Information processing device and control program therefor

Abstract

To allow a customer to perform registration to settlement of a purchased commodity on a terminal operated by the customer without using a settlement device.SOLUTION: An information processing device calculates a price of a commodity purchased by a buyer on the basis of data on the purchased commodity accepted on a terminal. The information processing device acquires data required for price payment set to the buyer. The information processing device settles transaction of the calculated price on the basis of the acquired data required for the price payment in response to acceptance of a settlement instruction on the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and a control program therefor.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a cart POS (Point Of Sales) system has been proposed for retail stores equipped with shopping carts. This system provides an information terminal equipped with a touch panel, a scanner, etc. on the shopping cart. When a customer using the shopping cart places the purchased items on the shopping cart, the customer reads the identification code of the purchased items with a scanner to perform item registration. In this way, since the cart POS system allows the customer to perform item registration while shopping, it can alleviate the congestion at the checkout, i.e., the so-called cash register.

[0003] Furthermore, a technique has been proposed in which a payment device capable of performing payment processing with a payment card is attached to the shopping cart so that payment for the purchased items can be made from the shopping cart, eliminating the need for a cash register. However, in this technique, a payment device must be attached to a shopping cart that already has a touch panel, a scanner, etc. For this reason, the payment device must be attached to the limited space of the shopping cart, raising concerns about a decline in the operability of the cart and the workability of the customer. In addition, since a payment device must be attached not only to many shopping carts but also to information terminals, the system cost is inevitably high.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that enables a customer to perform operations from registration to settlement of purchased goods on a terminal without using a settlement apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one embodiment, the information processing apparatus includes a calculation means, an acquisition means, and a settlement means. The calculation means calculates the price of the goods to be purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased goods received at the terminal. The acquisition means acquires the data necessary for paying the price set for the purchaser. The settlement means settles the transaction of the price calculated by the calculation means with the data necessary for paying the price acquired by the acquisition means in response to receiving a settlement instruction at the terminal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing apparatus that enables a customer to perform operations from registration of purchased products to settlement without using a payment device will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is applicable to a cart POS system.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a cart POS system 1 according to this embodiment. The cart POS system 1 includes a store server 10, a member server 20, an electronic money server 30, a communication server 40, a virtual POS server 50, a cash register 60, an information terminal 70, and an access point 80. The store server 10, the member server 20, the electronic money server 30, the communication server 40, the virtual POS server 50, the cash register 60, and the access point 80 are connected to a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0010] The information terminal 70 is a device that enables a customer who is a purchaser to input data related to registration of purchased products by themselves. The information terminal 70 is provided in a shopping cart C. Hereinafter, the shopping cart C will be simply referred to as cart C. The information terminal 70 is provided in each of a plurality of carts C. The cart C is an example of a carrier that conveys purchased products of a customer who is the user of the cart C.

[0011] The information terminal 70 is equipped with a wireless unit. The information terminal 70 performs wireless communication with the access point 80. The access point 80 relays communication between each device connected to the network 2, namely the store server 10, the member server 20, the electronic money server 30, the communication server 40, the virtual POS server 50, and the accounting machine 60, and the information terminal 70. Although only one access point 80 is shown in FIG. 1, there may be two or more depending on the scale of the store or the like.

[0012] The accounting machine 60 is a device that enables a store clerk or a customer to perform accounting for purchased goods. The accounting machine 60 is a well-known self-service type POS terminal. The accounting machine 60 may be a well-known face-to-face type POS terminal. The number of accounting machines 60 is not particularly limited. FIG. 1 shows a cart POS system 1 in which two accounting machines 60 are installed in one store.

[0013] The store server 10 supports store operations. For that support, the store server 10 manages a product database, a sales database, etc. The product database stores product records that describe product data for each product sold in the store. The product data includes a product code, a price, a product name, etc. The product code is an identification code of the product. The sales database stores sales records that describe sales data for each item such as product, department, time zone, date, week, month, etc. The sales data includes the number of sales, the sales amount, etc.

[0014] The member server 20 supports the purchase operations of customers who have registered as members, so-called members. For that support, the member server 20 manages a member database, a member settlement database 21, etc. The member database stores member records that describe member data for each member. The member data includes a member ID, name, gender, email address, etc. The member ID is an identification code of the member. The member settlement database 21 stores member settlement records 21R that describe data necessary for payment of the price for each member.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the member settlement record 21R. As shown in the figure, the member settlement record 21R includes, in addition to the member ID, member attributes, credit card numbers, and electronic money identification codes as data necessary for paying the price.

[0016] The member attribute represents the attribute of the payment method when the member does not use the accounting machine 60. In the present embodiment, the payment methods when the member does not use the accounting machine 60 are limited to two types: credit cards and electronic money. And in the present embodiment, the attribute of a member who uses both a credit card and electronic money for payment is defined as "11", the attribute of a member who uses only electronic money for payment is defined as "10", the attribute of a member who uses only a credit card for payment is defined as "01", and the attribute of a member who does not use either a credit card or electronic money for payment is defined as "00".

[0017] The credit card number is the card number of the credit card pre-registered as being used by the member identified by the member ID for payment. The credit card number is registered in the member settlement record 21R for members with member attributes of "01" or "11". The credit card number is not registered in the member settlement record 21R for members with member attributes of "00" or "10".

