Transaction management system, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and transaction management system that can improve the accuracy of checks while reducing the burden of check work on attendants.SOLUTION: A transaction management system includes a server device and an attendant terminal that monitors the checkout of commodities using an accounting machine. The server device includes commodity registration means for registering commodities purchased in one transaction. The attendant terminal includes: commodity identification information acquisition means for acquiring commodity identification information related to one or more commodities to be checked out immediately before the checkout is performed using the accounting machine; and commodity identification information transmission means for transmitting the acquired commodity identification information to the server device. The server device includes: determination means for determining, based on the commodity identification information received from the attendant terminal, whether a commodity identified by the commodity identification information is registered; and unregistered commodity output means for transmitting, to the attendant terminal, information on the commodity that has been determined not to be registered by the determination means. The attendant terminal includes unregistered commodity display means for receiving and displaying the commodity information transmitted by the unregistered commodity output means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 24

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0004] , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in stores such as supermarkets, a system has been adopted in which customers themselves take out products from display shelves and perform product registration on the spot. As such a system, for example, one using a shopping cart equipped with a tablet terminal and a scanner has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] A customer who is shopping scans a code symbol such as a barcode (hereinafter also referred to as a "product barcode") attached to a product to be purchased in the store sales area with a scanner. Based on the product code read by the scanner, product registration of the product is performed, and the registered product information (product name, price, etc.) is stored in a tablet terminal or a store server. Then, the above product information is transferred to a cash register that performs accounting processing when the customer pays. The customer pays using a cash register operated by the customer himself / herself.

[0004] In addition, a system has also been adopted that enables shopping as described above using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a customer instead of a tablet terminal or a scanner prepared by a store. In this system, a shopping application program is installed on the customer's smartphone. Then, the product barcode is imaged with the camera of the smartphone to read the product code. The customer performs accounting processing himself / herself using a cash register for the products for which product registration has been performed.

[0005] Stores employing the above system typically station staff in a checkout area equipped with one or more payment machines for processing purchases. These staff members (hereinafter also referred to as "attendants") perform tasks such as checking the items purchased by customers and assisting them with operating the payment machines. The checks performed by attendants vary from store to store depending on the system's implementation, but one example is checking for any missing items in the product registration.

[0006] Before customers proceed to checkout at the checkout machine, attendants check at the entrance to the checkout area to ensure that no items have been missed in the product registration. However, attendants visually check for missing items based on the registered items displayed on their PCs and the items in the shopping cart, which places a heavy burden on the attendants and makes it difficult to perform a highly accurate check. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an information processing device and a transaction management system that can improve the accuracy of checks while reducing the workload of attendants performing checks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The transaction management system of this embodiment includes a server device and an accounting machine. Buy A transaction management system having an attendant terminal for monitoring the accounting of goods, wherein the server device is Based on a registration request received from a mobile device carried by a customer, which includes product identification information that identifies the said product, the said product identification information is used to identify the said product The system includes a product registration means for registering products, and the attendant terminal, immediately before payment is made at the accounting machine, registers one or more of the products to be paid for. The aforementionedThe system comprises a means for acquiring product identification information and a means for transmitting the acquired product identification information to the server device, wherein the server device, based on the product identification information received from the attendant terminal, identifies the product identified by the product identification information. The aforementioned A determination means for determining whether the product is registered as such, and the determination means The aforementioned We determined that the product was not registered. The aforementioned The system includes an unregistered product output means that transmits product information to the attendant terminal, and the attendant terminal receives the information transmitted by the unregistered product output means. The aforementioned It includes a means for displaying unregistered products that receives and displays product information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic of the transaction management system in an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the accounting area of ​​a store employing the transaction management system in the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of a server device in an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the data structure of the product master stored in the storage unit of the server device in this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 illustrates an example of the data structure of the terminal management table stored in the storage unit of the server device in this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 illustrates an example of the data structure of the highlight information management table stored in the storage unit of the server device in the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates an example of the data structure of the transaction information management table stored in the storage unit of the server device in the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 illustrates an example of the data structure of the mode management table stored in the storage unit of the server device in the embodiment. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of the control unit of the server device in the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of a mobile terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of the control unit of a mobile terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of an attendant PC in an embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 illustrates an example of the data structure of the status management table stored in the memory unit of the attendant PC in the embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of the control unit of the attendant PC in the embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation flow of the transaction management system in the embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows an example of a transaction information display screen shown by a mobile terminal in the embodiment. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows an example of a transaction list screen displayed by the attendant PC in the embodiment. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows an example of an attendant check screen displayed by a mobile terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows an example of a transaction details screen displayed on the attendant's PC in the embodiment. [Figure 20] Figure 20 shows an example of a guidance screen displayed by the attendant PC in the embodiment. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation flow between the attendant PC and the server device related to attendant checks in the embodiment. [Figure 22]FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of an attendant PC related to attendant check in an embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a preset key screen of an attendant PC related to attendant check in an embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of a server device related to attendant check in an embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an attendant PC related to attendant check in an embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of an accounting screen displayed on a mobile terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of transaction details screen display processing by the control unit of an attendant PC in an embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a browsing transaction details screen displayed on an attendant PC in an embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of transaction editing processing performed between an attendant PC and a server device in an embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of attendant check determination processing by the control unit of a server device in an embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a highlight setting screen displayed on an attendant PC in an embodiment. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of attendant check processing by the control unit of an accounting machine in a modification.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] The following describes the information processing device and transaction management system of the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, in the embodiments described below, a server device that manages information for one or more stores is described as an example of an information processing device, but it is not limited to this. The information processing device may be a terminal device operated by a store employee (hereinafter also referred to as an attendant terminal), or it may be another device installed in the store. Also, in the embodiments described below, a mobile terminal owned by a customer is described as an example of an information terminal, but it is not limited to this. The information terminal may be a mobile terminal provided by the store. Product registration refers to storing (registering) information about products purchased by a customer.

[0011] The transaction management system of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the transaction management system 1. The transaction management system 1 is used in stores that sell goods, such as supermarkets. The transaction management system 1 includes a server device 2 and a mobile self-checkout system 3. The server device 2 and the mobile self-checkout system 3 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a network such as the Internet.

[0012] The mobile self-checkout system 3 is a system used in a single store and includes a mobile terminal 4 carried by the customer, a payment machine 5 for processing payments, and an attendant PC 6 for monitoring customer payments made by the payment machine 5. The mobile terminal 4, payment machine 5, and attendant PC 6 are connected to each other via an in-store network such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Furthermore, the mobile terminal 4, payment machine 5, and attendant PC 6 are also connected to a server device 2 via the same in-store network.

[0013] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 4 may communicate with the server device 2 without going through the in-store network described above. In addition, various other devices may be connected to the in-store network. For example, a POS terminal where store employees perform product registration and payment operations, a self-service POS terminal where customers perform product registration and payment operations, and a semi-self-service POS system where store employees perform product registration operations and customers perform payment operations may be connected to the in-store network. Moreover, the number of mobile terminals 4 and payment machines 5 is not limited to the example shown.

[0014] Server device 2 is, for example, a store server installed in the back room of a store. Server device 2 receives store entry information from a mobile terminal 4. The store entry information includes the company code and store code of the store where the customer is located. By receiving the store entry information from the mobile terminal 4, server device 2 can identify the store where the mobile terminal 4 is located. Server device 2 issues a terminal code and a transaction code to the mobile terminal 4 that sent the store entry information and transmits them to the mobile terminal 4. The terminal code is terminal identification information that identifies the mobile terminal 4, and the transaction code is transaction identification information that identifies the transaction.

[0015] Furthermore, the server device 2 transmits mode information to the mobile terminal 4. The mode information indicates the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 at the store where the customer is located. Details of the mode information will be described later.

[0016] The mobile terminal 4 is a terminal that the customer possesses and operates themselves, and which requests the server device 2 to register the product when adding the product to the shopping cart for purchase. When the mobile terminal 4 transmits various information to the server device 2, it transmits the above-mentioned terminal code, allowing the server device 2 to easily identify the mobile terminal 4 that is sending the information. In this embodiment, multiple transaction codes will not be issued to a single mobile terminal 4 while the customer is shopping. That is, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the terminal code and the transaction code, so one can be assigned the function of the other.

[0017] Specifically, a transaction can be identified by the terminal code. Therefore, the terminal code is also an example of transaction identification information. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 4 can be identified by the transaction code. Therefore, the transaction code is also an example of terminal identification information. For this reason, in the following explanation, the terminal code and the transaction code are interchangeable as appropriate. Also, the server device 2 may issue only the terminal code or only the transaction code.

[0018] Server device 2 receives a registration request from mobile terminal 4. The registration request includes the terminal code of the mobile terminal 4 that made the registration request and the product code read by the mobile terminal 4. Server device 2, which manages product information for each store, reads the product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request received from mobile terminal 4 and performs product registration to register it as a transaction item. In other words, server device 2 registers the above product information as part of the transaction information. The transaction information includes various information necessary for the customer to make a payment, such as product information. Product information includes information such as product name, price, and highlight information. Highlight information is information that indicates a product that should be paid attention to when the attendant checks it. In this way, server device 2 manages transaction information in real time for each customer, or in other words, for each terminal code.

[0019] Server device 2 transmits transaction information of the store where the attendant PC 6 is installed (hereinafter also referred to as "store transaction information") from the transaction information it manages to the attendant PC 6. Server device 2 periodically receives store transaction information requests (hereinafter also referred to as "requests") from the attendant PC 6 at short intervals and transmits store transaction information as a response to the store transaction information request. As a result, the attendant PC 6 can obtain transaction information for its own store in virtually real time. The attendant PC 6 manages the status of each customer based on the acquired transaction information. Server device 2 may also transmit the store transaction information of the store whose transaction information has been updated to the attendant PC 6 each time the transaction information is updated. In this case, the attendant PC 6 does not need to send a store transaction information request.

[0020] Server device 2 also receives check information from attendant PC 6. Check information indicates that the attendant has checked the items that the customer has placed in the shopping cart for purchase, and includes transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code). In the following description, the check performed by the attendant on purchased items at the entrance to the checkout area may be referred to as "attendant check". Server device 2 manages whether each transaction has been attendant checked or not by associating and storing the terminal code, transaction code, and check information.

[0021] Server device 2 also receives transaction information requests from accounting machine 5. Transaction information requests are requests for transaction information that the customer needs to use to make a payment based on the customer's operation of accounting machine 5, and include a transaction code that identifies the transaction to be paid for. When server device 2 receives a transaction information request, it determines whether the transaction identified by the transaction code included in the transaction information request (hereinafter also referred to as the target transaction) has been checked by an attendant.

[0022] The server device 2 then transmits transaction information for the target transaction to the accounting machine 5 if the transaction has been checked by an attendant. If the transaction has not been checked by an attendant, the server device 2 transmits error information to the accounting machine 5 without transmitting the transaction information. The error information indicates that the transaction has not been checked by an attendant. As a result, the server device 2 allows the customer to make a payment at the accounting machine 5, provided that the transaction has been checked by an attendant in advance.

[0023] Server device 2 may be composed of multiple computers. In other words, the functions of server device 2 may be distributed among multiple computers. Server device 2 may also be a cloud server located on the cloud.

[0024] The mobile terminal 4 is a mobile device owned by the customer. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 4 is a smartphone owned by the customer. The mobile terminal 4 has an application program for a mobile self-checkout system installed. The mobile terminal 4 may also be used attached to a shopping cart moved by the customer. The mobile terminal 4 uses an imaging unit 44 (see Figure 10) to image code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes attached to products and obtains a product code (product identification information) that identifies the product. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 4 images the product itself, identifies the product using known general object recognition technology, and obtains the product code of the product. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 4 optically reads the product barcode to obtain the product code. Based on the obtained product code, the mobile terminal 4 transmits registration request information to the server device 2.

[0025] The accounting machine 5 is a self-service accounting machine operated by the customer. The accounting machine 5 is equipped with a scanner unit capable of reading code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. The accounting machine 5 uses the scanner unit to read the transaction code from the accounting barcode (hereinafter also referred to as the "accounting barcode") on the accounting screen displayed on the mobile terminal 4. The accounting machine 5 transmits a transaction information request, including the read transaction code, to the server device 2.

[0026] When accounting machine 5 receives transaction information from server device 2 in response to a transaction information request, it performs accounting processing based on that transaction information. Accounting processing is the process of paying for the goods purchased by the customer. In the case of cash payments, accounting processing includes, for example, displaying transaction information, calculating the amount of change, and dispensing the change, while in the case of cashless payments, it includes sending and receiving various information with the payment service provider's payment server.

