Transaction processing system and information processing program

Abstract

To enable burden on an operator to be reduced.SOLUTION: A transaction processing system of an embodiment includes selection means, first registration means, recording means, and second registration means. The selection means tries selection of one or a plurality of candidate commodities for a commodity based on characteristics of the commodity appearing in an image. If one candidate commodity is selected by the selection means, the first registration means registers the candidate commodity as a transaction commodity. If a plurality of candidate commodities are selected by the selection means, the recording means sets the commodities appearing in an image as suspended commodities, and records each of the plurality of candidate commodities selected by the selection means as a candidate commodity for the suspended commodity. If there is a suspended commodity set by the recording means when payment of the registered transaction commodity should be settled, the second registration means registers, as the transaction commodity, one of the plurality of candidate commodities recorded by the recording means related to the suspended commodity in response to an operator's designation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A system has been proposed that recognizes products placed in a shopping cart by an operator such as a customer based on a photograph of the product and automatically registers the product as a transaction item. Such a system is called a frictionless cart, an AI (artificial intelligence) cart, a smart cart, or an intelligent cart. However, depending on how the product is reflected in the image, it may be impossible to determine which of the multiple candidate products the product is. In such cases, it is necessary to stop the recognition of new products and determine the product to be traded according to an operation by the operator. This requires the operator to stop adding products to the shopping cart and operate a terminal attached to the shopping cart, for example, which places a burden on the operator. In view of these circumstances, there has been a demand for a transaction processing system and an information processing program that can reduce the burden on operators. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-102144 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a transaction processing system and an information processing program that can reduce the burden on an operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The transaction processing system of the embodiment includes a selection means, a first registration means, a recording means, and a second registration means. The selection means attempts to select one or more candidate commodities for a commodity shown in an image based on the characteristics of the commodity. If one candidate commodity is selected by the selection means, the first registration means registers the candidate commodity as a transaction commodity. If multiple candidate commodities are selected by the selection means, the recording means sets the commodity shown in the image as a reserved commodity and records each of the multiple candidate commodities selected by the selection means as a candidate commodity for the reserved commodities. If there is a reserved commodity set by the recording means when the price of a registered transaction commodity should be settled, the second registration means registers one of the multiple candidate commodities recorded by the recording means for the reserved commodity as a transaction commodity in response to a designation by an operator. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a transaction processing system according to an embodiment and a main circuit configuration of a cart terminal. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of transaction data. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of reserved data. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the cart terminal is attached to the cart. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart of a transaction process. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of a transaction process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a transaction processing system 1 according to this embodiment and a main circuit configuration of a cart terminal 100. As shown in FIG. The transaction processing system 1 is configured so that a cart terminal 100, a billing machine 200, a POS server 300, and an attendant terminal 400 can communicate with each other via a communication network 2.

[0008] The communication network 2 may be the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, either alone or in appropriate combination. As an example, the communication network 2 may be a combination of the Internet and a mobile communication network. Although any number of cart terminals 100, accounting machines 200, POS servers 300, and attendant terminals 400 may be included in transaction processing system 1, only one of each is shown in FIG.

[0009] The cart terminal 100 is an information processing device attached to a shopping cart (hereinafter referred to as a cart) provided in a store. The cart terminal 100 is lent to a customer who will be shopping in the store together with the cart. The cart terminal 100 is a terminal device that, in response to operations by the customer, executes a transaction process for registering the product that the customer plans to purchase as a transaction product. Note that the operator of the cart terminal 100 may be a store clerk.

[0010] The payment machine 200 is an information processing device that is installed in a store and executes payment processing related to the settlement of the price of a transaction product registered by the cart terminal 100. The payment machine 200 is operated by an operator during payment processing. The operator of the payment machine 200 is usually a customer. In some cases, the operator of the payment machine 200 is a store clerk.

