Information processing device and its control program

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a cart POS (Point Of Sales) system has been proposed for retail stores equipped with shopping carts. This system provides an information terminal equipped with a touch panel, scanner, etc. on the shopping cart. When a customer using the shopping cart places the purchased goods on the shopping cart, the customer reads the identification code of the purchased goods with the scanner to perform product registration. Thus, since the cart POS system allows the customer to perform product registration while shopping, it can alleviate the congestion at the checkout, i.e., the so-called cash register.

[0003] Furthermore, a technology has been proposed to attach a payment device capable of payment processing using a payment card to the shopping cart so that payment for the purchased goods can also be made from the shopping cart, eliminating the need for a cash register. However, with this technology, a payment device must be attached to a shopping cart that already has a touch panel, scanner, etc. Therefore, the payment device must be attached to the limited space of the shopping cart, raising concerns about a decline in the operability of the cart and the workability of the customer. Also, since a payment device must be attached not only to many shopping carts but also to the information terminal, the system cost will inevitably be high.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide an information processing device that allows customers to register purchased items and make payments using a terminal operated by the customer, without the need for a separate payment device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the information processing device includes a calculation means and an acquisition means. Generation means and notification means It comprises the following: Used by buyers to input data on purchased items and receive payment instructions. Based on the purchase data received by the terminal, the price of the items purchased by the buyer is calculated. The method of obtaining this information is through payment to the buyer as set. Attributes representing the type of method Obtain it. The generation means generates information to identify a customer who will pay at a cash register if the attribute obtained by the acquisition means is not an attribute representing a payment method that does not use a cash register. The notification means notifies the terminal that received the payment instruction of the information to identify a customer who will pay at a cash register. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Overall configuration diagram of a cart POS system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing the main data structure of member payment records. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram illustrating the main data structure of electronic money records. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of an information terminal. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing an example of a shopping cart equipped with an information terminal. [Figure 6] A block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the virtual POS server. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing an example of a shopping cart memory. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating the main information processing steps performed by the information terminal's processor according to the terminal program. [Figure 9] A flowchart illustrating the main information processing steps performed by the information terminal's processor according to the terminal program. [Figure 10] A flowchart illustrating the information processing steps performed by the virtual POS server's processor upon receiving a login command. [Figure 11] A flowchart illustrating the information processing steps performed by the virtual POS server's processor in response to receiving a product registration command. [Figure 12] A flowchart illustrating the information processing steps performed by the virtual POS server's processor in response to receiving an accounting command. [Figure 13] A flowchart illustrating the information processing steps performed by the virtual POS server's processor in response to receiving an accounting command. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes an embodiment of an information processing device that allows customers to register and pay for purchased items using a terminal without the need for a separate payment device, with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is applied to a shopping cart POS system.

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

[0010] The information terminal 70 is a device that allows customers, who are buyers, to self-enter data related to registering their purchased items. The information terminal 70 is installed in the shopping cart C. Hereinafter, the shopping cart C will be simply referred to as cart C. Multiple carts C are each equipped with an information terminal 70. A cart C is an example of a transporter that carries the purchased items of the customer who is the user of that cart C.

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

[0012] The accounting machine 60 is a device that enables a store clerk or a customer to perform accounting for purchased goods. The accounting machine 60 is a well-known self-service type POS terminal. The accounting machine 60 may be a well-known face-to-face type POS terminal. The number of accounting machines 60 is not particularly limited. FIG. 1 shows a cart POS system 1 in which two accounting machines 60 are installed in one store.

[0013] The store server 10 supports store operations. For this support, the store server 10 manages a product database, a sales database, and the like. The product database stores product records describing product data for each product sold in the store. The product data includes a product code, a price, a product name, and the like. The product code is an identification code of the product. The sales database stores sales records describing sales data for each item such as products, departments, time zones, dates, weeks, months, etc. The sales data includes the number of sales, the sales amount, and the like.

[0014] The member server 20 supports the purchase operations of customers who have registered as members, so-called members. For this support, the member server 20 manages a member database, a member settlement database 21, and the like. The member database stores member records describing member data for each member. The member data includes a member ID, a name, a gender, an email address, and the like. The member ID is an identification code of the member. The member settlement database 21 stores member settlement records 21R describing data necessary for payment of the amount for each member.

