Information Processing Apparatus and Program

Abstract

To provide an information processor and a program capable of grasping a product that can be purchased with a balance.SOLUTION: An information processor according to an embodiment comprises budget acquisition means for acquiring budget information, price acquisition means for acquiring a price for a product to be purchased, balance calculation means for calculating a balance from the budget information and the price of the product, product extraction means for extracting a product that can be purchased with the balance, and product output means for outputting product information on the extracted product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a store that sells products, when trying to shop within a predetermined budget, the remaining balance with respect to the budget was calculated based on the total amount of the products already placed in a basket or a cart, and products that could be purchased based on the remaining balance were searched for.

[0003] However, searching for products that can be purchased with the remaining balance from the products displayed in the store has been a burden on customers.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program that can easily grasp products that can be purchased with the remaining balance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The information processing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a budget acquisition unit that acquires budget information, a price acquisition unit that acquires the price of a product to be purchased, a remaining balance calculation unit that calculates the remaining balance from the budget information and the price of the product, a product extraction unit that extracts products that can be purchased with the remaining balance, and a product output unit that outputs product information of the extracted products. a threshold determination means for determining whether the remaining amount has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and the product extraction means extracts products that can be purchased with the remaining amount when the threshold determination means determines that the remaining amount has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, for example, a store server (hereinafter referred to as "server") installed in a store such as a supermarket, a home center, a clothing store, or a convenience store will be described as an example of an information processing apparatus. Also, a cart terminal installed in a cart for placing purchased items while moving within the store will be described as an example of a terminal device. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described below.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the interior of a store according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the store S, a plurality of shelves 91 (in the embodiment, shelves 911, 912, 913) are installed. On the shelves 91, the products sold in the store S are classified by product and displayed. In the embodiment, the shelves 911, 912, and 913 are installed at substantially equal intervals. Near each shelf 91, an area 93 (in the embodiment, areas 931, 932, 933) is provided. The area 93 is a passage through which the cart K can move. Also, on each shelf 91, a beacon transmitter 92 is provided. The beacon transmitter 92 transmits area information indicating the area in the vicinity where the beacon transmitter 92 is attached. Also, in the settlement area of the store S, one or more POS (Point of Sales) terminals 7 are installed. Also, in the backyard of the store S, a server 3 is installed. A customer receives the cart K at the entrance of the store S, moves inside the store, and shops. A cart terminal 1 (see FIG. 3) is attached to the cart K.

[0009] The cart terminal 1 transmits budget information indicating the input budget amount to the server 3. Also, the cart terminal 1 reads the symbol attached to the product and transmits the price of the product to the server 3. Also, the cart terminal 1 receives area information from the beacon transmitter 92 and transmits the area information to the server 3. The received area information is the area where the cart terminal 1 (that is, the cart K) is currently located.

[0010] Also, the cart terminal 1 receives and displays product information (product code, product name, price) of products that can be purchased with the remaining balance from the server 3.

[0011] Also, the cart terminal 1 executes a product registration process. The product registration process includes a process of calling and displaying product information such as the product name and price of the product based on the product code obtained by reading the symbol attached to the product, and storing it in the product information unit 133 (see FIG. 4). The cart terminal 1 transmits the product information of the product processed by the product registration process to the server 3.

[0012] Server 3 manages the sales in store S. Also, server 3 stores the budget and the amount of the products to be purchased for each cart terminal 1 and calculates the remaining balance. Further, server 3 extracts the products that can be purchased with the remaining balance. Server 3 extracts the products that can be purchased with the remaining balance based on the purchase history that the customer has made in the past and the information of the products displayed in the area where cart K is located. Server 3 transmits the product information of the extracted products to cart terminal 1.

[0013] POS terminal 7 executes a settlement process for the products placed in cart K. The settlement process refers to a process of displaying the total amount and the change amount (hereinafter referred to as "settlement information") related to the transaction with the customer based on the product information of the products registered by server 3 and performing payment of money in cash or non-cash. The settlement process includes a process of issuing a receipt on which the product information of the settled products and the settlement information are printed.

[0014] Next, system 10 installed in store S will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing system 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, system 10 includes one or more cart terminals 1, a server 3, a repeater 5, and one or more POS terminals 7. Server 3 is mainly installed in the backyard of store S. POS terminal 7 is installed in the settlement section of store S. Repeater 5 is installed in a place where radio waves can be easily transmitted and received, such as the ceiling or pillars of store S (a position that is less affected by obstacles for radio wave transmission and reception). Server 3 and POS terminal 7 are connected by a communication line L such as a LAN (Local Area Network) line. Repeater 5 is connected to server 3 and POS terminal 7 by communication line L.

