Information processing terminal device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing terminal device and a program, capable of quickly performing accounting processing even when a specific commodity requiring age conformation is purchased, in an information processing terminal device operated by a customer moving in a shop.SOLUTION: An information processing terminal device of an embodiment, which is operated by a customer moving in a shop, includes an input unit that receives commodity identification information for identifying a commodity, a registration unit that registers commodities on the basis of the commodity identification information input to the input unit, a first reception unit that receives clerk identification information for identifying a clerk of the shop selling the commodity, and an output unit that, when the commodities registered by the registration unit include a specific commodity requiring age confirmation, outputs information indicating that the first reception unit receives the clerk identification information, and accounting information for paying the price of the commodity registered by the registration unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, shopping carts equipped with tablet terminals and scanners have come into use in stores such as supermarkets (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Customers shopping at a store register products by using a scanner to read code symbols such as barcodes attached to products they purchase at the store's sales floor. Product information (product name, price, etc.) for registered products is stored on the tablet terminal and transferred to an accounting device that processes the transaction when the customer pays. Customers make payments using an accounting device operated by a store clerk or by the customer themselves.

[0003] In addition, a system has been adopted that allows customers to shop using their own mobile devices, such as smartphones, instead of the tablet devices and scanners provided by the store. In this system, an application program prepared for shopping is installed on the customer's smartphone, and the smartphone's camera function is used to read the code symbols attached to the products.

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional technology has the advantage that it eliminates the need for product registration on an accounting device operated by a store clerk or the customer themselves, such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, eliminating the need for customers to wait for their transactions to be processed, or what is known as waiting at the register.

[0005] Incidentally, among the products sold by stores, there are some products, such as alcoholic beverages, that require the store to verify the age of the customer (hereinafter referred to as "specific products"). In the above-mentioned conventional technology, when a customer purchases a specific product, the customer has to have a store clerk verify the customer's age and register the specific product at the checkout device during the checkout process. This is true whether the checkout device is operated by a store clerk or by the customer themselves. For this reason, when a customer purchases a specific product, the checkout process takes time, which reduces the effectiveness of eliminating waiting times at the register. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an information processing terminal device and a program that enable quick accounting processing even when purchasing specific products that require age verification, using an information processing terminal device operated by customers moving around a store. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing terminal device of the embodiment is an information processing terminal device operated by a customer moving around a store, and is equipped with an input unit into which product identification information that identifies a product is input, a registration unit that registers the product based on the product identification information input to the input unit, a first reception unit that receives clerk identification information that identifies the clerk as a clerk of the store selling the product, and an output unit that, if the products registered by the registration unit include specific products that require age verification, outputs information indicating that the first reception unit has received the clerk identification information and accounting information for paying for the products registered by the registration unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a transaction system including an information processing terminal device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a shopping cart to which the information processing terminal device of the first embodiment is attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing terminal device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the product master stored in the memory unit of the information processing terminal device of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the store clerk master stored in the memory unit of the information processing terminal device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of the member master stored in the memory unit of the information processing terminal device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of an age verification management file stored in the memory unit of the information processing terminal device of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit in the information processing terminal device of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the control unit of the information processing terminal device of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the control unit of the information processing terminal device of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the control unit of the information processing terminal device of the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the control unit of the information processing terminal device of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An information processing terminal device and a program according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, in the embodiments described below, an example will be described in which the information processing terminal device is applied to a tablet terminal provided by a store. However, the information processing terminal device may also be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a customer. Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, the information processing terminal device outputs accounting information for payment of registered products to an accounting device operated by the customer, but it may also output accounting information to an accounting device operated by a store clerk.

[0010] (First embodiment) The information processing terminal device and program of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a checkout system including an information processing terminal device. The checkout system 1 of this embodiment is applied to a store that sells specific products, such as a supermarket that sells alcoholic beverages and tobacco. The checkout system 1 includes multiple checkout devices 2, a store server 3, and multiple shopping carts 10 to which tablet terminals 20 are attached. The checkout devices 2 and the store server 3 are connected to each other via a network such as a local area network (LAN) so that they can communicate with each other. Furthermore, each tablet terminal 20 is connected to the checkout device 2 and the store server 3 so that they can communicate with each other via a wireless LAN or the like.

[0011] The checkout device 2 is a so-called self-service checkout device where, for example, customer C performs the checkout operation himself. Based on the product information received from the tablet terminal 20, the checkout device 2 performs checkout processing related to payment by cash payment or cashless payment such as credit card payment. The checkout processing is a process for paying for the products purchased by customer C. Note that the checkout device 2 may also be a POS terminal operated by a store clerk.