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

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

[0017] The credit card number is the card number of the credit card that the member identified by the member ID has registered in advance to be used for payment. For members with member attributes of "01" or "11", the member payment record 21R contains the credit card number. For members with member attributes of "00" or "10", the member payment record 21R does not contain the credit card number.

[0018] The electronic money identification code is the identification code for the electronic money that the member identified by the member ID has registered in advance to use for payment. For members with member attributes of "10" or "11", the electronic money identification code is registered in the member payment record 21R. For members with member attributes of "00" or "01", the electronic money identification code is not registered in the member payment record 21R.

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

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

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

[0022] The virtual POS server 50 works in cooperation with the information terminal 70 to help make the information terminal 70 appear to be functioning as a POS terminal.

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

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

[0025] Main memory 72 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 72 includes non-volatile memory areas and volatile memory areas. In the non-volatile memory area, main memory 72 stores the operating system or application programs. Main memory 72 may also store data necessary for the processor 71 to perform processing to control each part in non-volatile or volatile memory areas. Main memory 72 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 71. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

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

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

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

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

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

[0031] Camera 78 is installed on cart C so as to be able to photograph the basket placed in the basket holder of cart C from above. Camera 78 is for monitoring whether the customer, who is the user of cart C, has correctly placed the purchased items in the basket.

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

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a cart C equipped with an information terminal 70. The cart C comprises a caster section C1 for movement, a handle frame section C2, and a basket support section C3. The caster section C1 has four wheels C11 for smooth movement on the floor. The caster section C1 also has a support section C12 for placing large items that do not fit in the shopping basket SB. The handle frame section C2 includes a pair of vertical frames C21, C21 erected on the rear wheel side of the caster section C1, and a handle bar C22 connecting the upper ends of these vertical frames C21, C21. The basket support section C3 is located in front of the middle part of the handle frame section C2. The cart C can have a store-provided shopping basket SB placed on the basket support section C3. The shopping basket SB is for holding goods.

[0034] The scanner 76 is located midway along the handlebar C22. The scanner 76 is mounted on the handlebar C22 so that the reading window is on the front side. The front side is the side where the customer stands, holding the handlebar C22 and pushing the cart C.

[0035] A pole C4 is attached to one of the vertical frames C21. The tip of the pole C4 is positioned above the handlebar C22. The tablet terminal TM is attached to the tip of the pole C4 with the touch panel 75 screen facing forward. The reader 77 is attached to the tablet terminal TM so that the card slot is facing forward. In Figure 5, the reader 77 is a magnetic card reader. The camera 78 is attached to the middle of the pole C4 so as to capture an image of the entire shopping basket SB placed on the basket support C3 from above.

[0036] The battery BT is mounted on the lower end of the handle frame C2, extending across the vertical frames C21, C21. The battery BT powers the tablet terminal TM, scanner 76, reader 77, and camera 78.

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

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

[0039] Main memory 52 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 52 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area, main memory 52 stores the operating system or application programs. Main memory 52 may also store data necessary for the processor 51 to perform processing to control each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 52 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor 51. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM.

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

[0041] The communication interface 54 is connected to network 2. The communication interface 54 communicates data with other devices connected via network 2 according to the communication protocol.

[0042] In this configuration, the virtual POS server 50 uses a portion of the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 52 as the area for creating shopping cart memories 521. The virtual POS server 50 can create multiple shopping cart memories 521 in this area.

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

[0044] Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the main information processing steps performed by the processor 71 of the information terminal 70 according to the terminal program. The terminal program is stored in the main memory 72 or the auxiliary storage device 73. Figures 10 to 13 are flowcharts showing the information processing steps performed by the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 in response to receiving a main command transmitted from the information terminal 70. These steps follow the control program. The control program is stored in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53.

[0045] The following flowcharts illustrate the main operations of the cart POS system 1 when a member customer uses the information terminal 70 of cart C to register purchased items and complete payment themselves. Note that the operations described below are just one example; the procedure is not limited to any other method as long as similar results can be achieved.

[0046] First, a customer using cart C to make a purchase touches the touch panel 75. When the touch panel 75 is touched, the processor 71, which was in an idle state, starts up. The processor 71 begins processing information according to the procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 8 and 9.

[0047] The processor 71 displays a login screen on the touch panel 75 as Act 1. The login screen is a screen that instructs members to log in. Members possess a membership card on which their membership code is recorded. After the member checks the login screen, they have the reader 77 read the data from their membership card. Once the reader 77 reads the data from the membership card, that data is sent to the processor 71.

