Product sales system, information terminal and server

Abstract

To allow the state of an information terminal and an accounting machine to be monitored efficiently.SOLUTION: The monitor supporting device includes: a first collecting unit; a second collecting unit; a control unit: and an output unit. The first collecting unit collects information which allows the specification of a state related to registration from a plurality of information terminals. The second collecting unit collects information which allows the specification of a state related to accounting from the accounting machine. The control unit sets a first status showing the state of each several information terminals on the basis of the information collected by the first collecting unit, sets a second status showing the state of each several information terminals on the basis of the information collected by the second collecting unit, and generates a monitoring image including a first state display unit and a second state display unit in a screen region, the first state display unit showing a first status set on an information terminal-by-information terminal basis and the second state display unit showing a second status. The output unit outputs a monitoring image to an output device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 33

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a monitoring device, a monitoring assistance device, and a program for causing a computer to function as the monitoring assistance device. [Background technology]

[0002] A semi-self-service product sales system has already been put into practical use, in which the product registration function and the accounting function of a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal are separated into a registration machine and an accounting machine, with the registration machine operated by a store clerk and the accounting machine operated by the customer. A product sales system that simplifies the product registration operation in the POS terminal by having a customer walk around the sales floor with an information terminal with wireless communication function and register the data of the product they wish to purchase in the information terminal themselves is also known.

[0003] The introduction of a product sales system in which customers themselves register the products they purchase by operating an information terminal and then pay for the products themselves at a cash register is being considered. In order to introduce such a product sales system, a monitoring device is required to centrally monitor the status of the information terminal and the cash register. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-095026 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2011-108010 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a monitoring device, a monitoring support device, and a program therefor that can efficiently monitor the status of an information terminal and a payment machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the monitoring support device is a monitoring support device for a product sales system in which each user of an information terminal operates an information terminal at a sales floor to register a purchased product, and the user makes a payment for the purchased product at a payment machine. The monitoring support device includes a first collection unit, a second collection unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The first collection unit collects information from a plurality of information terminals that can identify a state related to the registration. The second collection unit collects information from the payment machine that can identify a state related to the payment. The control unit sets a first status representing a state of each of the plurality of information terminals based on the information collected by the first collection unit, sets a second status representing a state of the payment machine based on the information collected by the second collection unit, and generates a monitoring image in which a first status display unit indicating the first status set for each information terminal and a second status display unit indicating the second status are arranged in one screen area. The output unit outputs the monitoring image to an output device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] Schematic diagram showing an example of a store layout in which the product sales system has been installed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a first server in the product sales system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a product data record stored in a product database in the first server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a member data record stored in a member database in the first server. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a promotional data record stored in a promotional database in the first server. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a second server in the product sales system. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an information terminal table in the second server. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration list written in the information terminal table. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sales promotion list written in the information terminal table. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shopping list written in the information terminal table. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a payment machine table in the second server. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a monitoring terminal in the product sales system. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of an information terminal in the product sales system. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a cart to which the information terminal is attached. [Figure 16] 4 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by a processor of the information terminal. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a login interrupt process executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 18] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a product registration interrupt process executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 19] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a product registration interrupt process executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 20] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a product registration interrupt process executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 21] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of transaction interrupt processing executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 22] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of accounting request interrupt processing executed by a processor of the second server. [Diagram 23] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an accounting end interrupt process executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 24] 11 is a flowchart showing the steps of a face-to-face transaction interrupt process executed by a processor of the second server. [Diagram 25]11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a timeout interrupt process executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 26] 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a monitoring image creation process executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 27] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a batch cancel interrupt process executed by a processor of the second server. [Figure 28] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration image displayed on a touch panel of the information terminal. [Figure 29] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration image displayed on a touch panel of the information terminal. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a staff member confirmation image displayed on a touch panel of the information terminal. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plastic bag confirmation image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal. [Diagram 32] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a member barcode image displayed on a touch panel of the information terminal. [Diagram 33] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a monitoring image displayed on a touch panel of the monitoring terminal. [Diagram 34] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment machine status display section displayed on the monitoring image. [Diagram 35] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a terminal status display section displayed on the monitoring image. [Diagram 36] 13 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a monitoring image displayed on the touch panel of the monitoring terminal. [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a collective cancellation confirmation image displayed on a touch panel of the information terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Below, we will use the drawings to explain embodiments of a monitoring device and monitoring support device that can efficiently monitor the status of an information terminal and an accounting machine in a product sales system in which customers themselves operate an information terminal to register purchased products and then pay for those purchased products themselves at an accounting machine.

[0009] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales system according to this embodiment. The product sales system includes a first server 10, a second server 20, a POS terminal 30, a payment machine 40, an information terminal 50, and a monitoring terminal 60. The first server 10, the second server 20, the POS terminal 30, and the payment machine 40 are connected to a network 70 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0010] Both the information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60 are equipped with wireless units. An access point 80 is connected to a network 70. The information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60 perform wireless communication with the access point 80. The access point 80 relays communication between each device connected to the network 70, i.e., the first server 10, the second server 20, the POS terminal 30, and the accounting machine 40, and the information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60.

[0011] A store may have multiple POS terminals 30, accounting machines 40, and information terminals 50. There may also be two or more monitoring terminals 60 and access points 80 depending on the size of the store. At least one of the first server 10 and the second server 20 communicates with a customer terminal via a public network. The customer terminal is, for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a PC owned by a customer. The public network is, for example, the Internet. In this embodiment, the first server 10 connects to the public network as a center server. The second server 20 communicates with the POS terminal 30 as a store server.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the layout of a store in which the product sales system has been introduced. A shopping cart used by customer M1, who is a purchaser or consumer, when shopping in a store has an information terminal 50. In the following description, the shopping cart is referred to as cart C. The customer is the user of the information terminal 50. The information terminal 50 may be included in the cart C or in a shopping basket. Customer M1 goes around the sales floor with cart C and places the products to be purchased in cart C. Customer M1 operates the information terminal 50 to register the purchased products. After completing the registration of the purchased products, customer M1 goes to the counter register G1 or self-checkout register G2 and settles the transaction by paying for the purchased products. After the payment, customer M1 bags the products at a bagger counter SU as necessary.

[0013] At the counter register G1, cashier M2, a store clerk in charge of accounting, registers the purchased items and processes the payment. The counter register G1 has a POS terminal 30. The counter register G1 has a scanner. The scanner may be a fixed type or a handheld type. Cashier M2 registers the sales data of the purchased items in the POS terminal 30 by scanning the barcodes of the purchased items one by one with the scanner SC. The POS terminal 30 calculates the payment amount of the registered purchased items. The customer M1 pays the amount equivalent to the payment amount to cashier M2. The payment can be made with cash, credit card, electronic money, points, gift certificates, etc. The POS terminal 30 is an example of a product sales processing device that processes the registration and accounting of purchased items.

[0014] Self-checkout register G2 allows customer M1 to register and pay for purchased items. Self-checkout register G2 has a payment machine 40. The second server 20 calculates the payment amount for the purchased items registered by customer M1 using information terminal 50. The second server 20 notifies payment machine 40 of the payment amount via network 70. Customer M1 pays the amount equivalent to the payment amount to payment machine 40 that has been notified of the payment amount. The payment can be made by cash, credit card, electronic money, points, etc.

[0015] The attendant counter AT is located near the self-checkout register G2. As described above, in the store of this embodiment, the customer M1 can operate the information terminal 50 and the payment machine 40, and can perform the entire process from registering the purchased items to paying for them by himself. However, on the other hand, there may be a situation where a store clerk must intervene. For example, a specialized salesperson may need to provide information to the customer M1 who is purchasing medicines. There may be a case where the information on the discount sticker is forgotten to be entered into the information terminal 50, and the regular price is registered. Or, there may be a case where the barcode of the item is scanned by the information terminal 50, but an error occurs and registration is not possible. There may also be a case where an error occurs in the payment machine 40, such as a coin jam or receipt paper running out.

[0016] To quickly respond to such an event, an attendant M3, who is a store clerk in charge of serving customers, is always present at the attendant counter AT. The attendant counter AT is equipped with a monitoring terminal 60. The attendant M3 uses the monitoring terminal 60 to monitor the status of each information terminal 50 and the payment machine 40.

[0017] Next, the configurations of the first server 10, the second server 20, the information terminal 50, and the monitoring terminal 60 will be described. The POS terminal 30 may be the same as a POS terminal used in a store that has an existing face-to-face register G1. The payment machine 40 may be the same as a payment machine used in a semi-self-service product sales system. Descriptions of the configurations of the POS terminal 30 and the payment machine 40 will be omitted.

[0018] First, the configuration of the first server 10 will be described. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the first server 10. The first server 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface 14, a gateway device 15, and a system transmission path 16. The system transmission path 16 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The first server 10 connects the processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the communication interface 14, and the gateway device 15 to the system transmission path 16. The first server 10 constitutes a computer by the processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the system transmission path 16 that connects them.

[0019] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part to realize various functions of the first server 10 according to an operating system and application programs. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0020] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system and application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may store data required for the processor to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor. For example, the nonvolatile memory area is ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0021] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used as the auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes and data created by the processes in the processor 11. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store the above application programs.

[0022] The communication interface 14 transmits and receives data in accordance with a communication protocol between each unit connected via the network 70. The gateway device 15 connects to a public network.

[0023] The first server 10 has a product database 131, a member database 132, and a sales promotion database 133 in the auxiliary storage device 13.

[0024] Product database 131 stores data on each product sold in the store. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of product data record 131R for each product stored in product database 131. As shown in Fig. 4, product data record 131R includes items such as product ID, product name, price, category name, link promotion ID, and restriction flag.

[0025] The product ID is a unique code assigned to each product to identify each product individually. The product name and price are the name of the product identified by the product ID and the selling price per unit.

[0026] The classification name is information that identifies the classification to which the product identified by the product ID belongs. For example, the product "apple" has many varieties such as "Fuji", "Jonagold", and "Red Delicious", and a different product ID is set for each variety. However, regardless of the variety, the classification name is unified as "apple".

[0027] The link promotion ID is a code that identifies promotion information associated with the product identified by the product ID. Promotion information associated with a product is, for example, information about campaigns that can be participated in by purchasing the product, information about bargain items that can be given discount benefits, information about coupons that can be obtained, etc. Incidentally, if no promotion information is associated with a product, a null value is set as the link promotion ID. In this embodiment, one product is associated with one piece of promotion information, but two or more pieces of promotion information may be associated.

[0028] The restriction flag is one bit of information for identifying whether or not the product identified by the product ID is an age-restricted product, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco, etc. In this embodiment, the restriction flag of a product with an age restriction is set to "1", and the restriction flag of a product without an age restriction is set to "0".

[0029] Member database 132 stores data on customers who have registered as point members or the like, that is, so-called members. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of member data record 132R for each member stored in member database 132. As shown in the figure, member data record 132R includes items such as member ID, purchase history data, and shopping data. The member ID is a unique code set for each member to identify each member individually. Members own a recording medium on which the member ID is recorded. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic card, a contact type IC (Integrated Circuit) card, a contactless IC card, a smartphone, etc. The purchase history data is data indicating the purchase history of what the member identified by the member ID purchased and when.

[0030] The shopping data is data on products that a member identified by the member ID plans to purchase. A customer can, for example, operate a customer terminal to access the first server 10 via a public network and register the shopping data in his / her own member data record 132R. The shopping data includes the name of the product that is planned to be purchased. The name may be a product name or a category name set in the product data record 131R. In other words, a customer who plans to purchase the product "apple" regardless of the variety may register the name "apple" as the shopping data. On the other hand, a customer who plans to purchase the product "apple" with the product name "Fuji apple", for example, may register the name "Fuji apple" as the shopping data.