[0015] Cart terminal 1 is a portable terminal device such as a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) or a tablet terminal. Also, cart terminal 1 may be a portable terminal device such as a mobile terminal or a smartphone.

[0016] Cart terminal 1 is connected to repeater 5 by a wireless communication line 6. Also, cart terminal 1 receives area information that is radio waves transmitted from beacon transmitter 92.

[0017] Next, the cart K will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the cart K. As shown in FIG. 3, the cart K is a device for putting the products that the customer purchases among the products displayed while moving within the store S. The cart K includes a storage unit 26, casters 27, a handle 28, and a weighing unit 22. By the customer carrying and pushing the handle 28, the casters 27 rotate and the cart K moves. The storage unit 26 stores the products. The weighing unit 22 weighs the products put in.

[0018] Also, the cart K is provided with a scanner 21. The scanner 21 reads symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes attached to the products. The scanner 21 captures and reads the symbols or reads them optically. Further, a cart terminal 1 is attached to the handle 28 of the cart K. The hardware configuration of the cart terminal 1 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0019] The customer receives the cart K at the entrance of the store S and enters the store. The customer who has entered the store takes out the products to be purchased from the shelf 91 and puts them into the cart K while moving the cart K through the area 93. The customer puts the products displayed in the left columns of the shelves 911 and 912 into the cart K moving through the area 931. The customer puts the products displayed in the right column of the shelf 912 and the left column of the shelf 913 into the cart K moving through the area 932. The customer puts the products displayed in the right column of the shelf 913 into the cart K moving through the area 933.

[0020] In addition, a beacon transmitter 92 is provided on the shelf 91. The beacon transmitter 92 transmits area information to the cart terminal 1 (see FIG. 3) attached to the cart K located within a specific area. In the embodiment, a beacon transmitter 921 is provided on the shelf 911. The beacon transmitter 921 transmits area information indicating that it is the area 931 to all the cart terminals 1 located within the area 931. Also, a beacon transmitter 922 is provided on the shelf 912. The beacon transmitter 922 transmits area information indicating that it is the area 932 to all the cart terminals 1 located within the area 932. Further, a beacon transmitter 923 is provided on the shelf 913. The beacon transmitter 923 transmits area information indicating that it is the area 933 to all the cart terminals 1 located within the area 933. The cart terminal 1 transmits the received area information to the server 3.

[0021] A customer who has placed all the items to be purchased in the cart K performs settlement processing at the POS terminal 7. The POS terminal 7 executes settlement processing in cash or non-cash.

[0022] Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the cart terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the cart terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the cart terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a memory unit 14, etc. The CPU 11 serves as the control main body. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 14 stores various programs. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and memory unit 14 are connected to each other via a bus 15. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 constitute a control unit 100. That is, the control unit 100 executes the control processing of the cart terminal 1 described later by operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 12 and memory unit 14 and expanded in the RAM 13 by the CPU 11.

[0023] The RAM 13 includes a budget storage unit 131, a purchasable product storage unit 132, a product information unit 133, a region information unit 134, and a customer ID unit 135. The budget storage unit 131 stores the budget amount input from, for example, the setting keys provided in the operation unit 17 described later. The purchasable product storage unit 132 receives and stores information on products that can be purchased with the remaining balance from the server 3. Note that the purchasable product storage unit 132 also stores the remaining balance information received from the server 3. The product information unit 133 stores the product information of the products for which product registration processing has been performed at the cart terminal 1. The region information unit 134 stores the region information transmitted from the beacon transmitter 92 indicating each region 93 (any one of the regions 931, 932, and 933). When the cart terminal 1 (i.e., the cart K) is located in the region 931, the region information unit 134 receives and stores the region information transmitted by the beacon transmitter 921. Also, when the cart terminal 1 (i.e., the cart K) is located in the region 932, the region information unit 134 receives and stores the region information transmitted by the beacon transmitter 922. Also, when the cart terminal 1 (i.e., the cart K) is located in the region 933, the region information unit 134 receives and stores the region information transmitted by the beacon transmitter 923. The customer ID unit 135 stores the customer ID (Identity) for identifying the customer read by the card reader 20 described later.

[0024] The memory unit 14 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and stores a control program unit 141 that stores a control program for controlling the cart terminal 1, a product master 142, and a cart number unit 143. The product master 142 stores the product information of the product in association with the product code for identifying the product. The cart number unit 143 stores the cart number for identifying the cart K to which the cart terminal 1 is attached. Alternatively, it may store the cart terminal number for identifying the cart terminal 1. In the embodiment, the cart number unit 143 stores the cart number for identifying the cart K.