[0027] When accounting machine 5 receives error information from server device 2 as a response to a transaction information request, it displays the error information on its own display unit. The displayed error information may indicate, for example, that payment cannot be made because the attendant check has not been completed. Accounting machine 5 sends and receives various information between itself and server device 2. Accounting machine 5 does not perform accounting processing when it receives error information.

[0028] The attendant PC 6 is operated by an attendant or other store employee and is an example of an attendant terminal. The attendant PC 6 is equipped with a scanner unit 64 (see Figure 12) capable of reading code symbols. The attendant PC 6 reads the transaction code from the accounting barcode on the attendant check screen displayed on the mobile terminal 4 using the scanner unit 64. The attendant PC 6 obtains the transaction information corresponding to the read transaction code from the server device 2 and displays it on the display unit 62 (see Figure 12).

[0029] The attendant PC 6 can accept input of a terminal code via the operation unit 63 instead of reading the transaction code with the scanner unit 64. The terminal code is displayed on the attendant check screen of the mobile terminal 4. Since the terminal code is associated with the transaction code in the server device 2, the attendant PC 6 can also obtain transaction information corresponding to the transaction code from the server device 2 by sending the terminal code to the server device 2. This allows the attendant PC 6 to obtain the necessary transaction information from the server device 2 even if the scanner unit 64 is malfunctioning.

[0030] The attendant performs an attendant check based on the transaction information displayed on the attendant PC 6. The attendant check is performed by the attendant operating the scanner unit 64 to read the code symbols of the products placed in the shopping cart. The attendant check, for example, verifies whether the products placed in the shopping cart are registered products. Hereafter, products placed in the shopping cart but not registered products will be referred to as "unscanned products". Also, for example, if the registered products (transaction targets) include products requiring age verification, the attendant will verify the customer's age. Also, if the transaction targets include unregistered products, the attendant will verify the unregistered products. Unregistered products are products for which the product information corresponding to the product code has not been registered in the product master for some reason. Once the attendant check is completed, the attendant PC 6 will be marked as checked. When the attendant PC 6 is marked as checked, it will send the check information to the server device 2. The attendant PC 6 may also perform the attendant check by capturing an image of the product itself or the product's code symbol.

[0031] If the attendant identifies an unregistered item, they will mark it as checked on the attendant's PC6, and then proceed with the customer to the checkout machine 5 or the dedicated register. The attendant will then operate the checkout machine 5 or the dedicated register to manually register the product information of the unregistered item as part of the transaction information.

[0032] Here, we will explain the operation in a store, referring to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a store's checkout area. The checkout area is an area where one or more checkout machines 5 are located, and customers who have finished registering their items can pay for their goods by operating the checkout machine 5 themselves. Near the entrance to the checkout area, in other words, along the path that customers take to one of the checkout machines 5, an attendant and an attendant PC 6 operated by the attendant are positioned. Before making a payment using the checkout machine 5, customers undergo an attendant check by an attendant at the entrance to the checkout area. The attendant performs the attendant check by operating the attendant PC 6.

[0033] Before making a payment at the payment machine 5, the customer presents the attendant check screen displayed on the mobile terminal 4 to the attendant. The attendant scans the payment barcode on the attendant check screen with the scanner unit 64 of the attendant PC 6. The attendant PC 6 retrieves transaction information corresponding to the transaction code read from the payment barcode from the server device 2 and displays it on the display unit 62. The attendant performs the attendant check based on the displayed transaction information. Once the attendant check is complete, the attendant enters "checked" into the attendant PC 6. The attendant PC 6 transmits the check information to the server device 2.

[0034] Once the attendant check is complete, the customer can make a payment at any of the payment machines 5. If a customer who has not completed the attendant check attempts to make a payment at payment machine 5, an error message will be displayed on the machine 5, and the payment will not be processed. In this case, the customer moves to the attendant PC 6 location to undergo the attendant check. Since the attendant can perform the attendant check for each customer at the location where the attendant PC 6 is installed, the checking process becomes easier. It also allows attendants to efficiently check for unscanned items.

[0035] Next, we will describe in detail the configuration of the server device 2, mobile terminal 4, and attendant PC 6 that make up the transaction management system 1.

[0036] First, let's describe the server device 2. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 comprises a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 20, storage unit 21, display unit 22, operation unit 23, and communication unit 24 are connected to each other via a bus 25, etc.

[0037] The control unit 20 has a computer configuration that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, which are examples of processors. The CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 25.

[0038] The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the server device 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs and data, such as the program used to drive the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is used as the work area for the CPU 201 and loads the various programs and data stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 21. The control unit 20 executes various control processes for the server device 2 by having the CPU 201 operate according to the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 21 and loaded into the RAM 203.

[0039] The storage unit 21 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, and retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 21 stores the control program 211, product master 212, terminal management table 213, highlight information management table 214, transaction information management table 215, and mode management table 216.

[0040] The control program 211 is a program that implements functions such as sending and receiving information with external devices such as the mobile terminal 4, the accounting machine 5, and the attendant PC 6, managing transaction information for each customer, and receiving transaction information requests and determining whether the transaction in question has been checked by an attendant.

[0041] Product Master 212 is a master file that stores information about the products handled by each store. Product Master 212 is updated based on information obtained from each store. Since the products handled by each store change daily, Product Master 212 is updated as needed. Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure of the product master. Product Master 212 stores the company code, store code, product code, product name, price, and highlight item number in association with each other.

[0042] The company code is information that identifies the company operating the stores that use the transaction management system 1. The store code is information that identifies the stores that use the transaction management system 1. If multiple stores within a single company use the transaction management system 1, multiple store codes will be associated with the company code.

[0043] The product code is an example of product identification information that identifies a product. Since multiple products are sold in one store, multiple product codes are associated with the store code. The product name is information that indicates the name of the product. The price is information that indicates the price of the product. The highlight item number is information that identifies the highlight item that should be focused on during attendant checks. The highlight item number is associated only with products that are designated as products that attendants should carefully check (hereinafter also referred to as "highlight products"). The product name, price, and highlight item number are associated one-to-one with the product code.

[0044] The terminal management table 213 is a data table that manages the mobile terminals 4 used in the mobile self-checkout system 3. Figure 5 shows an example of the data structure of the terminal management table 213. The terminal management table 213 stores the terminal code, notification destination, company code, and store code in association with each other.

[0045] The terminal code is information that identifies the mobile terminal 4 using the transaction management system 1. When the server device 2 receives entry information from the mobile terminal 4, it issues a terminal code to the mobile terminal 4 and registers it in the terminal management table 213. The terminal code may be an identification number of the mobile terminal 4 itself, such as IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Issuing a terminal code dedicated to the transaction management system 1 has the advantage of reducing the number of digits in the terminal code and making it easier to operate if it becomes necessary to manually enter the terminal code.

[0046] The notification recipient is information indicating the notification recipient of mobile terminal 4, such as the communication address of mobile terminal 4. The company code is information that identifies the company operating the store where mobile terminal 4 is located. The store code is information that identifies the store where mobile terminal 4 is located. The notification recipient, company code, and store code are registered based on the store entry information received from mobile terminal 4. Furthermore, information related to the terminal code of a customer whose transaction payment has been completed may be sequentially deleted from the information registered in the terminal management table 213. In this case, the same terminal code can be used multiple times, thus reducing the number of digits in the terminal code used.

[0047] The Highlight Information Management Table 214 is a data table that manages the highlight items in highlight products. The Highlight Information Management Table 214 is updated based on information obtained from each store. The Attendant PC 6 displays the transaction details screen based on the information registered in the Highlight Information Management Table 214. Figure 6 shows an example of the data structure of the Highlight Information Management Table 214. The Highlight Information Management Table 214 stores the company code, store code, highlight item No., item, importance, display order, and display comment in association with each other.

[0048] As mentioned above, the company code is information that identifies a company, and the store code is information that identifies a store. The highlight item number is information that identifies the highlight item that should be focused on during the attendant check. The item is information that indicates the content of the highlight item, for example, information that indicates age verification products or unregistered products. The importance is information that indicates the importance of the highlight item, for example, "1" is registered for highlight items with high importance, and "0" is registered for highlight items with low importance. The display order is information that indicates the display order on the transaction details screen of Attendant PC6. The display comment is information that indicates the comment on the transaction details screen of Attendant PC6.

[0049] The transaction information management table 215 is a data table that manages transaction information for each store, transaction by transaction. The transaction information management table 215 is updated based on information from the mobile terminal 4, the accounting machine 5, and the attendant PC 6. Figure 7 shows an example of the data structure of the transaction information management table 215. The transaction information management table 215 stores the transaction code, terminal code, check-in time, accounting instruction time, accounting machine No., attendant check flag, transaction amount, accounting completed flag, product information, registration time, and cancellation flag in association with each other.

[0050] The transaction code is information that identifies a transaction. The terminal code is information that identifies the mobile terminal 4. When the server device 2 receives entry information from the mobile terminal 4, it issues the transaction code and terminal code and registers them in the transaction information management table 215. The check-in time is information that indicates the time the customer entered the store, for example, the time when the server device 2 received the entry information from the mobile terminal 4.

[0051] The accounting instruction time is information indicating the time when the server device 2 received the accounting instruction from the mobile terminal 4. The accounting machine number is information that identifies the accounting machine 5 that performs the accounting processing for the transaction with the corresponding transaction code. In other words, the accounting machine number is information that identifies the accounting machine 5 that read the corresponding transaction code from the accounting screen of the mobile terminal 4. The accounting machine number is registered based on the transaction information request from the accounting machine 5.

[0052] The attendant check flag indicates whether the attendant check has been completed. A value of "1" is registered if the check is complete, and "0" if it is not. The attendant check flag is rewritten to "1" based on the check information obtained from attendant PC6. An example of the check information registered when the attendant check is completed is an attendant check flag with a value of "1".

[0053] The transaction amount is information indicating the total price of goods in a single transaction. The accounted-up flag is information indicating whether payment for the transaction has been completed, or in other words, whether accounting processing by accounting machine 5 has been completed. The accounted-up flag is set to "1" if payment for the transaction has been completed, and to "0" if it has not been completed. The accounted-up flag is rewritten to "1" based on the accounting completion notification received from accounting machine 5.

[0054] Product information includes the product code, product name, and price of the registered product. If multiple products are registered in a single transaction, multiple product entries are registered corresponding to the transaction code. The registration time indicates the time the product information was registered. The cancellation flag indicates whether the product information has been canceled; "1" is registered if it has been canceled, and "0" if it has not. The cancellation flag is rewritten to "1" based on cancellation information from the mobile terminal 4. The cancellation information is information instructing the cancellation of product registration and includes the product code of the product to be canceled.

[0055] The mode management table 216 is a data table that manages the modes set in each store's mobile self-checkout system 3. The mode management table 216 is updated based on information obtained from each store. Figure 8 shows an example of the data structure of the mode management table 216. The mode management table 216 stores the company code, store code, and mode in association.

[0056] As mentioned above, the company code is information that identifies the company operating the store, and the store code is information that identifies the store. The mode is information that indicates the set mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3, and information indicating either front check mode or normal mode is registered.

[0057] Front check mode, as explained in Figure 2, is a mode for operations where an attendant check is performed before the customer makes a payment at the payment machine 5. Specifically, front check mode allows customers to process payments at the payment machine 5 only after they have undergone an attendant check. Normal mode is the mode for conventional operations. Specifically, normal mode allows customers to make payments at the payment machine 5 without undergoing an attendant check. Each store can select either front check mode or normal mode according to its operational needs.

[0058] Returning to Figure 3, let's describe the hardware configuration of server device 2.

[0059] The display unit 22 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel and displays various information. The display unit 22 displays, as needed, information stored in, for example, the product master 212, terminal management table 213, highlight information management table 214, transaction information management table 215, and mode management table 216.

[0060] The operation unit 23 is for inputting information to the control unit 20 and consists of, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, etc.

[0061] The communication unit 24 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the mobile terminal 4, accounting machine 5, and attendant PC 6. The control unit 20 is connected to the external devices via the communication unit 24, enabling it to send and receive information (data) with those external devices.

[0062] Next, the functional configuration of the server device 2 will be described. Figure 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the server device 2. The control unit 20 functions as an example of a transmitting / receiving means 2001, an information management means 2002, an information processing means 2003, a mode setting means 2004, and a highlight product setting means 2005, with the CPU 201 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21. Note that each of these functions may be configured with hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0063] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 transmits and receives various information between the mobile terminal 4, the accounting machine 5, and the attendant PC 6. For example, the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives entry information from the mobile terminal 4 and transmits the terminal code, transaction code, and mode information to the mobile terminal 4, which is the source of the entry information.