[0031] The promotion database 133 stores promotion information related to campaigns, special sales, coupons, etc. as described above. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the promotion data record 133R for each piece of information stored in the promotion database 133. As shown in the figure, the promotion data record 133R includes a promotion ID and promotion data. The promotion ID is a unique code set for each piece of promotion information to individually identify the promotion information. The promotion data is image data that specifically represents the promotion information.

[0032] Next, the configuration of the second server 20 will be described. 7 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the second server 20. Similar to the first server 10, the second server 20 includes a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a communication interface 24, and a system transmission path 25, and the processor 21, the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, and the communication interface 24 are connected to the system transmission path 25. The second server 20 constitutes a computer by the processor 21, the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, and the system transmission path 25 that connects them. The outline of the processor 21, the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, and the communication interface 24 may be the same as that of the first server 10.

[0033] The second server 20 functions as a monitoring support device that supports monitoring the status of the information terminal 50 and the payment machine 40 by utilizing the monitoring terminal 60 that functions as a display device. To realize the function as the monitoring support device, the second server 20 uses part of the volatile area in the main memory 22 as an information terminal table 221 and a payment machine table 222. The information terminal table 221 has an area for holding various information for each information terminal 50 provided on each cart C.

[0034] 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal table 221. The information terminal table 221 has areas A1 to A13 for writing each piece of information such as a terminal ID, a terminal status ST1, a member ID, a payment machine ID, a first timer T1, a second timer T2, a third timer T3, a counter N, a registration list, a sales promotion list, a shopping list, a payment code, and a ranking.

[0035] Area A1 is an area for writing a unique terminal ID set for each information terminal 50 in order to identify each information terminal 50 individually. In FIG. 8, the terminal IDs are represented as TB1, TB2, TB3, TB4, .... The terminal ID is terminal identification information. Area A2 is an area for writing information indicating the state of the information terminal 50 identified by the corresponding terminal ID, that is, the so-called terminal status ST1. The terminal status ST1 represents "waiting", "registering", "accounting", and "abandoned". "Waiting" is the state from when the previous customer has finished their account until the next customer logs in. "Registering" is the state from when they log in until the account is approved. "Accounting" is the state from when the account is approved until the account is completed. "Abandoned" is the state in which the terminal has been left without any operation for a certain period of time from the "registering" state.

[0036] Area A3 is an area for writing the member ID of the member who has logged in to the information terminal 50. Area A4 is an area for writing the payment machine ID of the payment machine 40 that will process the payment for the products registered on the information terminal 50. Each payment machine 40 has a unique payment machine ID to identify it individually.

[0037] Area A5 is an area for writing the value of a first timer T1 for timing the time that has elapsed since login. Area A6 is an area for writing the value of a second timer T2 for timing the time that has elapsed since the barcode of a product with a discount sticker is scanned. Area A7 is an area for writing the value of a third timer T3 for timing the time that has elapsed since the last purchased product was registered after login. Area A8 is an area for writing the value of a counter N for counting the number of promotional data items.

[0038] Area A9 is an area for writing registration list L1 shown in FIG. 9 which lists information related to products registered on information terminal 50. Area A10 is an area for writing promotion list L2 shown in FIG. 10 which lists promotion information associated with products registered on information terminal 50. Area A11 is an area for writing shopping list L3 shown in FIG. 11 which lists shopping data of a member who has logged in to information terminal 50. Area A12 is an area for writing an accounting code which is assigned to each transaction in order to identify the transaction in which product registration has been performed on information terminal 50. Area A13 is an area for writing the ranking when the status of information terminal 50 is displayed on monitoring terminal 60. The accounting code and ranking will be explained later.

[0039] 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the registration list L1. The registration list L1 describes, in a series of numerical order, the product ID, the product name, the number of items, the price, the first flag F1, the second flag F2, and the third flag F3. The first flag F1, the second flag F2, and the third flag F3 will be explained later.

[0040] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a promotion list L2. The promotion list L2 lists a promotion ID, promotion data, product ID, and a fourth flag F4 in a series of numerical order. The fourth flag F4 will be explained later.

[0041] 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shopping list L3. The shopping list L3 lists names and a fifth flag F5 in a series of numerical order. The fifth flag F5 will be explained later.

[0042] 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the payment machine table 222. The payment machine table 222 has areas B1 to B4 for writing each piece of information, namely, the payment machine ID, the payment machine status ST2, the first error flag EF1, and the second error flag EF2.

[0043] Area B1 is an area for writing a unique payment machine ID set for each payment machine 40 in order to individually identify each payment machine 40. Area B2 is an area for writing the payment machine status ST2. The payment machine status ST2 is information indicating the state of the payment machine 40 identified by the payment machine ID. The payment machine status ST2 represents "idle" and "payment in progress." "Idle" is the state after the previous customer's payment has been completed and before the next customer's payment begins. "Payment in progress" is the state after one customer's payment has been completed and before it is completed.

[0044] Area B3 is an area for writing the first error flag EF1, which indicates with 1 bit information whether or not an error has occurred in the printer of the accounting machine 40. The accounting machine 40 has a printer for printing receipts. For example, if the accounting machine 40 runs out of receipt paper, a printer error occurs. When a printer error occurs, the first error flag EF1 changes from "0" to "1". After that, when the error is resolved, the first error flag EF1 returns from "1" to "0."

[0045] Area B4 is an area for writing a second error flag EF2 which indicates, with 1-bit information, whether or not an error has occurred in the change machine of the accounting machine 40. The accounting machine 40 has a change machine for collecting deposits and dispensing change. For example, if a coin jam occurs in the accounting machine 40, a change machine error occurs. When a change machine error occurs, the second error flag EF2 changes from "0" to "1". After that, when the error is resolved, the second error flag EF2 returns from "1" to "0".

[0046] Next, the configurations of the monitoring terminal 60 and the information terminal 50 will be described. 13 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the monitoring terminal 60. The monitoring terminal 60 includes a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a wireless unit 64, a touch panel 65, and a system transmission path 66. The system transmission path 66 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The monitoring terminal 60 connects the processor 61, the main memory 62, the auxiliary storage device 63, the wireless unit 64, and the touch panel 65 to the system transmission path 66 directly or via a signal input / output circuit. The monitoring terminal 60 constitutes a computer by the processor 61, the main memory 62, the auxiliary storage device 63, and the system transmission path 66 that connects them.

[0047] The processor 61 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 61 controls each part to realize various functions of the monitoring terminal 60 according to an operating system and application programs. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU.

[0048] The main memory 62 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 62 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores an operating system and application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 62 may also store data required for the processor to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 62 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor. For example, the nonvolatile memory area is ROM. The volatile memory area is RAM.

[0049] The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD is used as the auxiliary storage device 63. The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used by the processor 61 when performing various processes and data created by the processes in the processor 61. The auxiliary storage device 63 may also store the above-mentioned application programs.

[0050] The wireless unit 64 wirelessly transmits and receives data to and from the access point 80 in accordance with a wireless communication protocol.

[0051] The touch panel 65 is a device that serves as both an input device and a display device for the monitoring terminal 60. The monitoring terminal 60 is equipped with a browser for displaying images on the touch panel 65 based on image data created by a Web server such as the second server 20.

[0052] The monitoring terminal 60 may be a computer device such as a tablet terminal, a notebook computer, or a desktop computer.

[0053] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the information terminal 50. The information terminal 50 includes a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a wireless unit 54, a touch panel 55, a scanner 56, a reader 57, and a system transmission path 58. The system transmission path 58 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The information terminal 50 connects the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, the wireless unit 54, the touch panel 55, the scanner 56, and the reader 57 to the system transmission path 58 directly or via a signal input / output circuit. The information terminal 50 configures a computer by the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, and the system transmission path 58 connecting them. The outline of the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, and the wireless unit 54 may be the same as that of the monitoring terminal 60.

[0054] The touch panel 55 is a device that serves as both an input device and a display device for the information terminal 50. The information terminal 50 is equipped with a browser for displaying images on the touch panel 55 based on image data created by a Web server such as the second server 20.

[0055] The scanner 56 has a camera as an imaging unit, and reads a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional data code from an image captured by the camera.

[0056] Reader 57 reads the member ID recorded on the recording medium. Reader 57 is a magnetic card reader if the recording medium is a magnetic card, and is an IC card reader if the recording medium is a contact IC card. In the case of a recording medium that uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), such as a contactless IC card or a smartphone, an RFID reader is used as reader 57.

[0057] The information terminal 50 is configured by electrically connecting a scanner 56 and a reader 57 to a tablet terminal TM shown in FIG. 15, which includes a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a wireless unit 54 and a touch panel 55, for example.

[0058] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of a cart C to which an information terminal 50 is attached. The cart C is equipped with caster parts C1 for movement, a handle frame part C2, and a basket receiving part C3. The caster parts C1 have four wheels for smooth movement on a floor surface. The handle frame part C2 includes a pair of vertical frames C21, C21 erected on the rear wheel side of the caster parts C1, and a handle bar C22 connecting the upper ends of these vertical frames C21, C21. The basket receiving part C3 is located forward from the midpoint of the handle frame part C2. The cart C places a shopping basket BA for storing products on the basket receiving part C3 and the caster parts C1.

[0059] The scanner 56 is located in the middle of the handle bar C22. The scanner 56 is attached to the handle bar C22 so that the reading window faces forward. The cart C has a pole C4 attached to one of the vertical frames C21. The tip of the pole C4 is located above the handle bar C22. The tablet terminal TM is attached to the tip of the pole C4 so that the screen of the touch panel 55 faces backward. The reader 57 is attached to the tablet terminal TM so that the card slit faces backward. In FIG. 15, the reader 57 is a magnetic card reader. The battery BT is attached to the lower end side of the handle frame portion C2 across the vertical frames C21, C21. The battery BT serves as a driving power source for the tablet terminal TM and the scanner 56.

[0060] FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor 51 of the information terminal 50. FIG. 17 to FIG. 27 are flow charts showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. FIG. 28 to FIG. 32 and FIG. 37 are examples of images displayed on the touch panel 55, which is a display device of the information terminal 50. FIG. 33 to FIG. 36 are examples of images displayed on the touch panel 65, which is a display device of the monitoring terminal 60. Below, the main operations of the product sales system according to this embodiment will be explained using each figure. The contents of the processing explained below are one example. As long as similar results can be obtained, the processing procedure and processing contents are not particularly limited.

[0061] First, the operation of the information terminal 50 will be described. The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 displays an initial image on the touch panel 55 in Act 1 of FIG. 16. The initial image is arbitrary. The processor 51 sets, for example, an image explaining the login procedure as the initial image. Image data of the initial image is received from the second server 20. The processor 21 of the second server 20 distributes image data of the initial image to the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "waiting". The information terminal 50 waiting for login displays the initial image on the touch panel 55.

[0062] When customer M1, who is a member, arrives at the store, he or she takes out an empty cart C from the cart area. Customer M1 checks that an initial image is displayed on the touch panel 55 of the information terminal 50 attached to the cart C. After checking, customer M1 logs in. In other words, customer M1 has reader 57 read the data on the recording medium on which the member ID is recorded.

[0063] The processor 51 waits for login in Act 2. When the reader 57 reads the data from the recording medium on which the member ID is recorded, the processor 51 determines that login has been performed, and proceeds to YES in Act 2. The processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 to transmit a login command to the second server 20 in Act 3. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the login command. The login command includes the member ID read by the reader 57 and the terminal ID of the information terminal 50. The access point 80 receives the login command. The access point 80 transmits the login command to the second server 20 via the network 70.