[0048] Processor 71, which displays the login screen, is waiting for a login as Act 2. Processor 71 receives data from reader 77, and when it confirms that the data is the member card data including the member ID, it determines that a login has been performed. In other words, processor 71 determines YES in Act 2 and proceeds to Act 3.

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

[0050] When the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 receives a command from the information terminal 70 via the communication interface 54, it checks the type of the command. If the received command is a login command, the processor 51 starts the command reception process according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 10.

[0051] Processor 51 detects the member ID from the login command as Act 31. Then, as Act 32, Processor 51 authenticates the member identified by that member ID. Specifically, Processor 51 queries the member server 20 to see if a member record containing that member ID exists in the member database. If the member server 20 responds that the corresponding member record exists in the member database, Processor 51 determines that member authentication is valid. Conversely, if the member server 20 responds that the corresponding member record does not exist in the member database, Processor 51 determines that member authentication is invalid.

[0052] The processor 51, which performed member authentication, checks the authentication result as Act 33. If the authentication result is invalid, the processor 51 determines NO in Act 33 and proceeds to Act 34. The processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a denial response command to the information terminal 70 as Act 34. As a result of this control, the communication interface 54 sends a denial response command. The denial response command is transmitted wirelessly from the access point 80 via network 2 and received by the information terminal 70, which sent the login command.

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

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

[0055] The member server 20 retrieves a member payment record 21R containing the member ID included in the request command from the member payment database 21 and sends it to the virtual POS server 50. The member payment record 21R is received via network 2 at the communication interface 54 of the virtual POS server 50.

[0056] Upon receiving the member payment record 21R, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 writes the data of the member payment record 21R to the shopping cart memory 521, which stores the member ID contained in the member payment record 21R, as Act 37. Specifically, if the member attribute of the member payment record 21R is "00", the processor 51 writes only the member attribute "00" to the shopping cart memory 521. If the member attribute of the member payment record 21R is "01", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "01" and the credit card number to the shopping cart memory 521. If the member attribute of the member payment record 21R is "10", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "10" and the electronic money identification code to the shopping cart memory 521. If the member attribute of member payment record 21R is "11", the processor 51 writes the member attribute "11", the credit card number, and the electronic money identification code to the shopping cart memory 521. The shopping cart memory 521 was created during the processing of Act 35.

[0057] Processor 51 checks in Act 38 whether the member payment record 21R contains an electronic money identification code. If the electronic money identification code is not included, i.e., if the member attribute is "00" or "01", processor 51 determines NO in Act 38 and proceeds to Act 39. Processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send an approval response command indicating no balance to the information terminal 70 in Act 39. This control causes the communication interface 54 to send an approval response command indicating no balance. The approval response command indicating no balance is transmitted wirelessly from access point 80 via network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that sent the login command. The approval response command indicating no balance includes the member ID included in the login command. It does not include balance data.

[0058] In Act 38, if an electronic money identification code is included, i.e., if the member attribute is "10" or "11", the processor 51 determines YES and proceeds to Act 40. In Act 40, the processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to request a balance from the electronic money server 30. This control causes the communication interface 54 to send a balance request command to the electronic money server 30. The balance request command is received by the electronic money server 30 via network 2. The balance request command includes an electronic money identification code.

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

[0060] Upon receiving the electronic money record 31R, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 writes the balance data contained in the electronic money record 31R to the shopping cart memory 521 as Act 41. The shopping cart memory 521 was created during the processing of Act 35.

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

[0062] In this manner, the virtual POS server 50, upon receiving the login command, sends either a denial response command or an approval response command to the information terminal 70 that sent the login command. Once the processor 51 has finished sending either response command, it terminates the command reception process.

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

[0064] If a login error occurs, the customer, who is the operator of the information terminal 70, performs an error clearing operation from the touch panel 75. Once the clearing operation is performed, the processor 71 resumes processing from Act 1. Therefore, the customer will log in again.

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

[0066] After completing the processing in Act 5 and Act 6, the processor 71 checks in Act 7 whether the approval response command contains balance data. If it contains balance data, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 7 and proceeds to Act 8. In Act 8, the processor 71 displays the balance of the electronic money used by the customer in a part of the product registration screen based on that balance data. After that, the processor 71 proceeds to Act 9. If the approval response command does not contain balance data, the processor 71 determines NO in Act 7, skips Act 8, and proceeds to Act 9.