[0012] The store server 3 receives payment information related to payment methods and product information for products paid for in the transaction from each checkout device 2. The store server 3 also receives sales information indicating the sales amount for a predetermined period (for example, one day) from each checkout device 2. The store server 3 centrally manages the product information, payment information, sales information, etc. received from each checkout device 2, and performs sales management for a single store. The store server 3 also stores a product master that associates product codes with product information (product names, prices, etc.) for products sold in the store, and transmits this to the tablet terminal 20 as appropriate.

[0013] The shopping cart 10 is placed in the sales area of the store and is used to transport products purchased by a customer C. The customer C places the products they wish to purchase in the shopping cart 10 while pushing the shopping cart 10 around the sales area.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a shopping cart 10 to which a tablet terminal 20 is attached. The shopping cart 10 is equipped with a handle 11, a basket mounting section 12, and casters 13, and the tablet terminal 20 is attached. The handle 11 is for a customer C to grasp and move the shopping cart 10. The basket mounting section 12 has two levels, an upper level and an lower level, and each level can accommodate a basket K for storing items to be purchased by the customer C. The basket K may be provided integrally with the shopping cart 10. The casters 13 are provided at each of the four corners of the bottom of the shopping cart 10. These casters 13 can rotate independently, allowing the shopping cart 10 to move freely within the store. The shopping cart 10 is a mobile object equipped with a tablet terminal 20.

[0015] The tablet terminal 20 includes a display 21, a touch panel 22, a scanner 23, and a card reader 24. The tablet terminal 20 is an example of an information processing terminal device. The scanner 23 and card reader 24 may not be part of the tablet terminal 20, but may be external devices connected to the tablet terminal 20. The display 21 is configured, for example, with an LCD panel and functions as a display unit that displays various information. The display 21 displays, for example, product information about registered products and controls for operation by the user, customer C. The touch panel 22 is provided on the surface of the display 21 and inputs information corresponding to the touched position into the control unit 200 of the tablet terminal 20 (see FIG. 3), functioning as an operation input unit that inputs user operations. The touch panel 22 inputs, for example, accounting instructions to the control unit 200, instructing the control unit 200 to send accounting information to the accounting device 2. The transaction information is information necessary for transaction processing to pay for the products purchased by customer C.

[0016] The scanner 23 is detachably attached to the shopping cart 10. The scanner 23 reads a product code that identifies the product from a code symbol attached to the product. Specifically, the scanner 23 optically or by capturing an image of a code symbol, such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, attached to the product purchased by the customer C. The scanner 23 then decodes the recognized code symbol and reads the product code indicated by the code symbol. In the following description, it is assumed that the code symbol attached to the product is a barcode. The scanner 23 also transmits the read product code to the control unit 200 of the tablet terminal 20. The code symbol recognized by the scanner 23 may be decoded by the control unit 200 of the tablet terminal 20. The scanner 23 may also be an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reading device that reads a product code from a wireless tag attached to the product.

[0017] Card reader 24 reads a membership code from a medium such as a membership card or point card of customer C. The membership code is an example of member identification information that identifies a store member. Card reader 24 may be a magnetic card reader that reads member information from a magnetic card, or an IC card reader that reads information from a card with a built-in IC chip.

[0018] The shopping cart 10 may be provided with a payment terminal (not shown) for cashless payment such as credit card payment. In this case, the payment terminal constitutes an accounting device and is connected via a network to a payment server of the company that performs the payment. The tablet terminal 20 may also be provided with an accounting processing unit that communicates with the payment server to perform cashless payment. In this case, the card reader 24 may be configured to read card information from a credit card or electronic money information from an electronic money card.

[0019] 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tablet terminal 20. The tablet terminal 20 includes a control unit 200, a memory unit 210, a display 21, a touch panel 22, a scanner 23, a card reader 24, and a communication unit 220. The control unit 200, the memory unit 210, the display 21, the touch panel 22, the scanner 23, the card reader 24, and the communication unit 220 are connected to one another via a bus 230 or the like.

[0020] The control unit 200 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 230.

[0021] The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the tablet terminal 20. The ROM 202 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 201, and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and loads various programs and data stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 210. The control unit 200 executes various control processes for the tablet terminal 20 by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 210 and loaded in the RAM 203.

[0022] The memory unit 210 is configured with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory, and retains its stored contents even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 210 stores a control program 211, a product master 212, a store clerk master 213, a member master 214, and an age verification management file 215.

[0023] The control program 211 is a program for causing the tablet terminal 20 to function as a product registration device in the checkout system 1, and the like.

