Computer, privilege giving method, and program

Abstract

To provide a computer which, even if a customer registers an article by himself, properly gives privilege to a customer who does not receive any plastic bag.SOLUTION: A computer at a shop according to the present invention includes: registration means for communicating with a portable terminal operated by a customer to register an article whose identification information is input by operation of the customer on the portable terminal; reception means for receiving the necessity of a plastic bag from the portable terminal; determination means for determining a privilege if no need of a plastic bag is accepted; and giving means for giving the determined privilege when settlement of the registered article is carried out. The determination means determines cease of giving the privilege when after no need of a plastic bag is accepted, the portable terminal reads a bar code on the plastic bag and the reception means accepts the use of the plastic bag from the portable terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In some cases, customers are provided with plastic bags to put items purchased at a store in. If such bags are available for a fee, the bags can be registered in a registration device, such as a point of sales (POS) terminal, which allows store clerks to register items.

[0003] In addition, some stores allow store clerks to give special benefits to customers who do not use plastic bags. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a transaction management device that acquires a negative amount for items such as bags that were not provided in a transaction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-194234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In scan shopping, customers register products by operating a terminal carried by the customer. In such a terminal that registers products by customer operation, it is preferable to appropriately grant a special benefit when the customer does not accept a shopping bag from the store.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide an information processing system etc. that appropriately provides benefits to customers who do not receive plastic bags, even when the customers register their products themselves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing system according to the present disclosure includes a registration means for registering products whose identification information has been input by a customer operating a portable terminal, a reception means for receiving from the portable terminal whether a plastic bag is required, a determination means for determining a benefit in response to the registration of one or more products when it is received that a plastic bag is not required, and a granting means for granting the determined benefit when payment is made for the registered products.

[0008] The bonus awarding method according to the present disclosure registers products whose identification information is input by a customer operating a portable terminal, receives from the portable terminal whether a plastic bag is required, and if it is received that a plastic bag is not required, determines a bonus in accordance with the registration of one or more of the products, and awards the determined bonus when payment is made for the registered products.

[0009] A program according to the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of registering products whose identification information is input by a customer operating a portable terminal, receiving a request from the portable terminal for a plastic bag, determining a benefit in response to the registration of one or more of the products when the request for a plastic bag is received, and granting the determined benefit when payment for the registered products is made. The program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, even when customers register their products themselves, benefits can be appropriately given to customers who do not receive plastic bags. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a store system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a product code reading screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying registered products. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a screen displaying registered products. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting a request for a plastic bag. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for inputting whether or not a plastic bag is required. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that accepts the use of plastic bags. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for confirming whether or not to use a plastic bag. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of an information processing system, a reward providing method, a program, and a recording medium for non-temporarily recording a program according to the present disclosure will be described. The present disclosure does not limit the present invention.

[0013] [First embodiment] First, in the first embodiment, basic functions of an information processing system will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 100 according to the first embodiment. The information processing system 100 includes a registration unit 101, a reception unit 102, a determination unit 103, and an assignment unit 104.

[0014] In the first embodiment, the information processing system 100 provides a special benefit to a customer who registers a product himself / herself if a plastic bag is not provided. A plastic bag is a bag provided to a customer at a cash register or the like to put purchased products in. The provided plastic bag may be free or charged for. Plastic bags include paper bags, plastic bags, and cloth bags.

[0015] If customers bring their own bags to put their items in or if the number of items they are buying is small, plastic bags are not required. Customers can bring any type of bag that can hold their items. Bags are also called "my bags" or "eco bags." Customers can bring paper bags, plastic bags, cardboard boxes, or shopping baskets.

[0016] The registration unit 101 registers products whose identification information is input by a customer's operation of the portable terminal. The products registered by the registration unit 101 are products that the customer plans to purchase. The portable terminal is a device that can be operated by the customer and is portable with the customer.

[0017] The registration unit 101 acquires product identification information from the portable terminal. The product identification information is not particularly limited as long as it can uniquely identify the product. The product identification information may be, for example, a product code, a product name, or an image of the product. The product code may be, for example, a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code, an EAN (European Article Number) code, or a UPC (Universal Product Code), but is not particularly limited thereto. The product code may be displayed on the product. The product code may also be encoded into, for example, a one-dimensional code (barcode) or a two-dimensional code and displayed on the product.

[0018] Reception unit 102 receives from the portable terminal information on whether a plastic bag is required. For example, when reception unit 102 receives information that a plastic bag is not required, reception unit 102 sets a flag indicating that a plastic bag is not required for each customer. If reception unit 102 receives information that a plastic bag is not required and then receives information that the customer will use a plastic bag, it may cancel the set flag. Reception unit 102 may also accept the cancellation of information that a plastic bag is not required as information that the customer will use a plastic bag. When reception unit 102 receives information that a plastic bag will be used, it may set a flag indicating that a plastic bag will be provided for each customer.

[0019] When it is accepted that a plastic bag is not needed, the determination unit 103 determines a benefit in accordance with the fact that one or more products have been registered. For example, when a flag indicating that a plastic bag is not needed is set by the reception unit 102, the determination unit 103 determines whether or not to grant a benefit. Then, for example, when one or more products have been registered, the determination unit 103 determines to grant a benefit.

