Transaction processing system, transaction processing device, and information processing program

Abstract

To improve registration efficiency for a transaction article by a friction card without greatly increasing the burden on an operator.SOLUTION: A transaction processing system comprises a photography device and a read device attached to a cart, recognition means, and first and second registration means. The photography device photographs an article put in an article storage space of the cart. The read device reads an article code. The recognition means recognizes the article based upon features of the article appearing in an image obtained by the photography device. The first registration means registers an article identified with the article code read by the read device as a transaction article. The second registration means registers the article recognized by the recognition means as a transaction article except that a transaction article registered latest has been already registered by the first registration means and identical to the article recognized by the recognition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A system has been proposed that automatically recognizes a product based on an image of the product placed in a shopping cart by an operator such as a customer and registers it as a transaction product. Such systems are referred to as frictionless carts, AI (artificial intelligence) carts, smart carts, or intelligent carts. However, depending on the reflection situation of the product in the image, there are cases where the corresponding product cannot be correctly recognized, and automatic registration may not be completed. Under such circumstances, it has been desired to improve the registration efficiency of transaction products in a friction cart without significantly increasing the burden on the operator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a transaction processing system, a transaction processing apparatus, and an information processing program capable of improving the registration efficiency of transaction products in a friction cart without significantly increasing the burden on the operator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The transaction processing system of the embodiment comprises a shooting device, a reading device, a recognition means, a first registration means, and a second registration means. The shooting device is attached to a cart and photographs products to be placed in the product storage space of the cart. The reading device is attached to a cart and reads product codes. The recognition means recognizes products based on the characteristics of the products shown in the image obtained by the shooting device. The first registration means registers products identified by the product code read by the reading device as transaction products. The second registration means registers products recognized by the recognition means as transaction products, except when the most recently registered transaction product has been registered by the first registration means and that transaction product is the same as the product recognized by the recognition means. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a transaction processing system according to one embodiment, and the main circuit configuration of a cart terminal. [Figure 2] A diagram schematically representing the structure of transaction data. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing an example of how a cart terminal is attached to a cart. [Figure 4] Transaction processing flowchart. [Figure 5] Transaction processing flowchart. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of a guidance screen. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a registration screen. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of an alarm screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the transaction processing system 1 according to this embodiment and the main circuit configuration of the cart terminal 100. Transaction processing system 1 is configured so that a cart terminal 100, a cashier machine 200, a POS server 300, and an attendant terminal 400 can communicate with each other via a communication network 2.

[0008] Communication network 2 can use the internet, VPN (virtual private network), LAN (local area network), public communication network, mobile communication network, etc., individually or in appropriate combinations. As an example, communication network 2 can be used in combination with the internet and a mobile communication network. Note that the transaction processing system 1 may contain any number of cart terminals 100, accounting machines 200, POS servers 300, and attendant terminals 400, but Figure 1 shows only one of each.

[0009] The cart terminal 100 is an information processing device attached to a shopping cart (hereinafter referred to as "cart") provided in the store. The cart terminal 100 is lent to customers along with the cart when they shop in the store. The cart terminal 100 is an information processing device that, upon receiving operation from the customer, performs transaction processing to register the products that the customer intends to purchase as transaction items. In other words, the cart terminal 100 is an example of a transaction processing device. In some cases, a store employee may operate the cart terminal 100.

[0010] The accounting machine 200 is an information processing device installed in the store that performs accounting processing related to the settlement of payment for goods registered by the shopping cart terminal 100. The accounting machine 200 is operated by an operator during the accounting process. The operator of the accounting machine 200 is mainly the customer. In some cases, a store employee may operate the accounting machine 200.

[0011] The POS server 300 is an information processing device that performs management processing to manage the buying and selling transactions of goods processed by the transaction processing at the cart terminal 100 and the accounting processing at the accounting machine 200. The attendant terminal 400 is an information processing terminal operated by a store employee. The attendant terminal 400 is an information processing device for a user interface related to information processing that supports the store employee's work regarding transactions processed by the transaction processing system 1. The store employee's work includes, for example, monitoring the progress of a transaction in progress and providing appropriate support to the customer.

