Server device, purchase management method, information processing system, and program

Abstract

To prevent unauthorized use of the quantity change function in a purchase management system using self-checkout.SOLUTION: A server device receives from a mobile terminal article identification information generated based on articles, and creates a list of purchased articles based on the received article identification information. The server device receives from the mobile terminal a request to change the quantity of the articles included in the list of purchased articles, and when the articles subject to the quantity change request is the articles sold by weight, the server device sends information to the mobile terminal prohibiting quantity change of the articles sold by weight included in the list of purchased articles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of a product sales system using self-checkouts. [Background technology]

[0002] As a product sales system for customers who visit a store to purchase products, a system is known in which the customer reads the barcode of the product using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the customer to register the product and make a payment. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a self-shopping system that includes a mobile terminal that acquires product information of the product to be purchased and transmits payment information including all the acquired product information to a management server, and a management server that generates and outputs sorted detailed information that lists each product name in descending order of price based on the product information included in the payment information. Patent Document 2 also describes a method for prohibiting changes to a shopping cart list in which products to be purchased are registered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-41354 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-157226 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some products sold at supermarkets, such as meat and prepared foods, are priced according to the amount of content. In systems where customers scan product barcodes to register the products they purchase, there is a problem that such products can be fraudulently purchased at a lower price by misusing the quantity change function. For example, if a customer scans the barcode of a cheap product with a small amount of content and registers it, and then increases the quantity of a product with a large amount of content using the quantity change function, the product with the large amount of content can also be purchased at a lower price.

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to prevent fraudulent use of the quantity change function in a purchase management system using self-checkout registers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a server device includes: a product identification information receiving means for receiving product identification information generated based on a product from a mobile terminal; a list creation means for creating a purchase list based on the received product identification information; a quantity change request receiving means for receiving from the mobile terminal a quantity change request for an item included in the purchase item list; The system further comprises a determination means for transmitting, when the item subject to the quantity change request is a product sold by weight, information for prohibiting a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchase item list to the mobile terminal.

[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a purchase management method executed by a server device includes: receiving, from the mobile terminal, product identification information generated based on the product; Create a shopping list based on the received product identification information; receiving a quantity change request for items included in the purchase item list from the mobile terminal; When the product for which the quantity change request is made is a product sold by weight, information that prohibits a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight, which is included in the purchase product list, is transmitted to the mobile terminal.

[0008] In yet another aspect of the invention, a program comprising: receiving, from the mobile terminal, product identification information generated based on the product; Create a shopping list based on the received product identification information; receiving a quantity change request for items included in the purchase item list from the mobile terminal; When the product subject to the quantity change request is a product sold by weight, the computer executes a process of transmitting, to the mobile terminal, information that prohibits a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight, which is included in the purchase product list.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an information processing system including a mobile terminal and a server device, An acquisition means for acquiring product identification information from the mobile terminal; a list creation means for creating a purchase list based on the acquired product identification information; The electronic device further includes a display control means for displaying, when the product included in the purchase list is a product sold by weight, information prohibiting a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchase list on the display means of the mobile terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent fraudulent use of the quantity change function in a purchase management system using self-checkout registers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 shows a configuration of a purchase management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic configuration of a POS server. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a schematic configuration of a management server. [Figure 4] 2 shows a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal. [Diagram 5] 1 shows the schematic configuration of an accounting machine. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of a product purchase process. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a store entry process. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart of a product selection process. [Figure 9] 13 is a display example of a purchase product list screen. [Figure 10]13 is a flowchart of an accounting process. [Figure 11] 13 is an example of a payment screen. [Figure 12] 13 is a display example of a payment method selection screen and a transaction completion screen. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart of a product selection process in a case where a quantity change of a quantity-change-prohibited product is prohibited. [Figure 14] This is an example of a message indicating that the quantity cannot be changed. [Figure 15] This is an example of what is displayed when the barcode of the same product is scanned multiple times. [Figure 16] 13 shows a configuration of an information processing system according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [Purchase management system configuration] 1 shows the configuration of a purchase management system 100 according to this embodiment. The purchase management system 100 mainly comprises a POS server 1, a management server 2, a mobile terminal 3, and a cash register 5. In the purchase management system 100, a customer using the mobile terminal 3 registers a product to be purchased (also called a "purchased product") by reading a product barcode 7 attached to the product in a store 8 that sells the product, and then pays for the product using the cash register 5 in the store 8 or by electronic payment.