[0064] The processor 21 of the second server 20, which has received the login command via the communication interface 24, starts the login interrupt process shown in the flow chart of Fig. 17. First, the processor 21 detects a terminal ID from the login command in Act 21. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 in Act 22, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID detected from the login command. In the following description, the terminal ID detected from the login command is referred to as a login terminal ID.

[0065] If the terminal status ST1 is "Waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 22. The processor 21 detects the member ID from the login command in Act 23. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to make an authentication inquiry of the member ID to the first server 10 in Act 24. The communication interface 24 transmits an authentication inquiry command. The authentication inquiry command includes the member ID. The first server 10 receives the authentication inquiry command via the network 70.

[0066] Processor 11 of first server 10 detects the member ID from the authentication inquiry command. Processor 11 accesses member database 132 and reads member data record 132R including the member ID. If member data record 132R for the member ID is not registered in member database 132, processor 11 controls communication interface 14 to send a denial response to second server 20. Communication interface 14 transmits a response signal of the denial response to second server 20.

[0067] When the processor 11 is able to read out the corresponding member data record 132R from the member database 132, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to send an approval response to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 sends a response signal of the approval response to the second server 20. The approval response includes the shopping data of the member data record 132R.

[0068] The processor 21 of the second server 20, which has controlled the transmission of the authentication inquiry command, waits for a response signal from the first server 10 in Act 25. If the processor 21 receives an approval response signal within a certain period of time, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 25. The processor 21 checks whether the approval response includes shopping data in Act 26.

[0069] If the customer M1 who has logged in has registered shopping data in advance, the shopping data is included in the approval response. If the customer M1 has not registered shopping data, the shopping data is not included in the approval response. If the shopping data is included in the approval response, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 26. The processor 21 creates a shopping list L3 from the shopping data in Act 27. That is, the processor 21 creates the shopping list L3 by adding a series of numbers to the names constituting the shopping data. The processor 21 saves the shopping list L3 in the area A11 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. The processor 21 sets all the fifth flags F5 corresponding to each number of the shopping list L3 to "0" in Act 28. If the shopping data is not included in the approval response, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 26. The processor 21 does not execute the above-mentioned processes of Act 27 and Act 28.

[0070] The processor 21 creates a registered image P1 shown in FIG. 28 in Act 29. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit an approval response to the information terminal 50 that transmitted the login command in Act 30. The processor 21 further controls the communication interface 24 to transmit image data of the registered image P1 to the information terminal 50 in Act 31. The communication interface 24 transmits a response signal of the approval response and image data of the registered image P1 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits the response signal and image data. The information terminal 50 that transmitted the login command receives the response signal and image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

[0071] The processor 21, which has controlled the transmission of the response signal and image data, changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the login terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 from "waiting" to "registering" in Act 32. The processor 21 resets the value of the counter N associated with the login terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 to "0" in Act 33. Furthermore, the processor 21 starts the counting operation of the first timer T1 associated with the login terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 in Act 34. With this, the processor 21 ends the login interrupt process.

[0072] If the terminal status ST1 is not "Waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 22. If the response from the first server 10 is a denial response, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 25. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit a denial response to the information terminal 50 that has transmitted the login command in Act 35. The communication interface 24 transmits a response signal of the denial response via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits the response signal of the denial response. The information terminal 50 that has transmitted the login command receives the response signal of the denial response wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80. The login command is information capable of identifying a state related to the registration of the information terminal 50. That is, the processor 21 constitutes a first collection unit in cooperation with the communication interface 24. The processor 21 has a function of setting a terminal status ST1 as a first status representing a state of each of the multiple information terminals 50 based on the information collected by the first collection unit through the processing of Act 32.

[0073] Returning to the explanation of Figure 16. The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that controlled the transmission of the login command in Act 3 waits for a response signal from the second server 20 in Act 4. When a response signal of a denial response is received via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act 4. The processor 51 determines the login to be an error. If the login is an error, the processor 51 displays an error notification image including a confirmation button on the touch panel 55. If the confirmation button is touched, the processor 51 returns the image on the touch panel 55 to the initial image and waits for the next login.

[0074] When the processor 51 receives a response signal of an approval response via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act 4. In Act 5, the processor 51 displays the registered image P1 on the touch panel 55 based on the image data received together with the approval response.

[0075] Fig. 28 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registered image P1. As shown in Fig. 28, the registered image P1 includes a registration list area PA1, a promotion list area PA2, a shopping memo area PA3, a touch button BU1 for "products without barcodes," and a touch button BU2 for "checkout."

[0076] The registration list area PA1 is located in the center of the registration image P1. The registration list area PA1 is an area for displaying the registration list L1 described in the area A9 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. Before the start of product registration, the registration list area PA1 is blank.

[0077] The promotion list area PA2 is located at the top of the registered image P1. The promotion list area PA2 has multiple promotion areas along the top edge of the registered image P1. FIG. 28 shows four promotion areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24. Each promotion area PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24 displays the promotion information of the promotion list L2 described in the area A10 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. The promotion area PA21 on the left side of the screen displays the promotion information most recently registered in the promotion list L2. The promotion areas PA22, PA23, and PA24 to the right of the promotion area PA21 sequentially shift the promotion information previously registered. Before product registration begins, the promotion list area PA2 is also blank. Promotional information not associated with the purchased product, such as "Tomorrow is sale day," may be displayed in the promotional areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24 of the registered image P1 before product registration begins.

[0078] The shopping memo area PA3 is located on the left side of the screen of the registered image P1. The shopping memo area PA3 is an area for displaying the shopping list L3 described in the area A11 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. If the logged-in customer M1 has registered shopping data in advance, the shopping memo area PA3 displays information on the shopping list L3 based on that shopping data. If the logged-in customer M1 has not registered shopping data in advance, the shopping memo area PA3 is left blank. Alternatively, the shopping memo area PA3 itself may be omitted from the registered image P1.

[0079] The touch button BU1 for [Item without barcode] and the touch button BU2 for [Checkout] are located at the bottom of the registered image P1. To be more specific, the touch button BU1 for [Item without barcode] is located on the left side of the screen, and the touch button BU2 for [Checkout] is located on the right side. The arrangement of the touch buttons BU1 and BU2 may be reversed.

[0080] The touch button BU1 for [product without barcode] is used when a customer registers a product without a barcode in the information terminal 50. Many products sold in a store are provided with a barcode corresponding to the product ID of the product. For this reason, a customer M1 who uses a cart C to perform self-registration operates the scanner 56 to read the barcode attached to the product before placing the purchased product in the shopping cart BA at the sales floor. When the barcode is read by the scanner 56, the product ID represented by the barcode is input to the information terminal 50. That is, the product is registered. On the other hand, some products such as fresh foods may not have a barcode attached. When the purchased product does not have a barcode attached, the customer M1 touches the touch button BU1. Then, touch buttons corresponding to products without barcodes, so-called product buttons, are displayed on the touch panel 55, so the customer M1 touches the product button corresponding to the purchased product. When the product button is touched, the product ID of the product corresponding to the product button is input to the information terminal 50. That is, the product is registered.

[0081] The [Checkout] touch button BU2 is used when a customer declares the checkout of the purchased items. In other words, customer M1 who has self-registered the purchased items using cart C touches touch button BU2 when moving to the checkout.

[0082] Returning to the explanation of Figure 16. In Act 5, processor 51 displays registration image P1 on touch panel 55, and checks whether product registration has been performed in Act 6. If product registration has not been performed, processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act 6. In Act 7, processor 51 checks whether the [Checkout] touch button BU2 has been touched. If the [Checkout] touch button BU2 has not been touched, processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act 7. Processor 51 returns to Act 6. Here, processor 51 waits for product registration to be performed or for the [Checkout] touch button BU2 to be touched in Act 6 and Act 7.

[0083] When it is confirmed that the product registration has been performed in the standby state of Act 6 and Act 7, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act 6. The processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 to transmit a product registration command to the second server 20 in Act 8. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the product registration command. The product registration command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 and the product ID of the registered product. That is, when the barcode of the registered product is read by the scanner 56, the product registration command includes the product ID obtained from the barcode. When the registered product is selected by touching a product button, the product registration command includes the product ID assigned to the product button. The product registration command is received by the access point 80 and sent to the second server 20 via the network 70.

[0084] The processor 21 of the second server 20, which receives the product registration command via the communication interface 24, starts the product registration interrupt process shown in the flow charts of Fig. 18 to Fig. 20. First, the processor 21 detects a product ID from the product registration command in Act 41. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to make an inquiry about product data to the first server 10 in Act 42. The communication interface 24 transmits a product inquiry command. The product inquiry command includes the product ID. The product inquiry command is transmitted to the first server 10 via the network 70.

[0085] The processor 11 of the first server 10 receives the product inquiry command via the communication interface 14 and detects the product ID from the product inquiry command. The processor 11 accesses the product database 131 and reads out the product data record 131R including the product ID. If the product data record 131R for the product ID cannot be read out from the product database 131, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to transmit an abnormal response to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits a response signal of the abnormal response to the second server 20.

[0086] When the processor 11 is able to read out the corresponding product data record 131R from the product database 131, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to transmit a normal response to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits a response signal of the normal response to the second server 20. The normal response includes product data such as the product ID, product name, price, category name, link promotion ID, and restriction flag of the product data record 131R.

[0087] The processor 21 of the second server 20 that controlled the transmission of the product inquiry command waits for a response signal from the first server 10 in Act 43. If the processor 21 receives a normal response signal within a certain time, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 43. The processor 21 adds the product data included in the normal response to the registration list L1 of the information terminal table 221 in Act 44. That is, the processor 21 adds the product ID, product name, points, and price to the registration list L1 in the area A9 associated with the terminal ID included in the product registration command of the information terminal table 221. The product ID and product name are included in the product data. The points are "1". The price is the price of the product data. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the product registration command is referred to as a registered terminal ID. The processor 21 sets the first to third flags F1 to F3 of the added product data to "0" in Act 45.

[0088] The processor 21 determines whether the registered product is a product with a discount sticker in Act 46. In this embodiment, a discount sticker indicating discount information is attached to a product that is subject to discount, and a discount mark is attached to a part of the barcode. The discount information is, for example, a discount amount or a discount rate. If the image of the barcode photographed by the scanner 56 of the information terminal 50 includes a discount mark, the processor 21 determines that the registered product is a product with a discount sticker. If the registered product is not a product with a discount sticker, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 46. The processor 21 proceeds to processing in Act 53.

[0089] If the registered product is a product with a discount sticker, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 46. The processor 21 starts a timer count operation of the second timer T2 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 in Act 47. The processor 21 checks whether discount information has been received in Act 48. If discount information has not been received, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 48. The processor 21 checks whether the second timer T2 has timed out in Act 49. For example, the second timer T2 times out after counting 15 seconds. If the second timer T2 has not timed out, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 49. The processor 21 returns to Act 48. The processor 21 waits for the reception of discount information or the timeout of the second timer T2 in Act 48 and Act 49.

[0090] If the purchased product has a discount sticker attached, customer M1 who is self-registering must operate scanner 56 to read the information on the discount sticker. If the registered product has a discount sticker attached, processor 21 may display guidance on touch panel 55 of information terminal 50 to instruct the user to read the discount sticker with scanner 56.

[0091] When the discount information is read by the scanner 56 of the information terminal 50, the wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the discount information. The discount information is received by the access point 80 and sent to the second server 20 via the network 70.

