Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and a program which can support the delivery of a product(s) purchased in a store.SOLUTION: In a shopping support system, regarding a server device 40 as an information processing device, a delivery request unit 454 receives user identification information on a specified user using a shop and transaction identification information on a transaction(s) in which the specified user purchased a product(s) from the shop, reads a user identifier of the received specified user and a user identifier of the other user belonging to the same group, and transmits request information for requesting the delivery of the products(s) purchased by the specified user to portable terminals 10(12) corresponding to the read user identifier of the other user. Then, when the delivery request unit receives a response that accepts the request from the portable terminals 10(12), it transmits receiving information related to the reception of the product(s) including the transaction identification information to the portable terminals 10(12).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a user who visits a retail store (shop) such as a supermarket purchases products at the store and carries the purchased products home by himself or herself.

[0003] On the other hand, with the aging population and depopulation of rural areas, some customers are able to go to stores but are unable to transport the purchased items home, causing them to give up on shopping in stores.

[0004] In the past, a technology has been proposed that allows a retail store user who enters a store to deliver products purchased by a mail order user. However, the mail order user who delivers the products is a regular customer unrelated to the retail store user, and there is room for improvement in terms of convenience and safety. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a program that can support the delivery of products purchased in a store. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of the embodiment comprises a first receiving means that receives from the store user identification information of a specific user who uses the store and transaction identification information of a transaction in which the specific user purchased a product; a reading means that reads out the user identifiers of other users belonging to the same group as the user identifier of the specific user received by the first receiving means from a memory unit that associates and stores user identifiers of multiple users belonging to the same group; a first sending means that sends request information requesting delivery of the product purchased by the specific user to a terminal device corresponding to the user identifier of the other user read by the reading means; and a second sending means that, upon receiving a response from the terminal device accepting the request, sends receipt information related to receipt of the product, including at least the transaction identification information, to the terminal device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shopping support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a service counter terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the member master according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a group management table according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery management table according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the mobile terminal, the POS terminal, the service counter terminal, and the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a request screen displayed on the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a receiving screen displayed on the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a shopping support process executed by the mobile terminal, the POS terminal, the service counter terminal, and the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a retransmission process executed by the server device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an information processing device and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, an example will be described in which the information processing device and a program are applied to a shopping support system that supports shopping for users who visit a store such as a supermarket. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0009] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a shopping support system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the shopping support system 1 includes a mobile terminal 10, a POS terminal 20, a service counter terminal 30, and a server device 40.

[0010] The mobile terminal 10 is an example of a terminal device. The mobile terminal 10 is a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal carried by a customer who visits a store. The mobile terminal 10 is capable of communicating with other mobile terminals 10 and the server device 40 via a network Na such as the Internet or a public line.

[0011] The POS terminal 20 is an example of a product sales data processing device installed in a store. As product sales data processing, the POS terminal 20 executes a registration process for registering products purchased by a user and a payment process for the registered products in one transaction. The POS terminal 20 is capable of communicating with a server device 40 connected to a network Na via an in-store network Nb.

[0012] The POS terminal 20 may be configured as a store clerk who performs operations related to product registration and payment, or as a self-service type in which the user performs operations related to product registration and payment. The POS terminal 20 may also be configured as a semi-self-service type in which the store clerk performs operations related to product registration and the user performs operations related to payment.

[0013] The service counter terminal 30 is an example of a terminal device installed at a service counter or the like in a store. In this embodiment, the service counter terminal 30 is used when receiving a product that has been delivered. The service counter terminal 30 is capable of communicating with a server device 40 connected to a network Na via an in-store network Nb.

[0014] The service counter terminal 30 may also have a function for registering merchandise or a function for settling transactions related to registered merchandise. In other words, the service counter terminal 30 may be a device having the same functions as the POS terminal 20.

[0015] The server device 40 is an example of an information processing device. The server device 40 provides services to support shopping for customers who use the store. Note that, although FIG. 1 shows a single server device 40, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a cloud consisting of multiple server devices 40.

[0016] Next, the configuration of each device in the above-mentioned shopping support system 1 will be described.

[0017] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103.

[0018] The CPU 101 is an example of a processor and performs overall control of the operation of the mobile terminal 10. The ROM 102 stores various programs. The RAM 103 is a workspace for loading programs and various data. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 are connected to one another via a bus 104. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 constitute a control unit 100 having a computer configuration. In the control unit 100, the CPU 101 operates in accordance with a control program 1051 stored in the ROM 102 or the memory unit 105 and loaded in the RAM 103, thereby executing various processes.

[0019] The control unit 100 is connected to a storage unit 105 and a communication unit 106 via a bus 104. The storage unit 105 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), flash memory, etc., and maintains its stored contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 105 stores, for example, the user ID of the operator (user) who operates the mobile terminal 10, and a control program 1051.

[0020] The control program 1051 is a control program for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 10. The control program 1051 may also include an application for using the services provided by the server device 40.

[0021] The communication unit 106 is a communication interface that can be connected to the network Na. The communication unit 106 communicates with the server device 40 and the like via the network Na.

[0022] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is connected to a display unit 108, an operation unit 109, an imaging unit 110, and the like via a bus 104 and an input / output controller 107. The display unit 108 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various information under the control of the control unit 100. The operation unit 109 has various operation buttons, and outputs key information according to operations by an operator to the control unit 100. Note that the operation unit 109 may be, for example, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 108. The imaging unit 110 is an imaging device having an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

[0023] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 20. As shown in FIG.

[0024] The CPU 201 is an example of a processor and performs overall control of the operation of the POS terminal 20. The ROM 202 stores various programs. The RAM 203 is a workspace where programs and various data are deployed. The CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203 are connected to one another via a bus 204. The CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203 constitute a control unit 200 having a computer configuration. In the control unit 200, the CPU 201 operates in accordance with a control program 2051 stored in the ROM 202 or the storage unit 205 and deployed in the RAM 203, thereby executing various processes.

[0025] The control unit 200 is connected to a storage unit 205 and a communication unit 206 via a bus 204. The storage unit 205 is configured with a hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, etc., and maintains its stored contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 205 stores, for example, a control program 2051 and a product master 2052.

[0026] The control program 2051 is a control program for controlling the operation of the POS terminal 20. The product master 2052 stores product information regarding each product sold in the store. The product master 2052 stores product information such as product name and price in association with the product code of each product. Here, the product code is an example of product identification information that can identify the type of product. The product name is information that indicates the name of the product identified by the product code. The price is information that indicates the unit price of the product identified by the product code.

[0027] The communication unit 206 is a communication interface connectable to the in-store network Nb. The communication unit 206 can communicate with other POS terminals 20 via the in-store network Nb, and can also communicate with the server device 40 of the network Na.