[0024] The product master 212 is a master file that stores information about products handled by the store. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the product master 212. Each piece of data registered in the product master 212 corresponds to a product code, product name, price, and specific product flag. Note that, because the products handled by the store change daily, the product master 212 is updated as appropriate by the store server 3 connected via the communication unit 220.

[0025] The product code is a code for identifying a product, and is an example of product identification information. The product name is information indicating the name of the product. The price is information indicating the unit price of the product. The specific product flag is information indicating whether the product is a specific product, that is, whether it is a product that requires age verification by the store (hereinafter simply referred to as "age verification") when customer C purchases the product. A product with a "1" registered in the specific product flag record is a specific product, and a product with a "0" registered is not a specific product. Examples of specific products include alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

[0026] The sales clerk master 213 is a master file that stores information about sales clerks. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the sales clerk master 213. Each piece of data registered in the product master 212 is associated with a sales clerk code and a name.

[0027] The clerk code is a code that identifies a clerk. In other words, the clerk code is information that identifies the clerk as a clerk at the store that sells the product, and is an example of clerk identification information. The name is information that indicates the name of the clerk. In this embodiment, the clerk master 213 is stored in the memory unit 210 and the clerk code is used as the clerk identification information, but the clerk identification information does not have to be information that identifies an individual clerk. For example, a file that associates store codes with names may be stored in the memory unit 210, and the store code may be used as the clerk identification information.

[0028] Member master 214 is a master file that stores information about store members. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of member master 214. Each piece of data registered in member master 214 corresponds to a member code, name, and member information.

[0029] The member code is a code that identifies a member and is an example of member identification information that identifies a store member. The name is information that indicates the member's name. The member information is information about the member, such as the member's gender, age, and contact information (telephone number, email address, etc.). In addition, past purchase history, current number of points, etc. may also be registered as member information.

[0030] The age verification management file 215 is a file that manages information indicating whether a member is permitted to purchase a specific product. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of the age verification management file 215. Each piece of data registered in the age verification management file 215 is associated with a member code and an age verification flag. The information registered in the age verification management file 215 is age verification information that associates member identification information with information indicating that store clerk identification information has been received. It is also possible to register age verification information in the member master 214 by providing an age verification flag field.

[0031] The membership code is a code that identifies a store member. The age verification flag is information indicating whether a store clerk has verified the member's age to enable the purchase of a specific product. A member with a "1" registered in the age verification flag record indicates that the member's age has been verified by a store clerk, while a member with a "0" registered indicates that the member's age has not been verified. In this embodiment, a "1" is registered in the age verification flag record when a store clerk verifies the member's age when purchasing a specific product. However, if the member's age can be verified at the time of member registration, for example, if the verified member's age is 20 years or older, a "1" may be registered in the age verification flag record at the time of member registration.

[0032] The product master 212, the store clerk master 213, the member master 214, and the age verification management file 215 may be stored in the memory unit of the store server 3 instead of the memory unit 210.

[0033] Returning to Figure 3, the following explanation will be given. The configurations and functions of the display 21, touch panel 22, scanner 23, and card reader 24 are as described above. The communication unit 220 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the checkout apparatus 2 and store server 3. By connecting to external devices via the communication unit 220, the control unit 200 can send and receive information (data) to and from the external devices.

[0034] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 200 of the tablet terminal 20 will be described. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 200 of the tablet terminal 20. The control unit 200 functions as an input unit 2001, a registration unit 2002, a determination unit 2003, a first reception unit 2004, an output unit 2005, a second reception unit 2006, a storage unit 2007, and a notification unit 2008, as a result of the CPU 201 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the memory unit 210. Note that each of these functions may be configured using hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0035] Product identification information for identifying a product is input to the input unit 2001. Specifically, a product code read by the scanner 23 from a barcode attached to the product is input to the input unit 2001. Also, various information is input to the input unit 1001 from the touch panel 22.

[0036] The registration unit 2002 performs product registration based on the product identification information input to the input unit 2001. Specifically, the registration unit 2002 acquires product information (product name, price, etc.) corresponding to the product code input to the input unit 2001 from the product master 212 and stores it in the RAM 103. Product registration refers to storing product information of the product identified by the product code input to the input unit 2001.

[0037] The determination unit 2003 determines whether or not the product identified by the product code input into the input unit 2001 is a specific product. Specifically, when a product code is input into the input unit 2001, the determination unit 2003 refers to the product master 212 and determines whether or not "1" is registered in the record of the specific product flag corresponding to the input product code. If "1" is registered in the record of the specific product flag, the determination unit 2003 determines that the product identified by the product code input into the input unit 2001 is a specific product. On the other hand, if "0" is registered in the record of the specific product flag, the determination unit 2003 determines that the product identified by the product code input into the input unit 2001 is not a specific product.