[0025] Further, the control unit 100 is connected to an operation unit 17, a display unit 18, a beacon reception unit 19, a card reader 20, a scanner 21, and a weighing unit 22 via a bus 15 and a controller 16. The controller 16 controls the operation unit 17, the display unit 18, the beacon reception unit 19, the card reader 20, the scanner 21, and the weighing unit 22 in response to instructions from the control unit 100. However, for the sake of explanation, it will be described as if the control unit 100 performs the control carried out by the controller 16.

[0026] The operation unit 17 is a touch panel equipped with a keyboard such as a start key 171, an end key 172, and a budget key 173 in addition to digit keys, and is operated by a customer who is an operator of the cart terminal 1. The start key 171 is operated when starting the use of the cart terminal 1 (i.e., when starting shopping in the store S). The end key 172 is operated when ending shopping in the store S and performing settlement at the POS terminal 7. The budget key 173 is operated together with the digit keys when inputting the budget amount. The display unit 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information including, for example, the remaining amount with respect to the budget amount described later and purchasable items for the operator of the cart terminal 1.

[0027] The beacon reception unit 19 receives area information transmitted by the beacon transmitter 92. The card reader 20 reads a customer ID that identifies a customer from a customer card or the like described later. The scanner 21 reads a symbol attached to a product. The weighing unit 22 weighs the total weight of the products placed in the storage unit 26.

[0028] Also, the control unit 100 is connected to a communication unit 23 via the bus 15. The communication unit 23 is connected to the server 3 and the POS terminal 7 via a wireless communication line 6. The communication unit 23 transmits and receives information to and from the server 3 and the POS terminal 7 via the wireless communication line 6, the repeater 5, and the communication line L.

[0029] From here, the hardware configuration of server 3 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of server 3. As shown in FIG. 3, server 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a memory unit 34, etc. The CPU 31 serves as the control entity. The ROM 32 stores various programs. The RAM 33 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 34 stores various programs. The CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and memory unit 34 are connected to each other via a bus 35. The CPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 constitute a control unit 300. That is, the control unit 300 executes the control processing of server 3 described later by operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 32 or memory unit 34 and expanded in the RAM 33 by the CPU 31.

[0030] The RAM 33 includes a budget information section 331. The budget information section 331 stores information such as the budget amount received from the cart terminal 1 for each cart number. The budget information section 331 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0031] The memory unit 34 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and has a control program section 341 that stores a control program for controlling server 3, a customer master 342, and a region information section 343. The customer master 342 stores customer information for each customer in association with a customer ID. The customer master 342 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6. The region information section 343 stores product information of products displayed on the shelf 91 in the region specified by the region information for each region information. That is, the region information section 343 stores the region where the products are displayed. The region information section 343 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0032] Further, the control unit 300 is connected to the operation unit 37 and the display unit 38 via the bus 35 and the controller 36. The controller 36 controls the operation unit 37 and the display unit 38 in response to instructions from the control unit 300. However, for the sake of explanation, it will be described as if the control unit 300 performs the control that the controller 36 performs. The operation unit 37 is, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel, and is operated by the operator of the server 3. The display unit 38 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information to the operator of the server 3.

[0033] Also, the control unit 300 is connected to the communication unit 39 via the bus 35. The communication unit 39 is connected to the repeater 5 and the POS terminal 7 via the communication line L. The communication unit 39 transmits and receives information to and from the POS terminal 7 via the communication line L. Also, the communication unit 39 transmits and receives information to and from the cart terminal 1 via the communication line L, the repeater 5, and the wireless communication line 6.

[0034] Hereinafter, the customer master 342 will be described. FIG. 6 is a memory map showing the configuration of the customer master 342. As shown in FIG. 6, the customer master 342 has a customer ID section 3421, a customer information section 3422, and a purchase history section 3423 (history storage section). The customer ID section 3421 stores a customer ID for identifying a customer. The customer information section 3422 stores various information (customer name, age, address, telephone number, addresses of owned mobile terminals and PCs, etc.) of the customer specified by the customer ID stored in the customer ID section 3421 in association with the customer ID stored in the customer ID section 3421. The purchase history section 3423 stores, in association with the customer ID stored in the customer ID section 3421, product information of the products purchased by the customer in the past as purchase history information of the customer specified by the customer ID stored in the customer ID section 3421. That is, the purchase history section 3423 stores the purchase history information of each customer.

[0035] Next, the area information section 343 will be described. FIG. 7 is a memory map showing the configuration of the area information section 343. As shown in FIG. 7, the area information section 343 has an area number section 3431, a product code section 3432, a product name section 3433, and a price section 3434. The area number section 3431 stores area numbers indicating any of areas 93 (in the embodiment, any of area 931, area 932, and area 933). In the embodiment, the area number section 94311 stores the area number indicating area 931. This area number is the area information transmitted by the beacon transmitter 921. The area number section 94312 stores the area number indicating area 932. This area number is the area information transmitted by the beacon transmitter 922. The area number section 94313 stores the area number indicating area 933. This area number is the area information transmitted by the beacon transmitter 923.