[0028] Furthermore, the control unit 200 is connected to a display unit 208 , an operation unit 209 , a scanner unit 210 , a printer 211 , a deposit / withdrawal unit 212 , a card reading unit 213 , and the like via a bus 204 and an input / output controller 207 .

[0029] The display unit 208 is a display device such as an LCD, and displays various information under the control of the control unit 200. The operation unit 209 has various operation buttons such as numeric keys and a closing key, and outputs key information according to the operation of the operator to the control unit 200. Note that the operation unit 209 may be, for example, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 208.

[0030] The scanner unit 210 is a reading device capable of reading code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. For example, the scanner unit 210 reads a product code from a code symbol attached to a product and outputs the read product code to the CPU 201. Also, for example, the scanner unit 210 reads a user ID, payment information related to electronic payment, etc. from a code symbol displayed on the display unit 108 of the mobile terminal 10 and outputs the read information to the CPU 201.

[0031] The printer 211 prints receipts and the like showing the details of each transaction under the control of the control unit 200. The deposit / withdrawal unit 212 has storage units (not shown) that store currency (coins and bills) by denomination, and performs processes such as depositing payment amounts and dispensing change.

[0032] The card reading unit 213 is a reading device that reads information from a card medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card. For example, the card reading unit 213 reads credit information related to payment of the price of a product from a credit card, and outputs the read credit information to the CPU 201. Also, for example, the card reading unit 213 reads the user ID of a registered member (hereinafter also referred to as a member) from a membership card distributed to the member, and outputs the read user ID to the CPU 201.

[0033] The store may also provide a point service that awards points to members according to the purchase amount when the member purchases a product. In this case, for example, the server device 40 associates and manages the user ID of each member with the accumulated value of points awarded to the member corresponding to the user ID. These points can be used, for example, in place of cash or exchanged for goods such as merchandise. In this embodiment, a point service is used as an example of a management method for managing users who use the store, but the user management method is not limited to this.

[0034] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the service counter terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0035] The CPU 301 is an example of a processor and performs overall control of the operation of the service counter terminal 30. The ROM 302 stores various programs. The RAM 303 is a workspace for loading programs and various data. The CPU 301, ROM 302, and RAM 303 are connected to one another via a bus 304. The CPU 301, ROM 302, and RAM 303 constitute a control unit 300 having a computer configuration. In the control unit 300, the CPU 301 operates in accordance with a control program 3051 stored in the ROM 302 or the memory unit 305 and loaded in the RAM 303, thereby executing various processes.

[0036] The control unit 300 is connected to a memory unit 305 and a communication unit 306 via a bus 304. The memory unit 305 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, or the like, and maintains its stored contents even when the power is cut off. The memory unit 305 stores, for example, a control program 3051. The control program 3051 is a control program for controlling the operation of the service counter terminal 30.

[0037] The communication unit 306 is a communication interface connectable to the in-store network Nb. The communication unit 306 can communicate with the POS terminal 20 via the in-store network Nb, and can also communicate with the server device 40 of the network Na.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 300 is connected to a display unit 308 , an operation unit 309 , a scanner unit 310 , and the like via a bus 304 and an input / output controller 307 .

[0039] The display unit 308 is a display device such as an LCD, and displays various information under the control of the control unit 300. The operation unit 309 has various operation buttons such as numeric keys and a closing key, and outputs key information according to the operation of the operator to the control unit 300. Note that the operation unit 309 may be, for example, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 308.

[0040] The scanner unit 310 is a reading device capable of reading code symbols such as barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc. For example, the scanner unit 310 reads a receiving code, which will be described later, from the code symbol displayed on the display unit 108 of the mobile terminal 10, and outputs the read information to the CPU 301.

[0041] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 40. As shown in FIG.

[0042] The CPU 401 is an example of a processor and performs overall control of the operation of the server device 40. The ROM 402 stores various programs. The RAM 403 is a workspace for loading programs and various data. The CPU 401, ROM 402, and RAM 403 are connected to one another via a bus 404. The CPU 401, ROM 402, and RAM 403 constitute a control unit 400 having a computer configuration. In the control unit 400, the CPU 401 operates in accordance with a control program 4051 stored in the ROM 402 or the storage unit 405 and loaded in the RAM 403, thereby executing various processes.

[0043] The control unit 400 is connected to a memory unit 405 via a bus 404. The memory unit 405 is configured with a hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, etc., and maintains its stored contents even when the power is cut off. The memory unit 405 stores, for example, a control program 4051, a user management table 4052, a group management table 4053, and a delivery management table 4054.

[0044] The control program 4051 is a control program for controlling the operation of the server device 40. The control program 4051 may also include a server program for cooperating with an application installed in the mobile terminal 10.

[0045] The user management table 4052 stores and manages the user ID of each user who has been registered in advance through procedures such as membership registration. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the user management table 4052. As shown in Fig. 6, the user management table 4052 stores user information, accumulated points, etc. in association with the user ID.

[0046] The user information stores information about a user identified by a user ID, such as name, age, and gender.

[0047] Here, the user ID is an example of user identification information that can identify each user. The user ID can be, for example, unique information such as the telephone number of the mobile terminal 10 owned by the user, or a user ID used on an application installed on the mobile terminal 10. In this embodiment, the user ID also serves as destination information that can communicate with the mobile terminal 10 of the user corresponding to the user ID, but this is not limiting, and the destination information of the mobile terminal 10 may be stored separately in association with the user ID.

[0048] The name is information indicating the name of the user identified by the user ID. The age is information indicating the age of the user identified by the user ID. The gender is information indicating the gender of the user identified by the user ID. The accumulated point value is the accumulated point value given to the user identified by the user ID.

[0049] It should be noted that the user information registered in the user management table 4052 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6. For example, the user information may include contact information such as the user's address and telephone number. The user information may also include attribute information that can identify the user as a specific user or a support user, as described below. In this case, the attribute information may be able to set attributes that do not belong to either the specific user or the support user (for example, a normal user), in addition to the specific user and the support user.

[0050] The group management table 4053 is a data table for storing and managing the user IDs of users who have been divided into groups. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the group management table 4053. As shown in Fig. 7, the group management table 4053 stores the user IDs of the members belonging to each group in association with a group ID that identifies the group.

[0051] For example, in group ID "001," five users with user IDs "U0001, U0002, U0003, U0004, and U0005" are grouped together. Also, in group ID "002," four users with user IDs "U0101, U0102, U0103, and U0104" are grouped together.