[0092] When the processor 21 of the second server 20 detects that discount information has been received via the communication interface 24 before the second timer T2 times out, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 48. The processor 21 performs discount processing in Act 50. For example, the processor 21 obtains a discount amount based on the discount information, and subtracts the discount amount from the price of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the processing of Act 44. The processor 21 stops the second timer T2 in Act 51. After that, the processor 21 proceeds to the processing of Act 53.

[0093] If the second timer T2 times out, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 49. In Act 52, the processor 21 changes the second flag F2 of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the processing of Act 44 from "0" to "1". After that, the processor 21 proceeds to the processing of Act 53. If the customer M1 has the scanner 56 read the information on the discount sticker before the second timer T2 times out, the registered product is discounted with the discount information on the discount sticker and stored in the registration list L1. However, if the second timer T2 times out, the registered product is stored in the registration list L1 without being discounted. In other words, the registered product has a discount sticker reading error. The second flag F2 becomes "1" for the registered product with the discount sticker reading error.

[0094] In Act 53, the processor 21 checks the restriction flag of the product data. If the restriction flag is "0", that is, if the registered product has no age restriction, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 53. The processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 in FIG.

[0095] If the restriction flag is "1", that is, if the registered product is an age-restricted product, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 53. In Act 54, the processor 21 changes the third flag F3 of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the process of Act 44 from "0" to "1". In other words, the third flag F3 becomes "1" for the registered product with an age restriction.

[0096] The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit image data of the age verification image to the information terminal 50 which transmitted the product registration command in Act 55. The processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 in Fig. 19. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the age verification image via the network 70. The access point 80 transmits this image data wirelessly. The information terminal 50 which transmitted the product registration command receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

[0097] In the information terminal 50 that has received the image data of the age verification image, the age verification image is displayed on the touch panel 55. For example, the age verification image displays a confirmation button together with a message such as "Are you over 20 years old?", so that the customer M1 who has confirmed the age verification image touches the confirmation button. Then, the age verification image is erased, and the screen of the touch panel 55 returns to the registered image P1.

[0098] If the processor 21 does not receive a response signal of a normal response to the transmission of the product inquiry command within a certain time, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 43. The processor 21 executes a virtual product registration process in Act 57. For example, the product data record 131R of the registered product may have been deleted from the product database 131. In this case, the processor 21 cannot receive a response signal of a normal response. The processor 21 adds only the product ID of the registered product to the registration list L1 as the virtual product registration process. The product name, points, and price are not added to the registration list L1. The processor 21 sets the first flag F1 of the product data to which only the product ID has been added to "1" in Act 58, and sets the second flag F2 and the third flag F3 to "0". The processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 in FIG. 19. The first flag F1 becomes "1" for the product registered by the virtual product registration process.

[0099] In Act 61, the processor 21 creates a registration list image based on the registration list L1 in the area A9 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. The registration list image is an image displayed in the registration list area PA1 of the registration image P1. That is, the registration list image is an image in which the product names, points, and prices of the product data registered in the registration list L1 are arranged in a list form, as shown in FIG. 28. The order of the arrangement is such that the more recently registered products are placed at the top, that is, the order is descending from the product with the largest registration number in the registration list L1. The registration number is represented as "No." in FIG. 9. The product data most recently added to the registration list L1 can be distinguished by making the text color different from that of other product data, making the background color different, or the like. The example in FIG. 28 shows a case where the background color is different. A [Cancel] touch button BU3 is displayed for each product data. The [Cancel] touch button BU3 is operated by the customer M1 when canceling the purchase of the product of the corresponding product data during shopping. When the [CANCEL] touch button BU3 is touched, the points and price of the corresponding product in the registration list area PA1 become "0." The [CANCEL] touch button BU3 is erased.

[0100] In Act 62, the processor 21 checks whether promotional information is set in association with the registered product. That is, the processor 21 checks the link promotion ID included in the product data. If the link promotion ID is a null value, the processor 21 determines that promotional information is not set. If a code is set as the link promotion ID, the processor 21 determines that promotional information is set. If promotional information is not set, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 62. The processor 21 proceeds to processing of Act 71.

[0101] If the promotion information is set, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 62. In Act 63, the processor 21 searches the promotion list L2 in the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID in the information terminal table 221. The processor 21 checks whether the link promotion ID included in the product data has already been registered in the promotion list L2.

[0102] If the link promotion ID is not registered in the promotion list L2, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 64. In Act 65, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to inquire about promotion data from the first server 10. The communication interface 24 transmits a promotion inquiry command. The promotion inquiry command includes the link promotion ID. The promotion inquiry command is transmitted to the first server 10 via the network 70.

[0103] The processor 11 of the first server 10, which receives the promotion inquiry command via the communication interface 14, detects the link promotion ID from the promotion inquiry command. The processor 11 accesses the promotion database 133 and reads out the promotion data record 133R including the link promotion ID. If the promotion data record 133R for the promotion ID is not registered in the promotion database 133, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to send a normal response indicating no promotion to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 sends the normal response indicating no promotion to the second server 20.

[0104] If the processor 11 can read out the corresponding promotion data record 133R from the promotion database 133, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to transmit a normal response including the promotion data to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits the normal response including the promotion data to the second server 20.

[0105] The processor 21 of the second server 20 that controlled the transmission of the promotion inquiry command checks whether or not a normal response including promotion data is received in Act 66. If a normal response without promotion data is received, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 66. The processor 21 proceeds to processing in Act 71.

[0106] If a normal response including promotion data is received, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 66. The processor 21 counts up the counter N in the area A8 associated with the registered terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 by "1" in Act 67. The processor 21 adds data to the promotion list L2 in the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 in Act 68. The data consists of the product ID of the registered product, a link promotion ID associated with the product ID, and promotion data in which the link promotion ID is set. The data is added to the area with the same number as the counter N.

[0107] If the link promotion ID has already been registered in the promotion list L2, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 64. In Act 69, the processor 21 shifts the link promotion ID and the promotion data and product ID registered in the promotion list L2 together with the link promotion ID to the area with the same number as the counter N.

[0108] After completing the processing of Act 68 or Act 69, the processor 21 sets the fourth flag F4 of the area having the same number as the counter N in the promotion list L2 to "1" and sets the fourth flag F4 of the areas having other numbers to "0" in Act 70. Then, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 71. The fourth flag F4 becomes "1" for the promotion information associated with the newly registered product.

[0109] In Act 71, the processor 21 checks whether the counter N is counting a value greater than "0." If the counter N is "0," the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 71. The processor 21 proceeds to Act 81 in FIG.

[0110] If the counter N is greater than "0", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 71. In Act 72, the processor 21 creates a promotion image based on the promotion list L2 in the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID in the information terminal table 221. When the processor 21 finishes creating the promotion image, it proceeds to Act 81 in FIG.

[0111] The promotion image is an image displayed in the promotion list area PA2 of the registration image P1. That is, the promotion image is an image in which promotion information generated from promotion data registered in the promotion list L2 is arranged in areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24, respectively, as shown in FIG. 28. Specifically, the promotion information is displayed in areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24 in ascending order of numbers in the promotion list L2. The promotion information generated from the promotion data with the fourth flag F4 set to "1", that is, the promotion information displayed in area PA21, is made distinguishable from the promotion information displayed in the other areas PA22, PA23, and PA24. For example, the frame color of only area PA21 is made the same color as the text color of the registered product newly added to the registration list area PA1, so that it can be distinguished from the other promotion information.

[0112] In Act 81, the processor 21 determines whether or not the shopping list L3 is stored in the area A11 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. If the shopping list L3 is not stored, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 81. The processor 21 proceeds to Act 86.

[0113] If the shopping list L3 is saved, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 81. The processor 21 searches for the shopping list L3 in Act 82. The processor 21 checks whether the registered product is included in the shopping list L3 in Act 83. That is, the processor 21 checks whether the name that matches the product name or category name of the registered product exists in the shopping list L3. If there is no matching name, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 83. The processor 21 proceeds to Act 85.

[0114] If a matching name exists, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 83. The processor 21 changes the fifth flag F5 corresponding to the matching name in the shopping list L3 from "0" to "1" in Act 84. Thereafter, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 85. The fifth flag F5 becomes "1" for the name of the product for which product registration has been performed among the names stored in the shopping list L3.

[0115] In Act 85, the processor 21 creates a shopping memo image using the information of the shopping list L3. After completing the creation of the shopping memo image, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 86.

[0116] The shopping memo image is an image displayed in the shopping memo area PA3 of the registered image P1. That is, the processor 21 forms the shopping memo image by arranging the names registered in the shopping list L3 in order from top to bottom of the screen as shown in Fig. 28. The processor 21 erases the names whose fifth flag F5 is set to "1". For example, the processor 21 erases the names whose fifth flag F5 is set to "1" by drawing a strikethrough line through them. Alternatively, the processor 21 erases the names whose fifth flag F5 is set to "1" by making the character density of the names lighter than the other names.

[0117] In Act 86, the processor 21 edits the registered image P1. That is, the processor 21 edits the registered image P1 so that the registration list image created in Act 61, the promotion image created in Act 72, and the shopping memo image created in Act 85 are displayed in the areas PA1, PA2, and PA3, respectively.

[0118] The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit the registered image P1 to the information terminal 50 which transmitted the product registration command in Act 87. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the registered image P1 edited in Act 86 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The information terminal 50 which transmitted the product registration command receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

[0119] After controlling the transmission of the registered image P1, the processor 21 starts the counting operation of the third timer T3 associated with the registered terminal information ID of the information terminal table 221 in Act 88. If the third timer T3 has already started, the processor 21 restarts the third timer T3. With this, the processor 21 ends the product registration interrupt process.

[0120] Returning to the explanation of Figure 16. The processor 51 of the information terminal 50, which controlled the transmission of the product registration command in Act 8, returns to Act 5. That is, the processor 51 updates the registration image P1 displayed on the touch panel 55 based on the image data newly received from the second server 20.

[0121] The product name, number of items, and price of the product that the customer M1 self-registered are added to the registration list area PA1. If the registered product is in the shopping list L3, the name of the registered product is deleted from the shopping memo area PA3. If promotional information is set in association with the registered product, a promotional image based on the promotional information is displayed in the promotional area PA21 of the promotion list area PA2. If other promotional information is already displayed in the promotional areas PA21 to PA23, it is shifted to the promotional areas PA22 to PA24 on the right, and the promotional information displayed in the promotional area PA24 is no longer displayed. However, if the promotional information of the registered product is already displayed in the promotional area PA21, the promotional image does not change. If the promotional information of the registered product is displayed in the promotional area PA22, for example, the promotional information is moved to the promotional area PA21, and the promotional information previously displayed in the promotional area PA22 is shifted to the promotional area PA22. The same applies if the promotional information of the registered product is displayed in the other promotional areas PA23 and PA24.

[0122] Every time a product is registered, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act 6. The processor 51 repeats the processes of Act 8 and Act 5.

[0123] Incidentally, for products registered by the virtual product registration process, the first flag F1 is set to "1". For registered products with the first flag F1 set to "1", the name is displayed as "Product registration error", as shown in the display example PR1 in FIG. 29. Instead of the points and price, the guidance "A staff member will check this at the time of payment" is displayed. An icon IC1 is displayed to indicate that the product registration is in error.

[0124] For registered products with a discount sticker reading error, the second flag F2 is set to "1". For registered products with the second flag F2 set to "1", the name will be "Discount Sticker Error", as shown in the display example PR2 in Figure 29. Instead of the points and amount, the guidance "An attendant will check this at the time of payment" is displayed. Icon IC2 indicating a discount sticker error is displayed.