[0011] The POS server 300 is an information processing device that executes management processing for managing the buying and selling of goods that is processed by the transaction processing in the cart terminal 100 and the transaction processing in the payment device 200 . Attendant terminal 400 is an information processing terminal operated by a store clerk. Attendant terminal 400 is an information processing device for a user interface related to information processing to support the work of the store clerk regarding the transaction processed by transaction processing system 1. The work of the store clerk is, for example, to monitor the implementation status of the transaction being processed and to support the customer appropriately.

[0012] The cart terminal 100 includes a processor 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a touch panel 104, an interface unit 105, a wireless communication unit 106, and a transmission path 107. The processor 101 is capable of communicating with the main memory unit 102, the auxiliary memory unit 103, the touch panel 104, the interface unit 105, and the wireless communication unit 106 via the transmission path 107.

[0013] The processor 101, the main storage unit 102, and the auxiliary storage unit 103 are connected via a transmission line 107 to constitute a computer that performs information processing for controlling the cart terminal 100. The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 101 executes information processing for controlling each part to realize various functions of the cart terminal 100 in accordance with information processing programs such as an operating system and application programs.

[0014] The main memory unit 102 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory unit 102 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 stores a part of the information processing program in the read-only memory area. The main memory unit 102 may also store data required for the processor 101 to execute processes for controlling each part in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area for the processor 101.

[0015] The auxiliary storage unit 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 103 may be, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or any other known storage device. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores data used by the processor 101 in performing various processes and data generated by the processes in the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 may also store the information processing program. In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 103 stores a cart terminal program PRA, which is one of the information processing programs. The cart terminal program PRA is an application program in which the procedure of the control process for realizing various functions of the cart terminal 100 is described. This control process includes a transaction process, which will be described later. A part of the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage unit 103 is used as an area for storing the transaction data DAA and the reserved data DBA. The transaction data DAA is data representing a list of registered transaction products for one transaction. The reserved data DBA is data related to products (hereinafter referred to as reserved products) whose registration is pending for one transaction. The reserved data DBA is generated by transaction processing in association with each reserved product and stored in the auxiliary memory unit 103. Thus, if there are no reserved products, no reserved data DBA is stored in the auxiliary memory unit 103. If there is one reserved product, one reserved data DBA associated with the reserved product is stored in the auxiliary memory unit 103. If there are multiple reserved products, multiple reserved data DBAs associated with those reserved products respectively are stored in the auxiliary memory unit 103.

[0016] The touch panel 104 displays a screen for presenting information to the operator. In other words, the touch panel 104 is an example of a display device. The touch panel 104 also inputs instructions by the operator touching the screen. An external device such as a camera 199 is connected to the interface unit 105. The interface unit 105 interfaces for sending and receiving data to and from the connected external device. An existing USB (universal serial bus) controller or the like can be used as the interface unit 105. The camera 199 captures an image of a shooting range that encompasses the entire internal space of a shopping basket placed on the cart. The camera 199 then outputs image data representing the image obtained by shooting. The camera 199 may repeat shooting at a fixed cycle, or may capture images in response to an instruction from the processor 101.

[0017] The wireless communication unit 106 executes communication processing for wirelessly performing data communication via the communication network 2. For example, an existing wireless communication device for wireless LAN can be used as the wireless communication unit 106. Note that instead of or in addition to the wireless communication unit 106, a communication unit connected to the communication network 2 by wire may be used. The transmission path 107 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals between the connected components. As the basic hardware of the cart terminal 100, it is assumed that the hardware of a tablet-type information processing device, for example, is used.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of transaction data DAA. The transaction data DAA is generated in relation to a transaction being processed at the cart terminal 100 and stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103 . The transaction data DAA includes a field FAA, and may further include any number of fields following the field FAB. A transaction code is set in the field FAA as an identifier for the transaction. If there are registered trading products as the subject of the transaction, fields FAB, FAC, ... associated with each of the trading products are added to the transaction data DAA. Product data DAB relating to each separate trading product is set in the fields FAB, FAC, ....