[0052] Grouping of user IDs is performed by the user via the mobile terminal 10, etc. For example, a user can group other users with whom they have a friendship relationship, other users such as relatives, other users living in the neighborhood, etc. In addition, it is preferable that the specific user described below and the users to be grouped are aware of the address of the specific user.

[0053] The shopping support system 1 of this embodiment supports shopping for users (hereinafter also referred to as "specified users") who can go to the store but cannot carry the purchased items home based on the grouped members. Note that the specified users may be, for example, elderly people, users with physical disabilities, or users who cannot carry the purchased items home for other reasons.

[0054] The delivery management table 4054 is a data table for storing and managing transactions for which product delivery is requested. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the delivery management table 4054. As shown in Fig. 8, the delivery management table 4054 stores a management number, transaction identification information, sender information, registration date and time, recipient information, and status in association with each other.

[0055] The management number is a management number for managing data entries registered in the delivery management table 4054. The transaction identification information is information that can identify (specify) the transaction in which the product to be delivered was purchased. The transaction identification information is, for example, a transaction number issued when a transaction is made at the POS terminal 20. In addition to the transaction number, the transaction identification information can also include identification information of the store where the transaction was made (for example, the store ID or store name), identification information of the POS terminal 20 where the transaction was made (for example, the register number), and the date and time of the transaction. The sender information is registered with the user ID of the user who purchased the product. The registration date and time is registered with the date and time when the transaction identification information was registered in the delivery management table 4054. The recipient information is registered with the user ID of the user to whom the product is to be delivered.

[0056] Furthermore, the "status" refers to the status of the data entry registered in the delivery management table 4054, in other words, the status of the user requesting delivery of the product or the product purchased by that user. Examples of the status of the data entry include "Waiting to start shopping," which indicates the status before the transaction has started, "Shopping completed," which indicates the status when the transaction has been completed, "Waiting to receive," which indicates the status when the product purchased in the transaction is waiting to be received, and "Received," which indicates the status when the product has been received. Another example is "Storage period exceeded," which indicates the status when the storage period for the product has expired.

[0057] Returning to Fig. 5, the control unit 400 is connected to a communication unit 406 via a bus 404. The communication unit 406 is a communication interface connectable to a network Na. The communication unit 406 can communicate with each mobile terminal 10 via the network Na, and can also communicate with the POS terminal 20 and the service counter terminal 30 connected to the in-store network Nb.

[0058] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the above-mentioned shopping support system 1. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 10, the POS terminal 20, the service counter terminal 30, and the server device 40.

[0059] 9, for the sake of convenience, the functional configurations of each of the mobile terminals 10 are shown as being divided into two mobile terminals 10 (11 and 12). The mobile terminals 11 and 12 are mobile terminals 10 owned by users who are grouped into the same group.

[0060] Here, the mobile terminal 11 refers to a mobile terminal 10 owned by a specific user among the members of the same group. The mobile terminal 12 refers to a mobile terminal 10 owned by a user (hereinafter also referred to as a support user) who provides product delivery support among the members of the same group. In this embodiment, the support user is all members other than the specific user, but is not limited to this and may be some of the members. When there is no need to distinguish between the mobile terminal 11 and the mobile terminal 12, they are simply referred to as the mobile terminal 10.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 9, the mobile terminal 10 includes, as functional components, a group registration unit 151, a shopping start notification unit 152, a shopping start reception unit 153, a user ID display unit 154, a request reception unit 155, and a reception code display unit 156.

[0062] The POS terminal 20 also includes a reading control unit 251, a merchandise sales data processing unit 252, a shopping completion notification unit 253, and the like as functional components.

[0063] The service counter terminal 30 also includes a read control unit 351, a reception processing unit 352, and the like as functional components.

[0064] The server device 40 also includes a group management unit 451, a shopping start transfer unit 452, a points management unit 453, a delivery request unit 454, a delivery management unit 455, and the like as functional components.

[0065] Some or all of the functional configurations of each of the above-mentioned devices may be software configurations realized by cooperation between the processor (CPU) of the device and various programs (e.g., control programs) stored in memory (ROM, storage unit, etc.). Also, some or all of the functional configurations of each of the above-mentioned devices may be hardware configurations realized by dedicated circuits or the like provided in the device. In Fig. 9, related functional configurations between devices are connected by dashed lines.

[0066] Group registration unit 151 of mobile terminal 11 makes a group registration request to server device 40 in response to operation of operation unit 109. Specifically, in response to operation via operation unit 109, group registration unit 151 transmits to server device 40 a registration request including the user ID of the user operating mobile terminal 11 and the user IDs of users who will become members.

[0067] Here, the method of specifying the user ID of the support user and the timing of the registration request are not particularly important. For example, the group registration unit 151 may accept the selection of user IDs to be grouped from a list of user IDs stored in advance in the storage unit 105.

[0068] In response to a registration request from the mobile terminal 11, the group management unit 451 of the server device 40 groups the members specified in the registration request. Specifically, the group management unit 451 associates the user IDs included in the registration request with the same group ID and registers them in the group management table 4053.

[0069] Prior to registration in the group management table 4053, the group management unit 451 may send a message to the mobile terminal 10 (mobile terminal 12) of the support user identified by the user ID included in the registration request to confirm whether the user agrees to member registration. In this case, when the group management unit 451 receives a response from the mobile terminal 12 indicating consent to member registration, the group management unit 451 registers the user ID of the support user corresponding to the mobile terminal 12 in the group management table 4053. When the group management unit 451 receives a response from the mobile terminal 12 indicating no consent to member registration, the group management unit 451 returns an error to the mobile terminal 11 to suppress grouping.

[0070] In response to an operation on the operation unit 109, the shopping start notification unit 152 of the mobile terminal 11 notifies members of a group to which the specific user of the mobile terminal 11 belongs of a message informing them that shopping has begun. Specifically, in response to an operation via the operation unit 109, the shopping start notification unit 152 transmits to the server device 40 a shopping start notification request including the user ID of the user operating the mobile terminal 11 and a message informing them that shopping has begun. Here, the message may be a predetermined fixed phrase or a message entered by the user. For example, the message may include information about the store where the user is shopping, the planned date and time of shopping at the store, etc.

[0071] When the shopping start forwarding unit 452 of the server device 40 receives a shopping start notification request from the mobile terminal 11, it newly registers the user ID included in the shopping start notification request as requester information in the delivery management table 4054. The shopping start forwarding unit 452 also changes the status of the data entry registered in the delivery management table 4054 to "waiting for shopping to start." The shopping start forwarding unit 452 may issue (issue) a management number when registering a new data entry in the delivery management table 4054.