[0038] The first reception unit 2004 receives clerk identification information that identifies the clerk as a clerk of the store selling the product. Specifically, the first reception unit 2004 receives a clerk code read by the scanner 23 from a barcode printed on the clerk's nameplate. The first reception unit 2004 may also receive a clerk code input to the touch panel 22.

[0039] The output unit 2005 outputs to the checkout device 2 transaction information required for payment of the prices of the products registered by the registration unit 2002. Furthermore, if the products registered by the registration unit 2002 include specific products that require age verification, the output unit 2005 outputs to the checkout device 2 information indicating that the first reception unit 2004 has received store clerk identification information (hereinafter also referred to as "confirmed information") and transaction information required for payment of the prices of the products registered by the registration unit 2002. Specifically, if the products registered by the registration unit 2002 include specific products that require age verification, the output unit 2005 generates and outputs confirmed information if the first reception unit 2004 has received a store clerk code. The transaction information is information required for transaction processing to pay for the prices of the products purchased by customer C, and includes, for example, the product code, product name, and price of the products registered by the registration unit 2002. In this embodiment, the output unit 2005 does not newly generate confirmed information, but outputs the clerk code accepted by the first accepting unit 2004. In other words, the output unit 2005 also uses the clerk code accepted by the first accepting unit 2004 as confirmed information.

[0040] When the checkout device 2 receives information from the output unit 2005, if the received transaction information includes a specific product and also receives confirmation information, it can recognize that age verification has been performed for that specific product and proceed with the transaction. On the other hand, if the received transaction information includes a specific product but does not receive confirmation information, it can not immediately proceed with the transaction, but can instead issue a notification to customer C urging them to confirm their age.

[0041] As described above, if the tablet terminal 20 is provided with an accounting processing unit for communicating with the payment server and performing cashless payment, the output unit 2005 outputs the confirmed information and payment information to the accounting processing unit.

[0042] The second reception unit 2006 receives member identification information that identifies a store member. Specifically, the second reception unit 2006 receives a member code read from a member card by the card reader 24. The second reception unit 2006 may also receive the member code from the touch panel 22 into which the member code has been input.

[0043] When the first reception unit 2004 receives a clerk code, the storage unit 2007 stores the clerk code in the RAM 203. Specifically, when the first reception unit 2004 receives a clerk code while the second reception unit 2006 cannot receive a membership code, the storage unit 2007 stores the clerk code in the RAM 203.

[0044] Furthermore, the storage unit 2007 stores in the memory unit 210 age verification information that associates the member identification information received by the second reception unit 2006 with information indicating that the first reception unit 2004 has received the store clerk identification information. Specifically, after the second reception unit 2006 obtains a member code from the card reader 24, when the first reception unit 2004 receives the store clerk code, the storage unit 2007 references the age verification management file 215. If the record of the age verification flag corresponding to the member code obtained by the second reception unit 2006 is "0," the storage unit 2007 registers "1" in the record of the age verification flag and updates the age verification management file 215. If the record of the age verification flag corresponding to the member code obtained by the second reception unit 2006 is "1," the storage unit 2007 does not update the age verification management file 215.

[0045] The notification unit 2008 issues a notification prompting the user to input store clerk identification information when the product identified by the product identification information input to the input unit 2001 is a specific product. Specifically, when the product identified by the product code input to the input unit 2001 is a specific product and the second reception unit 2006 has not received a membership code, the notification unit 2008 issues a notification prompting the user to input the store clerk code if the store clerk code is not stored in the RAM 203. Furthermore, when the product identified by the product code input to the input unit 2001 is a specific product and the second reception unit 2006 has received a membership code, the notification unit 2008 issues a notification prompting the user to input store clerk identification information by referring to the age verification management file 215. More specifically, the storage unit 2007 issues a notification prompting the user to input the store clerk code when "0" is registered in the record of the age verification flag corresponding to the membership code acquired by the second reception unit 2006, but does not issue the notification when "1" is registered in the record. The notification by the notification unit 2008 is made by displaying a message such as "Please have a store clerk verify your age" on the display 21. The notification unit 2008 may also make a notification urging the user to enter the store clerk code by outputting a sound.

[0046] The following is an outline of the operation of the checkout system 1 configured as described above. First, customer C pushes the shopping cart 10 around the sales floor, reads the product code indicated by the barcode attached to the product he or she wishes to purchase with scanner 23, and places the product in basket K. Customer C performs the same operation for all the products he or she wishes to purchase.