[0012] The cart terminal 100 includes a processor 101, a main storage unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, a touch panel 104, an interface unit 105, a wireless communication unit 106, and a transmission line 107. The processor 101 and the main storage unit 102, auxiliary storage unit 103, touch panel 104, interface unit 105, and wireless communication unit 106 are able to communicate with each other via the transmission line 107.

[0013] By connecting the processor 101, the main memory unit 102, and the auxiliary memory unit 103 with a transmission line 107, a computer is configured to perform information processing for controlling the cart terminal 100. The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer described above. The processor 101 performs information processing to control each part in order to realize various functions as a cart terminal 100, in accordance with information processing programs such as the operating system and application programs.

[0014] The main memory unit 102 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. The main memory unit 102 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 stores a portion of the information processing program described above in the read-only memory area. The main memory unit 102 may also store data necessary for the processor 101 to perform processing to control each part in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area for the processor 101.

[0015] The auxiliary storage unit 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. The auxiliary storage unit 103 can use, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disc drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or other various well-known storage devices. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores the data used by the processor 101 to perform various processes and the data generated by the processes in the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 may also store the above information processing program. In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 103 stores a cart terminal program PRA, which is one of the information processing programs. The cart terminal program PRA is an application program that describes the procedure of control processing for realizing various functions of the cart terminal 100. This control processing includes the transaction processing described later. A part of the storage area of the auxiliary storage unit 103 is used as an area for storing transaction data DAA. The transaction data DAA is data representing a list of transaction goods registered for one transaction.

[0016] The touch panel 104 displays a screen for presenting information to the operator. That is, the touch panel 104 is an example of a display device. The touch panel 104 also inputs an instruction by a touch operation on the screen by the operator. The interface unit 105 is connected to external devices such as a scanner 198 and a camera 199. The interface unit 105 interfaces the exchange of data with the connected external devices. As the interface unit 105, an existing USB (universal serial bus) controller or the like can be used.

[0017] Scanner 198 optically reads optically readable code information such as one-dimensional barcodes and two-dimensional codes (hereinafter referred to as barcodes). As the scanner 198, various well-known devices such as a type using an infrared sensor or a type using a photographing device can be used. That is, the scanner 198 is an example of a reading device. Instead of the scanner 198, a photographing device attached to the same surface as the touch panel 104 of the cart terminal 100 may be used.

[0018] Camera 199 photographs a photographing range that includes the entire internal space of the shopping basket placed on the cart to obtain an image. Then, the camera 199 outputs image data representing the image obtained by photographing. Note that the camera 199 may repeat photographing at a fixed cycle, or may perform photographing in response to an instruction from the processor 101. That is, the camera 199 is an example of a photographing device. Instead of the camera 199, a photographing device attached to the surface opposite to the touch panel 104 of the cart terminal 100 may be used.

[0019] The wireless communication unit 106 executes communication processing for performing wireless data communication via the communication network 2. As the wireless communication unit 106, for example, an existing wireless communication device for wireless LAN can be used. Instead of or in addition to the wireless communication unit 106, a communication unit wired to the communication network 2 may be used. The transmission path 107 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components. As the basic hardware of the cart terminal 100, for example, the hardware of a tablet type information processing device is assumed to be used.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the transaction data DAA. The transaction data DAA is generated regarding the transaction being processed by the cart terminal 100 and stored in the auxiliary storage unit 103. The transaction data DAA includes field FAA, and can contain any number of additional fields from field FAB onward. Field FAA is set to the transaction code, which serves as the identifier for the transaction in question. If there are registered transaction products that are the subject of the transaction, fields FAB, FAC, ... associated with each transaction product are added to the transaction data DAA. Fields FAB, FAC, ... are each set to the product data DAB for a separate transaction product.