[0072] Furthermore, upon receiving a shopping start notification request, the shopping start forwarding unit 452 forwards the shopping start notification request to the supporting user. Specifically, the shopping start forwarding unit 452 reads out other user IDs that belong to the same group ID as the user ID included in the shopping start notification request from the group management table 4053. Next, the shopping start forwarding unit 452 transmits (transfers) a shopping start notification to the mobile device 12 corresponding to the read user ID. Note that the shopping start forwarding unit 452 may add user information (e.g., name, etc.) corresponding to the user ID included in the shopping start notification to the shopping start notification and transmit it to the mobile device 12.

[0073] The shopping start receiving unit 153 of the mobile terminal 12 receives the shopping start notification transferred from the server device 40. When the shopping start receiving unit 153 receives the shopping start notification from the server device 40, it notifies the user that the shopping start notification has been received. For example, the shopping start receiving unit 153 notifies the user of the reception of the shopping start notification using a speaker or vibration function provided in the mobile terminal 10. Furthermore, in response to an operation on the operation unit 109, the shopping start receiving unit 153 causes the display unit 108 to display a message included in the shopping start notification, a name corresponding to the user ID, etc.

[0074] This allows, for example, a specific user who plans to shop at a store to notify the support user of the store where the user plans to shop, the date and time when the user plans to arrive at the store, etc. Also, the support user can confirm the date and time when the specific user plans to shop at the store by checking the notified message.

[0075] In response to an operation of the operation unit 109, the user ID display unit 154 of the mobile terminal 11 displays the user ID of the operator of the mobile terminal 11 on the display unit 108. Specifically, the user ID display unit 154 encodes the user ID into a code symbol such as a barcode, and displays the code symbol including the user ID on the display unit 108.

[0076] For example, when a user operating the mobile terminal 11 uses the operation unit 109 to make a payment for an item picked up from inside the store at the POS terminal 20, the user issues an instruction to display the user ID. In response to this display instruction, the user ID display unit 154 displays the user ID on the display unit 108. Then, the operator of the POS terminal 20 reads the user ID (code symbol) displayed on the display unit 108 with the scanner unit 210.

[0077] In addition, in the mobile terminal 11, payment information related to code payment may be displayed on the display unit 108 in response to operation of the operation unit 109. In this case, the user ID and payment information may be displayed on the same screen, or on separate screens. For example, when a specified accountant pays for a product at the POS terminal 20, the operation unit 109 instructs the display of the payment information. In response to this display instruction, the control unit 100 of the mobile terminal 11 causes the display unit 108 to display the payment information. In this case, the scanner unit 210 of the POS terminal 20 reads the payment information (code symbol) displayed on the display unit 108.

[0078] The reading control unit 251 of the POS terminal 20 controls the scanner unit 210 to acquire various information read via the scanner unit 210. For example, the reading control unit 251 acquires a product code from a code symbol attached to a product purchased by a user. The reading control unit 251 also acquires a user ID and payment information from a code symbol displayed on the display unit 108 of the mobile terminal 11.

[0079] When the reading control unit 251 acquires a product code, the product sales data processing unit 252 of the POS terminal 20 performs sales registration of the product corresponding to the product code. Specifically, the product sales data processing unit 252 identifies product information of the corresponding product by comparing the product code acquired by the reading control unit 251 with each product code stored in the product master 2052. Then, the product sales data processing unit 252 temporarily stores the product code acquired by the reading control unit 251 and the product information corresponding to the product code, thereby performing sales registration of the product.

[0080] Furthermore, when the reading control unit 251 acquires the user ID, the product sales data processing unit 252 acquires the accumulated point value corresponding to the user ID from the server device 40. Specifically, the product sales data processing unit 252 transmits a point reference request including the user ID to the server device 40, and acquires the accumulated point value transmitted from the server device 40 as a response to the point reference request.

[0081] Furthermore, the product sales data processing unit 252 executes a settlement process for each product registered for sales. Specifically, when the product sales data processing unit 252 receives an instruction to end sales registration or start settlement, it calculates the total price of the products purchased by the user based on the product information of each product registered for sales up to that point. Then, the product sales data processing unit 252 executes a settlement process to settle the total price of the products with the payment amount paid by the user. For example, when settlement information is acquired by the reading control unit 251, the product sales data processing unit 252 executes a settlement process to pay the total price of the products by electronic settlement in cooperation with an external server device that provides an electronic settlement service.

[0082] Furthermore, during payment processing, the product sales data processing unit 252 issues points according to the total price of the products and grants the issued points to the user corresponding to the user ID. Specifically, the product sales data processing unit 252 adds the issued point value to the accumulated point value of the corresponding user ID by sending a point addition request including the issued point value and the user ID to the server device 40. Furthermore, during payment processing, if an instruction is given to pay for products using points, the product sales data processing unit 252 performs processing to subtract the instructed points from the accumulated point value of the user. Specifically, the product sales data processing unit 252 subtracts the used point value from the accumulated point value of the corresponding user ID by sending a point subtraction request including the instructed point value to be used and the user ID to the server device 40.

[0083] When the payment process is completed, the product sales data processing unit 252 causes the printer 211 to print out a receipt including the details of the registered products, the total amount, transaction identification information, etc. The transaction identification information is, for example, a unique transaction number, information that can identify the store and the POS terminal 20, the date and time of the transaction, etc.

[0084] The point management unit 453 of the server device 40 executes processing in response to various requests related to points transmitted from the POS terminal 20 (product sales data processing unit 252). For example, when the point management unit 453 receives a point reference request from the POS terminal 20, it reads out the accumulated point value corresponding to the user ID specified in the point reference request from the user management table 4052 and transmits it to the POS terminal 20 that made the request. Also, for example, when the point management unit 453 receives a point addition request from the POS terminal 20, it identifies the accumulated point value corresponding to the user ID specified in the point addition request from the user management table 4052 and adds the point value specified in the point addition request to the identified accumulated point value. Also, for example, when the point management unit 453 receives a point subtraction request from the POS terminal 20, it identifies the accumulated point value corresponding to the user ID specified in the point subtraction request from the user management table 4052 and subtracts the point value specified in the point subtraction request from the identified accumulated point value.

[0085] The shopping completion notification unit 253 of the POS terminal 20 cooperates with the merchandise sales data processing unit 252 to send a shopping completion notification notifying that the payment process has been completed to the server device 40. Specifically, when a user ID is acquired during processing by the merchandise sales data processing unit 252, the shopping completion notification unit 253 sends a shopping completion notification including the user ID and transaction identification information to the server device 40 at the time the payment process is completed.

[0086] The shopping completion notification unit 253 may be configured to send a shopping completion notification when an instruction to do so is given via the operation unit 209. For example, an employee operating the POS terminal 20 instructs the user who has purchased a product to send a shopping completion notification via the operation unit 209 in response to a request from the user.