[0047] When a product code is read, the product information is stored in the tablet terminal 20 and the product is registered. If the product identified by the product code read by the scanner 23 is a specific product such as alcoholic beverages and age verification information from a store clerk is required, the tablet terminal 20 issues a notification prompting the customer to enter a store clerk code. Customer C calls out to a store clerk in the store to request age verification. After confirming customer C's age, the store clerk enters the store clerk code into the tablet terminal 20 if they determine that customer C has no problem purchasing the specific product. At this time, the tablet terminal 20 may be configured to allow the user to separately enter information indicating that the store clerk has verified the customer's age in addition to entering the store clerk code. The tablet terminal 20 stores the entered store clerk code or information indicating that the store clerk code has been entered.

[0048] If the product identified by the product code read by scanner 23 is a specific product such as alcoholic beverages and age verification by a store clerk is required, tablet terminal 20 may transmit information to store server 3 indicating that there is a customer C whose age needs to be verified. Upon receiving the information, store server 3 can display the information on a display (not shown) in the sales floor, or transmit the information to a mobile terminal device (not shown) carried by a store clerk. This allows the store clerk to recognize that there is a customer C whose age needs to be verified, and can head to the display shelf for the specific product, eliminating the need for customer C to find and call out to the store clerk.

[0049] Customer C moves to the location of the checkout device 2 with the shopping cart 10 to pay for the purchased items. When customer C inputs payment instructions into the tablet terminal 20, the payment information is sent from the tablet terminal 20 to the checkout device 2, and customer C can pay for the items at the checkout device 2. If the payment information received by the checkout device 2 contains product information for a specific item but the checkout device 2 does not receive a store clerk code, the checkout device 2 determines that age verification for the specific item has not been completed and displays an error message indicating that the checkout process cannot be carried out. The checkout device 2 also displays a message prompting a store clerk to verify the customer's age. In this way, customer C can shop using the checkout system 1.

[0050] Next, a description will be given of the processing performed by the control unit 200 of the tablet terminal 20. FIG.

[0051] First, the control unit 200 determines whether or not a product code has been input to the input unit 2001 (S1), and if not (N in S1), returns to the process of S1 and waits. In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the scanner 23 has read the product code from the barcode attached to the product.

[0052] When a product code is input to the input unit 2001 (Y in S1), the determination unit 2003 determines whether the product identified by the input product code is a specific product (S2). Specifically, the determination unit 2003 refers to the product master 212 and determines whether "1" is stored in the record of the specific product flag corresponding to the input product code.

[0053] If the record of the specific product flag corresponding to the input product code has "1" stored and the product identified by the product code is a specific product (Y in S2), the control unit 200 determines whether a store clerk code is stored in the RAM 203 (S3). In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether age verification has already been performed by a store clerk in this transaction.

[0054] If the clerk code is not stored in the RAM 203 (Y in S3), the notification unit 2008 displays a message on the display 21 requesting the user to enter the clerk code (S4). For example, the notification unit 2008 displays a message saying, "Please have a clerk verify your age." Next, the control unit 200 determines whether the first reception unit 2004 has received the clerk code (S5). In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether a clerk has verified the user's age in response to the message displayed in S5.

[0055] When the clerk code is accepted (Y in S5), the storage unit 2007 stores the accepted clerk code in the RAM 203 (S6). Next, the registration unit 2002 performs product registration for the product identified by the product code entered in the process of S1 (S7).

[0056] If the product identified by the product code input to the input unit 2001 is not a specific product (N in S2), the control unit 200 skips the processes of S3 to S6 and proceeds to S7. If a store clerk code is stored in the RAM 203 (N in S3), the control unit 200 skips the processes of S4 to S6 and proceeds to S7. Furthermore, if the first reception unit 2004 does not accept a store clerk code (N in S5), the control unit 200 skips the process of S6 and proceeds to S7.

[0057] Following product registration in S7, the control unit 200 determines whether a checkout instruction has been entered (S8). If not (N in S8), the process returns to S1. If a checkout instruction has been entered (Y in S8), the output unit 2005 outputs the transaction information and clerk code to the checkout device 2 (S9). The clerk code output by the output unit 2005 is an example of information indicating that the first reception unit 2004 has received the clerk code. If no clerk code is stored in RAM 203, the output unit 2005 does not output the clerk code. Next, if a clerk code is stored in RAM 203, the storage unit 2007 erases the clerk code (S10). This ensures that no information indicating age verification will remain when another customer C uses the shopping cart 10. The control unit 200 then terminates the process.