[0064] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives a registration request from the mobile terminal 4, including a terminal code and a product code, and in response transmits the registered product information to the mobile terminal 4, which was the source of the registration request. The transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives an accounting instruction from the mobile terminal 4, including a transaction code, and transmits the transaction amount for the transaction identified by the transaction code, and an attendant check screen display instruction to the mobile terminal 4, which was the source of the accounting instruction. The accounting instruction is information indicating that product registration has been completed for a transaction. The attendant screen display instruction is information instructing the mobile terminal 4 to display an accounting barcode for the attendant PC 6 to read. Note that the calculation of the transaction amount may be performed on the mobile terminal 4.

[0065] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 periodically receives requests for store transaction information, including store codes, from the attendant PC 6 at short intervals, and transmits transaction information for the store identified by the store code in response. This allows the attendant PC 6 to obtain transaction information for its own store in virtually real time. The unregistered product output means is included in the transmitting / receiving means 2001. That is, the unregistered product output means transmits transaction information for products that the determination means has determined are not registered to the attendant PC 6. Specifically, in response to a store transaction information request, the unregistered product output means transmits transaction information, including transaction information for products that the determination means has determined are not registered, which is stored in the transaction information management table 215, to the attendant PC 6.

[0066] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives check information from the attendant PC 6. The check information is information indicating that the attendant check has been completed and includes transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code). Based on the received check information, the transmitting / receiving means 2001 sends an instruction to display the accounting screen to the mobile terminal 4 of the customer whose attendant check has been completed. The instruction to display the accounting screen is information that instructs the mobile terminal 4 to display the accounting barcode for the accounting machine 5 to read.

[0067] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives a transaction information request including a transaction code from the accounting machine 5 and transmits the transaction information identified by the transaction code in response. The transmitting / receiving means 2001 functions as an example of a request receiving means that accepts transaction information requests. The transmitting / receiving means 2001 also functions as an example of an output means that outputs transaction information. The transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives an accounting completion notification from the accounting machine 5. The accounting completion notification is information indicating that payment related to a transaction has been completed and includes a transaction code. The output means outputs transaction information corresponding to the transaction code to the accounting machine 5, provided that the transaction code included in the transaction information request received from the accounting machine 5 is associated with check information.

[0068] The information management means 2002 manages various types of information, such as information received by the transmission / reception means 2001. Here, managing information means writing or reading various types of information (data) to or from the storage unit 21.

[0069] For example, when the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives store entry information, the information management means 2002 writes the terminal code and transaction code to the terminal management table 213 and the transaction information management table 215. Also, when the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives store entry information, the information management means 2002 reads the mode information corresponding to the store code contained in the store entry information from the mode management table 216.

[0070] When the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives a registration request, the information management means 2002 registers product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request in the transaction information management table 215. Specifically, the information management means 2002 refers to the terminal management table 213 and reads the company code and store code corresponding to the terminal code included in the registration request. Then, the information management means 2002 reads the product information from the product master 212 that is associated with the company code and store code and corresponds to the product code included in the registration request, and performs product registration by registering it in the transaction information management table 215. The information management means 2002 functions as an example of a registration means that performs product registration. The product registration means is included in the information management means 2002. That is, the product registration means performs product registration of products purchased in a single transaction. In this embodiment, the product registration means performs product registration of a product based on the code symbol captured by the mobile terminal 4 and the code symbol of an unscanned product read by the attendant PC 6.

[0071] When the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives a store transaction information request, the information management means 2002 extracts transaction information for the store identified by the store code included in the store transaction information request. Specifically, the information management means 2002 reads all terminal codes corresponding to the above store code from the terminal management table 213. The information management means 2002 then reads all transaction information corresponding to the read terminal codes from the transaction information management table 215.

[0072] When the transmission / reception means 2001 receives a transaction information request, the information management means 2002 reads the transaction information identified by the transaction code included in the transaction information request. The information management means 2002 also determines (functions as a determination means) whether the product is an unscanned product based on the product code received from the attendant PC 6, and if it is an unscanned product, it registers the product. The determination means determines, based on the product code received from the attendant PC 6, whether the product identified by that product code is registered. Specifically, the determination means determines, based on the product code received from the attendant PC 6 by the transmission means, whether the product identified by that product code is stored (registered) in the transaction information management table 215.

[0073] Furthermore, when the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives check information, the information management means 2002 rewrites the attendant check flag in the transaction information management table 215 to "1" which corresponds to the transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code) included in the check information. The information management means 2002 writes to or reads other information from the storage unit 21 as needed. The transaction management means is included in the information management means 2002. That is, the transaction management means stores the transaction code that identifies a transaction, the transaction information related to the product registered by the product registration means, and the check information received from the attendant PC 6 in association with each other. Specifically, the transaction management means stores the transaction code, transaction information, and check information in association with each other in the transaction information management table 215.

[0074] As described above, the information management means 2002 manages a transaction information management table 215 that stores transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code), transaction information, and check information (attendant check flag) in association with each other, and is an example of a transaction management means.

[0075] The information processing means 2003 performs various information processing tasks. For example, the information processing means 2003 calculates the transaction amount for a single transaction. The information processing means 2003 also performs transaction code and terminal code assignment processing and issues these transaction codes and terminal codes. The information processing means 2003 refers to the transaction information management table 215 to determine whether or not the transaction has been checked by an attendant.

[0076] The mode setting means 2004 sets the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 at each store to either front check mode or normal mode. Specifically, the mode setting means 2004 registers information indicating front check mode or normal mode in the mode management table 216 based on information obtained from the store.

[0077] The highlight product setting means 2005 sets highlight products from among the products registered in the product master 212. Specifically, the highlight product setting means 2005 registers information related to highlight products in the product master 212 and the highlight information management table 214 based on information obtained from the store.

[0078] Next, the details of the mobile terminal 4 will be described. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 4. The mobile terminal 4 comprises a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, a display unit 42, an operation unit 43, an imaging unit 44, and a communication unit 45. The control unit 40, storage unit 41, display unit 42, operation unit 43, imaging unit 44, and communication unit 45 are connected to each other via a bus 46, etc.

[0079] The control unit 40 has a computer configuration that includes a CPU 401, ROM 402, and RAM 403, which are examples of processors. The CPU 401, ROM 402, and RAM 403 are connected to each other via a bus 46.

[0080] The CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 4. The ROM 402 stores various programs and data, such as the program used to drive the CPU 401. The RAM 403 is used as the work area for the CPU 401 and loads the various programs and data stored in the ROM 402 and the memory unit 41. The control unit 40 executes various control processes of the mobile terminal 4 by having the CPU 401 operate according to the control programs stored in the ROM 402 and the memory unit 41 and loaded into the RAM 403.

[0081] The storage unit 41 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD or flash memory, and retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 41 stores the control program 411, the terminal code unit 412, the transaction information unit 413, and the mode information unit 414.

[0082] The control program 411 is an application program for a mobile self-checkout system. The application program for the mobile self-checkout system makes the mobile terminal 4 function as an input device for product registration. The application program for the mobile self-checkout system also makes the mobile terminal 4 function as a barcode display device for accounting.

[0083] The terminal code unit 412 stores the terminal code received from the server device 2. The terminal code is issued by the server device 2 in response to the entry information from the mobile terminal 4.

[0084] The transaction information unit 413 stores transaction information that associates the transaction code received from the server device 2 with the product information registered in the server device 2. Specifically, the product information registered by the server device 2 is sequentially registered in the transaction information unit 413, associated with the transaction code.

[0085] The mode information unit 414 stores mode information received from the server device 2. The mode information unit 414 stores mode information received from the server device 2 in response to store entry information from the mobile terminal 4. The mode information indicates the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 at the store where the mobile terminal 4 is located.

[0086] When the mobile terminal 4 receives a payment completion notification from the server device 2, the information stored in the terminal code unit 412, the transaction information unit 413, and the mode information unit 414 is cleared. The terminal code unit 412, the transaction information unit 413, and the mode information unit 414 store new information for each transaction.

[0087] The display unit 42 is composed of, for example, an LCD panel and displays various information. The display unit 42 displays, for example, product information of products registered in the server device 2 and the total amount of registered products. The display unit 42 also displays the attendant check screen and the accounting screen. These attendant check screen and accounting screen display accounting barcodes that are to be read by the attendant PC 6 and the accounting machine 5.

[0088] The operation unit 43 is composed of, for example, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 42, and inputs information corresponding to the position touched by the user to the control unit 40. When a customer operates an operator displayed on the display unit 42, the operation unit 43 inputs information corresponding to that operator to the control unit 40.

[0089] The imaging unit 44 captures images of QR codes and product barcodes displayed at the entrance of the store, and inputs the image (or video) data obtained from the imaging (hereinafter also referred to as imaging data) to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 reads store information from the image of the QR code and reads the product code from the image of the product barcode. If the mobile terminal 4 recognizes the product code using so-called object recognition, the imaging unit 44 captures an image of the product's appearance and inputs it to the control unit 40.

[0090] The communication unit 45 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the server device 2. The control unit 40 is connected to the external device via the communication unit 45, enabling it to send and receive information (data) with the external device.

[0091] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 40 of the mobile terminal 4 will be described. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of the control unit 40 of the mobile terminal 4. The control unit 40 functions as a transmitting / receiving means 4001, an input means 4002, a reading means 4003, an information management means 4004, an information processing means 4005, and a display control means 4006, with the CPU 401 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 402 and the storage unit 41. Note that each of these functions may be configured with hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0092] The transmitting / receiving means 4001 transmits and receives various information with the server device 2. For example, the transmitting / receiving means 4001 transmits entry information to the server device 2 and receives terminal code, transaction code, and mode information from the server device 2.

[0093] The transmitting / receiving means 4001 sends a registration request including a terminal code and a product code to the server device 2, and receives the registered product information and transaction amount from the server device 2 as a response. The transmitting / receiving means 4001 sends an accounting instruction including a transaction code to the server device 2, and receives the transaction amount of the transaction identified by the transaction code and an instruction to display the attendant check screen from the server device 2. The transmitting / receiving means 4001 receives an instruction to display the accounting screen and an accounting completion notification from the server device 2.

[0094] Various information is input to the input means 4002 from the operation unit 43 and the imaging unit 44. For example, the input means 4002 receives transaction start instructions and accounting instructions from the operation unit 43. In addition, the input means 4002 receives image data of the two-dimensional code displayed at the entrance of the store, image data of product barcodes, etc., from the imaging unit 44.

[0095] The reading means 4003 extracts a two-dimensional code from the image data input to the input means 4002, decodes the two-dimensional code, and reads the store information. The reading means 4003 also extracts a product barcode from the image data input to the input means 4002, decodes the product barcode, and reads the product code. The decoding of the two-dimensional code and product barcode may be performed by the server device 2. In this case, the transmitting and receiving means 4001 transmits the image data of the two-dimensional code and barcode to the server device 2 and receives the store information and product code read by the server device 2 from the server device 2.

[0096] The information management means 4004 manages various types of information, such as information received by the transmitting and receiving means 4001. Here, managing information means writing or reading various types of information (data) to or from the storage unit 41.

[0097] For example, the information management means 4004 writes the terminal code received by the transmitting / receiving means 4001 to the terminal code section 412. The information management means 4004 also writes the transaction code and product information received by the transmitting / receiving means 4001 to the transaction information section 413. Specifically, when the transmitting / receiving means 4001 receives a transaction code, the information management means 4004 writes the transaction code to the transaction information section 413. Then, each time the transmitting / receiving means 4001 receives product information registered by the server device 2, it writes the product information to the transaction code in association with the above transaction code. The information management means 4004 also writes the mode information received by the transmitting / receiving means 4001 to the mode information section 414.

[0098] The information processing means 4005 performs various information processing. For example, when the transmitting / receiving means 4001 receives an instruction from the server device 2 to display the attendant check screen, the information processing means 4005 generates an accounting barcode to be displayed on the display unit 42.

[0099] The display control means 4006 causes the display unit 42 to display various information. For example, the display control means 4006 causes the product information and transaction amount stored in the transaction information unit 413 to be displayed in the display unit 42. The transaction amount may be obtained from the server device 2, or the information processing means 4005 may calculate it based on the transaction information stored in the transaction information unit 413.

[0100] If information indicating the front check mode is registered in the mode information unit 414, the display control means 4006 will display the attendant check screen on the display unit 42 when the accounting barcode is generated by the information processing means 4005. Then, when the transmission / reception means 4001 receives an instruction to display the accounting screen, the display control means 4006 will display the accounting screen on the display unit 42.

