Information processing device and control program thereof

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, cart POS (Point Of Sales) systems have been proposed for retail stores equipped with shopping carts. In this system, an information terminal equipped with a touch panel, scanner, etc. is installed in the shopping cart. When a customer using a shopping cart places an item to be purchased in the shopping cart, the identification code of the purchased item is read by the scanner to register the item. In this way, the cart POS system allows the customer to register the item while shopping, which can reduce congestion at the checkout area, or so-called cash register.

[0003] Furthermore, a technology has been proposed in which a payment device capable of processing payments by payment cards is attached to a shopping cart, allowing payment for purchased items to be made from the shopping cart as well, eliminating the need for a cash register. However, this technology requires the payment device to be attached to a shopping cart that already has a touch panel, scanner, etc. This means that the payment device must be installed in the limited space of the shopping cart, which raises concerns that the operability of the cart and the customer's workability may decrease. In addition, since not only information terminals but also payment devices must be installed on many shopping carts, the system costs will inevitably be high. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-251625 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-038673 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2004-070410 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that enables a customer to perform the process from registering a purchased item to paying for it at a terminal operated by the customer, without using a payment device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the information processing device includes a calculation means, an acquisition means, A control means; The terminal includes a payment unit. The calculation unit calculates the price of the product to be purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased product received by the terminal. The acquisition unit acquires the price payment information set for the purchaser. Attributes that indicate the type of method Get the. When the attribute includes electronic money payment as a payment method, the control means causes the terminal to display the balance of electronic money specified by the purchaser's electronic money identification code. The payment method is, in response to receiving a payment instruction at the terminal, A payment method represented by attributes of a purchaser using the terminal The transaction is settled for the amount calculated by the calculation means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a cart POS system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] Schematic diagram showing the main data structures of a member payment record. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of an electronic money record. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of an information terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a shopping cart provided with an information terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a virtual POS server. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shopping basket memory. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by a processor of the information terminal in accordance with a terminal program. [Figure 9]4 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by a processor of the information terminal in accordance with a terminal program. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing executed by a processor of the virtual POS server in response to receiving a login command. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information processing executed by a processor of the virtual POS server in response to receiving a product registration command. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing executed by a processor of the virtual POS server in response to receiving a transaction command. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing executed by a processor of the virtual POS server in response to receiving a transaction command. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing device that enables a customer to perform the process from registering purchased items to paying for them on a terminal operated by the customer without using a payment device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this embodiment is applied to a cart POS system.

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

[0010] The information terminal 70 is a device that enables a customer, who is a purchaser, to input data related to the registration of purchased items by himself / herself. The information terminal 70 is provided in a shopping cart C. Hereinafter, the shopping cart C will be simply referred to as cart C. Each of the multiple carts C is provided with an information terminal 70. The cart C is an example of a carrier that transports purchased items by a customer, who is a user of the cart C.

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

[0012] The accounting machine 60 is a device that enables a store clerk or a customer to process the payment for purchased items. The accounting machine 60 is a well-known self-service POS terminal. The accounting machine 60 may be a well-known face-to-face POS terminal. There is no particular limit to the number of accounting machines 60. FIG. 1 shows a cart POS system 1 in which two accounting machines 60 are installed in one store.

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

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

[0015] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the member payment record 21R. As shown in the figure, the member payment record 21R includes, in addition to the member ID, member attributes, a credit card number, and an electronic money identification code as data required for payment.

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

[0017] The credit card number is the card number of a credit card that has been registered in advance as the card to be used for payment by the member identified by the member ID. Credit card numbers are registered in member payment record 21R for members whose member attribute is "01" or "11". Credit card numbers are not registered in member payment record 21R for members whose member attribute is "00" or "10".

[0018] The electronic money identification code is an identification code of electronic money that has been registered in advance as the electronic money to be used for payment by a member identified by a member ID. An electronic money identification code is registered in the member payment record 21R for members whose member attribute is "10" or "11". An electronic money identification code is not registered in the member payment record 21R for members whose member attribute is "00" or "01".

[0019] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1. The electronic money server 30 supports payments using electronic money. To support this, the electronic money server 30 manages an electronic money database 31. The electronic money database 31 stores, for each registered user of electronic money, an electronic money record 31R that describes data related to that electronic money.