[0014] The POS server 1 is a server that manages various sales information such as product information including prices and stock status of products sold in the store 8, and sales information of the store 8. The POS server 1 is capable of communicating with the management server 2 and the accounting machine 5 via a network or the like. The POS server 1 may collectively manage the sales information of multiple affiliated stores, or may exist for each store and manage only the sales information of that store.

[0015] The management server 2 is a server device that controls the mobile terminal 3 and the payment machine 5, and is capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 3 and the payment machine 5 via a network or the like. The management server 2 obtains information necessary for display control of the mobile terminal 3 from the POS server 1 and stores it. The management server 2 transmits display information to the mobile terminal 3 for the mobile terminal 3 to display various screens. The various screens mentioned above include a screen (also referred to as a "purchased item list screen") that displays a list of purchased items (called a "purchased item list") registered by the mobile terminal 3 by reading the item barcodes 7, together with the selling prices.

[0016] The management server 2 may be composed of a plurality of server devices. For example, the management server 2 may be composed of a server device that mainly performs interface operations with the mobile terminal 3, such as sending and receiving data to and from the mobile terminal 3, and a server device that stores and manages various information such as information acquired from the POS server 1 and a list of purchased items. In this case, the former server device functions as a so-called application server, and the latter server device functions as a so-called database server. In this case, these server devices send and receive information required to execute the processes assigned to them via a network or the like.

[0017] The mobile terminal 3 is a mobile terminal used by customers who shop at the store 8, and has functions such as reading product barcodes 7 attached to products, and acquiring and displaying various screens such as a purchased product list screen by communicating with the management server 2. Note that, for the sake of convenience, only one mobile terminal 3 is shown in FIG. 1, but in reality there are as many mobile terminals as there are customers in the store 8.

[0018] The payment machine 5 is a payment machine (a so-called self-payment machine) that allows a customer to settle a bill using a mobile terminal 3. The payment machine 5 is capable of communicating with the management server 2, and transmits and receives various information necessary for settlement with the management server 2 and, as necessary, with the POS server 1. The payment machine 5 is equipped with a barcode reader 56 for reading a payment barcode (described later) from the customer's mobile terminal 3, and a light 57 for calling a store clerk.

[0019] [Device configuration] Next, the configuration of the POS server 1, management server 2, mobile terminal 3 and payment machine 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] (POS server) 2 shows a schematic configuration of the POS server 1. The POS server 1 mainly comprises a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14 for performing data communication, and a control unit 15. These elements are connected to each other by a bus line 10.

[0021] The storage unit 13 is composed of a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 13 stores programs executed by the control unit 15, and information necessary for the control unit 15 to execute predetermined processes by executing the programs. In this embodiment, the storage unit 13 includes selling price change information 17, a product information DB (Database) 18, and sales information 19 which is information related to product sales. Note that the storage unit 13 may store various types of sales-related information other than the selling price change information 17, the product information DB 18, and the sales information 19.

[0022] The product information DB18 is a database of information about products handled by the store 8 or affiliated stores including the store 8. The product information DB18 includes various information such as product prices, information for identifying products such as JAN (Japanese Article Number) codes (also referred to as "product identification information"), product classification information, and product inventory status.

[0023] The selling price change information 17 is information related to changes in selling price. Specifically, the selling price change information 17 includes at least one of any discount information or discount information such as category discount information, bundle discount information, set discount information, total amount discount information, category discount information, etc.

[0024] The control unit 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which are not shown, and performs various controls on each component in the POS server 1. For example, the control unit 15 updates the sales information 19 by communicating with the accounting machine 5 via the communication unit 14. The control unit 15 also communicates with the management server 2 via the communication unit 14 to send information related to the selling price change information 17 and the product information DB 18 to the management server 2.

[0025] (Management Server) 3 shows a schematic configuration of the management server 2. The management server 2 mainly includes a storage unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a control unit 25. These elements are connected to each other via a bus line 20.

[0026] The storage unit 23 is configured with a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 23 stores a program executed by the control unit 25 and information necessary for the control unit 25 to execute a predetermined process by executing the program. In this embodiment, the storage unit 23 stores selling price change information 27, a product information DB 28, and a purchased product list DB 29.

[0027] Similar to the selling price change information 17, the selling price change information 27 is information regarding changes in selling price resulting from a discount or reduction in price. Based on the control of the control unit 25, the selling price change information 27 is updated regularly or irregularly so as to be synchronized with the selling price change information 17 stored in the POS server 1. Similar to the product information DB 18, the product information DB 28 is a database of information regarding products. Based on the control of the control unit 25, the product information DB 28 is updated regularly or irregularly so as to be synchronized with the product information DB 18 stored in the POS server 1.

