hold back the cancellation, to the customer terminal 4 via the transmitting / receiving unit 2001.

[0092] For example, if the product code of the cancellation request is part of a set sale, and other product codes that make up the set sale exist among the product codes registered in the transaction information management table 214 in association with the terminal code of the cancellation request, the information providing unit 2004 reads out recommendation information for that set sale.The information providing unit 2004 then provides to the customer terminal 4 via the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 the recommendation information, as well as retention information including information informing the customer that the set sale will not be completed and a message suggesting the customer to postpone the cancellation.

[0093] For example, if the product code in the cancellation request is part of a recipe product, and other product codes constituting the recipe product exist among the product codes registered in the transaction information management table 214 in association with the terminal code in the cancellation request, the information providing unit 2004 reads out recommendation information for that recipe product.Then, the information providing unit 2004 provides the customer terminal 4 via the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 with the recommendation information, as well as hold information including information informing the customer that the recipe will no longer be valid and a message suggesting that the cancellation be held back.

[0094] In this way, the hold information is different from promotional information intended to promote product sales, and is promotional information intended to hold back the cancellation of a product instructed in a cancellation request. When a user operation is performed to cancel a product, as described below, the customer terminal 4 displays the hold information on a confirmation screen for the product to be canceled. The user operating the customer terminal 4 can check the displayed hold information and then decide whether or not to cancel the product, thereby reducing the number of products that have been registered being canceled.

[0095] The holding information may be provided each time a cancellation request is received, or may be provided for limited products. In the latter case, for example, the information providing unit 2004 may provide holding information for products whose number of times of shelving or the rate of shelving exceeds a threshold based on the shelving product table 216. Specifically, the information providing unit 2004 identifies a store code associated with a terminal code included in the cancellation request from the terminal management table 213. The information providing unit 2004 refers to the shelving product table 216 and searches for the product code included in the cancellation request from the product codes related to the identified store code. Then, when the number of times of shelving or the rate of shelving of the searched product exceeds a predetermined threshold, the information providing unit 2004 may provide holding information for the product. In this way, the information providing unit 2004 can hold cancellation of products whose number of times of shelving or the rate of shelving is high with priority, thereby promoting sales of the products.

[0096] Next, the functional configuration of the customer terminal 4 will be described. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of the customer terminal 4. The control unit 40 functions as a transmission / reception unit 4001, an input unit 4002, a reading unit 4003, an information management unit 4004, an information processing unit 4005, and a display control unit 4006 by the CPU 401 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 402 or the storage unit 41. Each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0097] The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 2. For example, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits entry information to the server device 2, and receives a terminal code and a transaction code from the server device 2.

[0098] The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits an information request including a terminal code to the server device 2, and receives sales promotion information from the server device 2 as a response thereto.

[0099] The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits a registration request including a terminal code and a product code to the server device 2, and receives the registered product information and transaction amount as a response from the server device 2. In other words, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 is an example of a first transmitting means.

[0100] The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits a cancellation request including a terminal code and a product code to the server device 2, and receives holding information and a confirmation screen display instruction from the server device 2 as a response. The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 also transmits information instructing execution of cancellation or abortion of cancellation. The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 also receives a cancellation completion notification from the server device 2 as a response to the transmission of the cancellation execution. In other words, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 is an example of a cancellation means and a second transmitting means.

[0101] The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits a billing instruction including a transaction code to the server device 2, and receives the transaction amount of the transaction specified by the transaction code and an instruction to display the billing screen from the server device 2. The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 also receives a billing completion notification from the server device 2.

[0102] The input unit 4002 is an example of a receiving means. The input unit 4002 receives input of various information via the operation unit 43 and the imaging unit 44. For example, the input unit 4002 receives input of a transaction start instruction, an information request instruction, a checkout instruction, an instruction to cancel a registered product, etc. via the operation unit 43. The input unit 4002 also receives input of image data of a code symbol for entering a store displayed at the entrance of the store, image data of a product barcode attached to a product, etc. from the imaging unit 44.