[0036] The product code section 3432 stores the product codes of the products displayed on the shelf 91 located in the area of the area number section 3431. The product code section 34321 corresponding to the area number section 34311 stores the product codes of the products displayed on the shelf 91 located in area 931 (that is, the right column of shelf 911 and the left column of shelf 912). The product code section 34322 corresponding to the area number section 34312 stores the product codes of the products displayed on the shelf 91 located in area 932 (that is, the right column of shelf 912 and the left column of shelf 913). The product code section 34323 corresponding to the area number section 34313 stores the product codes of the products displayed on the shelf 91 located in area 933 (that is, the right column of shelf 913).

[0037] The product name section 3433 stores the product names of the products corresponding to the product codes stored in the product code section 3432. The product name section 34331 stores the product names of the products respectively corresponding to the product codes stored in the product code section 34321. The product name section 34332 stores the product names of the products respectively corresponding to the product codes stored in the product code section 34322. The product name section 34333 stores the product names of the products respectively corresponding to the product codes stored in the product code section 34323.

[0038] The price section 3434 stores the prices of the products with the product codes stored in the product code section 3432. The price section 34341 stores the prices of the products corresponding to the product codes stored in the product code section 34321 respectively. The price section 34342 stores the prices of the products corresponding to the product codes stored in the product code section 34322 respectively. The price section 34343 stores the prices of the products corresponding to the product codes stored in the product code section 34323 respectively. That is, by looking at the area information section 343, it can be seen which products are displayed in which areas and what the prices of those products are.

[0039] Next, FIG. 8 for explaining the budget information section 331 is a memory map showing the configuration of the budget information section 331. As shown in FIG. 8, the budget information section 331 has a cart number section 3311, a customer ID section 3312, an area information section 3313, a purchased product section 3314, a budget section 3315, and a balance section 3316.

[0040] The cart number section 3311 stores the cart number transmitted from the cart terminal 1. The customer ID section 3312 stores the customer ID transmitted from the cart terminal 1 simultaneously with the cart number. This customer ID is the ID of the customer using the cart K specified by the cart number.

[0041] The area information unit 3313 stores area information indicating the area where the cart K with the cart number stored in the cart number unit 3311 is currently located. This area information is the information that the cart terminal 1 located in the area has received the area information transmitted by the beacon transmitter 92 and transmitted to the server 3. The purchased goods unit 3314 stores the product information of the products for which product registration processing has been performed in the cart terminal 1. The budget unit 3315 stores the information indicating the budget amount transmitted from the cart terminal 1. Note that the budget unit 3315 also stores a predetermined amount for the budget amount. The predetermined amount is an amount indicating a threshold value indicating when to notify when the balance reaches a certain amount. The predetermined amount may be a fixed amount (for example, 100 yen), or may be an amount that changes according to the budget amount (for example, an amount of 10% of the budget amount). The balance unit 3316 stores information indicating the remaining balance of how much can be used until the budget amount is reached. The balance is the amount obtained by subtracting the total price of the products for which product registration processing has been performed from the budget amount. For products with a discount, the amount obtained by subtracting the discount amount from the price of the product is used as the new price of the product.

[0042] That is, by looking at the balance stored in the balance unit 3316, it is possible to know how much more the customer with the cart number can use with respect to the budget amount.

[0043] Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 7 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the POS terminal 7 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, a memory unit 74, and the like. The CPU 71 serves as the control main body. The ROM 72 stores various programs. The RAM 73 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 74 stores various programs. The CPU 71, the ROM 72, the RAM 73, and the memory unit 74 are connected to each other via a bus 75. The CPU 71, the ROM 72, and the RAM 73 constitute a control unit 700. That is, the control unit 700 executes the control processing of the POS terminal 7 by the CPU 71 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 72 and the memory unit 74 and expanded in the RAM 73.

[0044] The RAM 73 is provided with a product information section 731. The product information section 731 stores the product information of the products for which product registration processing has been performed in the POS terminal 7. Also, when the end key 172 is operated in the cart terminal 1, the product information section 731 receives and stores the product information of the products for which product registration processing has been performed in the cart terminal 1 from the server 3.

[0045] The memory section 74 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and has a control program section 741 that stores a control program for controlling the POS terminal 7 and a product master 742. The product master 742 stores the product information of products by product code.