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

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

[0022] The virtual POS server 50 cooperates with the information terminal 70 to assist the information terminal 70 in making it appear as if it is functioning as a POS terminal.

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

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

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

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

[0027] The wireless unit 74 wirelessly communicates data with the access point 80 in accordance with a wireless communication protocol.

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

[0029] The scanner 76 reads code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional data codes attached to products. Products are provided with code symbols that represent their product codes. The scanner 76 outputs data of the read code symbols to the processor 71. The scanner 76 may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning with laser light, or may be of a type that reads code symbols from images captured by an imaging device.

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

[0031] The camera 78 is provided on the cart C so as to photograph from above the basket placed in the basket receiving portion of the cart C. The camera 78 is for monitoring whether or not the customer who is the user of the cart C has correctly placed the purchased items in the basket.

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

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

[0034] The scanner 76 is located midway along the handle bar C22. The scanner 76 is attached to the handle bar C22 so that a reading window is located on the near side. The near side is the side on which a customer stands while holding the handle bar C22 and pushing the cart C.

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

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

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

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

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

[0040] The auxiliary storage device 53 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 53. The auxiliary storage device 53 stores data used by the processor 51 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 51. The auxiliary storage device 53 may also store the application programs described above.

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

[0042] The virtual POS server 50 configured as above uses a part of the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 52 as an area for creating the shopping basket memory 521. The virtual POS server 50 can create a plurality of shopping basket memories 521 in this area.

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

[0044] 8 and 9 are flow charts showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor 71 of the information terminal 70 in accordance with a terminal program. The terminal program is stored in the main memory 72 or the auxiliary storage device 73. Figs. 10 to 13 are flow charts showing the procedure of information processing executed by the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 in response to receiving a main command transmitted from the information terminal 70. This procedure follows a control program. The control program is stored in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53.

[0045] Below, using these flow charts, we will explain the main operations of the cart POS system 1 when a member customer uses the information terminal 70 of the cart C to perform the process from registering purchased items to paying for them by himself / herself. Note that the operations described below are just an example. As long as similar results can be obtained, the procedure is not particularly limited.

[0046] First, a customer using cart C to shop touches touch panel 75. When touch panel 75 is touched, processor 71, which has been in an idle state, is started. Processor 71 starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0047] In Act 1, processor 71 causes touch panel 75 to display a login screen. The login screen is a screen for instructing members to perform a login operation. A customer who is a member has a membership card on which his or her membership code is recorded. After checking the login screen, the customer causes reader 77 to read the data on the membership card. When the data on the membership card is read by reader 77, the data on the membership card is provided to processor 71.

[0048] The processor 71, which has displayed the login screen, waits for login in Act 2. The processor 71 receives data from the reader 77, and when it confirms that the data is membership card data including a membership ID, it determines that login has been performed. That is, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 2 and proceeds to Act 3.

[0049] The processor 71 controls the wireless unit 74 to transmit a login command to the virtual POS server 50 in Act 3. This control causes the wireless unit 74 to wirelessly transmit the login command. The login command is received by the access point 80 and sent to the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2. The login command includes the member ID of the member card read by the reader 77.

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

[0051] In Act 31, processor 51 detects the member ID from the login command. Then, in Act 32, processor 51 authenticates the member identified by that member ID. Specifically, processor 51 queries member server 20 as to whether or not a member record including that member ID exists in the member database. If processor 51 receives a response from member server 20 indicating that the corresponding member record exists in the member database, processor 51 determines that the member authentication is valid. On the other hand, if processor 51 receives a response from member server 20 indicating that the corresponding member record does not exist in the member database, processor 51 determines that the member authentication is invalid.

[0052] After performing the member authentication, the processor 51 checks the authentication result in Act 33. If the authentication result is invalid, the processor 51 determines NO in Act 33 and proceeds to Act 34. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit a denial response command to the information terminal 70 in Act 34. With this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the denial response command. The denial response command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that transmitted the login command.

[0053] If the authentication result is valid, the processor 51 determines YES in Act 33 and proceeds to Act 35. In Act 35, the processor 51 forms a shopping basket memory 521 in the main memory 52. ​​Then, the processor 51 writes the member ID included in the login command into the shopping basket memory 521.

[0054] In Act 36, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to request member payment data from the member server 20. This control causes the communication interface 54 to send a request command for member payment data. The request command is received by the member server 20 via the network 2. The request command includes the member ID that was included in the login command.