[0020] The determination unit 103 determines a benefit to be granted when payment for the registered product is made. The benefit to be determined is not particularly limited as long as it provides a benefit to the customer. The benefit may be, for example, a discount on the price of the registered product, points, or a coupon. The benefit to be granted may be a benefit that can be used when paying for the registered product, or a benefit that can be used after payment.

[0021] The determination unit 103 may determine a benefit to be granted according to the registered products. For example, the determination unit 103 may determine a benefit according to the number of registered products or the amount of money. The determination unit 103 may determine a benefit that is more beneficial to the customer the more the number of registered products or the amount of money.

[0022] By determining the rewards according to the number of items or the price, it is possible to encourage customers to purchase products. Also, the more items or the higher the price, the larger or more bags are needed to put the items in. Therefore, the more a customer does not use a plastic bag, the more beneficial the rewards can be given to the customer. This makes it possible to encourage customers to conserve resources or reduce the use of plastic products.

[0023] When it is accepted that a customer will use a plastic bag, the decision unit 103 may decide not to grant a special benefit that would be granted if a plastic bag is not needed. For example, the decision unit 103 may decide to cancel the grant of a special benefit that was to be granted in response to the acceptance of the customer's intention to use a plastic bag after it has been accepted that a plastic bag is not needed.

[0024] When payment for a registered product is made, the granting unit 104 grants the benefit determined by the determination unit 103. The granting unit 104 may grant the benefit at the time of payment or after payment is completed.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0026] The registration unit 101 registers a product whose identification information is input by a customer operating the portable terminal (step S1). Then, the reception unit 102 receives a request for a shopping bag from the portable terminal (step S2). The order of steps S1 and S2 may be reversed.

[0027] If it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required, the determination unit 103 determines a benefit to be granted when payment for the registered product is made (step S3). In the first embodiment, the determination unit 103 executes step S3 after steps S1 and S2. Thereafter, the granting unit 104 grants the determined benefit when payment for the registered product is made (step S4).

[0028] There are cases where a benefit is not expected to be provided even if a product is not registered. For example, if a discount is applied when no products are purchased and a plastic bag is not required, the customer's purchase amount will be negative. According to the first embodiment, when it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required, the determination unit 103 determines a benefit in response to the registration of one or more products. Then, the granting unit 104 grants the determined benefit when payment is made for the registered product. Therefore, even when a customer registers products themselves, a benefit can be appropriately granted to a customer who does not receive a plastic bag.

[0029] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described that also includes functions of other devices that communicate with the information processing system 100. Hereinafter, with regard to the configuration of the information processing system 100 according to the second embodiment, a description of the same configuration as that of the information processing system 100 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0030] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a store system 1 according to the second embodiment. The store system 1 according to the second embodiment includes an information processing system 100, a registered product list database 30, a POS server 31, a product database 32, and a sales database 33. The information processing system 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the information processing system 100 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a display control unit 105.

[0031] The registered product list database 30 stores a registered product list, which is a list of registered products for each customer.

[0032] The POS server 31 manages, for example, various information related to products sold in a store. In addition to the portable terminal 20, the POS server 31 may also manage product registration and payment using terminals other than the portable terminal 20, such as a POS terminal operated by a store clerk. In other words, both an existing POS terminal and the portable terminal 20 may be used in a store to register products and pay for them.

[0033] The product database 32 stores product identification information and product information in association with each other for each product. For example, if the product identification information is a product code, the product information is information such as the product name and product price. Note that the product information is not particularly limited.

[0034] The sales database 33 stores, for example, information about sales for each store. The sales database 33 manages, for example, information according to each settlement for each store.

[0035] The information processing system 100, POS server 31, registered product list database 30, product database 32, and sales database 33 are communicably connected via wire or wirelessly as appropriate depending on the specific configuration of each system.

[0036] The information processing system 100 is communicably connected to the portable terminal 20 via wired or wireless communication. A display control unit 105 controls display on a display provided in the portable terminal 20. The portable terminal 20 may be communicably connected to a POS server 31.

[0037] The portable terminal 20 is a terminal used by a customer, similar to the portable terminal in the first embodiment. The portable terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. The type of portable terminal 20 is not particularly limited. The portable terminal 20 may be owned by the customer or rented out by the store. The portable terminal 20 may be attached to a shopping basket or shopping cart, or may be provided integrally with the shopping basket or shopping cart. When the portable terminal 20 is attached to a shopping cart, the shopping cart may be self-propelled by being provided with, for example, moving parts such as tires and a driving device such as a motor.

[0038] The portable terminal 20 includes a processing unit and a storage unit. An application program may be installed in the storage unit to realize the following functions of the processing unit. The processing unit may not have all of the functions described below.

[0039] The configurations of the store system 1 and the portable terminal 20 will be described in more detail below.

[0040] <Enter identification information> The processing unit of the portable terminal 20 accepts input of the identification information of the product. The display control unit 105 may display a screen for accepting input of the identification information.

[0041] The processing unit accepts input of product identification information, for example, via an imaging device (not shown). The imaging device is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a camera provided in the portable terminal 20. The processing unit may accept input of the identification information by reading a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code of the product photographed by the imaging device. Alternatively, the processing unit may accept input of the identification information by identifying the product from an image of the product photographed by the imaging device using image recognition technology.