[0101] If information indicating the normal mode is registered in the mode information unit 414, the display control means 4006 will display the accounting screen on the display unit 42 without displaying the attendant check screen when the accounting barcode is generated by the information processing means 4005. Details of the attendant check screen and the accounting screen will be described later.

[0102] Next, the details of the attendant PC 6 will be described. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the attendant PC 6. The attendant PC 6 comprises a control unit 60, a storage unit 61, a display unit 62, an operation unit 63, a scanner unit 64, and a communication unit 65. The control unit 60, storage unit 61, display unit 62, operation unit 63, scanner unit 64, and communication unit 65 are connected to each other via a bus 66, etc.

[0103] The control unit 60 has a computer configuration that includes a CPU 601, ROM 602, and RAM 603, which are examples of processors. The CPU 601, ROM 602, and RAM 603 are connected to each other via a bus 66.

[0104] The CPU 601 controls the overall operation of the attendant PC 6. The ROM 602 stores various programs and data, such as the program used to drive the CPU 601. The RAM 603 is used as the work area for the CPU 601 and loads the various programs and data stored in the ROM 602 and the memory unit 61. The control unit 60 executes various control processes for the attendant PC 6 by having the CPU 601 operate according to the control programs stored in the ROM 602 and the memory unit 61 and loaded into the RAM 603.

[0105] The storage unit 61 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD or flash memory, and retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 61 stores the control program 611 and the status management table 612.

[0106] The control program 611 is a program that implements functions such as sending and receiving information with the server device 2 and managing the status of customers in the store.

[0107] The status management table 612 is a data table that manages the status of customers whose payments have not been completed. The status management table 612 is updated as needed based on information obtained from the server device 2. Figure 13 shows an example of the data structure of the status management table 612. The status management table 612 stores the terminal code, transaction code, check-in time, browsing time, previous operation time, registered points, registered amount, status, and accounting device number in association with each other.

[0108] As described above, the transaction code is information that identifies a transaction, and the terminal code is information that identifies mobile terminal 4. The check-in time is information that indicates the time when the customer entered the store. The browsing time is the elapsed time since the customer entered the store and is calculated from the current time and the check-in time. The most recent operation time is information that indicates the time when the customer most recently operated mobile terminal 4. Specifically, the most recent operation time is information that indicates the time of the most recent operation, such as the check-in time, registration time, or payment instruction time.

[0109] The Registered Item Number is information indicating the number of registered items. The Registered Amount is information indicating the total amount of registered items. The Registered Amount has the same meaning as the Transaction Amount and can be either the tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive price. The Status is an example of status information indicating the customer's state. The Status may include pre-checkout states such as "Shopping". "Shopping" indicates that one or more items have been registered and no checkout instructions have been entered into the mobile terminal 4. The Status may also include states such as "Checkout in Progress" or "Checkout Completed". "Checkout in Progress" indicates that a checkout instruction has been entered into the mobile terminal 4 and payment has not yet been completed. "Checkout Completed" indicates that payment has been completed. The Accounting Machine No. is information that identifies the accounting machine 5 that is currently executing the accounting process for the corresponding transaction No.

[0110] Returning to Figure 12, let's describe the hardware configuration of Attendant PC6.

[0111] The display unit 62 is composed of, for example, an LCD panel and displays various information. For example, the display unit 62 displays a transaction list screen, a transaction details screen, a guidance screen, and a highlight setting screen. The transaction list screen is a screen that displays a list of customer statuses. The transaction details screen is a screen that displays the details of a single customer's transaction. The guidance screen is a screen that displays guidance for attendants during attendant checks. The highlight setting screen is a screen for setting highlight products. Details of each of these screens will be described later.

[0112] The operation unit 63 is for inputting information to the control unit 60 and consists of, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, etc. For example, the operation unit 63 inputs information to the control unit 60 for setting the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 and information for setting highlight products.

[0113] The scanner unit 64 reads code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. For example, the scanner unit 64 scans the accounting barcode displayed on the attendant check screen of the mobile terminal 4 and inputs the scanned data to the control unit 60. The scanner unit 64 may also consist of an imaging unit that captures images. In this case, the scanner unit 64 inputs the image data to the control unit 60.

[0114] The communication unit 65 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the server device 2. The control unit 60 is connected to the external device via the communication unit 65, enabling it to send and receive information (data) with the external device.

[0115] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6 will be described. Figure 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6. The control unit 60 functions as a transmitting / receiving means 6001, an input means 6002, a reading means 6003, an information management means 6004, and a display control means 6005, with the CPU 601 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 602 and the memory unit 61. Note that each of these functions may be configured with hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0116] The transmitting / receiving means 6001 transmits and receives various information to and from the server device 2. For example, the transmitting / receiving means 6001 sends a request for store transaction information including a store code to the server device 2 and receives transaction information corresponding to the store code in response. The transmitting / receiving means 6001 also sends a request for transaction information including a transaction code to the server device 2 and receives transaction information corresponding to the transaction code in response. In addition, during attendant checks, the transmitting / receiving means 6001 transmits the product code acquired based on the code symbol read by the scanner unit 64 to the server device 2. The transmitting means and the check information transmitting means are included in the transmitting / receiving means 6001. That is, the transmitting means transmits the acquired product code to the server device 2. Specifically, the transmitting means transmits the product code acquired by the product identification information acquisition means to the server device 2. The check information transmitting means transmits check information to the server device 2 when the attendant has completed checking the purchased product. Specifically, the check information transmitting means transmits check information to the server device 2 when the OK button 728 is operated by the attendant.

[0117] The transmitting / receiving means 6001 transmits various setting information to the server device 2. For example, the transmitting / receiving means 6001 transmits mode setting information for the mobile self-checkout system 3 to the server device 2. The transmitting / receiving means 6001 also transmits setting information for setting highlight products to the server device 2. The attendant PC 6 may transmit and receive information with the server device 2 using the functions of a dedicated application program, or it may transmit and receive information with the server device 2 by accessing a website using a browser.

[0118] The input means 6002 receives various information from the operation unit 63 and the scanner unit 64. The input means 6002 functions as an example of a receiving means that accepts various operations. Here, "operation" is a concept that includes not only operations via the operation unit 63, but also operations such as reading the code symbol of an unscanned product using the scanner unit 64. For example, check information is input to the input means 6002 from the operation unit 43. The check information is information indicating that the attendant check has been completed. In addition, scanned data of the accounting barcode displayed on the attendant check screen is input to the input means 6002 from the scanner unit 64.

[0119] The reading means 6003 decodes the scan data input to the input means 6002 and reads the transaction code. The decoding of the scan data may be performed by the server device 2. In this case, the transmitting / receiving means 6001 transmits the scan data to the server device 2 and receives the transaction code read by the server device 2. The product identification information acquisition means is included in the reading means 6003. That is, the product identification information acquisition means acquires the product code for one or more products to be paid for at the checkout machine 5 immediately before payment. In this embodiment, the product identification information acquisition means acquires the product code for products placed in the shopping cart and to be paid for at the checkout machine 5 based on the code symbol read by the scanner unit 64 during the attendant check.

[0120] The information management means 6004 manages various types of information, such as information received by the transmitting and receiving means 6001. Here, managing information means writing or reading various types of information (data) to or from the storage unit 61.

[0121] For example, the information management means 6004 stores (writes) the transaction information and necessary information in the status management table 612 based on the transaction information of the store received by the transmitting / receiving means 6001. The information management means 6004 also reads information to be displayed on the display unit 62 from the status management table 612 as needed.

[0122] The display control means 6005 causes the display unit 62 to display various information. The display control means 6005 functions as an example of the first display means and the second display means. For example, the display control means 6005 causes the transaction list screen, transaction details screen, guidance screen, and highlight setting screen to be displayed on the display unit 62. These transaction list screen, transaction details screen, guidance screen, and highlight setting screen are screens that are displayed by accessing the website provided by the server device 2. The unregistered product display means is included in the display control means 6005. That is, the unregistered product display means receives and displays product information transmitted by the unregistered product output means.

[0123] Although the configuration of accounting machine 5 has not been explained, accounting machine 5, like the server device 2, mobile terminal 4, and attendant PC 6 described above, is equipped with a control unit that is a computer configuration consisting of a CPU, ROM, and RAM, which are examples of processors. Accounting machine 5 also includes a storage unit such as an HDD or flash memory for storing various programs, a display unit consisting of a display device such as an LCD panel, an operation unit consisting of an input device such as a keyboard or touch panel, a scanner unit similar to the scanner unit 64, and a communication unit for communicating with external devices. The control unit of accounting machine 5 works in cooperation with the programs stored in the storage unit to execute various processes such as the attendant check judgment process described later. Furthermore, the control unit of accounting machine 5 works in cooperation with the programs stored in the storage unit to realize functional configurations such as receiving means and accounting processing means.

[0124] Next, we will explain the general operation of the transaction management system 1 with the above configuration. Figure 15 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation flow of the transaction management system 1. This sequence chart shows the operation flow when the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 is set to front check mode. Furthermore, the above sequence chart shows the operation flow when the customer undergoes an attendant check by an attendant before making payment at the accounting machine 5.

[0125] The customer launches the application program for the mobile self-checkout system (Step S1). Next, the customer reads the entry information with the mobile terminal 4 and enters the transaction start information (Step S2). The mobile terminal 4 transmits the entry information, including the company code, store code, and check-in time, to the server device 2 (Step S3).

[0126] Server device 2 issues a terminal code and a transaction code (step S4). At this time, server device 2 registers the necessary information in the terminal management table 213 and the transaction information management table 215 based on the received store entry information. Server device 2 reads the mode information of the store code included in the store entry information from the mode management table 216 (step S5). Server device 2 transmits the issued terminal code and transaction code, and the read mode information, to the mobile terminal 4 (step S6).

[0127] The mobile terminal 4 registers the received information (step S7). Specifically, the mobile terminal 4 registers the received terminal code in the terminal code unit 412, the transaction code in the transaction information unit 413, and the mode information in the mode information unit 414. When the customer scans the product barcode with the imaging unit 44, the mobile terminal 4 obtains the product code that identifies the product (step S8). Note that the product code for products without a barcode is entered from the operation unit 43. The mobile terminal 4 sends a registration request including the terminal code and the product code to the server device 2 (step S9). The mobile terminal 4 may also send a registration request including the transaction code in place of the terminal code, or together with the terminal code, to the server device 2. In the following description, it will be assumed that the mobile terminal 4 also sends the terminal code when it sends information to the server device 2.

[0128] Server device 2 performs product registration based on the registration request. Specifically, server device 2 reads product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request from product master 212 and registers it in transaction information management table 215 (step S10). Server device 2 transmits the read product information to mobile terminal 4 (step S11).

[0129] Here, referring to a portion of Figure 24, we will explain the product registration performed by the server device 2 based on the registration request received from the mobile terminal 4, which is executed in steps S10 and S11. Figure 24 is a flowchart of the control processing of the server device 2. As shown in Figure 24, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 determines whether it has received a registration request from the mobile terminal 4 (step S121). If it determines that it has received a registration request from the mobile terminal 4 (step S121: Yes), the control unit 20, as the process of step S10, reads the product information of the product from the product master 212 based on the product code received at the same time and performs product registration to register it in the transaction information management table 215 (step S122). Then the control unit 20 (product registration means) sends the registered product information to the mobile terminal 4 (step S123). Then the control unit 20 returns to S121.

[0130] Returning to the explanation of Figure 15, the mobile terminal 4 stores the received product information in the transaction information unit 413 and displays the transaction information display screen (step S12). Alternatively, each time the mobile terminal 4 reads a product code, it may acquire transaction information, including all product information related to the transaction, that the server has registered in the transaction information management table 215.

[0131] Here, we will explain the transaction information display screen. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the transaction information display screen for registered products displayed by the mobile terminal 4. The display unit 42 of the mobile terminal 4 displays the header section 421, the total information section 422, the product information section 423, and the footer section 424 on the transaction information display screen.

[0132] The header section 421 displays the company name "〇〇", the store name "△△ Store", and the text "Registering" to indicate that the customer is currently shopping. The header section 421 also includes a terminal code section 4211, which displays the terminal code.

[0133] The total information section 422 displays the total number of items and the total price of registered products. Products whose registration has been canceled after being registered are not included in the total number of items and total price.

[0134] The product information section 423 displays information on registered products and products whose registration has been canceled. The displayed product information includes the product name, price, tax rate, quantity, and additional information. Additional information may include, for example, information indicating that a product requires age verification, but is set independently of whether the product is highlighted. For products whose registration has been canceled, the product name, price, and quantity are crossed out.