[0018] The electronic money identification code is the identification code of the electronic money pre-registered as being used by the member identified by the member ID for payment. The electronic money identification code is registered in the member settlement record 21R for members with member attributes of "10" or "11". The electronic money identification code is not registered in the member settlement record 21R for members with member attributes of "00" or "01".

[0019] Return to the description of FIG. 1. The electronic money server 30 supports payments using electronic money. To provide this support, the electronic money server 30 manages an electronic money database 31. The electronic money database 31 stores electronic money records 31R that describe data related to electronic money for each registered user of the electronic money.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the electronic money record 31R. As shown, the electronic money record 31R includes an electronic money identification code and a balance as data related to the electronic money. The electronic money identification code is the identification code of the electronic money used by the registered user. The balance is the balance of the electronic money specified by the corresponding electronic money identification code.

[0021] Return to the description of FIG. 1. The communication server 40 supports data communication processing performed via a credit-only network 3 between the accounting machine 60 or the virtual POS server 50 and the card company server 4.

[0022] The virtual POS server 50 provides support to make the information terminal 70 appear to function as a POS terminal by collaborating with the information terminal 70.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the information terminal 70. The information terminal 70 includes a processor 71, a main memory 72, an auxiliary storage device 73, a wireless unit 74, a touch panel 75, a scanner 76, a reader 77, a camera 78, and a system transmission path 79. The system transmission path 79 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The information terminal 70 connects the processor 71, the main memory 72, the auxiliary storage device 73, the wireless unit 74, the touch panel 75, the scanner 76, the reader 77, and the camera 78 to the system transmission path 79. In the information terminal 70, a computer is configured by the processor 71, the main memory 72, and the auxiliary storage device 73, and the system transmission path 79 that connects them.

[0024] The processor 71 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 71 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the information terminal 70 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 71 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0025] The main memory 72 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. The main memory 72 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 72 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 72 may store data necessary for the processor 71 to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 72 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 71. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0026] The auxiliary storage device 73 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. For example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) etc. can be the auxiliary storage device 73. The auxiliary storage device 73 stores data used when the processor 71 performs various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 71 etc. The auxiliary storage device 73 may store the above application program.

[0027] The wireless unit 74 performs wireless communication of data with the access point 80 according to a wireless communication protocol.

[0028] The touch panel 75 is a device that serves as both an input device and a display device of the information terminal 70. The touch panel 75 detects the touch position on the displayed image and outputs the touch position information to the processor 71.

[0029] The scanner 76 reads code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional data codes attached to products. A code symbol representing the product code is attached to the product. The scanner 76 outputs the data of the read code symbol to the processor 71. The scanner 76 may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning laser light, or may be of a type that reads code symbols from an image captured by an imaging device.

[0030] The reader 77 reads the data recorded on the recording medium and outputs the read data to the processor 71. When the recording medium is a magnetic card, the reader 77 is a magnetic card reader, and when it is a contact-type IC card, it is an IC card reader. In the case of a recording medium using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) such as a non-contact IC card or a smartphone, an RFID reader is used as the reader 77.

[0031] The camera 78 is provided on the cart C so that it can photograph the basket placed in the basket receiving part of the cart C from above. The camera 78 is for monitoring whether the customer, who is the user of the cart C, has correctly placed the purchased goods in the basket.

[0032] In the information terminal 70 having the above circuit components, the processor 71, the main memory 72, the auxiliary storage device 73, the wireless unit 74, and the touch panel 75 are constituted by the tablet terminal TM. And by electrically connecting the scanner 76, the reader 77, and the camera 78 to this tablet terminal TM, the information terminal 70 is constituted.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a cart C provided with an information terminal 70. The cart C includes a caster unit C1 for movement, a handle frame unit C2, and a basket receiving unit C3. The caster unit C1 has four wheels C11 for smoothly moving on the floor surface. The caster unit C1 also includes a receiving portion C12 for placing large luggage that does not fit into the shopping basket SB. The handle frame unit C2 includes a pair of vertical frames C21, C21 erected on the rear wheel side of the caster unit C1, and a handle bar C22 connecting the upper ends of these vertical frames C21, C21. The basket receiving unit C3 is in front of a middle portion of the handle frame unit C2. The cart C can place a store-provided shopping basket SB on the basket receiving unit C3. The shopping basket SB is for accommodating goods.

[0034] The scanner 76 is in a middle portion of the handle bar C22. The scanner 76 is attached to the handle bar C22 such that the reading window is located on the front side. The front side is the side where a customer who pushes the cart C while holding the handle bar C22 stands.

[0035] A pole C4 is attached to one of the vertical frames C21. The tip of the pole C4 is located above the handle bar C22. The tablet terminal TM is attached to the tip of the pole C4 with the screen of the touch panel 75 facing forward. The reader 77 is attached to the tablet terminal TM such that the card slit is located on the front side. In FIG. 5, the reader 77 is a magnetic card reader. The camera 78 is attached to a middle portion of the pole C4 so as to image the entire shopping basket SB placed on the basket receiving unit C3 from above.

[0036] The battery BT is attached across the vertical frames C21, C21 on the lower end side of the handle frame unit C2. The battery BT serves as a driving power source for the tablet terminal TM, the scanner 76, the reader 77, and the camera 78.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the virtual POS server 50. The virtual POS server 50 includes a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a communication interface 54, and a system bus 55. The system bus 55 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The virtual POS server 50 connects the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, and the communication interface 54 to the system bus 55. In the virtual POS server 50, a computer is configured by the processor 51, the main memory 52, and the auxiliary storage device 53, and the system bus 55 that connects them.