[0019] One item of product data DAB includes fields FBA, FBB, FBC, and FBD. Field FBA contains a product code as an identifier for the associated trading product. Field FBB contains a product name defined for the associated trading product. Field FBC contains a unit price for the associated trading product. Field FBD contains a quantity for the associated trading product. The product data may contain various other information, such as discount information.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the reserved data DBA. The reserved data DBA includes fields FCA and FCB. The reserved data DBA may include any number of fields after field FCC. A reserved number is set in field FCA to identify multiple reserved data DBAs when they are stored in auxiliary storage unit 103. A file path (hereinafter referred to as image path) of image data used to recognize the reserved item is set in field FCB. When there are candidate items related to the associated reserved item, the reserved data DBA includes a file path associated with each of the candidate items. The fields are added as fields following the field FCC. In the fields FCC, FCD, ..., the product codes of the associated candidate products (hereinafter referred to as candidate product codes) are set.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of how the cart terminal 100 is attached to the cart. The cart 900 includes a caster portion 910, a handle frame portion 920, and a basket receiving portion 930. The caster unit 910 has four wheels 911 for smoothly moving the cart 900 on a floor surface. The wheels 911 are attached to a frame 912 in a state capable of rotating around an axis in the vertical direction.

[0022] The handle frame portion 920 includes a pair of vertical frames 921, 921 and a handle bar 922. The vertical frames 921, 921 are erected above the two wheels of the caster portion 910. The handle bar 922 connects the upper ends of the vertical frames 921, 921 together. The basket receiving portion 930 is provided horizontally from a midway portion of the handle frame portion 920. The basket receiving portion 930 holds a shopping basket SB as a container for storing merchandise. The caster portion 910 can also hold the shopping basket SB on the frame 912.

[0023] A customer using the cart 900 is typically positioned in front of the handle frame portion 920 in Fig. 4. The customer pushes the cart 900 while gripping the handle bar 922. That is, in this case, the direction in which the basket receiving portion 930 protrudes relative to the handle frame portion 920 is the forward direction of the cart 900.

[0024] A camera 199 is attached to the middle of the handle bar 922 in a state in which it can photograph the inside of the shopping basket SB held by the basket receiving portion 930 from above in a bird's-eye view. A pole 940 is attached to one of the vertical frames 921 so that its tip is located above the handle bar 922. The cart terminal 100 described above is attached to the tip of the pole 940 with the touch panel 104 facing in the opposite direction to the forward movement direction. A battery case 950 is attached between the vertical frames 921, 921 on the lower end side of the handle frame portion 920. The battery case 950 houses a battery used as an external power source for the cart terminal 100.

[0025] Next, the operation of the transaction processing system 1 configured as described above will be described. Note that the contents of the various processes described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate. For example, in the following explanation, in order to easily explain the characteristic operations of this embodiment, the explanation of some of the processes is omitted. For example, when some kind of error occurs, a process may be performed to deal with the error, but the description of such a process is omitted. The customer performs a predetermined operation for starting use on the unused cart terminal 100. When this operation is performed, the processor 101 starts a transaction process based on the cart terminal program PRA.

[0026] 5 and 6 are flowcharts of the transaction process. In ACT11, the processor 101 generates new transaction data DAA for the target transaction. That is, the processor 101, for example, determines a new transaction code different from transaction codes for identifying other transactions according to a predetermined rule, generates new transaction data DAA that includes this transaction code but does not include product information related to the transaction product, and stores the new transaction data DAA in the auxiliary storage unit 103.

[0027] In ACT 12, the processor 101 checks whether it is time to capture an image. If the processor 101 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT 13. The capture timing may be, for example, immediately after proceeding from ACT 11 to ACT 12, and at regular time intervals thereafter, and may be appropriately determined by, for example, the creator of the cart terminal program PRA. In ACT13, the processor 101 checks whether confirmation of the reserved product has been specified. If the processor 101 cannot check the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT14. In ACT14, the processor 101 checks whether or not a transaction has been specified. If the processor 101 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and returns to ACT12. Thus, in ACT12 to ACT14, the processor 101 waits for the timing to obtain the item, for a request to confirm the reserved item, or for a request to make a payment.

