Registration device, accounting device and program

Abstract

To provide a registration device, an accounting device, and a program that can efficiently perform an accounting treatment of a customer.SOLUTION: A registration device of an embodiment comprises: reading means for reading commodity identification information which can identify a commodity from the commodity; registering means for registering the commodity identification information for one transaction read by the reading means in an external device; acquiring means for acquiring, from the external device, transaction identification information which can identify the transaction related to the commodity identification information registered in the external device; generating means for generating a code symbol including the transaction identification information and customer identification information which can identify the customer involved in the transaction; and display controlling means for displaying the code symbol generated by the generating means on a display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a registration device, an accounting device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when a customer shops at a store, a POS (Point Of Sales) system is known in which the customer can register a product by using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone possessed by the customer as a registration device. Also, in such a system, it is possible to perform accounting for the registered products by using an accounting device placed in the store.

[0003] For example, conventionally, there is a system in which product codes, customer identification information, etc. of products read by a mobile terminal are transmitted from the mobile terminal to an external device such as a server device and managed on the external device. Also, a technique has been proposed in which information necessary for reading information stored in an external device is encoded and displayed on a mobile terminal, and the accounting device reads the information, so that the accounting device can acquire information necessary for accounting from the external device.

[0004] By the way, there are stores that provide a point service for awarding points according to the purchase amount of products. In this case, in order to identify the customers to whom points are to be awarded, customer identification information such as a membership number is input into the accounting device. Conventionally, customer identification information has been distributed to customers in advance in the form of a membership card or the like, and the customer can use the point service by having the accounting device read the membership card.

[0005] However, the operation of having the membership card read is complicated, and there is also a possibility that the customer forgets the membership card, so there is room for improvement in terms of convenience. Also, in the conventional system described above, since customer identification information is centrally managed on an external device together with product codes, the degree of freedom for the customer operating the mobile terminal is low, and there is room for further improvement in terms of convenience.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a registration device, an accounting device, and a program that can efficiently perform customer accounting processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The registration device of the embodiment includes: a reading means for reading product identification information that can identify a product from a product; a registration means for registering the product identification information for one transaction read by the reading means to an external device; an acquisition means for acquiring transaction identification information that can identify the transaction related to the product identification information registered to the external device from the external device; a generation means for generating a code symbol that includes the transaction identification information and customer identification information that can identify the customer related to the transaction; and a display control means for displaying the code symbol generated by the generation means on a display unit. Furthermore, the generation means generates the code symbol with the customer identification information invalidated in response to user operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the transaction management server according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of a product master according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the data structure of a transaction management file according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the accounting device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the member management server according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]Figure 8 shows an example of the data structure of a member management file according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of the functional configuration of a mobile terminal, transaction management server, accounting device, and member management server according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operations related to product registration performed between the mobile terminal and the transaction management server in the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the code symbol display process performed by the mobile terminal of the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operations related to accounting processing performed between the transaction management server, accounting device, and member management server in the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of a payment method selection screen according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes the registration device, accounting device, and program of the embodiment with reference to the drawings. The following describes a POS system in which customers register products using a portable device and the registered products are accounted for using an accounting device installed in the store. However, this invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment. The POS system 1 of this embodiment is applied to stores that sell goods, such as supermarkets. The POS system 1 includes a mobile terminal 2, a transaction management server 3, an accounting device 4, and a member management server 5. The mobile terminal 2, the transaction management server 3, the accounting device 4, and the member management server 5 are connected to a network N via a communication device such as a router.

[0011] Mobile terminal 2 is an example of a registration device. Mobile terminal 2 is a mobile device such as a smartphone owned by customer C. Mobile terminal 2 functions as a registration device by, for example, executing a pre-installed application program (hereinafter also referred to as the "shopping app"). For example, mobile terminal 2 connects to network N and communicates with transaction management server 3 via network N. Mobile terminal 2 also reads a product code that can identify the product from a code symbol such as a barcode attached to the product and registers it with transaction management server 3 as the product code for the product related to a single transaction. Furthermore, in response to customer operation, mobile terminal 2 generates a code symbol CS that includes a transaction number that can identify the transaction of the registered product and a membership number that can identify the customer, and displays it on the display unit 25 (see Figure 2). The shopping cart SC is, for example, installed in the sales area of ​​a store and used to transport the products purchased by customer C.

[0012] Transaction management server 3 is an example of an external device, a first external device. Transaction management server 3 is a server device such as a store server, and is installed within the store. Transaction management server 3 stores product codes transmitted from mobile terminals 2 in association with transaction numbers. Specifically, transaction management server 3 stores a unique transaction number associated with product codes transmitted from the same mobile terminal 2, based on the terminal identifier such as the terminal ID or IP address of the mobile terminal 2, or the communication session with the mobile terminal 2.

[0013] Accounting device 4 is an example of an accounting device. Accounting device 4 is installed in the store and is used by customers who have registered their products using the mobile terminal 2. Accounting device 4 reads the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile terminal 2 and obtains information corresponding to the transaction number contained in the code symbol CS from the transaction management server 3. Accounting device 4 also obtains information corresponding to the member number contained in the code symbol CS from the member management server 5. Then, accounting device 4 performs accounting processing based on the information obtained.

[0014] The membership management server 5 is an example of a second external device. The membership management server 5 is a server device that stores and manages information about customers who have registered as members in advance (hereinafter also referred to as members). When the membership management server 5 receives an inquiry specifying a member number from the accounting device 4, it provides the accounting device 4 with the information of the member corresponding to the specified member number. In FIG. 1, an example in which the membership management server 5 is provided inside the store is shown, but it is not limited to this, and it may be provided on an external network such as the Internet that can be accessed via the network N.