[0087] The shopping completion notification unit 253 may also determine whether to send a shopping completion notification depending on the attributes and status of the user identified by the user ID. For example, the shopping completion notification unit 253 may be configured to work with the server device 40 to refer to the user information of the user corresponding to the user ID, and to send a shopping completion notification if it is determined that the user is a specific user. For example, the shopping completion notification unit 253 may work with the server device 40 to refer to the status of the data entry corresponding to the user ID registered in the delivery management table 4054, and to send a shopping completion notification if it is determined that the status is "waiting for shopping to start."

[0088] Furthermore, when the shopping completion notification unit 253 transmits the shopping completion notification, it is preferable that the shopping completion notification unit 253 displays on the display unit 208 a message or a screen informing the user that the shopping completion notification has been transmitted.

[0089] In this embodiment, when a shopping completion notification is sent, a request is made to the support user to deliver the products purchased in that transaction. Therefore, a store employee associates the products for which payment processing has been completed with transaction identification information such as a receipt, and moves them to a predetermined location within the store (e.g., a service counter, etc.). For example, a receipt containing the transaction identification information is affixed to a bag or box containing the products. The transaction identification information may also be coded into a code symbol and printed on a separate sheet of paper from the receipt.

[0090] The delivery request unit 454 of the server device 40 is an example of a first receiving means, a reading means, a first transmitting means, a second transmitting means, and an encoding means. When the delivery request unit 454 receives a shopping completion notification from the POS terminal 20, it identifies a data entry in the delivery management table 4054 in which the user ID included in the shopping completion notification is registered in the requester information. Next, the delivery request unit 454 registers the transaction identification information included in the shopping completion notification in the identified data entry, and registers the current date and time in the registration date and time field. The delivery request unit 454 also changes the status included in the identified data entry to "shopping completed."

[0091] In addition, the delivery request unit 454 may identify a data entry whose status is "Waiting for shopping to start" from among the data entries in which the user ID included in the shopping completion notification is registered in the requester information, and register transaction identification information, etc. in that data entry.

[0092] Furthermore, if there is no data entry in which the user ID included in the shopping completion notification is registered in the requester information, the delivery request unit 454 may register a new data entry with the user ID as the requester information. In this case, the delivery request unit 454 registers the transaction identification information and the registration date and time in the newly registered data entry, and sets the status to "shopping completed." This allows the delivery request unit 454 to process transactions for which a shopping start notification was not previously sent from the mobile terminal 10. The delivery request unit 454 may also issue a management number when registering a new data entry in the delivery management table 4054.

[0093] Furthermore, upon receiving the shopping completion notification, the delivery request unit 454 transmits request information requesting delivery of the product to the mobile terminal 12 of the support user. Specifically, the delivery request unit 454 reads out other user IDs that belong to the same group ID as the user ID included in the shopping completion notification from the group management table 4053. Next, the delivery request unit 454 transmits request information requesting delivery of the product to the mobile terminal 10 (mobile terminal 12) corresponding to each of the read user IDs.

[0094] The request information includes, for example, the management number related to the transaction identification information registered in the delivery management table 4054, a message requesting delivery of the product, the name of the store where the product will be delivered, the name of the sender, etc. Here, the name of the store where the product will be delivered can be identified, for example, from the store ID included in the transaction identification information. Also, the name of the sender can be identified from the user information of the user identified by the user ID in the sender information.

[0095] In addition, in the case of a configuration in which attribute information is registered in the user management table 4052, the delivery request unit 454 may narrow down the user IDs included in the identified group ID to user IDs whose attribute is that of a support user and transmit the request information to them. In addition, the delivery request unit 454 may be configured to transmit the request information when the attribute of the user ID included in the shopping completion notification is that of a specific requester.

[0096] The request receiving unit 155 of the mobile terminal 12 receives request information from the server device 40. Upon receiving the request information, the request receiving unit 155 displays a request screen on the display unit 108, which displays a message requesting delivery of a product, etc., based on the request information.

[0097] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a request screen displayed by the request receiving unit 155. As shown in Fig. 10, the request screen A has a display field Aa. The display field Aa displays a message requesting delivery of the product, the name of the store where the product will be received, the name of the user (specific user), etc.

[0098] Furthermore, the request screen A is provided with a "Receive" button Ab as an operator that can be operated by the operator (assistance user) of the mobile terminal 12. The "Receive" button Ab is an operator for instructing to accept the request. When the request receiving unit 155 receives an operation of the "Receive" button Ab, it transmits to the server device 40 response information including the user ID of the operator of the mobile terminal 12, the management number, and information instructing to accept the request.

[0099] When the delivery request unit 454 of the server device 40 receives response information from the mobile terminal 12, it identifies a data entry corresponding to the management number included in the response information from the delivery management table 4054 and registers the user ID included in the response information in the recipient information field of the data entry. Furthermore, the delivery request unit 454 generates a pickup code by encoding the transaction identification information into a code symbol based on the transaction identification information included in the identified data entry. After generating the pickup code, the delivery request unit 454 transmits pickup information including the generated pickup code, the name of the store where the item is to be picked up, the name of the sender, etc., to the mobile terminal 12 that transmitted the response information.

[0100] Furthermore, when the delivery request unit 454 of the server device 40 transmits the receipt information to the mobile terminal 12, it changes the status included in the identified data entry of the delivery management table 4054 to "waiting for receipt."

[0101] When the delivery request unit 454 receives response information from any one of the mobile terminals 12 that have sent the request information, it is preferable to perform exclusive control so that the receipt ready button Ab cannot be operated on the other mobile terminals 12, in order to prevent duplicate response information from being sent. For example, when the delivery request unit 454 receives response information from any one of the mobile terminals 12, it may notify the other mobile terminals 12 of the cancellation of the request, thereby instructing the request receiving unit 155 of the mobile terminal 12 to disable or hide the receipt ready button Ab.

[0102] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been shown in which only the Accept button Ab is displayed on the request screen A, but this is not limiting, and an operator (cannot accept button) for instructing not to accept the request may also be provided. In this case, when the request accepting unit 155 of the mobile terminal 12 accepts the operation of the Accept button, it transmits answer information including the user ID of the operator of the mobile terminal 12, the control number, and information instructing not to accept the request to the server device 40. Furthermore, when the delivery request unit 454 of the server device 40 accepts answer information instructing not to accept the request, it may be configured to associate the answer information with the control number and separately store the request information so that it is not resent to the user ID included in the answer information.

[0103] When the reception code display unit 156 of the mobile terminal 12 receives the reception information from the server device 40, it causes the display unit 108 to display a reception screen showing the reception code and the like based on the reception information.