[0103] The reading unit 4003 extracts a two-dimensional code from the imaging data input to the input unit 4002, decodes the two-dimensional code, and reads store information. The reading unit 4003 also extracts a product barcode from the imaging data input to the input unit 4002, and decodes the product barcode to read the product code. The two-dimensional code and product barcode may be decoded by the server device 2. In this case, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits imaging data of the two-dimensional code and barcode to the server device 2, and receives from the server device 2 the store information and product code read by the server device 2.

[0104] The information management unit 4004 manages various types of information such as information received by the transmission / reception unit 4001. Here, managing information means writing various types of information (data) to the storage unit 41 or updating existing information.

[0105] For example, information management unit 4004 writes the terminal code received by transmitting / receiving unit 4001 into terminal code unit 412. Information management unit 4004 also writes the transaction code and product information received by transmitting / receiving unit 4001 into transaction information unit 413. Specifically, when transmitting / receiving unit 4001 receives a transaction code, information management unit 4004 writes the transaction code into transaction information unit 413. Then, every time transmitting / receiving unit 4001 receives product information registered in server device 2, information management unit 4004 writes the product information in transaction information unit 413 in association with the transaction code. Also, when transmitting / receiving unit 4001 receives a cancellation completion notice, information management unit 4004 deletes product information related to the product code included in the cancellation completion notice from transaction information unit 413.

[0106] The information processing unit 4005 executes various information processes. For example, when the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 receives an instruction to display a billing screen from the server device 2, the information processing unit 4005 generates a billing barcode to be displayed on the display unit 42. The billing barcode includes a terminal code.

[0107] The display control unit 4006 is an example of a first display means and a second display means. The display control unit 4006 displays various information on the display unit 42. For example, the display control unit 4006 displays the product information and the transaction amount stored in the transaction information unit 413 on the display unit 42. The transaction amount may be acquired from the server device 2, or may be calculated by the information processing unit 4005 based on the transaction information stored in the transaction information unit 413. When the transmission / reception unit 4001 receives a confirmation screen display instruction, the display control unit 4006 displays a confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to execute cancellation on the display unit 42. When the holding information is transmitted together with the confirmation screen display instruction, the display control unit 4006 displays the contents of the holding information in the confirmation screen. When the transmission / reception unit 4001 receives a checkout screen display instruction from the server device 2, the display control unit 4006 displays the checkout barcode generated by the information processing unit 4005 on the display unit 42.

[0108] Although an explanation of the configuration of the accounting machine 5 has been omitted, like the server device 2 and customer terminal 4 described above, the accounting machine 5 has a computer-configured control unit made up of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The accounting machine 5 also has a storage unit such as a HDD or flash memory that stores various programs, a display unit made up of a display device such as an LCD panel, an operation unit made up of input devices such as a keyboard or touch panel, a scanner unit capable of reading code symbols (accounting barcodes), and a communication unit for communicating with external devices. The control unit of the accounting machine 5 executes various processes such as accounting by working in conjunction with the programs stored in the storage unit.

[0109] Next, an overview of the operation of the store support system 1 having the above configuration will be described. Fig. 13 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the store support system 1.

[0110] First, the customer starts an application program for the mobile self-checkout system (step S11). Next, the customer reads the code symbol for entering the store displayed at the entrance of the store with the customer terminal 4 to input the start of the transaction (step S12). The code symbol for entering the store includes a company code, a store code, etc.

[0111] The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 of the customer terminal 4 transmits to the server device 2 the store entry information including the company code and store code read from the store entry code symbol and the check-in time indicating the current date and time (step S13).

[0112] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives the store entry information, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 issues a terminal code and a transaction code (step S14). At this time, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 registers necessary information in the terminal management table 213 and the transaction information management table 214 based on the received store entry information. In addition, the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 of the server device 2 transmits the terminal code and transaction code issued in step S14 to the customer terminal 4 (step S15).

[0113] The information management unit 4004 of the customer terminal 4 registers the information received by the transmission / reception unit 4001 (step S16). Specifically, the information management unit 4004 of the customer terminal 4 registers the terminal code received by the transmission / reception unit 4001 in the terminal code unit 412 and the transaction code in the transaction information unit 413. Next, the display control unit 4006 of the customer terminal 4 causes the display unit 42 to display a top screen that allows the user to instruct the start of shopping or the transmission of an information request (step S17).