[0028] The purchased item list DB29 is a database of a purchased item list for each mobile terminal 3 of a customer who is shopping in the store 8. The purchased item list is a list including, for example, item identification information indicating items to be purchased and the planned purchase quantity of the items, and is associated with information identifying the mobile terminal 3 or the customer who uses the mobile terminal 3 (also referred to as "customer identification information"). The purchased item list is updated every time a purchased item is added, deleted, or the quantity is changed based on the operation of the mobile terminal 3.

[0029] The communication unit 24 communicates with the POS server 1, the mobile terminal 3, and the payment machine 5 via wired or wireless communication. The control unit 25 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the management server 2. The processing executed by the control unit 25 will be described later. In the above configuration, the communication unit 24 is an example of a product identification information acquisition unit and a quantity change request receiving unit of the present invention, and the control unit 25 is an example of a list creation unit and a determination unit of the present invention.

[0030] (Mobile devices) 4 shows a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 mainly includes a display unit 31, an input unit 32, a storage unit 33, a communication unit 34, a control unit 35, and a reading unit 36. These elements are connected to each other via a bus line 30.

[0031] The display unit 31 displays various information such as a purchase item list, an accounting barcode, etc., under the control of the control unit 35. The input unit 32 is an interface that accepts user input, and corresponds to, for example, a touch panel, buttons, a voice input device, etc.

[0032] The storage unit 33 is configured with a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The storage unit 33 stores programs executed by the control unit 35 and information necessary for the control unit 35 to execute predetermined processes by executing the programs. For example, the storage unit 33 stores a dedicated application program that is started when shopping at the store 8 and controls the display of various screens such as a purchase item list screen.

[0033] The communication unit 34 communicates with the management server 2 by wireless communication. The control unit 35 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on the components in the mobile terminal 3. The controls performed by the control unit 35 will be described later.

[0034] The reading unit 36 ​​is an optical device such as a camera, which reads the product barcode 7 attached to the product and supplies the read information to the control unit 35. In this embodiment, the control unit 35 obtains product identification information such as a JAN code from the product barcode 7 attached to the product based on the information output by the reading unit 36.

[0035] (Accounting machine) 5 shows a schematic configuration of the payment machine 5. The payment machine 5 mainly comprises a display unit 51, an input unit 52, a memory unit 53, a communication unit 54, a control unit 55, a barcode reader 56, a light 57, and a speaker 58. These elements are connected to each other via a bus line 50.

[0036] The display unit 51 displays various information such as a payment method selection screen and a termination screen under the control of the control unit 55. The input unit 52 is an interface that accepts input from a customer, and corresponds to, for example, a touch panel, buttons, and the like.

[0037] Storage unit 53 is configured with a memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Storage unit 53 stores programs executed by control unit 55 and information necessary for control unit 55 to execute predetermined processes by executing the programs. For example, storage unit 53 stores a dedicated application program that operates when a customer makes a payment and performs accounting processing.

[0038] The control unit 55 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component within the payment machine 5. The controls performed by the control unit 55 will be described later. The barcode reader 56 reads the payment barcode displayed on the customer's mobile terminal 3 at the time of payment, and supplies the read information to the control unit 55. The light 57 turns on when a malfunction occurs in the payment machine 5 or when a store clerk needs to be called. The speaker 58 outputs operation sounds and voice messages to call attention as necessary.

[0039] [Product purchase process] Next, an overview of the product purchase process by the purchase management system 100 will be described. The product purchase process is a process in which a customer purchases a product at a store 8 using a mobile terminal 3. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an overview of the product purchase process. The product purchase process is broadly divided into a store entry process S100, a product selection process S200, and a checkout process S300. The product purchase process is mainly realized by the management server 2, the mobile terminal 3, and the checkout machine 5 each executing a program prepared in advance.

[0040] (Entry processing) First, the store entry process will be described. The store entry process is a process that is performed prior to the purchase of a product when a customer enters the store 8, and corresponds to preparation for purchasing a product. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the store entry process. This process is performed by the mobile terminal 3 and the management server 2.

[0041] First, when a customer enters the store 8, the customer reads a store barcode using the mobile terminal 3 (step S101). The store barcode is attached to a predetermined location within the store 8, for example, a wall near the entrance of the store or on a card used for shopping. When the customer reads the store barcode, the mobile terminal 3 obtains a store ID from the read store barcode and transmits it to the management server (step S102). When transmitting the store ID, the mobile terminal 3 also transmits customer identification information that identifies the mobile terminal 3 or the customer using the mobile terminal 3. Note that in the product selection process and payment process described below, the mobile terminal 3 basically transmits customer identification information for identifying itself when transmitting any information to the management server 2.

