System, weighing device, and program

Abstract

To provide suitable assistance to foreign customers when the foreign customers conduct transactions.SOLUTION: A transaction information output device includes communication means, acquisition means, and output control means. The communication means communicates with a terminal device that displays a screen in a language indicated by one piece of set language information and accepts customer operations. The acquisition means acquires the one piece of language information by the communication means. The output control means is capable of outputting information on the transaction in the language according to the one piece of language information acquired by the acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, so-called self-checkout systems, in which a customer registers products and makes a payment, have become widespread. For example, a self-checkout system in which a customer registers products and makes a payment using a registration terminal such as a mobile terminal owned by the customer is known.

[0003] In the self-checkout system, multiple devices such as a mobile terminal, a weighing device, and a settlement device are used. Transaction-related information is displayed on the mobile terminal. The transaction-related information includes the weighing results of the products weighed by the weighing device, registration information indicating the registered products, and the like. In addition to the mobile terminal, the transaction-related information is also displayed on other devices installed in the store, such as the weighing device and the settlement device.

[0004] Here, the mobile terminal is capable of displaying various information in a language set by the customer. On the other hand, devices other than the mobile terminal display various information in a language (the language of the customer's country) that is used by many customers who visit the store. For this reason, customers who are not familiar with the language used in the store, such as foreigners, may not be able to easily understand the content displayed on the device other than the mobile terminal.

[0005] A related technology is a POS system in which a store clerk registers products and a customer settles the payment, in which information about the products is displayed at the payment register in the language selected at the registration register (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-142922 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the conventional technology, it is sometimes difficult for customers such as foreigners who cannot understand the language used in the store where the self-checkout system is installed to verbally convey a language that the customer can understand to a store clerk or even to switch to a language that the customer can understand by themselves. This causes a problem that customers such as foreigners who speak a language different from the language used in the store cannot make transactions in a convenient manner with the self-checkout system.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a technique that can assist customers such as foreigners in conducting transactions in an optimal manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a system that is one aspect of the present invention is a transaction information output system that includes a ticket vending machine and a transaction information output device that communicates with the ticket vending machine, wherein the ticket vending machine is equipped with a reception means for receiving a language from a customer, and a ticket issuance reception means for displaying a screen corresponding to the one language received by the reception means and accepting operations related to ticket issuance from the customer, and the transaction information output device is characterized in that it is equipped with a communication means for communicating with the ticket vending machine, an acquisition means for acquiring a one language information indicating the one language through the communication of the communication means, and an output control means capable of audio outputting delivery information for delivering the product related to the issuance to the customer in a language corresponding to the one language information acquired by the acquisition means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a network configuration of a shopping system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a POS terminal 20. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the appearance of a weighing device 30. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a weighing device 30. [Figure 4B] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a language association table stored in a memory 304. FIG. [Figure 4C] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a supported language table stored in the memory 304. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal 50. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of various information for each mobile terminal 50 managed by the cloud server Sv. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processes relating to product registration and payment in the shopping system 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a process for registering a product to be weighed. FIG. [Figure 9A] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for registering a product to be weighed, which is performed by the mobile terminal 50. [Figure 9B] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by the mobile terminal 50 during connection with the weighing device 30. [Figure 9C] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a transaction information output process performed by the weighing device 30. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a transaction information output process performed by the POS terminal 20. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration procedure for a commodity to be weighed. [Figure 12] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a standby screen displayed on the weighing device 30. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 50 during pairing. [Figure 14] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 during weighing. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a label issued by the weighing device 30. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a procedure for registering a commodity to be weighed in a foreign language. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a standby screen displayed in a foreign language on the weighing device 30. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 50 in a foreign language during pairing. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a foreign language during weighing displayed on the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a label issued by the weighing device 30 in a foreign language. [Figure 21] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display 509 of a mobile terminal 50. FIG. [Figure 22] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the transition of screens displayed on the customer side display unit 205 of the POS terminal 20 during payment. FIG. [Diagram 23] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in Chinese on display 509 of mobile terminal 50. FIG. [Figure 24] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the transition of screens displayed in a foreign language on the customer side display unit 205 of the POS terminal 20 during payment. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a network configuration of a shopping system 2500 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 26] 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the appearance of a ticket vending machine 2510. FIG. [Figure 27] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a ticket vending machine 2510. FIG. [Figure 28] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a call display 2520. FIG. [Figure 29] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by the ticket vending machine 2510. [Diagram 30] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a transaction information output process performed by the call display 2520. [Diagram 31] 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed in Japanese on a ticket vending machine 2510. FIG. [Diagram 32] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a meal ticket issued in Japanese. [Diagram 33] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a call screen displayed in Japanese on a call display 2520. [Diagram 34] 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed in Chinese on a ticket vending machine 2510. FIG. [Diagram 35] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a meal ticket issued in Chinese. [Diagram 36] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a call screen displayed in Chinese on a call display 2520. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of a transaction information output device, a transaction information output method, a transaction information output system, and a program according to the present invention will be described.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) (Network configuration of shopping system 1) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a network configuration of a shopping system 1 according to a first embodiment. The shopping system 1 is an example of a transaction information output system. The shopping system 1 can be introduced in various stores, such as supermarkets, home improvement stores, convenience stores, and various supply stores. In this specification, the terms "customer," "client," and "user" are synonymous unless otherwise specified.

[0013] 1, shopping system 1 includes a cloud server Sv, a store controller (management device, store computer) 10, a monitoring terminal 11, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 20, a weighing device 30, and a mobile terminal 50. The POS terminal 20 and the weighing device 30 are each an example of a transaction information output device. The mobile terminal 50 is an example of a terminal device.

[0014] Each device and each terminal is communicatively connected via a network. For example, the store controller 10, the monitoring terminal 11, the POS terminal 20, and the weighing device 30 are communicatively connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 55. Each device and each terminal is a computer device equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a communication unit, etc.

[0015] The cloud server Sv is a server device that manages various information such as information about customers, information about stores, and information about products for each store. For example, the cloud server Sv generates cart information indicating a virtual cart for each customer based on product information read by the mobile terminal 50, and registers the products in the virtual cart. The information managed (generated and stored) by the cloud server Sv will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0016] The store controller 10 manages the POS terminals 20 and the weighing devices 30, and stores various information necessary for transactions, such as a product master. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN (Japanese Article Number) code), product name, and sales price for each product. The product master also includes product identification information, product name, and unit price of products that require weighing (hereinafter referred to as "products to be weighed"). In addition to the product master, the store controller 10 also stores various information such as inventory status, sales history, and deposit and withdrawal records. The store controller 10 may also store customer membership information.

[0017] The monitoring terminal 11 monitors the POS terminal 20 and the weighing device 30. Specifically, the monitoring terminal 11 displays the status of the POS terminal 20 (operation mode, processing status, etc.) and controls the POS terminal 20. The monitoring terminal 11 also displays the processing status, etc. of the weighing device 30 and controls the weighing device 30.

[0018] The POS terminal 20 is a computer device capable of executing a settlement process to settle (pay) for products registered by the mobile terminal 50. In this embodiment, the POS terminal 20 can also execute a registration process to register products to be purchased (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "product registration") in addition to the settlement process. The POS terminal 20 can also settle for products registered by the mobile terminal 50, as well as settle for products registered by its own terminal or by another POS terminal 20. Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which there are multiple POS terminals 20 and weighing devices 30, there may be only one of each.

[0019] The weighing device 30 is a computer device that weighs the product to be weighed. The weighing device 30 calculates the price of the product to be weighed using the weighed weight (or number) and the unit price of the product to be weighed. The product to be weighed is a product that is different from normal products. Here, normal products are, for example, products that have a JAN code attached. When the mobile terminal 50 reads the JAN code, it queries the cloud server Sv for the read JAN code and obtains the price data associated with the JAN code.

[0020] On the other hand, the commodity to be weighed is a commodity whose price varies depending on the weight and quantity of the item. The commodity to be weighed is, for example, fresh food such as vegetables, fruits, fresh fish, and meat, and prepared foods. The weighing device 30 prints and outputs a label that codes the amount, weight, etc. of the commodity to be weighed. The label includes the price. In other words, the label (barcode) attached to the commodity to be weighed uses the NON-PLU (Price Look Up) method. Note that, although FIG. 1 illustrates an example of multiple weighing devices 30, there may be only one.

[0021] The mobile terminal 50 is a portable computer device such as a smartphone, a tablet device, or a mobile phone. The mobile terminal 50 includes a communication unit, an imaging unit (camera), a touch panel, and the like, and is operated by a customer. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 50 is detachably attached to the shopping cart. However, the mobile terminal 50 may be attached to the shopping cart so as not to be detachable. In other words, the mobile terminal 50 may be a loaned item that is loaned by the store to the customer.

[0022] The mobile terminal 50 scans (reads) a barcode (product code) attached to a product and accepts the registration of the product. That is, the mobile terminal 50 has a recognition function for recognizing a barcode attached to a product.

[0023] The recognition function of the mobile terminal 50 only needs to be capable of reading a product code attached to a product, and does not need to be capable of identifying the product from the read product code. In other words, when a barcode exists as an object in an image captured by the imaging function (an image acquired as a through image), the mobile terminal 50 only needs to be able to read a product code from the barcode.

[0024] The mobile terminal 50 may also be equipped with image recognition technology. Specifically, the mobile terminal 50 may be equipped with image recognition technology that extracts feature points from an image (through image, captured image) and recognizes an imaged subject (object, etc.). For example, the mobile terminal 50 may use the image recognition technology to identify (estimate) an imaged product. By using such image recognition technology, the mobile terminal 50 can also identify fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits that do not have barcodes.

[0025] In addition, application software (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "this application") for registering and paying for products related to the shopping system 1 is installed on the mobile terminal 50. By starting up this application, the mobile terminal 50 reads the barcode attached to the product and transmits the read information to the cloud server Sv. As a result, the product corresponding to the barcode is registered in the virtual cart of the cloud server Sv.

[0026] Furthermore, when making a payment, the mobile terminal 50 displays a two-dimensional code (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)) corresponding to the registered product. When the POS terminal 20 reads the two-dimensional code, it requests the cloud server Sv to transmit registration information of the registered product. The POS terminal 20 then receives the registration information from the cloud server Sv, and it becomes possible to make a payment at the POS terminal 20. Note that, hereinafter, the two-dimensional code may be referred to as a "payment code." Furthermore, a registered product may be referred to as a "registered product."

[0027] In this embodiment, the device that performs the settlement is the POS terminal 20, but is not limited to this. For example, the device that performs the settlement may be a device dedicated to settlement installed in the store, or a computer device for settlement that is permanently installed in the shopping cart. This computer device may be one that only allows card settlement using, for example, a credit card or a prepaid card.

[0028] (Example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20) Next, a configuration example of the POS terminal 20 will be described. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the POS terminal 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer display unit 205, a customer scanner unit 206, a card payment unit 208, a change machine 209, a store clerk display unit 210, a key operation unit 211, a store clerk scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, and a communication unit 215. These are connected to each other via a bus 220 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0029] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the POS terminal 20 by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 202. The various programs include an information output program according to this embodiment. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

[0030] The RAM 203 is a readable and writable memory, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores information acquired from the outside (for example, the cloud server Sv or the store controller 10) and information generated during processing. This information is, for example, registration information (registration data) generated during a registration process for registering a product, settlement information generated during a settlement process for settling the registered product, and the like.

[0031] The hard disk 204 stores various information. For example, the hard disk 204 stores tables equivalent to the language association table 420 (see FIG. 4B) and the corresponding language table 430 (see FIG. 4C) stored in the weighing device 30. The hard disk 204 may store, for example, a program executed by the CPU 201 instead of the ROM 202. Furthermore, instead of the RAM 203, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from the outside and information generated during processing.

[0032] The customer display unit 205 is a touch display for customers. The customer display unit 205 displays various information to customers and accepts various inputs from customers.

[0033] The customer-side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for customers, and optically reads various information. For example, the customer-side scanner unit 206 optically reads a payment code displayed on the mobile terminal 50 when payment is made. In this embodiment, the customer-side scanner unit 206 can also optically read a barcode (such as a product code) attached to a product or a code (such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code) printed on a bill (registered trademark). In addition to the above, the customer-side scanner unit 206 may also read a code (such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code) printed on gift certificates (gift certificates, coupons, and complimentary coupons) and various cards (such as a membership card or a point card). The registration of a product is not limited to registration by reading a code by the customer-side scanner unit 206. For example, a preset key (a button for ordering a product) corresponding to the product may be displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, and the product may be registered by operating (pressing) the preset key by the customer.

[0034] The card payment unit 208 is a payment mechanism that uses various cards. The various cards include credit cards, prepaid cards for electronic money, and point cards. A monetary amount (balance) is stored (charged) in the prepaid cards. The card payment unit 208 includes a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit. The card recognition unit magnetically or electrically reads information from various cards. The read information is used to settle the registered goods. The card recognition unit is also capable of recognizing information to be used in settling the registered goods this time, for example, when using points held on a point card. The card recognition unit is also capable of recognizing information that is not used in settling the registered goods this time, for example, when points are awarded to a point card.

[0035] In this embodiment, the card payment unit 208 includes a card recognition unit, a display unit, and an operation unit, but is not limited thereto, and may include at least a card recognition unit. In this embodiment, the card recognition unit supports contact cards (IC cards, magnetic cards), but is not limited thereto. For example, the card recognition unit may support non-contact cards (IC cards) instead of or in addition to a card recognition unit that supports contact cards.

[0036] The change machine 209 (cash settlement unit) is a mechanism for settlement using cash, and has an input port for banknotes and coins, and an output port for banknotes and coins. The change machine 209 calculates the amount inserted into the input port, calculates the change amount, which is the difference between the input amount and the purchase amount, and outputs the change from the output port. The change machine 209 faces the customer side, and accepts various operations and cash insertion from customers. The change machine 209 has a sensor that detects banknotes and coins inserted into the input port. The sensor detects that banknotes and coins have been inserted into the input port, and detects the number of banknotes by denomination.

[0037] The store clerk display unit 210 is a touch display for the store clerk. The store clerk display unit 210 displays various information to the store clerk and receives various inputs from the store clerk.

[0038] The key operation unit 211 includes various keys (hardware keys, buttons). The key operation unit 211 accepts various inputs from a store clerk. The key operation unit 211 includes numeric keys for inputting numbers, keys corresponding to products to be registered, keys for switching modes, and the like.

[0039] The store clerk scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for store clerks, and optically reads various information. For example, the store clerk scanner unit 212 optically reads barcodes attached to products and store clerk codes attached to store clerk nametags. In addition to the above, the store clerk scanner unit 212 may also read codes printed on bills, gift certificates, and various cards.

[0040] The registration of a product is not limited to registration by reading a code using the store clerk scanner unit 212. For example, a key corresponding to a product (e.g., a key corresponding to a sports newspaper) may be arranged on the key operation unit 211, and the product may be registered by the store clerk operating (pressing) the key. The POS terminal 20 may also display a preset key corresponding to a product on the store clerk display unit 210, and the product may be registered by the store clerk operating the preset key.

[0041] The printing unit 213 prints and outputs various media (receipts, invoices, bills, etc.). The printing unit 213 is capable of changing the direction of the medium issuing port. Specifically, the printing unit 213 has a rotatable mechanism, and is configured so that the medium issuing port faces from the store clerk side to the customer side, and from the customer side to the store clerk side. The orientation of the medium issuing port may be changeable manually, or may be changeable automatically in response to switching of the operating mode. The printing unit 213 may be equipped with a sensor that detects whether the orientation of the printing issuing port is correct.

[0042] The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs audio guidance, warning sounds, etc. The audio guidance and warning sounds relate to, for example, product registration and payment.

[0043] The communication unit 215 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices (the cloud server Sv, the store controller 10, the monitoring terminal 11, other POS terminals 20, the weighing device 30, and the mobile terminal 50).

[0044] (Overview of each operation mode) Next, the operation modes of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The POS terminal 20 operates in one of a plurality of operation modes. The plurality of operation modes are operation modes during normal business (operation modes related to registration processing and settlement processing). Specifically, the plurality of operation modes are a normal mode, a checkout only mode, and a full self-service mode. Below, a brief description is given of each of the normal mode, the checkout only mode, and the full self-service mode.

[0045] (Normal mode) The normal mode is an operation mode in which the clerk's side product registration is enabled and the customer's side product registration is disabled. In other words, the normal mode is an operation mode in which the clerk's side registration process is executed without executing the customer's side registration process. In the clerk's side product registration, the clerk's side scanner unit 212, the clerk's side display unit 210, and the key operation unit 211 are used to register products. In the normal mode, settlement is possible, such as inserting money (banknotes and coins) and reading various cards. In the normal mode, settlement can be started (for example, inserting money) even while the product registration process is being performed.

[0046] In addition, in normal mode, it is possible to transmit registration information to other POS terminals 20. Transmitting registration information to other POS terminals 20 means transmitting the registration information generated in the registration process to other POS terminals 20 that can execute the settlement process (the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode). In addition, in normal mode, it is possible to issue a receipt. Issuing a receipt means encoding the registration information generated in the registration process, printing it on a print medium (receipt). By reading the receipt at another POS terminal 20, it is possible to perform the settlement process at the other POS terminal 20.

[0047] (Accounting only mode) The accounting-only mode is an operating mode in which product registration by both the store clerk and the customer is disabled. Specifically, the accounting-only mode is an operating mode in which registration information is received from the cloud server Sv and settlement is carried out. The accounting-only mode is also an operating mode in which reception of registration information from other POS terminals 20 (POS terminals 20 in normal mode), reading of bills, and insertion of coins are valid and settlement is carried out. Note that in the accounting-only mode, sending of registration information to other POS terminals 20 and issuance of bills are disabled. In the shopping system 1, the POS terminal 20 operates in the accounting-only mode.

[0048] (Full self mode) The full self-service mode is an operation mode in which product registration by the store clerk is disabled and product registration by the customer is enabled. Specifically, the full self-service mode is an operation mode that assumes registration processing on the customer side. In product registration on the customer side, products are registered using the customer scanner unit 206 and the customer display unit 205. The full self-service mode is also an operation mode in which payment processing can be performed at the terminal itself. Specifically, the full self-service mode is an operation mode in which product registration and insertion of coins on the customer side are enabled. Note that in the full self-service mode, the sending of registration information to other POS terminals 20 and the issuance of bills are disabled. Similarly to the payment-only mode, the full self-service mode also enables the reception of registration information from the cloud server Sv and other POS terminals 20 and the reading of bills, and allows payment to be performed.