[0042] The processing unit may also acquire the identification information by reading a tag equipped with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​via a reading device (not shown). When an RFID is used, the reading device is an RFID reader.

[0043] The processing unit may also accept product identification information by accepting a product selection from the product search results. For example, the method of product search is not particularly limited. The product search may be performed using text or images. For example, the processing unit may accept input of product identification information by accepting a product selection from a displayed product image.

[0044] The processing unit may also receive input of identification information by receiving input of a number such as a product code via an input device (not shown). Examples of the input device include a touch panel display and a keyboard that can input numbers and letters.

[0045] The processing unit of the portable terminal 20 transmits the product identification information input as described above to the information processing system 100. For the product whose identification information has been transmitted and registered, the processing unit may display product information in accordance with the control of the display control unit 105 of the information processing system 100.

[0046] <Product registration> The registration unit 101 of the information processing system 100 registers the product based on the identification information received from the portable terminal 20. The information processing system 100 cooperates with the POS server 31, for example, to register the product.

[0047] The registration unit 101 transmits, for example, the identification information received from the portable terminal 20 to the POS server 31. The POS server 31 refers to the product database 32 and acquires product information. Then, the POS server 31 transmits the acquired product information to the registration unit 101.

[0048] The registration unit 101 registers the products purchased by the customer using the product information received from the POS server 31. As a process for registering products, the registration unit 101 generates a registered product list for each transaction or for each customer, for example. The registration unit 101 stores the registered product list in the registered product list database 30.

[0049] <Input whether you need a plastic bag> The processing unit of the portable terminal 20 receives input from the customer regarding whether or not a plastic bag is required. For example, the processing unit displays a screen for receiving the request regarding whether or not a plastic bag is required, in accordance with the control of the display control unit 105 of the information processing system 100. The processing unit then transmits the request regarding whether or not a plastic bag is required, input on the screen, to the information processing system 100. The receiving unit 102 of the information processing system 100 receives the request regarding whether or not a plastic bag is required, received from the portable terminal 20.

[0050] Display control unit 105 may display a button for accepting that a plastic bag is not needed on the screen that accepts the need for a plastic bag. Receiving unit 102 accepts that the button for accepting that a plastic bag is not needed as an indication that a plastic bag is not needed. After accepting that a plastic bag is not needed, display control unit 105 may remove the display of the button for accepting that a plastic bag is not needed. By display control unit 105 removing the display of the button for accepting that a plastic bag is not needed, it is possible to prevent receiving unit 102 from repeatedly accepting that a plastic bag is not needed.

[0051] The display control unit 105 may also display a button for accepting that the customer wishes to use a plastic bag or a button for canceling the request that a plastic bag is not needed on the screen that accepts the request for a plastic bag. The processing unit of the portable terminal 20 may accept the pressing of the button as an input that the customer wishes to use a plastic bag. In this case, the accepting unit 102 accepts the pressing of the button as an input that the customer wishes to use a plastic bag.

[0052] Furthermore, the screen for accepting the customer's intention to use a plastic bag may be the same as the screen for accepting the input of identification information. For example, regardless of whether the plastic bag is free or charged for, product identification information may be assigned to the plastic bag. As an example, a barcode indicating the product code may be attached to the plastic bag. In this case, the processing unit of the portable terminal 20 may, for example, accept the reading of the barcode attached to the plastic bag as an input indicating that the customer will use a plastic bag. Then, the accepting unit 102 accepts the reading of the barcode attached to the plastic bag as an indication that the customer will use a plastic bag.

[0053] <Determination of Benefits> The determination unit 103 may refer to the POS server 31 when determining the benefit to be granted. The POS server 31 may transmit the benefit to be granted to the customer to the determination unit 103. The POS server 31 may transmit to the determination unit 103 the same benefit as that granted when payment for a registered product is made at a POS terminal operated by a store clerk and a plastic bag is not provided to the customer.

[0054] The POS server 31 may control the POS terminal operated by a store clerk so that, when a product is registered and payment is made at the POS terminal, a special benefit is not awarded if a shopping bag is not provided. That is, the determination unit 103 may determine a special benefit to be awarded only when a product is registered at the portable terminal 20. In this case, the determination unit 103 does not need to refer to the POS server 31 when determining the special benefit to be awarded.

[0055] The period from the start of the registration process to the end of the payment is considered one transaction, and the reward for not providing a plastic bag is granted only once for one transaction. Therefore, the determination unit 103 may determine not to grant the reward twice for one transaction. In other words, the determination unit 103 determines to grant only one reward for not providing a plastic bag for one transaction.

[0056] When determining the benefit to be granted, the determination unit 103 may determine the benefit according to the customer's membership rank. The membership rank may be set, for example, based on the total purchase amount for a predetermined period or the number of times the customer has visited the store for a predetermined period. For example, the POS server 31 obtains the customer's membership rank from an arbitrary database. Then, the POS server 31 transmits to the determination unit 103 a benefit that is predetermined according to the membership rank.

[0057] The determination unit 103 may determine a benefit that is more beneficial to the customer as the total purchase amount for a predetermined period or the number of visits to the store for that period increases. By determining a benefit based on the purchase amount or the number of visits to the store, customers can be encouraged to use the store. Furthermore, it is possible to encourage customers to save resources or reduce the use of plastic products.