[0125] For registered products with age restrictions, the third flag F3 is set to "1." For registered products with the third flag F3 set to "1," an icon IC3 indicating that the product is an age-restricted product is displayed, as shown in a display example PR3 in FIG.

[0126] For the product for which cancellation is instructed by touching the [Cancel] touch button BU3, the points and price may not be set to "0" in the registration list area PA1. As shown in the display example PR4 of FIG. 29, the product name, points and price may be crossed out and the [Cancel] touch button BU3 may be erased. As shown in FIG. 29, the order of error items such as "Product Registration Error" and "Discount Sticker Error" may be changed so that they are located at the top of the registration list area PA1. The order of error items such as "Product Registration Error" and "Discount Sticker Error" may be left unchanged so that the more recently registered products are placed at the top, so that it is helpful for the customer M1 who is searching for the product corresponding to the error in the shopping cart BA. In order to make it easier to see the position of the row of the error item such as "Product Registration Error" and "Discount Sticker Error", the background color of the position corresponding to the row of the error item in the scroll bar at the right end of FIG. 29 may be made different from the background color of the position not corresponding to the error item.

[0127] Returning to the explanation of Figure 16. If the [Checkout] touch button BU2 is pressed during the standby state in Act 6 and Act 7, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 7. In Act 9, the processor 21 controls the wireless unit 54 to transmit a checkout command to the second server 20. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the checkout command. The checkout command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50.

[0128] Upon receiving the accounting command via the communications interface 24, the processor 21 of the second server 20 initiates the accounting interrupt process shown in the flow chart of Figure 21. First, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 for the terminal ID included in the accounting command in Act 101. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the accounting command will be referred to as the accounting terminal ID. The processor 21 checks whether or not data with the first flag F1 set to "1" exists in the registration list L1 in area A9 associated with the accounting terminal ID.

[0129] If there is no data with the first flag F1 set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 101. In Act 102, the processor 21 checks whether there is data with the second flag F2 set to "1" in the registration list L1.

[0130] If there is also no data in which the second flag F2 is set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 102. In Act 103, the processor 21 controls the communication interface to send an approval response to the information terminal 50 that sent the checkout command. Furthermore, in Act 104, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to send image data of the plastic bag confirmation image P3 shown in FIG. 31 to the information terminal 50. The communication interface 24 sends a response signal of the approval response and image data of the plastic bag confirmation image P3 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits the response signal and image data. The information terminal 50 that sent the checkout command receives the response signal and image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

[0131] In Act 101, if data in which the first flag F1 is set to "1" exists in the registration list L1, the processor 21 proceeds to YES and proceeds to processing in Act 111. In Act 102, if data in which the second flag F2 is set to "1" exists, the processor 21 also proceeds to YES and proceeds to processing in Act 111. The processor 21 controls the communication interface to transmit a denial response to the information terminal 50 that transmitted the accounting command in Act 111. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit image data of the staff confirmation image P2 shown in FIG. 30 to the information terminal 50 in Act 112. The communication interface 24 transmits a response signal of the denial response and image data of the staff confirmation image P2 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits the response signal and image data. The information terminal 50 that transmitted the accounting command receives the response signal and image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80. The accounting command is information capable of identifying the status related to the registration of the information terminal 50. That is, the processor 21 constitutes a first collection unit in cooperation with the communication interface 24. The processor 21 has a function of setting, by the processing of Act 110, a terminal status ST1 as a first status indicating the status of each of the multiple information terminals 50 based on the information collected by the first collection unit.

[0132] Returning to the explanation of Figure 16. In Act 10, the processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that controlled the transmission of the accounting command in Act 9 waits for a response signal from the second server 20. If a response signal of a denial response is received via the wireless unit 64, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act 10. In Act 11, the processor 51 displays an attendant confirmation image P2 on the touch panel 55 based on the image data received together with the response signal.

[0133] Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram showing one display example of the attendant confirmation image P2. As shown in Fig. 30, the attendant confirmation image P2 includes a "Yes" touch button BU4 along with guidance GA1 notifying that an attendant confirmation is required due to an error in the self-registration of the product. After checking the attendant confirmation image P2, customer M1 goes to attendant counter AT and makes a request to attendant M3.

[0134] Upon receiving a request from customer M1, attendant M3 performs an operation to delete the data of the product for which the first flag F1 is set to "1" or the second flag F2 is set to "1" from registration list L1. This operation may be performed from monitoring terminal 60 or from information terminal 50. Alternatively, it may be performed from accounting machine 40, or from another computer device connected to network 70.

[0135] If the data of the product for which the first flag F1 is set to "1" or the second flag F2 is set to "1" has been deleted from the registration list L1, the customer M1 touches the "Yes" touch button BU4.

[0136] The processor 51, which has controlled the display of the staff confirmation image P2, waits for a confirmation operation to be performed in Act 12. If the processor 51 detects that the touch button BU4 for [Yes], which is a confirmation operation, is touched, the process proceeds to YES in Act 12. The processor 51 returns to Act 5. That is, the processor 51 returns the screen of the touch panel 55 to the registered image P1.

[0137] After confirming that the screen of the touch panel 55 has returned to the registered image P1, customer M1 again touches the [Checkout] touch button BU2. As a result, the processor 21 of the second server 20 judges NO in Act 101 and NO in Act 102 in Fig. 21, and therefore executes the processes of Act 103 and Act 104. As a result, the information terminal 50 receives a response signal of an approval response and image data of the shopping bag confirmation image P3.

[0138] When the processor 51 receives the response signal of the approval response via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act 10. In Act 13, the processor 51 causes the touch panel 55 to display a plastic bag confirmation image P3 based on the image data received together with the response signal.

[0139] Fig. 31 is a schematic diagram showing an example of how the plastic bag confirmation image P3 is displayed. As shown in Fig. 31, the plastic bag confirmation image P3 includes a "Yes" touch button BU5 and a "No" touch button BU6, along with guidance GA2 inquiring about whether or not to purchase a plastic bag. After checking the plastic bag confirmation image P3, if customer M1 wishes to purchase a plastic bag, he or she touches touch button BU5, goes to attendant counter AT, and receives a plastic bag. If customer M1 does not wish to purchase a plastic bag, he or she touches touch button BU6 and does not receive a plastic bag.

[0140] In Act 14, the processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 to transmit the plastic bag information to the second server 20. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the plastic bag information. The plastic bag information is information indicating the purchase of a plastic bag when the "Yes" touch button BU5 is touched in the plastic bag confirmation image P3, and is information indicating the non-purchase of a plastic bag when the "No" touch button BU6 is touched.

[0141] The processor 21 of the second server 20, which has controlled the transmission of the plastic bag confirmation image P3 in Act 104 of Fig. 21, waits for plastic bag information in Act 105. If the processor 21 receives plastic bag information indicating a purchase of a plastic bag, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 105. The processor 21 adds the sales data of the plastic bag to the registration list L1 in Act 106. If the processor 21 receives plastic bag information indicating a non-purchase of a plastic bag, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 105. The processor 21 skips the process of Act 106.

[0142] If the price of a plastic bag is fixed, the sales data for the plastic bag may be set in advance. If the price of a plastic bag varies depending on the size, etc., the barcode on the plastic bag is scanned with scanner 56 when the customer receives the plastic bag. When the barcode on the plastic bag is scanned, the sales data for the plastic bag is added to registration list L1 in the same manner as for registering a normal product.

[0143] The processor 21 issues a new accounting code in Act 107. The accounting code is unique, for example, by combining a date and a series of transaction numbers, and will not overlap with other accounting codes. The processor 21 saves the accounting code in the area A12 associated with the accounting terminal ID in the information terminal table 221.

[0144] In Act 108, the processor 21 converts the accounting code into a barcode to create the accounting barcode image P4 shown in Fig. 32. In Act 109, the processor 21 controls the communications interface 24 to transmit the accounting barcode image P4 to the information terminal 50 that sent the accounting command. The communications interface 24 transmits image data of the accounting barcode image P4 via the network 70. The access point 80 transmits this image data wirelessly. The information terminal 50 that sent the accounting command receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

[0145] After controlling the transmission of image data of accounting barcode image P4, processor 21 changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the accounting terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 from "registering" to "accounting in progress" in Act 110. Thus, upon completing the processing of Act 110 or completing the processing of Act 112 described above, processor 21 stops the counting operation of third timer T3 associated with the accounting terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 in Act 113. With this, processor 21 ends the accounting interrupt processing.

[0146] Returning to the explanation of Figure 16. In Act 14, the processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that transmitted the shopping bag information waits for the accounting barcode image P4 in Act 15. When the image data of the accounting barcode image P4 is received via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act 15. In Act 16, the processor 51 displays the accounting barcode image P4 on the touch panel 55 based on the image data. With this, the processor 51 ends the post-login processing.

[0147] Fig. 32 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of the accounting barcode image P4. As shown in Fig. 32, the accounting barcode image P4 includes a barcode BC that represents the accounting code. After checking the accounting barcode image P4, customer M1 proceeds to an available accounting machine 40 at self-checkout G2 and uses a scanner connected to that accounting machine 40 to read and operate the barcode BC of the accounting barcode image P4.

[0148] When the barcode BC is read by the scanner of the payment machine 40, the payment machine 40 transmits a payment request command including the payment code obtained from the barcode BC and the payment machine ID unique to that payment machine to the second server 20 via the network 70.

[0149] The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the accounting request command starts the accounting request interrupt process of Fig. 22. First, the processor 21 detects the accounting code included in the accounting request command in Act 121. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 in Act 122 to check the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID for which the same accounting code is stored in area A12. In the following description, the terminal ID for which the same accounting code is stored in area A12 is referred to as the accounting request terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is other than "accounting in progress", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 122. The processor 21 ends this interrupt process as an error.

[0150] If the terminal status ST1 is "payment in progress", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 122. In Act 123, the processor 21 saves the payment machine ID included in the payment request command in area A4 associated with the payment request terminal ID in the information terminal table 221. In Act 124, the processor 21 controls the registration list L1 stored in area A9 associated with the payment request terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 to be sent to the payment machine 40 that sent the payment request command. Furthermore, in Act 125, the processor 21 searches the payment machine table 222, and sets the payment machine status ST2 corresponding to the payment machine ID included in the payment request command to "payment in progress". With this, the processor 21 ends the payment request interrupt process.

[0151] The communications interface 24 transmits the data in the registration list L1 to the payment machine 40 via the network 70. The payment machine 40 is then able to carry out the payment process based on the data in the registration list L1. Customer M1 pays the payment amount, calculated based on the data in the registration list L1, to the payment machine 40. When the payment process is completed, the payment machine 40 transmits a payment end command, which includes the same payment code and payment machine ID as the payment request command, to the second server 20 via the network 70.

[0152] The processor 21 of the second server 20, which has received the accounting end command, starts the accounting end interrupt process of Fig. 23. First, the processor 21 detects the accounting code included in the accounting end command in Act 131. In Act 132, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID for which the same accounting code is stored in area A12. In the following description, the terminal ID for which the same accounting code is stored in area A12 is referred to as the accounting end terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is other than "accounting in progress", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 132. The processor 21 ends this interrupt process as an error.