[0058] According to the first embodiment, when a specific product is purchased, the clerk can verify the customer's age before the transaction is processed by the transaction device 2, thereby speeding up the transaction process. This prevents customer C from having to wait long at the register. In the unlikely event that age verification cannot be performed at the sales floor because the clerk is not available, customer C can verify his or her age at the transaction device 2. Furthermore, age verification by the clerk only needs to be performed once per transaction, and does not need to be performed each time a specific product is registered, so it does not bother customer C or the clerk.

[0059] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that if it is determined that customer C's age has been verified in a previous transaction, the age verification is not required. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the control unit 200 of the second embodiment.

[0060] The control unit 200 determines whether or not a product code has been input to the input unit 2001 (S21), and if not (N in S21), returns to the process of S21 and waits. In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the scanner 23 has read the product code from the barcode attached to the product.

[0061] When a product code is input to the input unit 2001 (Y in S21), the determination unit 2003 determines whether the product identified by the input product code is a specific product (S22). Specifically, the determination unit 2003 refers to the product master 212 and determines whether "1" is stored in the record of the specific product flag corresponding to the input product code.

[0062] If "1" is stored in the record of the specific product flag corresponding to the input product code and the product identified by that product code is a specific product (Y in S22), the control unit 200 determines whether the second accepting unit 2006 has accepted the membership code (S23). In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether the card reader 24 has read the membership code.

[0063] When the second reception unit 2006 receives a membership code (Y in S23), the control unit 200 refers to the age verification management file 215 and determines whether "0" is registered in the record of the age verification flag corresponding to the membership code (S24). In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether age verification has been performed on the member identified by the membership code received by the second reception unit 2006 in this or any previous transaction.

[0064] If "0" is registered in the age verification flag (Y in S24), the notification unit 2008 displays a message on the display 21 requesting the entry of a store clerk code (S25). The message displayed by the notification unit 2008 is the same as in the first embodiment. Next, the control unit 200 determines whether the first reception unit 2004 has received the store clerk code (S26). In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether the store clerk has confirmed the user's age in response to the message displayed in S25.

[0065] When the clerk code is accepted (Y in S26), the storage unit 2007 registers "1" in the age verification flag (S27). Specifically, the storage unit 2007 rewrites the record of the age verification flag corresponding to the membership code acquired by the second accepting unit 2006 in S23 from "0" to "1" in the age verification management file 215. Next, the registration unit 2002 performs product registration for the product identified by the product code entered in the process of S21 (S28).

[0066] If the product identified by the product code input to the input unit 2001 is not a specific product (N in S22), the control unit 200 skips the processes of S23 to S27 and proceeds to S28. Also, if "0" is not registered in the age verification flag corresponding to the membership code input to the input unit 2001 in the age verification management file 215, that is, if "1" has already been registered (N in S24), the control unit 200 skips the processes of S25 to S27 and proceeds to S28. Furthermore, if the first reception unit 2004 does not accept the clerk code (N in S26), the control unit 200 skips the process of S27 and proceeds to S28.

[0067] Furthermore, if the second reception unit 2006 does not accept the membership code in the process of S23 (N in S23), the control unit 200 determines whether a store clerk code is stored in the RAM 203 (S29). In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether age verification has already been performed by a store clerk in this transaction.

[0068] If the clerk code is not stored in the RAM 203 (Y in S29), the notification unit 2008 displays a message requesting entry of the clerk code on the display 21, similar to the process of S25 (S30). Next, the control unit 200 determines whether the first reception unit 2004 has received the clerk code (S31). In other words, the control unit 200 determines whether the clerk has confirmed the customer's age in response to the message displayed in S30.

[0069] If the clerk code is accepted (Y in S31), the storage unit 2007 stores the accepted clerk code in the RAM 203 (S32). Next, the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of S28. If the clerk code is stored in the RAM 203 (N in S29), the control unit 200 skips the processes of S30 to S32 and proceeds to S28. If the first accepting unit 2004 does not accept the clerk code (N in S31), the control unit 200 skips the process of S32 and proceeds to S28.

[0070] Following product registration in S28, the control unit 200 determines whether a checkout instruction has been entered (S33). If not (N in S33), the process returns to S21. If a checkout instruction has been entered (Y in S33), the output unit 2005 outputs the transaction information and clerk code to the checkout device 2 (S34). Similar to the first embodiment, the clerk code output by the output unit 2005 is an example of information indicating that the first reception unit 2004 has received the clerk code, and the output unit 2005 does not output the clerk code if the clerk code is not stored in RAM 203. Next, if a clerk code is stored in RAM 203, the storage unit 2007 erases the clerk code (S35). This ensures that information indicating age verification will not remain when another customer C uses the shopping cart 10. The control unit 2000 then terminates processing.