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

[0056] The processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50, which has received the member payment record 21R, writes the data of the member payment record 21R into the shopping basket memory 521 in which the member ID included in the member payment record 21R is stored as Act 37. That is, if the member attribute of the member payment record 21R is "00", the processor 51 writes only the member attribute "00" into the shopping basket memory 521. If the member attribute of the member payment record 21R is "01", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "01" and the credit card number into the shopping basket memory 521. If the member attribute of the member payment record 21R is "10", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "10" and the electronic money identification code into the shopping basket memory 521. If the member attribute of the member settlement record 21R is "11", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "11", the credit card number, and the electronic money identification code into the shopping basket memory 521. The shopping basket memory 521 was created in the processing of Act 35.

[0057] The processor 51 checks whether the member settlement record 21R contains an electronic money identification code in Act 38. If the electronic money identification code is not contained, that is, if the member attribute is "00" or "01", the processor 51 judges NO in Act 38 and proceeds to Act 39. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit an approval response command indicating that there is no balance to the information terminal 70 in Act 39. With this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the approval response command indicating that there is no balance. The approval response command indicating that there is no balance is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and is received by the information terminal 70 that transmitted the login command. The approval response command indicating that there is no balance contains the member ID contained in the login command. It does not contain balance data.

[0058] In Act 38, if the electronic money identification code is included, that is, if the member attribute is "10" or "11", the processor 51 judges it as YES and proceeds to Act 40. In Act 40, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to request the balance from the electronic money server 30. By this control, the communication interface 54 transmits a balance request command to the electronic money server 30. The balance request command is received by the electronic money server 30 via the network 2. The balance request command includes the electronic money identification code.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0065] When an approval response command is received from the virtual POS server 50, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 4 and proceeds to Act 5. The processor 71 stores the member ID included in the approval response command in the main memory 72 in Act 5. The processor 71 also displays a product registration screen on the touch panel 75 in Act 6. The product registration screen is a screen for displaying a list of purchased products, such as the product names and prices of the products purchased by the customer, and the total amount.

[0066] After completing the processing of Act 5 and Act 6, the processor 71 performs the following processing in Act 7: approval It is confirmed whether the balance data is included in the response command. If the balance data is included, the processor 71 judges YES in Act 7 and proceeds to Act 8. In Act 8, the processor 71 displays the balance of the electronic money used by the customer in a part of the product registration screen based on the balance data. After that, the processor 71 proceeds to Act 9. approval If the balance data is not included in the response command, the processor 71 determines "NO" in Act 7, skips Act 8, and proceeds to Act 9.

[0067] After checking the product registration screen, the customer walks around the sales floor and places the products they wish to purchase, so-called purchased products, in the cart C. For example, the customer places the purchased products in a shopping basket SB placed on the basket receiving section C3. Before placing the purchased products in the shopping basket SB, the customer operates the scanner 76 to read the code symbol attached to the product. When the code symbol is read by the scanner 76, the product code represented by the code symbol is entered into the information terminal 70. In other words, the product identified by the product code is registered.

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

[0069] The processor 71 checks whether or not product registration has been performed in Act 9. If product registration has not been performed, the processor 71 determines NO in Act 9 and proceeds to Act 10. The processor 71 checks whether or not a transaction has been instructed in Act 10.

[0070] An image of a [Checkout] button is displayed on a portion of the product registration screen. When a customer has finished shopping, they touch the [Checkout] button. When the [Checkout] button is touched, the processor 71 recognizes that a checkout has been instructed. If a checkout has not been instructed, the processor 71 judges NO in Act 10 and returns to Act 9. Here, the processor 71 waits in Act 9 and Act 10 for product registration to be performed or for a checkout to be instructed.

[0071] In this standby state, when the processor 71 confirms that the product registration has been performed, it determines YES in Act 9 and proceeds to Act 11. In Act 11, the processor 71 controls the wireless unit 74 to transmit a product registration command to the virtual POS server 50. With this control, the wireless unit 74 wirelessly transmits the product registration command. The product registration command is received by the access point 80 and is sent to the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2. The product registration command includes the member ID stored in the main memory 72 and the product code of the registered product.

[0072] The processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 that has received the product registration command starts a command reception process according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The processor 51 detects the member ID from the product registration command in Act 51. Then, the processor 51 extracts the shopping basket memory 521 in which the member ID is described as a processing target in Act 52. Hereinafter, the processing target shopping basket memory 521 is referred to as shopping basket memory 521A.