[0046] Also, the control unit 700 is connected to an operation unit 81, an operator display unit 82, a customer display unit 83, a reading unit 84, and a printing unit 85 via a bus 75 and a controller 76. The controller 76 controls the operation unit 81, the operator display unit 82, the customer display unit 83, the reading unit 84, and the printing unit 85 in response to instructions from the control unit 700. However, for the sake of explanation, it will be described as if the control performed by the controller 76 is performed by the control unit 700. The operation unit 81 is a keyboard or a touch panel and is operated by the operator of the POS terminal 7. The operator display unit 82 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays information to the operator (operator) who operates the POS terminal 7. The customer display unit 83 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays information to the customer. The reading unit 84 is a scanner that reads the symbol attached to the product and has the same configuration as the scanner 21. The printing unit 85 issues a receipt on which the product information and settlement information of the products for which settlement processing has been performed are printed.

[0047] Also, the control unit 700 is connected to a communication unit 86 via a bus 75. The communication unit 86 is connected to the server 3 via a communication line L and performs transmission and reception of information with the server 3.

[0048] From here, the control of the cart terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the cart terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 100 of the cart terminal 1 determines whether the start key 171 has been operated (S11). It waits until it is operated (No in S11), and when it is determined that the start key 171 has been operated (Yes in S11), the control unit 100 determines whether the customer ID has been read from, for example, a customer card by the card reader 20 (S12). When it is determined that the customer ID has been read (Yes in S12), the control unit 100 stores the read customer ID in the customer ID unit 135 (S13). Then the control unit 100 returns to S12.

[0049] Also, when it is determined that the customer ID has not been read (No in S12), the control unit 100 determines whether budget amount information has been input by operating the setting keys provided on the operation unit 17 and the budget key 173 (S14). When it is determined that the budget amount has been input (Yes in S14), the control unit 100 stores the input budget amount in the budget storage unit 131 (S15). Then the control unit 100 transmits the budget amount to the server 3 together with the cart number that identifies the cart K stored in the cart number unit 143 and the customer ID stored in the customer ID unit 135 (S16). Then the control unit 100 returns to S12.

[0050] Also, when it is determined that the input is not the budget amount (No in S14), the control unit 100 determines whether it has received area information from the beacon transmitter 92 (S21). When it is determined that area information has been received from the beacon transmitter 92 (Yes in S21), the control unit 100 stores the received area information in the area information unit 134 (S22). Then, the control unit 100 transmits the area information stored in the area information unit 134 to the server 3 together with the cart number stored in the cart number unit 143 and the customer ID stored in the customer ID unit 135 (S23). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S12. Note that when the control unit 100 determines that the area information received in S21 is the same as the area information already stored in the area information unit 134, it makes a No determination in S21. When the control unit 100 determines that the area information received in S21 is different from the area information already stored in the area information unit 134, it makes a Yes determination in S21 and executes the processes of S22 and S23.

[0051] Also, in S21, when it is determined that no area information has been received or the received area information is the same as the area information already stored in the area information unit 134 (No in S21), the control unit 100 determines whether it has received information on purchasable items from the server 3 (S24). When it is determined that product information on purchasable items has been received from the server 3 (Yes in S24), the control unit 100 stores the received product information on purchasable items and the balance information received from the server 3 at the same time in the purchasable item storage unit 132 (S25). Then, the control unit 100 displays the balance stored in the purchasable item storage unit 132 and the product information on items that can be purchased with the balance on the display unit 18 (S26). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S12.

[0052] Also, when it is determined that the information on purchasable products is not received from the server 3 (No in S24), the control unit 100 determines whether the scanner 21 has read the symbol attached to the product (S31). When it is determined that the scanner 21 has read the symbol attached to the product (Yes in S31), the control unit 100 executes product registration processing related to the product based on the product code of the product obtained based on the read symbol (S32). Then, the control unit 100 transmits the product information of the product for which the product registration processing has been performed to the server 3 together with the cart number (S33). And the control unit 100 returns to S12.

[0053] Also, when it is determined that the symbol has not been read by the scanner 21 (No in S31), the control unit 100 determines whether the end key 172 has been operated (S34). When it is determined that the end key 172 has been operated (Yes in S34), the control unit 100 transmits end key information indicating that the end key 172 has been operated to the server 3 together with the cart number (S35). And the control unit 100 ends the process and returns to S11. Also, when it is determined that the end key 172 has not been operated (No in S34), the control unit 100 returns to S12.

[0054] Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the server 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 3. As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 300 functions as a budget acquisition means 301, a price acquisition means 302, a balance calculation means 303, a product extraction means 304, a product output means 305, a threshold determination means 306, a customer information acquisition means 307, and a region information acquisition means 308 by following the control program stored in the control program section 341 of the ROM 32 and the memory section 34.