[0042] The management server 2 receives the store ID from the mobile terminal 3 (step S103) and acquires the selling price list of the store from the product information DB 28 (step S104). This is because the selling price of products differs from store to store. Then, the management server 2 transmits store information including the store name and sale information of the store to the mobile terminal 3 (step S105), and the mobile terminal 3 receives the store information (step S106). As a result, the display unit 31 of the mobile terminal 3 displays the current store name and sale information of the store, and the customer is ready to start shopping. The store information transmitted by the management server 2 includes information indicating the transaction status of the customer at the store, and when a new shopping is started at the store, the transaction status becomes new. On the other hand, if the customer stops shopping at the store for some reason, a purchased product list screen corresponding to the previous transaction status is displayed on the mobile terminal 3.

[0043] (Product selection process) Next, the product selection process will be described. The product selection process is a process in which a customer reads the product barcode 7 attached to a product using the mobile terminal 3 and registers the product in a purchased product list. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the product selection process. This process is executed by the mobile terminal 3 and the management server 2.

[0044] First, when a customer finds a product that the customer wants to purchase, the customer sets the mobile terminal 3 to product reading mode and reads the product barcode 7 attached to the product using the mobile terminal 3 (step S201: Yes). The mobile terminal 3 sends the product identification information of the read product to the management server 2 (step S202). At this time, the quantity of the product is automatically set to "1". When the management server 2 receives the product identification information from the mobile terminal 3 (step S203), it updates the purchased product list and sends it to the mobile terminal 3 (step S204). The mobile terminal 3 receives the updated product list and displays it on the display unit 31 (step S205). As a result, the newly added product and its quantity are added to the purchased product list and displayed on the mobile terminal 3.

[0045] Next, if necessary, the customer operates the mobile terminal 3 to change the quantity of the product, and the mobile terminal 3 acquires the changed quantity (step S206: Yes). When the product barcode is first read, the quantity of the product is automatically set to "1", but if the customer purchases multiple copies of the same product, the quantity can be changed by operating the mobile terminal 3. Once the changed quantity is set, the mobile terminal 3 transmits the product identification information of the product to be changed and the changed quantity to the management server 2 (step S207).

[0046] When the management server 2 receives the product identification information and the changed quantity from the mobile terminal 3 (step S208), it updates the purchased product list and transmits it to the mobile terminal 3 (step S209). The mobile terminal 3 receives the updated product list and displays it on the display unit 31 (step S210). This causes the quantity change to be reflected in the purchased product list.

[0047] Next, the mobile terminal 3 determines whether or not the customer has pressed the payment button 45 (step S211). The payment button 45 is a button that the customer presses when finishing shopping. If the payment button 45 has not been pressed (step S211: No), the process returns to step 201. In this way, the customer can continue shopping by adding products or changing the quantity until the payment button 45 is pressed. Then, when the payment button 45 is pressed (step S211: Yes), the product selection process ends.

[0048] 9 shows an example of a purchased item list screen displayed on the mobile terminal 3. In this example, the purchased item list screen has a product read button 40, a list display field 41, a subtotal display field 42, a total amount display field 43, a home screen transition button 44, a payment button 45, and a transaction cancellation button 46.

[0049] When the mobile terminal 3 detects that the product reading button 40 has been selected by a tap operation or the like, it switches the display on the display unit 31 to a product reading screen. On the product reading screen, the mobile terminal 3 displays an image or the like acquired from the activated reading unit 36. This allows the customer to move the product or the mobile terminal 3 so that the product barcode 7 is within the reading range of the reading unit 36, and read the product barcode 7.

[0050] The name, quantity, and price of each purchased item are displayed in the list display field 41. A quantity decrease button 47 and a quantity increase button 48 are displayed for each purchased item in the list display field 41. When the mobile terminal 3 receives a change in the quantity of a purchased item using the quantity decrease button 47 or the quantity increase button 48, it transmits to the management server 2 the product identification information of the purchased item whose quantity has been changed and the changed quantity.

[0051] The subtotal display field 42 displays the subtotal of the sales prices of all items in the purchased item list excluding tax, and the total amount display field 43 displays the total of the sales prices of all items in the purchased item list including tax. The management server 2 calculates these subtotals or total amounts based on the prices of the purchased items registered in the product information DB 28, specifically, the sales price list of the store acquired by the store entry process.

