Shopping proxy system

Abstract

Provided is a shopping proxy system that enables a proxy to perform shopping on behalf of a customer at a store without the need for payment means. 【Solution】The shopping proxy system includes a shopping terminal and a server. The shopping terminal has a first authentication unit that reads information of a proxy who performs shopping on behalf of a customer and performs personal authentication, and a shopping terminal communication unit that communicates the information of the proxy read by the first authentication unit. The server has a storage unit in which information of the proxy and information of an approver are linked and registered, a verification unit that, when the first authentication unit performs personal authentication, receives the information of the proxy from the shopping terminal communication unit and verifies it against the information of the approver registered in the storage unit, and a server communication unit that transmits the result of verification by the verification unit to the shopping terminal communication unit. When the received verification result is successful, the shopping terminal transitions to a product registration enabled state where products can be registered in the planned purchase product list, and when the received verification result is unsuccessful, the shopping terminal does not transition to the product registration enabled state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a shopping proxy system.

Background Art

[0002] In a retail store such as a supermarket, a proxy may sometimes conduct shopping on behalf of a purchaser. By entrusting the proxy with shopping at the store, the purchaser can shop without having to visit the store themselves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a proxy conducts shopping at a store on behalf of a purchaser, the proxy needs to possess a payment means such as a credit card for settlement. However, when a purchaser entrusts a child or a third party to conduct shopping on their behalf, handing over the purchaser's payment means to the proxy poses risks such as loss or theft. Therefore, it would be beneficial if a proxy could conduct shopping on behalf of a purchaser at a store without possessing a payment means.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a shopping proxy system that enables a proxy to conduct shopping on behalf of a purchaser at a store without possessing a payment means.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a shopping proxy system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a shopping terminal and a server. The shopping terminal has a first authentication unit that reads information of a proxy who substitutes for shopping and performs personal authentication, and a shopping terminal communication unit that communicates the information of the proxy read by the first authentication unit. The server has a storage unit in which information of the proxy and information of the approver are linked and registered, a collation unit that, when the first authentication unit performs personal authentication, receives the information of the proxy from the shopping terminal communication unit and collates it with the information of the approver registered in the storage unit, and a server communication unit that transmits the result of the collation by the collation unit to the shopping terminal communication unit. When the received collation result is successful, the shopping terminal transitions to a product registration enabled state in which a product can be registered in the purchase planned product list, and when the received collation result is a failure, the shopping terminal does not transition to the product registration enabled state.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an example of a shopping proxy system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the shopping proxy system according to the above embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the shopping proxy system according to the above embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the shopping terminal in the shopping proxy system according to the above embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of personal authentication in the shopping proxy system according to the above embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, referring to the attached drawings, embodiments of the shopping proxy system 1 in the present invention will be described in detail. The configurations of the embodiments described below, as well as the actions and results (effects) brought about by these configurations, are merely examples and are not limited to the content described below. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used only for distinguishing hardware components and do not indicate order or priority.

[0009] First, referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the shopping proxy system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an example of the shopping proxy system 1 of one embodiment.

[0010] The shopping proxy system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system used by a proxy to proxy the shopping of an approver. The approver is the person who requests the proxy for shopping and is the person who purchases the goods. The proxy is the person who is requested by the approver to proxy the shopping. The proxy, on behalf of the approver, collects the goods requested for shopping by the approver at a store such as a retail store, operates the shopping terminal 11 installed in the store, adds the goods to the purchase planned goods list, and executes the shopping.

[0011] The shopping proxy system 1 according to the present embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a shopping terminal 11, a proxy card 12, a terminal management server 13, and an approver terminal 14. The shopping terminal 11 is an example of a terminal device having a barcode reader for registering the goods to be purchased by the proxy in the purchase planned goods list, and a reader for reading the proxy's information from an IC card (for example, a transportation IC card, hereinafter referred to as an IC card) in which the proxy's information is stored.

[0012] The shopping terminal 11 is installed, for example, near the cash register in a store or on a shopping cart in a store. When the shopping terminal 11 is not being operated by a user, it is in a standby state and cannot register items to the list of items to be purchased. The shopping terminal 11 reads the information of the person making the purchase on behalf of the customer using an IC card reader to authenticate the person making the purchase, and then communicates the read information of the person making the purchase with the terminal management server 13. The person making the purchase on behalf of the customer 12 is an example of an authentication terminal. The terminal management server 13 is an example of a server.

[0013] The agent card 12 is a card (for example, an IC card) owned by the agent themselves and used to perform shopping on their behalf. The agent's information is stored on the agent card 12. When the agent holds the agent card 12 over the IC card reader of the shopping terminal 11, the shopping terminal 11 reads the agent's information contained in the IC card.

[0014] The terminal management server 13 transmits and receives information such as the identity authentication of the agent and the list of items to be purchased between the shopping terminal 11 and the approver terminal 14, for example, via wireless communication. More specifically, the terminal management server 13 has the agent's information and the approver's information linked and registered. The terminal management server 13 receives the agent's information from the shopping terminal 11 and verifies the agent's identity by comparing it with the approver's information that is linked and registered with the agent's information. The terminal management server 13 then sends a notification of the agent's verification result and a pre-purchase approval request notification to the approver requesting approval for the registration of items to be purchased to the list of items to be purchased to the approver terminal 14. In addition, the terminal management server 13 shares information about the list of items to be purchased with the shopping terminal 11 by receiving the updated list of items to be purchased in real time when the list of items to be purchased is updated on the shopping terminal 11.

[0015] The approver terminal 14 is a terminal owned by the approver (for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone) that communicates information such as various approval request notifications and purchase plan lists with the terminal management server 13.

[0016] The approver terminal 14 has a display and an operating unit (not shown). When the terminal management server 13 receives information on the approver and their representative from the shopping terminal 11 and verifies the identity of the representative, the approver operates the operating unit of the approver terminal 14 and sends a pre-shopping approval result notification to the terminal management server 13, reflecting the result of the approval or denial of the pre-shopping approval request notification received by the terminal management server 13, which asks the approver to choose whether to approve or deny the start of shopping.