[0015] In the above-described POS system 1, the customer C walks around the store while carrying, for example, the shopping cart SC, and picks up the products that he or she desires to purchase. At this time, the customer C starts the shopping app by operating the mobile terminal 2 and establishes communication with the transaction management server 3. Also, the customer C reads the product code of the product that he or she desires to purchase by using the mobile terminal 2 that he or she owns.

[0016] Note that when starting the shopping app (for example, at the first start) or starting the accounting operation, etc., the customer C inputs his or her own uniquely assigned member number, and it is assumed that the member number is held in the mobile terminal 2. The member number may be printed and distributed on a card medium such as a membership card, or may be distributed via a shopping app or the like. Also, when a plurality of member numbers are stored in the mobile terminal 2, the customer C may be configured to select the member number to be used when starting the shopping app or starting the accounting operation.

[0017] When the mobile terminal 2 reads the product code from the product, it registers the product related to one transaction by transmitting the read product code to the transaction management server 3. Also, the mobile terminal 2 acquires the transaction number of the transaction from the transaction management server 3.

[0018] Subsequently, when customer C conducts accounting for the registered products, the customer C performs an operation on the mobile terminal 2 to instruct the end of product registration or an operation to instruct the start of accounting. The mobile terminal 2, upon receiving the operation of customer C, displays a code symbol CS including a transaction number and a membership number. Next, customer C causes the accounting device 4 to read the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile terminal 2.

[0019] Based on the transaction number and membership number obtained by reading the code symbol CS, the accounting device 4 acquires information corresponding to these numbers from the transaction management server 3 and the membership management server 5. Then, the accounting device 4 executes accounting processing for one transaction based on the acquired information. As a result, customer C can conduct accounting for the registered products using the accounting device 4.

[0020] Note that the method of paying the purchase amount by the accounting device 4 is not particularly limited. In addition to cash, it may be a cashless payment such as electronic money or a credit card. Also, when it is confirmed that the customer is a member by verifying the membership number, a payment method permitted only for members (for example, payment by points, etc.) may be used.

[0021] Next, the configurations of the above-described respective devices will be described. First, referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, the hardware configurations of the above-described respective devices will be described.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23.

[0023] The CPU 21 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls each part of the mobile terminal 2. The ROM 22 stores various programs. The RAM 23 is a workspace for developing programs and various data.

[0024] The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are connected via a bus or the like to form the control unit 20 of the computer configuration. In the control unit 20, the CPU 21 operates according to the program stored in the memory unit 24 and loaded into the RAM 23, thereby executing various processes.

[0025] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 2 includes a storage unit 24, a display unit 25, an operation unit 26, an imaging unit 27, and a communication unit 28, etc.

[0026] The memory unit 24 is an example of a storage means and is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory unit 24 stores various control programs 241 and various setting information that the CPU 21 can execute. For example, the control program 241 includes not only the basic software but also application software such as the shopping app mentioned above. The memory unit 24 also stores the membership number 242 of the customer operating the mobile terminal 2. The number of membership numbers 242 stored in the memory unit 24 is not limited to one, but may be multiple. For example, if the mobile terminal 2 is used by multiple people such as family members, the memory unit 24 may store a membership number 242 for each person.

[0027] The display unit 25 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 25 displays various information under the control of the CPU 21. For example, the display unit 25 displays code symbols such as CS.

[0028] The operation unit 26 is an input device such as a keyboard or pointing device. The operation unit 26 outputs the operation content received from the customer, who is the operator, to the CPU 21. The operation unit 26 may also be a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit 25.

[0029] The imaging unit 27 is a digital camera having an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging unit 27 outputs the image data obtained by imaging to the CPU 21. In this embodiment, the imaging unit 27 is used to read code symbols such as barcodes attached to products.

[0030] The communication unit 28 is a wireless communication interface capable of connecting to the network N. Under the control of the CPU 21, the communication unit 28 transmits and receives various types of data with the transaction management server 3 and other devices connected to the network N.

[0031] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the transaction management server 3. As shown in Figure 3, the transaction management server 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM 33.

[0032] The CPU 31 is an example of a processor that comprehensively controls all parts of the transaction management server 3. The ROM 32 stores various programs. The RAM 33 is a workspace for displaying programs and various data.

[0033] The CPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 are connected via a bus or the like to form the control unit 30 of the computer configuration. In the control unit 30, the CPU 31 operates according to the program stored in the memory unit 34 and loaded into the RAM 33, thereby executing various processes.

[0034] Furthermore, the transaction management server 3 includes a storage unit 34 and a communication unit 35, etc.

[0035] The memory unit 34 is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The memory unit 34 stores various control programs 341 that the CPU 31 can execute, as well as various setting information. For example, the control programs 341 include not only basic software but also application software such as database applications and web applications.

[0036] The memory unit 34 also stores the product master 342, the transaction management file 343, and the like.

[0037] The product master 342 is a master file that stores information about products sold in stores. For example, the product master 342 has the data structure shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the product master 342. As shown in Figure 4, the product master 342 stores product information for products corresponding to product codes, associated with the product codes. A product code is an example of product identification information that can identify a product. The product information includes information such as the product name and price of the product corresponding to the product code.

[0038] The transaction management file 343 is a data file for storing and managing product codes transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 on a transaction-by-transaction basis. For example, the transaction management file 343 has the data structure shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the transaction management file 343. As shown in Figure 5, the transaction management file 343 stores transaction information for the transaction corresponding to the transaction number, associated with the transaction number. The transaction number is an example of transaction identification information that can identify each transaction. The transaction information includes information such as the product code of the product registered in the transaction of the transaction number, and the number of registered items (items) of the product corresponding to the product code.