[0058] Furthermore, the determination unit 103 may determine a benefit according to the number of times a customer has made a transaction using a portable terminal. The membership rank may be set according to the number of times a customer has made a transaction using a portable terminal. The determination unit 103 may grant a benefit that is more beneficial to a customer the greater the number of times a customer has made a transaction using a portable terminal. By granting a benefit according to the number of times a customer has made a transaction using a portable terminal, it is possible to encourage customers to use the portable terminal.

[0059] The determination unit 103 may store the determined benefit in the registered product list database 30 in association with the registered product list.

[0060] Furthermore, the determination unit 103 may notify the portable terminal 20 of the determined benefit via the display control unit 105. For example, in response to control by the display control unit 105 of the information processing system 100, the processing unit of the portable terminal 20 may display the determined benefit to be given when a plastic bag is not needed.

[0061] After it has been accepted that a plastic bag is not needed, the decision unit 103 may notify the portable terminal 20 that the provision of the special benefit will be canceled in response to the customer's intention to use a plastic bag being accepted. The decision unit 103 may issue the notification via the display control unit 105. For example, the display control unit 105 causes the portable terminal 20 to display a confirmation message asking whether or not to use a plastic bag. The displayed confirmation message, for example, prompts the customer to confirm whether or not to use a plastic bag when the provision of the special benefit is canceled.

[0062] The display control unit 105 may display a button for accepting confirmation of the use of a plastic bag on a screen that displays a confirmation of whether to use a plastic bag. The portable terminal 20 may confirm the use of a plastic bag in response to pressing the button. The portable terminal 20 transmits the confirmation of the use of a plastic bag to the information processing system 100. The decision unit 103 may decide to cancel the benefit that was to be granted in response to receiving the confirmation of the use of a plastic bag.

[0063] <Payment processing> Furthermore, the processing unit of the portable terminal 20 executes processing related to payment for registered products. Below, we will explain the cases where payment is made via a payment server and where payment is made using a checkout device installed in the store. However, the payment method is not limited to these.

[0064] As part of the payment-related processing, the processing unit of the portable terminal 20 communicates with a payment server (not shown) and instructs the payment server to perform payment. For example, the processing unit of the portable terminal 20 includes payment information and settlement information in the payment instruction and sends it to the payment server. The payment information is information that identifies the customer's credit card, debit card, electronic money, points, etc. The settlement information is information that identifies the registered product or the purchase amount of the registered product. The payment server executes the cashless payment. For example, the payment server notifies the portable terminal 20 and the POS server 31 that the payment has been completed.

[0065] The processing unit of the portable terminal 20 may issue a payment instruction via the POS server 31 or the information processing system 100. Also, some or all of the functions of the payment server may be realized by the information processing system 100 or the POS server 31.

[0066] When payment is made using a payment device installed in a store, the processing unit of the portable terminal 20 may output payment information to the payment device as part of payment-related processing. Based on the payment information, the payment device executes payment by any method, such as cash payment or cashless payment. The payment device notifies the portable terminal 20 and the POS server 31, for example, that payment has been completed.

[0067] The method of outputting the settlement information to the settlement device is not particularly limited. For example, the processing unit may display a barcode or two-dimensional code encoding the settlement information on the display of the portable terminal 20. Alternatively, the processing unit may transmit the settlement information to the settlement device via wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0068] The POS server 31 stores information corresponding to the settlement in the sales database 33.

[0069] <Granting of benefits> The granting unit 104 grants a benefit when payment for the registered product is made.

[0070] For example, the granting unit 104 grants the benefit by causing the portable terminal 20 or the POS server 31 to execute payment using the amount to which the discount benefit has been granted.

[0071] Alternatively, the granting unit 104 may grant a benefit in response to the completion of payment. For example, the granting unit 104 may grant a benefit such as a coupon or points in response to receiving a notification of the completion of payment from the portable terminal 20 or the POS server 31.

[0072] The granting unit 104, for example, stores the granted privilege in the sales database 33. The granting unit 104 may cooperate with the POS server 31 to store the granted privilege. That is, the granting unit 104 transmits information about the granted privilege to the POS server 31. Then, the POS server 31 stores the granted privilege in the sales database 33.

[0073] Sales database 33 stores information, for example, in accordance with each transaction, including information about a special offer given when a plastic bag is not required. By storing the special offer in sales database 33, the store manager can manage information about the special offer. For example, the store manager can manage the percentage of customers who registered products using a portable terminal, the percentage of customers who did not receive a plastic bag, and so on.

[0074] The above describes the configurations of the store system 1 and the portable terminal 20. Some or all of the functional units of the information processing system 100, including the registration unit 101, the reception unit 102, the determination unit 103, the assignment unit 104, and the display control unit 105, may be realized by a processing unit of the portable terminal.

[0075] The information processing system 100 may be realized by an information processing device separate from the registered product list database 30, the POS server 31, the product database 32, and the sales database 33. When the information processing system 100 is realized by a separate device, the amount of data processed in the information processing system 100 can be reduced, and the load can be lightened.

[0076] Alternatively, the information processing system 100 and the POS server 31 may be implemented as a single device. Each database of the store system 1 may be included in the information processing system 100 or the POS server 31. Alternatively, each database of the store system 1 may be implemented as a device separate from the information processing system 100 and the POS server 31.