[0052] When the mobile terminal 3 detects that the home screen transition button 44 has been selected, it sends a home screen display request to the management server 2 and displays a predetermined home screen based on the display information received as a response. The home screen may display information about discounts and discounts at the store 8, registration information of the customer of the mobile terminal 3, and the like.

[0053] When the mobile terminal 3 detects that the payment button 45 has been selected, it sends a payment request to the management server 2 and displays a payment screen including a payment barcode (described below) based on the display information received in response. Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 3 detects that the transaction cancel button 46 has been selected, it sends information to the management server 2 notifying the cancellation of the transaction. In this case, the management server 2 deletes the purchased item list corresponding to the mobile terminal 3.

[0054] (Accounting) Next, the transaction process will be described. The transaction process is a process for making payment for the products selected by the customer in the product selection process. Figure 10 is a flowchart of the transaction process. This process is executed by the mobile terminal 3, management server 2, and payment device 5.

[0055] First, when the payment button 45 is pressed, the mobile terminal 3 sends a payment request to the management server 2 (step S301). When the management server 2 receives the payment request (step S302), it calculates the payment amount based on the current purchase item list (step S303). The management server 2 then generates a payment barcode (step S304). The payment barcode is information that uniquely identifies the purchase items indicated by the current purchase item list. In one example, the payment barcode can be a random code that is uniquely associated with the purchase items at that time. In this case, the payment barcode serves as an inquiry number for payment information. The management server 2 sends a payment screen to the mobile terminal 3 that includes the payment amount calculated in step S303 and the payment barcode generated in step S304 (step S305).

[0056] The mobile terminal 3 displays the received payment screen on the display 31 (step S306). FIG. 11 is an example of the payment screen. In this example, the payment screen includes a billing barcode 71, a total amount field 72, and a done button 73. The customer moves to the billing machine 5 with the mobile terminal 3 displaying the payment screen, and reads the billing barcode with the barcode reader 56 (step S307). The billing machine 5 displays the payment method selection screen based on the read billing barcode (step S308). Specifically, the billing machine 5 sends the inquiry number indicated by the billing barcode to the management server 2, and obtains payment information from the management server 2. The payment information includes the total amount, and details such as the IDs and quantities of all items in the purchased item list. The billing machine 5 displays the payment method selection screen based on the obtained payment information.

[0057] FIG. 12(A) shows an example of the display of the payment method selection screen. The payment method selection screen includes a total amount field 61, a cash button 62, and a credit button 63. The customer looks at the payment method selection screen, confirms the payment amount, and presses either the cash button 62 or the credit button 63 to make the payment. This completes the settlement of the purchase price (step S309). Specifically, if the customer selects to pay with cash, the accounting machine 5 prompts the customer to insert cash into the cash slot, and once the cash has been inserted, gives change as necessary. Also, if the customer selects to pay with credit, the accounting machine 5 prompts the customer to insert a card, and as necessary, prompts the customer to enter a PIN number or the like, and completes the credit settlement.

[0058] When the payment is completed, the payment machine 5 displays a payment completion screen (step S310). FIG. 12(B) shows an example of the payment completion screen when the customer selects credit card payment. FIG. 12(B) shows an example of the payment completion screen when the customer selects credit card payment. The payment completion screen includes a payment information field 64, a receipt button 65, and an end button 66. The payment information field 64 displays information such as the payment amount and the payment method. The receipt button 65 is a button for printing out a receipt. The end button 66 is a button for confirming that the customer has completed the payment process. When the customer presses the end button 66, the payment machine 5 reports to the management server 2 that the payment has been completed, and returns the display of the display unit 51 to the main menu. As shown in FIG. 11, a completion button 73 is also displayed on the payment screen displayed on the mobile terminal 3, and when the payment process is completed, the customer presses the completion button 73 on the payment screen. When the completion button 73 is pressed, the mobile terminal 3 reports to the management server 2 that the payment has been completed, and returns the display unit 31 to the main menu.

[0059] In the above example, the accounting barcode is simply an inquiry number for payment information, and the accounting machine 5 uses this inquiry number to obtain payment information from the management server 2. Alternatively, the accounting barcode may include payment information. That is, when the management server 2 receives a accounting request, it generates an accounting barcode using the total amount and information from the purchased item list, based on the contents of the purchased item list at that time. In this case, the accounting machine 5 can obtain the payment information by reading and decrypting the accounting barcode, so there is no need to communicate with the management server 2 to obtain the payment information. That is, the accounting machine 5 simply extracts the total amount from the read accounting barcode and displays a payment method selection screen.