[0039] Returning to Figure 3, the communication unit 35 is a wired or wireless communication interface that can connect to the network N. Under the control of the CPU 31, the communication unit 35 transmits and receives various data between the mobile terminal 2 and the accounting device 4, etc., connected to the network N.

[0040] Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the accounting device 4. As shown in Figure 6, the accounting device 4 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, and a RAM 43.

[0041] The CPU 41 is an example of a processor that comprehensively controls each part of the accounting device 4. The ROM 42 stores various programs. The RAM 43 is a workspace for displaying programs and various data.

[0042] The CPU 41, ROM 42, and RAM 43 are connected via a bus or the like to form a control unit 40 of the computer configuration. In the control unit 40, the CPU 41 operates according to the program stored in the memory unit 44 and loaded into the RAM 43, thereby executing various processes.

[0043] Furthermore, the accounting device 4 includes a storage unit 44, a display unit 45, an operation unit 46, a code scanner unit 47, and a communication unit 48, etc.

[0044] The memory unit 44 is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The memory unit 44 stores various control programs 441 that the CPU 41 can execute, as well as various setting information. For example, the control program 441 includes not only basic software but also application software such as applications for performing accounting processing.

[0045] Furthermore, the storage unit 44 may store the aforementioned product master 342, etc. For example, the accounting device 4 may be configured to acquire the product master 342 from the transaction management server 3 at a predetermined timing, such as when the device is started up, and store the acquired product master 342 in the storage unit 44.

[0046] The display unit 45 is a display device such as an LCD. The display unit 45 displays various information under the control of the CPU 41. For example, the display unit 45 displays the payment method selection screen (see Figure 13), which will be described later.

[0047] The operation unit 46 is an input device such as a keyboard or pointing device. The operation unit 46 outputs the operation content received from the customer, who is the operator, to the CPU 41. The operation unit 46 may also be a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit 45.

[0048] The code scanner unit 47 is a reading device capable of reading code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. The code scanner unit 47 is configured to have an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS.

[0049] The code scanner unit 47 decodes the code symbol to read the information contained in the code symbol and outputs the read information to the CPU 41. For example, the code scanner unit 47 reads the transaction number and membership number from the code symbol CS displayed on the display unit 25 of the mobile terminal 2.

[0050] The code symbols read by the code scanner unit 47 are not limited to code symbol CS. For example, the code scanner unit 47 may read product codes from code symbols such as barcodes attached to products.

[0051] The communication unit 48 is a wireless communication interface capable of connecting to the network N. Under the control of the CPU 41, the communication unit 48 transmits and receives various types of data with the transaction management server 3 and the member management server 5, etc., which are connected to the network N.

[0052] The hardware configuration of accounting device 4 is not limited to the example above. For example, accounting device 4 may be equipped with a change dispenser capable of receiving banknotes and coins and dispensing change. In addition, accounting device 4 may be equipped with a credit payment device capable of executing credit card payments, or a reader / writer device capable of reading information from IC tags on contactless electronic money cards.

[0053] Figure 7 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the member management server 5. As shown in Figure 7, the member management server 5 is equipped with a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53.

[0054] The CPU 51 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls all parts of the member management server 5. The ROM 52 stores various programs. The RAM 53 is a workspace for displaying programs and various data.

[0055] The CPU 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 are connected via a bus or the like, and constitute the control unit 50 of the computer configuration. In the control unit 50, the CPU 51 operates according to the program stored in the memory unit 54 and loaded into the RAM 53, thereby executing various processes.

[0056] Furthermore, the member management server 5 includes a storage unit 54 and a communication unit 55, etc.

[0057] The memory unit 54 is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The memory unit 54 stores various control programs 541 that the CPU 51 can execute, as well as various setting information. For example, the control programs 541 include not only basic software but also application software such as database applications and web applications.

[0058] Furthermore, the storage unit 54 stores the member management file 542, etc. The member management file 542 is a data file for storing and managing information about members. For example, the member management file 542 has the data structure shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the member management file 542. As shown in Figure 8, the member management file 542 stores member information of members corresponding to a member number, in association with that member number. The member number is an example of customer identification information that can identify each member (customer). The member information includes information such as the member's name and accumulated points corresponding to the member number.

[0059] Here, accumulated points refer to the cumulative value of service points awarded based on the total amount of goods purchased by the customer. In this embodiment, the store provides a service that awards points based on the total amount of goods purchased for each transaction. Furthermore, the store in this embodiment provides a service that allows customers to use accumulated points to pay for goods. The member management file 542 may be configured to store information that associates the date and time of a transaction with the point value awarded or used in that transaction.

[0060] Returning to Figure 7, the communication unit 55 is a wired or wireless communication interface that can connect to the network N. Under the control of the CPU 51, the communication unit 55 transmits and receives various data with the accounting device 4 and other devices connected to the network N.

[0061] Next, the functional configurations of the mobile terminal 2, transaction management server 3, accounting device 4, and member management server 5 will be described. Figure 9 shows an example of the functional configurations of the mobile terminal 2, transaction management server 3, accounting device 4, and member management server 5. In Figure 9, functional configurations that are directly or indirectly related to each device are connected by dashed lines.

[0062] The mobile terminal 2 includes a product registration unit 201, a code symbol generation unit 202, and a display control unit 203 as its functional configuration. Specifically, the control unit 20 (CPU 21) of the mobile terminal 2 realizes the above functional configuration by executing a control program 241 stored in the storage unit 24. In this embodiment, the above functional configuration is a software configuration realized through the cooperation of the processor and program of the mobile terminal 2, but it is not limited to this, and a hardware configuration in which some or all of the functional configuration is realized by dedicated circuits, etc., is also possible.