[0135] The footer section 424 displays various controls. Specifically, the footer section 424 displays the "No Barcode" icon, the "Scan" icon, and the "Payment" icon. The "No Barcode" icon displays a preset screen for registering products that do not have a product barcode. The "Scan" icon is for capturing an image of the product barcode. The "Payment" icon is for entering payment instructions.

[0136] Returning to Figure 15, we will now explain the general operation of the transaction management system 1.

[0137] Each time a customer scans the barcode attached to a product, the process from steps S8 to S12 is repeated. The attendant PC 6 sends a store transaction information request to the server device 2 (step S13). Although the store transaction information request is described as a process in step S13 for the sake of explanation, it is repeatedly output to the server device 2 in a short period of time, independently of other processes. In other words, the store transaction information request is essentially being sent to the server device 2 at all times.

[0138] When server device 2 receives a store transaction information request, it extracts the transaction information associated with the store code included in the store transaction information request from the transaction information management table 215 as store transaction information (step S14). Server device 2 then transmits the extracted store transaction information to attendant PC 6 (step S15).

[0139] Here, referring to a portion of Figure 24, the processing performed by the server device 2 based on the store transaction information request received from the attendant PC 6, which is executed in steps S14 and S15, will be explained. As shown in Figure 24, if the control unit 20 of the server device 2 determines that it has not received a registration request (step S121: No), it determines whether it has received a store transaction information request from the attendant PC 6 (step S124). If it determines that it has received a store transaction information request from the attendant PC 6 (step S124: Yes), the control unit 20 extracts the transaction information associated with the store code included in the store transaction information request from the transaction information management table 215 as store transaction information, and sends the extracted store transaction information to the attendant PC 6 (step S125). Then the control unit 20 returns to step S121.

[0140] Returning to the explanation of Figure 15, the attendant PC 6 updates the status management table 612 based on the received store transaction information (step S16). Based on the information stored in the status management table 612, the attendant PC 6 displays the transaction list screen on the display unit 62 (step S17). As described above, since the store transaction information request is repeatedly sent to the server device 2 at short intervals, the processes in steps S14 to S17 that are performed in conjunction with the store transaction information request are also repeatedly executed. Therefore, the transaction list screen is automatically updated.

[0141] Here, we will explain the transaction list screen. Figure 17 shows an example of the transaction list screen displayed by the attendant PC 6. The display unit 62 of the attendant PC 6 displays the update button 621, the terminal code input field 622, the accounting machine used display unit 623, the exit button 624, the highlight setting button 625, and the status display unit 626 on the transaction list screen.

[0142] The update button 621 is an operator for manually updating the information displayed on the status display unit 626. The terminal code input field 622 is an input field for entering a terminal code to display the transaction details screen related to that terminal code. The terminal code input field 622 is used, for example, when the scanner unit 64 is malfunctioning and the accounting barcode cannot be read. The accounting machine usage display unit 623 displays the number of accounting machines 5 being used.

[0143] The Exit button 624 is used to exit the transaction list display. The screen displayed after the Exit button 624 is pressed can be set arbitrarily by the store. The Highlight Settings button 625 is used to move to the highlight settings screen.

[0144] The status display unit 626 displays a list of customer statuses for each terminal code. Specifically, the status display unit 626 displays the following items in association: terminal code, browsing time, time of previous operation, registered points, registered amount, status, and accounting machine number. The contents of each item are as described in the explanation of the status management table 612 of the attendant PC 6, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0145] Each item in the status display unit 626 displays a sorting icon 6261, which is shown as an upward or downward arrow. When the sorting icon 6261 of any one item is operated, the customer status is sorted using that item as the key. For example, in the state shown in Figure 17, if the sorting icon 6261 of the browsing time item is operated, the data will be sorted in ascending order of browsing time. That is, the data in the lowest row with the smallest browsing time will be placed at the top. All rows of data will be sorted in the same way. In that state, if the sorting icon 6261 of the browsing time item is operated again, the data will be sorted in descending order of collection time.

[0146] The same applies when other sorting icons 6261 are operated. Note that when sorting in ascending or descending order, if the numerical values ​​of key items are the same, the numerical value of the item located further to the left will be prioritized. For example, when sorting browsing time in ascending order, in the example in Figure 17, the third row (the row with machine number 403) and the fourth row (the row with machine number 404) have the same browsing time, but the third row, which has a smaller terminal code value (the leftmost item), will be placed higher. Note that in the default display mode of the status display unit 626, data with the status item "Shopping" is placed at the top.

[0147] The status display unit 626 shows a highlight icon 6262 in the status item. The highlight icon 6262 indicates that the transaction information includes a highlighted product. The attendant can recognize that transactions with data displaying the highlight icon 6262 require careful attendant checking.

[0148] Here, the status displayed in the status field, such as "Shopping," also functions as an operator that can accept selection operations. When any status is selected from the status display unit 626, the transaction details screen corresponding to the terminal code of the selected status is displayed. In other words, the status displayed in the status display unit 626 represents the customer's status and also functions as an example of an operator for displaying the transaction details screen corresponding to the terminal code. The status selection operation is used, for example, when checking the transaction details of any mobile terminal 4. Hereinafter, the status displayed in the status field of the status display unit 626 will also be referred to as a "status operator."

[0149] Furthermore, on the transaction list screen, it is possible to display the transaction details screen related to the transaction code contained in the accounting barcode by reading the accounting barcode, and a message 627 informing the user of this is displayed above the status display unit 626.

[0150] Thus, on the transaction list screen, it is possible to instruct the display of the transaction details screen using three methods: (1) direct input of the terminal code via the terminal code input field 622, (2) selection of the status operator, and (3) scanning of the accounting barcode.

[0151] Returning to Figure 15, we will now explain the general operation of the transaction management system 1.

[0152] When the customer finishes registering the purchased items and operates the payment icon on the transaction information display screen, a payment instruction is entered into the mobile terminal 4 (step S18). The mobile terminal 4 then sends the payment instruction to the server device 2 (step S19).

[0153] Server device 2 updates transaction information and calculates the transaction amount based on the received accounting instructions (step S20). Specifically, server device 2 registers the accounting instruction time corresponding to the transaction code included in the accounting instructions in the transaction information management table 215. Server device 2 also calculates the transaction amount based on the product information corresponding to the above transaction code. Server device 2 transmits the calculated transaction amount and the attendant check screen display instruction to the mobile terminal 4 (step S21).

[0154] The mobile terminal 4 generates an accounting barcode indicating the transaction code (step S22). The mobile terminal 4 checks the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 by referring to the mode information unit 414 (step S23), and if it is in front check mode, it displays the attendant check screen (step S24). If the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 is normal mode, the mobile terminal 4 displays the accounting screen described later.

[0155] In this embodiment, customers themselves place items they wish to purchase into a shopping cart while browsing the store, request registration of those items from their mobile terminal 4, and then pay for those items at the checkout machine 5. Therefore, attendants need to perform attendant checks before the items are paid for. As part of the attendant check, for example, if the items placed in the shopping cart include age-verification items that require age verification, the attendant checks the customer's age. They also check whether the items placed in the shopping cart are registered. In other words, they check to ensure that there are no items that have not been registered due to customer error or fraudulent activity.

[0156] Here, we will explain the attendant check screen. Figure 18 shows an example of the attendant check screen displayed by the mobile terminal 4. The display unit 42 of the mobile terminal 4 displays the header unit 421, the total information unit 422, and the accounting barcode unit 425 on the attendant check screen.

[0157] The header section 421 displays the company name "〇〇", the store name "△△ Store", and the text "Payment Machine Payment" indicating that the customer has entered payment instructions. The header section 421 also has a terminal code section 4211, which displays the terminal code. The header section 421 also displays a back button 4212, which is used to return to the previous screen. For example, on the attendant check screen, when the back button 4212 is pressed, the mobile terminal 4 returns to the transaction information display screen (see Figure 16).

[0158] The total information unit 422 displays the total number of registered products and their total price. Furthermore, if discounted items are registered in a transaction for which accounting instructions have been entered, the total information unit 422 also displays the total discount amount.

[0159] The accounting barcode unit 425 displays an accounting barcode indicating the transaction code. The accounting barcode unit 425 also displays a guidance message for the customer, such as "Please present your accounting barcode at the entrance to the accounting area." Furthermore, the accounting barcode unit 425 displays an illustration illustrating the scanning of the accounting barcode by the attendant PC 6's scanner unit 64. Customers who view the attendant check screen will understand that they need to move to the location where the attendant PC 6 is positioned and present their accounting barcode.

[0160] Returning to Figure 15, we will now explain the general operation of the transaction management system 1.

[0161] When the attendant scans the accounting barcode on the attendant check screen presented by the customer using the scanner unit 64, the accounting barcode is entered into the attendant PC 6 (step S25). The attendant PC 6 reads the transaction code from the accounting barcode and sends a transaction information request including the transaction code to the server device 2 (step S26).

[0162] Server device 2 extracts transaction information corresponding to the transaction code included in the transaction information request from the transaction information management table 215 (step S27). Server device 2 transmits the extracted transaction information to attendant PC 6 (step S28).

[0163] Furthermore, when the server device 2 receives a transaction information request including a terminal code from the attendant PC 6, in step S27, it extracts the transaction information corresponding to the terminal code included in the transaction information request from the transaction information management table 215.

[0164] The attendant PC6 stores the transaction information received from the server device 2 in the status management table 612, and switches the display from the transaction list screen to display the transaction details screen related to the stored transaction information (step S29).

[0165] Here, we will explain the transaction details screen. Figure 19 shows an example of the transaction details screen displayed by the attendant PC 6. The display unit 62 of the attendant PC 6 displays the terminal code display unit 721, the total amount display unit 722, the total points display unit 723, the display switching button 724, the display target display unit 725, the product details section 726, the back button 727, and the OK button 728 and preset button 730 on the transaction details screen.

[0166] The terminal code display unit 721 displays the terminal code corresponding to the target transaction being displayed on the transaction details screen. The total amount display unit 722 displays the transaction amount of the target transaction. The total number of items display unit 723 displays the number of items purchased in the target transaction.

[0167] The display toggle button 724 is an operator that switches the display target shown in the product details section 726. The display toggle button 724 switches whether the display target shown in the product details section 726 is all products that are the subject of the transaction or only highlighted products. In the example in Figure 19, only highlighted products are displayed in the product details section 726, so the display toggle button 724 displays the text "All". When the display toggle button 724 is operated in this state, all products that are the subject of the transaction will be displayed in the product details section 726.

[0168] For example, in a store where attendants check that all registered products and products in the shopping cart match, the items displayed in product details 726 will be all products involved in the transaction. Alternatively, in a store where attendants only check highlighted products among the registered products, the items displayed in product details 726 will be only the highlighted products.

[0169] The display target display section 725 displays the display targets shown in the product details section 726. In the example in Figure 19, only highlighted products are displayed in the product details section 726, so the display target display section 725 displays "Highlights Only".

[0170] Product Details 726 displays product details. Specifically, Product Details 726 displays the following items for each product: scan order, product name, quantity, price, tax, and verification points. The scan order indicates the order in which the items were scanned. The product name indicates the name of the product. The quantity indicates the number of the corresponding product that was registered. The price indicates the price of the corresponding product, specifically the amount obtained by multiplying the unit price by the quantity. The tax indicates the applicable tax type. The verification points indicate the display comments pre-set for the product (see Highlight Information Management Table 214).

[0171] The product details section 726 displays sorting icons 7261 for the scan order, quantity, and amount fields. The function of sorting icon 7261 is the same as sorting icon 6261 in the transaction list screen shown in Figure 17, so a redundant explanation is omitted.

[0172] In the product details section 726, a highlight icon 7262 and an important icon 7263 are displayed for items in the scan order. The highlight icon 7262 indicates that the product is a highlight item. The important icon 7263 indicates that the product is of high importance during attendant checks. The highlight icon 7262 and the important icon 7263 have the same shape but are displayed in different colors.

[0173] The back button 727 is used to return to the transaction list screen. The OK button 728 is used to input information indicating that the attendant check has been completed. When the OK button 728 is pressed, the attendant PC 6 sends the check information to the server device 2. The preset button 730 is used by the attendant when performing an attendant check on products that do not have a code symbol. When the preset button 730 is pressed, the screen shown in Figure 23 is displayed (details will be described later).

[0174] Figure 20 shows an example of a guidance screen displayed by the attendant PC 6. The guidance screen is displayed before the transaction details screen is displayed. Whether or not to display the guidance screen can be set at the discretion of the store. The guidance screen is displayed as a pop-up guidance display unit 729 on the transaction details screen.