[0028] When the acquisition timing arrives, the processor 101 determines YES in ACT12 and proceeds to ACT15. As ACT15, processor 101 acquires image data output by camera 199. For example, if camera 199 repeats shooting at a constant cycle, processor 101 acquires image data output by camera 199 in response to the most recent shooting. For example, if camera 199 shoots in response to an instruction from processor 101, processor 101 instructs camera 199 to shoot, and acquires image data output by camera 199 in response to the instruction. Then, processor 101 stores the acquired image data in main storage unit 102 or auxiliary storage unit 103. In ACT 16, the processor 101 checks whether a product has been put into the shopping basket SB. If the processor 101 cannot check this event, it determines NO and returns to the standby state of ACT 12 to ACT 14.

[0029] If the first acquisition timing is immediately after proceeding from ACT11 to ACT12, the image represented by the image data acquired by first executing ACT15 will not include the product in most cases. Therefore, when processor 101 first executes ACT16, it judges NO and returns to the standby state of ACT12 to ACT14. Then, processor 101 repeats ACT15 and ACT16 every time an acquisition timing occurs. At this time, processor 101 leaves image data (hereinafter referred to as past data) acquired by executing ACT15 during a predetermined period in the past and already stored in main memory unit 102 or auxiliary memory unit 103 as it is in main memory unit 102 or auxiliary memory unit 103.

[0030] The customer searches for the product to be traded in the store, picks up the product he or she wishes to purchase from the sales floor, and places it in the shopping basket SB. For example, the processor 101 checks whether a new product has been added to the shopping basket SB based on the difference between the image data (hereinafter referred to as current data) newly acquired in ACT15 and the past data, and if the relevant product is present, it is determined that the product has been added. The processor 101 may also monitor the movement of the hand holding the product based on the current data and multiple past data, and determine that the product has been added based on the result of the monitoring. If the processor 101 determines that the product has been added, it determines YES in ACT16 and proceeds to ACT17.

[0031] As ACT17, the processor 101 executes a recognition process for the input product detected in ACT17. The processor 101, for example, inputs current data into a machine-installed image recognition engine, detects the product, and extracts the product's features. The processor 101 then searches a comparison dictionary for the amount of the extracted features, and selects products whose feature amount is equal to or greater than a threshold as candidate products. If the processor 101 finds multiple products whose feature amount is equal to or greater than the threshold, it selects all of the multiple products as candidate products. If the processor 101 does not find any product whose feature amount is equal to or greater than the threshold, it selects no candidate products. Thus, the processor 101 executes information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, and the computer with the processor 101 as its central part functions as a selection means that attempts to select candidate products.

[0032] In ACT 18, the processor 101 checks whether there is only one candidate product. If there is only one candidate product, the processor 101 judges as YES and proceeds to ACT 19. In ACT19, the processor 101 registers the only candidate commodity found in ACT17 as a trading commodity. For example, the processor 101 updates the transaction data DAA so that the commodity is included as one of the trading commodities. Thus, the processor 101 executes information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, and the computer having the processor 101 as the central part functions as a first registration means. Then, the processor 101 returns to the standby state of ACT12 to ACT14.

[0033] If multiple candidate products are found in ACT17, or if no candidate products are found at all, the processor 101 makes a NO determination in ACT18 and proceeds to ACT20. In ACT20, the processor 101 records the product detected in ACT17 as a reserved product. That is, for example, the processor 101 generates new reserved data DBA and stores it in the auxiliary storage unit 103. The processor 101 sets a number in the field FCA of the new reserved data DBA that is different from the number set in the field FCA of another reserved data DBA already stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103. The processor 101 sets the file path of the current data in the field FCB of the new reserved data DBA. If multiple candidate products are found in ACT17, the processor 101 sets the product codes of the candidate products in each of the fields following the field FCC of the new reserved data DBA. If no candidate products are found in ACT17, the processor 101 does not include fields following the field FCC in the new reserved data DBA. Alternatively, the processor 101 may set a predetermined invalid value in each of the fields following the field FCC in the new reserved data DBA. Thus, the processor 101 executes information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, and the computer having the processor 101 as its central part functions as a recording means. Then, the processor 101 thereafter returns to the standby state of ACT12 to ACT14.