[0114] Here, Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a top screen displayed by the customer terminal 4. As shown in Fig. 14, the top screen SCa has a first button BTa, a second button BTb, and a third button BTc.

[0115] The first button BTa is an operator for instructing to start shopping. When the first button BTa is pressed, the reading unit 4003 cooperates with the input unit 4002 and the imaging unit 44 to make the product barcode attached to the product readable. In addition, the display control unit 4006 causes the display unit 42 to display a transaction information screen (see FIG. 18) for displaying the product information and transaction amount of the read product.

[0116] The second button BTb is an operator for instructing transmission of an information request. When the second button BTb is pressed, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits the information request to the server device 2 and receives the promotional information transmitted from the server device 2. In addition, the display control unit 4006 causes the display unit 42 to display a promotion screen (see FIG. 16) for displaying the promotional information.

[0117] The third button BTc is an operator for instructing the termination of an application program. When the third button BTc is pressed, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits a termination request including a terminal code to the server device 2. Furthermore, the display control unit 4006 terminates the display of the top screen in response to the termination of the application program. Note that when the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a termination request, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 may delete data relating to the terminal code included in the termination request from the terminal management table 213 and the transaction information management table 214.

[0118] Next, the operation of the store support system 1 when the above-mentioned second button BTb is pressed will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the store support system 1.

[0119] When the customer terminal 4 receives a pressing operation of the second button BTb (step S21), the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 of the customer terminal 4 transmits an information request including the terminal code to the server device 2 (step S22).

[0120] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives the information request, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 refers to the terminal management table 213 to identify the store code corresponding to the terminal code included in the information request, thereby identifying the store in which the customer is located (step S23). Next, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 reads out information on best-selling items and recommended items at the store identified in step S22 as promotional information from the product master 212, best-selling item table 217, and recommended item table 218 (step S24). Then, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 transmits the read promotional information to the server device 2 that sent the information request (step S25).

[0121] When the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 receives the promotion information, the display control unit 4006 of the customer terminal 4 causes the display unit 42 to display a promotion screen (hereinafter also referred to as a first promotion screen) based on the promotion information (step S26).

[0122] Here, Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a first promotion screen displayed by the customer terminal 4. As shown in Fig. 16, the first promotion screen SCb has an area ARa for displaying promotion information. Content based on the promotion information is displayed in the area ARa. For example, information about current best-selling items and recommended items in the store the customer has entered is displayed in the area ARa. Fig. 16 shows an example in which a ranking of best-selling items is displayed.

[0123] This allows a customer operating the customer terminal 4 to easily check which products are best-selling and which products are discounted by looking at the first promotion screen SCb. Therefore, the store support system 1 can provide sales support and purchase support for products sold in the store.

[0124] In addition, the first promotion screen SCb is provided with a close button BTd for instructing to close the first promotion screen SCb. When the close button BTd is pressed, the display control unit 4006 closes the first promotion screen SCb and displays the top screen SCa again.

[0125] The first promotion screen SCb may be displayed as a pop-up on the top screen SCa, for example. In this case, when the close button BTd is pressed, the display control unit 4006 ends the pop-up display of the first promotion screen SCb.

[0126] In addition, in this embodiment, the promotional information is sent from the server device 2 in response to an explicit operation by the customer, i.e., the operation of the second button BTb, but this is not limited to the above, and the promotional information may be sent from the server device 2 in a push-type manner.

[0127] For example, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 may provide the sales promotion information to the customer terminal 4 at the timing when the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives the store entry information. Also, for example, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 may provide the sales promotion information to the customer terminal 4 at a predetermined timing, such as the timing when the ranking of best-selling items is updated.

[0128] In this case, in the customer terminal 4, the information management unit 4004 may store the promotion information transmitted from the server device 2 in the RAM 203 or the like, and the display control unit 4006 may display the first promotion screen SCb based on the stored promotion information. For example, the display control unit 4006 may display the first promotion screen SCb when the second button BTb is pressed, or may display the first promotion screen SCb when the promotion information is transmitted from the server device 2.