[0060] [Quantity changes prohibited] Next, the prohibition of quantity change according to this embodiment will be described. As described above, quantity change is possible in the product selection process. That is, when purchasing multiple copies of the same product, a customer can read the product barcode 7 from one product, and then increase the purchase quantity by changing the quantity, eliminating the need to read the barcodes of the same product as many times as the number of copies to be purchased. However, for certain types of products, this quantity change function can be abused to purchase products at a lower price than the actual price.

[0061] Specifically, the quantity change function can be abused for products whose prices are determined according to the amount of content, such as meat and prepared foods (called "products sold by weight"). For example, if you scan the barcode of the least expensive package of meat with the smallest amount of content, increase the quantity by one using the quantity change function, and then take both the package whose barcode you scanned and a package of meat with a larger amount of content to the checkout, you can purchase the second package of meat at the same price as the first. In addition to products sold by weight, the quantity change function can also be abused for products whose prices are discounted according to the condition of the product (called "products with discounts according to the condition of the product"). For example, there are products that are the same, but are discounted because the packaging is damaged or the expiration date is approaching. In this case, generally, the more damaged the product is, the cheaper it is, and the closer the expiration date is, the cheaper it is. When purchasing multiple such products, if you scan the barcode of the cheapest product and add the quantity using the quantity change function, you can purchase the second and subsequent products at the same price as the first product.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, quantity changes are prohibited for specific products (hereinafter, referred to as "quantity change prohibited products"). Specifically, quantity change prohibited products are made identifiable based on product identification information, and quantity changes for quantity change prohibited products are prohibited. In one method, a specific code is added to the product barcode attached to the product for which quantity changes are prohibited. In another method, the product identification information of the quantity change prohibited product and information indicating that the quantity cannot be changed (e.g., a flag) are stored in association with each other in the product information DB 18 of the POS server 1 and the product information DB 28 of the management server 2. This allows the management server 2 to determine whether or not the product is a quantity change prohibited product based on the product identification information received from the mobile terminal 3. Then, when the server 2 receives a quantity change request from the mobile terminal 3, including the product identification information of the target product and the changed quantity, if the quantity change request is for a quantity change prohibited product, the server 2 prohibits the quantity change. This prevents the quantity change function from being abused to purchase the product at a low price for quantity change prohibited products.

[0063] Fig. 13 is a flowchart of the product selection process when prohibiting a quantity change for a quantity change prohibited product. The product selection process in Fig. 13 is basically based on the product selection process shown in Fig. 8, and steps S221 to S225 are similar to steps S201 to S205 in Fig. 8, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] When the customer designates a target product on the mobile terminal 3 and instructs the quantity to be changed (step S226: Yes), the mobile terminal 3 transmits a quantity change request including the product identification information of the product and the changed quantity to the management server 2 (step S227). The customer issues a quantity change instruction by, for example, pressing the quantity increase button 48 on the purchased product list screen shown in FIG. 9. When the management server 2 receives the quantity change request (step S228), it determines whether the target product indicated by the product identification information is a product for which quantity change is prohibited (step S229). This determination is made by the management server 2 confirming whether the product identification information includes a specific code or whether the product identification information is associated with information indicating that quantity change is prohibited in the product information DB, as described above.

[0065] If the product for which quantity change is to be made is a product for which quantity change is prohibited (step S229: Yes), the management server 2 sends a message to the mobile terminal 3 to the effect that the quantity cannot be changed (step S230). The mobile terminal 3 receives and displays this message (step S231). FIG. 14 shows an example of the display of a message to the effect that the quantity cannot be changed. Message 81 includes information that the quantity of the product cannot be changed, and a request to read the product barcode for each product. If the customer presses back button 82 on the screen of FIG. 14, the display of the mobile terminal 3 returns to the purchased product list screen shown in FIG. 9.

[0066] On the other hand, if the product for which the quantity change is to be made is not a product for which quantity change is prohibited (step S229: No), the management server 2 updates the purchased product list based on the quantity change request and transmits it to the mobile terminal 3 (step S232). The mobile terminal 3 receives the updated product list and displays it on the display unit 31 (step S233). This reflects the quantity change in the purchased product list.