[0049] (Configuration example of the weighing device 30) Hereinafter, a configuration example of the weighing device 30 shown in FIG. 4A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the appearance of the weighing device 30. As shown in FIG. Fig. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the weighing device 30. As shown in Fig. 3 or 4A, the weighing device 30 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a memory 304, a communication unit 305, a display unit 306, a printing unit 307, a scanner unit 308, an audio output unit 309, a load cell 310, and a platform 320. These can communicate with each other via a bus 330.

[0050] The CPU 301 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the weighing device 30 by reading and executing various programs, such as a transaction information output program, stored in the ROM 302 . The ROM 302 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 301, including programs.

[0051] The RAM 303 is a readable and writable memory and stores various information, for example, information read from the ROM 302 or memory 304, information acquired from the outside, information generated during processing, and the like.

[0052] The memory 304 stores various information. For example, the memory 304 stores the unit price of the commodity to be weighed acquired from the store controller 10. The memory 304 also stores output information (a language association table 420, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4B) for displaying or outputting various information, such as information indicating the commodity to be weighed, in a set language. The memory 304 also stores a corresponding language table 430, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4C. The various information stored in the memory 304 may be stored in an external device (for example, the store controller 10 or an external server device). In this case, the weighing device 30 may inquire of the external device to acquire the various information when using the various information.

[0053] The memory 304 may store programs executed by the CPU 301, instead of the ROM 302. The memory 304 may store information read from the ROM 302, information acquired from the outside, information generated during processing, etc., instead of the RAM 303.

[0054] The communication unit 305 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device. The communication unit 305 receives the unit price corresponding to the product identification information of the product to be weighed from the store controller 10. The weighing device 30 calculates the selling price of the product to be weighed using the weight (or number) of the product placed on the platform 320 and the unit price.

[0055] Further, the communication unit 305 performs short-distance wireless communication with the mobile terminal 50 in addition to communication via network communication. The number of mobile terminals 50 that the communication unit 305 can connect to through short-distance wireless communication is limited, for example, to one. To be more specific, the communication unit 305 performs short-distance wireless communication one-to-one with the mobile terminal 50. The one-to-one short-distance wireless communication is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). The one-to-one short-distance wireless communication may be communication using a communication protocol such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), optical communication, or a 4G (Generation) line. The number of mobile terminals 50 that the communication unit 305 can connect to through short-distance wireless communication is not limited to one, and may be two or three.

[0056] Display unit 306 displays various information to the customer and accepts operations from the customer. The various information displayed on display unit 306 includes the name of the product being weighed and the number of products being weighed, as well as guidance regarding the weighing. The various information displayed on display unit 306 also includes a two-dimensional code (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "connection code") that is read by mobile terminal 50 to start one-to-one communication with mobile terminal 50.

[0057] The printing unit 307 is a label issuing unit that outputs a printed matter (hereinafter also referred to as a "label") on which information about the product to be weighed (such as the weight and selling price of the product to be weighed, and a barcode indicating these) is printed. The scanner unit 308 reads various codes (bar codes, two-dimensional codes, etc.). The audio output unit 309 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 309 outputs audio guidance related to weighing. The load cell 310 is a sensor that detects weight and measures the weight of the product to be weighed placed on the platform 320.

[0058] (Language association table stored in memory 304) FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a language association table stored in the memory 304. As shown in FIG. 4B, the language association table 420 includes language information, a weight unit, a weight conversion value, a currency, and an amount conversion value. In the language association table 420, the language information indicates a language that can be output by the weighing device 30. The weight unit is a unit of weight used in correspondence with the language information, specifically, a unit of weight used in a country in which the language indicated by the language information is used. The weight conversion value is a value used when converting to a weight unit based on a kilogram. The currency is a unit of currency used in correspondence with the language information, specifically, a unit of currency used in a country in which the language indicated by the language information is used. The amount conversion value is a value used when converting to a unit of currency corresponding to the language information, based on the Japanese yen.

[0059] Specifically, in FIG. 4B, the language information indicates Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, etc. In other words, it indicates that the weighing device 30 is capable of outputting information related to a transaction in the language information indicated by these languages. The weight unit indicates the unit of weight used in each country. For example, in Japanese (Japan), it is "kilogram," in English (United States), it is "ounce," in Chinese (China), it is "gongjin," and in Korean (South Korea), it is "kun."

[0060] As shown in the weight conversion values, 1 ounce is 0.0283495 kg, 1 jin is 1 kg, and 1 kun is 0.6 kg. Currency is the yen for Japanese (Japan), the dollar for English (US), the yuan for Chinese (China), and the won for Korean (South Korea). As shown in the monetary conversion values, 1 dollar is 107 yen, 1 yuan is 15.09 yen, and 1 won is 0.087 yen.

[0061] By using such a language association table 420, the weighing device 30 can use the weighing results measured in kilograms and Japanese yen to display the weighing results in the currency and weight units corresponding to the language used by the customer (the customer's home country).

[0062] (Supported language table stored in memory 304) 4C is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a supported language table stored in memory 304. As shown in FIG. 4C, supported language table 430 is a table that associates language information with supported languages. The language information is language information that is set in mobile terminal 50 and indicates language information that cannot be output by weighing device 30.

[0063] Here, the "languages" stored in the language association table 420 in FIG. 4B are limited to general languages ​​(languages ​​used by foreigners who are expected to visit the store). In other words, languages ​​(e.g. Taiwanese and Korean) used by foreigners who are not expected to visit the store in large numbers (e.g. Taiwanese and North Koreans) are not stored in the language association table 420. For this reason, in the case of such customers, it is possible to display the weighing results using a corresponding language that is close to the language information (a language with affinity).

[0064] Specifically, when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 is Taiwanese, the corresponding language is Chinese. That is, in this case, it is indicated that the output information is output using Chinese. When the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 is Korean, the corresponding language is Korean. That is, in this case, it is indicated that the output information is output using Korean. Note that, when a language is not stored in the language information in the language association table 420, such as a special language (e.g., Inuit language) used by foreigners (e.g., Greenland, etc.) who are less likely to visit the store, the language information is "other". English is associated with "other" as the corresponding language. Note that Japanese may be associated with "other" as the corresponding language.

[0065] (Example of configuration of mobile terminal 50) Next, a configuration example of the mobile terminal 50 will be described. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of mobile terminal 50. In Fig. 5, mobile terminal 50 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a memory 504, a communication I / F (interface) 505, an operation unit 506, a camera 507, a microphone 508, a display 509, and a speaker 510. The components 501 to 510 are connected to each other via a bus 520.

[0066] The CPU 501 is responsible for the overall control of the mobile terminal 50. The ROM 502 stores various programs. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. That is, the CPU 501 uses the RAM 503 as a work area and executes various programs stored in the ROM 502 to thereby perform the overall control of the mobile terminal 50.

[0067] The memory 504 stores various data. For example, a flash ROM is used as the memory. The memory 504 stores various programs, the present application, and the like. The memory 504 also stores a plurality of language information that can be used. The memory 504 also stores one language information to be used from the plurality of language information that can be used as a set language. The CPU 501 outputs various data in the set language stored in the memory 504.

[0068] The communication unit 505 is connected to a network via wireless communication and functions as an interface between the mobile terminal 50 and the CPU 501. Examples of communication networks that function as networks include the Internet and mobile phone networks. The communication unit 505 also performs short-range wireless communication with the weighing device 30 in addition to communication via network communication.

[0069] An operation unit 506 is a hardware keypad equipped with a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like. The camera 507 reads bar codes attached to products and various two-dimensional codes. The microphone 508 inputs voice.

[0070] The display 509 displays various data such as icons, cursors, menus, windows, characters, images, etc. For example, a touch panel is used as the display 509. The display 509 displays a screen in a preset language. The speaker 510 outputs sounds including voice. The speaker 510 outputs sounds in a preset language. The mobile terminal 50 includes a GPS unit (not shown) and has a function of receiving radio waves from a GPS satellite and outputting information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal 50.

[0071] (Connection between the mobile terminal 50 and the weighing device 30) Here, if the connection time between one mobile terminal 50 and the weighing device 30 is long, the time during which the mobile terminals 50 of other customers cannot communicate with the weighing device 30 will also be long. For example, after one mobile terminal 50 and the weighing device 30 are connected, if the customer performs a series of weighing operations, such as provisionally registering a product to be weighed and placing the product on the weighing device 30, the one mobile terminal 50 will occupy the weighing device 30 for a long time. This makes it impossible for other customers to use the weighing device 30, reducing the efficiency of registering the product to be weighed.

[0072] For this reason, in this embodiment, the weighing device 30 allows weighing of the provisionally registered product (provisionally registered product) indicated by the product identification information of the provisionally registered product to be weighed, on condition that the weighing device 30 receives the product identification information of the provisionally registered product to be weighed from the mobile terminal 50. In other words, the weighing device 30 allows weighing of the product to be weighed, on condition that the product to be weighed is provisionally registered in the mobile terminal 50. The provisional registration and final registration of the product to be weighed performed by the mobile terminal 50 will be described in detail below.

[0073] (Provisional registration and final registration of weighing target product performed by mobile terminal 50) The mobile terminal 50 (CPU 501) provisionally registers the product to be weighed. Provisional registration may be performed by identifying the product to be weighed using a Non-PLU code or a number specially assigned to the product to be weighed. For example, provisional registration refers to a state in which product identification information, product name, unit price, etc. are registered, but product weight, selling price, etc. are not registered. Furthermore, a provisionally registered product is not treated as a reserved product, which will be described later, even if the provisional registration is canceled. The provisionally registered product is stored in memory 504.

[0074] When the barcode (product identification information) identifying the product to be weighed is read by the camera 507, the mobile terminal 50 provisionally registers the product to be weighed obtained from the reading result of the barcode. The provisionally registered product to be weighed is displayed on the display 509. The barcode identifying the product to be weighed is displayed, for example, near the product to be weighed. The barcode may be displayed on a display or on paper.

[0075] The communication unit 505 communicates with the communication unit 305 of the weighing device 30. Specifically, the communication unit 505 performs one-to-one short-range wireless communication with the communication unit 305 of the weighing device 30, for example, using Bluetooth. For one-to-one communication, a function for one-to-one communication (hereinafter referred to as "short-range wireless communication function") must be set to ON in the mobile terminal 50. In addition, the mobile terminal 50 makes a connection request for one-to-one communication to the weighing device 30. In response to this connection request, the weighing device 30 starts communication with the mobile terminal 50, and becomes able to receive commodity identification information provisionally registered in the mobile terminal 50.

[0076] Here, the procedure for connecting the portable terminal 50 and the weighing device 30 will be described. For example, when the weighing device 30 is not connected to the portable terminal 50, it is in a pairing-enabled state (standby state) for one-to-one communication connection. When short-range wireless communication is ON, the portable terminal 50 searches for surrounding devices that are capable of one-to-one communication and designates the weighing device 30. Then, when the same passkey is input into both the portable terminal 50 and the weighing device 30, one-to-one communication becomes possible.

[0077] The connection code contains information for the mobile terminal 50 to connect to the weighing device 30 (information for searching for surrounding devices, designating the weighing device 30, inputting a passkey, and information for transmitting language information to the weighing device 30, etc.). The connection code is displayed, for example, on the display unit 306 of the weighing device 30 in standby mode. Therefore, when a customer reads the connection code with the camera 507 of the mobile terminal 50, the search for surrounding devices, designation of the weighing device 30, input of a passkey, and so on are automatically performed. In other words, when a customer reads the connection code with the camera 507 of the mobile terminal 50, a connection request is automatically made from the mobile terminal 50 to the weighing device 30, and a communication connection with the weighing device 30 is automatically established.

[0078] Furthermore, when making a connection request, the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 is transmitted to the weighing device 30. In this way, the weighing device 30 can obtain the language information set in the mobile terminal 50.

[0079] The connection code is not limited to being displayed on the weighing device 30, but may be displayed and posted on paper or the like. A one-to-one communication connection is not limited to being established by reading a connection code, but may be established by receiving a search for nearby devices, a designation of a weighing device 30, input of a passkey, etc. from the customer. A connection request is not limited to being issued from the mobile terminal 50 to the weighing device 30, but may be issued from the weighing device 30 to the mobile terminal 50.

[0080] When the one-to-one communication connection is completed, the communication unit 505 transmits, under the control of the CPU 501, product identification information for identifying the provisionally registered product to be weighed to the weighing device 30.

[0081] The communication unit 305 of the weighing device 30 communicates one-to-one with the communication unit 505 of the mobile terminal 50. The communication unit 305 of the weighing device 30 receives product identification information transmitted from the communication unit 505 of the mobile terminal 50. The CPU 301 of the weighing device 30 weighs the product to be weighed that is identified by the product identification information received by the communication unit 305. The communication unit 305 transmits the weighing result to the mobile terminal 50 via short-range wireless communication. The weighing result includes the weight (or number) of the product placed on the platform 320, as well as the selling price calculated using the weight (or number) and the unit price, product identification information (product code) of the product, and the like. In other words, the weighing result corresponds to product information of the product to be weighed.

[0082] The CPU 501 of the mobile terminal 50 officially registers the provisionally registered product to be weighed based on the weighing result of the weighing device 30. Official registration means that all information required for settlement is registered. Specifically, official registration means, for example, that in addition to the provisionally registered product identification information, product name, and unit price, weight, selling price, etc. are registered. Also, an officially registered product differs from a provisionally registered product in that, for example, if official registration is canceled, the product is treated as a reserved product, which will be described later.

[0083] In this embodiment, if the commodity to be weighed is not provisionally registered in the mobile terminal 50, a one-to-one communication connection between the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 is prohibited. The subject that performs the control to prohibit a one-to-one communication connection is, for example, the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, even if the mobile terminal 50 reads the connection code, if the commodity to be weighed is not provisionally registered, it may be configured not to make a connection request.

[0084] The weighing device 30 may be the entity that prohibits one-to-one communication connection. In this case, the mobile terminal 50 may transmit information about the provisionally registered product to be weighed immediately after one-to-one communication connection is established. The information about the provisionally registered product to be weighed may be information indicating the provisionally registered product to be weighed, or may be information indicating whether the product to be weighed has been provisionally registered. The weighing device 30 may use the information about the provisionally registered product to be weighed to determine whether the product to be weighed has been provisionally registered, and if it determines that the product has not been provisionally registered, it may cancel (prohibit) one-to-one communication with the mobile terminal 50.

[0085] (Notification of provisional registration) In this embodiment, the weighing device 30 cannot be used unless the product to be weighed is provisionally registered in the mobile terminal 50. For this reason, if the product to be weighed has not been provisionally registered in the mobile terminal 50, a notification to that effect is provided. This will be described in detail. If the product to be weighed has not been provisionally registered, the mobile terminal 50 provides a notification urging the user to provisionally register the product to be weighed. Specifically, if one-to-one communication connection between the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 is prohibited, the mobile terminal 50 provides a notification urging the user to provisionally register the product to be weighed. The notification urging the user to provisionally register the product is provided as a display output from the display 509 or as an audio output from the speaker 510.

[0086] (Notification of products that cannot be weighed) Furthermore, the CPU 301 of the weighing device 30 weighs weighable products (hereinafter referred to as "weighable products") that are predetermined for each weighing device 30. For example, the weighable products are various vegetable products for the weighing device 30 placed in the vegetable section, and are various fresh fish products for the weighing device 30 placed in the fresh fish section. Product identification information identifying the weighable products is stored, for example, in the memory 304. The product identification information identifying the weighable products may be obtained from the store controller 10.

[0087] When the temporarily registered commodity to be weighed is not a weighable commodity (a commodity that cannot be weighed), the mobile terminal 50 notifies the user that the commodity cannot be weighed. The entity that determines whether the temporarily registered commodity to be weighed is a weighable commodity is, for example, the weighing device 30. In this case, the weighing device 30 determines whether the commodity identification information received from the mobile terminal 50 is included in the commodity identification information that indicates a weighable commodity stored in the memory 304. If a negative determination result is obtained in the determination, the weighing device 30 transmits information indicating the same to the mobile terminal 50. When the mobile terminal 50 (CPU 501) receives the information, it notifies the user that the commodity cannot be weighed (notifies the user that the commodity cannot be weighed). The notification of the commodity that cannot be weighed is made in the form of a visual output from the display 509 or an audio output from the speaker 510.

[0088] The mobile terminal 50 may be the entity that determines whether the temporarily registered weighing target product is a weighable product. In this case, for example, the connection code may contain product identification information that identifies the weighable product. When the mobile terminal 50 reads the connection code, it may determine whether the product identification information of the temporarily registered weighing target product is included in the product identification information of the weighable product obtained from the connection code. If the mobile terminal 50 obtains a negative determination result in this determination, it may notify the user that the product cannot be weighed.

[0089] (Functional configuration of the weighing device 30) Next, the functional configuration of the weighing device 30 will be described. The weighing device 30 comprises a communication unit 305 (see FIG. 4A), an acquisition unit, an output control unit, a weighing unit, and a label printing unit. The acquisition unit, output control unit, and weighing unit are realized by the CPU 301. That is, the CPU 301 realizes the functions of each unit by executing a transaction information output program stored in the ROM 302. The label printing unit is realized by the printing unit 307.

[0090] The communication unit 305 communicates with the mobile terminal 50, which is an example of a terminal device. The communication unit 305 communicates one-to-one with the mobile terminal 50, for example, by short-range wireless communication. One language information is set in advance in the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, one language information set by a customer or the like when purchasing the mobile terminal 50 or the like is set in the mobile terminal 50. The language information indicates, for example, a language that the customer regularly uses. The mobile terminal 50 displays a screen in the language indicated by the set language information. The mobile terminal 50 also accepts operations by the customer.

[0091] The acquisition unit acquires the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50 through communication by the communication unit 305. When connecting to the weighing device 30, the mobile terminal 50 reads a connection code displayed on the weighing device 30. The connection code includes information indicating that language information will be sent to the weighing device 30. Therefore, when the mobile terminal 50 reads the connection code, it transmits the one language information to the weighing device 30. In this way, the one language information is transmitted from the mobile terminal 50, and the acquisition unit acquires the one language information.

[0092] The output control unit outputs information related to the transaction in a language corresponding to one of the language information acquired by the acquisition unit. Specifically, when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates Japanese, the output control unit outputs information related to the transaction in Japanese. On the other hand, when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates a language other than Japanese (a foreign language), the output control unit outputs information related to the transaction in the other language. Note that when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates a language other than Japanese, the output control unit may output information related to the transaction in both Japanese and the other language.

[0093] The transaction-related information includes weighing information related to weighing by the weighing unit. The weighing information includes information for issuing a notification urging the weighing target product to be placed on the platform 320, information for issuing a notification urging the issuance of a label, etc. The output mode of the transaction-related information by the output control unit is an output mode of sound or display.