[0129] Next, the operation of the store support system 1 related to product registration will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the store support system 1.

[0130] When the product barcode becomes readable by pressing the first button BTa or the like as described above, the customer captures an image of the product barcode with the imaging unit 44, and the reading unit 4003 of the customer terminal 4 reads a product code that identifies the product from the product barcode (step S31). Note that the product code of a product that does not have a barcode is input from the operation unit 43.

[0131] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 of the customer terminal 4 transmits a registration request including the terminal code and the product code to the server device 2 (step S32). The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 may transmit a registration request including the transaction code instead of or together with the terminal code to the server device 2. In the following description, it is assumed that the customer terminal 4 transmits the terminal code together with information transmitted to the server device 2.

[0132] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives the registration request, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 refers to the terminal management table 213 and identifies the store code corresponding to the terminal code included in the registration request (step S33).

[0133] Next, the information management unit 2002 executes product registration based on the identified store code and the terminal code and product code included in the registration request. Specifically, the information management unit 2002 reads product information corresponding to the identified store code and the product code included in the registration request from the product master 212. The information management unit 2002 associates the read product information and information indicating the current date and time (registration time) with the terminal code included in the registration request and registers them in the transaction information management table 214 (step S34). Next, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 transmits the read product information to the customer terminal 4 (step S35).

[0134] The information management unit 2002 also updates the inventory management table 215 by adding 1 to the registered number of items for the item for which product registration has been performed (step S36). The information management unit 2002 may also update the best-selling item table 217 in conjunction with step S36.

[0135] When the received product information is stored in the transaction information section 413 by the information management section 4004, the display control section 4006 of the customer terminal 4 displays a transaction information screen on the display section 42 based on the product information stored in the transaction information section 413 (step S37). Note that the customer terminal 4 may obtain transaction information including all product information related to this transaction registered in the transaction information management table 214 by the server every time a product code is read.

[0136] Here, the transaction information screen will be described. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the transaction information screen displayed by the customer terminal 4. The transaction information screen is an example of the first screen. As shown in Fig. 18, the transaction information screen SCc has a header section Da, a total information section Db, a product information section Dc, and a footer section Dd.

[0137] The header section Da displays the company name "XXX", the store name "△△ store", etc. Also, the header section Da displays the terminal code (S999) stored in the terminal code section 412.

[0138] The total information section Db displays the total number and total price of registered products. For products that are discounted, the total price is calculated based on the discounted price. Note that products that have been registered but then cancelled are not included in the total number and total price.

[0139] The product information section Dc displays information about registered products. The displayed product information includes the product name, price, tax rate, number of items, and additional information. For example, if the additional information includes information indicating that the product is eligible for a discount or reduction, an icon Dca indicating this is displayed.

[0140] In addition, in the product information section Dc, it is possible to instruct the cancellation of product registration by performing a predetermined operation on the displayed product. For products whose registration has been cancelled, a strikethrough is drawn on the product name, price and quantity.

[0141] Various controls are displayed in the footer section Dd. Specifically, a "Scan" button, a "Payment" button, and the like are displayed in the footer section Dd. The "Scan" button is an operator for capturing an image of a product barcode. The "Payment" icon is an operator for inputting payment instructions.

[0142] Note that the controls displayed in the footer section Dd are not limited to the example in Fig. 18. For example, the footer section Dd may be configured to display a control similar to the above-mentioned second button BTb, so that it is possible to instruct the display of promotional information from the transaction information screen SCc as well.

[0143] Returning to Fig. 17, an outline of the operation of the store support system 1 will be described. The information provider 2004 of the server device 2 checks the product code registered by the customer corresponding to the terminal code by referring to the product information registered in the transaction information management table 214 in step S34 and other product information registered in the same terminal code as the product information (step S38). Next, the information provider 2004 compares the product code registered in the transaction information management table 214 with a set (conditions) of product codes constituting a discounted set product registered in the recommended product table 218 (step S39).