[0175] The guidance display unit 729 is displayed only when the transaction includes highlighted products. The guidance display unit 729 displays guidance on what the attendant should do during the attendant check. For example, the guidance display unit 729 displays a message indicating that the transaction includes products that require confirmation by an attendant. The guidance display unit 729 also displays messages indicating that age verification is required for alcoholic beverages, etc., and that unregistered products must be registered at a dedicated register.

[0176] The guidance display unit 729 displays a back button 7291 and an OK button 7292. The back button 7291 is used to return to the transaction list screen. The OK button 7292 is used to input information indicating that the attendant has confirmed the contents displayed on the guidance display unit 729. When the OK button 7292 is pressed, the guidance display unit 729 is cleared and the transaction details screen is displayed.

[0177] Returning to Figure 15, the attendant performs an attendant check (step S30). Specifically, the attendant randomly selects one or more items from the shopping cart and reads the code symbol attached to the item using the scanner unit 64. The attendant PC 6 obtains the product code of the item from the read code symbol and transmits it to the server device 2, which then checks whether the item has been registered. In other words, the attendant check is performed by the attendant PC 6 and the server device 2. For items without a code symbol, the attendant selects the item using the preset button 730. The attendant PC 6 and the server device 2 obtain the product code of the selected item and perform an attendant check. By performing an attendant check on the items placed in the customer's shopping cart in this way, it is possible to prevent customers from forgetting to register items. Furthermore, performing an attendant check before checkout can be expected to deter fraudulent behavior by customers who intentionally fail to register items. Therefore, attendant checks do not need to be performed on all items in the shopping cart; they can be performed on one or a few items. Also, from the perspective of reducing the workload on attendants, attendant checks only need to be performed on one or a few items.

[0178] Figure 21 is a sequence chart showing the attendant check process in the attendant PC 6 and server device 2 related to step S30. As shown in Figure 21, the attendant PC 6 reads the code symbol attached to the product or selects a product by operating the preset button 730 to obtain the product code (step S101). Then it transmits the obtained product code to the server device 2 (step S102). Based on the received product code, the server device 2 determines whether the product is registered (step S103). If the product is not registered, it performs product registration for the product (step S104). If the product is already registered, it does not perform product registration again for the product (step S104 is not performed). Then, the product information for the product is stored as transaction information in the transaction information management table 215 corresponding to the transaction code received simultaneously in S102 (step S105).

[0179] Next, the server device 2 transmits the transaction information stored in the transaction information management table 215 to the attendant PC 6, corresponding to the received transaction code (step S106). The attendant PC 6 displays the transaction details screen related to the received transaction information (step S107).

[0180] Here, referring to a portion of Figure 22, the control of the attendant PC6 when the product code symbol is read during the attendant check (processing in step S30) will be explained. Figure 22 is a flowchart of the control process of the attendant PC6. The control unit 60 of the attendant PC6 determines whether the scanner unit 64 has read the code symbol attached to the product (step S111). If it is determined that the code symbol has been read (step S111: Yes), the control unit 60 (product identification information acquisition means) acquires the product code corresponding to the code symbol (step S112). Then the control unit 60 (transmission means) transmits the acquired product code to the server device 2 along with the transaction code that identifies the mobile terminal 4 undergoing the attendant check (the transaction code read in step S25) (step S113). Then the control unit 60 returns to S111.

[0181] If the product to be checked by the attendant does not have a code symbol, the attendant operates the preset button 730. The attendant PC6 then displays preset screen B, which shows the preset keys as shown in Figure 23. Preset screen B has a message field Ba and a product selection field Bb. Message field Ba displays a message prompting the attendant to operate the preset keys.

[0182] The message field Ba displays the classification selection key W and the preset key V. The classification selection key W is used to select the type (field) of the preset key V to display. The preset key V belongs to the classification selection key W that was operated. The attendant operates the preset key V of the product to be checked by the attendant. The control unit 60 then obtains the product code for that product (step S112). The control unit 60 then transmits the obtained product code, along with the transaction code that identifies the mobile terminal 4 undergoing the attendant check, to the server device 2 (step S113). The control unit 60 then returns to S111. The return key U is used to return to the screen shown in Figure 19.

[0183] From here, with reference to a portion of Figure 24, the control of the server device 2 that received the product code and transaction code transmitted in step S113 will be described. If it is determined that the received item is not a store transaction information request from the attendant PC 6 (step S124: No), the control unit 20 determines whether it has received the product code and transaction code transmitted in step S113 (step S131). If it is determined that the product code and transaction code have been received (step S131: Yes), the control unit 20 (determination means) determines whether the product with that product code has been registered (whether it has not been omitted from product registration) (step S132). Specifically, the control unit 20 determines whether the product with that product code has been registered by checking whether the product information of the product with the product code received in step S131 is included in the product information registered in the transaction information management table 215 in step S10. In this embodiment, the determination in step S132 may not determine the number of registered products. For example, if multiple identical items are purchased, the decision in step S132 will determine whether the item is registered, but it will not determine the number of items that are registered. The function to receive the product code in step S131 (Yes in S131) ​​corresponds to the means for obtaining product identification information.

[0184] If the control unit 20 determines that the product with the product code is not registered (i.e., it is an unscanned product) (step S132: No), the control unit 20 (product registration means) performs product registration processing for the product (step S133). In other words, the control unit 20 automatically registers unscanned products that the determination means has determined are not registered. This reduces the workload on attendants involved in registering unscanned products. The control unit 20 then stores the product information of the registered product in the transaction information management table 215 corresponding to the received transaction code (step S134). If step S132: No and the processing in step S133 is performed, in step S134, information indicating that the product is an unscanned product is added and stored. The control unit 20 (unregistered product output means) then transmits the transaction information stored in the transaction information management table 215 corresponding to the transaction code to the attendant PC 6 (step S135). The control unit 60 then returns to step S121. If the control unit 60 determines that the product code in question has already been registered (step S132: Yes), it executes the process in step S134 without registering the product (processing in step S133). In this case, in step S134, it stores information indicating that the product has undergone an attendant check. Alternatively, in S135, it may send a message to the attendant PC 6 indicating that the product has been correctly registered.

[0185] Returning to the explanation of Figure 22, if it is determined that it is not a code symbol reading (step S111: No), the control unit 60 determines in step S135 whether it has received the transaction information transmitted from the server device 2 (step S114). If it is determined that it has received the transaction information from the server device 2 (step S114: Yes), the control unit 60 (unregistered product display means) displays a transaction details screen showing the received transaction information on the display unit 62 (step S115). Then the control unit 60 returns to step S111.

[0186] Figure 25 shows an example of the transaction details screen displayed in step S115. In Figure 25, products C and D are products that have been checked by the attendant. Since product D was registered by the customer, the column Sa for product D is highlighted in a color indicating that it has been checked by the attendant. Also, since product C was determined to be an unscanned product as a result of the attendant check, the column Sb for product C is highlighted in a color different from the column Sa for product D, indicating that it is an unscanned product. Furthermore, an indicator Sba is displayed at the beginning of column Sb to indicate that product C is an unscanned product. In addition, a message Sbb indicating that it is an unscanned product (in this embodiment, the words "Not Scanned") is displayed near the product name of product C (directly above the product name of product C in this embodiment). Note that the other displays on the transaction details screen shown in Figure 25 are the same as in Figure 19, so their explanation is omitted.

[0187] In this embodiment, product C, which is displayed as an unscanned product in column Sb, is automatically registered in step S133. However, as a modification of this embodiment, if it is determined in step S132 that the product is unscanned, the product registration (processing in step S133) may not be performed at that point, and a message may be displayed to the attendant PC 6 asking the customer whether to register the product. After confirming with the customer that they wish to register the product, the product may be registered when the customer touches the column for unscanned products displayed in Figure 25 (in this embodiment, column Sb for product C). In other words, the attendant may inform the customer of the existence of an unscanned product, obtain the customer's confirmation and understanding, and then register the product based on the customer's operation to register the product. In this case, it is desirable to store the existence of an unscanned product and the product code of the unscanned product in the server 2 (for example, the transaction information management table 215). Alternatively, the product may be automatically registered in step S133, and a message indicating that the product was an unscanned product and that the product has been registered may be attached.

[0188] Returning to the explanation of Figure 15, when the OK button 728 is pressed on the transaction details screen of the attendant PC 6, the attendant PC 6 is marked as checked (step S31). The attendant PC 6 then sends the checked information to the server device 2 (step S32).

[0189] Server device 2 updates the attendant check flag (step S33). Specifically, server device 2 rewrites the attendant check flag corresponding to the transaction code included in the check information in the transaction information management table 215 to "1". Then server device 2 sends an instruction to display the accounting screen to the mobile terminal 4 (step S34).

[0190] Here, we will explain the control of the attendant PC 6 and the server device 2 in steps S31 to S33.

[0191] First, referring to a portion of Figure 22, the processing of the attendant PC6 when the OK button 728 is operated will be explained. As shown in Figure 22, if it is determined that no transaction information has been received from the server device 2 (step S114: No), the control unit 60 determines whether the OK button 728 has been operated (step S116). If it is determined that the OK button 728 has been operated (i.e., a checked input has been made) (step S116: Yes), the control unit 60 (check information transmission means) transmits check information (including the transaction code) to the server device 2 (step S117). Then the control unit 60 returns to step S111.

[0192] Next, with reference to a portion of Figure 24, the control of the server device 2 that receives the check information and transaction code transmitted in step S117 will be described. As shown in Figure 24, if it is determined that the product code and transaction code have not been received (step S131: No), the control unit 20 determines whether it has received the check information (including the transaction code) transmitted from the attendant PC 6 in step S117 (step S141). If it is determined that the check information has not been received (step S141: No), the control unit 20 returns to step S121. If it is determined that the check information has been received (step S141: Yes), the control unit 20 (transaction management means) updates the attendant check flag by rewriting the attendant check flag to "1" in the transaction information management table 215 related to the transaction, based on the transaction of the transaction code included in the check information (step S142). Then the control unit 20 returns to step S121.

[0193] Returning to the explanation of Figure 15, when the mobile terminal 4 receives an instruction to display the accounting screen, it disables the back button 4212 mentioned above (step S35). Then, the mobile terminal 4 switches from the attendant check screen and displays the accounting screen on the display unit 42 (step S36).

[0194] Now, let's explain the accounting screen. Figure 26 shows an example of the accounting screen displayed by the mobile terminal 4. The display unit 42 of the mobile terminal 4 displays the header section 421, the total information section 422, and the accounting barcode section 425 on the accounting screen. Since the accounting screen is similar to the attendant check screen, we will explain the differences between the two screens here, and omit redundant explanations.

[0195] The header section 421 displays the company name "〇〇", the store name "△△ Store", the words "Payment Machine" indicating that the customer has entered payment instructions, and the terminal code, similar to the attendant check screen. In addition, the back button 4212 that was displayed on the attendant check screen is disabled in the header section 421 of the payment screen by the processing in step S34. Here, disabling means making it impossible to operate. By disabling the back button 4212, it may be displayed in a grayed-out state or hidden, for example.

[0196] In the accounting screen shown in Figure 26, the back button 4212 is grayed out and cannot be operated. Therefore, it is not possible to return from the accounting screen to the previous screen (attendant check screen).

[0197] The reason for disabling the back button 4212 on the checkout screen is as follows: In the operation flow when front check mode is set, after the attendant check is completed, the registered products are finalized, so customers cannot add or cancel products themselves and can only make payments at the checkout machine 5. If it were possible to return to the attendant check screen or the previous transaction information display screen after the attendant check is completed, there is a possibility that the registered product details may be inadvertently edited by the customer after the attendant check is completed. In this case, there is a possibility that products not verified by the attendant, such as age-required products, may be purchased without the customer's age verification being performed.

[0198] Therefore, in this embodiment, the mobile terminal 4 displays the accounting screen, which is shown when the attendant check is completed, with the back button 4212 disabled to prevent the user from returning to the previous screen. As a result, the mobile terminal 4 can prevent the user from returning to the attendant check screen or any previous screen where product registration is possible, thus maintaining the registered state of the products at the stage when the attendant check is completed.

[0199] Furthermore, if the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 is selected as normal mode, regardless of this configuration, it is sufficient to display the checkout screen with the back button 4212 enabled, similar to the attendant check screen.

[0200] The accounting barcode unit 425 displays guidance messages to the customer, such as "Please scan the accounting barcode on the screen with the scanner on the accounting machine." The accounting barcode unit 425 also displays an illustration that illustrates the process of reading the accounting barcode with the scanner on the accounting machine 5. Customers who view the accounting screen will understand that they need to move to the accounting machine 5 and have the accounting barcode scanned.