[0038] The processor 51 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 51 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the virtual POS server 50 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU.

[0039] The main memory 52 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. The main memory 52 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 52 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 52 may store data necessary for the processor 51 to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 52 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 51. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0040] The auxiliary storage device 53 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. For example, an EEPROM, an HDD, or an SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 53. The auxiliary storage device 53 stores data used by the processor 51 to perform various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 51. The auxiliary storage device 53 may store the above application program.

[0041] The communication interface 54 is connected to the network 2. The communication interface 54 performs data communication in accordance with a communication protocol with other devices connected via the network 2.

[0042] The virtual POS server 50 with such a configuration uses a part of the volatile memory area of the main memory 52 as a creation area for the shopping cart memory 521. The virtual POS server 50 can create a plurality of shopping cart memories 521 in this area.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the shopping cart memory 521. As shown in FIG. 7, the shopping cart memory 521 has areas for storing a member ID, member attributes, credit card number, electronic money identification code, balance, one or more purchased product data, and total amount, respectively. The purchased product data consists of a product code, product name, unit price, sales quantity, sales amount, tax amount, etc. of the purchased product that the customer purchases. The total amount is the sum of the sales amount and the tax amount included in the purchased product data.

[0044] FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor 71 of the information terminal 70 according to the terminal program. The terminal program is stored in the main memory 72 or the auxiliary storage device 73. FIGS. 10 to 13 are flowcharts showing the information processing procedures executed by the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 in response to receiving the main commands transmitted from the information terminal 70. This procedure is according to the control program. The control program is stored in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53.

[0045] Hereinafter, using these flowcharts, the main operations of the cart POS system 1 when a customer who is a member uses the information terminal 70 of the cart C to perform self-registration of purchased products to settlement will be described. Note that the operations described below are examples. The procedure is not particularly limited as long as the same result can be obtained.

[0046] First, a customer who uses the cart C to shop touches the touch panel 75. When the touch panel 75 is touched, the processor 71 that was in the idle state is activated. The processor 71 starts information processing of the procedures shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0047] The processor 71 causes the touch panel 75 to display a login screen as Act1. The login screen is a screen for instructing a login operation to a member. A customer who is a member has a membership card on which their membership code is recorded. The customer who has confirmed the login screen causes the data of the membership card to be read by the reader 77. When the data of the membership card is read by the reader 77, the data of the membership card is given to the processor 71.

[0048] The processor 71 that has displayed the login screen waits for a login as Act2. When the processor 71 receives data from the reader 77 and confirms that the data is the data of a membership card including the member ID, it determines that the login has been performed. That is, the processor 71 determines YES in Act2 and proceeds to Act3.

[0049] The processor 71 controls the wireless unit 74 to transmit a login command to the virtual POS server 50 as Act3. By this control, the wireless unit 74 wirelessly transmits the login command. The login command is received at the access point 80 and sent to the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2. The login command includes the member ID of the membership card read by the reader 77.

[0050] When the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 receives a command from the information terminal 70 via the communication interface 54, it checks the type of the command. When the received command is a login command, the processor 51 starts command reception processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10.

[0051] The processor 51 detects the member ID from the login command as Act31. Then, the processor 51 performs authentication of the member identified by the member ID as Act32. Specifically, the processor 51 inquires of the member server 20 whether a member record including the member ID exists in the member database. As a result, when receiving a response from the member server 20 that the corresponding member record exists in the member database, the processor 51 determines that the member authentication is valid. On the contrary, when receiving a response from the member server 20 that the corresponding member record does not exist in the member database, the processor 51 determines that the member authentication is invalid.

[0052] The processor 51 that has performed the member authentication confirms the authentication result as Act33. Here, when the authentication result is invalid, the processor 51 determines NO in Act33 and proceeds to Act34. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit a negative response command to the information terminal 70 as Act34. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the negative response command. The negative response command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that is the transmission source of the login command.

[0053] When the authentication result is valid, the processor 51 determines YES in Act33 and proceeds to Act35. The processor 51 forms a shopping cart memory 521 in the main memory 52 as Act35. Then, the processor 51 writes the member ID included in the login command into the shopping cart memory 521.

[0054] The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to request member settlement data from the member server 20 as Act36. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits a request command for the member settlement data. The request command is received by the member server 20 via the network 2. The request command includes the member ID included in the login command.

[0055] The member server 20 detects a member settlement record 21R in which the member ID included in the request command is described from the member settlement database 21 and transmits it to the virtual POS server 50. The member settlement record 21R is received at the communication interface 54 of the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2.

[0056] The processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 that has received the member settlement record 21R writes the data of the member settlement record 21R to the shopping cart memory 521 in which the member ID included in the member settlement record 21R is stored as Act37. That is, when the member attribute of the member settlement record 21R is "00", the processor 51 writes only the member attribute "00" to the shopping cart memory 521. When the member attribute of the member settlement record 21R is "01", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "01" and the credit card number to the shopping cart memory 521. When the member attribute of the member settlement record 21R is "10", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "10" and the electronic money identification code to the shopping cart memory 521. When the member attribute of the member settlement record 21R is "11", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "11", the credit card number, and the electronic money identification code to the shopping cart memory 521. The shopping cart memory 521 is created in the process of Act35.