[0021] A single product data DAB contains the fields FBA, FBB, FBC, and FBD. The FBA field contains the product code, which serves as the identifier for the associated trading product. The FBB field contains the product name defined for the associated trading product. The FBC field contains the unit price of the associated trading product. The FBD field contains the quantity of the associated trading product. Note that product data may also contain other information, such as discount information.

[0022] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of how the cart terminal 100 is attached to the cart. The cart 900 comprises a caster section 910, a handle frame section 920, and a basket support section 930. The caster section 910 has four wheels 911 for smoothly moving the cart 900 on the floor. The wheels 911 are mounted on the frame 912 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis.

[0023] The handle frame section 920 includes a pair of vertical frames 921, 921 and a handlebar 922. The vertical frames 921, 921 are erected above the two wheels of the caster section 910. The handlebar 922 connects the upper ends of the vertical frames 921, 921. The basket support section 930 is provided horizontally from the middle of the handle frame section 920. The basket support section 930 holds the shopping basket SB, which serves as a container for storing goods. The caster section 910 can also hold the shopping basket SB on top of the frame 912. In other words, the goods are stored inside the shopping basket SB located above the basket support section 930, and the space above the basket support section 930 corresponds to the goods storage space.

[0024] A customer using the cart 900 is typically positioned in front of the handle frame 920 in Figure 3. The customer then pushes the cart 900 while gripping the handlebar 922. In this case, the direction in which the basket support 930 protrudes relative to the handle frame 920 is the direction in which the cart 900 moves forward.

[0025] A camera 199 is mounted on the middle of the handlebar 922 in a position that allows it to take an overhead view of the inside of the shopping basket SB, which is held in place by the basket support 930. Alternatively, the basket support 930 of the cart 900 could be changed to a storage compartment that can directly hold goods, and the camera 199 could take an overhead view of the inside of this storage compartment. In this case, the space inside the storage compartment would become the goods storage space. A pole 940 is attached to one of the vertical frames 921 such that its tip is positioned above the handlebar 922. The aforementioned cart terminal 100 is mounted on the tip of this pole 940 with the touch panel 104 facing away from the direction of forward movement. A battery case 950 is mounted between vertical frames 921, 921 on the lower end of the handle frame 920. The battery case 950 houses a battery used as an external power source for the cart terminal 100.

[0026] The scanner 198 shown in Figure 3 is an example of a handheld scanner used by customers using the cart 900. The scanner 198 shown in Figure 3 is connected to the cart terminal 100 by a cable. However, the scanner 198 may also be fixed to, for example, the handlebar 922, in a position that allows it to read barcodes on products held over the cart from the opposite side of the forward direction. The scanner 198 may be installed in any form as long as it is capable of reading barcodes of products that are not placed in the shopping basket SB.

[0027] Next, the operation of the transaction processing system 1 configured as described above will be explained. Note that the content of the various processes described below is merely an example, and it is possible to change the order of some processes, omit some processes, or add other processes as appropriate. For example, in the following explanation, some processes have been omitted in order to clearly illustrate the characteristic operation of this embodiment. For example, if an error occurs, processing to deal with that error may be performed, but such processing has been omitted from the description.

[0028] The customer performs a predetermined operation to begin using the unused cart terminal 100. Once this operation is performed, the processor 101 starts processing the transaction based on the cart terminal program PRA. Figures 4 and 5 are flowcharts of the transaction process. In Figure 4, the processor 101, as ACT11, displays a guidance screen on the touch panel 104. The guidance screen informs the customer that the cart terminal 100 is starting up for transaction processing and what to do if the items placed in the shopping cart SB are not automatically registered.

[0029] Figure 6 shows an example of a guidance screen. Note that the screen examples shown in Figure 6 and other figures may omit the illustration of some display objects. In the guidance screen shown in Figure 6, a text message in area ARA informs the customer that if the items placed in the shopping cart SB are not automatically registered, they should register the items using scanner 198. Furthermore, in the guidance screen shown in Figure 6, a text message in area ARB informs the customer that the system is currently running.