[0034] If a customer wishes to purchase multiple products, they place those products in turn in the shopping basket SB. Therefore, the processor 101 repeats ACT17 and subsequent steps in the same manner as described above every time a product is placed in the shopping basket SB. When the customer has placed all the products to be purchased in the shopping basket SB, the customer performs a predetermined operation to specify the payment, for example, on the touch panel 104. In response to this, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT14 and proceeds to ACT21.

[0035] In ACT21, the processor 101 checks whether there are any reserved products. If at least one reserved data DBA is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103, for example, the processor 101 determines that there are reserved products and answers YES, and proceeds to ACT31 in FIG. In addition, the customer can perform a predetermined operation to specify confirmation of the reserved items, for example, on the touch panel 104, at any timing before finishing putting all the items to be purchased into the shopping cart SB. For this purpose, for example, when there are reserved items, the processor 101 includes a display object indicating that there are reserved items on the screen to be displayed on the touch panel 104 in the standby state of ACT12 to ACT14 in FIG. 5. Alternatively, for example, when there are reserved items, the processor 101 enables a button that is displayed on the screen to be displayed on the touch panel 104 in the standby state of ACT12 to ACT14 and that is used to receive an operation to specify confirmation of the reserved items. Then, if confirmation of the reserved items is specified, the processor 101 determines YES in ACT13 and proceeds to ACT31 in FIG. 6.

[0036] In ACT 31, the processor 101 selects one of the reserved products. For example, the processor 101 reads one of the reserved data DBA stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103, and sets the reserved product related to the reserved data DBA as the selected reserved product. In ACT32, the processor 101 checks whether there is a candidate product related to the selected reserved product. For example, the processor 101 determines that there is a candidate product if the read reserved data DBA includes the field FCC. If the processor 101 can determine that there is a candidate product in this way, the answer is YES and the process proceeds to ACT33.

[0037] As ACT33, the processor 101 displays a selection screen on the touch panel 104. The selection screen is a screen for allowing the operator to specify one of the candidate products. For example, the selection screen is a GUI (graphical user interface) screen that displays an image based on image data specified by a file path set in the field FCB of the reserved data DBA read out by ACT31, and arranges soft keys associated with the respective candidate products. Thus, the processor 101 executes information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, and the computer with the processor 101 as its central part functions as a display means.

[0038] The customer checks the product shown in the image displayed on the selection screen and selects the product by performing a predetermined operation such as tapping a soft key associated with that product. In ACT 34, the processor 101 waits for a product to be specified. If an operation to specify a product is performed as described above, the processor 101 judges the result as YES and proceeds to ACT 36.

[0039] On the other hand, in ACT32, the processor 101 determines that it cannot confirm the existence of a candidate product if the field FCC is not included in the reserved data DBA read in ACT31. If the processor 101 cannot determine that a candidate product exists in this way, the result is NO and the process proceeds to ACT35.

[0040] In ACT35, the processor 101 executes a product determination process. This product determination process is a process for determining a product reflected in an image represented by image data specified by a file path set in the field FCB of the reserved data DBA read in ACT31. The processor 101 performs the following process as the product determination process, for example. The processor 101 displays an image based on the image data specified by a file path set in the field FCB of the reserved data DBA read in ACT31, and causes the touch panel 104 to display a screen that guides the operator to hold the product reflected in the image up to the camera 199. The processor 101 then repeats a recognition process similar to ACT17 based on an image obtained by the camera 199 until at least one candidate product is recognized. If only one candidate product is recognized, the processor 101 determines the candidate product as a determination result. If multiple candidate products are recognized, the processor 101 causes the touch panel 104 to display a selection screen similar to ACT33, and determines the product specified by the operator as a determination result. This product determination process may be implemented as various other processes, such as displaying a screen for calling a store clerk on the touch panel 104 and setting the product specified by the called store clerk as the determination result. The type of process to be adopted as this product determination process may be appropriately determined by, for example, the creator of the cart terminal program PRA. Then, when the processor 101 has finished determining the product, it proceeds to ACT36.