[0057] The processor 51 checks whether the electronic money identification code is included in the membership settlement record 21R as Act38. If the electronic money identification code is not included, that is, if the membership attribute is "00" or "01", the processor 51 determines NO in Act38 and proceeds to Act39. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit an approval response command with zero balance to the information terminal 70 as Act39. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the approval response command with zero balance. The approval response command with zero balance is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that is the source of the login command. The approval response command with zero balance includes the member ID included in the login command. It does not include balance data.

[0058] In Act38, if the electronic money identification code is included, that is, if the membership attribute is "10" or "11", the processor 51 determines YES and proceeds to Act40. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to request the balance from the electronic money server 30 as Act40. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits a balance request command to the electronic money server 30. The balance request command is received by the electronic money server 30 via the network 2. The balance request command includes the electronic money identification code.

[0059] The electronic money server 30 detects the electronic money record 31R in which the electronic money identification code included in the balance request command is described from the electronic money database 31 and transmits it to the virtual POS server 50. The electronic money record 31R is received by the communication interface 54 of the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2.

[0060] The processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50, which has received the electronic money record 31R, writes the balance data included in the electronic money record 31R in Act 41 into the shopping basket memory 521. The shopping basket memory 521 was created in the processing of Act 35.

[0061] In Act 42, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send an approval response command indicating that there is a balance to the information terminal 70. This control causes the communication interface 54 to send the approval response command indicating that there is a balance. The approval response command indicating that there is a balance is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2, and is received by the information terminal 70 that sent the login command. The approval response command indicating that there is a balance includes the balance data as well as the member ID that was included in the login command.

[0062] In this way, the virtual POS server 50 that has received the login command transmits a denial response command or an approval response command to the information terminal 70 that transmitted the login command. After the processor 51 has finished transmitting either response command, this command reception process ends.

[0063] Returning to the explanation of Figure 8. The processor 71 of the information terminal 70 that controlled the transmission of the login command in Act 3 waits for a response command from the virtual POS server 50 in Act 4. If a denial response command is received from the virtual POS server 50, the processor 71 determines NO in Act 4 and treats the login as an error.

[0064] If the login fails, the customer, who is the operator of the information terminal 70, performs an error cancellation operation on the touch panel 75. When the cancellation operation is performed, the processor 71 resumes the process from Act 1. Therefore, the customer will log in again.

[0065] When the approval response command is received from the virtual POS server 50, the processor 71 determines YES in Act4 and proceeds to Act5. As Act5, the processor 71 stores the member ID included in the approval response command in the main memory 72. Also, as Act6, the processor 71 causes the touch panel 75 to display a product registration screen. The product registration screen is a screen for displaying a list of purchased products such as the product name and price of the products the customer purchases and the total amount.

[0066] After finishing the processes of Act5 and Act6, the processor 71 checks, as Act7, whether the balance data is included in the approval response command. If the balance data is included, the processor 71 determines YES in Act7 and proceeds to Act8. As Act8, the processor 71 displays the balance of the electronic money used by the customer on a part of the product registration screen based on the balance data. Then, the processor 71 proceeds to Act9. If the balance data is not included in the approval response command, the processor 71 determines NO in Act7, skips Act8, and proceeds to Act9.

[0067] The customer who has checked the product registration screen walks around the sales floor and puts the products to be purchased, so-called purchased products, into the cart C. For example, the customer puts the purchased products into the shopping basket SB placed on the basket receiving part C3. Before putting the purchased products into the shopping basket SB, the customer operates the scanner 76 to read the code symbol attached to the product. When the code symbol is read by the scanner 76, the product code represented by the code symbol is input into the information terminal 70. That is, the product identified by the product code is registered.

[0068] Note that some products such as fresh food may not have a code symbol attached. When the purchased product does not have a code symbol attached, the customer touches the product button corresponding to the purchased product from the product buttons displayed on the touch panel 75. When the product button is touched, the product code of the product corresponding to the product button is input into the information terminal 70. That is, the product identified by the product code is registered.

[0069] The processor 71 checks whether product registration has been performed as Act9. If product registration has not been performed, the processor 71 determines NO in Act9 and proceeds to Act10. The processor 71 checks whether accounting has been instructed as Act10.

[0070] An image of the [Accounting] button is displayed on a part of the product registration screen. A customer who has finished shopping touches the [Accounting] button. When the [Accounting] button is touched, the processor 71 recognizes that accounting has been instructed. If accounting has not been instructed, the processor 71 determines NO in Act10 and returns to Act9. Here, the processor 71 waits for product registration to be performed or accounting to be instructed in Act9 and Act10.

[0071] In this waiting state, when the processor 71 confirms that product registration has been performed, it determines YES in Act9 and proceeds to Act11. The processor 71 controls the wireless unit 74 to send a product registration command to the virtual POS server 50 as Act11. By this control, the wireless unit 74 wirelessly transmits the product registration command. The product registration command is received at the access point 80 and sent to the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2. The product registration command includes the member ID stored in the main memory 72 and the product code of the registered product.

[0072] The processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 that has received the product registration command starts command reception processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11. The processor 51 detects the member ID from the product registration command as Act51. Then, the processor 51 extracts the shopping cart memory 521 in which the member ID is described as Act52 as the processing target. Hereinafter, the processing target shopping cart memory 521 is referred to as the shopping cart memory 521A.