[0055] The budget acquisition means 301 acquires budget information. Specifically, the budget acquisition means 301 receives budget information indicating the budget amount input at the cart terminal 1 from the cart terminal 1.

[0056] The price acquisition means 302 acquires the price of the product to be purchased. Specifically, the price acquisition means 302 acquires the price of the product included in the product information received from the cart terminal 1 for the product that has undergone product registration processing based on the symbol read by the cart terminal 1.

[0057] The balance calculation means 303 calculates the balance from the budget information and the price of the product. Specifically, the balance calculation means 303 calculates the balance with respect to the budget amount from the budget information acquired by the budget acquisition means 301 and the price of the product acquired by the price acquisition means 302. More specifically, the balance calculation means 303 calculates the balance by subtracting the price of the product acquired by the price acquisition means 302 from the budget information acquired by the budget acquisition means 301.

[0058] The product extraction means 304 extracts the products that can be purchased with the balance. Specifically, the product extraction means 304 searches the area information section 343 based on the balance calculated by the balance calculation means 303 and extracts the products that can be purchased with the balance.

[0059] The product output means 305 outputs the product information of the extracted products. Specifically, the product output means 305 transmits the product information of the products extracted by the product extraction means 304 to the cart terminal 1.

[0060] The threshold judgment means 306 judges whether the balance has become less than or equal to a predetermined amount. Specifically, the threshold judgment means 306 judges whether the balance stored in the balance section 3316 has become less than or equal to the predetermined amount stored in the budget section 3315. The threshold judgment means 306 may judge whether the balance stored in the balance section 3316 has become less than the predetermined amount stored in the budget section 3315.

[0061] The customer information acquisition means 307 acquires the customer ID that identifies the customer. Specifically, the customer information acquisition means 307 receives from the cart terminal 1 the customer ID read from the customer card by the cart terminal 1 using the card reader 20.

[0062] The product extraction means 304 searches the purchase history (products purchased in the past) of the customer stored in the customer master 342 based on the customer ID acquired by the customer information acquisition means 307, and extracts products that can be purchased with the balance stored in the balance section 3316 among the products the customer has purchased in the past.

[0063] The area information acquisition means 308 acquires area information indicating in which area of the store the cart terminal 1 is located. Specifically, the area information acquisition means 308 receives area information indicating a specific area transmitted by the beacon transmitter 92.

[0064] Based on the area information acquired by the area information acquisition means 308, the product extraction means 304 acquires information on products displayed in the area from the area information section 343, and extracts products that can be purchased with the balance stored in the balance section 3316 among the acquired products.

[0065] In the embodiment, the product extraction means 304 extracts products that can be purchased based on the customer ID acquired by the customer information acquisition means 307, and further extracts products that can be purchased based on the area information acquired by the area information acquisition means 308, and only the products extracted by both are extracted as the final products that can be purchased.

[0066] From here, the control of server 3 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of server 3. Further, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the purchasable product extraction process in server 3. As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 300 of server 3 determines whether it has received budget information, a cart number, and a customer ID from cart terminal 1 (S41). When it is determined that budget information, a cart number, and a customer ID have been received from cart terminal 1 (Yes in S41), the customer information acquisition means 307 stores (acquires) the received customer ID in the customer ID section 3312 corresponding to the received cart number (S42). Also, the budget acquisition means 301 stores the received budget information (budget amount) in the budget section 3315 corresponding to the received cart number (S42). Further, the control unit 300 calculates a predetermined amount (threshold value) for the received budget amount based on the received budget information and stores it in the budget section 3315 (S43). Then the control unit 300 returns to S41.

[0067] On the other hand, when it is determined that budget information, a cart number, and a customer ID have not been received (No in S41), the control unit 300 determines whether it has received product information associated with the product registration process at cart terminal 1 from cart terminal 1, together with the cart number and the customer ID (S51). When it is determined that product information has been received together with the cart number and the customer ID (Yes in S51), the control unit 300 stores the received product information in the purchased product section 3314 corresponding to the received cart number (S52). In the process of S52, the price acquisition means 302 acquires the price of the product included in the received product information.

[0068] Next, the control unit 300 determines whether budget information is stored in the budget section 3315 corresponding to the received cart number (S53). When it is determined that budget information is stored (Yes in S53), the balance calculation means 303 calculates the balance based on the stored budget amount and the total amount of the prices of the products that the price acquisition means 302 has acquired so far (S54). Then the control unit 300 stores the calculated balance in the balance section 3316 (S54).