[0063] The product registration unit 201 is an example of a reading means, registration means, and acquisition means. The product registration unit 201 performs the registration process for products purchased by the customer. Specifically, when the start of a transaction is instructed, such as by launching a shopping app, the product registration unit 201 works in cooperation with the imaging unit 27 to read the product code from the code symbol attached to the product. Next, the product registration unit 201 registers the product code with the transaction management server 3 by transmitting the read product code to the transaction management server 3. Then, each time the product code is read, the product registration unit 201 performs the registration process to register the product code for one transaction with the transaction management server 3.

[0064] Furthermore, when the product registration unit 201 receives an instruction to terminate product registration via the operation unit 26, etc., it notifies the transaction management server 3 of the termination of product registration and obtains the transaction number related to the transaction from the transaction management server 3. The product registration unit 201 then stores the transaction number in the storage unit 24, etc.

[0065] In this embodiment, the product registration unit 201 acquires the transaction number when product registration is completed, but the timing of acquiring the transaction number is not limited to this. For example, the product registration unit 201 may acquire the transaction number when the first product is registered.

[0066] The code symbol generation unit 202 is an example of a generation means. The code symbol generation unit 202 generates a code symbol CS that includes the transaction number and the member number. For example, when the code symbol generation unit 202 is instructed to perform accounting via the operation unit 26, it generates a code symbol CS, such as a two-dimensional code, that includes the transaction number and member number stored in the storage unit 24, etc.

[0067] Furthermore, the timing at which the code symbol generation unit 202 generates the code symbol CS is not limited to when accounting is instructed. For example, the code symbol generation unit 202 may generate the code symbol CS when product registration is completed.

[0068] Furthermore, if multiple member numbers are stored in the memory unit 24, the code symbol generation unit 202 generates a code symbol CS using one member number selected by the customer, who is the operator, via the operation unit 26. In this case, the code symbol generation unit 202 may display a screen on the display unit 25 that allows the user to select one member information to use from among multiple member information entries.

[0069] Furthermore, if the member number is not stored in the memory unit 24, or if the operator instructs that the member number not be used, the code symbol generation unit 202 may invalidate the member number by setting it to empty (null), etc., and generate a code symbol CS in which only the transaction number is active.

[0070] The display control unit 203 is an example of a display control means. The display control unit 203 causes the code symbol CS generated by the code symbol generation unit 202 to be displayed on the display unit 25. For example, when the display control unit 203 is instructed to perform accounting via the operation unit 26, it causes the code symbol CS generated by the code symbol generation unit 202 to be displayed on the display unit 25.

[0071] A customer operating the mobile terminal 2 can have the code symbol CS displayed on the display unit 25 read by the code scanner unit 47 of the accounting device 4, thereby allowing the accounting device 4 to process the payment for the goods.

[0072] As shown in Figure 9, the transaction management server 3 includes a transaction management unit 301 and an inquiry reception unit 302 as its functional configuration. Specifically, the control unit 30 (CPU 31) of the transaction management server 3 realizes the above-described functional configuration by executing a control program 341 stored in the storage unit 34. In this embodiment, the above-described functional configuration is a software configuration realized through the cooperation of the processor and program of the transaction management server 3, but it is not limited to this, and a hardware configuration in which some or all of the functional configuration is realized by dedicated circuits, etc., is also possible.

[0073] The transaction management unit 301 stores and manages product codes transmitted from the same mobile terminal 2 as product codes related to a single transaction in the transaction management file 343. Specifically, when the transaction management unit 301 receives a product code from the mobile terminal 2, it stores that product code in the transaction management file 343 as transaction information related to a single transaction. Furthermore, if the transaction management unit 301 receives the same product code multiple times from the same mobile terminal 2, it stores the number of received items as the point value for that product code. The default point value is set to "1".

[0074] Furthermore, the transaction management unit 301 generates a unique transaction number for each transaction and stores it in association with the transaction information. For example, when the mobile terminal 2 notifies the transaction management unit 301 of the instruction to complete registration, it generates a transaction number and stores the generated transaction number in association with the transaction information related to the transaction on the mobile terminal 2. The transaction management unit 301 also transmits the generated transaction number to the mobile terminal 2 that notified the completion of registration.

[0075] The timing at which the transaction management unit 301 generates the transaction number is not limited to the example above. For example, the transaction management unit 301 may generate a transaction number when it receives the first product code from each of the mobile terminals 2, and store the generated transaction number in association with the transaction information (product code).

[0076] Alternatively, the transaction management unit 301 may read product information corresponding to the product code transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 from the product master 342 and transmit it to the mobile terminal 2. In this case, the product registration unit 201 of the mobile terminal 2 receives product information from the transaction management server 3 as a response to the transmitted product code and displays a registration completion screen based on that product information on the display unit 25. For example, the product registration unit 201 displays a registration completion screen that includes the product name, price, etc., of the registered product. This improves convenience because the customer operating the mobile terminal 2 can check the product information and registration result of the product each time they scan the product code of the product they want to register.

[0077] The inquiry reception unit 302 receives inquiries for transaction information from the accounting device 4, specifying the transaction number. Specifically, when the inquiry reception unit 302 receives an inquiry for transaction information from the accounting device 4, it reads the transaction information corresponding to the transaction number specified in the inquiry from the transaction management file 343. The inquiry reception unit 302 then transmits the read transaction information to the accounting device 4 that made the inquiry. The inquiry reception unit 302 may also read product information corresponding to each product code included in the transaction information from the product master 342 and transmit the read product information to the accounting device 4 together with or included in the transaction information.