[0041] In ACT36, the processor 101 registers the commodity specified in ACT34 or the commodity determined in ACT35 as a trading commodity. The processor 101 updates the transaction data DAA, for example, to make the relevant commodity one of the trading commodities. Thus, when the process proceeds from ACT34 to ACT36, the processor 101 executes information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, and the computer having the processor 101 as its central part functions as a second registration means. Also, when the process proceeds from ACT35 to ACT36, the processor 101 executes information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, and the computer having the processor 101 as its central part functions as a third registration means. In ACT37, the processor 101 removes the reserved item selected in ACT31 from the reserved items. That is, the processor 101 deletes the reserved data DBA read out in ACT31 from the auxiliary storage unit 103, for example.

[0042] In ACT38, the processor 101 checks whether there are any reserved products, for example, in the same manner as in ACT21 in FIG. 5. If the processor 101 judges YES as there are reserved products, the processor 101 returns to ACT31 in FIG. 4 and repeats the subsequent processes as described above. At this time, the reserved products selected in ACT31 have been excluded, so the processor 101 selects a reserved product that has not been selected in ACT31. The processor 101 then registers the reserved product as a transaction product in ACT32 to ACT37. If the processor 101 has finished registering all reserved products as transaction products and there are no reserved products, the processor 101 judges NO in ACT38 as it cannot confirm that there are any reserved products, and returns to the standby state of ACT12 to ACT14 in FIG. 5.

[0043] Now, if a checkout is specified when there are no reserved items, the processor 101 determines YES in ACT14 and NO in ACT21, and proceeds to ACT22. As ACT22, the processor 101 requests, for example, the payment machine 200 to settle the prices of all registered transaction products. That is, the processor 101, for example, passes transaction data to the payment machine 200 and requests the payment machine 200 to settle. Note that, if a payment terminal (not shown) is attached to the cart 900 and the payment terminal is connected to the cart terminal 100, the processor 101 may calculate the amount to be settled and request that the amount be settled by credit card settlement or code settlement. Alternatively, the processor 101 may calculate the amount to be settled and request that the amount be settled from an online payment server (not shown). These processes are for settlement. Thus, the processor 101 executes information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, and the computer with the processor 101 as its central part functions as a settlement means. The processor 101 then completes the transaction processing for one transaction.

[0044] In this embodiment, after the processor 101 has registered the reserved product as a trading product as described above, it returns to the standby state of ACT12 to ACT14 in Fig. 5 as described above and receives a payment specification again. However, if the processor 101 judges YES in ACT21 in Fig. 5 to proceed to the processing shown in Fig. 6, and further judges YES in ACT38 in Fig. 6, it may proceed to ACT22 in Fig. 5.

[0045] As described above, if only one candidate product is found by the recognition process, the cart terminal 100 registers that candidate product as the transaction product, but if multiple candidate products or no candidate products are found, it records the candidate product as a reserved product and continues processing to register another product. If a reserved product is recorded when a transaction is specified, the cart terminal 100 executes processing to determine which product the reserved product is and register it as the transaction product.

[0046] Thus, even if a situation arises where it is not possible to register a commodity as a transaction commodity based on the recognition result, it is possible to attempt to register the commodity to be added thereafter to the shopping basket SB. Thus, the operator can first add the commodity he / she wishes to purchase to the shopping basket SB one by one without being concerned about whether the commodity already added to the shopping basket SB has been correctly registered. This reduces the burden on the operator compared to the case where confirmation, etc. must be performed each time a situation arises where it is not possible to register a commodity as a transaction commodity based on the recognition result.