[0017] Furthermore, the approver can view the list of planned purchase items stored in the terminal management server 13 on the display by operating the control panel of the approver terminal 14. The approver then sends a payment approval result notification to the terminal management server 13, reflecting the result of approving or denying the purchase of the items registered in the planned purchase item list, by operating the control panel of the approver terminal 14.

[0018] For an agent to operate the shopping terminal 11 and begin registering items to the list of items to be purchased, the agent's identity must be verified. Before the agent can begin registering items to the list of items to be purchased, the shopping terminal 11 requests the agent to verify their identity and provide information on the recipient of the authorization request. The agent possesses an agent card 12, and for example, verifies their identity by holding the agent card 12 over the IC card reader of the shopping terminal 11.

[0019] When the identity of the agent is authenticated at the shopping terminal 11, the shopping terminal 11 sends the approval request destination information, agent information, shopping terminal information, a request for verification of agent information, and a request for sending a pre-purchase approval request notification to the terminal management server 13. When the terminal management server 13 receives the approval request destination information, agent information, shopping terminal information, a request for verification of agent information, and a request for sending a pre-purchase approval request notification from the shopping terminal 11, it verifies the identity of the agent by comparing the received agent information with the approver information registered in association with the agent information. Then, the terminal management server 13 sends the agent verification result notification and the pre-purchase approval request notification to the approver terminal 14.

[0020] When the proxy's verification result notification and the pre-purchase approval request notification are sent to the approver terminal 14, the approver checks the proxy's verification result using the approver terminal 14. Then, based on the verified proxy's verification result, the approver approves or denies the start of shopping by the proxy. The approver terminal 14 sends a pre-purchase approval result notification reflecting the result of the approver's approval or denial of the pre-purchase approval request notification to the terminal management server 13. Then, the shopping terminal 11 receives the pre-purchase approval result notification via the terminal management server 13. Then, based on the received pre-purchase approval result notification, the shopping terminal 11 determines whether to transition to a product registration enabled state where products can be registered in the planned purchase product list. At this time, if the shopping terminal 11 receives a pre-purchase approval result notification that includes the result approved by the approver and determines to transition to the product registration enabled state, the shopping terminal 11 enters the product registration enabled state. The product registration enabled state is a state in which the proxy can scan the product barcode on the shopping terminal 11 to register the product in the planned purchase product list.

[0021] When sending the pre-purchase approval result notification to the terminal management server 13, the approver terminal 14 can, if necessary, send a notification of the approval-free upper limit amount to the terminal management server 13. The approval-free upper limit amount is the upper limit settlement amount for the shopping terminal 11 to be able to perform accounting processing of products without receiving a notification of the pre-settlement approval result from the approver. When the pre-purchase approval result notification and the notification of the approval-free upper limit amount are sent to the terminal management server 13, the terminal management server 13 sends the received notification to the shopping terminal 11.

[0022] When a product is scanned on the shopping terminal 11, the information of the product is immediately added to the planned purchase product list, and the planned purchase product list is updated in real time. The planned purchase product list is a list of products for which the proxy conducts shopping on behalf of others. When a product is added to the planned purchase product list and the planned purchase product list is updated, the shopping terminal 11 sends a planned purchase product list update notification to the terminal management server 13. Thereby, the information of the planned purchase product list is shared in real time between the shopping terminal 11 and the terminal management server 13.

[0023] The approver can use the approver terminal 14 to retrieve information from the planned purchase list stored in the terminal management server 13. The approver can also use the approver terminal 14 to make changes to individual items registered in the planned purchase list stored in the terminal management server 13, such as assigning payment rejection information to each item. When the approver assigns payment rejection information to an item in the planned purchase list, this information is sent from the terminal management server 13 to the shopping terminal 11, similar to the planned purchase list update notification.

[0024] When the agent completes the operation to scan the goods on the shopping terminal 11, the shopping terminal 11 sends a request for pre-payment approval to the terminal management server 13. Then, when the request for pre-payment approval is sent to the terminal management server 13, the terminal management server 13 sends a pre-payment approval notification to the approver terminal 14.

[0025] When a pre-payment approval request notification is sent to the approver terminal 14, the approver operates the approver terminal 14 to confirm the updated list of planned purchase items by the agent via the display. The approver then approves or rejects the payment made by the agent. More specifically, the approver terminal 14 sends a pre-payment approval result notification to the terminal management server 13, which includes information on whether the approver approved or rejected the payment made by the agent based on the pre-payment approval request notification.

[0026] When a notification of the pre-payment approval result is sent to the terminal management server 13, the shopping terminal 11 receives the notification of the pre-payment approval result via the terminal management server 13. Based on the received notification of the pre-payment approval result, the shopping terminal 11 determines whether or not to transition to the payment-ready state. If the pre-payment approval result is approved, the shopping terminal 11 transitions to the payment-ready state. The payment-ready state is a state in which the agent can operate the shopping terminal 11 to make a payment for the items registered in the list of items to be purchased.

[0027] After the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a state where payment is possible, the proxy operates the shopping terminal 11 to perform payment processing for the products registered in the planned purchase product list. The payment processing is performed only by the proxy's operation of the shopping terminal 11 without using means such as a credit card or the like. Thus, the proxy's shopping service is completed.

[0028] Next, referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the shopping proxy system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the shopping proxy system 1 according to one embodiment.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the shopping terminal 11 includes a monitor 11a, an IC card reader 11b, a barcode reader 11c, and a speaker 11d. The monitor 11a displays, for example, a string indicating the product when the proxy holds the barcode printed on the product over the barcode reader 11c. The display of the product may be a display including a predetermined color as well as a string. Further, the monitor 11a is, for example, a touch panel that enables the user to operate the shopping terminal 11 by touching the monitor 11a.

[0030] The IC card reader 11b is a reader that reads the information of the above-described IC card. The IC card reader 11b reads the information of the approver and the proxy when the IC card is brought close.