[0094] The output control unit outputs transaction-related information in the same language as the language indicated by the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the output control unit outputs transaction-related information using language information stored in the language association table 420 (see FIG. 4B). There are also cases where the same language as the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50 cannot be output. Specifically, there are cases where the same language information as the one language information is not stored in the language association table 420. In this case, the output control unit outputs transaction-related information in another language corresponding to the one language information. Specifically, the output control unit refers to the supported language table 430 (see FIG. 4C) and outputs transaction-related information in the other supported language.

[0095] The weighing information also includes information on the weight of the product weighed by the weighing unit. The unit of the weight of the product weighed by the weighing unit is, for example, kg. The output control unit converts the information on the weight of the product into a unit of weight corresponding to the one language information and outputs the converted information. Specifically, the output control unit converts the unit of weight measured by the weighing unit into a unit of weight (for example, ounces) corresponding to the one language information and outputs the weight information. More specifically, the output control unit refers to the "weight conversion value" in the language association table 420, and converts the information on the weight obtained by weighing into a unit corresponding to the language information and outputs the converted information. For example, the output control unit causes the display unit 306 to display both the unit of weight before conversion (for example, kg) and the unit of weight after conversion (for example, ounces).

[0096] The transaction information also includes information on the purchase amount of the product. The purchase amount is the amount paid by the customer for the product, and is obtained, for example, by multiplying the unit price of the product by the weight (or number). The unit of communication of the purchase amount is, for example, Japanese yen. The output control unit converts the purchase amount information into a currency (for example, dollars) corresponding to one piece of language information and outputs it. Specifically, the output control unit refers to the "amount conversion value" in the language association table 420, converts the purchase amount into a currency corresponding to the language information, and outputs the purchase amount information. For example, the output control unit causes the display unit 306 to display both the unit of currency before conversion (for example, Japanese yen) and the unit of the converted currency (for example, dollars).

[0097] The label printing unit also prints a label. The output control unit causes the label printing unit to print a label in a language corresponding to the one language information. The label printing unit prints a label using the printing unit 307. The label printing unit prints a label in the same language as the one language information set in the portable terminal 50. If the label printing unit cannot output a label in the same language as the one language information set in the portable terminal 50, it prints a label in a compatible language. If the language information set in the portable terminal 50 indicates Japanese, the label printing unit prints a label only in Japanese. On the other hand, if the language information set in the portable terminal 50 indicates a language other than Japanese, the label printing unit prints a label in which the other language is written alongside Japanese.

[0098] (Regarding the end timing of foreign language output) The output control unit ends the output of the foreign language at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing when weighing is completed, the timing when a label is issued, or the timing when a customer receives the label. Specifically, the timing when weighing is completed is, for example, the timing when weight detection is completed by the load cell 310. The timing when a label is issued is the timing when issuance of the label by the label issuing unit is completed. The timing when a customer receives the label is the timing when the removal of the label by the customer is detected by a sensor that detects the removal of the label. The output control unit may also end the output of the foreign language when a predetermined time has elapsed from each of the above-mentioned timings.

[0099] (Functional configuration of POS terminal 20) Next, a functional configuration of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The POS terminal 20 includes a communication unit 215 (see FIG. 2), an acquisition unit, an output control unit, a settlement unit, and a printing unit 213. The acquisition unit, the output control unit, and the settlement unit are realized by the CPU 201. That is, the CPU 201 executes a transaction information output program stored in the ROM 202 to realize the functions of each unit.

[0100] The POS terminal 20 stores a table (hereinafter referred to as the "language association table of the POS terminal 20") equivalent to the language association table 420 (see FIG. 4B) stored in the weighing device 30. The POS terminal 20 also stores a table (hereinafter referred to as the "supported language table of the POS terminal 20") equivalent to the supported language table 430 (see FIG. 4C) stored in the weighing device 30.

[0101] The communication unit 215 communicates with the mobile terminal 50, which is an example of a terminal device. The communication unit 215 indirectly communicates with the mobile terminal 50 via the cloud server Sv. However, the communication unit 215 may also communicate directly with the mobile terminal 50.

[0102] The acquisition unit acquires the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50 through communication by the communication unit 215. The one language information is transmitted from the cloud server Sv together with the registration information when settlement by the settlement unit is started. The registration information is information included in the cart information registered in the cloud server Sv. The acquisition unit acquires the one language information received by the communication unit 215.

[0103] The output control unit outputs information related to the transaction in a language corresponding to one of the language information acquired by the acquisition unit. Specifically, when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates Japanese, the output control unit outputs information related to the transaction in Japanese. On the other hand, when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates a language other than Japanese (a foreign language), the output control unit outputs information related to the transaction in the other language. Note that when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates a language other than Japanese, the output control unit may output information related to the transaction in both Japanese and the other language.

[0104] The transaction-related information includes registration information used for settlement by the settlement unit. The output mode of the transaction-related information by the output control unit is an output mode of sound or display.

[0105] Furthermore, the output control unit outputs the registration information in the same language as the language indicated by the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the output control unit outputs the registration information using language information stored in the language association table of the POS terminal 20. Furthermore, there are cases where the same language as the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50 cannot be output. Specifically, there are cases where the same language information as the one language information is not stored in the language association table of the POS terminal 20. In this case, the output control unit outputs the registration information in another language corresponding to the one language information. Specifically, the output control unit refers to the supported language table of the POS terminal 20 and outputs the registration information in the supported language as the other language.

[0106] Furthermore, the transaction information output by the output control unit of the POS terminal 20 may include information on the weight of the product weighed by the weighing device 30. In this case, the output control unit converts the weight information of the product into a unit of weight corresponding to the one language information and outputs the converted weight information. Specifically, the output control unit converts the unit of weight weighed by the weighing device 30 into a unit of weight (e.g., ounces) corresponding to the one language information and outputs the weight information. More specifically, the output control unit refers to the "weight conversion value" in the language association table of the POS terminal 20, converts the weight information obtained by weighing into a unit corresponding to the language information and outputs the converted weight information. For example, the output control unit causes the customer side display unit 205 to display both the unit of weight before conversion (e.g., kg) and the unit of weight after conversion (e.g., ounces).

[0107] Furthermore, the transaction-related information output by the output control unit of the POS terminal 20 may include information on the purchase amount of the product. In this case, the unit of communication of the purchase amount is, for example, Japanese yen. The output control unit converts the purchase amount information into a currency (e.g., dollars) corresponding to one piece of language information and outputs the information. Specifically, the output control unit refers to the "amount conversion value" in the language-related table of the POS terminal 20, converts the purchase amount into a currency corresponding to the language information, and outputs the information on the purchase amount. For example, the output control unit causes the customer-side display unit 205 to display both the unit of currency before conversion (e.g., Japanese yen) and the unit of the converted currency (e.g., dollars) side by side.

[0108] The printing unit 213 may also issue various media such as receipts. In this case, the output control unit causes the printing unit 213 to issue various media in a language corresponding to the one language information. Specifically, the printing unit 213 issues various media in the same language as the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. If the printing unit 213 cannot output various media in the same language as the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50, the printing unit 213 issues various media in a compatible language. If the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates Japanese, the printing unit 213 issues various media only in Japanese. On the other hand, if the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates a language other than Japanese, the printing unit 213 issues various media in which the other language is written alongside Japanese.

[0109] (Regarding the end timing of foreign language output) The output control unit ends the output of the foreign language at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing when the change is dispensed, the timing when a receipt is issued, the timing when the change or the receipt is removed, etc. Specifically, the timing when the change is dispensed is, for example, the timing when the change dispenser 209 discharges the change from the discharge port. The timing when the receipt is issued is the timing when the receipt is output by the printing unit 213. The timing when the change is removed is the timing when a sensor provided in the change dispenser 209 detects that the change has been removed. The timing when the receipt is removed is the timing when a sensor that detects the removal of the receipt by the customer detects the removal. The output control unit may also end the output of the foreign language when a predetermined time has elapsed from each of the above-mentioned timings.

[0110] (An example of information managed by the cloud server Sv) 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of various information managed by the cloud server Sv for each mobile terminal 50. The cloud server Sv stores various information including (A) customer information, (B) store information, and (C) cart information. Note that instead of or in addition to storing the various information in a storage unit within the cloud server Sv, the cloud server Sv may store some or all of the various information in another device, such as a file server, accessible by the cloud server Sv.

[0111] (Customer information) FIG. 6(A) shows an example of customer information. Customer information is information for managing individual customers. Customer information may be membership information for each store or each affiliated store. As shown in FIG. 6(A), customer information includes customer identification information, customer name, customer registration date, customer rank, and number of points.

[0112] The customer identification information is identification information that uniquely identifies a customer. The customer identification information may be, for example, application identification information (hereinafter referred to as "application identification information") that is uniquely assigned to each application installed when the application is installed in the mobile terminal 50. The application identification information may be, for example, a sequentially assigned number. Alternatively, the application identification information may be terminal identification information that is uniquely assigned to the mobile terminal 50 in which the application is installed. This terminal identification information may be, for example, a telephone number assigned to a customer who is a user of the mobile terminal 50, or hardware identification information that is uniquely assigned to the hardware of the mobile terminal 50, such as a MAC (Media Access Control) address.

[0113] The customer name is the customer's name, nickname, or the like. The customer registration date is the date and time when the customer information was newly registered in the cloud server Sv. The customer rank is a rank according to the customer's purchasing history. The number of points is the number of points given to a customer for shopping using the application. The number of points may include the number of points for each store.

[0114] The customer identification information, customer name, and customer registration date are generated when customer information for a new customer is generated. Specifically, the customer identification information is generated when the present application is downloaded to the mobile terminal 50 from the cloud server Sv or a predetermined server that provides general applications. Furthermore, the customer name is generated based on information entered in the name field of the registration form (input form) of the mobile terminal 50 when a new customer is registered. Furthermore, the customer registration date is generated based on the current date and time when a new customer is registered.

[0115] (Store information) Fig. 6(B) shows an example of store information. Store information is information for managing each store. As shown in Fig. 6(B), the store information includes store identification information, store name, store identification information 1 (information of two-dimensional code), and store identification information 2 (location information). The store identification information includes a store (trade name) or company code and a branch code. The store name is the name of the store, and is composed of, for example, the store name (trade name) or company name and the branch name.

[0116] Store identification information 1 and 2 are information for identifying a store where a transaction takes place (a store where goods are bought and sold). Store identification information 1 is, for example, two-dimensional code information. Store identification information 2 is location information (GPS information) indicating the location of the store. In the example shown in FIG. 6(B), store identification information and store identification information 1 and 2 are stored, but since any of these pieces of information can uniquely identify a store, it is sufficient to store at least one of these pieces of information.

[0117] (Cart information) Fig. 6(C) shows an example of cart information. Cart information is information about products registered by a customer at a store. As shown in Fig. 6(C), the cart information includes cart identification information, transaction start date and time, transaction end date and time, customer identification information, language information, and registered product information. The cart identification information is information for identifying the cart information. Specifically, the cart identification information includes store identification information, a date, and a serial number (for example, a serial number for each store for each date).

[0118] The transaction start date and time is the date and time when the transaction started, for example, the date and time when the cart information was generated. The transaction start date and time may be the registration date and time of one item of product, specifically, the date and time when the registered product information (registered product 1) shown in FIG. 6(C) was stored. Instead of or in addition to the transaction start date and time, the registration date and time for each product may be stored separately.

[0119] The transaction end date and time is the date and time when the transaction is ended, specifically, the date and time when the settlement is completed. For example, the transaction end date and time is the date and time when the settlement is completed, but may be the date and time when the settlement is started. The customer identification information is information that uniquely identifies the customer who performs the transaction.

[0120] The language information is information indicating a language that the customer normally uses, for example, information indicating a language set in the mobile terminal 50. The language information is transmitted from the mobile terminal 50 at the start of a transaction and is acquired by the cloud server Sv.

[0121] The registered product information (total) is cumulative information that is updated each time a product is registered. The registered product information (total) includes the number of items (number of products), the estimated subtotal amount, the subtotal amount, etc. Registered product information (registered product N: N is an integer) indicates the product registered in item N. Registered product information N includes the product code, product name, price, and the registration date and time of the product. Specifically, registered product information (registered product 1) indicates the first product. Registered product information (registered product 2) indicates the second product. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 6(C), registered product information for the third and subsequent products is omitted from the illustration.

[0122] Next, the reserved product information indicating reserved products will be described. Reserved products are products that require confirmation by a store clerk. For example, reserved products are classified into categories such as unscanned products, non-file products, products that require age verification, products that require the removal of security tags, and medicines.

[0123] Unscanned products are products that could not be registered due to failure to scan the product code (the scanner was not able to read it). For example, if the product package is wrinkled or the barcode is smudged or dirty, the barcode may not be recognized due to a timeout.

[0124] Here, the failure to recognize the barcode due to a timeout will be described in detail. The mobile terminal 50 includes various sensors (for example, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a distance sensor, etc.) and can determine that a barcode is being read using the detection results of the various sensors and the image capture results of the camera 507. Specifically, the mobile terminal 50 can determine that a barcode is being read using the detection results of the various sensors when the mobile terminal 50 is tilted and a product is present at a position a certain distance away from the mobile terminal 50. Then, when the mobile terminal 50 determines that a barcode is being read and is unable to read the barcode within a predetermined time, it determines that a timeout has occurred and identifies the product as an unscanned product.

[0125] Moreover, unscanned products include, for example, products that have been put into the basket by pretending to have their barcodes read. In other words, pending products that cannot be read include products that may have been subject to fraudulent manipulation and require confirmation by a store clerk as to whether or not fraudulent manipulation has been performed. Fraudulent manipulation is detected, for example, using scan results that indicate whether or not the barcode has been scanned, imaging results from a camera that images the inside of the shopping basket, and detection results that detect the total weight of the products in the shopping basket.

[0126] A NON-file product is a product that could not be registered because the product code was successfully scanned (it was not an unscanned product) and the product master was queried for that product code, but the product could not be identified (the product query was rejected).

[0127] Products that require age verification are, for example, products that cannot be purchased by minors, such as alcohol and tobacco. Products that require the removal of security tags are, for example, products that have security tags attached, such as products that cost more than a certain amount. Pharmaceuticals, for example, are products that require explanation from a pharmacist.

[0128] As shown in Fig. 6(C), the reserved product information (total) includes the number of reserved products (unscanned products, non-filed products). Note that the illustration omits products that require age verification, products that require the removal of security tags, and medicines.

[0129] The reserved product information (reserved product N: N is an integer) is information on the Nth reserved product, and includes the reserved product type of the Nth reserved product. The reserved product type is information indicating the type of the reserved product. In this example, the reserved product type "1" indicates an unscanned product, and the reserved product type "2" indicates a NON-file product. The reserved product information also includes the registration date and time of the product.

[0130] Furthermore, the pending product information of an unscanned product includes the pending product type “1” as well as image data of the product (image data captured when the mobile terminal 50 reads the barcode). For example, pending product information (3) includes the pending product type “1 (unscanned product)” and image data.

[0131] Furthermore, the reserved product information of the NON-file product includes the reserved product type “2 (NON-file product)” as well as the product code read by the mobile terminal 50. For example, reserved product information (1) includes the reserved product type “2 (NON-file product)” as well as the product code.

[0132] (An example of a process related to product registration and payment in the shopping system 1) 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processes related to product registration and payment in the shopping system 1. Note that FIG. 7 illustrates the flow when a customer visits a store, registers a product to be purchased using his / her mobile terminal 50, and completes payment for the product at the POS terminal 20.

[0133] Step S601: First, the mobile terminal 50 acquires information that identifies a store (store identification information). Here, an example of a manner in which the store identification information is acquired will be described. For example, a two-dimensional code indicating the store identification information (store identification information 1) is displayed near the entrance of the store. The two-dimensional code may be displayed on a predetermined display device, or may be displayed by printing on a medium. The mobile terminal 50 starts the camera 507 by starting this app in response to an operation by a customer who visits the store. Then, the camera 507 scans the two-dimensional code in response to an operation by the customer. As a result, the mobile terminal 50 acquires the store identification information. The two-dimensional code may include store identification information for identifying the store.

[0134] Another example of a mode of acquiring store identification information is the acquisition of location information. For example, the mobile terminal 50 acquires location information (GPS information) in response to an operation of a customer who visits the store. This location information is used for comparison with store identification information 2 and is information that replaces store identification information 1. The mobile terminal 50 may acquire location information and connect to the cloud server Sv by starting this app in response to an operation of a customer who visits the store, and may display a screen as an initial screen notifying that the mobile terminal 50 is connected to the cloud server Sv.

[0135] The mobile terminal 50, which has acquired the store identification information, makes a request to start a transaction to the cloud server Sv. Specifically, as shown in the transmission and reception data D1 in Fig. 7, the mobile terminal transmits the acquired store identification information, the customer identification information, and language information indicating the language set in the mobile terminal 50 to the cloud server Sv.

[0136] Step S602: When the cloud server Sv receives the customer identification information, store identification information, and language information from the mobile terminal 50 as a request to start a transaction, the cloud server Sv generates cart information for the transaction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(C), the cloud server Sv generates cart information including the cart identification information, transaction start date and time, customer identification information, and language information. More specifically, when the cloud server Sv receives the store identification information from the mobile terminal 50 as a request to start a transaction, the cloud server Sv refers to the store information (see FIG. 6(B)) to identify the store identification information. If the cloud server Sv receives location information from the mobile terminal 50, the cloud server Sv refers to the store identification information 2 of the store information to identify the store identification information corresponding to the location information. If the two-dimensional code includes the store identification information, the cloud server Sv can also acquire the store identification information received from the mobile terminal 50.

[0137] Furthermore, when there is a request to start a transaction from the mobile terminal 50, the cloud server Sv acquires the current date and issues (assigns) a serial number. Furthermore, the cloud server Sv combines the acquired store identification information, the acquired current date, and the issued serial number, and stores them as cart identification information. Furthermore, when the cloud server Sv receives a request to start a transaction from the mobile terminal 50, it stores the current date and time and the transaction start date and time (generation date and time) in the cart information. Furthermore, when the cloud server Sv receives customer identification information from the mobile terminal 50, it stores the received customer identification information in the cart information. Furthermore, when the cloud server Sv receives language information from the mobile terminal 50 as a request to start a transaction, it stores the received language information in the cart information.

[0138] Step S603: When the cloud server Sv generates the cart information for the transaction, it generates screen information of a product registration screen, which is an initial screen (product registration initial screen information), and transmits it to the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the cloud server Sv transmits cart identification information together with the product registration initial screen information to the mobile terminal 50 (transmission and reception data D2 in FIG. 7). The product registration initial screen information to be transmitted may be screen information according to language information.

[0139] Step S604: Upon receiving the cart identification information and the product registration initial screen information from the cloud server Sv, the mobile terminal 50 stores the cart identification information and displays the product registration screen on the display 509 in the language set in the mobile terminal 50.