[0069] Next, the threshold determination means 306 determines whether the balance stored in the balance section 3316 has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount stored in the budget section 3315 (S55). If it is determined that the balance stored in the balance section 3316 has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount stored in the budget section 3315 (Yes in S55), the product extraction means 304 extracts purchasable products (S56).

[0070] FIG. 13 is a flowchart specifically showing the purchasable product extraction process of S56. As shown in FIG. 13, the product extraction means 304 extracts products that can be purchased with the balance stored in the balance section 3316 from the purchase history of the customer stored in the purchase history section 3423 (S561). Next, the product extraction means 304 extracts, as the final purchasable products, the products stored in the product code section 3432 specified by the area information stored in the area information section 3313 among the products extracted in S561 (S562). That is, the product extraction means 304 extracts products that can be purchased with the balance from the customer's past purchase history, and the product extraction means 304 also extracts products that can be purchased with the balance from the products located in the area of the area information stored in the area information section 3313, and extracts the products extracted from both as the final purchasable products (S562).

[0071] Returning to the description of FIG. 12. Next, the product output means 305 calls the product information of the purchasable products extracted in S56 from the product code section 3432, the product name section 3433, and the price section 3434, and transmits (outputs) it to the cart terminal 1 that transmitted the information received in S51 (S57). Also, in S57, the control unit 300 transmits the balance stored in the balance section 3316 to the cart terminal 1. Then the control unit 300 returns to S41.

[0072] Note that if no budget information is stored in the budget section 3315 corresponding to the received cart number (No in S53), the control unit 300 returns to S41. Also, if the balance stored in the balance section 3316 is not less than the predetermined amount stored in the budget section 3315 (No in S55), the control unit 300 returns to S41.

[0073] Also, in S51, when it is determined that the product information, cart number, and customer ID have not been received (No in S51), the control unit 300 determines whether it has received the area information and the cart number from the cart terminal 1 (S61). When it is determined that the area information and the cart number have been received from the cart terminal 1 (Yes in S61), the area information acquisition means 308 stores (acquires) the received area information in the area information section 3313 corresponding to the received cart number (S62). Then, the control unit 300 returns to S41.

[0074] Also, when it is determined that the area information from the cart terminal 1 has not been received (No in S61), the control unit 300 determines whether it has received the end key information from the cart terminal 1 together with the cart number (S71). When it is determined that the end key information has been received together with the cart number (Yes in S71), the control unit 300 transmits all the product information stored in the purchased product section 3314 corresponding to the received cart number to the POS terminal 7 (S72). Then, the control unit 300 returns to S41. Incidentally, when it is determined that the end key information and the cart number from the cart terminal 1 have not been received (No in S71), the control unit 300 returns to S41.

[0075] The control unit 700 of the POS terminal 7 that has received the product information transmitted by the process of S72 stores the received product information in the product information section 731. Then, when a settlement key (not shown) is operated on the POS terminal 7, the control unit 700 executes a settlement process based on the product information stored in the product information section 731. The POS terminal 7 transmits the product information, settlement information, and customer ID of the product for which the settlement process has been performed to the server 3. The server 3 additionally stores the received product information in the purchase history section 3423 of the customer.

[0076] As described above, the server 3 according to the embodiment includes a budget acquisition means 301 for acquiring budget information, a price acquisition means 302 for acquiring the price of the product to be purchased, a balance calculation means 303 for calculating the balance from the budget information and the price of the product, a product extraction means 304 for extracting products that can be purchased with the balance, and a product output means 305 for outputting the product information of the extracted products.

[0077] The server 3 of such an embodiment extracts products that can be purchased with the remaining balance and transmits them to the cart terminal 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to grasp the products that can be purchased with the remaining balance.

[0078] Further, the server 3 according to the embodiment further includes a threshold determination means 306 for determining whether the remaining balance has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount. When the threshold determination means 306 determines that the remaining balance has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the product extraction means 304 extracts products that can be purchased with the remaining balance.

[0079] The server 3 of such an embodiment extracts products that can be purchased by the product extraction means 304 when the remaining balance becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount. Therefore, when the remaining balance decreases, it is possible to grasp the products that can be purchased with the remaining balance.

[0080] Further, the server 3 according to the embodiment further includes a customer information acquisition means 307 for acquiring a customer ID for identifying a customer, and a purchase history section 3423 for storing purchase history information of the customer for each customer. The product extraction means 304 extracts products that can be purchased with the remaining balance based on the purchase history information of the customer specified by the acquired customer ID.

[0081] The server 3 of such an embodiment extracts products that can be purchased from the products that the customer has purchased in the past. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the products that can be purchased according to the customer's preferences.