[0104] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a receiving screen displayed by the reception code display unit 156. As shown in FIG. 11, the receiving screen B has a first display field Ba and a second display field Bb. The first display field Ba displays a receiving code. The second display field Bb displays the name of the receiving store, the name of the sender, etc. In this way, in this embodiment, by providing and displaying the transaction identification information in the form of a code symbol, it is possible to improve the convenience of inputting the transaction identification information when receiving a product.

[0105] The operator of the mobile terminal 12 can receive the product requested by the sender by presenting the receiving code at the service counter of the receiving store. Note that the receiving screen B can be displayed at any time by operating the operation unit 209.

[0106] The reading control unit 351 of the service counter terminal 30 controls the scanner unit 310 to acquire various information read via the scanner unit 310. For example, the reading control unit 351 acquires a receipt code from the code symbol displayed on the display unit 108 of the mobile terminal 12.

[0107] When the reading control unit 351 acquires a receipt code, the receipt processing unit 352 of the service counter terminal 30 displays the transaction identification information indicated in the receipt code on the display unit 308. Furthermore, when the receipt code is acquired, the receipt processing unit 352 transmits a receipt completion notification including the transaction identification information corresponding to the receipt code to the server device 40.

[0108] When the delivery management unit 455 of the server device 40 receives a receipt notification from the service counter terminal 30, it identifies a data entry corresponding to the transaction identification information included in the receipt notification from the delivery management table 4054. Then, the delivery management unit 455 changes the status included in the data entry to "received."

[0109] Furthermore, by looking at the transaction identification information displayed on the display unit 308, the employee at the service counter terminal 30 identifies the product corresponding to the transaction identification information from among the products waiting for collection, and hands it over to the supporting user who is the operator of the mobile terminal 12. After receiving the product, the supporting user delivers it to the house of the requester displayed on the collection screen. In this way, the product purchased by the specific user at the store can be delivered to the specific user's home by a member (supporting user) of the group to which the specific user belongs.

[0110] Depending on the situation of the support user, it is possible that a support user who is willing to accept the request may not show up, or that a support user who has declared that they will accept the request may not come to the store. In such cases, the delivery management unit 455 of the server device 40 cooperates with the delivery request unit 454 to resend the request information or the receipt information.

[0111] Specifically, when a predetermined time has passed since the date and time of registration of a data entry in the "shopping completed" state registered in the delivery management table 4054, the delivery management unit 455 resends the request information to the mobile terminals 12 of other user IDs that belong to the same group as the user ID of the requester information included in the data entry. For example, the delivery management unit 455 resends the request information to members of the group to which the user ID of the requester information belongs, when one day has passed since the date and time of registration.

[0112] In addition, for a data entry registered in the delivery management table 4054 that is in the "waiting for receipt" state, when a predetermined time has passed since the registration date and time, the delivery management unit 455 resends the receipt information to the user ID of the recipient information included in the data entry.

[0113] Furthermore, if a storage period (for example, three days) for storing the product is set in advance, the delivery management unit 455 may perform the above retransmission at predetermined time intervals during the storage period. Furthermore, the delivery management unit 455 may perform the retransmission including the user ID of the requester information in order to notify the specific user who requested the delivery of the product of the status.

[0114] Furthermore, if the storage period has expired, the delivery management unit 455 may send a message to the mobile terminal 11 of the specific user who requested the delivery of the product, informing them that the product will be delivered to their home for a fee. In this case, the delivery management unit 455 notifies the service counter terminal 30 of the transaction identification information of the transaction for which delivery will be charged. The store then makes delivery arrangements to deliver the product corresponding to the notified transaction identification information to the specific user's home.

[0115] When the storage period has expired, the delivery management unit 455 changes the status of the corresponding data entry in the delivery management table 4054 to "storage period expired," thereby making it possible to identify that the storage period has expired. Furthermore, when the storage period has expired, the delivery management unit 455 may delete the corresponding data entry from the delivery management table 4054.

[0116] An example of the operation of the mobile terminal 10, the POS terminal 20, the service counter terminal 30, and the server device 40 will be described below.

[0117] 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a shopping support process executed by the mobile terminal 10 (11, 12), the POS terminal 20, the service counter terminal 30, and the server device 40. Note that this process is premised on the assumption that grouping of users has been completed.

[0118] First, when the shopping start notification unit 152 of the mobile terminal 11 receives an operation to instruct the user to start shopping via the operation unit 109 (step S11), it sends a shopping start notification including the user ID of the operator operating the mobile terminal 11 to the server device 40 (step S12).

[0119] When the shopping start forwarding unit 452 of the server device 40 receives the shopping start notification from the mobile terminal 11, it newly registers the user ID included in the shopping start notification as client information in the delivery management table 4054 and changes the status of the registered data entry to "waiting for shopping start" (step S13).

[0120] Next, the shopping start forwarding unit 452 of the server device 40 reads out the user IDs of other members who belong to the same group as the user ID included in the shopping start notification from the group management table 4053. The shopping start forwarding unit 452 transmits the shopping start notification to the mobile terminal 12 corresponding to the read user ID (step S14).

[0121] When the shopping start receiving unit 153 of the mobile terminal 12 receives the shopping start notification from the server device 40, it causes the display unit 108 to display the message or the like included in the shopping start notification (step S15). As a result, members belonging to the same group as the operator of the mobile terminal 11 can know in advance, via the mobile terminal 12 they operate, that the operator of the mobile terminal 11 plans to go shopping. Therefore, for example, if the operator of the mobile terminal 12 plans to go shopping at the same store as the operator of the mobile terminal 11, and there is a possibility that he or she will receive a request for product delivery, he or she can smoothly accept the request.

[0122] Meanwhile, the operator of the mobile terminal 11 picks up the product to be purchased at the store notified in the shopping start notification, and moves to the POS terminal 20 located in the store.

[0123] In response to an operation performed via the operation unit 109, the user ID display unit 154 of the mobile terminal 11 displays the user ID of the operator on the display unit 108 in a coded form as a code symbol (step S16).

[0124] When the scanner unit 210 reads the code symbol displayed on the display unit 108 of the mobile terminal 11, the reading control unit 251 of the POS terminal 20 acquires the user ID stored in the code symbol (step S17). Furthermore, the merchandise sales data processing unit 252 of the POS terminal 20 executes a process for registering the merchandise to be purchased by the operator of the mobile terminal 11, and executes a payment process for the registered merchandise (step S18). When the payment process is completed, the shopping completion notifying unit 253 of the POS terminal 20 transmits a shopping completion notification including the user ID acquired in step S17 and the transaction identification information to the server device 40 (step S19).