[0201] Returning to Figure 15, we will now explain the general operation of the transaction management system 1.

[0202] When a customer scans the accounting barcode 425 displayed on their mobile terminal 4 with the scanner unit of the accounting machine 5, the accounting barcode is entered into the accounting machine 5 (step S37). The accounting machine 5 requests transaction information for the transaction code read from the accounting barcode from the server device 2 (step S38).

[0203] Server device 2 executes the attendant check determination process (step S39). The attendant check determination process determines whether or not the attendant check has been completed for the transaction for which a transaction information request has been made. Details of the attendant check determination process will be described later.

[0204] If the attendant check has been completed, the server device 2 sends the transaction information corresponding to the transaction code included in the transaction information request to the accounting machine 5 (step S40). At this time, the server device 2 stores the accounting machine No. associated with the transaction code included in the transaction information request in the transaction information management table 215.

[0205] If the attendant check has not been completed, the server device 2 sends error information to the accounting machine 5. Upon receiving the error information, the accounting machine 5 displays a message prompting the customer to undergo the attendant check.

[0206] Upon receiving transaction information, the accounting machine 5 performs accounting processing (step S41). Based on the customer's input, the accounting machine 5 performs accounting processing for cash payments and cashless payments. If the customer's purchased items include unregistered items, or if operation by an attendant is required, the accounting machine 5 is also operated by the attendant. Once the accounting processing is complete, the accounting machine 5 sends an accounting completion notification to the server device 2 (step S42).

[0207] Server device 2 updates the transaction information based on the received accounting completion notice (step S43). Specifically, in the transaction information management table 215, server device 2 rewrites the accounting completed flag corresponding to the transaction code included in the accounting completion notice to "1".

[0208] Server device 2 sends a payment completion notification to mobile terminal 4 (step S44). Server device 2 sends a payment completion notification to mobile terminal 4 identified by a terminal code corresponding to the transaction code included in the payment completion notification received from accounting machine 5.

[0209] The mobile terminal 4 displays information on the display unit 42 indicating that the payment has been completed (step S45).

[0210] Through the above process, customers can make payments at payment machine 5, provided they have undergone an attendant check by an attendant positioned near the entrance to the payment area. This eliminates the need for attendants to move to payment machine 5 every time a check is required, improving the efficiency of the attendant check process.

[0211] Next, we will explain the process related to the display of the transaction details screen on the transaction list screen mentioned above. Figure 27 is a flowchart showing the flow of the transaction details screen display process by the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6. Note that this process is an example of the process executed by the attendant PC 6 in steps S25 to S31, as explained in Figure 15.

[0212] The control unit 60, while displaying the transaction list screen (step S51), waits until it receives an operation to instruct the display of the transaction details screen (step S52; No).

[0213] When the control unit 60 receives an instruction to display the transaction details screen (step S52; Yes), it determines whether the operation was either inputting a terminal code via the terminal code input field 622 or reading an accounting barcode (i.e., a transaction code) via the scanner unit 64 (step S53).

[0214] If the operation method is inputting a terminal code via the terminal code input field 622 or an accounting barcode via the scanner unit 64 (Y in step S53), the control unit 60 sends a transaction information request including the terminal code or transaction code instructed by the operation to the server device 2 (step S54). Then, based on the transaction information returned from the server device 2, the control unit 60 displays the transaction details screen described in Figure 19 on the display unit 62 (step S55).

[0215] On the other hand, if the operation method is the selection of a status operator displayed in the product details section 726 (N in step S53), the control unit 60 sends a transaction information request to the server device 2 that includes the transaction code related to the status operator selected in that operation (step S56). In this case, based on the transaction information returned from the server device 2, the control unit 60 displays a transaction details screen (hereinafter also referred to as the viewing transaction details screen) with the attendant check completion operation disabled on the display unit 62 (step S57).

[0216] Here, we will explain the transaction details screen for viewing. Figure 28 shows an example of the transaction details screen for viewing displayed by Attendant PC6. Note that the transaction details screen for viewing is similar to the transaction details screen, so here we will explain the differences from the transaction details screen and omit redundant explanations.

[0217] As shown in Figure 28, on the transaction details screen for viewing, the OK button 728, which was displayed on the transaction details screen and used to input information indicating that the attendant check was complete, is hidden. In other words, the transaction details screen for viewing allows users to check the details of registered products, but it disables (prevents) the operation to complete the attendant check.

[0218] The reason why the transaction details screen displayed by selecting a status control is different from the transaction details screen displayed by other methods is as follows:

[0219] Firstly, the operation method involving inputting a terminal code via the terminal code input field 622 or reading an accounting barcode via the scanner unit 64 is performed while the attendant is face-to-face with the customer, ensuring that the corresponding customer's terminal code or accounting barcode is accurately entered (or read). On the other hand, the operation method using the status operator involves selecting a customer's status from among multiple customer statuses (status operators) displayed in the status display unit 626. Therefore, the operation method using the status operator is more prone to errors compared to the other operation methods, and there is a possibility that the attendant check completion operation may be performed from a transaction details screen that is displayed incorrectly.

[0220] In this embodiment, the attendant PC6 switches between displaying a transaction details screen with the attendant check completion operation enabled and a transaction details screen with the attendant check completion operation disabled, depending on the operation method. This prevents the attendant PC6 from accidentally performing the attendant check completion operation from the displayed transaction details screen.

[0221] In the transaction details screen shown in Figure 28, the OK button 728 is hidden. However, this is not the only way to disable it; for example, it could be displayed in a grayed-out state, making it unresponsive.

[0222] Return to Figure 27. After displaying the transaction details screen in step S55 or step S57, the control unit 60 determines whether or not it has received an operation on the back button 727 (step S58). If it receives an operation on the back button 727 (Y in step S58), the control unit 60 clears the transaction details screen and returns to step S51, thereby displaying the transaction list screen on the display unit 62.

[0223] Furthermore, if the back button 727 is not pressed (N in step S58), the control unit 60 determines whether or not the OK button 728 has been pressed (step S59). If the OK button 728 is not pressed, the control unit 60 returns to step S58. Note that if the transaction details screen for viewing is displayed in step S57, the OK button 728 is disabled, so the control unit 60 does not perform the determination process in step S59 and waits in step S58 for the back button 727 to be pressed (N in step S58).

[0224] When the OK button 728 is pressed in step S59 (Y in step S59), the control unit 60 sends check information including transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code) for the transaction related to the transaction details screen to the server device 2 (step S60). Then, the control unit 60 clears the transaction details screen and returns to step S51, thereby displaying the transaction list screen on the display unit 62. Note that the processing in steps S59 and S60 is the same as the processing in steps S116 and S117.

[0225] Furthermore, the transaction details screen allows users to check the details of registered products, complete attendant checks, and edit registered products. For example, if the attendant check reveals missing products or products that the customer is not permitted to purchase due to their age (such as alcohol or tobacco), users can add or cancel registered products from the transaction details screen.

[0226] Specifically, when a product to be added for registration is specified on the transaction details screen, the control unit 60 sends a registration request to the server device 2 that includes the transaction code or terminal code related to the transaction displayed on the transaction details screen and the product code of the product to be added for registration. In this case, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 performs product registration based on the registration request, similar to the registration request sent from the mobile terminal 4. Specifically, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 reads the product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request from the product master 212 and registers it in the transaction information management table 215.

[0227] The method for specifying the products to be added for registration is not particularly restricted. For example, they may be specified by reading the product barcode. Alternatively, for example, the products to be added for registration may be specified by increasing the quantity displayed in the product details section 726. In this case, the control unit 60 may send a registration request for the added quantity, or it may send a registration request that includes the added quantity.

[0228] Furthermore, when a product to be canceled is specified on the transaction details screen, the control unit 60 sends a registration cancellation request to the server device 2, which includes the transaction code or terminal code related to the transaction displayed on the transaction details screen and the product code of the product to be canceled. In this case, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 executes a process to cancel the product registration based on the registration cancellation request. Specifically, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 deletes the transaction information that matches the conditions of the transaction code or terminal code and product code included in the registration cancellation request from the transaction information management table 215.

[0229] The method for specifying the items to be canceled is not particularly limited. For example, the items to be canceled may be specified via the item details section 726, or they may be specified by reading the item barcode. Alternatively, the items to be canceled may be specified by, for example, reducing the quantity in the item details section 726. In this case, the control unit 60 may send a registration cancellation request for the reduced quantity, or it may send a registration cancellation request that includes the quantity to be canceled.

[0230] Furthermore, after sending a registration request or a registration cancellation request, the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6 will update the transaction details screen displayed on the display unit 62 by obtaining the edited transaction information (store transaction information) from the server device 2.

[0231] Furthermore, regarding editing operations via the transaction details screen, in order to prevent editing operations from being performed on the incorrectly displayed transaction details screen, it is preferable to display a viewing-only transaction screen with editing operations disabled, depending on the method used to display the transaction details screen.

[0232] Specifically, when the control unit 60 is instructed to display the transaction details screen by either inputting a terminal code via the terminal code input field 622 or reading an accounting barcode via the scanner unit 64, it displays a transaction details screen with editing enabled. On the other hand, when the control unit 60 is instructed to display the transaction details screen via the status operator displayed in the product details section 726, it displays a transaction details screen for viewing only with editing disabled. This prevents the attendant PC 6 from accidentally performing editing operations on the transaction details screen that is displayed incorrectly.

[0233] Figure 29 is a sequence chart showing an example of the transaction editing process flow between the attendant PC 6 and the server device 2. This sequence chart shows the flow of the transaction details editing operation performed when the transaction details screen is displayed on the attendant PC 6. The transaction details screen is assumed to be displayed by either inputting a terminal code via the terminal code input field 622 or reading an accounting barcode via the scanner unit 64.

[0234] When the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6 receives an editing operation for a product based on the transaction details screen (step S71), it sends an editing request to the server device 2 that includes the transaction code or terminal code of the transaction related to the transaction details screen and the product code of the product to be edited (step S72). For example, if the content of the editing operation is the addition of a product, the control unit 60 sends a registration request to the server device 2 as an editing request that includes the transaction code or product code of the transaction related to the transaction details screen and the product code of the product to be added. Also, for example, if the content of the editing operation is the cancellation of a product registration, the control unit 60 sends a registration cancellation request to the server device 2 as an editing request that includes the transaction code or product code of the transaction related to the transaction details screen and the product code of the product to be canceled.

[0235] The control unit 20 of the server device 2 edits the transaction information relating to the transaction and product specified in the edit request based on the received edit request (step S73). For example, if a registration request is received as an edit request, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 reads the product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request from the product master 212 and registers it in the transaction information management table 215. Also, if a registration cancellation request is received as an edit request, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 deletes the transaction information that matches the conditions of the transaction code or terminal code and product code included in the registration cancellation request from the transaction information management table 215.

[0236] Next, the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6 sends a transaction information request to the server device 2, specifying the transaction code or terminal code of the transaction to be edited (step S74).

[0237] The control unit 20 of the server device 2 extracts transaction information corresponding to the transaction code or terminal code included in the transaction information request, i.e., edited transaction information, from the transaction information management table 215 (step S75). The server device 2 transmits the extracted transaction information to the attendant PC 6 (step S76).

[0238] Then, the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6 updates and displays the transaction details screen based on the transaction information transmitted from the server device 2 (step S77).

[0239] In this embodiment, the attendant PC 6 receives a transaction information request after editing the transaction details, thereby obtaining the edited transaction information from the server device 2. However, this is not the only configuration. For example, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 may edit the transaction information and then send the transaction information to the attendant PC 6, allowing the attendant PC 6 to obtain the edited transaction information.

[0240] Next, we will explain the attendant check determination process performed by the server device 2. Figure 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the attendant check determination process performed by the control unit 20 of the server device 2.

[0241] The control unit 20 determines whether the transmitting / receiving means 2001 has received a transaction information request from the accounting machine 5 (step S81). If it has not received a request (N in step S81), it returns to the process in step S81 and waits.

[0242] When the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives a transaction information request (Y in step S81), the information management means 2002 reads the transaction information corresponding to the transaction code included in the transaction information request from the transaction information management table 215 (step S82).

[0243] Next, the information processing means 2003 determines whether the read transaction information has been checked by an attendant (step S83). Specifically, the information processing means 2003 determines whether "1" is registered in the attendant check flag of the read transaction information.

[0244] If the retrieved transaction information has been checked by the attendant (Y in step S83), the transmitting / receiving means 2001 (output means) transmits the transaction information to the accounting machine 5, which is the source of the transaction information request (step S84). Then, the control unit 20 terminates the attendant check determination process.