[0073] After completing the processing of Act 51 and Act 52, the processor 51 creates purchased item data based on the item code included in the item registration command in Act 53, and writes the purchased item data to the shopping basket memory 521A. The processor 51 also adds the sales price and tax amount of the purchased item data to the total price in the shopping basket memory 521A in Act 54.

[0074] The processor 51 checks whether or not an electronic money identification code is stored in the shopping basket memory 521A in Act 55. If an electronic money identification code is not stored, the processor 51 determines NO in Act 55 and proceeds to Act 56. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to transmit a no-balance registered response command to the information terminal 70 in Act 56. With this control, the communication interface 54 transmits the no-balance registered response command. The no-balance registered response command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that transmitted the product registration command. The no-balance registered response command includes a purchased product list and a total amount generated from the purchased product data stored in the shopping basket memory 521A. Balance data is not included.

[0075] If an electronic money identification code is stored in the shopping basket memory 521A in Act 55, the processor 51 determines YES and proceeds to Act 57. The processor 51 updates the balance data in the shopping basket memory 521 in Act 57. That is, the processor 51 updates the balance data so that the sales price and tax amount of the purchased item data are subtracted from the balance. At this time, if the sum of the sales price and tax amount is greater than the balance, the balance becomes negative.

[0076] When the balance has been updated, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a registered response command indicating that there is a balance to the information terminal 70 in Act 58. This control causes the communication interface 54 to send the registered response command indicating that there is a balance. The registered response command indicating that there is a balance is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that sent the product registration command. The registered response command indicating that there is a balance includes the updated balance data along with a list of purchased products and the total amount.

[0077] In this way, the virtual POS server 50 that has received the product registration command transmits a registered response command indicating that there is no balance or that there is a balance to the information terminal 70 that transmitted the product registration command in Act 56 or Act 58. When the processor 51 has finished transmitting any one of the registered response commands, it ends this command receiving process.

[0078] Returning to the explanation of Figure 8. The processor 71 of the information terminal 70 that controlled the transmission of the product registration command in Act 11 waits for a registered response command in Act 12. When the processor 71 receives the registered response command from the virtual POS server 50, the processor 71 judges YES in Act 12 and proceeds to Act 13. The processor 71 updates the product registration screen displayed on the touch panel 75 in Act 13. That is, the processor 71 updates the product registration screen so that the purchased product list and the total amount included in the registered response command are displayed on the product registration screen. After that, the processor 71 returns to Act 7. That is, the processor 71 checks whether or not the registered response command includes balance data. If the balance data is included, the processor 71 judges YES in Act 7 and proceeds to Act 8. The processor 71 displays the balance of electronic money held by the customer in a part of the product registration screen based on the balance data in Act 8. At this time, if the balance is negative, the balance is displayed with a minus sign added. If the balance data is not included, the processor 71 determines "NO" in Act 7 and skips Act 8.

[0079] The processor 71 returns to the standby state of Act 9 and Act 10. In this standby state, when the processor 71 confirms that the product registration has been performed again, it executes the processes of Act 11 to Act 13 and Act 7 to Act 9 in the same manner as described above. Therefore, in the virtual POS server 50, the processor 51 executes the product registration command reception process shown in FIG. 11 again.

[0080] When the processor 71 detects that the [Checkout] touch button has been touched in the standby state of Act 9 and Act 10, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 10 and proceeds to Act 21 in Fig. 9. In Act 21, the processor 71 controls the wireless unit 74 to send a checkout command to the virtual POS server 50. This control causes the wireless unit 74 to wirelessly transmit the checkout command. The checkout command is received by the access point 80 and sent to the virtual POS server 50 via network 2. The checkout command includes the member ID stored in the main memory 72.

[0081] Upon receiving the transaction command, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 starts a command reception process according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. Processor 51 detects the member ID from the checkout command in Act 61. Processor 51 extracts, as a processing target, shopping basket memory 521 in which the detected member ID is written in Act 62. That is, processor 51 extracts shopping basket memory 521A.

[0082] After completing the processes in Act 61 and Act 62, the processor 51 acquires the member attributes from the shopping basket memory 521A in Act 63. Then, the processor 51 checks whether the member attributes are "00" in Act 64.