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

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

[0069] Processor 71 checks whether product registration has been performed as Act 9. If product registration has not been performed, Processor 71 determines NO in Act 9 and proceeds to Act 10. Processor 71 checks whether accounting has been instructed as Act 10.

[0070] A part of the product registration screen displays an image of a [Checkout] button. A customer who has finished shopping touches the [Checkout] button. When the [Checkout] button is touched, the processor 71 recognizes that payment has been instructed. If payment has not been instructed, the processor 71 determines NO in Act 10 and returns to Act 9. Here, the processor 71 waits in Act 9 and Act 10 for product registration to be performed or for payment to be instructed.

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

[0072] Upon receiving a product registration command, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 starts the command reception process according to the procedure shown in the flowchart in Figure 11. Processor 51 detects the member ID from the product registration command as Act 51. Then, as Act 52, Processor 51 extracts the shopping cart memory 521 containing that member ID as the target for processing. Hereafter, the target shopping cart memory 521 will be referred to as shopping cart memory 521A.

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

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

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

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

[0077] In this manner, the virtual POS server 50, upon receiving the product registration command, sends a registered response command indicating either no balance or balance in Act 56 or Act 58 to the information terminal 70 that sent the product registration command. Once the processor 51 has finished sending either of the registered response commands, it terminates the command reception process.

[0078] Return to the explanation of Figure 8. In Act 11, the processor 71 of the information terminal 70, which controlled the transmission of the product registration command, waits for the registered response command in Act 12. When it receives the registered response command from the virtual POS server 50, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 12 and proceeds to Act 13. In Act 13, the processor 71 updates the product registration screen displayed on the touch panel 75. That is, the processor 71 updates the product registration screen so that the list of purchased items and the total amount included in the registered response command are displayed. After that, the processor 71 returns to Act 7. That is, the processor 71 checks whether the registered response command includes balance data. If it includes balance data, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 7 and proceeds to Act 8. In Act 8, the processor 71 displays the balance of the electronic money held by the customer in a part of the product registration screen based on that balance data. At this time, if the balance is negative, a minus sign is added to display the balance. If no balance data is included, processor 71 determines NO in Act 7 and skips Act 8.

[0079] The processor 71 returns to the waiting state for Act 9 and Act 10. In this waiting state, once the processor 71 confirms that product registration has been performed again, it executes the processing of Act 11 through Act 13, and further, Act 7 through Act 9, in the same manner as described above. Therefore, in the virtual POS server 50, the processor 51 also executes the product registration command reception processing shown in Figure 11 again.

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

[0081] Upon receiving the accounting command, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 starts the command reception process according to the procedure shown in the flowchart in Figure 12. Processor 51 detects the member ID from the accounting command as Act 61. Processor 51 extracts the shopping cart memory 521 containing the detected member ID as the target for processing as Act 62. That is, processor 51 extracts the shopping cart memory 521A.

[0082] After completing the processing in Act 61 and Act 62, the processor 51 retrieves the member attribute from the shopping cart memory 521A as Act 63. Then, as Act 64, the processor 51 checks whether the member attribute is "00".

[0083] If the member attribute is "00", the processor 51 determines YES in Act 64 and proceeds to Act 65. In Act 65, the processor 51 determines which accounting machine 60 the customer who touched the [Account] button will use for payment. For example, if one of the two accounting machines 60 is free, the processor 51 determines that accounting machine to be used for payment. If both accounting machines 60 are free, the processor 51 determines one of the accounting machines 60 to be used in a predetermined order. If both accounting machines 60 are in use, the processor 51 determines the accounting machine 60 that became used first to be used for payment.

[0084] Once the accounting machine 60 to be used for payment is determined, the processor 51 generates accounting barcode data as Act 66. The accounting barcode is used to identify the customer making a payment at the accounting machine 60. An accounting barcode is generated for each customer making a payment at the accounting machine 60.

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

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

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

[0088] Processor 51 retrieves the credit card number from the shopping cart memory 521A as Act 70. Then, as Act 71, Processor 51 executes the credit card payment process using that credit card number. That is, Processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a credit card payment command to the communication server 40. This control causes the payment command to be sent from the communication interface 54. The payment command is received by the communication server 40 via the network 2. The payment command includes the credit card number retrieved from the shopping cart memory 521A.