[0125] When the delivery request unit 454 of the server device 40 receives a shopping completion notification from the POS terminal 20, it stores the user ID included in the shopping completion notification in the requester information field and identifies a data entry in the delivery management table 4054 that is in the "waiting for shopping to start" state. Next, the delivery request unit 454 registers the transaction identification information included in the shopping completion notification in the transaction identification information field of the identified data entry, and registers the current date and time in the registration date and time field. The delivery request unit 454 also changes the status included in the identified data entry to "shopping completed" (step S20).

[0126] Next, the delivery request unit 454 of the server device 40 reads out the user IDs of other members who belong to the same group as the user ID included in the shopping completion notification from the group management table 4053. The delivery request unit 454 transmits request information for requesting delivery of the product to the mobile terminal 12 corresponding to the read user ID (step S21).

[0127] When the request receiving unit 155 of the mobile terminal 12 receives the request information from the server device 40, it displays a request screen (see FIG. 10) on the display unit 108 based on the request information (step S22). The operator of the mobile terminal 12 checks the content displayed on the request screen, and if accepting the request, performs an operation via the operation unit 109 to accept the request.

[0128] When the request receiving unit 155 of the mobile terminal 12 receives an operation to receive the request by operating the receive button Ab or the like, the request receiving unit 155 transmits response information including the user ID of the operator to the server device 40 (step S23).

[0129] When the delivery request unit 454 of the server device 40 receives the response information from the mobile terminal 12, it generates a receipt code by converting the transaction identification information of the corresponding transaction into a code symbol (step S24). Next, the delivery request unit 454 transmits the receipt information including the generated receipt code to the mobile terminal 12 that transmitted the response information (step S25). The delivery request unit 454 also identifies the data entry of the corresponding transaction from the delivery management table 4054, registers the user ID included in the response information in the recipient information field of the identified data entry, and changes the status to "waiting for receipt" (step S26).

[0130] On the other hand, when the reception code display unit 156 of the mobile terminal 12 receives the reception information from the server device 40, it displays a reception screen (see FIG. 11) showing the reception code and the like included in the reception information on the display unit 108 (step S27).

[0131] The operator of mobile terminal 12 goes to the store notified in the receipt information, and presents the receipt code displayed on display unit 108 to a store employee at the store's service counter.

[0132] When the scanner unit 310 reads the code symbol (receipt code) displayed on the display unit 108 of the mobile terminal 12, the reading control unit 351 of the service counter terminal 30 acquires the transaction identification information stored in the receipt code (step S28).

[0133] When the transaction identification information is acquired in step S28, the receipt processing unit 352 of the service counter terminal 30 transmits a receipt completion notification including the transaction identification information to the server device 40 (step S29).

[0134] Then, when the delivery management unit 455 of the server device 40 receives a receipt notification from the service counter terminal 30, it identifies a data entry corresponding to the transaction identification information included in the receipt notification from the delivery management table 4054. Then, the delivery management unit 455 changes the status included in the data entry to "received" (step S30).

[0135] The employee operating the service counter terminal 30 hands over the product corresponding to the transaction identification information to the operator of the mobile terminal 12 based on the transaction identification information acquired by the reading control unit 351. After receiving the product, the operator of the mobile terminal 12 carries it to the home of the operator of the mobile terminal 11 who requested delivery of the product. In this way, the product purchased by the specific user at the store is delivered to the specific user's home by a member of the group to which the specific user belongs.

[0136] Next, an example of the operation of the delivery management unit 455 of the server device 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of retransmission processing executed by the server device 40.

[0137] First, the delivery management unit 455 refers to the delivery management table 4054 and determines whether or not there is a data entry with the status "shopping completed" or "waiting for receipt." If there is no data entry with the status "shopping completed" or "waiting for receipt" (step S41; No → S45; No), the delivery management unit 455 ends this process.

[0138] If there is a data entry with the status "Shopping Completed" (Step S41; Yes), the delivery management unit 455 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the registration date and time for each of the corresponding data entries (Step S42). If there is no data entry for which the predetermined time has passed since the registration date and time (Step S42; No), the process ends.

[0139] Furthermore, if there is a data entry for which a predetermined time has passed since the registration date and time (step S42; Yes), the delivery management unit 455 determines whether the time elapsed since the registration date and time for each of the corresponding data entries is within the storage period (step S43). If there is a data entry within the storage period (step S43; Yes), the delivery management unit 455, in cooperation with the delivery request unit 454, resends the request information to the members of the group to which the user ID of the requester information included in that data entry belongs (step S44), and ends this process.

[0140] If there is a data entry that has exceeded the storage period (step S43; No), the delivery management unit 455 proceeds to step S49.

[0141] Furthermore, if there is a data entry whose status is "waiting for receipt" (step S41; No → S45; Yes), the delivery management unit 455 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the registration date and time for each of the corresponding data entries (step S46). If there is no data entry for which the predetermined time has passed since the registration date and time (step S46; No), the process ends.

[0142] Furthermore, if there is a data entry for which a predetermined time has passed since the registration date and time (step S46; Yes), the delivery management unit 455 determines whether the time that has passed since the registration date and time for each of the corresponding data entries is within the storage period (step S47). If there is a data entry within the storage period (step S47; Yes), the delivery management unit 455, in cooperation with the delivery request unit 454, resends the receipt information to the mobile terminal 10 of the user ID registered in the recipient information field of that data entry (step S48), and ends this process.

[0143] If there is a data entry that has exceeded the storage period (step S47; No), the delivery management unit 455 proceeds to step S49.

[0144] In step S49, the delivery management unit 455 sends a message to the mobile terminal 10 of the user ID registered in the sender information field of the corresponding data entry, informing that delivery to the home will be made for a fee (step S49).Then, the delivery management unit 455 updates the status included in the corresponding data entry to "storage period expired" (step S50), and ends this process.

[0145] As described above, when the server device 40 of this embodiment receives the user ID of a specific user who uses a store and the transaction identification information of a transaction in which the specific user purchased a product from the store's POS terminal 20, it reads the user IDs of other users (assisting users) who belong to the same group as the specific user's user ID from the group management table 4053, and transmits request information requesting delivery of the product purchased by the specific user to the mobile terminal 12 corresponding to the read user ID. Then, when the server device 40 receives response information accepting the request from the mobile terminal 12, it transmits receipt information related to receipt of the product, including at least the transaction identification information, to the mobile terminal 12.