[0153] If the terminal status ST1 is "checkout in progress", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 132. The processor 21 searches the checkout machine table 222 in Act 133, and sets the checkout machine status ST2 corresponding to the checkout machine ID included in the checkout end command to "idle". The processor 21 searches the shopping list L3 in the area A11 associated with the checkout end terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 in Act 134. The processor 21 determines whether or not there is data with the fifth flag set to "1" in Act 135. If there is data with the fifth flag set to "1" in the shopping list L3, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 135. The processor 21 edits the shopping list L3 in Act 136. That is, the processor 21 deletes the data with the fifth flag F5 set from the shopping list L3. If there is no data with the fifth flag set to "1" in the shopping list L3, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 135. The processor 21 does not execute the process of Act136.

[0154] Then, in Act 137, the processor 21 controls to transmit the member data to the first server 10. The member data includes a member ID in area A3 associated with the transaction completion terminal ID in the information terminal table 221, a registration list L1 in area A9, and a shopping list L3 in area A11.

[0155] Upon receiving the transaction data, processor 11 of first server 10 adds the data in registration list L1 included in the transaction data to the purchase history data in member database 132 identified by the member ID included in the transaction data. Processor 11 then changes the shopping data in member database 132 to the data in shopping list L3 included in the transaction data.

[0156] The processor 21 of the second server 20, which controlled the transmission of the transaction data, initializes the information associated with the transaction completion terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 in Act 138. That is, the processor 21 clears the member ID in area A3, the transaction machine ID in area A4, the registration list L1 in area A9, the promotion list L2 in area A10, the shopping list L3 in area A11, and the transaction code in area A12. The processor 21 resets the values ​​of the first timer T1 in area A5, the second timer T2 in area A6, and the third timer T3 in area A9 to "0". In addition, the processor 21 resets the value of the counter N in area A8 to "0".

[0157] After that, the processor 21 changes the status ST1 associated with the transaction completion terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 from "transaction in progress" to "waiting" in Act 139. With this, the processor 21 ends the transaction completion interrupt process. The accounting request command and the accounting end command are information capable of identifying the status of the accounting machine 40 relating to the accounting. In other words, the processor 21 constitutes a second collection unit in cooperation with the communication interface 24. The processor 21 has a function of setting a accounting machine status ST2 as a second status indicating the status of the accounting machine 40 based on the information collected by the second collection unit through the processing of Act 125 and Act 139.

[0158] Meanwhile, customer M1 who has performed self-registration by operating the information terminal 50 installed in cart C can also complete the transaction at the counter register G1. When the transaction is completed at the counter register G1, cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 into the POS terminal 30. For example, the information terminal 50 has a barcode indicating the terminal ID. Cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID by scanning the barcode with a scanner. Alternatively, the information terminal 50 has an RFID tag attached that wirelessly transmits the terminal ID. Cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID by reading the data on the RFID tag with an RFID reader connected to the POS terminal 30.

[0159] When the terminal ID is entered, a face-to-face transaction command is transmitted from the POS terminal 30 to the second server 20 via the network 70. The face-to-face transaction command includes the terminal ID entered at the POS terminal 30.

[0160] The processor 21 of the second server 20 that receives the face-to-face payment command starts the face-to-face payment interruption process of Fig. 24. First, the processor 21 detects the terminal ID included in the face-to-face payment command in Act 141. The processor 21 checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID included in the face-to-face payment command in the information terminal table 221 in Act 142. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the face-to-face payment command in the information terminal table 221 is referred to as the face-to-face terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 142. The processor 21 ends the face-to-face payment interruption process.

[0161] If the terminal status ST1 is other than "Waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 142. In Act 143, the processor 21 initializes the information associated with the face-to-face terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 as described above. Then, in Act 144, the processor 21 changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the face-to-face terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 to "Waiting". With this, the processor 21 ends the face-to-face transaction interrupt process.

[0162] The terminal status ST1 being "Waiting" means that the customer M1 has not logged in to the information terminal 50. In other words, the customer M1 has completed the transaction at the counter register G1 without performing self-registration. In this case, even if the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 is entered into the POS terminal 30, the processor 21 of the second server 20 will not execute the processes of Act 143 and Act 144.

[0163] For example, when the terminal status ST1 is "registering", it means that the customer M1 who logged in to the information terminal 50 has completed the transaction at the face-to-face register G1. In this case, the member ID is written in the area A3 associated with the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 in the information terminal table 221. When the customer M1 has registered shopping data, the shopping list L3 is stored in the area A11. When the customer M1 has performed self-registration, the registration list L1 and the sales promotion list L2 are stored in the areas A9 and A10, respectively. The information terminal 50 cannot be used unless these areas are initialized and the terminal status ST1 is returned to "standby". The processor 21 executes the processes of Act 143 and Act 144 to return the information terminal 50 used by the customer M1 who switched from self-registration to the face-to-face register G1 to a usable state.

[0164] However, when making a transaction at the counter register G1, the store clerk M2 may forget to input the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 into the POS terminal 30. If the terminal ID is forgotten to be input, data related to the information terminal 50 remains in the information terminal table 221 even after the transaction is completed. The terminal status ST associated with the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 is "registering". For this reason, the next customer cannot log in to the information terminal 50, and the cart C is left unattended.

[0165] The third timer T3 is restarted each time the processor 21 of the second server 20 executes product registration interrupt processing. When the processor 21 executes checkout interrupt processing, the third timer T3 is stopped. In other words, if the processor 21 executes product registration interrupt processing in response to a product registration command and then does not receive the next product registration command or checkout command from the information terminal 50 that sent the product registration command, the third timer T3 corresponding to the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 continues to count up.

[0166] 25 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the timer monitoring process executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. The processor 21 starts this timer monitoring process at intervals of, for example, one minute. That is, the processor 21 checks the time count of the third timer T3 in Act 151. The processor 21 determines whether or not the third timer T3 has counted a preset first threshold time TM1, for example, five minutes, in Act 152. If the time count of the third timer T3 associated with all terminal IDs is less than the first threshold time TM1, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 152. The processor 21 ends the timer monitoring process.

[0167] If the time count of at least one third timer T3 is equal to or longer than the first threshold time TM1, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 152. The processor 21 checks the terminal status ST1 corresponding to the third timer T3 that has counted the first threshold time TM1 in Act 153. If the terminal status ST1 is "registering", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 153. The processor 21 changes the terminal status ST1 from "registering" to "abandoned" in Act 154. If the terminal status ST1 is other than "registering", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 153. The processor 21 does not execute the process of Act 154. With this, the processor 21 ends the timer monitoring process.

[0168] In this way, the information terminal 50 installed in the abandoned cart C is managed in the information terminal table 221 with the terminal status ST1 set to "abandoned". A member ID is written in area A3 of the information terminal table 221 associated with the terminal ID with this terminal status ST1 of "abandoned". If the customer has registered shopping data, a shopping list L3 is stored in area A11. If the customer has self-registered, a registration list L1 and a sales promotion list L2 are stored in areas A9 and A10, respectively. As mentioned above, the information terminal 50 cannot be used unless these areas are initialized and the terminal status ST1 is returned to "standby".

[0169] In this embodiment, the data in the information terminal table 221 of the information terminal 50 provided in the abandoned cart C can be initialized by remote control from the monitoring terminal 60. Next, the operation of the monitoring terminal 60 will be described.

[0170] 33 is an example of a monitoring image P11 displayed on the touch panel 65, which is a display device of the monitoring terminal 60. This example shows a case where the number of payment machines 40 is three.

[0171] A total of 15 status display sections (T1) to (T15) are arranged in a matrix of 5 rows and 3 columns in the monitoring image P11. The three status display sections (T1) to (T3) in the first to third rows of the first column are payment machine status display sections Ta that display the status of the payment machine 40. The status display sections (T4) and (T5) in the fourth and fifth rows of the first column and the status display sections (T6) to (T15) in the second and third columns are terminal status display sections Tb that display the status of the information terminal 50.

[0172] The status display units (T1) to (T15) are, for example, identical in shape, size, background color, etc. In this regard, for example, the cash register status display unit Ta and the terminal status display unit Tb may be differentiated by making at least a part of the shape, size, background color, etc. different.

[0173] In addition, the monitoring image P11 is arranged with an [In Operation] touch button BU11, an [Waiting] touch button BU12, an [All Units] touch button BU13, a monitoring image layout button BU14, a detailed image layout button BU15, etc. The arrangement and number of status display sections of the monitoring image P11 shown in Fig. 33 are merely an example. It goes without saying that these can be appropriately changed depending on the screen size of the touch panel 65, the number of payment machines 40 and information terminals 50, etc.

[0174] FIG. 34 is an example of the payment machine status display section Ta. The payment machine status display section Ta consists of a first area Ta1 on the left side of the screen and a second area Ta2 on the right side of the screen. The first area Ta1 displays the payment machine ID of the payment machine 40. In FIG. 34, the payment machine ID is "Q1". In FIG. 33, the payment machine IDs are "Q1", "Q2", and "Q3". The second area Ta2 displays the status of the payment machine 40. Specifically, the second area Ta2 displays whether the payment machine 40 is in an "idle" state before a payment process, or in an "in payment" state where a payment process is being performed. The display of such a status is based on the payment machine status ST2 in the payment machine table 222. Incidentally, FIG. 34 shows that the payment machine 40 is in an "idle" state.

[0175] The second area Ta2 displays a mark MC1 that lights up when an error occurs in the printer of the accounting machine 40, and a mark MC2 that lights up when an error occurs in the change machine. When the first error flag EF1 in the accounting machine table 222 becomes "1", the mark MC1 lights up. When the second error flag EF2 in the accounting machine table 222 becomes "1", the mark MC2 lights up.

[0176] [A] to [E] in FIG. 35 are examples of the terminal status display section Tb. The terminal status display section Tb is composed of a first area Tb1 on the left side of the screen and a second area Tb2 on the right side of the screen. The second area Tb2 displays the status of the information terminal 50. Specifically, the second area Tb2 displays whether the information terminal 50 is [on standby], [registering], [checkout], or [abandoned]. The display of such a status is based on the terminal status ST1 in the information terminal table 221. Incidentally, the terminal status display section Tb shown in [A] in FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [on standby]. The terminal status display section Tb shown in [B] and [C] in FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [registering]. The terminal status display section Tb shown in [D] in FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [checkout]. The terminal state display section Tb shown in [E] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is in the [Abandoned] state.

[0177] The second area Tb2 displays mark MC3, which lights up when a product with a "product registration error" is registered in the registration list L1, mark MC4, which lights up when a product with a "discount sticker error" is registered, and mark MC5, which lights up when a product with an age restriction is registered. When the registration list L1 contains data in which the first flag F1 is "1", mark MC3 lights up. When the registration list L1 contains data in which the second flag F2 is "1", mark MC4 lights up. When the registration list L1 contains data in which the third flag F3 is "1", mark MC5 lights up.

[0178] The first area Tb1 is an area that allows the state of the information terminal 50 to be identified by color or the like. In the normal state in which no error or the like has occurred during [Waiting], [Registering], or [Checkout], the background color of the first area Tb1 is, for example, blue. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [A] and [D] is blue. In the case of [Checkout], the first area Tb1 displays the checkout machine ID of the checkout machine 40 that is performing the checkout process. In the example of FIG. 35, the checkout machine ID is displayed in the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [D]. In the case of [Registering], if a product with an age restriction has been registered and a warning is required for the clerk, the background color of the first area Tb1 is a color that calls for warning, for example, yellow. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [B] is yellow. In the [Registering] state, if a clerk's intervention is required for the transaction due to a "product registration error" or "discount sticker error", the background color of the first area Tb1 is a color that indicates a warning, for example, red. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [C] is red. In the [Abandoned] state, the background color of the first area Tb1 is a color that indicates another warning, for example, black. The second area Tb2 displays a mark MC6 indicating that the device is in an abandoned state. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [E] is black, and the mark MC6 is displayed in the second area Tb2.