[0140] Step S605: The mobile terminal 50 scans the product (the barcode attached to the product) in response to the customer's operation. After scanning the product, the mobile terminal 50 transmits the product code obtained by the scan to the cloud server Sv together with cart identification information (see transmission and reception data D3 in FIG. 7). Note that if the product indicated by the read product code is, for example, a reserved product such as an unscanned product, the cart identification information and information indicating the reserved product are transmitted as the transmission and reception data D3.

[0141] Step S606: Upon receiving the product code and the cart identification information from the mobile terminal 50, the cloud server Sv identifies the cart information including the received cart identification information.

[0142] Step S607: The cloud server Sv updates the registered product information included in the identified cart information. Specifically, when the cloud server Sv receives the product code of the Nth item, it stores the registered product information (registered product N) indicated by the product code. More specifically, the cloud server Sv stores the product code, product name, and price in association with each other. In addition, the cloud server Sv updates the cumulative information (cumulative number of items, subtotal amount, etc.) of the registered product information in the identified cart information.

[0143] If the product has a discount, the discount amount may be calculated in step S607 to calculate the price of the registered product information and the subtotal amount of the cumulative information. If the tax rate varies for each product, the price of the registered product information and the subtotal amount of the cumulative information may be calculated in step S607 taking into account the tax rate for each product.

[0144] Step S608: When the cloud server Sv updates the registered product information in the cart information, it generates screen information (product registration update screen information) showing an update screen on which the registered product is added, and transmits it to the mobile terminal 50. At this time, the cloud server Sv also transmits cart identification information to the mobile terminal 50 together with the product registration update screen information (transmission / reception data D4 in FIG. 7).

[0145] Step S609: When the mobile terminal 50 receives the cart identification information and the product registration update screen information from the cloud server Sv, the mobile terminal 50 displays the product registration update screen in which the product has been added to the registration screen. Note that, although not shown in FIG. 7 for convenience of explanation, the processes of steps S605 to S609 are repeatedly executed every time the barcode attached to the product is scanned. In other words, the processes of steps S605 to S609 are looped until an instruction to complete registration is received in step S610, which will be described later.

[0146] Step S610: The mobile terminal 50 receives an instruction to complete registration by an operation of the customer. For example, the mobile terminal 50 receives the instruction to complete registration by pressing a button (registration completion button) displayed on the display 509 to complete registration.

[0147] Step S611: When the mobile terminal 50 receives an instruction to complete registration, it generates a settlement code. The settlement code includes cart identification information and transmission request information for making the POS terminal 20 perform settlement. The transmission request information is information that prompts the cloud server Sv to transmit registration information to the POS terminal 20. The registration information is information necessary for settlement, and includes, for example, the product name, price, subtotal amount, and the like, from among the registered product information. When the mobile terminal 50 generates the settlement code, it displays the generated settlement code on the display 509.

[0148] Step S612: After completing the product registration, the customer causes the customer-side scanner unit 206 of the POS terminal 20 to scan the payment code displayed on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50. This enables the POS terminal 20 to obtain cart identification information. The POS terminal 20 capable of scanning the payment code is the POS terminal 20 controlled in the payment-only mode or the full self-service mode.

[0149] Step S613: When the POS terminal 20 reads the settlement code displayed on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50, it makes a transmission request (transmission request information) for registration information and language information to the cloud server Sv. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 transmits a transmission request including the cart identification information restored from the settlement code to the cloud server Sv (transmission / reception data D5 in FIG. 7).

[0150] Step S614: Upon receiving the cart identification information and the transmission request information from the POS terminal 20, the cloud server Sv identifies the cart information including the received cart identification information. Step S615: When the cloud server Sv identifies the cart information, it transmits various information including cart identification information, registration information (information indicating registered product information and subtotal amount), and language information as transmission / reception data D6 to the POS terminal 20 (transmission / reception data D6 in FIG. 7). Note that, if there is a reserved product in the identified cart information, the registration information including the information on the reserved products is transmitted to the POS terminal 20.

[0151] Step S616: When the POS terminal 20 receives the registration information from the cloud server Sv, the POS terminal 20 displays a list of the registration information in a predetermined language corresponding to the language information (for example, the same language as the language set in the mobile terminal 50) on the customer side display unit 205. The predetermined language is only Japanese when the language information indicates Japanese, and is both Japanese and the other language when the language information indicates a language other than Japanese.

[0152] In addition, in the list display, if there are reserved items, the subtotal amount excluding the reserved items may be displayed, or the subtotal amount may not be displayed. Also, if there are reserved items, a store clerk is called. In this case, the POS terminal 20 transmits, for example, to the monitoring terminal 11 or a terminal device carried by the store clerk, information indicating that there are reserved items and notification information for sending a store clerk to the POS terminal 20.

[0153] Step S617: The POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process. In the settlement process, the POS terminal 20 accepts the selection of a payment type. The payment type may be registered in advance in this application. If the payment type is registered in advance, the POS terminal 20 does not need to display a selection screen for the payment type. Even if the payment type is registered, the POS terminal 20 may display a screen for selecting the payment type.

[0154] In addition, in the settlement process, the POS terminal 20, for example, accepts the insertion of cash, dispenses change, and issues a receipt. The POS terminal 20 then transmits information indicating the settlement details and cart information to the cloud server Sv. The cloud server Sv then stores the transaction end date and time (settlement date and time) of the cart information. In this manner, the series of processes is completed.

[0155] In the above process, the transmission and reception data D3 (cart identification information and product code) is transmitted to the cloud server Sv every time a product is scanned by the mobile terminal 50. However, the transmission of the transmission and reception data D3 is not limited to every time a product is scanned. For example, the mobile terminal 50 may store the product code every time a product is scanned, and transmit the product code together with the cart identification information to the cloud server Sv together at the timing when an instruction to complete registration is received. In this way, the number of communications between the mobile terminal 50 and the cloud server Sv can be reduced.

[0156] (An example of the registration process for a weighing target product) FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the process for registering a product to be weighed. Step S801: The mobile terminal 50 scans the barcode of the commodity to be weighed in response to an operation by the customer. Step S802: The mobile terminal 50 provisionally registers the product to be weighed that is identified from the scanned barcode, and displays a provisional registration screen.

[0157] Step S803: The weighing device 30 displays a standby screen in a standby state in which the weighing device 30 is not connected to any mobile terminal 50. A connection code is displayed on the standby screen. Step S804: After the portable terminal 50 provisionally registers the product to be weighed, the portable terminal 50 scans the connection code displayed on the weighing device 30 in response to an operation by the customer. The connection code includes information indicating that language information is to be sent to the weighing device 30. Step S805: When the portable terminal 50 scans the connection code, it makes a connection request for one-to-one communication to the weighing device 30. The connection request includes language information indicating the language set in the portable terminal 50.

[0158] In step S805, if the commodity to be weighed has not been provisionally registered, even if the connection code is scanned, the mobile terminal 50 will not make a connection request to the weighing device 30. This is because, if the connection time between one mobile terminal 50 and the weighing device 30 is long, the customer carrying that mobile terminal 50 will occupy the weighing device 30 for a correspondingly long period of time, and therefore, this occupancy time is to be shortened.

[0159] Step S806: When a connection request is received from the mobile terminal 50, the weighing device 30 performs pairing determination, including authentication of one-to-one communication and determination as to whether the provisionally registered product is a product to be weighed by the weighing device 30. Step S807: If the pairing is successful in the pairing determination, the weighing device 30 starts one-to-one communication with the portable terminal 50. Step S808: Furthermore, if pairing is successful, the portable terminal 50 starts one-to-one communication with the weighing device 30.

[0160] Step S809: The weighing device 30 displays the weighing screen for the provisionally registered product in a predetermined language corresponding to the language information (for example, the same language as the language set in the mobile terminal 50). The predetermined language is Japanese only when the language information indicates Japanese, and is both Japanese and the other language when the language information indicates a language other than Japanese. Step S810: The weighing device 30 weighs the product placed on the platform 320 by the customer. Step S811: When the weighing device 30 finishes weighing, it accepts the customer's operation and outputs a label showing the weighing result in a specific language (Japanese only, or Japanese and a foreign language together). When outputting the label, the weighing device 30 transmits the weighing result to the mobile terminal 50.

[0161] Step S812: Upon receiving the weighing result, the portable terminal 50 displays the weighing result. The timing at which the weighing result is sent to the portable terminal 50 is not limited to the timing at which the label is output, but may be the timing at which the weighing is completed in the weighing device 30. In this case, the timing at which the weighing result is displayed on the portable terminal 50 is the timing at which the weighing is completed.

[0162] Step S813: The mobile terminal 50 displays a registration update screen, and officially registers the product to be weighed. Step S814: The mobile terminal 50 transmits the product information of the weighing target product obtained from the weighing result and the cart identification information to the cloud server Sv. Step S815: Upon receiving the product information and the basket identification information from the mobile terminal 50, the cloud server Sv identifies the cart information including the received cart identification information.

[0163] Step S816: The cloud server Sv updates the registered product information including the identified cart information. Specifically, when the cloud server Sv receives product information for N items, it stores the product code included in the product information as the product code of the registered product information (registered product N). Furthermore, the cloud server Sv stores the product code, product name, and price in association with each other. The cloud server Sv also updates the cumulative information (cumulative number of items, subtotal amount, etc.) of the registered product information from the identified cart information.

[0164] Although not shown in FIG. 8 for the sake of convenience, the processes of steps S810 to S816 are repeatedly executed the same number of times as the number of provisionally registered commodities to be weighed.

[0165] (An example of a weighing target product registration process performed by the mobile terminal 50) Fig. 9A is a flowchart showing an example of a process for registering a commodity to be weighed, which is performed by the mobile terminal 50. Note that the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 9A is constantly started (periodically at very short time intervals) by the mobile terminal 50.

[0166] 9A, the mobile terminal 50 determines whether or not the barcode of the product to be weighed has been scanned (step S901). If the barcode of the product to be weighed has not been scanned (step S901: NO), the mobile terminal 50 proceeds to step S903. If the barcode of the product to be weighed has been scanned (step S901: YES), the mobile terminal 50 provisionally registers the product to be weighed (step S902). The provisionally registered product to be weighed is displayed on the display 509.

[0167] Then, the mobile terminal 50 determines whether or not the connection code has been scanned (step S903). If the connection code has not been scanned (step S903: NO), the mobile terminal 50 proceeds to step S909. If the connection code has been scanned (step S903: YES), the mobile terminal 50 determines whether or not there is a product to be weighed that is provisionally registered (step S904). In step S904, specifically, it is determined whether or not the product to be weighed is stored in the memory 504 as a provisionally registered product.

[0168] If there is no product to be weighed that is being provisionally registered (step S904: NO), the mobile terminal 50 issues a notification prompting provisional registration (step S905) and ends the series of processes. Note that the condition for ending the notification prompting provisional registration is that an operation to end the notification is received from the user, or an operation to perform provisional registration is received, etc.

[0169] On the other hand, if there is a product to be weighed that is being provisionally registered (step S904: YES), the mobile terminal 50 determines whether or not the short-range wireless communication function for one-to-one communication is on (step S906). If the short-range wireless communication function is off (step S906: NO), the mobile terminal 50 issues a function-on notification (step S907). The condition for ending the function-on notification is to receive an operation from the user to end the notification, or to receive an operation to turn on the short-range wireless communication function, etc.

[0170] If the short-range wireless communication function is on (step S906: YES), the mobile terminal 50 makes a connection request for one-to-one communication to the weighing device 30 (step S908). The connection request includes language information indicating the language set in the mobile terminal 50. When the connection request is made, the mobile terminal 50 displays a screen indicating that the connection is in progress. The mobile terminal 50 then determines whether or not pairing is successful (step S909). If pairing is successful (step S909: YES), one-to-one communication (pairing) with the weighing device 30 is initiated (step S910). When pairing is initiated, the mobile terminal 50 transmits identification information of the provisionally registered product to the weighing device 30.

[0171] The mobile terminal 50 then determines whether or not it has received error information indicating that the provisionally registered product is not eligible for weighing by the weighing device 30 within a predetermined time after successful pairing (step S911). If it has not received error information indicating that the product is not eligible for weighing (step S911: NO), it performs a connection process (see FIG. 9B) that is performed while connected to the weighing device 30 (step S912) and ends the series of processes. On the other hand, if it has received error information indicating that the product is not eligible for weighing (step S911: YES), the mobile terminal 50 notifies the user that the product is not eligible for weighing (step S913). The mobile terminal 50 then cancels the pairing (step S914) and ends the series of processes.

[0172] If the pairing is not successful in step S909 (step S909: NO), the mobile terminal 50 judges whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since making the connection request (step S915). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since making the connection request (step S915: NO), the mobile terminal 50 returns to step S909. If the predetermined time has elapsed since making the connection request (step S915: YES), the mobile terminal 50 notifies the user of a retry of the connection request to prompt the user to perform an operation related to communication connection again (step S916), and ends the series of processes.

[0173] The condition for ending the notification of a retry of a connection request is, for example, receiving an operation from the user to end the notification or receiving an operation to scan the connection code again.

[0174] (Processing performed by the mobile terminal 50 during connection with the weighing device 30)

[0175] 9B is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by the portable terminal 50 during connection with the weighing device 30. In FIG. 9B, the portable terminal 50 determines whether or not a weighing result has been received from the weighing device 30 via short-range wireless communication (step S921). If the portable terminal 50 has received a weighing result from the weighing device 30 (step S921: YES), the portable terminal 50 displays the weighing result on the display 509 (step S922).

[0176] Then, when the mobile terminal 50 receives the basket identification information and the product registration update screen information from the cloud server Sv, it displays the product registration update screen and completes the official registration of the weighing target product (step S923). Next, the mobile terminal 50 acquires product information of the weighing target product obtained from the weighing result, and transmits the acquired product information and the basket identification information to the cloud server Sv (step S924).

[0177] After that, the mobile terminal 50 judges whether or not the weighing of all the provisionally registered products to be weighed has been completed (step S925). Specifically, the mobile terminal 50 judges whether or not the main registration of all the provisionally registered products to be weighed has been completed. If the weighing of all the provisionally registered products to be weighed has been completed (step S925: YES), the mobile terminal 50 cancels the pairing (step S926) and ends the series of processes.

[0178] If weighing of all provisionally registered products to be weighed has not been completed (step S925: NO), the mobile terminal 50 judges whether the communication connection with the weighing device 30 has been disconnected (step S927). The communication connection may be disconnected, for example, when the distance between the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 exceeds the range in which short-range wireless communication is possible. Specifically, the communication connection may be disconnected when a customer goes to another sales floor before the official registration of all products to be weighed is completed.

[0179] If the communication connection with the weighing device 30 has not been disconnected (step S927: NO), the mobile terminal 50 returns to step S921. If the communication connection with the weighing device 30 has been disconnected (step S927: YES), the mobile terminal 50 notifies the user that communication has been disconnected (step S928). The conditions for ending this notification include receiving an operation from the user to end the notification, or communication being reconnected.

[0180] The portable terminal 50 then determines whether the communication connection with the weighing device 30 has been terminated (step S929). The communication connection is terminated, for example, when an operation to terminate the connection is received from the user, or when the disconnected state continues for a predetermined time or more. If the communication connection with the weighing device 30 has been terminated (step S929: YES), the portable terminal 50 ends the series of processes. If the communication connection with the weighing device 30 has not been terminated (step S929: NO), the portable terminal 50 returns to step S921.

[0181] (An example of transaction information output processing performed by the weighing device 30) 9C is a flowchart showing an example of a transaction information output process performed by the weighing device 30. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9C is constantly started (periodically at very short time intervals) by the weighing device 30.

[0182] 9C, the weighing device 30 determines whether it is in a standby state (step S941). If it is not in a standby state (step S941: NO), the weighing device 30 proceeds to step S947. If it is in a standby state (step S941: YES), the weighing device 30 determines whether there is a connection request from the mobile terminal 50 (step S942).

[0183] If there is no connection request (step S942: NO), the weighing device 30 returns to step S941. If there is a connection request (step S942: YES), the weighing device 30 determines whether pairing was successful (step S943). If pairing failed (step S943: NO), the weighing device 30 returns to step S941.

[0184] If pairing is successful (step S943: NO), the weighing device 30 refers to the language information sent together with the connection request (step S944) and determines whether or not it is possible to display in the language indicated by the language information (step S945). Specifically, the weighing device 30 refers to the language association table 420 (see FIG. 4B) and determines whether or not it is possible to display in the language indicated by the language information. If it is possible to display in the language indicated by the language information (step S945: YES), the weighing device 30 sets the same language as the language indicated by the language information as the display and audio language (step S946).

[0185] On the other hand, if the language indicated by the language information cannot be displayed (step S945: NO), that is, if the language is not prepared in advance, such as Taiwanese, the weighing device 30 refers to the supported language table 430 (see FIG. 4C) and sets the supported language (step S947). The supported language may be set according to the customer's selection.

[0186] The weighing device 30 displays the display content in the language set in step S946 or step S947. If the set language is Japanese, the weighing device 30 displays the display content only in Japanese, and if the set language is a foreign language, the weighing device 30 displays the display content in both Japanese and the foreign language.

[0187] Once the language setting is complete, the weighing device 30 starts one-to-one communication (pairing) with the mobile terminal 50 (step S948). The weighing device 30 then waits until weighing of the temporarily registered product in the mobile terminal 50 is complete (step S949: NO). When weighing of the temporarily registered product is complete (step S949: YES), the weighing device 30 displays a print button for printing a label on the display unit 306 (step S950).

[0188] Next, the weighing device 30 determines whether the print button has been pressed (step S951). The weighing device 30 waits until the print button is pressed (step S951: NO). When the print button is pressed (step S951: YES), the weighing device 30 outputs a label (step S952). The weighing device 30 then transmits the weighing result to the portable terminal 50 via short-range wireless communication (step S953). When the portable terminal 50 receives the weighing result, it displays a product registration update screen and completes the official registration of the product to be weighed.

[0189] The weighing device 30 then determines whether or not weighing of all products provisionally registered in the mobile terminal 50 has been completed (step S954). If weighing of all products provisionally registered has not been completed (step S954: NO), the weighing device 30 returns to step S949. If weighing of all products provisionally registered has been completed (step S954: YES), the weighing device 30 cancels pairing with the mobile terminal 50 (step S955). The weighing device 30 then transitions to a standby state (step S956), and ends the series of processes.

[0190] (An example of transaction information output processing performed by the POS terminal 20) Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a transaction information output process performed by the POS terminal 20. In Fig. 10, the POS terminal 20 judges whether or not the settlement code displayed on the mobile terminal 50 has been read (step S1001). The POS terminal 20 waits until the settlement code is read (step S1001: NO). When the settlement code is read (step S1001: YES), the POS terminal 20 makes a request to the cloud server Sv to transmit registration information (step S1002).