[0245] If the retrieved transaction information has not been checked by the attendant (N in step S83), the transmission / reception means 2001 sends error information to the accounting machine 5, which is the source of the transaction information request (step S85). The error information indicates that the transaction information cannot be transmitted because the attendant check has not been completed. The control unit 20 then terminates the attendant check determination process.

[0246] Based on the attendant check judgment process described above, server device 2 transmits transaction information to accounting machine 5 only for transactions for which the attendant check has been completed. Furthermore, it prevents accounting machine 5 from performing accounting for transactions that have not been checked by the attendant.

[0247] Next, we will explain how to set up highlighted items. Figure 31 shows an example of the highlight setting screen displayed by the attendant PC 6. The highlight setting screen is displayed, for example, when the highlight setting button 625 is operated on the transaction list screen shown in Figure 17. The display unit 62 of the attendant PC 6 displays the item selection field 821, the importance selection field 822, the display order setting field 823, the display comment setting field 824, the back button 825, and the save button 826 on the highlight setting screen details screen.

[0248] The item selection field 821 displays multiple items, each with a corresponding checkbox. The available items include, for example, items requiring age verification, items not registered in the product master, bundled items, automatically discounted items, high-priced items, and many others. The user operating the attendant PC6 checks the checkboxes for the items they want to highlight in their store.

[0249] Products that fall under the category selected as a highlight item are set as highlight items, and a highlight icon 7262 is displayed on the transaction details screen (see Figure 19). Products that fall under the category include, for example, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products if the category is age verification products.

[0250] The importance selection field 822 displays radio buttons corresponding to each item. The user operating the attendant PC6 selects the radio button corresponding to the item that they set as important during attendant checks at their store. Products corresponding to the item for which the importance radio button has been selected will display an important icon 7263 on the transaction details screen (see Figure 19). Note that importance may be selectable only for highlighted items that have been checked in the checkbox in the item selection field 821, or it may be selectable for items that have not been checked in the checkbox in the item selection field 821.

[0251] The display order setting field 823 displays input fields corresponding to each item. The user operating the attendant PC6 enters the display order in the above input fields. The display order is the order in which items are displayed on the transaction details screen. In the example shown in Figure 31, the display order for items not registered in the product master is set to "1," so if the transaction includes items not registered in the product master, the items not registered in the product master will be displayed at the top of the transaction details screen.

[0252] The display comment settings section 824 displays a comment input field corresponding to each item. Users operating the attendant PC6 can enter comments in the above comment input fields as needed. The display comment settings section 824 is only editable for highlighted items or items with selected importance. The entered comments will be displayed as confirmation points on the transaction details screen.

[0253] The back button 825 is used to return to the transaction list screen. The save button 826 is used to save the settings information entered on the highlight settings screen. When the save button 826 is pressed, the store information (company code, store code) where the attendant PC6 is installed and the settings information are sent to the server device 2.

[0254] Server device 2 updates the highlight information management table 214 based on the received store information and configuration information. This allows server device 2 to manage the highlight products set for each store.

[0255] Next, a modified version of the attendant check judgment process will be described. In the example described above, the server device 2 performed the attendant check judgment process, whereas in the modified version, the accounting machine 5 performs the attendant check judgment process.

[0256] As a prerequisite, the accounting barcode read by the scanner unit of the accounting machine 5 is assumed to have a check code encoded in addition to the transaction code, indicating whether or not it has been checked by an attendant. For example, in the sequence chart shown in Figure 15, when the mobile terminal 4 receives an instruction to display the accounting screen in step S34, it generates an accounting barcode to be displayed on the accounting screen. The accounting barcode displayed on the accounting screen has a check code encoded in addition to the transaction code, indicating whether or not it has been checked by an attendant. The customer has the scanner unit of the accounting machine 5 read the above accounting barcode.

[0257] Figure 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the attendant check determination process executed by the control unit of accounting machine 5.

[0258] The control unit determines whether or not an accounting barcode has been entered (step S91). If it has not been entered (step S91:N), it returns to the process in step S91 and waits. When an accounting barcode is entered, the control unit reads the check code encoded in the accounting barcode (step S92).

[0259] The control unit determines whether the read check code indicates that the attendant has been checked (step S93). If it is determined that the attendant has been checked (step S93: Yes), the control unit performs the accounting process (step S94). The accounting process is the same as in the example described above. Next, the control unit sends an accounting completion notification to the server device 2 (step S95). Then, the control unit terminates the attendant check determination process.

[0260] In the process of step S63, if the attendant check has not been completed (N in step S93), the control unit displays error information on the display unit of the accounting machine 5 (step S96). The displayed error information is, for example, information indicating that payment cannot be made because the attendant check has not been completed. The control unit then terminates the attendant check determination process.

[0261] As described above, the attendant PC6 of the embodiment is configured to communicate with a server device 2 that manages transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code) that identifies a transaction, transaction information showing the breakdown of products registered in the transaction, status information (status) showing the status of the customer who registered the products, and check information (attendant check flag) that is registered when the store clerk's check of the products registered by the customer's operation is completed. The attendant PC6 displays a transaction list screen that lists the customer status information for each transaction managed by the server device 2, and when it receives an operation to specify a particular transaction, it displays a transaction details screen that shows the transaction information of the specified transaction and includes an OK button 728 for accepting the attendant check operation. Furthermore, the attendant PC6 displays a transaction details screen with the OK button 728 enabled or disabled depending on the operation method that received the transaction specification.

[0262] This allows the attendant PC6, where attendant checks are performed, to display a transaction details screen with the OK button 728 enabled or disabled depending on the operation method used when specifying a transaction. Therefore, it reduces the occurrence of attendant checks being performed on transactions that were selected (specified) incorrectly. Consequently, the check process by the attendant becomes easier.

[0263] Furthermore, the server device 2 includes a transaction management means (information management means 2002) that manages transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code) that identifies a single transaction, transaction information necessary for accounting processing for a customer to make a payment, and check information (attendant check flag) that is registered when a store employee's check is completed for a product registered by the customer's operation, in an associated manner; a receiving means (transmitting / receiving means 2001) that receives a transaction information request that includes the transaction identification information; and an output means (transmitting / receiving means 2001) that outputs transaction information corresponding to the transaction identification information, provided that the transaction identification information included in the transaction information request received by the receiving means is registered in association with the check information.

[0264] This allows the server device 2 to guide customers to undergo an attendant check before they make a payment at the payment machine 5. This makes the check process easier for the attendant.

[0265] Furthermore, the server device 2 of the embodiment further includes a mode setting means 2004 that can set a front check mode in which the output means outputs the transaction information on the condition that the transaction identification information is registered in association with the check information when the receiving means receives the transaction information request, and a normal mode in which the output means outputs the transaction information without the condition that the transaction identification information is registered in association with the check information when the receiving means receives the transaction information request.

[0266] This allows the server device 2 to select the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 between front check mode and normal mode. Therefore, stores can adopt the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 that is suitable for their own operations.

[0267] As described above, the transaction management system 1 of the embodiment is a transaction management system 1 comprising a server device 2 and an attendant PC 6 that monitors the accounting of goods by the accounting machine 5, wherein the server device 2 includes a product registration means for registering goods purchased in a single transaction, the attendant PC 6 includes a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product codes for one or more goods to be accounted for immediately before accounting at the accounting machine 5, and a product identification information transmission means for transmitting the acquired product codes to the server device 2, the server device 2 includes a determination means for determining whether the goods identified by the product codes received from the attendant PC 6 are registered, and an unregistered product output means for transmitting information about goods that the determination means has determined are not registered to the attendant PC 6, and the attendant PC 6 includes an unregistered product display means for receiving and displaying the information about goods transmitted by the unregistered product output means.

[0268] When there are unscanned items, the transaction management system 1 of such an embodiment displays the information of the item on the attendant PC 6 during the attendant check. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the workload of the attendant's check work and improve the accuracy of the check.

[0269] Also, the information processing device (server device 2) of the embodiment is an information processing device that checks the items purchased by the customer before accounting, and includes a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product codes related to one or more items to be accounted for, a determination means for determining whether the product specified by the acquired product code has already been registered as a product based on the acquired product code, and an unregistered product output means for outputting information on the product determined by the determination means not to be registered as a product.

[0270] When there are unscanned items, the information processing device of such an embodiment outputs the information of the item during the attendant check. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the workload of the attendant's check work and improve the accuracy of the check.

[0271] 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. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0272] For example, in the embodiment, the server device 2 has been described as an example of the information processing device. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the attendant PC 6 may be used as the information processing device. In this case, the control unit 60 performs the determination process (determination means) in step S132 based on the product code acquired in step S112 (product identification information acquisition means), and the process of displaying (outputting) information including the product not registered as a product (unregistered product output means, step S115).

[0273] Note that the program executed by the server device 2 or the attendant PC 6 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.

[0274] Alternatively, the program executed by the server device 2 or the attendant PC 6 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by allowing it to be downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the server device 2 or the attendant PC 6 of the embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0275] Alternatively, the program executed by the server device 2 or the attendant PC 6 of the embodiment may be configured to be provided by being pre-embedded in a ROM or the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0276] 1 Transaction management system 2 Server device 3 Mobile self-checkout system 4 Portable terminal 5 Accounting machine 6 Attendant PC 20 Control unit 40 Control unit 60 Control unit 64 Scanner unit 215 Transaction information management table 425 Accounting barcode unit 728 OK button 2001 Transmission / reception means (unregistered product output means, output means) 2002 Information management means (product registration means, determination means, transaction management means) 2003 Information processing means 2004 Mode setting means 2005 Highlight product setting means 4001 Transmitting and receiving means 4002 Input means 4003 Reading means 4004 Information management means 4005 Information Processing Means 4006 Display control means 4211 Terminal Code Section 6001 Transmission and Reception Means (Transmission Means, Check Information Transmission Means) 6002 Input means 6003 Reading means (means for obtaining product identification information) 6004 Information management means 6005 Display control means (unregistered product display means) [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0277] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-67947

Claims

1. A transaction management system comprising a server device and an attendant terminal that monitors the accounting of goods purchased by an accounting machine, The server device is Product registration means that registers the product identified by the product identification information, based on a registration request that includes product identification information that identifies the product, received from a mobile terminal carried by a customer. Equipped with, The aforementioned attendant terminal is, A means for acquiring product identification information that acquires product identification information relating to one or more of the products to be paid for at the accounting machine immediately before payment is made, Product identification information transmission means for transmitting the acquired product identification information to the server device, Equipped with, The server device is A determination means for determining whether the product identified by the product identification information received from the attendant terminal is registered as a product, An unregistered product output means that transmits information about the product that the determination means has determined not to be registered to the attendant terminal, Equipped with, The aforementioned attendant terminal is, Unregistered product display means that receives and displays the information of the product transmitted by the unregistered product output means. A transaction management system equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The product identification information acquisition means acquires the product identification information by reading the code symbol attached to the product with a scanner provided on the attendant terminal. The transaction management system according to claim 1.

3. The product registration means automatically registers the product for any product that the determination means has determined has not been registered. The transaction management system according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned attendant terminal is, The system further includes a check information transmission means that transmits check information to the server device when the attendant has completed checking the purchased goods, The server device is A transaction management means that stores in association the following: transaction identification information issued by the server device to the mobile terminal when the customer enters the store; transaction information relating to the registered product obtained by the product registration means when the product registration is performed; and the check information received from the attendant terminal. Equipped with, A transaction management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The server device is An output means that outputs the transaction information corresponding to the transaction identification information to the accounting machine, provided that the transaction identification information included in the transaction information request received from the accounting machine is associated with the check information. Equipped with, The transaction management system according to claim 4.

6. An information processing device that checks the products a customer purchases before payment, A means for acquiring product identification information that obtains product identification information relating to one or more of the aforementioned products to be paid for from the mobile terminal, along with a registration request made by the customer using the mobile terminal, A product registration means for registering the product identified by the acquired product identification information, A determination means for determining whether the product identified by the acquired product identification information is already registered as a product, An unregistered product output means that outputs information about the product that the determination means has determined not to be registered, Equipped with an information processing device.

7. A computer used as an information processing device to check the products a customer purchases before payment, A means for acquiring product identification information that obtains product identification information relating to one or more of the aforementioned products to be paid for from the mobile terminal, along with a registration request made by the customer using the mobile terminal, A product registration means for registering the product identified by the acquired product identification information, A determination means for determining whether the product identified by the acquired product identification information is already registered as a product, An unregistered product output means that outputs information about the product that the determination means has determined not to be registered, A program that can be made to function.

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