[0144] Here, if the product code registered in the transaction information management table 214 satisfies the conditions for a discounted set product, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 transmits discounted set information including the set of product codes that satisfy the conditions and recommendation information for the corresponding discounted set product to the customer terminal 4 (step S40).

[0145] When the received set discount information is stored in the transaction information section 413 by the information management section 4004, the display control section 4006 of the customer terminal 4 displays an icon Dca indicating that the set discount has been established for the corresponding product on the transaction information screen based on the set discount information stored in the transaction information section 413 (step S41).

[0146] On the other hand, if the product code registered in the transaction information management table 214 satisfies some of the conditions for the discounted set product, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 transmits promotional information including product information for the missing product code and recommendation information for the discounted set product to the customer terminal 4 (step S42).

[0147] When the transmission / reception unit 4001 receives the promotional information, the display control unit 4006 of the customer terminal 4 causes the display unit 42 to display a promotional screen (hereinafter also referred to as the second promotional screen) relating to the products that are insufficient to satisfy the conditions of the set discount product based on the promotional information (step S43).

[0148] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a second promotion screen displayed by the customer terminal 4. As shown in FIG. 19, the second promotion screen SCd has an area ARb for displaying promotion information, similar to the first promotion screen SCb. The area ARb displays content based on the promotion information. For example, the area ARb displays the product name of the product that is missing due to the conditions of a set discount product, information on the set discount product that will be achieved by purchasing that product, etc. FIG. 19 shows an example in which it is displayed that by purchasing product YY, a set discount with product XX will be achieved, and that the set discount will give a 10% discount.

[0149] This allows the customer operating the customer terminal 4 to easily check which product will be combined with the registered existing product to get a set discount by looking at the second promotion screen SCd. Therefore, the store support system 1 can provide sales support and purchase support for products sold in the store.

[0150] In addition, the second promotion screen SCd is provided with a close button BTe for instructing to close the second promotion screen SCd. When the close button BTe is pressed, the display control unit 4006 closes the second promotion screen SCd and displays the transaction information screen SCc again.

[0151] The second sales promotion screen SCd may be displayed as a pop-up on the transaction information screen SCc, for example. In this case, when the close button BTe is pressed, the display control unit 4006 ends the pop-up display of the transaction information screen SCc.

[0152] In addition, in this process, an example of displaying promotional information for a set discount product has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and promotional information may also be displayed for recipe products. In this case, for example, when a product code registered in the transaction information management table 214 satisfies part of the conditions of the product code constituting the recipe product, the information providing unit 2004 transmits promotional information including product information of the missing product code and recommendation information of the recipe product to the customer terminal 4.

[0153] Next, the operation of the store support system 1 related to the cancellation of product registration will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of the operation of the store support system 1. It is assumed that a transaction information screen is displayed on the customer terminal 4.

[0154] When the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 of the customer terminal 4 accepts a cancellation operation for a registered product (step S51), the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits a cancellation request including the terminal code and the product code of the product to be cancelled to the server device 2 (step S52).

[0155] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 of the server device 2 receives the cancellation request from the customer terminal 4, it issues a request code capable of identifying the cancellation request (step S53). In addition, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 refers to the terminal management table 213 and identifies the store code corresponding to the terminal code included in the cancellation request (step S54).

[0156] Next, the information providing unit 2004 of the server device 2 refers to the recommended product table 218 and reads out recommended information corresponding to the conditions such as the identified store code and the product code included in the cancellation request (step S55). For example, if the product code included in the cancellation request corresponds to a discounted product, the information providing unit 2004 reads out recommended information for that discounted product. Also, if the product code included in the cancellation request corresponds to part of a set discount product or recipe product, the information providing unit 2004 reads out recommended information for the corresponding set discount product or recipe product.

[0157] Next, the information providing unit 2004 generates hold information including a message proposing to cancel the cancellation based on the recommendation information read in step S55 (step S56). Next, the information providing unit 2004 cooperates with the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 to transmit the request code and hold information together with an instruction to display a confirmation screen to the customer terminal 4 that is the transmission source (step S57).

[0158] When the transmission / reception unit 4001 receives the request code, hold information, and a confirmation screen display instruction, the display control unit 4006 of the customer terminal 4 causes the display unit 42 to display a confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to cancel the product based on the hold information (step S58).