[0031] The barcode reader 11c is a reader that reads the barcode printed on the product. In the shopping terminal 11, after the proxy authenticates himself / herself by holding the IC card over the IC card reader 11b, the proxy holds the barcode printed on the product over the barcode reader 11c, thereby scanning the barcode of the product and creating a planned purchase product list including the information of the product on which the scanned barcode is printed.

[0032] The list of items to be purchased is, for example, a list containing information about the names and quantities of items scanned by the barcode reader 11c. The list of items to be purchased may also be pre-registered in the shopping terminal 11 by the approver operating the approving terminal 14, as a list indicating items that the approver intends to purchase. In this case, when the agent holds the barcode of an item over the barcode reader 11c of the shopping terminal 11, if the item is included in the list of items to be purchased, information indicating that it has been scanned (hereinafter referred to as scan information) is added to the item's information. When scan information is added to an item in the list of items to be purchased, the list of items to be purchased, including the scan information, is transmitted to the terminal management server 13 in real time, thereby sharing the updated information of the list of items to be purchased between the shopping terminal 11 and the terminal management server 13.

[0033] Furthermore, the monitor 11a of the shopping terminal 11 indicates, for example, whether an item in the list of items to be purchased has scan information attached to it, by displaying an asterisk (*). Alternatively, the monitor 11a of the shopping terminal 11 may be configured to display items in the list of items to be purchased with scan information attached in a different color from items without scan information attached, allowing for easy identification.

[0034] Furthermore, the shopping terminal 11 includes a personal authentication unit 111, a shopping terminal communication unit 112, a personal authentication validity time measurement unit 114, and a proxy abnormality notification unit 115. The personal authentication unit 111 reads the proxy's information from the IC card and performs personal authentication of the proxy. Once the personal authentication unit 111 has authenticated the proxy, the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a state where it accepts a pre-purchase approval result notification. The personal authentication unit 111 is an example of a first authentication unit.

[0035] The shopping terminal communication unit 112 communicates with the terminal management server 13 wirelessly to send and receive various information. When the user authentication unit 111 authenticates the identity of the proxy, the shopping terminal communication unit 112 sends the proxy's information and a request to send a pre-purchase approval notification to the terminal management server 13.

[0036] The identity verification unit 111 performs identity verification of the proxy multiple times at predetermined intervals. More specifically, the identity verification validity period measurement unit 114 sets a predetermined validity period for the proxy's identity verification result to become valid after the initial identity verification of the proxy by the identity verification unit 111. The identity verification validity period measurement unit 114 also measures the validity period using the time of the initial identity verification of the proxy as the measurement start time, and if the set validity period has elapsed without identity verification being performed by the identity verification unit 111, it instructs the proxy abnormality notification unit 115 to sound an alarm.

[0037] Furthermore, the authentication validity period measurement unit 114 does not need to set an authentication validity period. If the authentication validity period measurement unit 114 does not set an authentication validity period, the authentication unit 111 will not perform authentication of the proxy multiple times, and will not request authentication from the proxy after the initial authentication of the proxy.

[0038] The shopping terminal 11 further includes a speaker 11d. The proxy abnormality notification unit 115, in accordance with the sounding instruction given by the user authentication validity time measurement unit 114, generates an alarm via the speaker 11d to notify those nearby of the proxy abnormality. When the speaker 11d generates an alarm, information indicating that an alarm has occurred is transmitted from the shopping terminal communication unit 112 to the terminal management server 13, and this information is further transmitted from the terminal management server 13 to the approver terminal 14.

[0039] The proxy card 12 includes an authentication unit 121, a communication unit 122, and a storage unit 123. The authentication unit 121 authenticates the holder of the proxy card 12 based on the proxy information stored in the storage unit 123, which will be described later. For example, the storage unit 123 stores a password that has been set in advance by the proxy, and when the IC card reader 11b reads the proxy information contained in the proxy card 12, the authentication unit 121 prompts the shopping terminal 11 to authenticate the proxy using the aforementioned password. More specifically, when the proxy holds the proxy card 12 over the IC card reader 11b, the shopping terminal 11 displays a message on the monitor 11a requesting the holder of the proxy card 12 to enter the aforementioned password. If authentication of the proxy by the authentication unit 121 fails, such as when multiple different passwords are entered, the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a state where the IC card reader 11b cannot read the proxy information. This prevents the shopping proxy system 1 from fraudulently using the proxy card 12 due to impersonation or other means. The authentication unit 121 is an example of a second authentication unit.

[0040] The communication unit 122 transmits and receives personal authentication information, etc., with the IC card reader 11b of the shopping terminal 11. The proxy card 12 is a contactless IC card that communicates with external devices when brought close to the IC card reader 11b, but it may also be a contact IC card.

[0041] The memory unit 123 stores the personal information of the proxy registered by the proxy. The memory unit 123 is composed of, for example, non-volatile memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include ROM (Read Only Memory) and flash memory.

[0042] As an alternative to the proxy card 12, an authentication device such as a smartphone or smartwatch may be used. When an authentication device such as a smartphone or smartwatch is used as an alternative to the proxy card 12, the authentication unit 121 can authenticate the holder of the proxy card 12 based on the proxy's biometric information (e.g., fingerprint, facial image, iris, etc.).

[0043] The user authentication unit 111 reads the proxy's information from an authentication terminal such as a proxy card 12 based on the authentication result by the authentication unit 121 and performs user authentication. More specifically, if the authentication unit 121 successfully authenticates the proxy, the user authentication unit 111 becomes ready to read the proxy's information with the IC card reader 11b.

[0044] The terminal management server 13 manages the list of items to be purchased. The terminal management server 13 mediates communication between the shopping terminal 11 and the approver terminal 14. The terminal management server 13 includes a server communication unit 131, a list of items to be purchased management unit 132, a storage unit 133, and a verification unit 134.