[0089] Upon receiving the payment command, the communication server 40 communicates with the card company server 4, which is identified by the credit card number, and executes the credit card payment. Once the credit card payment is complete, the communication server 40 notifies the virtual POS server 50 that the credit card payment has been completed.

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

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

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

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

[0094] Upon receiving an electronic money payment command, the electronic money server 30 refers to the electronic money database 31. The electronic money server 30 then deducts the total amount included in the electronic money payment command from the balance stored in association with the electronic money identification code included in the electronic money payment command. Once the electronic money payment is complete, the electronic money server 30 notifies the virtual POS server 50 that the electronic money payment has been completed.

[0095] Processor 51 waits for the electronic money payment to be completed as Act 84. When it receives notification of the completion of the electronic money payment from the electronic money server 30, processor 51 determines YES in Act 84 and proceeds to Act 85. Processor 51 controls the communication interface 54 to send a payment completion response command to the information terminal 70 that sent the accounting command as Act 85. As a result of this control, the communication interface 54 sends the payment completion response command. The payment completion response command is transmitted wirelessly from the access point 80 via network 2 and received by the information terminal 70 that sent the accounting command. The payment completion response command contains data indicating that the electronic money payment has been completed.

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

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

[0098] Returning to the explanation of Figure 9.

[0099] In Act 21, the processor 71 of the information terminal 70 that controlled the transmission of accounting commands checks whether or not it has received an accounting machine notification command in Act 22. If it has not received an accounting machine notification command, the processor 71 determines NO in Act 22 and proceeds to Act 23. The processor 71 checks whether or not it has received a settlement completion response command in Act 23. If it has not received a settlement completion response command, the processor 71 determines NO in Act 23 and proceeds to Act 24. The processor 71 checks whether or not it has received a selection request command in Act 24. If it has not received a selection request command, the processor 71 determines NO in Act 24 and returns to Act 22. Here, the processor 71 waits in Acts 22 through 24 to receive either an accounting machine notification command, a settlement completion response command, or a selection request command.

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

[0101] After checking the payment machine guidance screen, the customer goes to the location of the payment machine 60 to which they have been assigned a payment machine identification code, and has the payment barcode scanned using the scanner provided on the payment machine 60. The payment machine 60 then retrieves the payment data stored along with the payment barcode from the store server 10. As a result, the payment machine 60 can perform payment processing such as cash payment or point payment based on that payment data.

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

[0103] After viewing the payment method selection screen, the customer decides whether to pay by credit card or electronic money. They then touch the payment method selection screen to select their chosen payment method.

[0104] Processor 71 waits for a payment method to be selected as Act 27. If a payment method is selected, processor 71 determines YES in Act 27 and proceeds to Act 28. Processor 71 controls wireless unit 74 to send a payment method notification command to virtual POS server 50 as Act 28. This control causes wireless unit 74 to wirelessly transmit the payment method notification command. The wirelessly transmitted payment method notification command is received by access point 80 and sent to virtual POS server 50 via network 2. The payment method notification command contains data to identify the selected payment method.

[0105] Returning to the explanation of Figure 13. In Act 87, the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50, which controlled the transmission of the selection request command, waits for a payment method notification command in Act 88. Upon receiving the payment method notification command, the processor 51 determines YES in Act 88 and proceeds to Act 89. In Act 89, the processor 51 identifies whether the payment method notification command is a command to notify credit card payment or an electronic money payment. If it is a command to notify credit card payment, the processor 51 determines YES in Act 89 and proceeds to Act 70 in Figure 12. Thereafter, the processor 51 executes the processing in Acts 70 through 73 in the same manner as described above.

[0106] In the case of a command notifying electronic money payment, processor 51 determines NO in Act 89 and proceeds to Act 83 in Figure 13. Thereafter, processor 51 executes the processing in Acts 83 through 85 in the same manner as described above.

[0107] Thus, when the processor 51 of the virtual POS server 50 receives an accounting command, it terminates the command reception process after it has finished sending the accounting machine notification response command in Act 68, or after it has finished sending the settlement completion response command in Act 73 or Act 85.

[0108] Returning to the explanation of Figure 9. The processor 71 of the information terminal 70, which controls the transmission of the payment method notification command, waits for a payment completion response command as Act 29. When it receives the payment completion response command, the processor 71 determines YES in Act 29 and proceeds to Act 30. If the payment completion response command is received while waiting in Act 22 to Act 24, the processor 71 also determines YES in Act 23 and proceeds to Act 30.