[0146] In this way, the server device 40 acts as an intermediary between a specific user who uses a store and a support user, allowing the specific user to request the support user to deliver a product purchased by the specific user. This allows the specific user to easily request a member of the group to deliver the product even if the specific user is able to go to the store but is unable to deliver the purchased product to their home. Furthermore, the support user who accepts the product delivery request can confirm the contents of the request information and choose whether or not to accept the request, allowing them to accept the request according to their own convenience. Furthermore, delivery can be requested from a support user who is acquainted with the specific user, such as a friend or relative, allowing for efficient delivery support. For example, delivery can be requested from a support user without disclosing the specific user's address or other information, preventing the address from being leaked to a third party and reducing psychological anxiety. Therefore, the server device 40 can support the delivery of products purchased at a store.

[0147] The above-described embodiment can be modified as needed by partially changing the configuration or functions of each of the above-described devices. Therefore, several modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments. The following mainly focuses on differences from the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions of commonalities with the content already described will be omitted. The modifications described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

[0148] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the server device 40 is located outside the store, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the server device 40 may be a store server located inside the store. Also, in the above embodiment, the server device 40 manages points, but a server device other than the server device 40 may manage points.

[0149] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, the user ID of the user is displayed on the display unit 108 of the mobile terminal 10 and read by the scanner unit 210, but the method for inputting the user ID is not limited to this.

[0150] For example, the card reading unit 213 may read the user ID stored in a card medium (e.g., a membership card) held by the user. Alternatively, the user ID may be input via the operation unit 209.

[0151] (Variation 3) In the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 10 and the POS terminal 20 are separate entities, but this is not limiting, and for example, the mobile terminal 10 may have the functions of the POS terminal 20. Specifically, the mobile terminal 10 may have the functional configuration of a reading control unit 251, a product sales data processing unit 252, and a shopping completion notification unit 253, thereby enabling a user to use the mobile terminal 10 to register product sales and perform payment processing.

[0152] In this case, the reading control unit 251 of the mobile terminal 10 may acquire information from the code symbol captured by the imaging unit 110. The product sales data processing unit 252 may perform payment processing by electronic payment, or may perform payment processing in cooperation with a payment device for cash payment installed in the store.

[0153] (Variation 4) In the above-described embodiment, the server device 40 provides the mobile terminal 12 with an acceptance code in which the transaction identification information is coded into a code symbol, but this is not limited to this, and the transaction identification information may be coded into a code symbol and displayed on the mobile terminal 12.

[0154] Specifically, the server device 40 includes the transaction identification information in the receipt information and sends it to the mobile terminal 12, and the reception code display unit 156 of the mobile terminal 12 displays the transaction identification information included in the receipt information on the display unit 108 in the form of a coded reception code.

[0155] As a result, by having each mobile terminal 12 generate the reception code, the processing load on the server device 40 can be reduced, and the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0156] (Variation 5) In the above embodiment, a form was described in which a request for delivery of goods is made to a support user without providing the specific user's address, etc., but this is not limited to this, and the support user who accepts the request may also be configured to provide the specific user's address, etc.

[0157] In this case, the delivery request unit 454 of the server device 40 identifies the user information of the user ID registered in the requester information from the user management table 4052, includes information such as the address contained in the user information in the receiving information, and sends it to the mobile terminal 12 of the support user who accepted the request.

[0158] This allows the support user to check the address even if the support user forgets the delivery address, thereby improving convenience.

[0159] (Variation 6) In the above embodiment, the delivery management table 4054 manages the status of each transaction, but the status of the corresponding transaction may be notified to the user who has requested delivery of the product.

[0160] Specifically, the control unit 400 (e.g., the delivery management unit 455, etc.) of the server device 40 notifies the mobile terminal 10 (mobile terminal 11) corresponding to the user ID in the sender information field included in the data entry of the changed status every time the status of a data entry in the delivery management table 4054 is changed. In this case, the content of the notification is not limited to the status, and the name of the user corresponding to the user ID registered in the recipient information field may also be notified.

[0161] This allows a specific user who has requested delivery of a product to easily check the current status of the delivery, thereby improving convenience.

[0162] The programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments are provided in advance in a ROM, etc. The programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

[0163] Furthermore, the programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0164] 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 embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1. Shopping support system 10 Mobile devices 20 POS terminals 30 Service counter terminal 40 Server device 151 Group Registration Department 152 Shopping Start Notification Section 153 Shopping Start Receiving Unit 154 User ID display section 155 Request Reception Department 156 Reception code display section 251 Reading control unit 252 Product sales data processing unit 253 Shopping completion notification section 351 Reading control unit 352 Receiving Processing Unit 451 Group Management Department 452 Shopping Start Transfer Department 453 Points Management Department 454 Delivery Request Department 455 Delivery Management Department [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0166] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-98630

Claims

1. a first receiving means for receiving, from the store, user identification information of a specific user who uses the store and transaction identification information of a transaction in which the specific user purchased a product; a reading means for reading, from a storage unit that stores user identifiers of a plurality of users belonging to the same group in association with the user identifier of the specific user accepted by the first accepting means, user identifiers of other users belonging to the same group; a first transmitting means for transmitting request information for requesting delivery of the product purchased by the specific user to a terminal device corresponding to the user identifier of the other user read by the reading means; a second transmitting means for transmitting, when a response accepting the request is received from the terminal device, receipt information relating to receipt of the product, including at least the transaction identification information, to the terminal device; An information processing device comprising:

2. further comprising encoding means for encoding the transaction identification information into a code symbol; the second transmitting means transmits the receipt information including the transaction identification information encoded by the encoding means. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The system further comprises a management means for controlling the first transmission means to resend the request information if the response is not received within a predetermined time from the reception date and time when the first reception means receives the user identification information and the transaction identification information. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The method further includes a second reception means for receiving the transaction identification information input at the time of receiving the product from the store, Even if the management means receives the response from the terminal device, if the second reception means does not receive the transaction identification information within a predetermined time from the reception date and time when the first reception means received the user identification information and the transaction identification information, the management means controls the second transmission means to resend the receipt information. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. the management means, when a predetermined storage period has elapsed from the date and time when the first reception means received the user identification information and the transaction identification information, transmits a message notifying a paid delivery of the product to a terminal device corresponding to the user identification information of the specific user; 5. The information processing device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The computer of the information processing device, a first receiving means for receiving, from the store, user identification information of a specific user who uses the store and transaction identification information of a transaction in which the specific user purchased a product; a reading means for reading, from a storage unit that stores user identifiers of a plurality of users belonging to the same group in association with the user identifier of the specific user accepted by the first accepting means, user identifiers of other users belonging to the same group; a first transmitting means for transmitting request information for requesting delivery of the product purchased by the specific user to a terminal device corresponding to the user identifier of the other user read by the reading means; a second transmitting means for transmitting, when a response accepting the request is received from the terminal device, receipt information relating to receipt of the product, including at least the transaction identification information, to the terminal device; A program to make it function as such.

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