[0045] The server communication unit 131 transmits and receives various information wirelessly with the shopping terminal 11 and the approver terminal 14. The server communication unit 131 receives information about the proxy from the shopping terminal communication unit 112 and sends a pre-purchase approval request notification to the approver terminal 14. The server communication unit 131 also receives a list of items to be purchased from the shopping terminal 11 and shares the information of the list of items to be purchased in real time between the shopping terminal 11 and the terminal management server 13. Furthermore, when an alarm occurs in the proxy abnormality notification unit 115, the server communication unit 131 receives information from the shopping terminal communication unit 112 indicating that an alarm has occurred and sends it to the approver terminal 14.

[0046] The Purchase Planned Product List Management Unit 132 manages the Purchase Planned Product List, which contains the products that the agent intends to purchase on behalf of the customer. The Purchase Planned Product List Management Unit 132 transmits and receives information related to the Purchase Planned Product List between the Shopping Terminal 11 and the Approver Terminal 14 via wireless communication. When the Purchase Planned Product List Management Unit 132 receives a notification of an update request or inquiry request from the Approver Terminal 14, it updates the information in the Purchase Planned Product List and sends it to the Approver Terminal 14.

[0047] The storage unit 133 stores the information of the proxy and the information of the approver in a linked state. The state where the information of the proxy and the information of the approver are linked means a state in which information that can determine that the approver has requested a proxy to a specific proxy is given. When the approver requests a proxy to perform shopping, the approver operates the approver terminal 14 and registers the information of the proxy and the approver in the storage unit 133 of the terminal management server 13 in advance.

[0048] When the personal authentication unit 111 performs personal authentication of the proxy, the verification unit 134 receives the information of the proxy from the shopping terminal communication unit 112 and verifies it with the information of the approver registered in the storage unit 133. As described above, the information of the approver registered in the storage unit 133 is registered in a state linked to the information of the proxy. Therefore, the verification unit 134 can verify the proxy information based on the information of the proxy received from the shopping terminal communication unit 112 and the information of the approver registered in the storage unit 133.

[0049] The shopping terminal 11 further includes a settlement approval determination unit 117. The settlement approval determination unit 117 determines whether the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a settlement-enabled state. When the server communication unit 131 receives a settlement approval result notification transmitted from the approval unit 141 described later, it transmits the notification to the shopping terminal communication unit 112. Then, when the shopping terminal communication unit 112 receives the settlement approval result notification, the settlement approval determination unit 117 determines whether settlement is possible based on the settlement approval result notification. When the settlement approval determination unit 117 determines that settlement is possible, the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a settlement-enabled state.

[0050] The approver terminal 14 includes an approval unit 141, a purchase item list reference unit 143, and a payment approval-free upper limit amount setting unit 145. When the agent's information is verified by the server communication unit 131 and the agent's identity is confirmed, the approval unit 141 receives a verification result notification and a pre-purchase approval request notification from the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13. The pre-purchase approval request notification is a notification requesting the approver to approve or deny the agent's commencement of registering items to the purchase item list. The pre-purchase approval request notification is transmitted by the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13.

[0051] The approver terminal 14 has a display (not shown). When the approval unit 141 receives the proxy verification result notification and the pre-purchase approval request notification, the display of the approver terminal 14 displays information indicating the proxy verification result by the verification unit 134. For example, if the proxy verification is successful, the display of the approver terminal 14 displays, for example, a string indicating that the proxy's identity has been verified. The approver confirms that the proxy verification was successful by looking at the display. Then, the approval unit 141 selects whether to approve or deny the proxy's purchase commencement based on the approver's operation of the approver terminal 14. The approval unit 141 then sends a pre-purchase approval result notification to the server communication unit 131. The pre-purchase approval result notification contains information on either the approval or denial of the purchase commencement selected by the approver. When the server communication unit 131 receives the pre-purchase approval result notification, it sends the notification to the shopping terminal communication unit 112 of the shopping terminal 11. Then, the shopping terminal 11 determines, based on the received pre-purchase approval result notification, whether or not to transition to a state where products can be registered to the planned purchase list.

[0052] When the server communication unit 131 receives a payment approval result notification sent from the approval unit 141 and transmits it to the shopping terminal communication unit 112, the payment approval determination unit 117 may unconditionally transition the shopping terminal 11 to a payment-ready state without determining whether payment is possible or not based on the payment approval result notification. In other words, the pre-payment approval result notification transmitted by the approval unit 141 to the server communication unit 131 may contain only information about the approver's approval.

[0053] The planned purchase list reference unit 143 receives the planned purchase list wirelessly from the planned purchase list management unit 132 of the terminal management server 13. The planned purchase list reference unit 143 also allows the approver to add or delete items from the received planned purchase list based on operations performed by the approver terminal 14. The planned purchase list, after any additions or deletions, is synchronized with the planned purchase list stored in the terminal management server 13. This ensures that the planned purchase list stored in the terminal management server 13 maintains a state that reflects the additions or deletions made by the approver.

[0054] The payment approval-free upper limit amount setting unit 145 sets the approval-free upper limit amount, which is the upper limit of the amount for which approval from the approver is not required for the purchase of goods, after the approval unit 141 receives the pre-purchase approval request notification sent from the server communication unit 131, and sends it to the server communication unit 131. Here, the approver sets the approval-free upper limit amount by operating the approver terminal 14 and entering the approval-free upper limit amount into the approver terminal 14. The server communication unit 131 receives the approval-free upper limit amount set by the approver and sends it to the shopping terminal communication unit 112.

[0055] After the shopping terminal communication unit 112 receives the maximum amount that does not require approval, the payment approval determination unit 117 compares the total amount of the items registered in the planned purchase list with the received maximum amount that does not require approval, determines whether the total amount of the items is less than or equal to the maximum amount that does not require approval, and determines whether the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a payment-ready state. If the payment approval determination unit 117 determines that the total amount of the items is less than or equal to the maximum amount that does not require approval, the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a payment-ready state.

[0056] When a maximum amount that does not require approval is set, the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a payment-ready state without receiving a payment approval result notification if the total amount of the goods is less than or equal to the maximum amount that does not require approval. Therefore, if the total amount of the goods is less than or equal to the maximum amount that does not require approval, the agent can make a payment without waiting to receive a payment approval result notification from the shopping terminal 11.