[0082] Further, the server 3 according to the embodiment further includes a region information section 343 for storing, for each product, the region where the product is displayed, and a region information acquisition means 308 for acquiring region information indicating in which region of the store the cart terminal 1 is located. The product extraction means 304 extracts products that can be purchased with the remaining balance for the products displayed in the region near the acquired region information.

[0083] The server 3 in such an embodiment extracts purchasable products from the products displayed in the area where the cart terminal 1 (i.e., cart K) is located. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the purchasable products from the products displayed at a position close to the position where the customer is located.

[0084] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

[0085] For example, in the embodiment, the server 3 has been described as an example of an information processing apparatus. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the cart terminal 1 may be used as the information processing apparatus. In this case, the budget information unit 331, the control program unit 341, the customer master 342, and the area information unit 343 are provided in the cart terminal 1.

[0086] Also, in the embodiment, the cart terminal 1 attached to the cart K has been described as an example of a terminal device. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a terminal attached to a basket for putting products may be used as the terminal device. Also, a portable terminal or a smartphone carried by the customer that is not attached to the cart K may be used as the terminal device.

[0087] Also, in the embodiment, the product extraction means 304 extracts purchasable products with the remaining balance from the customer's past purchase history and the products displayed in the area where the cart terminal 1 is located. However, it is not limited to this. The product extraction means 304 may extract purchasable products with the remaining balance based only on the customer's past purchase history. Also, the product extraction means 304 may extract purchasable products with the remaining balance based only on the products displayed in the area where the cart terminal 1 is located.

[0088] In addition, in the embodiment, the threshold determination means 306 determines whether the balance has reached a predetermined amount or less, and when the balance has reached a predetermined amount or less, the product extraction means 304 extracts products that can be purchased with the balance. However, it is not limited to this, and the threshold determination means 306 is not essential, and the product extraction means 304 may always extract products that can be purchased with the balance.

[0089] Note that the program executed by the server 3 of the embodiment is provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in an installable format or an executable format file.

[0090] Alternatively, the program executed by the server 3 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the server 3 of the embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0091] Alternatively, the program executed by the server 3 of the embodiment may be configured to be provided by being pre-embedded in a ROM or the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1 Cart Terminal 3 Server 7 POS Terminal 19 Beacon Receiver 21 Scanner 91 Shelf 92 Beacon Transmitter 93 Area 100 Control Unit 131 Budget Storage Unit 132 Purchasable Product Storage Unit 133 Product Information Unit 134 Area Information Unit 135 Customer ID Unit 143 Cart Number Unit 173 Budget Key 300 Control Unit 301 Budget Acquisition Means 302 Price Acquisition Means 303 Balance Calculation Means 304 Product Extraction Means 305 Product Output Means 306 Threshold Judgment Means 307 Customer Information Acquisition Means 308 Area Information Acquisition Means 331 Budget Information Section 342 Customer Master 343 Area Information Section 700 Control Unit 731 Product Information Section 3311 Cart Number Section 3312 Customer ID Section 3313 Area Information Section 3314 Purchased Product Section 3315 Budget Section 3316 Balance Section 3421 Customer ID Section 3422 Customer Information Section 3423 Purchase History Section 3431 Area Number Section 3432 Product Code Section 3433 Product Name Section 3434 Price Section

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0093]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. Budget acquisition means for acquiring budget information; Price acquisition means for acquiring the price of a product to be purchased; Balance calculation means for calculating a balance from the budget information and the price of the product; Product extraction means for extracting products that can be purchased with the balance; Product output means for outputting product information of the extracted products; Threshold judgment means for judging whether the balance has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount; comprising: When the threshold judgment means judges that the balance has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the product extraction means extracts products that can be purchased with the balance. An information processing apparatus.

2. Customer information acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information for identifying a customer; A history storage unit for storing purchase history information of the customer for each customer; further comprising: Based on the purchase history information of the customer identified by the acquired customer identification information, the product extraction means extracts products that can be purchased with the balance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Based on information related to a product input in a movable terminal device, the price acquisition means acquires the price from the terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An area information unit for storing, for each product, the area where the product is displayed; Area information acquisition means for acquiring area information indicating in which area of the store the terminal device is located; further comprising: For products displayed in the area of the acquired area information, the product extraction means extracts products that can be purchased with the balance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. A computer as an information processing apparatus, Budget acquisition means for acquiring budget information; Price acquisition means for acquiring the price of a product to be purchased; Balance calculation means for calculating a balance from the budget information and the price of the product; Product extraction means for extracting products that can be purchased with the balance; Product output means for outputting product information of the extracted products; Threshold judgment means for judging whether the balance has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount; functioning as, When the threshold judgment means judges that the balance has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the product extraction means extracts products that can be purchased with the balance. A program.

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