[0071] The second embodiment provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the second embodiment eliminates the need for age verification if it is confirmed that age verification has been performed by a store clerk in a previous transaction with customer C. This reduces the hassle for customer C and the work of store clerks.

[0072] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that product registration is possible for specific products on the condition that age verification has been performed. Note that many of the processes performed by the control unit 200 in the third embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are used for the similar processes, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processes performed by the control unit 200 in the third embodiment.

[0073] If the first reception unit 2004 does not accept the clerk code in the process of S5 (N in S5), the notification unit 2008 displays an error message on the display 21 (S11). That is, if the product identified by the product code input to the input unit 2001 is a specific product and age verification has not been performed in the current transaction, the notification unit 2008 displays an error message on the display 21. At this time, the control unit 200 does not emit a confirmation sound that is emitted when product registration has been performed. Furthermore, the error message displayed on the display 21 indicates that the product has not been registered, such as "Product registration is not possible because age verification has not been performed." The control unit 200 then proceeds to the process of S8.

[0074] Furthermore, when a transaction instruction is input in the processing of S8 (Y in S8), the output unit 2005 outputs the transaction information to the transaction device 2 (S12). In this embodiment, a specific product will not be registered without age verification, so there is no need to output information indicating that the first reception unit 2004 has received the clerk code, i.e., information indicating that age verification has been performed. This is because the transaction device 2, which receives information from the output unit 2005, does not need to determine whether age verification has been performed for the specific product.

[0075] The third embodiment provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the third embodiment allows product registration of a specific product to be performed on the condition that age verification has been completed, so that a store can reliably verify the age when selling a specific product.

[0076] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that product registration is possible for specific products on the condition that age verification by a store clerk is performed. Note that many of the processes performed by the control unit 200 in the fourth embodiment are similar to those in the second embodiment, and therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the similar processes and redundant explanations will be omitted. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processes performed by the control unit 200 in the fourth embodiment.

[0077] If the first reception unit 2004 does not accept the clerk code in the processing of S26 (N in S26), the notification unit 2008 displays an error message on the display 21 (S41). That is, if it is determined that the product identified by the product code input to the input unit 2001 is a specific product and that customer C is a member but age verification has not been performed in the current or past transactions, the notification unit 2008 displays an error message on the display 21. The error message is the same as the error message in the third embodiment, and indicates that the product has not been registered.

[0078] If the first reception unit 2004 does not accept the clerk code in the process of S31 (N in S31), the control unit 200 proceeds to the process of S41. That is, if it is determined that the product identified by the product code input to the input unit 2001 is a specific product, and that customer C is not a member and age verification has not been performed for this transaction, the notification unit 2008 displays an error on the display 21.

[0079] Furthermore, when a transaction instruction is input in the processing of S33 (Y in S33), the output unit 2005 outputs the transaction information to the transaction device 2 (S12). As in the third embodiment, the first reception unit 2004 does not output information indicating that the clerk code has been received, i.e., information indicating that age verification has been performed.

[0080] The fourth embodiment provides the same effects as the second embodiment. Furthermore, the fourth embodiment allows product registration of a specific product to be performed on the condition that age verification has been completed, so that a store can reliably verify the age when selling a specific product.

[0081] As described above, the tablet terminal 20 of the above embodiment is an information processing terminal device operated by customer C moving around the store, and is equipped with an input unit 2001 into which product identification information that identifies a product is input, a registration unit 2002 that registers the product based on the product identification information input into the input unit 2001, a first reception unit 2004 that receives clerk identification information that identifies the person as a clerk of the store selling the product, and an output unit 2005 that, if the products registered by the registration unit 2002 include specific products that require age verification, outputs information indicating that the first reception unit 2004 has received the clerk identification information, as well as accounting information for paying for the products registered by the registration unit 2002.

[0082] This allows the age of a customer C who is purchasing a specific product to be verified using the tablet terminal 20 operated by the customer C as he moves around the store. This allows age verification to be performed before the transaction is processed by the transaction device 2, etc., thereby speeding up the transaction process.