[0057] Furthermore, the shopping terminal 11 also has a payment unit 119. The payment unit 119 becomes active after the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a payment-ready state and accepts payment operations from the agent. Payment by the agent is performed solely by the agent operating the monitor 11a, without using payment methods such as cash or credit cards. For example, the agent performs the payment by touching the string indicating payment displayed on the monitor 11a. This allows the agent to perform payment on behalf of the approver without having to possess payment methods at the store.

[0058] [Shopping assistance process] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the flow of shopping by a proxy using the shopping proxy system 1 will be explained. Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow by the shopping proxy system 1 of this embodiment.

[0059] In step S101 in Figure 3, the agent operates the shopping terminal 11 to select the item to start shopping. Then, in step S102, the shopping terminal 11 requests agent information from the agent operating the terminal. This request for agent information is made, for example, by displaying a message on the monitor 11a requesting the agent to insert an agent card (IC card).

[0060] In step S103, the agent inserts or holds the IC card over the IC card reader 11b to transmit agent information to the shopping terminal 11. The authentication unit 111 of the shopping terminal 11 reads the agent's information contained in the IC card inserted over or held over the IC card reader 11b and authenticates the agent's identity. At this time, if an authentication validity period is set in the shopping terminal 11, the authentication validity period measurement unit 114 starts measuring the authentication validity period.

[0061] Next, in step S104, the shopping terminal communication unit 112 of the shopping terminal 11 sends the agent information read from the IC card, a request for verification of the agent information, and a request for transmission of a pre-purchase approval request notification to the terminal management server 13. The server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13 receives the agent information, the request for verification of the agent information, and the request for transmission of a pre-purchase approval request notification from the shopping terminal communication unit 112, and the verification unit 134 verifies the identity of the agent by comparing the agent information received from the shopping terminal communication unit 112 with the approver information registered in the storage unit 133.

[0062] Furthermore, in step S105, the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13 transmits the verification result of the proxy by the verification unit 134 and the pre-purchase approval request notification to the approval unit 141 of the approver terminal 14. At this time, the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13 also transmits the purchase plan list reference information to the approval unit 141.

[0063] Next, in step S106, the approver operates the approver terminal 14 to check the planned purchase list based on the planned purchase list reference information received by the approver terminal 14, and determines the pre-purchase approval result (approval or rejection). Here, the approver can set a maximum amount that does not require approval, if necessary.

[0064] Then, in step S107, the approval unit 141 of the approver terminal 14 sends the pre-purchase approval result notification and the maximum amount that does not require approval to the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13. Furthermore, in step S108, the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13 sends the pre-purchase approval result notification and the maximum amount that does not require approval to the shopping terminal communication unit 112 of the shopping terminal 11. When the shopping terminal 11 receives the approval result from the approver in the pre-purchase approval result notification, it enters a state where it can register products and scan them.

[0065] The shopping terminal 11 may enter a product registration ready state where it can scan products without receiving a pre-purchase approval result notification that includes the approval result from the approver. That is, in step S105, the terminal management server 13 may send the verification result of the agent by the verification unit 134 to the shopping terminal 11 instead of the approver terminal 14. In this case, steps S105, S106, and S107 are omitted, and in step S108, the terminal management server 13 sends the verification result of the agent to the shopping terminal 11. Then, if the shopping terminal 11 receives a success result in the received verification result of the agent, it enters a product registration ready state where it can scan products, and if the received verification result is a failure, it does not transition to the product registration ready state.

[0066] Then, in step S109, the agent scans the barcode of the product to be purchased with the barcode reader 11c to register the product to be purchased in the list of products to be purchased. When the product is registered in the list of products to be purchased and the list of products to be purchased is updated, in step S110, the shopping terminal 11 immediately sends the updated information of the list of products to be purchased to the terminal management server 13. In this way, the updated information of the list of products to be purchased is shared between the shopping terminal 11 and the terminal management server 13.

[0067] Then, in step S111, when the terminal management server 13 has finished updating the list of items to be purchased received from the shopping terminal 11, it sends a notification to the shopping terminal 11 indicating that the update of the list of items to be purchased is complete. When the shopping terminal 11 receives the notification that the update of the list of items to be purchased is complete, for example, a string indicating that the update of the list of items to be purchased is complete will be displayed on the monitor 11a of the shopping terminal 11. Alternatively, the shopping terminal 11 may also notify the agent that the update of the list of items to be purchased is complete by emitting an audio message from the speaker 11d indicating that the update of the list of items to be purchased is complete.

[0068] If a predetermined authentication validity period is set in the user authentication validity period measurement unit 114, in step S112, the user authentication unit 111 of the shopping terminal 11 will request user authentication again from the proxy if the set authentication validity period has elapsed without user authentication being performed by the user authentication unit 111. This re-request for user authentication is performed, for example, by the shopping terminal 11 displaying a string indicating a re-authentication request on the monitor 11a.

[0069] When the proxy performs identity verification again, in step S113, the shopping terminal 11 is notified that the re-authentication is complete. Upon notification of the completion of re-authentication, the shopping terminal 11 informs the proxy that re-authentication is complete, for example, by displaying a string of characters indicating the completion of re-authentication on the monitor 11a.

[0070] Here, the approver can request the terminal management server 13 to update the list of items to be purchased as needed (step S114). When the approver terminal 14 sends a request to update or inquire about the list of items to be purchased to the terminal management server 13, the purchase item list management unit 132 of the terminal management server 13 updates the list of items to be purchased in accordance with the request and sends a notification that the update of the list of items to be purchased is complete and the updated information of the list of items to be purchased to the approver terminal 14 (step S115).

[0071] Once the agent has finished registering the items to be purchased to the list of items to be purchased, in step S116, they operate the shopping terminal 11 to complete the shopping. For example, the monitor 11a displays the "Complete Shopping" item, and the agent operates the shopping terminal 11 to select the "Complete Shopping" item.

[0072] When the agent completes the shopping process, in step S117, the shopping terminal communication unit 112 of the shopping terminal 11 sends a payment approval request to the terminal management server 13. However, if the approver has set a maximum amount that does not require approval and the payment amount is less than or equal to that maximum amount, the shopping terminal 11 proceeds to step S122, described later, without the shopping terminal communication unit 112 sending a payment approval request to the terminal management server 13.