[0073] After finishing the processing of Act51 and Act52, the processor 51 creates purchase product data based on the product code included in the product registration command as Act53, and writes the purchase product data to the shopping cart memory 521A. Also, the processor 51 adds the selling amount and tax amount of the purchase product data to the total amount in the shopping cart memory 521A as Act54.

[0074] The processor 51 checks whether an electronic money identification code is stored in the shopping cart memory 521A as Act55. If the electronic money identification code is not stored, the processor 51 determines NO in Act55 and proceeds to Act56. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a registered response command with insufficient balance to the information terminal 70 as Act56. By this control, the communication interface 54 sends the registered response command with insufficient balance. The registered response command with insufficient balance is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that is the transmission source of the product registration command. The registered response command with insufficient balance includes a purchase product list generated from the purchase product data stored in the shopping cart memory 521A and the total amount. The balance data is not included.

[0075] If an electronic money identification code is stored in the shopping cart memory 521A in Act55, the processor 51 determines YES and proceeds to Act57. The processor 51 updates the balance data in the shopping cart memory 521 as Act57. That is, the processor 51 updates the balance data so that the selling amount and tax amount of the purchase product data are subtracted from the balance. At this time, if the total amount of the selling amount and tax amount is larger than the balance, the balance becomes negative.

[0076] When the balance update is completed, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a registered response command with balance to the information terminal 70 as Act58. By this control, the communication interface 54 sends a registered response command with balance. The registered response command with balance is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 which is the source of the product registration command. The registered response command with balance includes the updated balance data together with the purchased product list and the total amount.

[0077] In this way, the virtual POS server 50 that has received the product registration command sends a registered response command with no balance or with balance to the information terminal 70 which is the source of the product registration command in Act56 or Act58. When the processor 51 finishes sending either registered response command, it ends this command reception process.

[0078] Return to the description of FIG. 8. The processor 71 of the information terminal 70 that controlled the sending of the product registration command in Act11 waits for a registered response command as Act12. When receiving a registered response command from the virtual POS server 50, the processor 71 determines YES in Act12 and proceeds to Act13. The processor 71 updates the product registration screen displayed on the touch panel 75 as Act13. That is, the processor 71 updates the product registration screen so that the purchased product list and the total amount included in the registered response command are displayed. After that, the processor 71 returns to Act7. That is, the processor 71 checks whether balance data is included in the registered response command. If balance data is included, the processor 71 determines YES in Act7 and proceeds to Act8. The processor 71 displays the balance of the electronic money held by the customer on a part of the product registration screen based on the balance data as Act8. At this time, if the balance is negative, the balance is displayed with a minus sign. If balance data is not included, the processor 71 determines NO in Act7 and skips Act8.

[0079] The processor 71 returns to the waiting states of Act9 and Act10. In this waiting state, when the processor 71 confirms that product registration has been performed again, it executes the processes of Act11 to Act13 and further Act7 to Act9 in the same manner as described above. Therefore, also in the virtual POS server 50, the processor 51 executes again the reception process of the product registration command shown in FIG. 11.

[0080] When detecting that the [Accounting] touch button has been touched in the waiting states of Act9 and Act10, the processor 71 determines YES in Act10 and proceeds to Act21 in FIG. 9. The processor 71 controls the wireless unit 74 to transmit an accounting command to the virtual POS server 50 as Act21. By this control, the wireless unit 74 wirelessly transmits the accounting command. The accounting command is received at the access point 80 and sent to the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2. The accounting command includes the member ID stored in the main memory 72.

[0081] The processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 that has received the accounting command starts the command reception process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12. The processor 51 detects the member ID from the accounting command as Act61. The processor 51 extracts, as Act62, the shopping cart memory 521 in which the detected member ID is described as the processing target. That is, the processor 51 extracts the shopping cart memory 521A.

[0082] After finishing the processes of Act61 and Act62, the processor 51 acquires the member attribute from the shopping cart memory 521A as Act63. Then the processor 51 checks whether the member attribute is "00" as Act64.

[0083] When the member attribute is "00", the processor 51 determines YES in Act64 and proceeds to Act65. The processor 51 determines the accounting machine 60 to be accounted for by the customer who touches the [Accounting] button as Act65. For example, when one of the two accounting machines 60 is available, the processor 51 determines that accounting machine as the accounting machine to be accounted for. When both of the two accounting machines 60 are available, one of the accounting machines 60 is determined as the accounting machine to be accounted for in a preset order. When both of the two accounting machines 60 are in use, the accounting machine 60 that became the used state first is determined as the accounting machine to be accounted for.

[0084] When the accounting machine 60 to be accounted for is determined, the processor 51 generates accounting barcode data as Act66. The accounting barcode is for identifying the customer who conducts accounting at the accounting machine 60. The accounting barcode is generated for each customer who conducts accounting at the accounting machine 60.

[0085] The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit settlement data to the store server 10 as Act67. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the settlement data via the network 2. The settlement data is received by the store server 10 and stored in its internal memory. The settlement data includes the purchased item data and the total amount stored in the shopping basket memory 521A. The settlement data also includes the accounting machine identification code for specifying the accounting machine 60 to be accounted for and the data of the accounting barcode.

[0086] The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit an accounting machine notification response command to the information terminal 70 that is the source of the accounting command as Act68. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the accounting machine notification response command. The accounting machine notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that is the source of the accounting command. The accounting machine notification response command includes the accounting barcode.