[0083] If the member attribute is "00", the processor 51 judges YES in Act 64 and proceeds to Act 65. In Act 65, the processor 51 determines the target payment machine 60 for the transaction by the customer who touched the [Checkout] button. For example, if one of the two payment machines 60 is available, the processor 51 determines that one payment machine 60 as the target payment machine for the transaction. If both payment machines 60 are available, the processor 51 determines one of the payment machines 60 in a preset order as the target payment machine for the transaction. If both payment machines 60 are in use, the processor 51 determines the payment machine 60 that was first in use as the target payment machine for the transaction.

[0084] When the payment machine 60 for the transaction is determined, the processor 51 generates transaction barcode data in Act 66. The transaction barcode is used to identify the customer making the transaction at the payment machine 60. A transaction barcode is generated for each customer making a transaction at the payment machine 60.

[0085] The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send the payment data to the store server 10 in Act 67. This control causes the communication interface 54 to send the payment data via the network 2. The payment data is received by the store server 10 and stored in its internal memory. The payment data includes the purchased item data and the total amount stored in the shopping cart memory 521A. The payment data also includes a payment machine identification code and payment barcode data that identify the payment machine 60 that is the subject of the payment.

[0086] The processor 51 controls the communications interface 54 to send a billing machine notification response command to the information terminal 70 that sent the billing command in Act 68. This control causes the communications interface 54 to send the billing machine notification response command. The billing machine notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 via the network 2, and is received by the information terminal 70 that sent the billing command. The billing machine notification response command includes an accounting barcode.

[0087] If the member attribute is not "00" in Act 64, the processor 51 judges NO and proceeds to Act 69. The processor 51 checks whether the member attribute is "01" in Act 69. If the member attribute is "01", the processor 51 judges YES in Act 69 and proceeds to Act 70.

[0088] In Act 70, the processor 51 obtains the credit card number from the shopping basket memory 521A. Then, in Act 71, the processor 51 executes the credit card payment process using the credit card number. That is, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a payment command by credit card to the communication server 40. By this control, the payment command is sent from the communication interface 54. The payment command is received by the communication server 40 via the network 2. The payment command includes the credit card number obtained from the shopping basket memory 521A.

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

[0090] In Act 72, processor 51 waits for the credit card payment to be completed. Then, when processor 51 receives a notification of the completion of the credit card payment from communication server 40, processor 51 determines YES in Act 72 and proceeds to Act 73. In Act 73, processor 51 controls communication interface 54 to send a payment completion response command to information terminal 70 that sent the accounting command. This control causes communication interface 54 to send the payment completion response command. The payment completion response command is wirelessly transmitted from access point 80 via network 2 and received by information terminal 70 that sent the accounting command. The payment completion response command includes data indicating that the credit card payment has been completed.

[0091] If the member attribute is not "01" in Act 69, the processor 51 judges NO and proceeds to Act 81 in Fig. 13. The processor 51 checks whether the member attribute is "10" in Act 81. If the member attribute is "10", the processor 51 judges YES in Act 81 and proceeds to Act 82.

[0092] The processor 51 checks whether the balance of the balance data stored in the shopping cart memory 521A is equal to or greater than "0" in Act 82. If the balance is negative, the processor 51 determines "NO" in Act 82 and proceeds to Act 65 in Fig. 12. Then, the processor 51 executes the processes of Act 65 to Act 68 described above.

[0093] If the balance is equal to or greater than "0", the processor 51 determines YES in Act 82 and proceeds to Act 83. The processor 51 executes the electronic money payment process in Act 83. That is, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send an electronic money payment command to the electronic money server 30. By this control, the electronic money payment command is sent from the communication interface 54. The electronic money payment command is received by the electronic money server 30 via the network 2. The electronic money payment command includes the electronic money identification code and the total amount stored in the shopping cart memory 521A.

[0094] The electronic money server 30, which has received the electronic money payment command, refers to the electronic money database 31. The electronic money server 30 then subtracts the total amount included in the electronic money payment command from the balance stored in association with the electronic money identification code included in the electronic money payment command. When the payment using electronic money is thus completed, the electronic money server 30 notifies the virtual POS server 50 of the completion of the electronic money payment.