[0073] When the terminal management server 13 receives a payment approval request, in step S118, the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13 transmits the payment approval request to the approval unit 141 of the approver terminal 14.

[0074] Next, in step S119, when the approval unit 141 of the approver terminal 14 receives the payment approval request, the approver terminal 14 displays the list of items to be purchased on the monitor 11a. The approver then checks the contents of the list of items to be purchased displayed on the monitor 11a and decides on the payment approval result (approval or rejection). Then, in step S120, the approval unit 141 of the approver terminal 14 transmits the payment approval result to the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13. Furthermore, in step S121, the server communication unit 131 of the terminal management server 13 transmits the payment approval result to the shopping terminal communication unit 112 of the shopping terminal 11. When the shopping terminal 11 receives the approval result from the approver in the payment approval result, it enters a payment-ready state that accepts payment operations from the agent (step S122). Through the above procedure, payment for the items to be purchased by the agent is made.

[0075] Next, the processing flow of the shopping terminal 11 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the shopping terminal 11 in the shopping proxy system 1 of the above embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 4 shows the flow from when the proxy operates the shopping terminal 11 to perform identity authentication and then executes the payment.

[0076] In step S201 in Figure 4, the shopping terminal 11 requests agent information from the agent. In step S202, the agent has the agent card 12 read by the IC card reader 11b of the shopping terminal 11 to perform identity authentication. Once the shopping terminal 11 has finished acquiring the agent information, in step S203, the shopping terminal 11 sends a request to the terminal management server 13 to send the agent information and a pre-purchase approval request notification. Also, if a predetermined authentication validity period is set in the identity authentication validity period measurement unit 114, the identity authentication validity period measurement unit 114 starts measuring the authentication validity period.

[0077] In step S202, if the shopping terminal 11 does not complete the acquisition of agent information, the shopping terminal 11 continues to request agent information until the acquisition of agent information is complete (step S101).

[0078] When the terminal management server 13 receives a request to send proxy information and a pre-purchase approval request notification, the terminal management server 13 compares the received proxy information with the registered approver information. In step S204, if the terminal management server 13 successfully compares the proxy information, the terminal management server 13 sends the pre-purchase approval request notification and the purchase item list reference information to the approver terminal 14. Then, in step S205, the approver determines the pre-purchase approval result (approval or rejection) based on the purchase item list reference information received by the approver terminal 14 from the terminal management server 13.

[0079] When the approver approves the pre-purchase approval result, the approver terminal 14 sends a pre-purchase approval result notification to the terminal management server 13, which then sends the pre-purchase approval result notification to the shopping terminal 11. At this time, if the approver sets a maximum amount that does not require approval, the approver terminal 14 also sends the maximum amount that does not require approval to the terminal management server 13, which then sends the maximum amount that does not require approval to the shopping terminal 11, and the shopping terminal 11 stores the received maximum amount that does not require approval (step S206). The shopping terminal 11 then becomes ready to scan products, and the agent starts scanning products (step S207). If the approver rejects the pre-purchase approval result, the shopping terminal 11, having received the pre-purchase approval result notification, maintains a state where it does not accept product scanning by the agent.

[0080] When the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a state where products can be scanned, in step S208, the agent has the barcode of the product to be purchased read by the barcode reader 11c of the shopping terminal 11 and adds the product to the list of products to be purchased. The shopping terminal 11 may also be configured to allow the agent to delete information about products registered in the list of products to be purchased.

[0081] If the personal authentication validity time measurement unit 114 has set an authentication validity time, the personal authentication validity time measurement unit 114 measures the authentication validity time while the proxy scans the barcode of the product to be purchased with the barcode reader 11c (step S209). Furthermore, if the set authentication validity time measurement unit 114 has elapsed, it requests personal authentication from the proxy. In addition, if personal authentication is not performed within the authentication validity time, the personal authentication validity time measurement unit 114 instructs the proxy abnormality notification unit 115 to sound an alarm.

[0082] Once the agent has finished registering the items to be purchased to the list of items to be purchased, they operate the shopping terminal 11 to complete the scanning of the items to be purchased (step S210). The scanning completion operation for the items to be purchased is performed, for example, by the agent selecting a string indicating that the item scan is complete, which is displayed on the monitor 11a of the shopping terminal 11.

[0083] In step S211, if payment approval by an approver is required, that is, if the payment approval-free limit amount setting unit 145 does not set an approval-free limit amount, or if the payment approval-free limit amount setting unit 145 has set an approval-free limit amount and the payment approval determination unit 117 determines that the total amount of items registered in the planned purchase list is equal to or greater than the approval-free limit amount, then in step S212, the shopping terminal communication unit 112 requests the terminal management server 13 to send a pre-payment approval request.

[0084] When the terminal management server 13 receives a request to send a pre-payment approval request, the terminal management server 13 sends a pre-payment approval request notification to the approval unit 141 of the approver terminal 14. When the approval unit 141 receives the pre-payment approval request notification, in step S213, the approver checks the list of items to be purchased on the display of the approver terminal 14, then operates the approver terminal 14 and sends the pre-payment approval result (approved or denied) to the terminal management server 13. Furthermore, the terminal management server 13 sends the received pre-payment approval result to the shopping terminal 11.

[0085] In step S213, when the approver transmits the result of approving the settlement to the terminal management server 13, in step S214, the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a settlement-enabled state where it accepts the settlement operation by the proxy. Then, the proxy operates the shopping terminal 11 to execute the settlement. For example, the proxy executes the settlement by performing an operation of selecting a character string indicating the settlement displayed on the monitor 11a of the shopping terminal 11. In step S213, when the approver transmits the result of denying the settlement to the terminal management server 13, a character string indicating the settlement denial is displayed on the monitor 11a. Then, it returns to step S207, and the proxy registers or deletes again to the purchase planned item list of the product. Through the above procedure, the settlement by the proxy is executed.