[0087] In Act64, if the member attribute is not "00", the processor 51 determines NO and proceeds to Act69. The processor 51 checks whether the member attribute is "01" as Act69. If the member attribute is "01", the processor 51 determines YES in Act69 and proceeds to Act70.

[0088] The processor 51 obtains the credit card number from the shopping cart memory 521A as Act70. Then the processor 51 executes credit card payment processing using the credit card number as Act71. That is, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a payment command command by credit card to the communication server 40. By this control, the payment command command is sent from the communication interface 54. The payment command command is received by the communication server 40 via the network 2. The payment command command includes the credit card number obtained from the shopping cart memory 521A.

[0089] The communication server 40 that has received the payment command command communicates with the card company server 4 specified from the credit card number and executes credit card payment. Then, when the credit card payment is completed, the communication server 40 notifies the virtual POS server 50 of the completion of the credit card payment.

[0090] The processor 51 waits for the completion of the credit card payment as Act72. Then, when receiving the completion notification of the credit card payment from the communication server 40, the processor 51 determines YES in Act72 and proceeds to Act73. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a payment completion response command to the information terminal 70 that is the source of the accounting command. By this control, the communication interface 54 sends the payment completion response command. The payment completion response command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that is the source of the accounting command. The payment completion response command includes data indicating that the credit card payment has been completed.

[0091] In Act69, when the member attribute is not "01", the processor 51 determines NO and proceeds to Act81 in FIG. 13. The processor 51 checks whether the member attribute is "10" as Act81. When the member attribute is "10", the processor 51 determines YES in Act81 and proceeds to Act82.

[0092] The processor 51 checks whether the balance data stored in the shopping cart memory 521A is "0" or more as Act82. When the balance is negative, the processor 51 determines NO in Act82 and proceeds to Act65 in FIG. 12. Then the processor 51 executes the processes of Act65 to Act68 described above.

[0093] When the balance is "0" or more, the processor 51 determines YES in Act82 and proceeds to Act83. The processor 51 executes electronic money settlement processing as Act83. That is, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit an electronic money settlement command to the electronic money server 30. By this control, an electronic money settlement command is transmitted from the communication interface 54. The electronic money settlement command is received by the electronic money server 30 via the network 2. The electronic money settlement command includes the electronic money identification code and the total amount stored in the shopping cart memory 521A.

[0094] The electronic money server 30 that has received the electronic money settlement command refers to the electronic money database 31. Then the electronic money server 30 subtracts the total amount included in the electronic money settlement command from the balance stored in association with the electronic money identification code included in the electronic money settlement command. Thus, when the settlement by electronic money is completed, the electronic money server 30 notifies the virtual POS server 50 of the completion of the electronic money settlement.

[0095] The processor 51 waits for the completion of the electronic money settlement as Act84. When it receives a completion notification of the electronic money settlement from the electronic money server 30, the processor 51 determines YES in Act84 and proceeds to Act85. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit a settlement completion response command to the information terminal 70 which is the source of the accounting command as Act85. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the settlement completion response command. The settlement completion response command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 which is the source of the accounting command. The settlement completion response command includes data indicating that the electronic money settlement has ended.

[0096] If the member attribute is not "10" in Act81, the member attribute is "11". That is, when the member attribute is "11", the processor 51 determines NO in Act81 and proceeds to Act86. The processor 51 checks whether the balance data stored in the shopping basket memory 521A is "0" or more as Act86. If the balance is negative, the processor 51 determines NO in Act86 and proceeds to Act70 in FIG. 12. Then the processor 51 executes the processes of Act70 to Act73 described above.

[0097] If the balance is "0" or more, the processor 51 determines YES in Act86 and proceeds to Act87. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit a settlement method selection request command to the information terminal 70 which is the source of the accounting command as Act87. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the settlement method selection request command. The selection request command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 which is the source of the accounting command.

[0098] Return to the description of FIG. 9.

[0099] In Act21, the processor 71 of the information terminal 70 that controls the transmission of accounting commands checks whether it has received an accounting machine notification command as Act22. If it has not received the accounting machine notification command, the processor 71 determines NO in Act22 and proceeds to Act23. The processor 71 checks whether it has received a settlement completion response command as Act23. If it has not received the settlement completion response command, the processor 71 determines NO in Act23 and proceeds to Act24. The processor 71 checks whether it has received a selection request command as Act24. If it has not received the selection request command, the processor 71 determines NO in Act24 and returns to Act22. Here, the processor 71 waits in Act22 to Act24 for receiving the accounting machine notification command, the settlement completion response command, or the selection request command.

[0100] In this waiting state, if the accounting machine notification command is received, the processor 71 determines YES in Act22 and proceeds to Act25. The processor 71 causes the accounting machine guidance screen to be displayed on the touch panel 75 as Act25. The accounting machine identification code and the accounting barcode of the accounting target included in the accounting machine notification command are displayed on the accounting machine guidance screen.

[0101] The customer who has checked the accounting machine guidance screen goes to the installation location of the accounting machine 60 to which the accounting machine identification code is assigned, and causes the accounting barcode to be read by the scanner provided in the accounting machine 60. Then, the accounting machine 60 acquires the settlement data stored together with the accounting barcode from the store server 10. As a result, in the accounting machine 60, settlement processing such as cash payment and point payment can be executed based on the settlement data.