[0077] The devices that make up the store system 1 may be installed, for example, in the back yard of a store, but the installation location is not particularly limited. Some or all of the devices that make up the store system 1 may be installed in a location other than the store.

[0078] Next, a description will be given of an example of operation according to the second embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the information processing system 100 and the portable terminal 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0079] First, the portable terminal 20 accepts input of product identification information in response to an operation by a customer (step S21). To accept the input of the identification information, for example, the portable terminal 20 reads a product code. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a product code reading screen displayed on the portable terminal 20. For example, before step S21, the display control unit 105 causes the portable terminal 20 to display the reading screen. In FIG. 5, the barcode attached to the product is read, and information related to the read barcode is displayed.

[0080] 4, the portable terminal 20 transmits the input identification information to the information processing system 100. The registration unit 101 of the information processing system 100 registers the product whose identification information has been input by the customer's operation on the portable terminal 20 (step S11).

[0081] The display control unit 105 causes the portable terminal 20 to display the product registered by the registration unit 101 (step S12). For example, the display control unit 105 transmits information about the registered product to the portable terminal 20.

[0082] In step S12, the display control unit 105 may further cause the portable terminal 20 to display a button or other display for accepting whether or not a plastic bag is needed. For example, the display control unit 105 may cause the portable terminal 20 to display a display for accepting that a plastic bag is not needed on the same screen as the screen displaying the registered products.

[0083] The portable terminal 20 displays the registered products in accordance with the control of the display control unit 105 (step S22). In step S22, the portable terminal 20 may display a message requesting whether or not a shopping bag is required on the same screen as the screen displaying the registered products.

[0084] If the customer purchases multiple products, the portable terminal 20 repeats step S21 and step S22. Step S21 may be executed after step S23 and step S24, which will be described later. In response to the execution of step S21, the information processing system 100 executes step S11 and step S12.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen D1 that displays registered products. Screen D1 includes information such as the name, purchase quantity, and price of the registered products, the total number of products, and the total price of the products. Screen D1 in FIG. 6 includes, for example, an "Add Product" button. For example, when various buttons are tapped, the processing unit of the portable terminal 20 regards the tapped button as having received an instruction corresponding to the button and transmits the instruction to the information processing system 100. The "Add Product" button is a button for receiving a read instruction. The read instruction here is an instruction to read new product identification information.

[0086] For example, when the "add product" button is tapped, the processing unit of the portable terminal 20 transmits a reading instruction to the information processing system 100. As a result, the display control unit 105 displays a new reading screen shown in Fig. 5 on the portable terminal 20. Then, the portable terminal 20 can read the product identification information.

[0087] Returning to FIG. 4, the portable terminal 20 receives an input indicating that a plastic bag is not required (step S23).

[0088] The screen D1 in FIG. 6 includes a "No plastic bag needed" button B1 as an example of a display that accepts that a plastic bag is not needed. The "No plastic bag needed" button B1 in FIG. 6 displays "Bring your own bag and receive a discount." The display format of the display that accepts that a plastic bag is not needed is not particularly limited. For example, the portable terminal 20 accepts a tap on the "No plastic bag needed" button B1 in FIG. 6. Then, the portable terminal 20 transmits to the information processing system 100 that a plastic bag is not needed.

[0089] The accepting unit 102 accepts the notification that a shopping bag is not required from the portable terminal 20 (step S13). After that, the deciding unit 103 decides a benefit to be given when payment for the registered product is made (step S14).

[0090] The display control unit 105 causes the portable terminal 20 to display the determined benefit (step S15). For example, the display control unit 105 transmits information about the determined benefit to the portable terminal 20. The display control unit 105 may display the determined benefit on a screen that displays the registered product.

[0091] The portable terminal 20 displays the determined benefit under the control of the display control unit 105 (step S24). In step S24, the portable terminal 20 may display the determined benefit on the screen displaying the registered product.

[0092] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing another example of screen D1 displaying registered products. The screen of Fig. 7 may be displayed after the button in Fig. 6 for accepting that a plastic bag is not needed is pressed. Fig. 7 displays a discount of "-10 yen" on the price of the registered product as a benefit given when a plastic bag is not needed.

[0093] Returning to FIG. 4, after step S24, the portable terminal 20 executes processing related to payment for the registered product (step S25).

[0094] Screen D1 in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 includes a "Payment" button. The "Payment" button is a button for accepting payment instructions. The payment instruction is an instruction to carry out processing related to payment after product registration is completed.

[0095] For example, when a customer completes product registration, the customer taps the "Pay" button in FIG. 7. The portable terminal 20 may execute a payment-related process in response to the tapping of the "Pay" button. The portable terminal 20 may notify the information processing system 100 of the start of the payment-related process or the end of the payment. Furthermore, the portable terminal 20 may notify the information processing system 100 of the start of the payment-related process or the end of the payment via the POS server 31.

[0096] When payment for the registered product is made, the granting unit 104 grants the determined benefit (step S16). For example, the granting unit 104 applies a discount to the price of the registered product.

[0097] When the payment process is completed or the bonus is awarded, the portable terminal 20 and the information processing system 100 end the process.

[0098] In the above example, a display that accepts that a plastic bag is not required is displayed on the same screen that displays registered products. Also, in the above example, a display that accepts that a plastic bag is not required is displayed during product registration processing. However, the screen that displays registered products and the screen that accepts the request for a plastic bag may be displayed separately.