[0191] The POS terminal 20 then receives the registration information from the cloud server Sv. Next, the POS terminal 20 refers to the language information included in the registration information (step S1004) and determines whether or not it is possible to display in the language indicated by the language information (step S1005). Specifically, the POS terminal 20 refers to the language association table of the POS terminal 20 and determines whether or not it is possible to display in the language indicated by the language information. If it is possible to display in the language indicated by the language information (step S1005: YES), the weighing device 30 sets the same language as the language indicated by the language information as the display language and audio language (step S1006).

[0192] On the other hand, if the language indicated by the language information cannot be displayed (step S1005: NO), that is, if the language is not prepared in advance, such as Taiwanese, the POS terminal 20 refers to the supported language table of the POS terminal 20 and sets the supported language (step S1007). The supported language may be set according to the customer's selection.

[0193] The POS terminal 20 displays the display contents in the language set in step S1006 or step S1007. If the set language is Japanese, the POS terminal 20 displays the display contents only in Japanese, and if the set language is a foreign language, the POS terminal 20 displays the display contents in both Japanese and the foreign language.

[0194] Once the language setting is complete, the POS terminal 20 displays the registration information in the set language (step S1008), and then executes a series of payment processes to accept the customer's payment and issue a receipt (step S1009), ending the series of processes.

[0195] (Procedure for registering weighing items in Japanese) Next, a procedure for registering a product to be weighed while displaying Japanese characters will be described with reference to Figs. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration procedure of a commodity to be weighed. In FIG. 11, an example will be described in which the camera 507 of the mobile terminal 50 captures the identification information of a commodity to be weighed that a customer wishes to purchase. In a corner (sales floor) in a store where fruits are placed, for example, a commodity to be weighed 1101a of lemons, a commodity to be weighed 1101b of apples, and a commodity to be weighed 1101c of oranges are displayed. Behind each commodity to be weighed 1101 (1101a to 1101c), a sign 1102 (1102a to 1102c) having a display is placed. Note that, in the following, the lemon sign 1102a will be mainly taken as an example, but the same applies to the other signs 1102b and 1102c.

[0196] The sign 1102a displays the character "Lemon", a unit price, and a barcode 1103. The unit price indicates that it is nn yen per 1 kg. The barcode 1103 includes information for identifying the product 1101a to be weighed (product identification information) and the unit price. The barcode 1103 is read by the mobile terminal 50.

[0197] The indicator 1102a is displayed on a display. The indicator 1102a can change the contents of the barcode 1103 depending on the time. For example, it can prevent fraudulent acts such as discounts during time specials and transactions using barcodes read in the past. Specifically, this fraudulent act involves, for example, taking a picture of a barcode during a time special on the previous day with a camera and having the barcode read the next day to register the weighing target product 1101 at the unit price during the time special on the previous day. The indicator 1102a may be printed on a print medium such as paper.

[0198] 11, the display screen of the mobile terminal 50 shows a provisional registration screen after the barcodes 1103 of the lemon product 1101a to be weighed and the apple product 1101b to be weighed are read. Specifically, the display screen of the mobile terminal 50 shows the product names (product identification information) of lemon and apple, and indicates that each product has not been weighed.

[0199] More specifically, display 509 of mobile terminal 50 displays subtotal column 550, provisional registration column 551 (551a, 551b), final registration column 552, and read result 560. Subtotal column 550 displays the total price of the final registered products. Provisional registration column 551 displays provisionally registered products 1101 to be weighed. Specifically, provisional registration columns 551a and 551b display, for lemons and apples, "Weighing Required," indicating that weighing is required, and "?? yen," indicating that the price is undetermined because weighing has not been completed.

[0200] The read result 560 shows the result of reading the barcode 1103. The read result 560 includes the unit price of the product 1101 to be weighed. Note that in the figure, the barcode 1103 for apples is read first, and then the barcode 1103 for lemons is read.

[0201] Further, the provisional registration fields 551a and 551b are displayed in a different display format from the main registration field 552. In the figure, the provisional registration fields 551a and 551b are displayed in a shaded display format. By using such a display format, it is possible to make the customer aware that provisional registration is in progress, and to encourage the customer to weigh the item. Although "?? yen" is displayed in the provisional registration field 551, the display is not limited to this, and the unit price may be displayed.

[0202] The registered product and price are displayed in the main registration field 552. The main registration field 552 shows that one item of yogurt priced at 160 yen has been registered. In addition, a checkout button 554 is displayed to the right of the subtotal field 550. When the checkout button 554 is pressed, it becomes possible to settle the bill for the registered product.

[0203] The screen for registering the product 1101 to be weighed may be a dedicated screen different from the screen for registering normal products that are not the product 1101 to be weighed. For example, if the barcode 1103 of the product 1101 to be weighed is read while the screen for registering normal products is displayed, a dedicated screen that displays only the product 1101 to be weighed may be displayed. On this dedicated screen, for example, only the product 1101 to be weighed may be registered. This makes it clearer that the product 1101 to be weighed has been provisionally registered and that it needs to be weighed.

[0204] Here, when the barcode of a normal product is read on the dedicated screen, control may be performed to prohibit the registration of the normal product. Specifically, when the barcode of a normal product is read on the dedicated screen, a message "Please weigh the product to be weighed first" may be displayed. This makes it possible to prevent a customer from forgetting to weigh the product 1101 to be weighed that has been provisionally registered. In addition, the condition for lifting the prohibition of the registration may be the completion of the actual registration of the product 1101 to be weighed, or a button for canceling the provisional registration of the product 1101 to be weighed may be displayed and the button may be pressed.

[0205] Also, when the barcode of a regular product is read on the dedicated screen, the registration may be permitted. Specifically, when the barcode of a regular product is read on the dedicated screen, the screen may be returned to for registering the regular product. After returning to the screen for registering the regular product, the screen may be configured to display a notification indicating that the product 1101 to be weighed is currently being provisionally registered (for example, by displaying "Product to be weighed"). This can prevent customers from forgetting to weigh the product 1101 to be weighed that is provisionally registered.

[0206] (Regarding the standby screen of the weighing device 30) Next, an example of a standby screen displayed on the weighing device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a standby screen displayed on the weighing device 30. As shown in Fig. 12, a standby screen 1200 displayed during standby is displayed on the display unit 306 of the weighing device 30. On the standby screen 1200, a language switching button 1201, a first notification field 1210, and a second notification field 1220 are displayed.

[0207] Language switch button 1201 is a button for switching the language displayed in first guide box 1210 and second guide box 1220, and is a button for accepting switching between, for example, English, Chinese, and Korean.

[0208] The first information field 1210 shows information for registering a product to be weighed using the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the first information field 1210 shows a connection code 1211, and shows information for having the mobile terminal 50 read the connection code 1211.

[0209] The second notification field 1220 shows a guide for registering the product to be weighed without using the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the second notification field 1220 shows a guide encouraging the user to place the product to be weighed on a scale and weigh it. The following describes the case where the mobile terminal 50 is used.

[0210] 11, when the mobile terminal 50 completes the provisional registration of lemons and apples, the customer has the mobile terminal 50 read the connection code 1211. Even after the provisional registration is completed, the mobile terminal 50 displays a screen similar to that displayed when reading the product barcode. Therefore, the customer can have the mobile terminal 50 read the connection code 1211 without having to switch screens.

[0211] The portable terminal 50 that reads the connection code 1211 makes a request for a communication connection to the weighing device 30 based on the instruction indicated by the connection code 1211. This enables one-to-one communication to be started between the portable terminal 50 and the weighing device 30. When communication is established, the portable terminal 50 transmits information on the product provisionally registered in the weighing device 30. For example, when lemons and apples are provisionally registered as shown in FIG. 11, the portable terminal 50 transmits identification information for lemons and apples.

[0212] The weighing device 30, which has received the product identification information, displays a screen on the display unit 306 to prompt the user to weigh the product to be weighed, which is indicated in the identification information. For example, if multiple products to be weighed are provisionally registered, the weighing device 30 displays a screen on the display unit 306 to prompt the user to weigh each product to be weighed in the order in which the barcodes were read by the mobile terminal 50.

[0213] (Regarding the screen displayed on the mobile terminal 50 during pairing) Next, a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 50 during pairing will be described. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 50 during pairing. Fig. 13(A) shows a screen when the mobile terminal 50 makes a connection request to the weighing device 30. As shown in Fig. 13(A), the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50 displays a status display 1310 indicating that a communication connection with the weighing device 30 is being attempted. When pairing is completed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 13(B).

[0214] Fig. 13(B) shows a screen when a communication connection is established. As shown in Fig. 13(B), a guidance display 1320 that prompts the user to place a product on the scale is displayed on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50. Note that, since the mobile terminal 50 provisionally registered the apple before the lemon, the guidance display 1320 that prompts the user to weigh the apple is displayed before the guidance display that prompts the user to weigh the lemon.

[0215] (An example of a screen displayed on the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 during weighing) Next, the screens displayed on the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 during weighing will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 during weighing.

[0216] 14(A) shows an operation guide screen 1400 displayed on the display unit 306 of the weighing device 30 when the mobile terminal 50 reads the connection code 1211 (see FIG. 12) and starts weighing apples with the weighing device 30. The operation guide screen 1400 displays a guide display S1, a product name display 1401, a back button 1402, a cancel button 1403, a search button 1404, a weighing result column 1405, a unit price column 1406, a total amount column 1407, and mobile terminal information 1430.

[0217] The guidance display S1 shows guidance encouraging the user to place the product on the platform 320. The product name display 1401 shows the product name of the product to be weighed. The back button 1402 is a button that accepts returning to the previous screen. The cancel button 1403 is a button that accepts canceling weighing. The search button 1404 is a button that accepts searching for nearby mobile terminals 50 in order to reconnect with the mobile terminal 50 when, for example, the communication connection with the mobile terminal 50 is disconnected.

[0218] The weighing result field 1405 shows the weight of the product to be weighed that is placed on the platform 320. Note that the weighing result field 1405 is not limited to displaying the weight, and for example, for a product whose approximate weight per unit is known, the number of units converted based on the weight may be displayed. The unit price field 1406 shows the unit price (for example, the price per kilogram). The total amount field 1407 shows the total amount calculated from the weighing result and the unit price.

[0219] The mobile terminal information 1430 is text information displayed to let the customer know which mobile terminal 50 is currently connected. Specifically, the mobile terminal information 1430 shows text information such as "Connected to XX-san." Note that the "XX" display portion shown in the mobile terminal information 1430 may be any information capable of identifying the member, such as the customer's name, ID, nickname, member name, member number, or a character or mark selected by the member.

[0220] Furthermore, the mobile terminal information 1430 is not limited to text information. For example, the mobile terminal information 1430 may be displayed with a different background image or a different color for a specific part for each customer (each mobile terminal 50). For example, an image that relates the background image of the weighing device 30 and the background image of the mobile terminal 50 may be displayed. Specifically, for example, the background image of the mobile terminal 50 and the background image of the weighing device 30 (display unit 306) may be displayed in the same color (e.g., yellow).

[0221] The same type of mark may be displayed on the mobile terminal 50 and the weighing device 30. For example, if animal marks such as a lion or a zebra can be displayed, the same type of mark may be displayed on the mobile terminal 50 and the weighing device 30. The control of displaying related images or the same image on the mobile terminal 50 and the weighing device 30 may be performed based on an instruction from the mobile terminal 50 or based on an instruction from the weighing device 30.

[0222] In addition, the mobile terminal information 1430 may be displayed in any other way that allows a clear distinction between a case where the mobile terminal 50 is connected and a case where the mobile terminal 50 is not connected. For example, the weighing device 30 may be displayed in a different background color or with a different font size or type depending on whether the mobile terminal 50 is connected or not.

[0223] Also, while connected to the mobile terminal 50, the illustration of the mobile terminal 50 may be displayed larger than when not connected to the mobile terminal 50. Also, for example, when connected to the mobile terminal 50, the text "Mobile terminal connection mode" may be displayed, and when not connected to the mobile terminal 50, the text "Normal registration mode" may be displayed.

[0224] In this way, by displaying the mobile terminal information 1430, it is possible to clearly indicate that a connection is being made to the mobile terminal 50. This makes it possible to prevent a customer other than the customer who owns the mobile terminal 50 from attempting to connect to the weighing device 30 using his or her own mobile terminal 50.

[0225] FIG. 14(B) shows a weighing completion screen 1410 that is displayed when a customer places apples on platform 320 and weighing is completed. The weighing completion screen 1410 differs from the operation guide screen 1400 of FIG. 14(A) in that the weighing completion screen 1410 displays the contents of a weighing result field 1405, the contents of a total amount field 1407, a guide display S2, and a print button 1408. The contents of the weighing result field 1405 show the weight (1.2006 kg in the figure). The contents of the total amount field 1407 show the total amount (¥432 in the figure) of the weighing result. The total amount displayed in the total amount field 1407 shows, for example, the product of the weight and the unit price. Note that the total amount is displayed with less than 1 yen rounded down.

[0226] The guidance display S2 shows guidance encouraging the user to press the print button 1408. The print button 1408 is a button that accepts the issuance of a label on which information about the product to be weighed is printed. The print button 1408 is displayed, for example, only when the product to be weighed is placed and the weight value stabilizes. The print button 1408 may be grayed out to make it unacceptable until the weight value stabilizes, and then the grayed out state may be removed to make it acceptable to print when the weight value stabilizes.

[0227] When the print button 1408 is pressed on the measurement completion screen 1410 shown in FIG. 14(B), a label (see FIG. 15) is discharged from the discharge port of the printing unit 307, and the screen shown in FIG. 14(C) is displayed.

[0228] Fig. 14(C) shows a guide screen 1420 that prompts the user to affix a label to the bag containing the product to be weighed (apples). When displaying the screen shown in Fig. 14(C), the weighing device 30 transmits the weighing results for the apples (product identification information, the fact that they have been weighed, the price, etc.) to the mobile terminal 50 via short-range wireless communication. When the mobile terminal 50 receives the weighing results through this communication, the mobile terminal 50 displays the screen shown in Fig. 14(D).

[0229] Figure 14(D) shows a screen displayed on mobile terminal 50 when the official registration of apples is completed. As shown in Figure 14(D), due to the fact that the weighing result of the apples has been received from weighing device 30, mobile terminal 50 displays a screen showing official registration field 552a corresponding to apples, instead of temporary registration field 551b (see Figure 13) corresponding to apples.

[0230] In the final registration field 552a, the shading displayed in the temporary registration field 551b is removed, and the price (432 yen) is also displayed. Furthermore, the word "Weighing required" displayed in the temporary registration field 551b has been changed to the word "Weighing" in the final registration field 552a in FIG. 14(D). This makes it possible to notify the customer that the weighing of the apples has been completed. Note that in the final registration field 552a, instead of the word "Weighing", the weighed weight (e.g., 0.5 kg) or the unit price (e.g., 1000 yen / kg) may be displayed.

[0231] After a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed since the weighing device 30 displayed the screen shown in Fig. 14(C), the weighing device 30 transitions to a screen that prompts the user to weigh the lemon. The transition of the screens on the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 when weighing a lemon is the same as that when weighing an apple, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. When the official registration of all provisionally registered products to be weighed (apples and lemons) is completed, the weighing device 30 displays the standby screen 1200 shown in Fig. 12 after a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed.

[0232] (An example of a label issued by the weighing device 30) FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a label issued by the weighing device 30. The label 1500 shown in FIG. 15 is a linerless label (hereinafter referred to as a "linerless label") in which the sheet St does not have a cut according to a specified label size. When using a linerless label, a sheet St is used that has an adhesive material applied to the back surface and is wound in a roll. The rolled sheet St is stored in the printing unit 307 of the weighing device 30. When issuing a label 1500, the printing unit 307 pays out the rolled sheet St and performs a predetermined printing on the paid-out sheet St. The printing unit 307 then cuts the sheet St by a cutter unit to a length corresponding to the amount of printed data, and issues one label 1500. In this way, the length of the linerless label in the pull-out direction (issuance direction) is variable depending on the amount of data to be printed.

[0233] 15, the label 1500 includes the display of a product name 1501, a unit price 1502, a content amount 1503, a selling price 1504, and a barcode 1505. The product name 1501 is the name of the product to which the label 1500 is attached (apples). The unit price 1502 is the selling price per kilogram of apples. The content amount 1503 indicates the weight of the product to which the label 1500 is attached. The selling price 1504 indicates the purchase price of the product to which the label 1500 is attached. The barcode 1505 is a coded version of the contents printed in the product name 1501, the unit price 1502, the content amount 1503, and the selling price 1504. Note that the barcode 1505 indicates a one-dimensional barcode, but may be a code in another display format such as a two-dimensional code.

[0234] Note that the sheet St is not necessarily linerless, and may be, for example, a label called a tack sheet. For example, a label paper with a mount, in which a label paper of a predetermined size is temporarily attached to a mount and rolled up, is used as the tack sheet. The label paper with a mount may be cut at a predetermined interval in advance, or may be a label paper of a predetermined size temporarily attached continuously with a predetermined interval (margin). The length and width of the tack sheet are fixed. When a tack sheet is used, the printing unit 307 prints on the label paper with the mount, and then peels the label paper from the mount using a dispenser (peeling unit) provided near the label paper outlet, and issues the labels one by one.

[0235] (Procedure for registering weighing target products by displaying foreign language) Next, the procedure for registering a commodity to be weighed by displaying a foreign language will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 19. Figures 16 to 19 show the case where the contents shown in Figures 11 to 15 are displayed in a foreign language (e.g., Chinese). In the following descriptions of outputting a display screen or the like in a foreign language, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those already described, and descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

[0236] Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a procedure for registering a commodity to be weighed in a foreign language. The mobile terminal 50 shown in Fig. 16 is owned by a Chinese customer. Chinese is set as the language to be used in this mobile terminal 50. In Fig. 16, the contents displayed on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50 shown in Fig. 11 are displayed in Chinese on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50.

[0237] In addition to the total price of the registered products, the subtotal column 550 also displays the amount converted into Chinese currency (Chinese yuan). This allows foreign customers to know the total amount converted into their own country's currency. Since exchange rates change from time to time, for example, the average value of the previous month may be used for conversion, or the mobile terminal 50 may obtain the real-time rate and convert it.

[0238] Furthermore, the unit price of the weighed product 1101 shown in the reading result 560 is not only the unit price per "kg", but also the unit price in Chinese yuan per "gongjin", the Chinese unit of weight. Since 1 gongjin is 1 kg, there is no need to convert the weight. For example, if the unit price is expressed in dollars, the amount and weight can be converted and the unit price can be displayed in "dollars / ounce".