[0095] In Act 84, processor 51 waits for the electronic money payment to finish. Then, when processor 51 receives a notification of the completion of the electronic money payment from electronic money server 30, processor 51 determines YES in Act 84 and proceeds to Act 85. In Act 85, processor 51 controls communication interface 54 to send a payment completion response command to information terminal 70 that sent the accounting command. This control causes communication interface 54 to send the payment completion response command. The payment completion response command is wirelessly transmitted from access point 80 via network 2 and received by information terminal 70 that sent the accounting command. The payment completion response command includes data indicating that the electronic money payment has finished.

[0096] If the member attribute is not "10" in Act 81, the member attribute is "11". That is, if the member attribute is "11", the processor 51 judges NO in Act 81 and proceeds to Act 86. The processor 51 checks whether the balance of the balance data stored in the shopping cart memory 521A is equal to or greater than "0" in Act 86. If the balance is negative, the processor 51 judges NO in Act 86 and proceeds to Act 70 in Fig. 12. Then, the processor 51 executes the processes of Act 70 to Act 73 described above.

[0097] If the balance is equal to or greater than "0", processor 51 determines YES in Act 86 and proceeds to Act 87. In Act 87, processor 51 controls communication interface 54 to send a payment method selection request command to the information terminal 70 that sent the billing command. This control causes communication interface 54 to send the payment method selection request command. The selection request command is wirelessly transmitted from access point 80 via network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that sent the billing command.

[0098] Returning to the explanation of Figure 9.

[0099] In Act 21, the processor 71 of the information terminal 70 that controlled the sending of the payment command checks whether or not a payment machine notification command has been received in Act 22. If the payment machine notification command has not been received, the processor 71 judges NO in Act 22 and proceeds to Act 23. The processor 71 checks whether or not a payment completion response command has been received in Act 23. If the payment completion response command has not been received, the processor 71 judges NO in Act 23 and proceeds to Act 24. The processor 71 checks whether or not a selection request command has been received in Act 24. If the selection request command has not been received, the processor 71 judges NO in Act 24 and returns to Act 22. Here, the processor 71 waits to receive a payment machine notification command, a payment completion response command, or a selection request command in Act 22 to Act 24.

[0100] In this standby state, if a payment machine notification command is received, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 22 and proceeds to Act 25. In Act 25, the processor 71 displays a payment machine information screen on the touch panel 75. The payment machine information screen displays the payment machine identification code and payment barcode of the payment object contained in the payment machine notification command.

[0101] After checking the payment machine information screen, the customer goes to the location of the payment machine 60 to which the payment machine identification code has been assigned, and has the payment barcode read by the scanner installed in that payment machine 60. The payment machine 60 then obtains the payment data stored together with that payment barcode from the store server 10. As a result, the payment machine 60 can carry out payment processing such as cash payment or point payment based on that payment data.

[0102] When a selection request command is received in the standby state of Act 22 to Act 24, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 24 and proceeds to Act 26. In Act 26, the processor 71 displays a payment method selection screen on the touch panel 75. The payment method selection screen is a screen that prompts the customer to select either credit card payment or electronic money payment.

[0103] After checking the payment method selection screen, the customer decides whether to select credit card payment or electronic money payment, and then touches the payment method selection screen to select the payment method that has been decided upon.

[0104] The processor 71 waits for a payment method to be selected in Act 27. Then, when a payment method is selected, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 27 and proceeds to Act 28. The processor 71 controls the wireless unit 74 to transmit a payment method notification command to the virtual POS server 50 in Act 28. By this control, the wireless unit 74 wirelessly transmits the payment method notification command. The wirelessly transmitted payment method notification command is received by the access point 80 and sent to the virtual POS server 50 via the network 2. The payment method notification command includes data for identifying the selected payment method.

[0105] Returning to the explanation of Figure 13. The processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50, which controlled the transmission of the selection request command in Act 87, waits for a payment method notification command in Act 88. Then, when the processor 51 receives the payment method notification command, the processor 51 judges as YES in Act 88 and proceeds to Act 89. In Act 89, the processor 51 identifies whether the payment method notification command is a command for notifying a credit card payment or a command for notifying an electronic money payment. Then, if the command is a command for notifying a credit card payment, the processor 51 judges as YES in Act 89 and proceeds to Act 70 in Fig. 12. Thereafter, the processor 51 executes the processes of Act 70 to Act 73 in the same manner as described above.

[0106] If the command is for notifying of electronic money payment, the processor 51 judges NO in Act 89 and proceeds to Act 83 in Fig. 13. After that, the processor 51 executes the processes from Act 83 to Act 85 in the same manner as described above.