[0099] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen D2 for accepting a request for a plastic bag.

[0100] 8 includes a button for selecting the plastic bag to be used as a display for accepting the request to use a plastic bag. In response to the selection of the plastic bag to be used, the portable terminal 20 transmits, for example, a message indicating that the customer will use a plastic bag to the information processing system 100. The display form of the display for accepting the request to use a plastic bag is not limited to this.

[0101] Screen D2 also includes a "No plastic bag needed" button B1 as an example of a display that accepts that a plastic bag is not needed. The "No plastic bag needed" button B1 in Fig. 8 displays "No use (10 yen discount applied)."

[0102] For example, the screen for accepting the request for a shopping bag may be displayed after the product registration process is completed and before the payment process begins. For example, when the "Pay" button in Figure 7 is tapped, screen D2 for accepting the request for a shopping bag, as shown in Figure 8, may be displayed.

[0103] As another example, before the product registration process begins, a screen D2 for accepting a request for a plastic bag may be displayed. For example, a screen for accepting a request for a plastic bag may be displayed before the product code reading screen of Fig. 5 is displayed. After the "No plastic bag needed" button B1 is tapped on screen D2 of Fig. 8, the portable terminal 20 may display the reading screen of Fig. 5. In this case, step S23 is executed before step S21.

[0104] 8 may be displayed when registering a product. After the "No plastic bag needed" button B1 is tapped in D2 of Fig. 8, the portable terminal 20 may display the screen D1 of Fig. 7.

[0105] In the above operation example, a case where a plastic bag is not required has been described. However, there are cases where the reception unit 102 receives information that a plastic bag is not required, and then receives information that the customer will use a plastic bag. Therefore, another operation example of the information processing system 100 will be described.

[0106] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of inputting whether or not a shopping bag is required in the second embodiment. In Fig. 9, the processes related to product registration and payment are omitted. In Fig. 9, the processes of steps S23 to S24 and steps S13 to S15 are the same as the corresponding steps in Fig. 4, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

[0107] After step S24, the portable terminal 20 receives an input regarding the use of a plastic bag (step S26). Then, the portable terminal 20 transmits to the information processing system 100 that the plastic bag will be used.

[0108] Any of the above-mentioned methods may be used to accept input regarding the use of plastic bags. As an example, in step S26, the portable terminal 20 accepts the reading of the barcode as input indicating that the customer will use a plastic bag. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting the request to use a plastic bag. Fig. 10 shows a product code reading screen similar to Fig. 5. In Fig. 10, a barcode attached to an L-size plastic bag, which is an example of a plastic bag, is read.

[0109] The reception unit 102 receives from the portable terminal 20 a request that the customer use a plastic bag (step S30). After receiving a request that the customer does not need a plastic bag, the reception unit 102 notifies the portable terminal 20 that the provision of the benefit will be canceled in response to the request that the customer use a plastic bag (step S31). In step S31, the display control unit 105 causes the portable terminal to display a message to confirm whether or not the customer wants to use a plastic bag.

[0110] The portable terminal 20 displays a confirmation for using a plastic bag (step S27).

[0111] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for confirming whether or not to use a plastic bag. The screen in Fig. 11 may be displayed, for example, after the product code of the plastic bag is read on the screen in Fig. 10. The screen in Fig. 11 prompts the customer to confirm whether or not to use a plastic bag if the provision of the special benefit is to be canceled.

[0112] Returning to Fig. 9, after step S27, the portable terminal 20 confirms the use of a plastic bag (step S28). The portable terminal 20 transmits the confirmation of the use of a plastic bag to the information processing system 100. For example, in Fig. 11, when the customer taps "Yes" in response to the question "Do you want to continue registering a plastic bag?", the portable terminal 20 confirms the use of a plastic bag.

[0113] For example, the decision unit 103 decides to stop providing the benefit in response to receiving confirmation of the use of the plastic bag from the portable terminal 20 (step S32).

[0114] As a result, the portable terminal 20 and the information processing system 100 complete the process for accepting the use of a plastic bag. After step S27, the portable terminal 20 performs a process for payment, for example. When payment is made, no special benefit is given for not needing a plastic bag.

[0115] In FIG. 11 , if the customer taps "No," the portable terminal 20 may, for example, transmit to the information processing system 100 a message that the customer has canceled the use of a plastic bag. The reception unit 102 may accept the cancellation of the use of a plastic bag as a message that the customer does not need a plastic bag. Alternatively, the portable terminal 20 may transmit to the information processing system 100 a message that the customer does not need a plastic bag. In this case, the reception unit 102 accepts the message that the customer does not need a plastic bag.

[0116] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the portable terminal 20 accepts input regarding the need for a plastic bag. Furthermore, when it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required, the determination unit 103 determines a benefit to be granted when payment for the registered product is made. Furthermore, the granting unit 104 grants the determined benefit when payment for the registered product is made. Therefore, even when a customer registers a product themselves, a benefit can be appropriately granted to a customer who does not receive a plastic bag.

[0117] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the accepting unit 102 accepts that the customer does not need a plastic bag, and then accepts that the customer will use a plastic bag. Then, the deciding unit 103 decides to cancel the provision of the special benefit. Therefore, the special benefit can be appropriately provided depending on whether the customer uses a plastic bag or not.