[0239] (Regarding the standby screen displayed on the weighing device 30 in a foreign language) Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a standby screen displayed in a foreign language on the weighing device 30. As shown in Fig. 17, a standby screen 1200 displayed during standby is displayed in Chinese on the display unit 306. This is because a Chinese button 1201a, which switches to Chinese, among language switching buttons 1201 is pressed. The language switching buttons 1201 also include a Japanese button 1201b. When the Japanese button 1201b is pressed, the display returns to Japanese.

[0240] (Regarding the foreign language display screen displayed on the mobile terminal 50 during pairing) Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a foreign language display screen during pairing displayed on the mobile terminal 50. As shown in Fig. 18(A), a status display 1310 is displayed in Chinese on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50, indicating that a communication connection with the weighing device 30 is being attempted. Also, as shown in Fig. 18(B), a guidance display 1320 is displayed in Chinese on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50, encouraging the user to place a product on the scale.

[0241] (An example of a foreign language display screen displayed on the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 during weighing) FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a foreign language display screen displayed on the weighing device 30 and the mobile terminal 50 during weighing.

[0242] 19(A) to 19(C), the display unit 306 of the weighing device 30 displays each item in Chinese. The unit price displayed in the unit price column 1406 shows the unit price converted into Chinese yuan as well as the unit price in Japanese yen. Note that when the unit of weight is "ounces" and conversion from "kg" is required, the unit price column 1406 may also show the unit price converted into weight (for example, "dollars / ounce").

[0243] This allows foreign customers to know the unit price converted into their own country's currency. In addition to the total amount in Japanese yen, the total amount converted into Chinese yuan is also displayed in total amount column 1407 in FIG. 19(B). This allows foreign customers to know the total amount converted into their own country's currency. Since exchange rates change from time to time, for example, the average value of the previous month may be used for conversion, or the weighing device 30 may obtain a real-time rate and convert it. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 19(D), each display on display 509 of mobile terminal 50 is displayed in Chinese.

[0244] (An example of a label issued by the weighing device 30 in a foreign language) Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a label in a foreign language that is printed by the weighing device 30. The label 2000 shown in Fig. 20 is a linerless label.

[0245] In label 2000 in Fig. 20, product name 1501 lists the name of the product to which label 2000 is attached (apples) in Japanese and Chinese. Unit price 1502 lists the selling price per kilogram of apples in Japanese and Chinese. Contents 1503 lists the weight of the product to which label 2000 is attached in Japanese and Chinese. Selling price 1504 lists the price of the product to which label 1500 is attached in Japanese yen and the amount converted into Chinese yuan.

[0246] The size of the label 2000 is different from that of the label 1500 shown in FIG. 15. Specifically, the size of the Japanese characters in the label 2000 is approximately the same as that of the label 1500, but Chinese characters have been added. For this reason, the size of the label 2000 is larger than that of the label 1500. As described above, the label 2000 issued in a foreign language requires a larger display area to accommodate the foreign language, and therefore is preferably a linerless label. In particular, by using a linerless label, it is not necessary to reduce the size of the Japanese and foreign language characters, and therefore a decrease in visibility can be suppressed.

[0247] However, the label 2000 is not limited to a linerless label, and may be a tuck sheet. When using a tuck sheet, the size of the characters written on the label 2000 may be reduced since the size of the sheet St is fixed.

[0248] (About screen transitions when displaying Japanese and making payments) Next, an example of a screen that displays Japanese characters and is used for settlement will be described with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on display 509 of mobile terminal 50. As shown in FIG.

[0249] Fig. 21(A) shows a screen when registering a product displayed on mobile terminal 50. As shown in Fig. 21(A), display 509 of mobile terminal 50 displays subtotal column 550, main registration column 552, and checkout button 554. When checkout button 554 is pressed in Fig. 21(A), mobile terminal 50 transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 21(B).

[0250] Fig. 21(B) shows a screen when the settlement code 2100 is displayed on the mobile terminal 50. As shown in Fig. 21(B), the settlement code 2100, a guide display area 2101, and a registration return button 2102 are displayed on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50.

[0251] The settlement code 2100 is a coded version of the cart identification information of the mobile terminal 50 and information for requesting the cloud server Sv to start settlement. A guidance display area 2101 displays guidance for causing the POS terminal 20 to read the settlement code 2100. A registration return button 2102 is a button for accepting a return to a screen (the screen in FIG. 21(A)) on which a product can be scanned.

[0252] When the customer side scanner unit 206 of the POS terminal 20 reads the settlement code 2100, the settlement process can be executed at the POS terminal 20.

[0253] (Example of screen transition displayed on customer side display unit 205 of POS terminal 20 at checkout) 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the transition of screens displayed on the customer-side display unit 205 of the POS terminal 20 at the time of payment. FIG. 22(A) shows a guide screen 2200. The guide screen 2200 is a screen that prompts the customer-side scanner unit 206 to read the payment code 2100 (see FIG. 21(B)). A language change button 2201 is displayed on the guide screen 2200. The language change button 2201 is a button that switches the language displayed on the guide screen 2200, and is a button that accepts switching to, for example, English, Chinese, or Korean.

[0254] When the customer causes the customer-side scanner unit 206 to read the settlement code 2100 displayed on the mobile terminal 50 on the guide screen 2200 shown in FIG. 22(A), the screen transitions to a list display screen 2210 shown in FIG. 22(B).

[0255] Fig. 22(B) shows a transaction information list display screen 2210. The list display screen 2210 shown in Fig. 22(B) includes a transaction information display 2211, a checkout start button 2212, a call store clerk button 2213, and a sort button 2214. The transaction information display 2211 shows the product name, number of items purchased (purchase weight), and purchase price for each registered product, as well as the total number of items and total price for the various registered products.

[0256] The transaction information display 2211 has a larger display area and is easier for customers to see than the main registration field 552 (see FIG. 21(A)) displayed on the display 509 of the mobile terminal 50. Since the transaction information display 2211 is displayed with good visibility in this way, the customer can easily check the products that he or she has registered. The transaction information display 2211 is displayed, for example, in descending order of purchase price.

[0257] The checkout start button 2212 is a button that accepts the start of checkout processing from the customer. The call clerk button 2213 is a button that accepts the customer's call to a clerk. The sort button 2214 is a button that accepts changes to the order of products displayed in the transaction information display 2211, such as by registration order or by department.

[0258] The products displayed on the transaction information display 2211 in Fig. 22(B) will be specifically described. Three products are registered in the transaction information display 2211. The customer checks the transaction information display 2211, and if there is no difference between the registered products and the products to be actually purchased, presses the checkout start button 2212. When the checkout start button 2212 is pressed, the POS terminal 20 starts the checkout process.

[0259] (About screen transitions when making payments using foreign language displays) Next, an example of a screen for displaying a foreign language and performing settlement will be described with reference to Figures 23 and 24. Figures 23 and 24 show a case where the contents shown in Figures 21 and 22 are displayed in a foreign language (e.g., Chinese).

[0260] Figure 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in Chinese on display 509 of mobile terminal 50. In Figures 23(A) and (B), the contents shown in Figures 21(A) and (B) are displayed in Chinese on display 509 of mobile terminal 50. In subtotal column 550 of Figure 23(A), in addition to the total price of registered products, the amount converted into Chinese currency (Chinese yuan) is also displayed.

[0261] (Example of screen transition in foreign language displayed on customer side display unit 205 of POS terminal 20 at checkout) Figure 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the transition of screens displayed in a foreign language on the customer side display unit 205 of the POS terminal 20 at the time of settlement. In Figures 24(A) and (B), the contents shown in Figures 22(A) and (B) are displayed in Chinese.

[0262] In Fig. 24(A), the guide screen 2200 is displayed by pressing a Chinese button 2201a, which switches to Chinese, among language switching buttons 2201. Also, the language switching buttons 2201 in Fig. 24(A) include a Japanese button 2201b. When the Japanese button 2201b is pressed, the display returns to Japanese.

[0263] The list display screen 2210 in Fig. 24(B) is displayed in Chinese by the POS terminal 20 receiving, from the cloud server Sv, registration information including the language information set in the mobile terminal 50. Note that the list display screen 2210 is not limited to being displayed by receiving the language information, and may be displayed by pressing the Chinese button 2201a on the guidance screen 2200 in Fig. 24(A).

[0264] As described above, the weighing device 30 according to this embodiment outputs transaction-related information in a language corresponding to one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. Therefore, the language used by the weighing device 30 can be automatically switched to a language corresponding to one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. In other words, even if a foreign customer cannot understand the language used in the store where the shopping system 1 is installed, transaction-related information can be output in the language used by the customer without the customer having to verbally tell a store clerk a language that the customer can understand or perform an operation to switch to a language that the customer can understand. Therefore, it is possible to support customers such as foreigners who speak a language different from the language used in the store to make a convenient purchase.

[0265] Furthermore, the weighing device 30 according to this embodiment is adapted to output weighing information in a language corresponding to one of the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 when weighing. Therefore, when a foreign customer uses the weighing device 30 to weigh the products to be weighed, the weighing can be appropriately supported.

[0266] Furthermore, the weighing device 30 according to this embodiment converts the weight information of the weighed product into a unit of weight corresponding to one of the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 and outputs the converted information. This allows the transaction information to be output in the unit of weight used by the foreign customer in his / her home country. Therefore, when the foreign customer uses the weighing device 30 to weigh the product, he / she can easily grasp the weight of the product.

[0267] In addition, the weighing device 30 according to this embodiment converts the purchase amount information of the product into a currency corresponding to one of the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 and outputs the converted information. This allows the transaction information to be output in the currency used by the foreign customer in his / her home country. This allows the foreign customer to easily understand the monetary value of the product when purchasing it.

[0268] Furthermore, the weighing device 30 according to this embodiment is adapted to print a label in a language corresponding to one of the language information set in the mobile terminal 50. This allows foreign customers to easily understand the contents written on the label.

[0269] Furthermore, the POS terminal 20 according to this embodiment is adapted to output transaction-related information (registration information) in a language corresponding to one of the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 during checkout. This allows even a foreign customer who does not understand the language used in the store where the shopping system 1 is installed to make the payment in the language used by the customer without having to verbally tell the store clerk a language that the customer can understand or without the customer having to perform an operation to switch the language that the customer can understand by himself / herself. This allows for suitable support for the checkout of foreign customers.

[0270] (Modification of the first embodiment) Next, a description will be given of a modification of the embodiment 1. Note that in the following modification, the contents described in the above embodiment 1 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0271] (Variation 1) In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the weighing device 30 directly acquires language information from the mobile terminal 50. In addition to or instead of such a configuration, in a first modification, a configuration will be described in which the weighing device 30 acquires language information from member information.

[0272] In the first modification, the cloud server Sv stores member information. The member information is, for example, the customer information shown in FIG. 6(A) including language information. The language information is stored in association with the customer identification information. The language information is the language selected by the customer when registering as a member. The language information may be obtained from the customer's place of residence or nationality.

[0273] Before starting weighing the product to be weighed, the weighing device 30 reads the membership code written on the membership card or the membership code displayed on the mobile terminal 50. The timing for reading the membership code may be before or after pairing with the mobile terminal 50 begins. The membership code is encoded information including customer identification information (see FIG. 6(A)).

[0274] When the weighing device 30 reads the membership code, it queries the cloud server Sv for language information. Specifically, the weighing device 30 transmits the read membership code to the cloud server Sv and requests the cloud server Sv to transmit language information corresponding to the member.

[0275] The cloud server Sv references the membership information, identifies the language information corresponding to the membership code (customer identification information) received from the weighing device 30, and transmits the language information to the weighing device 30. This allows the weighing device 30 to acquire the language information. When acquiring the language information from the membership information, the connection code displayed by the weighing device 30 does not have to include information indicating that the language information will be sent to the weighing device 30.

[0276] In addition, in the first modification, the member information is stored in the cloud server Sv, but this is not limited to the above. The member information may be stored in another device, such as the store controller 10. In this case, the weighing device 30 may inquire of the other device about the language information.

[0277] According to the first modification, the weighing device 30 can output information about the transaction in the language specified by the language information identified from the member information. In other words, the weighing device 30 can automatically switch to a language corresponding to one of the language information obtained from the member information. Therefore, when a foreign customer who speaks a different language goes shopping, the weighing device 30 can effectively support the customer's shopping.

[0278] (Variation 2) In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the POS terminal 20 acquires language information transmitted to the cloud server Sv by the mobile terminal 50. In addition to or instead of such a configuration, in the second modification, a configuration will be described in which the POS terminal 20 acquires language information from member information, similarly to the first modification.

[0279] In Modification 2, the cloud server Sv stores member information in the same manner as Modification 1. Before starting settlement, the POS terminal 20 reads the member code written on the member card or the member code displayed on the mobile terminal 50. The timing for reading the member code may be before or after reading the settlement code displayed on the mobile terminal 50.

[0280] When the POS terminal 20 reads the membership code, it queries the cloud server Sv for language information. Specifically, the weighing device 30 transmits the read membership code to the cloud server Sv and requests the cloud server Sv to transmit language information corresponding to the member.

[0281] The cloud server Sv refers to the member information, identifies language information corresponding to the member code (customer identification information) received from the POS terminal 20, and transmits the language information to the POS terminal 20. This allows the POS terminal 20 to acquire the language information. When the language information is acquired from the member information, the transmission request information (see transmission / reception data D5 in FIG. 7) transmitted by the POS terminal 20 to the cloud server Sv may not include information indicating a request to transmit language information.

[0282] According to the second modification, the POS terminal 20 can output information about a transaction in a language indicated by language information specified from the member information. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can automatically switch to a language corresponding to one of the language information obtained from the member information. Therefore, when a foreign customer who speaks a different language goes shopping, the POS terminal 20 can appropriately support the customer's shopping.

[0283] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to a shopping system 1 including a POS terminal 20, a weighing device 30, and a mobile terminal 50. In the second embodiment, the present invention is applied to a shopping system including a ticket vending machine and a call display. In the following embodiments, the contents described in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0284] (Network configuration of the shopping system 2500 according to the second embodiment) FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a network configuration of a shopping system 2500 according to the second embodiment. The shopping system 2500 is an example of a transaction information output system. The shopping system 2500 is used, for example, in a self-service restaurant where a customer purchases a meal ticket and receives a product (food) when cooking is completed. Examples of self-service restaurants include food courts, ramen restaurants, curry restaurants, and beef bowl restaurants.

[0285] 25, shopping system 2500 includes ticket vending machine 2510, call display 2520, kitchen monitor 2530, and kitchen printer 2540. These devices are communicatively connected via LAN 2550. Each of these devices is a computer device equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, communication unit, display unit, etc. Ticket vending machine 2510 is an example of a terminal device. Call display 2520 is an example of a transaction information output device.

[0286] The ticket vending machine 2510 is installed, for example, near the entrance of a store, and issues meal tickets corresponding to products (cooking menu) provided at the restaurant. When a customer enters a store, the customer purchases a meal ticket from the ticket vending machine 2510 by inserting cash into the ticket vending machine 2510 or by having the ticket vending machine read electronic money. When the ticket vending machine 2510 issues a meal ticket, it transmits registration information corresponding to the meal ticket to the kitchen monitor 2530 and the kitchen printer 2540. This enables the kitchen staff to know that an order has been placed for the product (food) corresponding to the meal ticket. After purchasing the meal ticket, the customer waits until the cooking is completed. An order number is printed on the meal ticket.

[0287] The call display 2520 is disposed in a position visible to customers in the store. For example, the call display 2520 is disposed above the window where the product is handed over. The call display 2520 displays the order number written on the meal ticket. Specifically, when the product corresponding to the order number is being cooked, the call display 2520 displays the order number in a display area indicating that cooking is in progress (hereinafter referred to as the "cooking in progress area"). In addition, when cooking of the product corresponding to the order number is completed, the call display 2520 displays the order number in a display area indicating that cooking is completed (hereinafter referred to as the "cooking completed area"). When the order number written on the meal ticket is displayed in the display area indicating that cooking is completed, the customer goes to pick up the product, and the transaction is completed.

[0288] The kitchen monitor 2530 is placed in the kitchen and displays the order received by the ticket vending machine 2510. When the cooking of the food indicated by the order is completed, the kitchen monitor 2530 receives a notification of the completion from the staff member in the kitchen. The kitchen monitor 2530 transmits information indicating the completion of the cooking to the call display 2520. The kitchen printer 2540 is placed in the kitchen and prints out the order details received by the ticket vending machine 2510.

[0289] (Example of configuration of ticket vending machine 2510) Next, a configuration example of the ticket vending machine 2510 will be described. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the appearance of a ticket vending machine 2510. As shown in FIG. Fig. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a ticket vending machine 2510. The configuration shown in Fig. 27 will be described below with reference to Fig. 26.

[0290] The ticket vending machine 2510 includes a CPU 2601, a ROM 2602, a RAM 2603, a display unit 2604, a key operation unit 2605, a card settlement unit 2606, a change machine 2607, a printing unit 2608, a communication unit 2609, and an audio output unit 2610. These are connected to each other via a bus 2620 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0291] The CPU 2601 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the ticket vending machine 2510 by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 2602 . The ROM 2602 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 2601, including programs.

[0292] The RAM 2603 is a readable and writable memory, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 2603 stores information read from the ROM 2602, information acquired from the outside, sales data and order information generated in processing, etc. The RAM 2603 also stores language information corresponding to various languages. The RAM 2603 also stores a table equivalent to the language association table 420 (see FIG. 4B) (hereinafter referred to as the "language association table of the ticket vending machine 2510").

[0293] The display unit 2604 is a touch panel that displays various information and accepts various operations. The display unit 2604 displays various products that can be purchased by the customer, and accepts from the customer, for example, whether the product is for take-out, the language to be displayed, the product size, the quantity, and the ticket issuing button. The display unit 2604 displays various information in the specified language.

[0294] The card payment unit 2606 is a payment mechanism that accepts various cards. The various cards include credit cards, prepaid cards for electronic money, and point cards. The card payment unit 2606 magnetically or electrically reads information from various cards. The read information is used to settle the account for products.

[0295] The change machine 2607 (cash settlement unit) is a mechanism for settlement by cash. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 26, the change machine 2607 includes a bill insertion slot 2607a, a coin insertion slot 2607b, a change return lever 2607c, a bill discharge slot 2607d, and a coin discharge slot 2607e. The change machine 2607 calculates the amount of money inserted into the bill insertion slot 2607a and the coin insertion slot 2607b, calculates the change amount which is the difference between the inserted amount and the purchase amount, and, upon receiving the operation of the change return lever 2607c, discharges the change from the bill discharge slot 2607d or the coin discharge slot 2607e.