[0107] In this way, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 that has received the transaction command terminates this command reception process when it has finished sending the transaction machine notification response command in Act 68, or when it has finished sending the payment completion response command in Act 73 or Act 85.

[0108] Returning to the explanation of Figure 9. The processor 71 of the information terminal 70 that controlled the transmission of the payment method notification command waits for a payment completion response command in Act 29. Then, when the processor 71 receives the payment completion response command, it judges YES in Act 29 and proceeds to Act 30. Note that even if the processor 71 receives the payment completion response command in the standby state of Act 22 to Act 24, it also judges YES in Act 23 and proceeds to Act 30.

[0109] In Act 30, the processor 71 displays a payment completion screen on the touch panel 75. The payment completion screen is a screen for notifying the customer that the price of the purchased product has been paid by credit card or electronic money.

[0110] The processor 71 displays a payment machine guide screen in Act 25, or displays a payment completion screen in Act 30, and then ends the information processing of the procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIG. 8 and FIG.

[0111] 11, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 calculates the price of the product purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased product received by the information terminal 70. Here, the processor 51 constitutes a calculation means.

[0112] Moreover, the processor 51 acquires member attributes indicating data necessary for payment set for the purchaser in Act 61 to Act 63 of Fig. 12. Here, the processor 51 constitutes an acquiring means.

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

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

[0115] 10 and Acts 57 and 58 in Fig. 11, when the data required for payment includes the balance of electronic money, the processor 51 notifies the balance to the information terminal 70. Here, the processor 51 constitutes a balance notifying means.

[0116] Furthermore, when the processor 51 detects that the credit card payment process or the electronic money payment process has been completed in Act 73 of Fig. 12 and Act 85 of Fig. 13, the processor 51 notifies the information terminal 70 that the payment has been completed. Here, the processor 51 constitutes a payment notification means.

[0117] Thus, the virtual POS server 50 including the processor 51 constituting the calculation means, acquisition means, settlement means, request means, balance notifying means and settlement notifying means functions as an information processing device.

[0118] As explained above, when a member with member attribute "01" touches the [Checkout] button after registering the items to be purchased using information terminal 70, the cost of the purchased items is paid for with the credit card with the credit card number that the member registered in advance. Similarly, when a member with member attribute "10" touches the [Checkout] button after registering the items to be purchased using information terminal 70, the cost of the purchased items is paid for with electronic money identified by the electronic money identification code that the member registered in advance.

[0119] On the other hand, when a member with member attribute "11" touches the [Checkout] button after registering the purchased items using the information terminal 70, a payment method selection screen is displayed on the touch panel 75 of the information terminal 70. If the member selects credit card payment here, the price of the purchased items will be settled with the credit card with the credit card number that the member registered in advance. If the member selects electronic money payment, the price of the purchased items will be settled with electronic money identified by the electronic money identification code that the member registered in advance.

[0120] In this way, the member can use the information terminal 70 provided in the cart C to perform the process from registering purchased items to making payments by himself / herself. Therefore, there is no need to attach a payment device to the cart C, so the operability of the cart and the customer's workability are not impaired. Also, the cart POS system 1 can be constructed at a lower cost than when a payment device is attached to the cart C.

[0121] Moreover, by registering their credit card number and electronic money identification code in advance, members can choose between credit card payment and electronic money payment. Therefore, members can easily differentiate between using electronic money payment for inexpensive purchases and credit card payment for expensive purchases.

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

[0123] Furthermore, if the electronic money balance, which is updated in real time, becomes negative, electronic money payment is prohibited in the cart POS system 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electronic money balance from becoming negative due to electronic money payment. Incidentally, if electronic money payment is prohibited because the electronic money balance becomes negative, and the member has also registered a credit card number, payment will be made by credit card. If a credit card number has not been registered, payment will be made at the accounting machine 60. Therefore, even if electronic money payment is prohibited, the member can make payment using another payment method.

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

[0125] The above describes one embodiment of an information processing device that allows a customer to perform the process from registering purchased items to paying for them on a terminal operated by the customer without using a payment device, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

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

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

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

[0129] In the above embodiment, the control program is stored in advance in the main memory 52 or auxiliary storage device 53 of the virtual POS server 50. In this regard, the control program transferred separately from the virtual POS server 50 may be written to a writable storage device provided in the virtual POS server 50 in response to an operation by a user or the like. The transfer of the control program or the like can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, as long as it can store the program and is readable by the device.