[0078] As shown in Figure 9, the accounting device 4 includes a code symbol reading unit 401, a transaction information acquisition unit 402, a member information acquisition unit 403, and an accounting processing unit 404 as its functional configuration. Specifically, the control unit 40 (CPU 41) of the accounting device 4 realizes the above-described functional configuration by executing a control program 441 stored in the storage unit 44. In this embodiment, the above-described functional configuration is a software configuration realized through the cooperation of the processor and program of the accounting device 4, but it is not limited to this, and a hardware configuration in which some or all of the functional configuration is realized by dedicated circuits, etc., is also possible.

[0079] The code symbol reading unit 401 is an example of a reading means. The code symbol reading unit 401 reads code symbols in cooperation with the code scanner unit 47. For example, the code symbol reading unit 401 reads the code symbol CS displayed on the display unit 25 of the mobile terminal 2.

[0080] The transaction information acquisition unit 402 is an example of the first acquisition means. The transaction information acquisition unit 402 obtains transaction information corresponding to the transaction number from the transaction management server 3 by querying the transaction management server 3 for transaction information specifying the transaction number. Specifically, the transaction information acquisition unit 402 sends a query specifying the transaction number to the transaction management server 3 based on the transaction number obtained by reading the code symbol CS. The transaction information acquisition unit 402 then obtains the transaction information sent from the transaction management server 3 as a response to the query.

[0081] The member information acquisition unit 403 is an example of a second acquisition method. The member information acquisition unit 403 obtains member information corresponding to a member number from the member management server 5 by querying the member management server 5 for member information specifying the member number. Specifically, the member information acquisition unit 403 sends a query specifying the member number to the member management server 5 based on the member number obtained by reading the code symbol CS. The member information acquisition unit 403 then obtains the member information sent from the member management server 5 as a response to the query.

[0082] Furthermore, if the member information acquisition unit 403 fails to obtain a member number by reading the code symbol CS, it may display a screen on the display unit 45 indicating that a member number has not been entered. For example, the member information acquisition unit 403 may display an operator on the display unit 45 to confirm whether or not to enter a member number, and if instructed to do so, it may accept the input of the member number via the operation unit 46 or the code scanner unit 47. In this case, the member information acquisition unit 403 shall query the member management server 5 based on the entered member number. If no instruction is given to enter a member number, the member information acquisition unit 403 may skip acquiring member information and treat the user as a non-member.

[0083] The accounting processing unit 404 is an example of an accounting method. Based on the information acquired by the transaction information acquisition unit 402 and the member information acquisition unit 403, the accounting processing unit 404 performs accounting processing for registered products. Specifically, the accounting processing unit 404 calculates the total amount and total number of items for products based on the breakdown of transactions included in the transaction information acquired by the transaction information acquisition unit 402. Here, the total amount can be calculated by multiplying the price of the product corresponding to the product code included in the transaction information by the number of items for that product, and adding this amount for all products included in the transaction information.

[0084] The price of a product corresponding to a product code may be determined by referring to the product master 342 held by the transaction management server 3, or, if the product master 342 is held locally, it may be determined by referring to that product master 342. In addition, if product information is transmitted from the transaction management server 3 along with transaction information, the price of a product corresponding to a product code may be determined based on that product information.

[0085] Furthermore, the accounting processing unit 404 performs accounting-related settings based on the member information acquired by the member information acquisition unit 403. For example, the accounting processing unit 404 changes the payment method according to the accumulated points and displays the accumulated points as available points. As an example, if the accumulated points are above a predetermined threshold, the accounting processing unit 404 displays an operator on the display unit 45 that allows payment by points. Here, the threshold for accumulated points can be set arbitrarily. For example, the threshold for accumulated points may be 1 point or more, or 300 points or more, etc.

[0086] If the member information acquisition unit 403 is unable to acquire member information, the accounting processing unit 404 will treat the user as a non-member and disable or hide any operators that allow payment using points.

[0087] Next, the accounting processing unit 404 executes accounting processing to settle the calculated total amount using the payment method specified by the customer. The accounting processing unit 404 also displays a screen for selecting a payment method (hereinafter referred to as the payment method selection screen) on the display unit 45. The operator that allows for payment using points, as described above, is displayed, for example, on the payment method selection screen. The payment method selection screen will be described later.

[0088] Then, once the accounting processing unit 404 has completed the accounting process, it sends a completion notification to the transaction management server 3 specifying the transaction number of the transaction for which the accounting process has been completed. When the transaction management unit 301 of the transaction management server 3 receives the completion notification from the accounting device 4, it excludes the transaction from management by either flagging the entry in the transaction management file 343 related to the transaction number specified in the completion notification or by moving the entry to another data file.

[0089] Furthermore, if the payment method is not point payment, the accounting processing unit 404 calculates the number of points corresponding to the total amount and sends a point operation instruction to the member management server 5 instructing the addition of the specified number of points and the member number. As a result, the member management server 5 processes the cumulative points of the member number specified in the point operation instruction and adds the specified number of points. If the payment method is point payment, the accounting processing unit 404 sends a point operation instruction to the member management server 5 instructing the subtraction of the number of points used for payment and the member number. As a result, the member management server 5 processes the cumulative points of the member number specified in the point operation instruction and subtracts the specified number of points.

[0090] In this way, the accounting device 4 reads the transaction number and membership number from the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile terminal 2, obtains the corresponding transaction information and membership information, and performs accounting processing. Therefore, customers possessing the mobile terminal 2 can hand over transaction information and membership information to the accounting device 4 by presenting the code symbol CS to the accounting device 4, and the accounting device 4 can process the accounting for the registered products. Thus, the POS system 1 can efficiently process the accounting for registered customers.