[0296] A printing unit 2608 prints and outputs various media (meal tickets, receipts, invoices, etc.). Communications unit 2609 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from call display 2520, kitchen monitor 2530, kitchen printer 2540, etc. Communications unit 2609 transmits order information to call display 2520, kitchen monitor 2530, and kitchen printer 2540. The order information includes the name, size, quantity, order number, etc. of the registered product, and also includes language information indicating the language when display unit 2604 accepts a specified language.

[0297] The audio output unit 2610 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 2610 outputs audio guidance, warning sounds, and the like. The audio guidance and warning sounds are related to, for example, product registration and payment. The audio output unit 2610 can output audio guidance in a specified language.

[0298] (Example of the configuration of the call display 2520) Next, a configuration example of the call display 2520 will be described. Fig. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of call display 2520. As shown in Fig. 28, call display 2520 includes a CPU 2801, a memory 2802, a communication unit 2803, a display unit 2804, and an audio output unit 2805. These are connected via a bus 2820 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0299] The CPU 2801 is a central processing unit, which controls the operation of the call display 2520 by reading and executing various programs stored in the memory 2802 . Memory 2802 stores various types of information used by CPU 2801, including programs. Memory 2802 also stores information acquired from the outside, information generated during processing, and the like. Memory 2802 also stores language information corresponding to various languages. Memory 2802 also stores a table (hereinafter referred to as the "language association table of the call display") equivalent to language association table 420 (see FIG. 4B).

[0300] The communication unit 2803 is an interface that transmits and receives information to and from the ticket vending machine 2510, the kitchen monitor 2530, the kitchen printer 2540, etc. For example, the communication unit 2803 receives order information from the ticket vending machine 2510, and also receives information indicating that cooking has been completed from the kitchen monitor 2530 (hereinafter referred to as "cooking completion information").

[0301] The display unit 2804 displays various information. Specifically, the display unit 2804 has a cooking in progress area and a cooking completed area, and displays information indicating each area and the order number. The information indicating each area is text information indicating that cooking is in progress (for example, text information such as "cooking in progress") and text information indicating that cooking is completed (for example, text information such as "food is ready"). The display unit 2804 can also display text information in a language corresponding to the language information received from the ticket vending machine 2510.

[0302] When the product corresponding to the order number printed on the meal ticket is being cooked, the display unit 2804 displays the order number corresponding to that product in the cooking in progress area. Then, when cooking of the product corresponding to the order number printed on the meal ticket is completed, specifically, when cooking completion information is received from the kitchen monitor 2530, the display unit 2804 erases the order number corresponding to that product from the cooking in progress area and displays (switches) it to the cooking completed area.

[0303] Note that the switching of the display of the order number from the cooking in progress area to the cooking completed area is not necessarily performed by receiving cooking completion information from the kitchen monitor 2530. For example, the call display 2520 can be configured to include an operation unit that accepts operation input from a waiter, and in such a configuration, the display may be switched by the operation unit accepting an operation indicating the completion of cooking.

[0304] The audio output unit 2805 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 2805 outputs an order number by voice. The audio output unit 2805 can also output the order number by voice in a language corresponding to the language information received from the ticket vending machine 2510.

[0305] (Functional configuration of the call display 2520) Next, a functional configuration of the call display 2520 will be described. The call display 2520 includes a communication unit 2803, an acquisition unit, an output control unit, and a display unit 2804. The acquisition unit and the output control unit are realized by the CPU 2801. That is, the CPU 2801 executes a transaction information output program stored in the memory 2802 to realize the functions of each unit.

[0306] The communication unit 2803 communicates with a ticket vending machine 2510, which is an example of a terminal device. One language information is set in the ticket vending machine 2510, and the ticket vending machine 2510 displays a screen in a language indicated by the set language information. Specifically, the ticket vending machine 2510 sets the one language information in response to an operation by a customer. The ticket vending machine 2510 also accepts an operation by a customer.

[0307] The acquisition unit acquires the one language information set in the ticket vending machine 2510 through communication by the communication unit 2803. Here, when the ticket issuing button is pressed, the ticket vending machine 2510 transmits the one language information to the weighing device 30. In this manner, the one language information is transmitted from the ticket vending machine 2510, whereby the acquisition unit acquires the one language information.

[0308] The output control unit outputs information about the transaction in a language corresponding to one of the language information acquired by the acquisition unit. Specifically, when the language information set in the ticket vending machine 2510 indicates Japanese, the output control unit causes the display unit 2804 to display the information about the transaction in Japanese. On the other hand, when the language information set in the ticket vending machine 2510 indicates a language other than Japanese, the output control unit causes the display unit 2804 to display the information about the transaction in both Japanese and the other language.

[0309] The information on the transaction includes delivery information for delivering the product to the customer. The delivery information is information indicating whether the product can be delivered to the customer, and is, for example, text information indicating whether the product corresponding to the order number is being cooked or has been cooked. The output mode of the information on the transaction by the output control unit is an audio or display output mode.

[0310] When displaying information on display unit 2804, the output control unit outputs delivery information in a language corresponding to the one language information set in ticket vending machine 2510. Specifically, the output control unit outputs information related to the transaction in the same language as the one language information set in ticket vending machine 2510. In the second embodiment, the call display 2520 can be set to the same language as the one language set in ticket vending machine 2510. In other words, the output control unit can always output the same language as the one language information set in ticket vending machine 2510.

[0311] Note that the call display 2520 may not be able to output the same language as the language indicated by the one language information set in the ticket vending machine 2510. For example, the ticket vending machine 2510 may support ten languages, and the call display 2520 may support three languages. In other words, the language association table of the call display 2520 may not store the same language information as the one language information. In this case, the output control unit may output information related to the transaction in another language corresponding to the one language information. Specifically, the call display 2520 may store a table equivalent to the supported language table 430 (see FIG. 4C), refer to the table, and output information related to the transaction in the supported language.

[0312] (An example of a process performed by the ticket vending machine 2510) Fig. 29 is a flow chart showing an example of processing performed by the ticket vending machine 2510. In Fig. 29, the ticket vending machine 2510 displays a menu screen in the selected language (step S2901). The language of the menu screen in the standby state is Japanese. The ticket vending machine 2510 then determines whether or not a change in language has been accepted (step S2902). If a change in language has been accepted (step S2902: YES), the ticket vending machine 2510 returns to step S2901 and switches the language of the menu screen to the accepted language.

[0313] If the language change is not accepted (step S2902: NO), the ticket vending machine 2510 judges whether or not a product has been selected (step S2903). If a product has not been selected (step S2903: NO), the ticket vending machine 2510 returns to step S2910. If a product has been selected (step S2903: YES), the ticket vending machine 2510 displays the selected product on the menu screen (step S2904).

[0314] Then, the ticket vending machine 2510 judges whether the ticket issue button has been pressed (step S2905). If the ticket issue button has not been pressed (step S2905: NO), the ticket vending machine 2510 returns to step S2903. If the ticket issue button has been pressed (step S2905: YES), the ticket vending machine 2510 displays a settlement screen for selecting a payment type and accepting a deposit (step S2906).

[0315] The ticket vending machine 2510 then executes the settlement process with the payment type accepted on the settlement screen (step S2907). Next, the ticket vending machine 2510 determines whether or not there has been a language change in the display of the menu screen (step S2908). If there has been no language change (step S2908: NO), the ticket vending machine 2510 issues a meal ticket in Japanese (step S2909) and proceeds to step S2910. If there has been a language change (step S2908: YES), the ticket vending machine 2510 issues a meal ticket with the changed language, that is, the foreign language, written on it as well (step S2910).

[0316] The ticket vending machine 2510 then dispenses the change (step S2911). Next, the ticket vending machine 2510 displays a forgotten notification screen that prompts the customer to remove the meal ticket and coins (step S2912). The ticket vending machine 2510 then stores the sales data (step S2913), and transmits the order information to the call display 2520, kitchen monitor 2530, and kitchen printer 2540 (step S2914), ending the series of processes. Note that when the ticket vending machine 2510 ends the series of processes, it returns to a standby state.

[0317] (An example of a transaction information output process performed by the call display 2520) 30 is a flowchart showing an example of a transaction information output process performed by the call display 2520. For the sake of convenience, the following description will show a process from when order information for one product is received until cooking of the product is completed, and a description of the case where order information for other products is received in the process will be omitted.

[0318] 30, the call display 2520 determines whether or not it has received order information from the ticket vending machine 2510 (step S3001). The call display 2520 waits until it receives the order information (step S3001: NO), and upon receiving the order information (step S3001: YES), the call display 2520 uses information indicating the order number included in the order information to display the order number in the cooking in progress area (step S3002).

[0319] Then, the call display 2520 judges whether the product is an order received in a foreign language (step S3003). In step S3003, specifically, it judges whether the order information includes language information. If the product is not an order received in a foreign language (step S3003: NO), that is, if the product is an order received in Japanese, the call display 2520 proceeds to step S3005.

[0320] On the other hand, if the product is an order received in a foreign language (step S3003: YES), the call display 2520 displays the foreign language indicated by the language information in addition to the text indicating that cooking is in progress (step S3004). Note that the call display 2520 is not limited to displaying the foreign language indicated by the language information in addition to the text indicating that cooking is in progress, and may, for example, switch between Japanese and the foreign language at predetermined time intervals. Also, when the call display 2520 displays only the order number corresponding to the product ordered in a foreign language, it may display the text indicating that cooking is in progress only in the foreign language.

[0321] Then, the call display 2520 determines whether cooking completion information has been received from the kitchen monitor 2530 (step S3005). If cooking completion information has not been received (step S3005: NO), the call display 2520 returns to step S3003. If cooking completion information has been received (step S3005: YES), the call display 2520 erases the order number from the cooking in progress area (step S3006).

[0322] Then, the call display 2520 displays the order number in the cooking completion area (step S3007). Next, the call display 2520 determines whether the product is an order for which an order was accepted in a foreign language (step S3008). If the product is not an order for which an order was accepted in a foreign language (step S3008: NO), that is, if the product is an order for which an order was accepted in Japanese, the call display 2520 proceeds to step S3010.

[0323] On the other hand, if the product is an order received in a foreign language (step S3008: YES), the call display 2520 displays the foreign language indicated by the language information in addition to the text display indicating that cooking is complete (step S3009). In this case, the call display 2520 outputs a voice message in the foreign language indicating that cooking is complete, the order number, and a message indicating that the product should be picked up at the counter.

[0324] Note that the call display 2520 is not limited to displaying both the foreign language indicated by the language information and the foreign language, and may, for example, switch between Japanese and the foreign language at predetermined intervals to display the text indicating the completion of cooking. Note that, when the call display 2520 displays only the order number corresponding to the product ordered in the foreign language, the call display 2520 may always display the text indicating the completion of cooking only in the foreign language.

[0325] Then, call display 2520 judges whether the customer has come to the counter to hand over the product and the product has been handed over to the customer (step S3010). When the product is handed over to the customer, the store clerk presses a button displayed on kitchen monitor 2530 indicating that the product has been handed over. When the button is pressed, kitchen monitor 2530 transmits delivery completion information indicating that to call display 2520. Therefore, the judgment shown in step S3010 is a judgment of whether delivery completion information has been received.

[0326] If the product has not been delivered to the customer (step S3010: NO), the call display 2520 returns to step S3008. If the product has been delivered to the customer (step S3010: YES), the call display 2520 erases the order number from the cooking completion area (step S3011) and ends the series of processes.

[0327] (Information displayed when orders are received in Japanese and in a foreign language) Next, information output when an order is accepted in Japanese and when an order is accepted in a foreign language will be described with reference to Figures 31 to 36. First, information output when an order is accepted in Japanese will be described.

[0328] (An example of the menu screen displayed in Japanese on the ticket vending machine 2510) Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed in Japanese on the ticket vending machine 2510. As shown in Fig. 31, a menu screen 3100 is displayed on the display unit 2604. The menu screen 3100 includes product designation buttons 3101 (3101a to 3101c), language switch buttons 3102 (3102a to 3102c), a deposit amount area 3110, a total amount area 3111, a receipt issue button 3120, a redo button 3121, and a ticket issue button 3122. Each button and area is displayed in Japanese.

[0329] The product designation button 3101 is a button for accepting purchase of the displayed product. The language change button 3102 is a button for accepting switching of the displayed language. The deposit amount area 3110 is an area for displaying the amount inserted by the customer into the change machine 2607. The total amount area 3111 is an area for showing the total amount of the products accepted by the product designation button 3101.

[0330] The receipt issue button 3120 is a button for accepting issuance of a receipt. The redo button 3121 is a button for accepting cancellation of the registration of a product accepted by the product designation button 3101. The ticket issue button 3122 is a button for accepting issuance of a meal ticket.

[0331] (An example of a meal ticket issued in Japanese) Fig. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a meal ticket issued in Japanese. As shown in Fig. 32, meal ticket 3200 displays the issue date and time, order number, product name, purchase amount, store name, etc. in Japanese. The customer waits until the order number written on meal ticket 3200 is displayed in the cooking completion area of ​​call display 2520.

[0332] (An example of a call screen displayed in Japanese on the call display 2520) Fig. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a call screen displayed in Japanese on the call display 2520. As shown in Fig. 33, a cooking in progress area 3301 and a cooking completed area 3302 are displayed on the display unit 2804 of the call display 2520. The number displayed in the cooking in progress area 3301 indicates the order number corresponding to the product being cooked. The number displayed in the cooking completed area 3302 indicates the order number corresponding to the product that has been cooked.

[0333] The customer checks the order number displayed on the meal ticket 3200, and when that order number appears in the cooking completion area 3302, he or she goes to the counter to pick up the item, and the transaction is completed.

[0334] (Information displayed when an order is received in a foreign language) Next, information to be output when an order is received in a foreign language will be described, taking Chinese as an example of the foreign language.

[0335] (An example of a menu screen displayed in Chinese on the ticket vending machine 2510) Fig. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed in Chinese on the ticket vending machine 2510. The menu screen 3400 shown in Fig. 34 is displayed when the language switch button 3102c is pressed. In the menu screen 3400, each button and area is displayed in Chinese. This allows Chinese customers to easily understand the contents described on the menu screen 3400.

[0336] (An example of a meal ticket issued in Chinese) Fig. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a meal ticket issued in Chinese. As shown in Fig. 35, the order number, product name, purchase amount, and store name are written in Japanese and Chinese on the meal ticket 3500. This allows Chinese customers to easily understand the information written on the meal ticket 3500.

[0337] (An example of a call screen displayed in Chinese on the call display 2520) Fig. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a call screen displayed in Chinese on the call display 2520. As shown in Fig. 36, the Chinese translation is written in parentheses alongside the text displayed in the cooking in progress area 3301 and the cooking completed area 3302. This allows Chinese customers to easily understand whether the ordered product is being cooked or has been cooked.

[0338] As described above, the call display 2520 according to the second embodiment is adapted to output transaction-related information in a language corresponding to one of the language information set in the ticket vending machine 2410. Therefore, the language output by the call display 2520 can be automatically switched to a language corresponding to one of the language information set in the ticket vending machine 2410. That is, even if a foreign customer cannot understand the language used in the store in which the shopping system 2500 is installed, transaction-related information can be output in the language used by the customer without the customer verbally telling a store clerk a language that the customer can understand or without the customer himself performing an operation to switch to a language that the customer can understand. Therefore, it is possible to support customers such as foreigners who speak a language different from the language used in the store to place an order favorably.

[0339] Furthermore, the call display 2520 according to the second embodiment outputs delivery information for handing over a product to a customer in a language corresponding to one of the language information when displaying information on the display unit 2804. Therefore, when handing over a product to a foreign customer, the delivery can be favorably supported.

[0340] (Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to a shopping system 1 including a POS terminal 20, a weighing device 30, a mobile terminal 50, and a cloud server Sv. In the third embodiment, the present invention is applied to a product delivery system including a product locker, a mobile terminal 50, a store order management device, and an order management server. In the third embodiment, the product locker is an example of a transaction information output device.

[0341] The product delivery system according to the third embodiment is a system that enables a customer to place an order on a mobile terminal 50 and receive the ordered product from a product locker located in a store or the like. Here, the product according to the third embodiment may be any product that can be delivered between a store and a customer and that can be stored in a product locker. Specifically, the product may be various products such as food and beverages, electronic devices, daily necessities, miscellaneous goods, and clothing. The product may also be a product owned by a customer, such as clothing to be dry cleaned or a product to be repaired (watches, shoes, etc.). The product delivery system according to the third embodiment can be applied to various stores that handle these products.

[0342] In the product delivery system, the product lockers, the store order management device, the mobile terminal 50, and the order management server are each communicatively connected via a network. The product lockers and the store order management device are, for example, located in a store. The product lockers and the store order management device are each a computer device equipped with a CPU, memory, a communication unit, a display, a speaker, etc.

[0343] The locker has multiple storage openings, each with a lockable door. The locker also has a display and a code reader that reads the receipt verification code, which will be described later. The locker also has a memory that stores a transaction information output program.

[0344] The mobile terminal 50 is a terminal device carried by a customer. An order application is installed in the mobile terminal 50. The order management server is a server device that manages the contents of orders.

[0345] (About the flow from ordering to receiving the product in the product delivery system) The mobile terminal 50 displays an order screen and accepts orders from customers. For example, in the case of food and drink, the accepted contents include the size of the product, whether toppings are required, the payment method, whether it is eat-in or take-out, the time of arrival, etc. When the mobile terminal 50 accepts an order, it transmits language information together with the order contents to the order management server.

[0346] When the order management server receives the order details and language information from the mobile terminal 50, it generates a receipt certification code (order identification information) to be used when receiving the product, and transmits the receipt certification code to the mobile terminal 50. When the mobile terminal 50 receives the receipt certification code from the order management server, it displays the receipt certification code on the display 509.

[0347] Furthermore, when the order management server generates the pickup certification code, it transmits the language information and the pickup certification code to the store order management device together with the order details received from the mobile terminal 50. The store order management device stores the language information and the order number indicated by the pickup certification code, and displays the order details on a display. The store clerk checks the order details displayed on the display of the store order management device, and prepares the product indicated by the order details.

[0348] The store clerk places the product in the product locker before the customer arrives at the store. The store order management device stores the language information, the order number (collection proof code), and the storage slot where the product will be stored in association with each other in response to the operation of the store clerk (or automatically). The store order management device also transmits the language information and the arrival time to the product locker.

[0349] The product locker stores, for example, language information in association with the time of arrival. The product locker displays a message on the standby screen instructing the display to read the pick-up verification code. The language displayed on the product locker display is mainly Japanese. However, if an online order is received in a foreign language, the product locker switches the language displayed on the display to the language indicated by the language information stored in association with the time of arrival as the time of arrival approaches.