[0159] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed by the customer terminal 4. The confirmation screen is an example of the second screen. As shown in FIG. 21, the confirmation screen SCe has an area ARc for displaying reservation information. Content based on the reservation information is displayed in the area ARc. For example, the area ARc displays information informing that a product that is one element of a set discount product is about to be canceled, that the cancellation of the product will result in the cancellation of the product, etc. FIG. 21 shows an example in which it is displayed that a 10% discount will not be applied to product XX, which is one element of a set discount product, due to the cancellation of the product.

[0160] The confirmation screen SCe is also provided with a Cancel button BTf and an Execute button BTg. The Cancel button BTf is an operator for instructing to cancel the cancellation. The Execute button BTg is an operator for instructing to execute the cancellation. When the Cancel button BTf is pressed, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits a Cancel cancellation instruction including a request code to the server device 2. When the Execute button BTg is pressed, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 transmits a Cancel execution instruction including a request code to the server device 2.

[0161] In this way, when an operation to cancel a product is performed on the customer terminal 4, hold information indicating the reason for holding the cancellation of the product is displayed on the confirmation screen SCe. This allows the customer operating the customer terminal 4 to consider whether or not to cancel the product based on the hold information displayed on the confirmation screen SCe, and to instruct to cancel or execute the cancellation based on the result of the consideration.

[0162] Therefore, in the store support system 1, when a cancellation is requested for a product that has been registered, an opportunity to review the cancellation can be secured, thereby reducing the occurrence of inadvertent cancellation. Therefore, the store support system 1 can provide product purchasing support to customers. In addition, the store support system 1 can reduce the occurrence of shelving, in which a product that has been registered is returned to the product shelf, thereby providing product sales support to the store.

[0163] Returning to Fig. 20, the description will be continued. When an operation to cancel the cancellation is performed on the confirmation screen, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 of the customer terminal 4 transmits a cancellation cancellation instruction including a request code to the server device 2 (step S59). In addition, the display control unit 4006 of the customer terminal 4 erases the confirmation screen.

[0164] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 of the server device 2 receives the cancellation abort instruction from the customer terminal 4, it discards the cancellation request corresponding to the request code included in the cancellation abort instruction (step S60).

[0165] On the other hand, when an operation to execute cancellation is performed on the confirmation screen, the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 of the customer terminal 4 transmits a cancellation execution instruction including a request code to the server device 2 (step S61). In addition, the display control unit 4006 of the customer terminal 4 erases the confirmation screen.

[0166] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives the cancellation execution instruction from the customer terminal 4, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 performs processing to cancel the product information from the transaction information management table 214 based on the cancellation request corresponding to the request code included in the cancellation execution instruction (step S62). Specifically, the information management unit 2002 searches the transaction information management table 214 for an entry of product information corresponding to the terminal code and product code included in the cancellation request, and rewrites the cancellation flag to "1".

[0167] Next, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 cooperates with the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 to transmit a cancellation completion notification including the product code of the canceled product to the customer terminal 4 that sent the notification (step S63).

[0168] When the transmission / reception unit 4001 of the customer terminal 4 receives the cancellation completion notification, the display control unit 4006 updates the transaction information screen by adding a strikethrough to the product displayed on the transaction information screen that corresponds to the product code included in the cancellation completion notification (step S64).

[0169] In addition, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 executes the following process in response to the cancellation of the product information. The information management unit 2002 updates the inventory management table 215 by subtracting 1 from the registered number of items of the canceled product (step S65). The information management unit 2002 also updates the reshelved product table 216 by adding 1 to the number of times the canceled product has been reshelved (step S66).

[0170] Next, the operation of the store support system 1 related to product transactions will be described with reference to Fig. 22. Fig. 22 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of operations of the store support system 1. It is assumed that a transaction information screen is displayed on the customer terminal 4.

[0171] When a customer finishes registering the purchased items and presses the "Pay" button on the transaction information screen, a payment instruction is input to the customer terminal 4 (step S71). The transmitting / receiving unit 4001 of the customer terminal 4 transmits the payment instruction to the server device 2 in response to the input payment instruction (step S72).