[0091] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the member management server 5 includes a member management unit 501 and an inquiry reception unit 502 as its functional configuration. Specifically, the control unit 50 (CPU 51) of the member management server 5 realizes the above-described functional configuration by executing a control program 541 stored in the storage unit 54. In this embodiment, the above-described functional configuration is a software configuration realized through the cooperation of the processor and program of the member management server 5, but it is not limited to this, and a hardware configuration in which some or all of the functional configuration is realized by dedicated circuits, etc., is also possible.

[0092] The Member Management Unit 501 stores and manages member information for each member in the Member Management File 542. Specifically, the Member Management Unit 501 associates each member with a member number that identifies them and stores the member information of the member corresponding to that member number in the Member Management File 542.

[0093] Furthermore, the member management unit 501, in response to point operation instructions transmitted from the accounting device 4, adds (adds) or subtracts the specified number of points from the accumulated points of the member number specified in the point operation instructions.

[0094] The inquiry reception unit 502 receives inquiries from the accounting device 4 regarding member information, specifying the member number. Specifically, when the inquiry reception unit 502 receives an inquiry about member information from the accounting device 4, it reads the member information corresponding to the member number specified in the inquiry from the member management file 542. The inquiry reception unit 502 then transmits the read member information to the accounting device 4 that made the inquiry. The inquiry reception unit 502 may also transmit the accumulated points included in the member information corresponding to the member number to the accounting device 4.

[0095] The following describes an example of the operation of POS system 1 with the above configuration, referring to Figures 10 to 13.

[0096] First, with reference to Figure 10, an example of the operation related to product registration performed between the mobile terminal 2 and the transaction management server 3 will be explained. Here, Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation related to product registration performed between the mobile terminal 2 and the transaction management server 3.

[0097] When the product registration unit 201 of the mobile terminal 2 receives an instruction to start a transaction, such as by launching a shopping app (step S11), it controls the imaging unit 27 to enable reading of the product code. When the product registration unit 201 reads the product code (step S12), it transmits the product code to the transaction management server 3 (step S13). When the transaction management unit 301 of the transaction management server 3 receives the product code from the mobile terminal 2, it registers (stores) the product code as transaction information related to a single transaction in the transaction management file 343 (step S14). Furthermore, the mobile terminal 2 and the transaction management server 3 execute the processes in steps S12 to S14 each time a product code is read.

[0098] Next, when the product registration unit 201 of the mobile terminal 2 receives an instruction to complete product registration (step S15), it notifies the transaction management server 3 of the completion of registration (step S16). The transaction management unit 301 of the transaction management server 3 generates a transaction number in response to the notification of completion of registration (step S17) and stores the transaction number in association with the transaction information related to the mobile terminal 2 that sent the notification. The transaction management unit 301 also sends the generated transaction number to the mobile terminal 2 that sent the notification (step S18).

[0099] Then, when the product registration unit 201 of the mobile terminal 2 obtains the transaction number transmitted from the transaction management server 3, it stores the transaction number in the storage unit 24, etc. (step S19). As a result, the mobile terminal 2 becomes ready to proceed to the accounting for the registered product.

[0100] Next, with reference to Figure 11, an example of the operation related to the display of code symbols performed by the mobile terminal 2 will be described. Here, Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the code symbol display process performed by the mobile terminal 2. As a prerequisite for this process, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 2 is in a state after product registration is complete, that is, in a state where the accounting number is stored in the storage unit 24, etc.

[0101] First, when the code symbol generation unit 202 receives an instruction to start accounting (step S21), it reads the transaction number and member number from the storage unit 24, etc. (step S22). Next, the code symbol generation unit 202 generates a code symbol CS, such as a two-dimensional code, that includes the read transaction number and member number (step S23).

[0102] Furthermore, if multiple member numbers exist, the code symbol generation unit 202 may display a screen on the display unit 25 that allows the user to select one member number to use, prompting the user to make a selection. In addition, if no member number exists, or if the user instructs that no member number be used, the code symbol generation unit 202 may generate a code symbol CS with the member number invalidated by setting the member number to blank (null), etc.

[0103] Next, the display control unit 203 displays the code symbol CS generated in step S23 on the display unit 25 (step S24), and then terminates the process.

[0104] As a result, the operator of the mobile terminal 2 can perform accounting using any one of the accounting devices 4 by using the code symbol CS displayed on the display unit 25 of the mobile terminal 2.

[0105] Next, with reference to Figure 12, an example of the operation related to accounting processing performed between the transaction management server 3, the accounting device 4, and the member management server 5 will be described. Here, Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation related to accounting processing performed between the transaction management server 3, the accounting device 4, and the member management server 5.

[0106] First, the code symbol reading unit 401 of the accounting device 4 reads the transaction number and member number from the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile terminal 2 (step S31). Next, the transaction information acquisition unit 402 of the accounting device 4 makes a query to the transaction management server 3 specifying the transaction number read in step S31 (step S32).

[0107] The inquiry reception unit 302 of the transaction management server 3 reads transaction information corresponding to the transaction number specified in the inquiry from the transaction management file 343 in response to an inquiry from the accounting device 4 (step S33). Next, the inquiry reception unit 302 transmits the read transaction information to the accounting device 4 that made the inquiry (step S34). Then, the transaction information acquisition unit 402 of the accounting device 4 acquires the transaction information transmitted from the transaction management server 3.

[0108] The inquiry reception unit 302 may also transmit product information for products corresponding to the product codes included in the transaction information to the accounting device 4, along with the transaction information.