[0086] Next, referring to FIG. 5, the processing flow of the personal authentication in the shopping proxy system 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the personal authentication in the shopping proxy system 1 of the above embodiment. FIG. 5 shows the processing flow of the personal authentication effective time measurement unit 114 from when the personal authentication unit 111 performs the first personal authentication and the personal authentication effective time measurement unit 114 starts measuring the authentication effective time until the proxy executes the settlement. If the personal authentication effective time measurement unit 114 has not set the authentication effective time, the processing shown in FIG. 5 is not executed.

[0087] In step S301 in FIG. 5, when the personal authentication effective time measurement unit 114 determines that the authentication effective time set in the state where the personal authentication is not performed in the personal authentication unit 111 has elapsed, in step S302, the personal authentication unit 111 requests the proxy to perform the personal authentication again.

[0088] In step S301, when the personal authentication effective time measurement unit 114 determines that the authentication effective time set in the state where the personal authentication is not performed in the personal authentication unit 111 has not elapsed, the personal authentication unit 111 does not request the proxy to perform the personal authentication, and the personal authentication effective time measurement unit 114 continues to measure the authentication effective time.

[0089] In step S303, if the proxy successfully authenticates the user, in step S304, the authentication validity time measurement unit 114 starts measuring the authentication validity time, using the most recent time the proxy's authentication was performed as the measurement start time, and returns to step S301.

[0090] In step S303, if the proxy fails to authenticate the user, or if the proxy does not perform authentication within the specified time, in step S305, the authentication validity time measurement unit 114 issues a sounding instruction to the proxy abnormality notification unit 115 to generate an alarm. Then, in step S306, the authentication unit 111 requests the proxy to perform authentication again.

[0091] In step S307, if the proxy successfully authenticates the user, in step S308, the user authentication validity time measurement unit 114 issues a signal to the proxy abnormality notification unit 115 to stop the alarm. Then, returning to step S304, the user authentication validity time measurement unit 114 starts measuring the authentication validity time, using the most recent time when the proxy's authentication was performed as the measurement start time.

[0092] In step S307, if the proxy fails to authenticate the user, or if the proxy does not perform authentication within the specified time, the process returns to step S305, and the user authentication validity time measurement unit 114 continues to instruct the proxy abnormality notification unit 115 to sound an alarm. The user authentication validity time measurement unit 114 processes the user according to the above procedure.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the shopping proxy system 1 includes a shopping terminal 11 and a terminal management server 13. The shopping terminal 11 has a personal authentication unit 111 that reads information of a proxy who conducts shopping and performs personal authentication, and a shopping terminal communication unit 112 that communicates the information of the proxy read by the personal authentication unit 111. The terminal management server 13 has a storage unit 133 in which information of the proxy and information of an approver are associated and registered, a verification unit 134 that, when the personal authentication unit 111 performs personal authentication, receives the information of the proxy from the shopping terminal communication unit 112 and verifies it with the information of the approver registered in the storage unit 133, and a server communication unit 131 that transmits the result of verification by the verification unit 134 to the shopping terminal communication unit 112. When the result of verification received by the shopping terminal 11 is successful, it transitions to a product registration enabled state where products can be registered in the purchase plan product list, and when the received verification result is failed, it does not transition to the product registration enabled state.

[0094] In the above configuration, when the personal authentication unit 111 performs personal authentication of the proxy, the verification unit 134 verifies the proxy information, and the shopping terminal communication unit 112 receives the verification result of the proxy information by the verification unit 134, so that when the verification result is successful, the shopping terminal 11 can transition to the product registration enabled state. Consequently, the proxy can perform shopping proxy at the store without having a payment means by performing personal authentication with the personal authentication unit 111 and proxy verification with the verification unit 134.

[0095] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the shopping proxy system 1 further includes a proxy card 12 (authentication terminal) that stores information of the proxy internally. The personal authentication unit 111 reads the information of the proxy from the proxy card 12 and performs personal authentication.

[0096] In the above shopping proxy system 1, the proxy can perform personal authentication by having the personal authentication unit 111 read the information of the proxy stored in the proxy card 12, and consequently, can perform shopping proxy at the store without having a payment means by using the proxy card 12.

[0097] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the proxy card 12 has an authentication unit 121 that authenticates the proxy. Based on the result of the authentication by the authentication unit 121, the personal authentication unit 111 reads the proxy's information from the proxy card 12 and performs personal authentication.

[0098] In the above configuration, when the authentication unit 121 of the proxy card 12 authenticates the proxy and the authentication of the proxy by the authentication unit 121 fails, the shopping proxy system 1 can be a system that prevents the IC card reader 11b of the personal authentication unit 111 from reading the proxy information. As a result, the shopping proxy system 1 can suppress unauthorized shopping proxy by someone other than the proxy using the proxy card 12.

[0099] Also, in the above-described embodiment, when the shopping terminal 11 receives a shopping pre-approval result notification from the approver terminal 14 via the server communication unit 131, which reflects the result of approval or denial by the approver based on the result of verification by the verification unit 134 for the start of shopping by the proxy, the shopping terminal 11 determines whether to transition to a state where goods can be registered based on the received shopping pre-approval result notification.

[0100] In the above shopping proxy system 1, when the shopping terminal 11 receives a shopping pre-approval result notification from the approver terminal 14 via the server communication unit 131 based on the result of verifying the proxy by the verification unit 134, the shopping proxy system 1 can be a system that starts the product scanning by the shopping terminal 11 after obtaining the approver's approval for the start of shopping via the terminal management server 13. As a result, it is possible to suppress shopping that is not intended by the approver.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the shopping proxy system 1 includes an authentication validity period measurement unit 114 that sets a predetermined authentication validity period during which the authentication result of the proxy is valid, and a proxy abnormality notification unit 115 that generates an alarm to notify those around of an abnormality in the proxy. The authentication unit 111 performs authentication of the proxy multiple times at predetermined intervals. The authentication validity period measurement unit 114 measures the authentication validity period. If the authentication validity period elapses without authentication being performed by the authentication unit 111, the proxy abnormality notification unit 115 generates an alarm.