[0179] 26 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the monitoring image creation process executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. The processor 21 starts this monitoring image creation process at intervals of, for example, 10 seconds. First, the processor 21 selects an information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "during checkout" from the information terminal table 221 in Act 161. The processor 21 ranks the selected information terminals 50 from 1st place to ath place in descending order of the count value of the first timer T1 in Act 162, and writes the ranking in the area A13 of the information terminal table 221. The ath place is a rank corresponding to the number of information terminals 50 that are "during checkout". If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "during checkout", the processor 21 does not execute the process of Act 162.

[0180] The processor 21 selects an information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "registering" from the information terminal table 221 in Act 163. The processor 21 calculates the remaining points of the shopping list L3 for each selected information terminal 50 in Act 164. The remaining points are the number of names registered in the shopping list L3 minus the names whose fifth flag F5 is set to "1". If the shopping list L3 is not saved, the remaining points are set to a specified value, for example, "100". The processor 21 sets the rankings of the selected information terminals 50 from a+1st place to a+bth place in order of the least remaining points in Act 165, and writes the rankings in the area A13 of the information terminal table 221. The bth place is a ranking corresponding to the number of information terminals 50 that are "registering". The processor 21 determines whether or not there are information terminals 50 with the same remaining points in Act 166. If at least two or more customers who have not registered shopping data in advance have logged in, there will be multiple information terminals 50 with a remaining number of "100". If there are information terminals 50 with the same remaining number of points, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 166. In Act 167, the processor 21 sets the ranking in descending order of the count value of the first timer T1. If there is no information terminal 50 with the terminal status ST1 of "registering", the processor 21 does not execute the processes of Act 164 to Act 167.

[0181] In Act 168, the processor 21 selects an information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "abandoned" from the information terminal table 221. The processor 21 sets the ranks of the information terminals 50 selected in Act 165 from a+b+1st to a+b+cth in the order of the terminal IDs set in the information terminal table 221, and describes the ranks in the area A13 of the information terminal table 221. The cth rank is a rank corresponding to the number of information terminals 50 that are "abandoned". If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "abandoned", the processor 21 does not execute the process of Act 169.

[0182] The processor 21 selects an information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "on standby" from the information terminal table 221 in Act 170. The processor 21 sets the ranks of the selected information terminals 50 in Act 171 from a+b+c+1st to a+b+c+dth in the order of the terminal IDs set in the information terminal table 221, and describes the ranks in the area A13 of the information terminal table 221. The dth rank is a rank corresponding to the number of "on standby" information terminals 50. If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "on standby", the processor 21 does not execute the process of Act 171.

[0183] In Act 172, the processor 21 generates a monitoring image P11 based on the data in the information terminal table 221 and the payment machine table 222. That is, the processor 21 creates a payment machine status display section Ta for each payment machine 40 based on the payment machine ID, payment machine status ST2, first error flag EF1 and second error flag EF2 in the payment machine table 222. The processor 21 places the payment machine status display section Ta of each payment machine 40 in the status display section (T1), status display section (T2) and status display section (T3) of the monitoring image P11.

[0184] The processor 21 creates a terminal status display section Tb for each information terminal 50 based on the terminal ID, terminal status ST1, and the first to third flags F1 to F3 in the registration list L1 in the information terminal table 221. The processor 21 selects the terminal status display section Tb of each information terminal 50 ranked from 1st to 12th, and arranges them in the status display section (T4) to status display section (T15) in order from 1st place.

[0185] Once the processor 21 has created the monitoring image P11, it controls the communication interface 24, which is a communication unit, to transmit the monitoring image P11 to the monitoring terminal 60 in Act 173. The communication interface 24 transmits image data of the monitoring image P11 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The monitoring terminal 60 receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80. The touch panel 65 of the monitoring terminal 60 displays the monitoring image P11 shown in FIG. 33. The processor 21 has the function of generating a monitoring image in one screen area, by processing Act 161 to Act 172, in which a terminal status display unit Tb as a first status display unit showing a terminal status ST1 as a first status set for each information terminal 50, and a cash register status display unit Ta as a second status display unit showing a cash register status ST2 as the first status. In detail, the processor 21 estimates the time required for the user of each of the multiple information terminals 50 to make a payment by processing Act 164 to Act 167 and Act 172. For the terminal status display unit Tb as the first status display unit, a monitoring image is generated in which the terminals are arranged in ascending order of required time from the top. In Act 164 and Act 165, it is estimated that the fewer the remaining items on the shopping list L3, the shorter the time required for the user of the information terminal 50 to make a payment. In Act 166 and Act 167, it is estimated that the longer the elapsed time from the start of registering the purchased items, that is, the longer the time on the first timer T1 as the timing unit, the shorter the required time. By the processing in Act 173, the processor 21 functions as an output unit that outputs the monitoring image to the output device in cooperation with the communication interface 24. In this embodiment, the output device is the monitoring terminal 60 that functions as a display device.

[0186] When the [In Operation] touch button BU11 of the monitoring image P11 is touched, the processor 21 executes a monitoring image creation process that omits the processes of Act 161 and Act 162 and the processes of Act 170 and Act 171 of Fig. 26. The monitoring image P11 is narrowed down to only the terminal status display section Tb that indicates the status of the information terminal 50 of [Checkout], [Registering], or [Abandoned]. When the [Waiting] touch button BU12 is touched, the processor 21 executes a monitoring image creation process that omits the processes of Act 161 to Act 169 of Fig. 26. The monitoring image P11 is narrowed down to only the terminal status display section Tb that indicates the status of the information terminal 50 of [Waiting].

[0187] Incidentally, as shown in Fig. 33, the monitoring image P11 includes a touch button BU16 for page forwarding. The cash register status display section Ta and the terminal status display section Tb are touch buttons.

[0188] As shown in FIG. 26, the processor 21 of the second server 20, after controlling the transmission of the monitoring image, checks whether the touch button BU16 for page forwarding has been touched in Act 174. If the touch button BU16 has not been touched, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 174. The processor 21 checks whether the payment machine status display unit Ta or the terminal status display unit Tb has been touched in Act 175. If the payment machine status display unit Ta or the terminal status display unit Tb has not been touched, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 174. The processor 21 checks whether a timer interrupt signal has been detected in Act 176. If the timer interrupt signal has not been detected, the processor 21 returns to Act 174. That is, the processor 21 waits for the touch button BU16 for page forwarding to be touched, the payment machine status display unit Ta or the terminal status display unit Tb to be touched, or a timer interrupt signal to be detected.

[0189] If the timer interrupt signal is detected, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 176. The processor 21 executes the process from Act 161 again.

[0190] If the page-turning touch button BU16 is touched, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 174. The processor 21 returns to Act 172. That is, the processor 21 re-creates the monitoring image P11. For example, the processor 21 creates the monitoring image P11 in which each status display section (T1) to (T15) is a terminal status display section Tb ranked from 13th to 27th. When the attendant M3 touches the page-turning touch button BU16, each status display section (T1) to (T15) displays terminal status display sections Tb2 ranked from 13th to 27th. The processor 21 also has a function of generating a monitoring image in which only the terminal status display sections as the first status display sections are arranged in one screen area in order of the shortest required time from the top.

[0191] The pattern of the monitoring image P11 created by the processor 21 when the page-turning touch button BU16 is operated is not limited to the above. For example, a monitoring image P11 may be created in which the status display sections (T1) to (T3) in which the cash register status display section Ta is located are fixed, and terminal status display sections Tb2 ranked 13th to 24th are located relative to the remaining status display sections (T4) to (T15).

[0192] If the payment machine status display unit Ta or the terminal status display unit Tb is touched, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 175. The processor 21 acquires the registration list L1 in Act 177. For example, if the payment machine status display unit Ta of a payment machine 40 whose status is [Payment in progress] is touched, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 and acquires the registration list L1 in which the payment machine ID of that payment machine 40 is associated with the terminal ID described in area A4. If the terminal status display unit Tb of an information terminal 50 whose status is [Registering] is touched, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 and acquires the registration list L1 associated with the terminal ID of that information terminal 50.

[0193] Once the registration list L1 has been acquired, the processor 21 returns to Act 172 and creates the monitoring image P11 again. Specifically, the processor 21 creates the monitoring image P11 including a detailed image showing the touched payment machine status display section Ta or terminal status display section Tb, and the contents of the registration list L1 acquired in the processing of Act 177, such as the product name, points, price, etc. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit the monitoring image P11 to the monitoring terminal 60 in Act 173.

[0194] For example, by touching the accounting machine status display unit Ta, the attendant M3 can check information on the purchased item of the customer M1 who is making a payment at the accounting machine 40 whose status is displayed on the accounting machine status display unit Ta. For example, by touching the terminal status display unit Tb where the mark MC5 is lit and the first area Tb1 is yellow, the attendant M3 can check information on the purchased item of the customer M1 who has purchased an age-restricted item. For example, by touching the terminal status display unit Tb where the mark MC3 or mark MC4 is lit and the first area Tb1 is red, the attendant M3 can check information on the purchased item of the customer M1 for which a "product registration error" or a "discount sticker error" has occurred.

[0195] When the processor 21 controls the transmission of the monitoring image P11 including the detailed image in Act 173, the processor 21 ignores the timer interrupt in Act 176. For example, in response to detecting that the layout button BU14 for the monitoring image is touched, the processor 21 returns to the process of Act 161.

[0196] Fig. 36 is an example of a monitoring image P11 when the terminal status display section Tb showing the [Abandoned] state is touched. As shown in Fig. 36, the monitoring image P11 includes the touched status display section Tb, a detailed image P111 showing the product name, number, price, etc. of the product registered on the information terminal 50 whose status is displayed on the status display section Tb, and a [Cancel all] touch button BU17. When the terminal status display section Tb showing the [Registering] state is touched, the detailed image P111 is displayed but the [Cancel all] touch button BU17 is not displayed.

[0197] As described above, an information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is managed as "abandoned" cannot be used unless the information in the information terminal table 221 is initialized. When attendant M3 finds the terminal status display section Tb shown in [E] of Fig. 35, he / she touches the terminal status display section Tb. When the terminal status display section Tb is touched, the monitoring image P11 of Fig. 36 is displayed. Attendant M3 touches the [Cancel all] touch button BU17.

[0198] When the processor 61 of the monitoring terminal 60 detects that the [CANCEL ALL] touch button BU17 has been touched, it controls the wireless unit 64 to transmit a blanket cancel command to the second server 20. The wireless unit 64 wirelessly transmits the blanket cancel command. The blanket cancel command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 assigned to the touched terminal status display section Tb. The blanket cancel command is received by the access point 80 and sent to the second server 20 via the network 70.

[0199] The processor 21 of the second server 20, which has received the batch cancellation command via the communication interface 24, starts the batch cancellation interrupt process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 27. First, the processor 21 detects the terminal ID from the batch cancellation command in Act 181. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 in Act 182, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID detected from the batch cancellation command. In the following description, the terminal ID detected from the batch cancellation command is referred to as the cancellation terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is other than "left", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 182. The processor 21 ends the batch cancellation interrupt process.

[0200] If the terminal status ST1 is "left", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act182. The processor 21 checks whether the third timer T3 associated with the cancelled terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 has elapsed a second threshold time TM2, for example, 15 minutes, which is longer than the first threshold time TM1, in Act183. If the third timer T3 has elapsed the second threshold time TM2, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act183. The processor 21 proceeds to processing in Act186.