[0109] Furthermore, the member information acquisition unit 403 of the accounting device 4 sends a query to the member management server 5 specifying the member number read in step S31 (step S35).

[0110] The inquiry reception unit 502 of the member management server 5 reads member information corresponding to the member number specified in the inquiry from the member management file 542 in response to an inquiry from the accounting device 4 (step S36). Next, the inquiry reception unit 502 transmits the read member information to the accounting device 4 that made the inquiry (step S37). Then, the member information acquisition unit 403 of the accounting device 4 acquires the member information transmitted from the member management server 5.

[0111] Furthermore, if the member information acquisition unit 403 does not read the member number in step S31, it skips step S35 and processes the case as a non-member for which no member information exists.

[0112] Next, the accounting processing unit 404 of the accounting device 4 displays a payment method selection screen on the display unit 45 for selecting a payment method, based on the information acquired by the transaction information acquisition unit 402 and the member information acquisition unit 403 (step S38).

[0113] Here, Figure 13 shows an example of a payment method selection screen. As shown in Figure 13, the payment method selection screen Ga has four areas, Gb to Ge. Here, area Gb displays messages prompting the user to select a payment method.

[0114] Area Gc displays controls that allow the user to select one payment method from several options. Figure 13 shows an example where controls (e.g., buttons) are displayed that allow the user to select "cash," "credit," "points," "electronic money," and "code payment" as payment methods.

[0115] Here, "cash" is an operator used to instruct the user to pay for the goods in cash. "credit" is an operator used to instruct the user to pay for the goods with a credit card. "electronic money" is an operator used to instruct the user to pay for the goods with electronic money. "code payment" is an operator used to instruct the user to pay for the goods using code payment with a barcode or the like. If code payment is selected, for example, the accounting device 4 will perform the cashless payment by reading the code symbol for code payment displayed on the mobile terminal 2.

[0116] Furthermore, "Points" is an operator used to instruct the payment of goods using accumulated points included in the member information. The accounting processing unit 404 makes it selectable by, for example, displaying the "Points" operator in area Gc when the value of accumulated points included in the member information acquired by the member information acquisition unit 403 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the accounting processing unit 404 makes it unavailable by, for example, disabling or hiding the "Points" operator when the value of accumulated points is less than the threshold or the user is not a member.

[0117] Furthermore, there are no specific restrictions on the conversion rate used to convert points into monetary value, and it is possible to set it arbitrarily. For example, the conversion rate may be changed according to the member's grade. In this case, it is preferable to include the member's grade in the member information and store and manage it for each member.

[0118] Area Gd displays the total number of registered items and the total amount as a breakdown of transaction information. Area Ge displays the accumulated points value included in the member information as available points. If the accumulated points value is below a threshold, the accounting processing unit 404 may change the wording of "available points" to "accumulated points" or similar and display it accordingly. In the case of non-members, the accounting processing unit 404 may hide area Gd.

[0119] Customers operating the accounting device 4 can select their desired payment method from the payment methods displayed in area Gc of the payment method selection screen. In other words, customers who are members can select a payment method based on the accumulated points included in their membership information. Once a payment method is selected through the operation of the operator, the accounting processing unit 404 accepts the selected payment method.

[0120] Returning to Figure 12, the accounting processing unit 404 of the accounting device 4 executes accounting processing to settle the price of the goods (total amount) using the payment method selected on the payment method selection screen (step S39).

[0121] Then, once the accounting processing unit 404 has completed the accounting process, it sends a completion notice to the transaction management server 3 indicating the transaction number related to the transaction (step S40). When the transaction management unit 301 of the transaction management server 3 receives the completion notice from the accounting device 4, it performs an exclusion process to exclude the entry corresponding to the transaction number indicated in the completion notice from the management (step S41).

[0122] Furthermore, the accounting processing unit 404 calculates the point value to be added or subtracted according to the payment method and sends a point operation instruction to the member management server 5 specifying the operation to be performed on the point value and the member number (step S42). When the member management unit 501 of the member management server 5 receives the point operation instruction from the accounting device 4, it performs a point operation based on the point operation instruction to add or subtract points from the accumulated points of the specified member number (step S43). In the case of a non-member, the accounting processing unit 404 skips step S42, making point operation unnecessary.

[0123] As described above, the mobile terminal 2 of this embodiment reads a product code that can identify the product from the product, registers the product code for one transaction that was read in the transaction management server 3, and obtains a transaction number that can identify the transaction related to the registered product code from the transaction management server 3. The mobile terminal 2 also generates a code symbol CS that includes the transaction number and a customer number that can identify the customer related to the transaction, and displays the generated code symbol CS on the display unit 25.

[0124] This allows the customer to have the accounting device 4 read the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile terminal 2, thereby allowing the accounting device 4 to acquire transaction information and customer information. Therefore, the mobile terminal 2 can efficiently process customer accounting. Furthermore, since the mobile terminal 2 can generate the code symbol CS including locally stored customer information, it can improve the customer's flexibility in inputting customer information.

[0125] For example, mobile terminal 2 can generate a code symbol CS with an invalidated customer number in response to user operation. Furthermore, if multiple customer numbers are stored, mobile terminal 2 can generate a code symbol CS using one customer number selected by user operation. This allows customers to pay as non-members, or, when multiple people use mobile terminal 2, to pay based on each person's membership information.

[0126] Furthermore, the accounting device 4 of this embodiment reads the transaction number and member number from the code symbol CS which includes the transaction number and member number, obtains transaction information from the transaction management server 3 that shows the breakdown of goods registered in the transaction corresponding to the transaction number, and obtains member information of the member corresponding to the member number from the member management server 5. Then, based on the obtained transaction information and customer information, the accounting device 4 performs accounting processing for the goods included in the breakdown of the transaction information.