[0118] [Variations] The above-described embodiments may be modified and used, and modifications will be described below.

[0119] In one variation, the information processing system 100 may further include a determination unit that determines whether the customer has brought a bag. The determination unit determines that the customer has brought a bag, for example, based on whether the bag is recognized from an image of the bag. The granting unit 104 may grant a benefit in response to the determination that the customer has brought the bag.

[0120] The determination unit may receive an image of a bag taken from any camera installed in the store. The determination unit may also receive an image of the bag from the portable terminal 20. In this case, the camera provided in the portable terminal 20 may take an image of the bag brought by the customer. The processing unit of the portable terminal 20, for example, takes an image in response to an operation by the customer and transmits the taken image to the information processing system 100. The determination unit, for example, notifies the assignment unit 104 of the result of recognizing the bag from the received image.

[0121] By recognizing the bag, the determination unit can determine whether the customer has brought a bag, and the granting unit 104 can prevent a special offer from being given to a customer who does not have a bag.

[0122] The determination unit may further determine whether the registered product can be placed in the bag based on the volume of the bag estimated from an image of the bag brought by the customer. The granting unit 104 may grant a benefit when it is determined that the registered product can be placed in the bag.

[0123] For example, it is assumed that a customer puts items into a predetermined type of bag. In this case, the determination unit may identify the type of bag from the image using existing image recognition technology. Then, the determination unit obtains the bag volume that is stored in advance according to the type of bag.

[0124] Alternatively, the volume of the bag can be estimated by the determining unit measuring the size of the bag using existing techniques for image-based size measurement.

[0125] Furthermore, the determination unit may, for example, refer to the volume of the product stored in the product database 32 and obtain the volume of the registered product. If the volume of the registered product is smaller than the volume of the bag, the determination unit may determine that the registered product can be placed in the bag. The determination unit then notifies the assignment unit 104 of the determination result.

[0126] By granting a special benefit when the granting unit 104 determines that the registered product can be placed in the bag, it is possible to prevent a special benefit from being granted to a customer who, for example, needs a shopping bag because the product cannot fit in the bag.

[0127] The determination unit may accept an image of a bag brought by a customer if the number of registered products exceeds a predetermined number. This is because if the number of registered products does not exceed the predetermined number, such as one or two, the customer can take the products home even if they do not have a bag. The predetermined number that serves as the threshold is set arbitrarily depending on the store.

[0128] The display control unit 105 may activate the camera of the portable terminal 20 when the number of registered products exceeds a predetermined number.

[0129] The above describes information processing system 100, which grants a special benefit when a store does not provide a plastic shopping bag. However, the present disclosure is also applicable to cases where a store provides containers other than plastic shopping bags, such as plastic containers, cardboard boxes, or shopping baskets. A plastic container is, for example, any container used to hold food or drinks served at a store. In other words, information processing system 100 may grant a special benefit to a customer who registers a product themselves when a container is not provided.

[0130] [Hardware configuration] In each of the above-described embodiments, each component of the information processing system 100 is represented by a functional block. Some or all of the components of the information processing system 100 may be realized by any combination of a computer 500 and a program.

[0131] 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 500. Referring to Fig. 12, the computer 500 includes, for example, a processor 501, a read only memory (ROM) 502, a random access memory (RAM) 503, a program 504, a storage device 505, a drive device 507, a communication interface 508, an input device 509, an input / output interface 511, and a bus 512.

[0132] The processor 501 controls the entire computer 500. The processor 501 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The number of processors 501 is not particularly limited, and there may be one or more processors 501.

[0133] The program 504 includes instructions for realizing each function of the information processing system 100. The program 504 is stored in advance in the ROM 502, RAM 503, and storage device 505. The processor 501 executes the instructions included in the program 504 to realize each function of the information processing system 100. The RAM 503 may also store data to be processed in each function of the information processing system 100. For example, a registered product list may be stored in the RAM 503 of the computer 500. The number of ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, and storage device 505 is not particularly limited and may be one or more.

[0134] The drive device 507 reads and writes data from and to the recording medium 506. The communication interface 508 provides an interface with a communication network. The input device 509 is, for example, a mouse or keyboard, and receives information input from an administrator or the like. The output device 510 is, for example, a display, and outputs (displays) information to an administrator or the like. The input / output interface 511 provides an interface with peripheral devices. The bus 512 connects these hardware components. The program 504 may be supplied to the CPU 501 via a communication network, or may be stored in advance on the recording medium 506, read by the drive device 507, and supplied to the CPU 501.

[0135] It should be noted that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 12 is an example, and other components may be added, or some components may not be included.

[0136] There are various variations in the method of realizing the information processing system 100. For example, the information processing system 100 may be realized by any combination of different computers and programs for each component. Furthermore, multiple components included in the information processing system 100 may be realized by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0137] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations in the respective embodiments can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0138] A part or all of the above-described embodiments may be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0139] [Appendix 1] a registration means for registering a product whose identification information is input by a customer's operation on the portable terminal; A receiving means for receiving a request for a shopping bag from the portable terminal; A determination means for determining a benefit in response to the registration of one or more products when it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required; a granting means for granting the determined benefit when payment for the registered product is made; An information processing system comprising:

[0140] [Appendix 2] The decision means decides to stop providing the benefit in response to the fact that the customer will use a plastic bag after it has been accepted that the plastic bag is not needed. 10. The information processing system of claim 1.