[0102] In the waiting state of Act22 to Act24, when a selection request command is received, the processor 71 determines YES in Act24 and proceeds to Act26. The processor 71 causes the touch panel 75 to display a payment method selection screen as Act26. The payment method selection screen is a screen that prompts the customer to select credit card payment or electronic money payment.

[0103] The customer who has confirmed the payment method selection screen decides whether to select credit card payment or electronic money payment. Then, the customer touches the payment method selection screen so that the determined payment method is selected.

[0104] The processor 71 waits for a payment method to be selected as Act27. When a payment method is selected, the processor 71 determines YES in Act27 and proceeds to Act28. The processor 71 controls the wireless unit 74 to transmit a payment method notification command to the virtual POS server 50 as Act28. By this control, the wireless unit 74 wirelessly transmits the payment method notification command. The wirelessly transmitted payment method notification command is received at the access point 80 and sent to the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2. The payment method notification command contains data for specifying the selected payment method.

[0105] Return to the description of FIG. 13. In Act87, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 that controls the transmission of the selection request command waits for the payment method notification command as Act88. When the payment method notification command is received, the processor 51 determines YES in Act88 and proceeds to Act89. The processor 51 identifies whether the payment method notification command is a command that notifies credit card payment or a command that notifies electronic money payment as Act89. In the case of a command that notifies credit card payment, the processor 51 determines YES in Act89 and proceeds to Act70 in FIG. 12. Thereafter, the processor 51 executes the processes of Act70 to Act73 in the same manner as described above.

[0106] In the case of a command that notifies electronic money payment, the processor 51 determines NO in Act89 and proceeds to Act83 in FIG. 13. Thereafter, the processor 51 executes the processes of Act83 to Act85 in the same manner as described above.

[0107] In this way, when the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 that has received the accounting command finishes transmitting the accounting machine notification response command in Act68, or finishes transmitting the settlement completion response command in Act73 or Act85, it ends this command reception process.

[0108] Return to the description of FIG. 9. The processor 71 of the information terminal 70 that controls the transmission of the payment method notification command waits for the settlement completion response command as Act29. When the settlement completion response command is received, the processor 71 determines YES in Act29 and proceeds to Act30. In addition, even when the settlement completion response command is received in the waiting states of Act22 to Act24, the processor 71 determines YES in Act23 and proceeds to Act30.

[0109] The processor 71 causes the touch panel 75 to display a payment completion screen as Act30. The payment completion screen is a screen that notifies the customer that the price of the purchased goods has been paid by credit card payment or electronic money payment.

[0110] When the processor 71 causes the accounting machine guidance screen to be displayed in Act25 or causes the payment completion screen to be displayed in Act30, the information processing of the procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9 is terminated.

[0111] As described above, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 calculates the price of the goods to be purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased goods received by the information terminal 70 in Acts 51 to 54 of FIG. 11. Here, the processor 51 constitutes a calculating means.

[0112] Also, the processor 51 acquires the member attribute representing the data necessary for the payment of the price set for the purchaser in Acts 61 to 63 of FIG. 12. Here, the processor 51 constitutes an acquiring means.

[0113] When the member attribute is "11", that is, when the data necessary for two or more payments of the price is acquired, the processor 51 requests the information terminal 70 to select the data to be used for settlement from among the data necessary for the two or more payments of the price in Acts 86 and 87. Here, the processor 51 constitutes a requesting means.

[0114] When the data necessary for the payment of the price is a credit card number in Acts 70 and 71 of FIG. 12, the processor 51 executes credit card settlement processing. Similarly, when the data necessary for the payment of the price is an electronic money identification code in Acts 82 and 83 of FIG. 13, the processor 51 executes electronic money settlement processing on the condition that the balance of the electronic money is equal to or more than the price. Here, the processor 51 constitutes a settlement means.

[0115] Also, in Acts 40 to 42 of FIG. 10 and Acts 57 and 58 of FIG. 11, when the data necessary for payment includes the balance of the electronic money, the processor 51 notifies the information terminal 70 of the balance. Here, the processor 51 constitutes a balance notification means.

[0116] Also, in Act 73 of FIG. 12 and Act 85 of FIG. 13, when the processor 51 detects that the credit card settlement process or the electronic money settlement process has ended, it notifies the information terminal 70 that the settlement has ended. Here, the processor 51 constitutes a settlement notification means.

[0117] Thus, the virtual POS server 50 including the processor 51 that constitutes the above-described calculation means, acquisition means, settlement means, request means, balance notification means, and settlement notification means functions as an information processing apparatus.

[0118] As described above, when a member with a member attribute of "01" touches the [Accounting] button after registering the purchased goods using the information terminal 70, the payment for the purchased goods is settled with the credit card having the credit card number pre-registered by the member. Similarly, when a member with a member attribute of "10" touches the [Accounting] button after registering the purchased goods using the information terminal 70, the payment for the purchased goods is settled with the electronic money identified by the electronic money identification code pre-registered by the member.

[0119] On the other hand, when a member with a member attribute of "11" touches the [Accounting] button after registering the purchased goods using the information terminal 70, a payment method selection screen is displayed on the touch panel 75 of the information terminal 70. When the member selects credit card payment here, the payment for the purchased goods is settled with the credit card having the credit card number pre-registered by the member. When the member selects electronic money payment, the payment for the purchased goods is settled with the electronic money identified by the electronic money identification code pre-registered by the member.