[0172] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a billing instruction, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 updates the transaction information based on the billing instruction and calculates the transaction amount (step S73). Specifically, the information management unit 2002 registers the billing instruction time corresponding to the transaction code included in the billing instruction in the transaction information management table 214. The information management unit 2002 also calculates the transaction amount based on the product information corresponding to the transaction code. The transmitting / receiving unit 2001 of the server device 2 transmits the transaction amount calculated by the information management unit 2002 and an instruction to display the billing screen to the customer terminal 4 (step S74).

[0173] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives the transaction amount and an instruction to display the accounting screen, the display control unit 4006 of the customer terminal 4 generates an accounting barcode indicating the transaction code (step S75). Next, the display control unit 4006 displays the accounting screen indicating the accounting barcode and the transaction amount (step S76).

[0174] Next, when the accounting barcode displayed on the accounting screen of the customer terminal 4 is scanned by the scanner unit of the accounting machine 5, the accounting barcode is input to the accounting machine 5 (step S77). The accounting machine 5 reads the transaction code from the accounting barcode and sends a transaction information request including the transaction code to the server device 2 (step S78).

[0175] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 of the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 receives the transaction information request, the information management unit 2002 extracts the transaction information corresponding to the transaction code included in the transaction information request from the transaction information management table 214 (step S79). Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 of the server device 2 transmits the transaction information extracted by the information management unit 2002 to the payment machine 5 (step S80).

[0176] In addition, when the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 receives a transaction information request including a terminal code from the payment machine 5, in step S78, it extracts the transaction information corresponding to the terminal code included in the transaction information request from the transaction information management table 214.

[0177] When the payment machine 5 acquires the transaction information from the server device 2, it executes the payment process based on the transaction information (step S81). For example, the payment machine 5 executes payment process related to cash payment or cashless payment based on the customer's operation. When the payment process is completed, the payment machine 5 sends a payment completion notification to the server device 2 (step S82).

[0178] The information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 updates the transaction information based on the transaction completion notice received by the transmission / reception unit 2001 (step S83). Specifically, the information management unit 2002 rewrites the accounting completed flag corresponding to the transaction code included in the transaction completion notice to "1" in the transaction information management table 214.

[0179] Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 of the server device 2 transmits a transaction completion notification to the customer terminal 4 (step S84). Specifically, the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 of the server device 2 transmits the transaction completion notification to the customer terminal 4 identified by the terminal code corresponding to the transaction code included in the transaction completion notification received from the payment machine 5.

[0180] When the transmitting / receiving unit 4001 receives the transaction completion notification, the display control unit 4006 of the customer terminal 4 displays information indicating that the transaction has been completed on the display unit 42 (step S85).

[0181] Furthermore, the information management unit 2002 of the server device 2 executes the following process in response to the update of the transaction information. The information management unit 2002 updates the inventory management table 215 based on the product codes whose cancellation flags are "0" included in the updated transaction information (step S86). Specifically, when the information management unit 2002 counts the points for each type of product code included in the transaction information, it subtracts the counted points from the corresponding registered points and adds the counted points to the sales points. Furthermore, the information management unit 2002 updates the best-selling product table 217 based on the updated transaction information and inventory management table 215 (step S87).

[0182] As described above, the customer terminal 4 displays a transaction information screen showing each product registered as a purchase target, and accepts a registration cancellation operation based on the product displayed on the transaction information screen. The customer terminal 4 also displays holding information for the target product that was the subject of the cancellation operation on a confirmation screen on which the customer can select whether to cancel or cancel. If cancellation is selected, the customer terminal 4 performs processing to cancel the registration of the target product.

[0183] This allows the customer terminal 4 to present a confirmation screen showing the reservation information for the target product to the customer who is the operator, and thus urges the customer to stop canceling the target product of the cancellation operation. Therefore, the customer terminal 4 and the store support system 1 can reduce the cancellation behavior of products registered as purchase targets.