[0201] If the third timer T3 has not reached the second threshold time TM2, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 183. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit image data of the cancellation confirmation image P12 shown in FIG. 37 to the monitoring terminal 60. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the cancellation confirmation image P12 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The monitoring terminal 60 receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80. The monitoring terminal 60 displays the cancellation confirmation image P12 on the touch panel 65.

[0202] Fig. 37 is a schematic diagram showing one display example of the cancellation confirmation image P12. As shown in Fig. 37, the cancellation confirmation image P12 includes a "Yes" touch button BU21 and a "No" touch button BU22, along with guidance GA3 inquiring whether or not to perform collective cancellation. After checking the cancellation confirmation image P12, the attendant M3 checks again whether or not to permit collective cancellation. If collective cancellation is permitted, the attendant M3 touches the touch button BU21. If collective cancellation is to be cancelled, the attendant M3 touches the touch button BU22.

[0203] The processor 21, which has controlled the transmission of image data of the cancellation confirmation image P12, waits for an instruction input as to whether or not to perform the collective cancellation in Act 185. When it is detected that the touch operation of the [No] touch button BU22 of the cancellation confirmation image P12 is performed, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 185. The processor 21 ends this collective cancellation interrupt process.

[0204] When it is detected that the touch operation of the [Yes] touch button BU22 of the cancellation confirmation image P12 is performed, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 185. The processor 21 proceeds to the process of Act 186.

[0205] In Act 186, the processor 21 initializes information associated with the cancellation terminal ID in the information terminal table 221. That is, the processor 21 clears the member ID in area A3, the accounting machine ID in area A4, the registration list L1 in area A9, the promotion list L2 in area A10, the shopping list L3 in area A11, and the accounting code in area A12. The processor 21 resets the values ​​of the first timer T1 in area A5, the second timer T2 in area A6, and the third timer T3 in area A9 to "0". Furthermore, the processor 21 resets the value of the counter N in area A8 to "0".

[0206] After that, the processor 21 changes the status ST1 associated with the cancellation terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 from "abandoned" to "waiting" in Act 187. With this, the processor 21 ends the batch cancellation interrupt process.

[0207] When the collective cancel interrupt process is executed, the data in the information terminal table 221 related to the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 was "abandoned" is initialized. The information terminal 50 whose data in the information terminal table 221 has been initialized can be used as a terminal for self-registration.

[0208] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a second server 20 that displays a monitoring image P11 in which, in one screen area of ​​the touch panel 65 equipped with the monitoring terminal 60, a payment machine status display section Ta showing the status of each operating payment machine 40, for example, "idle" or "payment in progress", and a terminal status display section Tb showing the status of an operating information terminal 50, for example, "waiting", "registering", "payment in progress" or "abandoned", are arranged in a matrix. An attendant M3 who is a staff member at the attendant counter AT where the monitoring terminal 60 is installed can efficiently monitor the status of each operating payment machine 40 and information terminal 50 from the monitoring image P11.

[0209] According to this embodiment, the accounting machine status display unit Ta allows the user to check the status of each accounting machine 40, such as printer errors and change machine errors, on the screen of the monitoring terminal 60. Similarly, the terminal status display unit Tb allows the user to check the status of each information terminal 50, such as product registration errors and discount sticker errors, and the purchase of age-restricted products, on the screen of the monitoring terminal 60.

[0210] According to this embodiment, the terminal status display unit Tb is arranged in the monitoring image P11 in order of the estimated time required for the customer, who is the user of the information terminal 50, whose status is displayed on the display unit Tb, to make a payment. From the monitoring image P11, the attendant M3 can accurately grasp the status of the information terminal 50 used by the customer who will soon come to make a payment. As a result, for example, a "product registration error" or a "discount sticker error" has occurred, and it can be predicted that a customer who requires the intervention of the attendant M3 will soon arrive, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0211] The terminal status display unit Tb of the information terminal 50 that requires the intervention of the attendant M3 will have the first area Tb1 in a color that indicates a warning. The attendant M3 can easily predict that a customer who requires intervention will arrive. The terminal status display unit Tb of the information terminal 50 used by a customer who has purchased a product that requires age restriction confirmation will also have the first area Tb1 in a color that calls for attention. The attendant M3 can efficiently perform age confirmation.

[0212] According to this embodiment, when the attendant M3 touches the page forward button BU16, the terminal status display section Tb is the only status display section displayed in the monitoring image P11. The terminal status display sections Tb are arranged in ascending order of the estimated time required until the transaction. Even when many information terminals 50 are in operation, the attendant M3 can accurately grasp the status of each information terminal 50 with a simple operation.

[0213] According to this embodiment, an area A5 serving as a first timer T1 is provided for each terminal ID of an information terminal 50 in the information terminal table 221, and the time elapsed since a user logged in to the information terminal 50 identified by the terminal ID is measured. Based on the elapsed time of this first timer T1, the time required for a customer, who is a user of the information terminal 50, to make a payment is estimated. With a simple configuration, the time required for a customer to make a payment can be estimated.

[0214] According to this embodiment, the time required for a customer to check out is also estimated from the number of items remaining on each customer's shopping list, making it possible to estimate with high reliability the time required for a customer to check out.

[0215] According to this embodiment, by comprising a second server 20 and a monitoring terminal 60 for displaying monitoring images generated by this second server 20, a monitoring device can be provided that can efficiently monitor the status of an information terminal 50 and a payment machine 40.

[0216] Although the embodiments of the monitoring device and the monitoring support device capable of efficiently monitoring the status of the information terminal 50 and the payment machine 40 have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these.

[0217] In the above embodiment, the output device for the monitoring image is the touch panel 65 of the monitoring terminal 60, but the output device is not limited to this. For example, the image may be displayed on a display provided in the second server 20. In other words, a monitoring device in which the function of the second server 20 and the function of the monitoring terminal 60 are integrated may be configured.

[0218] The method of estimating the time required for the user of the information terminal 50 to make a payment is not limited to the method in the above embodiment. For example, a beacon-based positioning system or PDR (Pedestrian Dead Reckoning) technology may be used to track the movement of the information terminal 50 in the sales floor, and the time may be estimated based on this movement.

[0219] In the above embodiment, the status of the information terminal 50 is "standby", "registering", "checkout" and "abandoned", and the status of the payment machine 40 is "idle" and "payment in progress". The statuses of the information terminal 50 and the payment machine 40 are not limited to these and can be changed as appropriate depending on the status settings.

[0220] In the above embodiment, the case where the information terminal 50 is provided in the cart C is exemplified. In this regard, the information terminal 50 does not necessarily have to be provided in the cart C. The customer may carry the information terminal 50 around the sales floor and operate the information terminal 50 as necessary to register purchased items.

[0221] The second server 20 and the monitoring terminal 60 are generally transferred with the programs stored in ROM. However, this is not limiting, and the programs may be transferred without being stored in ROM. In this case, the programs, etc. transferred separately from the second server 20 and the monitoring terminal 60 may be written to a writable storage device provided in the second server 20 and the monitoring terminal 60 in response to an operation by a user, etc. The programs, etc. may be transferred by recording them on a removable recording medium or by communication via the network 70. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, as long as it can store the programs and is readable by the device.

[0222] Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0223] 10...first server, 20...second server, 30...POS terminal, 40...accounting machine, 50...information terminal, 60...monitoring terminal, 70...network, 80...access point, 11,21,51,61...processor, 12,22,52,62...main memory, 13,23,53,63...auxiliary storage device, 14,24...communication interface, 54,64...wireless unit, 55,65...touch panel, 56...scanner Na, 57...reader, 131...product database, 132...membership database, 133...sales promotion database, 221...information terminal table, 222...accounting machine table, C...cart, L1...registration list, L2...sales promotion list, L3...shopping list, P1...registration image, P2...attendant confirmation image, P3...plastic bag confirmation image, P4...accounting barcode image, P11...monitoring image, Ta...accounting machine status display unit, Tb...terminal status display unit.

Claims

1. An information terminal operated by a customer at the sales floor; A server that communicates with the information terminal; Including, The information terminal includes: a registration receiving means for receiving registration of purchased goods and transmitting information of the registered purchased goods to the server; an accounting reception means for receiving an accounting declaration for the purchased item and notifying the server of the accounting declaration; a display control means for displaying, on a display unit, an accounting barcode that can be read by an accounting machine that performs accounting for the purchased item when an approval response is received from the server in response to the notification of the accounting declaration, and for not displaying, on the display unit, the accounting barcode when an approval response is received from the server; Equipped with The server, a registration processing means for registering the merchandise based on the merchandise information registered by the information terminal; a storage means for storing information indicating the occurrence of an error when an error occurs during the registration process of the purchased item; a response output means for, when the accounting declaration is notified from the information terminal, checking based on the information stored in the storage means whether an error that occurred during the registration process of the purchased item whose registration was accepted by the registration acceptance means of the information terminal that notified the accounting declaration has been resolved, outputting the denial response to the information terminal if the error has not been resolved, and outputting the approval response to the information terminal if the error has been resolved; A product sales system comprising:

2. The display control means 2. The product sales system according to claim 1, wherein, when the denial response is received from the server, an image is displayed on the display unit to notify the user that an error has occurred in the product registration and confirmation by a staff member is required.

3. The storage means includes: storing the information according to the type of error that occurred during the registration process of the purchased item; 2. The product sales system according to claim 1, wherein said response output means outputs said denial response to said information terminal when at least one type of error has not been resolved.

4. The information terminal includes: a display means for displaying on the display unit an image including a list of the purchased items registered by the registration processing means and a button for declaring the payment for the purchased items; Further comprising:

2. The product sales system according to claim 1, wherein the transaction reception means notifies the server of the transaction declaration in response to the button being operated.

5. The information terminal includes:

5. The product sales system according to claim 4, wherein, for any product in the list of products for which an error has occurred during registration processing, information about the error is displayed.

6. an information terminal that communicates with a server, the information terminal comprising: a registration processing means for registering merchandise based on information about the merchandise, the registration of which is accepted at an information terminal; a storage means for storing information indicating the occurrence of an error when an error occurs during the registration processing of the merchandise; and a response output means for confirming whether an error that occurred during the registration processing of the merchandise, the registration of which is accepted at an information terminal that has accepted a billing declaration, has been resolved based on the information stored in the storage means, and outputting a denial response to the information terminal if the error has not been resolved, and outputting an approval response to the information terminal if the error has been resolved, a registration receiving means for receiving registration of the purchased goods and transmitting information of the registered purchased goods to the server; an accounting reception means for receiving an accounting declaration for the purchased item and notifying the server of the accounting declaration; a display control means for displaying, on a display unit, an accounting barcode that can be read by an accounting machine that performs accounting for the purchased item when an approval response is received from the server in response to the notification of the accounting declaration, and for not displaying, on the display unit, the accounting barcode when an approval response is received from the server; An information terminal comprising:

7. a server that communicates with an information terminal that is operated by a customer at a sales floor, that accepts the registration of a purchased item and a billing declaration for the purchased item, that displays a billing barcode on a display unit that can be read by a billing machine that makes a billing for the purchased item when an approval response is received from the server in response to the billing declaration, and that does not display the billing barcode on the display unit when an approval response is received from the server, a registration processing means for registering the merchandise based on the merchandise information registered by the information terminal; a storage means for storing information indicating the occurrence of an error when an error occurs during the registration process of the purchased item; a response output means for checking, based on the information stored in the storage means, whether an error that occurred during the registration process for the purchased item that was registered at the information terminal that received the accounting declaration has been resolved, and outputting a denial response to the information terminal if the error has not been resolved, and outputting an approval response to the information terminal if the error has been resolved; A server comprising:

Images