[0109] The processor 71, as Act 30, displays a payment completion screen on the touch panel 75. The payment completion screen notifies the customer that the payment for the purchased goods has been settled via credit card or electronic money payment.

[0110] When the processor 71 displays the accounting machine guidance screen in Act 25 or the payment completion screen in Act 30, it terminates the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 8 and 9.

[0111] Thus, in Acts 51 to 54 of the virtual POS server 50, the processor 51 calculates the price of the goods purchased by the buyer based on the purchase data received by the information terminal 70. Here, the processor 51 constitutes the calculation means.

[0112] Furthermore, in Acts 61 to 63 of Figure 12, the processor 51 acquires member attributes representing data necessary for payment set for the buyer. Herein, the processor 51 constitutes the acquisition means.

[0113] Furthermore, when the member attribute is "11," that is, when the processor 51 has obtained data necessary for two or more payments, in Act 86 and Act 87, it requests the information terminal 70 to select the data to be used for settlement from among the data necessary for those two or more payments. Herein, the processor 51 constitutes the request means.

[0114] Furthermore, in Act 70 and Act 71 of Figure 12, processor 51 executes credit card payment processing if the data required for payment is a credit card number. Similarly, in Act 82 and Act 83 of Figure 13, processor 51 executes electronic money payment processing if the data required for payment is an electronic money identification code, provided that the balance of the electronic money is equal to or greater than the payment amount. Herein, processor 51 constitutes the payment method.

[0115] Furthermore, in Acts 40 to 42 of Figure 10, and Acts 57 and 58 of Figure 11, when the data necessary for payment includes the balance of electronic money, the processor 51 notifies the information terminal 70 of that balance. Herein, the processor 51 constitutes the balance notification means.

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

[0117] Thus, the virtual POS server 50, which is equipped with a processor 51 comprising the calculation means, acquisition means, settlement means, request means, balance notification means, and settlement notification means, functions as an information processing device.

[0118] As explained above, when a member with member attribute "01" registers their purchased items using the information terminal 70 and then touches the [Checkout] button, the purchase price will be settled using the credit card with the credit card number that the member registered in advance. Similarly, when a member with member attribute "10" registers their purchased items using the information terminal 70 and then touches the [Checkout] button, the purchase price will be settled using the electronic money identified by the electronic money identification code that the member registered in advance.

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

[0120] In this way, members can self-service the entire process from registering purchased items to making payments using the information terminal 70 installed on cart C. Therefore, there is no need to install a payment device on cart C, which does not impair the usability of the cart or the customer's work efficiency. Furthermore, the cart POS system 1 can be constructed at a lower cost compared to the case where a payment device is installed on cart C.

[0121] Furthermore, by registering their credit card number and electronic money identification code in advance, members can choose whether to pay by credit card or electronic money. Therefore, members can easily differentiate their payment methods, for example, by using electronic money for inexpensive purchases and credit card for expensive purchases.

[0122] Furthermore, for members who have registered their electronic money identification code in advance, the balance of their electronic money is displayed on the touch panel 75 of the information terminal 70. This balance is then redisplayed after being reduced by the price of each item purchased and registered on the information terminal 70. Therefore, members using electronic money payments can know in real time how much of their electronic money balance remains while shopping.

[0123] Furthermore, if the electronic money balance, which is updated in real time, becomes negative, the cart POS system 1 will prohibit electronic money payment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electronic money balance from becoming negative due to electronic money payment. Incidentally, if electronic money payment is prohibited because the electronic money balance has become negative, and the member has also registered their credit card number, the credit card payment will be executed. If the member has not registered their credit card number, the payment will be processed at the accounting machine 60. Therefore, even if electronic money payment is prohibited, the member can still pay using other payment methods.

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

[0125] The above describes one embodiment of an information processing device that allows customers to register and pay for purchased items using a terminal without using a payment device. However, this embodiment is not limited to this one.

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

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

[0128] In the above embodiment, the payment methods for members who do not use an accounting machine are limited to two types: credit card and electronic money. However, the payment methods in this case are not limited to these two types. For example, either credit card or electronic money may be used. Alternatively, other payment methods such as point payment, where the payment is made using the converted value of accumulated service points, may be added.