[0130] Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. The invention as originally claimed in the present application is set forth below. [1] An information processing device comprising: a calculation means for use by a purchaser, which calculates the price of a product to be purchased by the purchaser based on data of the purchased product received at a terminal that accepts data input and payment instructions for the purchased product; an acquisition means for acquiring data necessary for payment of the price set for the purchaser; and a payment means for settling a transaction for the price calculated by the calculation means using the data necessary for payment acquired by the acquisition means in response to receiving the payment instruction at the terminal. [2] An information processing device as described in appendix [1], further comprising a request means for requesting the terminal to select data to be used for settlement from among the data necessary for the payment of two or more prices when the acquisition means acquires data necessary for the payment of two or more prices, and the settlement means settles the transaction of the price calculated by the calculation means with the data necessary for the payment selected by the terminal. [3] An information processing device according to appendix [1] or [2], further comprising a balance notification means for notifying the terminal of the balance when the data necessary for the payment includes the balance of electronic money. [4] An information processing device as described in appendix [3], wherein when the data required for payment of the price is a balance of electronic money, the settlement means settles the transaction of the price on the condition that the balance is equal to or greater than the price calculated by the calculation means. [5] An information processing device according to any one of appendices [1] to [4], further comprising: when payment by the payment means is completed, notifying the terminal that the payment has been completed. [6] A control program for causing a computer of an information processing device used by a purchaser and communicating with a terminal that accepts data input and payment instructions for purchased goods to function as a calculation means for calculating the price of the goods purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased goods accepted by the terminal, an acquisition means for acquiring data necessary for the payment of the price set for the purchaser, and a payment means for settling the transaction of the price calculated by the calculation means using the data necessary for the payment acquired by the acquisition means in response to the payment instruction being accepted by the terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1...cart POS system, 10...store server, 20...member server, 21...member payment database, 30...electronic money server, 31...electronic money database, 40...communication server, 50...virtual POS server, 51, 71...processor, 52, 72...main memory, 53, 73...auxiliary storage device, 54...communication interface, 60...accounting machine, 70...information terminal, 74...wireless unit, 75...touch panel, 76...scanner, 77...reader, 78...camera, 80...access point, 521...shopping basket memory.

Claims

1. a calculation means for calculating the price of the product to be purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased product received by a terminal used by the purchaser for receiving data input of the purchased product and a payment instruction; an acquisition means for acquiring an attribute indicating a type of payment method set for the purchaser; a balance notification means for notifying said terminal of a balance of electronic money identified by said purchaser's electronic money identification code when said attribute includes electronic money payment as a price payment method; a payment means for settling the transaction for the price calculated by the calculation means in a price payment method represented by attributes of the purchaser using the terminal in response to the terminal receiving the payment instruction; An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. An information processing device as described in claim 1, wherein when there are two or more payment methods represented by the attributes, the payment methods include two or more types of electronic money payment, and none of the payment methods uses a cash register.

3. When there are two or more types of payment methods represented by the attribute, the payment methods are two or more types including electronic money payment, and at least one of the payment methods is not a payment method that does not use a cash register, a guidance means for guiding the purchaser to a payment machine in response to receiving the payment instruction at the terminal when the attribute acquired by the acquisition means is not an attribute representing a price payment method that does not use the payment machine; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

4. a requesting means for requesting the terminal to select one of the payment methods represented by the attribute when the attribute represents two or more types of payment methods including electronic money payment; Further comprising:

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said settlement means settles the transaction for the price calculated by said calculation means using a price payment method selected at said terminal.

5. a payment notification means for notifying the terminal of the completion of the payment when the payment by the payment means is completed; 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. A computer of an information processing device that is used by a purchaser and communicates with a terminal that accepts data input of purchased goods and payment instructions, A calculation means for calculating the price of the product to be purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased product received by the terminal; An acquisition means for acquiring an attribute indicating a type of payment method set for the purchaser; a balance notification means for notifying said terminal of a balance of electronic money identified by said purchaser's electronic money identification code when said attribute includes electronic money payment as a price payment method; and a payment means for settling the transaction of the price calculated by the calculation means in a price payment method represented by attributes of the purchaser using the terminal in response to the terminal receiving the payment instruction; A control program that functions as a

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