[0127] This allows the accounting device 4 to perform accounting processing based on transaction and customer information by having the accounting device 4 read the code symbol CS displayed on the mobile terminal 2. Therefore, the accounting device 4 can perform customer accounting processing efficiently.

[0128] Furthermore, the accounting device 4 displays a payment method selection screen on the display unit 45 for customers to select a payment method based on the value of accumulated points available for payment of goods, which are included in the customer information, and performs accounting processing using the payment method selected from the screen. This allows customers to pay for goods using a payment method corresponding to the accumulated points they have been given. Therefore, the accounting device 4 can efficiently process accounting for member customers.

[0129] The embodiments described above can also be modified and implemented as appropriate by changing some of the configurations or functions of each of the devices described above. Therefore, several modifications of the embodiments described above will be described below as other embodiments. In the following, we will mainly describe the differences from the embodiments described above, and will omit detailed explanations of points that are common with what has already been described. Furthermore, the modifications described below may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

[0130] (Variation 1) In the embodiment described above, the transaction management server 3 and the member management server 5 are separate devices, but the transaction management server 3 and the member management server 5 may be a single server device. Furthermore, the transaction management server 3 and the member management server 5 are not limited to single server devices, but may be a cloud server or the like composed of multiple server devices.

[0131] (Modification 2) In the embodiment described above, the mobile terminal 2 generates a code symbol CS that includes the transaction number and the membership number. However, for example, instead of the transaction number, the code symbol CS may also be generated that includes the product code for a single transaction registered on the mobile terminal 2, i.e., transaction information. In this case, the accounting device 4 can perform accounting processing using the transaction information obtained by reading the code symbol CS. Therefore, the accounting device 4 can perform customer accounting processing efficiently.

[0132] (Variation 3) In the embodiment described above, the accounting device 4 calculates the total number of items and the total amount of goods subject to accounting. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the transaction management server 3 may perform this calculation.

[0133] In this case, when the inquiry receiving unit 302 of the transaction management server 3 receives an inquiry from the accounting device 4, it reads the transaction information corresponding to the specified transaction number from the transaction management file 343 and calculates the total number of items and the total amount based on the breakdown of the transaction information. The inquiry receiving unit 302 then sends the calculated total number of items and the total amount to the accounting device 4 that made the inquiry. Alternatively, the inquiry receiving unit 302 sends the calculated total number of items and the total amount along with the transaction information to the accounting device 4 that made the inquiry. The configuration of this modified example can achieve the same effects as the embodiment described above.

[0134] In the embodiments described above, the control programs executed by each device may be provided by recording them on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the control programs executed by each device may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by allowing downloads via the network, or they may be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0135] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1 POS system 2 Mobile devices 3 Transaction Management Server 4. Accounting device 5. Member Management Server 201 Product Registration Department 202 Code Symbol Generation Unit 203 Display Control Unit 301 Transaction Management Department 302 Inquiry Reception Department 401 Code Symbol Reading Unit 402 Transaction Information Acquisition Department 403 Member Information Acquisition Department 404 Accounting Processing Department 501 Membership Management Department 502 Inquiry Reception Department [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0137] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-42452

Claims

1. A reading means for reading product identification information that can identify a product from the product, A registration means for registering the product identification information for one transaction read by the reading means into an external device, An acquisition means for acquiring transaction identification information from the external device that can identify transactions related to the product identification information registered in the external device, A generation means for generating a code symbol that includes the transaction identification information and customer identification information capable of identifying the customer involved in the transaction, A display control means that causes the code symbol generated by the generation means to be displayed on a display unit, Equipped with, The generation means is a registration device that generates the code symbol with the customer identification information invalidated in response to user operation.

2. The system further comprises a storage means for storing the aforementioned customer identification information, The generation means, when multiple customer identification pieces are stored in the storage means, generates the code symbol using one customer identification piece selected by user operation. The registration device according to claim 1.

3. A reading means for reading transaction identification information and customer identification information from a code symbol that includes transaction identification information capable of identifying a transaction and customer identification information capable of identifying a customer related to the transaction, A first acquisition means that acquires transaction information showing the breakdown of goods registered in the transaction corresponding to the transaction identification information from a first external device that stores the transaction identification information and the transaction information in association, A second acquisition means for acquiring customer information relating to the customer corresponding to the customer identification information from a second external device that stores the customer identification information and the customer information in association, Based on the transaction information acquired by the first acquisition means and the customer information acquired by the second acquisition means, an accounting means performs accounting processing for the goods included in the breakdown of the transaction information, Equipped with, The accounting means is an accounting device that, when the reading means reads the code symbol on which the customer identification information has been invalidated, performs accounting processing for the goods included in the breakdown of the transaction information based on the transaction information acquired by the first acquisition means.

4. The accounting device according to claim 3, wherein the accounting means displays a screen on the display unit for selecting a payment method based on the value of points available for payment of the price of the goods included in the customer information, and performs the accounting process using the payment method selected from the screen.

5. The computer of the registered device, A reading means for reading product identification information that can identify a product from the product, A registration means for registering the product identification information for one transaction read by the reading means into an external device, An acquisition means for acquiring transaction identification information from the external device that can identify transactions related to the product identification information registered in the external device, A generation means for generating a code symbol that includes the transaction identification information and customer identification information capable of identifying the customer involved in the transaction, A display control means that causes the code symbol generated by the generation means to be displayed on a display unit, and make it work The generation means is a program that generates the code symbol with the customer identification information invalidated in response to user operation.

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