[0184] Furthermore, the customer terminal 4 displays, as retention information, information indicating benefits that will arise from purchasing the product to be cancelled and information indicating disadvantages that will arise from cancelling the product on the confirmation screen. This allows the customer terminal 4 to present the customer with reasons for refraining from cancelling the product, and effectively urges the customer to abandon the cancellation. Therefore, the customer terminal 4 and the store support system 1 can reduce the cancellation behavior of products registered as purchase targets.

[0185] Furthermore, for transactions made at the customer terminal 4, the server device 2 manages transaction identification information that identifies a transaction in association with the product registered in that transaction, and in response to a registration request transmitted from the customer terminal 4, registers the product specified in the registration request in association with the transaction identification information of the customer terminal 4. Furthermore, upon receiving a cancellation request from the customer terminal 4 specifying a product to be canceled, the server device 2 provides holding information regarding the target product to the customer terminal 4 for display.

[0186] This allows the server device 2 to present a screen showing the reservation information for the target product to the customer who is the operator of the customer terminal 4, and thus urges the customer to stop canceling the target product for the cancellation operation. Therefore, the server device 2 and the store support system 1 can reduce the cancellation behavior of products registered as purchase targets.

[0187] Furthermore, the server device 2 generates information indicating benefits to be obtained by purchasing the product to be cancelled and information indicating disadvantages to be caused by cancelling the product as retention information, and provides it to the customer terminal 4 for display. This allows the server device 2 to present the reason for refraining from cancelling the product to the customer operating the customer terminal 4, thereby effectively urging the customer to abandon the cancellation. Therefore, the customer terminal 4 and the store support system 1 can reduce the cancellation behavior of products registered as purchase targets.

[0188] In the above embodiment, the control programs executed by each device, the server device 2, the customer terminal 4, and the accounting machine 5, may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a CD-ROM. Also, the control programs executed by each device in the above embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network, such as the Internet, and downloaded via the network, or may be provided via a network, such as the Internet.

[0189] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, combinations, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0190] 1. Store support system 2. Server equipment 3 Mobile self-checkout system 4. Customer terminal 5. Cashier 2001 Transmitter / Receiver 2002 Information Management Department 2003 Information Processing Department 2004 Information provision department 4001 Transmitter / receiver 4002 Input section 4003 Reading unit 4004 Information Management Department 4005 Information Processing Section 4006 Display control unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0191] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-113661 A

Claims

1. An information processing device that is moved with a customer moving around a store and operated by the customer, a first display means for displaying a first screen showing each of the products registered as purchase targets; a reception means for receiving a cancellation operation of registration based on the product displayed on the first screen; a second display means for displaying information about the target product that is the subject of the cancellation operation on a second screen on which the cancellation can be selected to be executed or canceled; a cancellation means for performing a process for canceling the registration of the target product when the execution of the cancellation is selected; An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the second display means displays, on the second screen, information indicating a benefit resulting from the purchase of the target product.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the second display means displays, on the second screen, information indicating disadvantages that will occur as a result of canceling the target product.

4. A store support system including an information processing device that is moved with a customer moving around a store and is operated by the customer, and a server device, And, The server device includes: A transaction management means for managing transaction identification information for identifying a transaction and a product registered in the transaction in association with each other, The information processing device includes: a first display means for displaying a first screen showing each of the commodities associated with the transaction identification information of a transaction performed on the device; a reception means for receiving a cancellation operation of registration based on the product displayed on the first screen; a second display means for displaying information about the product that is the target of the cancellation operation on a second screen on which the cancellation can be selected to be executed or canceled; a cancellation means for performing a process for canceling the registration of the target product when the execution of the cancellation is selected; A store support system equipped with:

5. The information processing device includes: a first transmission means for transmitting to the server device a registration request indicating the transaction specific information of a transaction performed on the device and a product to be registered; The transaction management means registers the product designated in the registration request in association with the transaction specific information designated in the registration request. The store support system according to claim 4.

6. The information processing device includes: The method further includes a second transmission means for transmitting a cancellation request indicating the target product of the cancellation operation to the server device, The server device includes: a provision means for providing information on the target product specified in the cancellation request to the information processing device; The store support system according to claim 4 or 5.

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