[0141] [Appendix 3] The portable terminal further includes a display control means for displaying a button for accepting that a plastic bag is not required. The reception means receives the pressing of the button as an indication that a plastic bag is not required. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0142] [Appendix 4] The display control means erases the display of the button after it is accepted that a plastic bag is not needed. 10. The information processing system of claim 3.

[0143] [Appendix 5] The system further includes a display control means for causing the portable terminal to display a message for confirming whether or not to use a plastic bag in response to reception of a message that the customer will use a plastic bag after reception of a message that the customer does not need a plastic bag. 5. An information processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.

[0144] [Appendix 6] The determining means determines the benefit according to the membership rank of the customer. 6. An information processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5.

[0145] [Appendix 7] The determination means determines the benefit according to the number of times the customer has performed a transaction using the portable terminal. 7. An information processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 6.

[0146] [Appendix 8] The determination means determines the benefit according to the number of registered products. 8. An information processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 7.

[0147] [Appendix 9] The determination means determines the benefit according to the price of the registered product. 9. An information processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 8.

[0148] [Appendix 10] The bag recognition system further includes a determination unit that determines whether the customer has brought a bag based on whether the bag is recognized from an image of the bag brought by the customer, The granting means grants the benefit in response to determining that the customer has brought a bag. 10. An information processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 9.

[0149] [Appendix 11] the determining means determines whether the registered product can be placed in the bag based on the volume of the bag estimated from an image of the bag; The granting means grants the benefit when the registered product can be placed in the bag. 11. The information processing system of claim 10.

[0150] [Appendix 12] The determining means accepts an image of the bag when the number of registered products exceeds a predetermined number. 12. The information processing system according to claim 10 or 11.

[0151] [Appendix 13] The determining means determines that the benefit is to be granted only once per transaction. 13. An information processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 12.

[0152] [Appendix 14] registering the product whose identification information is input by the customer's operation on the portable terminal; The portable terminal receives a request for a plastic bag, If it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required, a benefit is determined according to the fact that one or more of the products have been registered; When payment for the registered product is made, the determined benefit is granted. How rewards are awarded.

[0153] [Appendix 15] registering the product whose identification information is input by the customer's operation on the portable terminal; The portable terminal receives a request for a plastic bag, If it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required, a benefit is determined according to the fact that one or more of the products have been registered; When payment for the registered product is made, the determined benefit is granted. A recording medium that non-temporarily records a program that causes a computer to execute a process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 100 Information Processing Systems 101 Registration Department 102 Reception 103 Decision Section 104 Granting Department 105 Display control unit 1. Store system 20 Portable terminal 30 Registered Product List Database 31 POS Server 32 Product Database 33 Sales Database

Claims

1. A store computer that communicates with a portable terminal operated by a customer, a registration means for registering a product whose identification information is input by a customer's operation on the portable terminal; A receiving means for receiving a request for a shopping bag from the portable terminal; A determination means for determining a reward when it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required; a granting means for granting the determined benefit when payment for the registered product is made; Equipped with The decision means decides to stop providing the benefit when the portable terminal reads a barcode attached to the plastic bag after it has been accepted that the plastic bag is not needed and the acceptance means accepts from the portable terminal that the plastic bag will be used. computer.

2. The portable terminal further includes a display control means for displaying a button indicating that a plastic bag is not required, The reception means receives the pressing of the button as an indication that a plastic bag is not required. The computer of claim 1.

3. The display control means erases the display of the button after it is accepted that a plastic bag is not needed. The computer of claim 2.

4. The bag recognition system further includes a determination unit that determines whether the customer has brought a bag based on whether the bag is recognized from an image of the bag brought by the customer, The granting means grants the benefit on the condition that, when payment for the registered product is made, it is accepted that a shopping bag is not required and it is determined that the customer has brought a bag. A computer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the determining means determines whether the registered product can be placed in the bag based on the volume of the bag estimated from an image of the bag; The granting means grants the benefit when the registered product can be placed in the bag. The computer of claim 4.

6. The determining means accepts an image of the bag when the number of registered products exceeds a predetermined number.

6. A computer according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The store's computer, which communicates with the portable terminal operated by the customer, registering the product whose identification information is input by the customer's operation of the portable terminal; The portable terminal receives a request for a plastic bag, When it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required, a benefit is determined, and the determined benefit is granted when payment for the registered product is made, After it is accepted that a plastic bag is not needed, the portable terminal reads the barcode attached to the plastic bag, and when it is accepted from the portable terminal that a plastic bag will be used, it decides to stop providing the benefit. How rewards are awarded.

8. The store's computer communicates with the portable terminal operated by the customer. registering the product whose identification information is input by the customer's operation of the portable terminal; The portable terminal receives a request for a plastic bag, When it is accepted that a plastic bag is not required, a benefit is determined, and the determined benefit is granted when payment for the registered product is made, After it is accepted that a plastic bag is not needed, the portable terminal reads the barcode attached to the plastic bag, and when it is accepted from the portable terminal that a plastic bag will be used, it decides to stop providing the benefit. A program that executes a process.

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