[0120] In this way, members can perform self-service operations from registering purchased items to settlement by using the information terminal 70 provided in the cart C. Therefore, there is no need to attach a payment device to the cart C, so the operability of the cart and the workability of customers are not impaired. Also, the cart POS system 1 can be constructed at a lower cost compared to the case of attaching a payment device to the cart C.

[0121] Moreover, members can select whether to use credit card payment or electronic money payment by registering the credit card number and the electronic money identification code in advance. Therefore, members can easily make appropriate choices, such as using electronic money payment for inexpensive shopping and using credit card payment for expensive shopping.

[0122] Also, for members who have registered the electronic money identification code in advance, the remaining balance of the electronic money is displayed on the touch panel 75 of the information terminal 70. And each time a purchased item is registered on the information terminal 70, the remaining balance is reduced by the price of the item and redisplayed. Therefore, members who use electronic money payment can know in real time how much remaining balance of the electronic money is left while shopping.

[0123] Furthermore, when the remaining balance of the electronic money, which is updated in real time, becomes negative, electronic money payment is prohibited in the cart POS system 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the remaining balance of the electronic money from becoming negative due to electronic money payment. Incidentally, if electronic money payment is prohibited because the remaining balance of the electronic money has become negative, and the member has also registered the credit card number, credit card payment will be executed. If the credit card number has not been registered, the settlement will be made at the cash register 60. Therefore, even if electronic money payment is prohibited, members can make settlements using other payment methods.

[0124] Also, when the credit card payment or the electronic money payment is completed, a payment completion screen is displayed on the information terminal 70. Therefore, the member can visually confirm that the credit card payment or the electronic money payment has been completed.

[0125] As described above, an embodiment of the information processing apparatus that enables a customer to perform operations from registration of purchased goods to payment without using a payment device has been described, but such an embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the virtual POS server 50 has been described as one aspect of the information processing apparatus. The virtual POS server 50 is not limited to that described in the above embodiment. For example, a virtual POS server 50 that further has a function as at least one of the store server 10, the member server 20, the electronic money server 30, or the communication server 40 may be used as the information processing apparatus. In other words, the store server 10, the member server 20, the electronic money server 30, or the communication server 40 having a function as the virtual POS server 50 may be used as the information processing apparatus.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the case where the information terminal 70 is attached to the cart C has been exemplified. The information terminal 70 does not necessarily have to be attached to the cart C. For example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. owned by the purchaser may be used as the information terminal 70.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the payment methods for the price when the member does not use the cash register are limited to two types: credit card and electronic money. The payment method for the price in this case is not limited to these two types. For example, it may be either one of credit card or electronic money. Alternatively, other payment methods such as point payment where the price is paid with the converted amount of accumulated service points may be added.

[0129] In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the control program is pre-stored in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53 of the virtual POS server 50. In this regard, the control program transferred separately from this virtual POS server 50 may be written into the writable storage device provided in the virtual POS server 50 according to operations by a user or the like. The transfer of the control program or the like can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The form of the recording medium is not limited as long as it can store a program and can be read by the device, such as a CD-ROM, a memory card, or the like.

[0130] In addition, although several 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, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0131] 1…Cart POS system, 10…Store server, 20…Member server, 21…Member settlement database, 30…Electronic money server, 31…Electronic money database, 40…Communication server, 50…Virtual POS server, 51, 71…Processor, 52, 72…Main memory, 53, 73…Auxiliary storage device, 54…Communication interface, 60…Accounting machine, 70…Information terminal, 74…Wireless unit, 75…Touch panel, 76…Scanner, 77…Reader, 78…Camera, 80…Access point, 521…Shopping cart memory.

Claims

1. a calculation means for calculating the price of the product to be purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased product received at a terminal used by the purchaser to input the data of the purchased product and receive payment instructions; an acquisition means for acquiring an attribute indicating the type of payment method set for the purchaser; a generating means for generating information for identifying a customer making a payment at the payment machine in response to receiving the payment instruction at the terminal, if the attribute acquired by the acquiring means does not represent a payment method that does not use a payment machine; a notification means for notifying the terminal that has received the payment instruction of information for identifying the customer making the transaction at the payment machine; An information processing device comprising:

2. An information processing device as described in claim 1, wherein the information for identifying a customer making a payment at the cash register is barcode information that can be read by a scanner provided on the cash register.

3. An information processing device as described in claim 1, wherein the notification means further notifies the terminal of information guiding the purchaser to the cash register.

4. A determination means for determining which checkout machine the purchaser will use to make the payment from among a plurality of checkout machines; Further comprising:

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said notification means notifies said terminal of information guiding the purchaser to said payment machine determined by said determination means.

5. If the attribute is an attribute representing a payment method that does not use an accounting machine, a payment means for settling the transaction of the price calculated by the calculation means with the payment method represented by the attribute in response to receiving the payment instruction at the terminal; 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. A computer of an information processing device that is used by a purchaser and communicates with a terminal that accepts data input of purchased goods and payment instructions, a calculation means for calculating the price of the product to be purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased product received by the terminal; an acquiring means for acquiring an attribute indicating the type of payment method set for the purchaser; a generating means for generating information for identifying a customer making a payment at the payment machine in response to receiving the payment instruction at the terminal if the attribute acquired by the acquiring means does not represent a payment method that does not use a payment machine; and a notification means for notifying the terminal that has received the payment instruction of information for identifying the customer making the transaction at the payment machine; A control program that functions as a

Images