[0350] When a customer comes to the store to pick up an item, the customer displays the pick-up certification code on the mobile terminal 50. The customer then has the product locker's code reader read the pick-up certification code. The product locker transmits the order number indicated by the read pick-up certification code to the store order management device. The store order management device identifies the storage opening in which the product corresponding to the order number received from the product locker is stored. Furthermore, the store order management device transmits an unlocking instruction to the product locker so that the identified storage opening is unlocked. When the product locker receives the unlocking instruction from the store order management device, it unlocks the storage opening.

[0351] The timing for the product locker to switch to a foreign language is not limited to when the arrival time approaches. For example, the product locker may switch to a foreign language when it reads the pick-up certification code. Specifically, when the product locker reads the pick-up certification code, it may obtain language information associated with the pick-up certification code from the store order management device and switch to the language indicated by the obtained language information. The language information is not limited to being obtained from the store order management device. For example, the product locker may receive language information and an order number (picking up certification code) from the store order management device in advance and store these. The pick-up certification code may also include language information. In this case, when the product locker reads the pick-up certification code, it may switch to the language indicated by the language information included in the pick-up certification code.

[0352] If the language is switched to a foreign language when the pick-up certification code is read, the language displayed on the product locker display will not have switched to a foreign language by the time the customer arrives at the store. For this reason, customers who cannot understand Japanese at all may not be able to understand the contents of the standby screen displayed on the product locker display (such as the content encouraging the customer to read the pick-up certification code). In view of this, if the language is switched to a foreign language when the pick-up certification code is read, the contents shown on the standby screen and how to use the product locker can be notified to the customer in the language used by the mobile terminal 50.

[0353] The product lockers also have lamps (indicators) corresponding to each storage opening. The product lockers light up the lamps corresponding to unlocked storage openings in a predetermined pattern. This notifies the customer of the storage opening in which the product to be picked up is stored. The customer removes the product stored in the storage opening corresponding to the lit lamp. In this way, the customer can pick up the product ordered online from the product locker.

[0354] In addition, the door of the product locker automatically rotates open when unlocked by a mechanism installed in the hinge section, etc. This allows customers to take out products without touching the storage door. This prevents an unspecified number of people from touching the door, and helps maintain good hygiene.

[0355] (Functional configuration of product lockers) Next, the functional configuration of the product locker will be described. The product locker comprises a communication unit, an acquisition unit, an output control unit, and a display unit. The acquisition unit and the output control unit are realized by a CPU provided in the product locker. That is, the CPU executes a transaction information output program stored in the memory to realize the functions of each unit. The memory stores tables corresponding to language association table 420 (see FIG. 4B) and corresponding language table 430 (see FIG. 4C). Note that these tables do not necessarily have to be stored in the product locker, but may also be stored in other devices (for example, a store order management device or an order management server).

[0356] The communication unit communicates with the mobile terminal 50, which is an example of a terminal device. The communication unit indirectly communicates with the mobile terminal 50 via the order management server and the store order management device. However, the communication unit may directly communicate with the mobile terminal 50, for example, by using short-range wireless communication.

[0357] The acquisition unit acquires the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50 through communication by the communication unit. For example, the one language information is transmitted from the store order management device together with the order details (arrival time) when the order details are accepted. The acquisition unit acquires the one language information received by the communication unit.

[0358] When language information is included in the receipt certification code displayed on the mobile terminal 50, the language information may be obtained by reading the receipt certification code. Also, a connection code requesting transmission of language information to the mobile terminal 50 may be displayed on the display of a waiting product locker, and the connection code may be read by the mobile terminal 50 to obtain the language information through direct communication from the mobile terminal 50.

[0359] The output control unit outputs information about the transaction in a language corresponding to one of the language information acquired by the acquisition unit. The information about the transaction is, for example, information to read the receipt proof code, information indicating the order contents, information indicating whether the delivery preparation is completed or not, information indicating the delivery procedure, information indicating a greeting upon completion of the transaction (for example, "Thank you"), etc.

[0360] When an online order is received in a foreign language, the output control unit switches the language displayed on the standby screen to the foreign language before the arrival time included in the order. For example, in this case, the output control unit displays Japanese and the foreign language side by side until the product is picked up. However, this is not limited to this, and the output control unit may switch between Japanese and the foreign language at intervals of several seconds until the product is picked up.

[0361] In addition, when the communication unit directly communicates with the mobile terminal 50 to receive the language information of the mobile terminal 50, the output control unit, upon directly acquiring the language information from the mobile terminal 50, may output in the language indicated by the language information thereafter. In addition, the output control unit ends the output in the foreign language at the timing when the pick-up of the product is completed.

[0362] When the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates Japanese, the output control unit causes the display to display the transaction-related information in Japanese. On the other hand, when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates a language other than Japanese (a foreign language), the output control unit causes the display to display the transaction-related information in both Japanese and the other language. The output mode of the transaction-related information by the output control unit is an audio or visual output mode.

[0363] Furthermore, the output control unit outputs information related to the transaction in the same language as the language indicated by the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, the output control unit outputs information related to the transaction using language information stored in a language association table stored in the product locker. Furthermore, there are cases where it is not possible to output the same language as the one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. Specifically, there are cases where language information identical to the one language information is not stored in the language association table. In this case, the output control unit may output information related to the transaction in another language corresponding to the one language information. Specifically, the output control unit may refer to the supported language table and output information related to the transaction in the other supported language.

[0364] (In case of cleaning) If a customer leaves an item for cleaning, the mobile terminal 50 may display the type of clothing (such as a shirt or a sweater), the type of washing (such as dry cleaning or stain removal), the payment method, the time of arrival, etc., on the order screen and accept the order. If an item is handed over from the store to the customer for cleaning, information regarding the handover is input by the store clerk. Specifically, for example, the store order management device displays an input screen regarding the handover and accepts input of the handover time from the store clerk. When the store order management device accepts the input of the handover time, it transmits the language information stored from the previous order content together with information indicating the handover time to the order management server.

[0365] When the order management server receives the information indicating the delivery time, it generates a receipt certification code (identification information) to be used when delivering the product, and transmits the receipt certification code to the mobile terminal 50. When the mobile terminal 50 receives the receipt certification code from the order management server, it displays the receipt certification code.

[0366] The order management server also transmits the pickup certification code together with the language information to the store order management device. The store order management device stores the language information and the order number indicated by the pickup certification code. The store clerk places the product in the product locker before the customer's pick-up time. The store order management device, in response to the operation of the store clerk (or automatically), associates and stores the language information, the order number, and the storage slot in which the product is stored. The store order management device also transmits the language information and the pick-up time to the product locker.

[0367] The product locker stores, for example, language information and a delivery time. When an online order is received in a foreign language, the product locker switches the language displayed on the display to the language indicated by the language information stored in association with the delivery time as the delivery time approaches. Note that when picking up dry cleaning, the customer does not necessarily arrive at the delivery time. For this reason, if the foreign language were displayed at all times, it would be difficult for other customers (Japanese customers) to understand the displayed content. For this reason, the product locker may display Japanese and the foreign language side by side, or switch between Japanese and the foreign language at intervals of a few seconds, until the product has been picked up.

[0368] When a customer comes to the store to collect an item, the customer displays the collection verification code on the mobile terminal 50 and has the code reader of the product locker read it. This unlocks the storage opening and allows the customer to collect the product (clothing after cleaning).

[0369] As described above, the product locker according to the third embodiment is adapted to output transaction-related information in a language corresponding to one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. Therefore, the language output by the product locker can be automatically switched to a language corresponding to one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. In other words, even if a foreign customer cannot understand the language used in the store where the product delivery system is installed, transaction-related information can be output in the language used by the customer without the customer having to verbally tell the store clerk a language that the customer can understand or perform an operation to switch to a language that the customer can understand. Therefore, it is possible to support customers such as foreigners who speak a language different from the language used in the store to pick up products in a suitable manner.

[0370] (Embodiment 4) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to a shopping system 1 including a POS terminal 20, a weighing device 30, a mobile terminal 50, and a cloud server Sv. In the fourth embodiment, the present invention is applied to a shopping system including an electronic shelf label, a mobile terminal 50, and a product management server. In the fourth embodiment, the electronic shelf label is an example of a transaction information output device.

[0371] In the shopping system according to the fourth embodiment, the electronic shelf labels, the mobile terminal 50, and the product management server are each connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network. The electronic shelf labels are arranged, for example, on product shelves in a store. The electronic shelf labels are display devices equipped with a communication unit and a display.

[0372] In the fourth embodiment, the product management server manages sales, inventory status, prices, etc. of each product in the store. The electronic shelf label displays product sales information. The product sales information includes various information such as product name, unit price, price (tax-inclusive price and tax-exclusive price), sale items, etc. The product sales information is an example of information related to a transaction.

[0373] The product management server controls the content to be displayed on the electronic shelf label. For example, when there is a product on a time sale, the product management server controls the price displayed on the electronic shelf label corresponding to the product to be lowered when the time sale starts, and controls the price displayed on the electronic shelf label to be the normal price when the time sale ends.

[0374] The electronic shelf label also includes functional units, including a communication unit, an acquisition unit, an output control unit, and a display unit. The electronic shelf label can communicate with the mobile terminal 50 using near field communication (NFC) through the function of the communication unit. The electronic shelf label displays a connection code (two-dimensional code) for connecting to the mobile terminal 50 through the functions of the output control unit and the display unit. The connection code includes information that language information will be transmitted to the electronic shelf label. Therefore, when a customer reads the connection code with the camera 507 of the mobile terminal 50, the language information is transmitted from the mobile terminal 50 to the electronic shelf label.

[0375] When the electronic shelf label receives (acquires) language information from the mobile terminal 50, it displays (outputs) product sales information in a language corresponding to one of the language information. Specifically, when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates Japanese, the electronic shelf label displays the product sales information in Japanese. On the other hand, when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates a language other than Japanese (a foreign language), the electronic shelf label displays the product sales information in the other language. The electronic shelf label may also display the product sales information in a supported language. Note that when the language information set in the mobile terminal 50 indicates a foreign language, the electronic shelf label may display the product sales information in both Japanese and the foreign language, or may switch between Japanese and the foreign language at intervals of several seconds.

[0376] The electronic shelf label may also convert the product sales information into a unit of weight corresponding to the one of the language information and display the information.The electronic shelf label may also convert the product sales information into a currency corresponding to the one of the language information and display the information.

[0377] As described above, the electronic shelf label according to the fourth embodiment is adapted to display product sales information in a language corresponding to one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. Therefore, the language displayed by the electronic shelf label can be automatically switched to the language corresponding to one language information set in the mobile terminal 50. That is, even if a foreign customer cannot understand the language used in the store in which the shopping system according to the fourth embodiment is introduced, the electronic shelf label can display product sales information in the language used by the customer without the customer having to verbally tell a store clerk a language that the customer can understand or perform an operation to switch to a language that the customer can understand. Therefore, even customers such as foreigners who speak a language different from the language used in the store can easily understand the product sales information displayed on the electronic shelf label.

[0378] The embodiments will be summarized below. [Technical field] The present invention relates to a transaction information output device, a transaction information output method, a transaction information output system, and a program. [Background technology] In recent years, so-called self-checkout systems, in which a customer registers products and makes a payment, have become widespread. For example, a self-checkout system in which a customer registers products and makes a payment using a registration terminal such as a mobile terminal owned by the customer is known. In the self-checkout system, multiple devices such as a mobile terminal, a weighing device, and a settlement device are used. Transaction-related information is displayed on the mobile terminal. The transaction-related information includes the weighing results of the products weighed by the weighing device, registration information indicating the registered products, and the like. In addition to the mobile terminal, the transaction-related information is also displayed on other devices installed in the store, such as the weighing device and the settlement device. Here, the mobile terminal is capable of displaying various information in a language set by the customer. On the other hand, devices other than the mobile terminal display various information in a language (the language of the customer's country) that is used by many customers who visit the store. For this reason, customers who are not familiar with the language used in the store, such as foreigners, may not be able to easily understand the content displayed on the device other than the mobile terminal. A related technology is a POS system in which a store clerk registers products and a customer settles the payment, in which information about the products is displayed at the payment register in the language selected at the registration register (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-142922 A [Summary of the invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, in the conventional technology, it is sometimes difficult for customers such as foreigners who cannot understand the language used in the store where the self-checkout system is installed to verbally convey a language that the customer can understand to the store clerk or even to switch to a language that the customer can understand by themselves. This causes a problem that customers such as foreigners who speak a language different from the language used in the store cannot make transactions in a convenient manner with the self-checkout system. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a technique that can assist customers such as foreigners in conducting transactions in an optimal manner. [Means for solving the problem] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a transaction information output device that is characterized by comprising a communication means for communicating with a terminal device that displays a screen in a language indicated by a set of language information and accepts customer operations, an acquisition means for acquiring the set of language information through the communication of the communication means, and an output control means for outputting information related to a transaction in a language corresponding to the set of language information acquired by the acquisition means. According to the above configuration, the language used by the transaction information output device can be automatically switched to a language corresponding to one of the language information set in the terminal device. As a result, even if a foreign customer does not understand the language used in the store where the transaction information output system is installed, transaction information can be output in the language used by the customer without the customer having to verbally tell the store clerk a language that the customer can understand or perform an operation to switch to a language that the customer can understand. Therefore, it is possible to support customers such as foreigners who speak a language different from the language used in the store to make shopping more convenient. In addition, the above-mentioned transaction information output device may further include a weighing means for weighing the goods, wherein the information relating to the transaction includes weighing information regarding weighing by the weighing means, and the output control means may output the weighing information in a language corresponding to the one language information when weighing is performed by the weighing means. According to the above configuration, when a foreign customer uses a transaction information output device to weigh the products to be weighed, the weighing can be appropriately assisted. In addition, in the above-mentioned transaction information output device, the weighing information may include information on the weight of the product weighed by the weighing means, and the output control means may convert the weight information into a weight unit corresponding to the one language information and output it. According to the above configuration, it is possible to output transaction information in the unit of weight used by the foreign customer in his / her home country, and therefore, when the foreign customer uses the transaction information output device to weigh the products to be weighed, he / she can easily grasp the weight of the products to be weighed. In addition, in the above-mentioned transaction information output device, the information regarding the transaction may include information on the purchase amount of the product, and the output control means may convert the purchase amount information into a currency corresponding to the one language information and output it. According to the above configuration, transaction information can be output in the currency used by the foreign customer in his / her home country, so that the foreign customer can easily understand the monetary value of the product when purchasing it. The transaction information output device may further include a label printing unit that prints labels, and the output control means may cause the label printing unit to print labels in a language corresponding to the one language information. According to the above configuration, foreign customers can easily understand the contents written on the label. In addition, the above-mentioned transaction information output device may further include a display means for displaying information, wherein the information relating to the transaction includes delivery information for delivering the product to the customer, and the output control means may output the delivery information in a language corresponding to the one language information when displaying the information on the display means. According to the above configuration, when a product is handed over to a foreign customer, the handover can be appropriately supported. In addition, the above-mentioned transaction information output device may further include a settlement means for settling the transaction through customer operation, wherein the information relating to the transaction includes registration information used for settlement by the settlement means, and the output control means may output the registration information in a language corresponding to the one language information when settlement is performed by the settlement means. According to the above configuration, when a foreign customer makes a payment, the payment can be appropriately assisted. In addition, in the above-mentioned transaction information output device, the one language information may be associated with customer identification information that identifies a customer, and the acquisition means may acquire the customer identification information and acquire the one language information associated with the acquired customer identification information. According to the above configuration, information related to a transaction can be output in a language indicated by language information specified from member information, etc. Therefore, when a foreign customer who uses a different language makes a purchase, the shopping of the customer can be favorably supported. In addition, in the above transaction information output device, the output control means may output information regarding the transaction in the same language as the language indicated by the one language information, or in another language corresponding to the one language information. According to the above configuration, even if the language indicated by one language information is not available, transaction information can be output in another language that the customer may be able to understand, thereby supporting the shopping of foreign customers. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a transaction information output method, which is characterized by executing a process including a communication step in which a computer used in a transaction information output device communicates with a terminal device that displays a screen in a language indicated by a set language information and accepts customer operations, an acquisition step in which the one language information is acquired through the communication in the communication step, and an output control step in which information related to the transaction can be output in a language corresponding to the one language information acquired by the acquisition step. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a transaction information output system including a terminal device that displays a screen in a set language and accepts customer operations, and a transaction information output device that communicates with the terminal device, wherein the transaction information output device is characterized in that it comprises a communication means for communicating with the terminal device, an acquisition means for acquiring the one language information through the communication of the communication means, and an output control means capable of outputting information related to a transaction in a language corresponding to the one language information acquired by the acquisition means. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer used in a transaction information output device to function as a communication means that communicates with a terminal device that displays a screen in a language indicated by a set language information and accepts customer operations, an acquisition means that acquires the set language information through the communication of the communication means, and an output control means that can output information related to a transaction in a language corresponding to the set language information acquired by the acquisition means.

[0379] In the above description, the acquisition unit, the output control unit, the weighing unit, and the settlement unit are provided in the POS terminal 20 and the weighing device 30. These functional units may be provided in other computer devices. For example, these functional units may be provided in the store controller 10, the monitoring terminal 11, or other computer devices. The number of computer devices provided with these functional units is not limited to one, and may be multiple. For example, some of the functional units may be provided in one computer device, and other functional units may be provided in other computer devices. Similarly, the acquisition unit and output control unit provided in the call display 2520 may be provided in other computer devices. Similarly, each functional unit provided in the call display 2520, the product locker, and the electronic shelf label may also be provided in other devices.

[0380] The above-described shopping system 1, shopping system 2500, product delivery system, shopping system of embodiment 4, POS terminal 20, weighing device 30, call display 2520, product locker, and electronic shelf label may be realized by recording the program in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read and executed by a computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes those that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The above-described program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device, etc., to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The above program may also be one that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0381] Sv...Cloud server 1, 2500...Shopping System 10…Store Controller 11…Monitoring terminal 20…POS terminal 30...Measuring device 50…Mobile device 201, 301, 2801...CPU 205…Customer side display section 215, 305, 2803…Communications Department 306, 2804...Display section 420...Language-related tables 430…Supported language table 2510…Ticket machine 2520…Call display

Claims

[Claim 1] A transaction information output system including a ticket vending machine and a transaction information output device that communicates with the ticket vending machine, The ticket vending machine is A receiving means for receiving one language from a customer; a ticket issuing reception means for displaying a screen corresponding to the one language received by the reception means and receiving operations related to ticket issuing from the customer; Equipped with The transaction information output device includes: A communication means for communicating with the ticket vending machine; an acquisition means for acquiring one language information indicating the one language through the communication of the communication means; an output control means for outputting delivery information for delivering the product related to the ticket to the customer in a language corresponding to the one language information acquired by the acquisition means; A system comprising:

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