[0067] Next, the mobile terminal 3 determines whether the customer has pressed the payment button 45 (step S234). If the payment button 45 has not been pressed (step S234: No), the process returns to step 221. If the payment button 45 has been pressed (step S234: Yes), the product selection process ends. In this way, by prohibiting quantity changes for products sold by weight or products with discounts based on the product's condition, it is possible to prevent abuse of quantity changes.

[0068] In this way, the above process can prevent the quantity change function from being misused to purchase products at fraudulently low prices. However, if a customer does not use the quantity change function and scans the product barcode of the same product for which quantity changes are prohibited multiple times, it is possible to purchase the product at a fraudulently low price. For example, in the example of the packages of meat mentioned above, if a customer scans the product barcode of the cheapest package of meat twice and brings that package and a package with a larger amount of content to the checkout, the second package of meat can be purchased at the same price as the first.

[0069] To prevent this method, if the product barcode of the same quantity-change-prohibited product is read multiple times, the management server 2 may treat the second and subsequent reads as an error. Since the price of each of the quantity-change-prohibited products is different, the product identification information indicated by the barcode attached to each product is also different. Therefore, as in the above example, if a customer reads the product barcode from the cheapest meat package twice, the same quantity-change-prohibited product will already be in the purchase product list at the time of the second read. Therefore, the management server 2 may invalidate the read when the same quantity-change-prohibited product is read multiple times. Specifically, the management server 2 may inform the customer that the second and subsequent reads are invalid by displaying a message 83 indicating a "read error" on the mobile terminal 3 as shown in FIG. 15(A) or a message indicating that the product is already in the purchase product list as shown in FIG. 15(B) on the mobile terminal 3. This prevents the purchaser from fraudulently purchasing the quantity-change-prohibited product at a low price even if the product barcode of the same quantity-change-prohibited product is read multiple times without using the quantity change function.

[0070] [Other embodiments] Fig. 16 shows the configuration of an information processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention. As in the above embodiment, the information processing system 200 prohibits quantity changes for quantity change prohibited products. The information processing system 200 includes, as its hardware configuration, the management server 2 and the mobile terminal 3 shown in Fig. 1.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 16, the information processing system 200 has a functional configuration including an acquisition unit 201, a list creation unit 202, a quantity change unit 203, and a display control unit 204. The acquisition unit 201 acquires product identification information based on the operation of the mobile terminal 3 by the customer. The list creation unit 202 creates a purchased product list based on the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 201. The quantity change unit 203 accepts a quantity change request for a product included in the purchased product list based on the operation of the mobile terminal 3 by the customer. Then, when the product subject to the quantity change request is a product with quantity changes prohibited, the display control unit 204 displays information indicating that the quantity cannot be changed on the display unit of the mobile terminal. In this way, when a customer makes a quantity change request for a product with quantity changes prohibited, it is possible to display on the display unit of the mobile terminal that the quantity cannot be changed.

[0072] [Variations] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, when a customer instructs a quantity change by pressing the quantity increase button 48 shown in Fig. 9, a quantity change of a prohibited item is prohibited, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a customer can operate the quantity display field of each item on the purchase item list screen, the above-mentioned quantity change prohibition process can be performed for a quantity change instruction entered by the customer operating the quantity display field. Also, if a quantity change instruction can be entered on a product reading screen for reading product barcodes, the above-mentioned quantity change prohibition process can be performed for a quantity change instruction entered on the product reading screen.

[0073] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, the barcode attached to the product is read by the mobile terminal 3. However, instead, a QR (Quick Response) code may be attached to the product and read by the mobile terminal 3.

[0074] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, a system is used in which a customer reads a product barcode with a mobile terminal 3 to register the product in a purchased product list. Alternatively, a system may be used in which an image of the product is taken to identify each product and register the product in a purchased product list. In this case, the product reading device that registers the purchased product in the purchased product list takes a picture of the product placed in a predetermined position with a camera or the like, identifies the product from the captured image by image recognition, generates product identification information indicating the product, and transmits it to the management server 2. As in the above embodiment, the management server 2 may generate a purchased product list based on the product identification information transmitted from the product reading device and perform accounting processing. Even in this case, the management server 2 can execute the above-mentioned quantity change prohibition processing and processing to invalidate multiple readings of the same quantity change prohibited product in the product selection processing.

[0075] In addition, some or all of the above-described embodiments (including modified examples, the same applies below) can be described as, but are not limited to, the following notes.