[0083] In addition, the tablet terminal 20 of the above embodiment is an information processing terminal device operated by customer C moving around the store, and is equipped with an input unit 2001 into which product identification information identifying a product is input, a registration unit 2002 which registers the product based on the product identification information input into the input unit 2001, a first reception unit 2004 which receives clerk identification information identifying the customer as a clerk of the store selling the product, and an output unit 2005 which outputs accounting information for payment of the price of the product registered by the registration unit 2002, and if the product identified by the product identification information input into the input unit 2001 is a specific product that requires age verification, the registration unit 2002 registers the product on the condition that the first reception unit 2004 has received the clerk identification information.

[0084] This allows the age of a customer C who is purchasing a specific product to be verified using the tablet terminal 20 operated by the customer C as he moves around the store. This allows age verification to be performed before the transaction is processed by the transaction device 2, etc., and therefore the transaction can be processed quickly. Furthermore, the tablet terminal 20 registers the specific product only after age verification has been completed, so the store can reliably verify the age when selling the specific product.

[0085] Furthermore, the tablet terminal 20 of the above embodiment further includes a second reception unit 2006 that receives member identification information that identifies store members, and a storage unit 2007 that stores in the memory unit 210 age verification information that associates the member identification information received by the second reception unit 2006 with information indicating that the first reception unit 2004 has received the store clerk identification information.

[0086] This allows the tablet terminal 20 to eliminate the need for age verification if age verification has been performed on the customer C in a previous transaction, thereby reducing the effort required for the customer C and the work required by the store clerk.

[0087] In addition, the tablet terminal 20 of the above embodiment further includes a notification unit 2008 that issues a notification to prompt the user to input store clerk identification information when the product identified by the product identification information input to the input unit 2001 is a specific product.

[0088] This allows the tablet terminal 20 to prompt the customer C who is purchasing a specific product to verify his / her age, thereby enabling the store to reliably verify the customer's age when selling the specific product.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the control program executed on the tablet terminal 20 (including the portable terminal owned by the customer C when the information processing terminal is the portable terminal) may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the control program executed on the tablet terminal 20 in the above embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0090] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, if the information processing terminal device is a smartphone on which a program for reading product codes and store clerk codes is installed, the product codes and store clerk codes can be read from barcodes, etc., using the smartphone's camera function. Furthermore, this embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 20 Tablet terminal (information processing terminal device) 210 Memory section 2001 Input section 2002 Registration Department 2004 First Reception 2005 Output section 2007 Memory section 2008 Information Department [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0092] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-177589

Claims

1. An information processing terminal device operated by a customer moving around a store, an input unit into which product identification information for identifying a product is input; a registration unit that registers products based on the product identification information input to the input unit; a first reception unit that receives store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk as a store clerk who sells the product; an output unit that outputs information indicating that the first reception unit has received the store clerk identification information and accounting information for making payment for the products registered by the registration unit, if the products registered by the registration unit include specific products that require age verification; An information processing terminal device comprising:

2. An information processing terminal device operated by a customer moving around a store, an input unit into which product identification information for identifying a product is input; a registration unit that registers products based on the product identification information input to the input unit; a first reception unit that receives store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk as a store clerk who sells the product; an output unit that outputs transaction information for making payment for the products registered by the registration unit; the registration unit performs product registration on the condition that the first reception unit has received the store clerk identification information, when the product identified by the product identification information input to the input unit is a specific product requiring age verification. Information processing terminal device.

3. a second reception unit that receives member identification information that identifies a member of the store; a storage unit that stores age verification information in a memory unit, the age verification information being associated with the member identification information received by the second reception unit and information indicating that the first reception unit has received the store clerk identification information; 3. The information processing terminal device according to claim 1.

4. The store clerk may further include a notification unit that, when the product identified by the product identification information input to the input unit is the specific product, issues a notification prompting the store clerk to input the store clerk identification information.

4. The information processing terminal device according to claim 1.

5. A program for controlling, by a computer, an information processing terminal device operated by a customer moving around a store, The computer an input unit into which product identification information for identifying a product is input; a registration unit that registers products based on the product identification information input to the input unit; a first reception unit that receives store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk as a store clerk who sells the product; an output unit that outputs information indicating that the first reception unit has received the store clerk identification information and accounting information for making payment for the products registered by the registration unit, if the products registered by the registration unit include specific products that require age verification; A program to make it function as such.

6. A program for controlling, by a computer, an information processing terminal device operated by a customer moving around a store, The computer an input unit into which product identification information for identifying a product is input; a registration unit that registers products based on the product identification information input to the input unit; a first reception unit that receives store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk as a store clerk who sells the product; an output unit that outputs transaction information for making payment for the products registered by the registration unit; the registration unit performs product registration on the condition that the first reception unit has received the store clerk identification information when the product identified by the product identification information input to the input unit is a specific product requiring age verification; A program that makes it work.

Images