[0102] In the above configuration, the identity authentication unit 111 performs identity authentication of the agent multiple times at predetermined intervals while the agent is registering products to the list of products to be purchased. This allows the identity authentication validity period measurement unit 114 to set a predetermined authentication validity period during which the agent's identity authentication result is valid while the agent is registering products. If the agent is not authenticated within the set predetermined authentication validity period, the agent abnormality notification unit 115 can notify those around the agent of the abnormality by generating an alarm.

[0103] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the shopping proxy system 1 includes a planned purchase item list management unit 132 that manages a list of planned purchase items, and a payment approval determination unit 117 that determines whether or not the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a payment-ready state. The server communication unit 131 receives a payment approval result notification from the approver terminal 14 that reflects the result of the approver approving or denying the purchase of items registered in the planned purchase item list. The shopping terminal communication unit 112 receives the payment approval result notification from the approver terminal 14 via the server communication unit 131. The payment approval determination unit 117 determines whether or not the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a payment-ready state based on the payment approval result notification.

[0104] In the above configuration, the server communication unit 131 receives a payment approval result notification from the approver terminal 14 that reflects the approver's approval or rejection of the purchase of items registered in the planned purchase list. The shopping terminal communication unit 112 also receives the payment approval result notification from the approver terminal 14 via the server communication unit 131, and the payment approval determination unit 117 determines whether the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a payment-ready state based on the payment approval result notification. This allows the approver to confirm the items registered by the agent in the planned purchase list before the agent makes the payment, thereby preventing the agent from making payments for items not intended by the approver.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, after receiving the pre-purchase approval request notification, the approver terminal 14 sets the maximum amount for which approval from the approver is not required for the purchase of goods, which is the upper limit of the amount for which approval from the approver is not required, and transmits it to the server communication unit 131. The shopping terminal communication unit 112 receives the maximum amount for which approval is not required from the approver terminal 14 via the server communication unit 131. The payment approval determination unit 117 determines whether the total amount of the goods registered in the planned purchase list is less than or equal to the maximum amount for which approval is not required, and determines whether the shopping terminal 11 transitions to a payment-ready state.

[0106] In the configuration described above, if the total amount of items registered in the list of items to be purchased is less than or equal to the maximum amount that does not require approval, the shopping terminal 11 can transition to the state where items can be registered without receiving a notification of the pre-purchase approval result. Consequently, the agent can perform the shopping on behalf of the customer efficiently.

[0107] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0108] 1 Shopping proxy system 11 Shopping terminal 12 Proxy card (authentication terminal) 13 Terminal management server 14 Approver terminal 111 Personal authentication section 112 Shopping terminal communication section 114 Personal authentication valid time measurement section 115 Proxy abnormality notification section 117 Payment approval determination section 121 Authentication section 131 Server communication section 132 List management section for planned purchase items 133 Memory section 134 Verification section 141 Approval section

Claims

1. A shopping terminal having a first authentication unit that reads information of an agent who conducts shopping and performs personal authentication, and a shopping terminal communication unit that communicates the information of the agent read by the first authentication unit; A storage unit in which the information of the agent and the information of the approver are linked and registered, a verification unit that, when the first authentication unit performs the personal authentication, receives the information of the agent from the shopping terminal communication unit and verifies it with the information of the approver registered in the storage unit, and a server communication unit that transmits the result of the verification by the verification unit to the shopping terminal communication unit; Comprising: When the received verification result is successful, the shopping terminal transitions to a product registration enabled state where products can be registered in the planned purchase product list, and when the received verification result is failed, the shopping terminal does not transition to the product registration enabled state. A shopping agency system.

2. Further comprising an authentication terminal that stores the information of the agent internally, The first authentication unit reads the information of the agent from the authentication terminal and performs personal authentication. The shopping agency system according to Claim 1.

3. The authentication terminal has a second authentication unit that authenticates the agent, Based on the result of the authentication by the second authentication unit, the first authentication unit reads the information of the agent from the authentication terminal and performs personal authentication. The shopping agency system according to Claim 2.

4. When the agent starts shopping, the shopping terminal receives, from an approver terminal via the server communication unit, a pre-shopping approval result notification that reflects the result of approval or disapproval by the approver based on the verification result, and determines whether to transition to the product registration enabled state based on the received pre-shopping approval result notification. The shopping agency system according to Claim 1.

5. Comprising a personal authentication valid time measurement unit that sets a predetermined authentication valid time during which the result of the personal authentication is valid, and an agent abnormality notification unit that generates an alarm to notify the surroundings of an abnormality of the agent, The first authentication unit performs the personal authentication multiple times at a predetermined interval, The personal authentication valid time measurement unit measures the authentication valid time, When the authentication valid time elapses in a state where the personal authentication is not performed in the first authentication unit, the agent abnormality notification unit generates the alarm. The shopping agency system according to Claim 1.

6. A purchase-scheduled product list management unit that manages the purchase-scheduled product list, and a payment approval determination unit that determines whether or not the shopping terminal transitions to a payable state. The server communication unit receives, from the approver terminal, a payment approval result notification that reflects the result of whether the approver has approved or denied the purchase of the products registered in the purchase-scheduled product list. The shopping terminal communication unit receives the payment approval result notification from the approver terminal via the server communication unit. The payment approval determination unit determines whether or not the shopping terminal transitions to a payable state based on the payment approval result notification. The shopping proxy system according to claim 4.

7. When transmitting the pre-purchase approval result notification, the approver terminal sets an approval-required upper limit amount, which is the upper limit amount of the amount for which the approver's approval for the purchase of the product is not required, and transmits it to the server communication unit. The shopping terminal communication unit receives the approval-required upper limit amount from the approver terminal via the server communication unit. After the shopping terminal communication unit receives the approval-required upper limit amount, the payment approval determination unit determines whether or not the total amount of the products registered in the purchase-scheduled product list is less than or equal to the approval-required upper limit amount, and determines whether or not the shopping terminal transitions to the payable state. The shopping proxy system according to claim 6.

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