[0076] (Appendix 1) a product identification information receiving means for receiving product identification information generated based on a product from a mobile terminal; a list creation means for creating a purchase list based on the received product identification information; a quantity change request receiving means for receiving from the mobile terminal a quantity change request for an item included in the purchase item list; a determination means for transmitting, when the product subject to the quantity change request is a product sold by weight, information for prohibiting a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchase product list to the mobile terminal; A server device comprising:

[0077] (Appendix 2) The server device according to claim 1, further comprising: a server device configured to transmit to the mobile terminal, when the product for which the quantity change request is made is a product sold by weight, information indicating that product identification information for each product is to be read.

[0078] (Appendix 3) The bulk product includes specific information in product identification information, The server device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination means determines whether the product is sold by weight based on whether the specific information is included in the product identification information of the product that is the subject of the quantity change request.

[0079] (Appendix 4) A database is provided that stores merchandise sold by weight in association with merchandise identification information; The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination means refers to the database to determine whether the product that is the subject of the quantity change request is a product sold by weight.

[0080] (Appendix 5) The server device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to 4, wherein the mobile terminal is a device that takes an image of a product and generates the product identification information based on the taken image.

[0081] (Appendix 6) A purchase management method executed by a server device, comprising: receiving, from the mobile terminal, product identification information generated based on the product; Create a shopping list based on the received product identification information; receiving a quantity change request for items included in the purchase item list from the mobile terminal; A purchase management method, in which, when the product subject to the quantity change request is a product sold by weight, information prohibiting a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchased product list is transmitted to the mobile terminal.

[0082] (Appendix 7) receiving, from the mobile terminal, product identification information generated based on the product; Create a shopping list based on the received product identification information; receiving a quantity change request for items included in the purchase item list from the mobile terminal; A program that causes a computer to execute a process of transmitting, when the product for which the quantity change request is made is a product sold by weight, information that prohibits a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchase product list to the mobile terminal.

[0083] (Appendix 8) An information processing system including a mobile terminal and a server device, An acquisition means for acquiring product identification information from the mobile terminal; a list creation means for creating a purchase list based on the acquired product identification information; a display control means for displaying, when the product included in the purchase list is a product sold by weight, information prohibiting a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchase list on a display means of the mobile device; An information processing system comprising:

[0084] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and corrections that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical ideas. In addition, the disclosures of the above cited patent documents and the like are incorporated herein by reference.

[0085] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-191780, filed on October 21, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 POS Server 2 Management Server 3. Mobile devices 5. Cashier 56 Barcode Reader 71 Accounting Barcode 100 Purchase Management System

Claims

1. a product identification information receiving means for receiving product identification information generated based on a product from a mobile terminal; a list creation means for creating a purchase list based on the received product identification information; a quantity change request receiving means for receiving from the mobile terminal a quantity change request for an item included in the purchase item list; a determination means for transmitting, when the product subject to the quantity change request is a product sold by weight, information for prohibiting a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchase product list to the mobile terminal; A server device comprising:

2. The server device according to claim 1 , wherein when the product for which the quantity change request is made is a product sold by weight, information indicating that product identification information for each product is to be read is transmitted to the mobile terminal.

3. The bulk product includes specific information in product identification information, 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines whether the product is a product sold by weight based on whether the specific information is included in product identification information of the product for which the quantity change request is made.

4. A database is provided that stores merchandise sold by weight in association with merchandise identification information; 4. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines whether the product for which the quantity change request is made is a product sold by weight by referring to the database.

5. The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile terminal is a device that takes an image of a product and generates the product identification information based on the taken image.

6. A purchase management method executed by a server device, comprising: receiving, from the mobile terminal, product identification information generated based on the product; Create a shopping list based on the received product identification information; receiving a request from the mobile terminal to change the quantity of items included in the purchase item list; A purchase management method, in which, when the product subject to the quantity change request is a product sold by weight, information prohibiting a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchased product list is transmitted to the mobile terminal.

7. receiving, from the mobile terminal, product identification information generated based on the product; Create a shopping list based on the received product identification information; receiving a request from the mobile terminal to change the quantity of items included in the purchase item list; A program that causes a computer to execute a process of transmitting, when the item subject to the quantity change request is an item sold by weight, information that prohibits a change in the quantity of the item sold by weight that is included in the purchase item list to the mobile terminal.

8. An information processing system including a mobile terminal and a server device, An acquisition means for acquiring product identification information from the mobile terminal; a list creation means for creating a purchase list based on the acquired product identification information; a display control means for displaying, when the product included in the purchase list is a product sold by weight, information prohibiting a change in the quantity of the product sold by weight included in the purchase list on a display means of the mobile device; An information processing system comprising:

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