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

[0130] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. The invention described in the original claims of this application is listed below. [1] An information processing device comprising: a calculation means for calculating the price of goods to be purchased by a purchaser based on data of the purchased goods received by a terminal used by the purchaser for inputting data of purchased goods and receiving payment instructions; an acquisition means for acquiring data necessary for payment set for the purchaser; and a settlement means for settling the transaction of the price calculated by the calculation means using the data necessary for payment acquired by the acquisition means, in response to the terminal receiving the payment instruction. [2] The information processing apparatus described in Appendix [1], further comprising: a requesting means for requesting the terminal to select data to be used for settlement from among the two or more data necessary for payment when the acquisition means has acquired two or more data necessary for payment, wherein the settlement means settles the transaction for the amount calculated by the calculation means using the data necessary for payment selected by the terminal. [3] When the data necessary for payment includes the balance of electronic money, the information processing device described in Appendix [1] or [2] further comprises a balance notification means for notifying the terminal of the balance. [4] The payment means is an information processing device as described in Appendix [3], which settles the transaction for the payment on the condition that the balance of electronic money is equal to or greater than the amount calculated by the calculation means when the data necessary for the payment for the payment is the balance of electronic money. [5] An information processing device according to any one of the appendices [1] to [4], further comprising notifying the terminal that a payment has been completed when a payment by the payment means has been completed. [6] A control program for causing the computer of an information processing device used by a buyer and communicating with a terminal that receives data input and payment instructions for purchased goods to function as a calculation means for calculating the price of the goods to be purchased by the buyer based on the data of the purchased goods received by the terminal, an acquisition means for acquiring data necessary for payment set for the buyer, and a settlement means for settling the transaction of the price calculated by the calculation means using the data necessary for payment acquired by the acquisition means, in response to the terminal receiving the payment instruction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 1... Cart POS system, 10... Store server, 20... Member server, 21... Member payment database, 30... Electronic money server, 31... Electronic money database, 40... Communication server, 50... Virtual POS server, 51, 71... Processor, 52, 72... Main memory, 53, 73... Auxiliary storage device, 54... Communication interface, 60... Cash register, 70... Information terminal, 74... Wireless unit, 75... Touch panel, 76... Scanner, 77... Reader, 78... Camera, 80... Access point, 521... Shopping basket memory.

Claims

1. A calculation means that calculates the price of the goods purchased by the buyer based on the data of the purchased goods received by the buyer at a terminal used by the buyer to input data on the purchased goods and receive payment instructions, An acquisition means for acquiring an attribute representing the type of payment method set for the aforementioned buyer, If the attribute obtained by the acquisition means is not an attribute representing a payment method that does not use a cash register, the generation means generates information for identifying a customer who will make a payment at the cash register in response to the terminal receiving the payment instruction, A notification means that notifies the terminal that has received the payment instruction of an accounting barcode for identifying the customer making the payment at the accounting machine, If the attribute acquired by the acquisition means is an attribute representing a payment method that does not use an accounting machine, then, in response to the terminal receiving the payment instruction, the settlement means settles the transaction for the amount calculated by the calculation means using the payment method represented by that attribute. An information processing device equipped with the following.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the accounting barcode for identifying a customer making a payment at the accounting machine is a barcode that can be read by a scanner provided on the accounting machine.

3. A decision means for determining which accounting machine the buyer will use to complete their transaction from among multiple accounting machines. Furthermore, it is equipped with, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification means further notifies the terminal of information guiding the purchaser to the accounting machine determined by the determination means.

4. A computer in an information processing system that is used by the buyer and communicates with a terminal that receives data input and payment instructions for purchased items, A calculation means that calculates the price of the goods purchased by the purchaser based on the data of the purchased goods received by the terminal. Acquisition means for acquiring an attribute representing the type of payment method set for the aforementioned buyer, If the attribute obtained by the acquisition means is not an attribute representing a payment method that does not use a cash register, the generation means generates information to identify a customer who will make a payment at the cash register in response to the terminal receiving the payment instruction. A notification means for notifying the terminal that has received the payment instruction of an accounting barcode for identifying the customer making the payment at the accounting machine, and If the attribute acquired by the acquisition means is an attribute representing a payment method that does not use an accounting machine, then, in response to the terminal receiving the payment instruction, the settlement means settles the transaction of the amount calculated by the calculation means using the payment method represented by that attribute. A control program to enable it to function as such.

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