[0047] In addition, even before the transaction is specified, the cart terminal 100 executes a process to determine which product is on hold and register it as a transaction product in response to the operator's specification. This allows the customer to check the on-hold products at any time.

[0048] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. A part of the processing executed by processor 101 in the above embodiment may be executed by POS server 300 or any other one or more information processing devices. For example, cart terminal 100 may perform only the user interface operation, and various information processing for identifying the transaction commodity may be executed by a computer provided in POS server 300. In other words, each of the selection means, the first registration means, the second registration means, the third registration means, the recording means, the display means, and the settlement means may be provided in any information processing device other than cart terminal 100 included in transaction processing system 1, or may be appropriately distributed among multiple information processing devices included in transaction processing system 1.

[0049] Each function realized by the processor 101 through information processing can be realized in part or in whole by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, etc. Also, each of the above functions can be realized by combining the above hardware, such as the logic circuit, with software control.

[0050] Although some 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]

[0051] 1...transaction processing system, 2...communication network, 100...cart terminal, 101...processor, 102...main memory unit, 103...auxiliary memory unit, 104...touch panel, 105...interface unit, 106...wireless communication unit, 107...transmission path, 199...camera, 200...accounting machine, 300...POS server, 400...attendant terminal, 900...cart, 910...caster section, 911...wheels, 912...frame, 920...handle frame section, 921...vertical frame, 922...handle bar, 930...basket receiving section, 940...pole, 950...battery case.

Claims

1. A selection means for attempting to select one or more candidate products for the product based on the characteristics of the product shown in the image; a first registration means for registering a candidate commodity selected by the selection means as a trading commodity; a recording means for, when a plurality of candidate products are selected by the selection means, setting the product shown in the image as a reserved product and recording each of the plurality of candidate products selected by the selection means as a candidate product for the reserved product; a second registration means for registering, when a payment for a registered transaction commodity is to be settled and there is a reserved commodity set by said recording means, one of a plurality of candidate commodities recorded by said recording means with respect to the reserved commodity as the transaction commodity in response to a designation by an operator; A transaction processing system comprising:

2. The recording means records an image used when the selection means selects a candidate commodity to be recorded as a candidate commodity for the reserved commodity in association with the candidate commodity; a display means for displaying, on a display device, the plurality of candidate commodities recorded by the recording means and images recorded by the recording means in association with the plurality of candidate commodities, in order to receive the designation from the operator; The transaction processing system of claim 1 further comprising:

3. a settlement means for carrying out a process for settling the prices of all trading commodities registered by the first registration means and the second registration means; The transaction processing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The recording means records the image used by the selection means when the selection means is unable to select a candidate product as an image related to a reserved product with no candidates; a third registration means for, if an image of a reserved commodity with no candidates is recorded by the recording means when payment for a registered transaction commodity is to be made, acquiring an identifier of the commodity shown in the image in response to an operation by the operator, and registering the commodity identified by the identifier as the transaction commodity; 3. The transaction processing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

5. a settlement means for carrying out a process for settling the prices of all trading commodities registered by the first registration means, the second registration means and the third registration means; The transaction processing system of claim 4 further comprising:

6. A computer provided in a transaction processing system, A selection means for attempting to select one or more candidate products for the product based on the characteristics of the product shown in the image; a first registration means for registering a candidate commodity selected by the selection means as a trading commodity; a recording means for, when a plurality of candidate products are selected by the selection means, setting the product shown in the image as a reserved product and recording each of the plurality of candidate products selected by the selection means as a candidate product for the reserved product; a second registration means for registering, when a payment for a registered transaction commodity is to be settled and there is a reserved commodity set by said recording means, one of a plurality of candidate commodities recorded by said recording means with respect to the reserved commodity as the transaction commodity in response to a designation by an operator; An information processing program that enables the system to function as such.

Images