[0030] Thus, by having the processor 101 perform information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, the computer with the processor 101 as its central component functions as a guidance system. This guidance may be provided by other methods, such as playing voice messages, instead of, or in addition to, displaying a guidance screen.

[0031] As ACT12, processor 101 generates new transaction data DAA for the target transaction. Specifically, processor 101 determines a new transaction code, for example, that is different from the transaction code used to identify other transactions, according to predetermined rules, generates new transaction data DAA that includes this transaction code but does not include product information about the traded product, and stores it in auxiliary storage unit 103. As ACT13, processor 101 displays the registration screen on touch panel 104. The registration screen is used to allow the customer to recognize the registration status of the transaction items.

[0032] Figure 7 shows an example of a registration screen. The registration screen shown in Figure 7 has an image representing the registration status placed in area ARC. The registration screen represents the button BUA. The registration screen also represents the text message CMA. In the example in Figure 7, the image placed in area ARC shows that two items have been registered, one each with product names "AAAAAAAAAA" and "BBBBBBBBBB", with unit prices of 178 yen and 198 yen respectively, and their reference price is 406 yen. The reference price is calculated by subtracting discounts from various services such as coupon services from the sum of the unit prices of all transaction items. If the transaction is settled without any changes to the transaction items or applicable services, this reference price will be the settlement amount. The image placed in area ARC changes sequentially according to the registration status of the transaction items. However, when ACT13 is executed, the transaction items have not yet been registered, so at this time, area ARA does not display information about each item, and an image representing a total of 0 items and a reference price of 0 yen is placed there. The button BUA is a soft key for the operator to instruct the payment process. The text message CMA informs the customer that if the items placed in the shopping cart SB are not automatically registered, they should register the items using scanner 198. The content of the registration screen may be determined as appropriate by, for example, the creator of the cart terminal program PRA. Thus, by having the processor 101 perform information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, the computer with the processor 101 as its central component functions as a display means.

[0033] As ACT14, processor 101 checks if it is time to acquire an image. If processor 101 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT15. The acquisition timing is expected to be, for example, the timing immediately after moving from ACT13 to ACT14, and at regular time intervals thereafter, and can be determined as appropriate by, for example, the creator of the cart terminal program PRA.

[0034] In ACT15, processor 101 checks whether the product code has been read using scanner 198. If processor 101 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT16. As ACT16, processor 101 checks if accounting has been specified. If processor 101 cannot confirm the relevant event, it determines NO and returns to ACT14. Thus, processor 101 waits for either the acquisition timing to occur, the product code to be read, or the accounting procedure to be specified, as ACT14 to ACT16.

[0035] The customer searches for the item they wish to purchase within the store. The customer then takes the item from the display and places it in the shopping basket SB. Alternatively, the customer scans the barcode of the item they have taken from the display with the scanner 198 and then places the item in the shopping basket SB. The customer does not have to place the item in the shopping basket SB after scanning its barcode with the scanner 198.

[0036] The barcode data represented by the product's barcode includes a product code, which serves as an identifier for that product. When the barcode is read and barcode data containing the product code is output from the scanner 198, the processor 101 determines that the product code has been read and verifies YES in ACT 15, then proceeds to ACT 17.

[0037] As ACT17, processor 101 registers the product identified by the product code contained in the barcode data as a transaction product. For example, processor 101 updates the transaction data DAA to include the relevant product as one of the transaction products. Thus, by processor 101 executing information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, the computer with processor 101 as its central component functions as the first registration means.

[0038] As ACT18, processor 101 updates the registration screen so that the image placed in area ARC represents the transaction status represented by the updated transaction data. Processor 101 does not change the button BUA or text message CMA on the updated registration screen. After this, processor 101 returns to the waiting state of ACT14-ACT16.

[0039] When it is time to acquire the data, processor 101 determines YES in ACT14 and proceeds to ACT21 in Figure 5. As ACT21, the processor 101 acquires image data output by the camera 199. For example, if the camera 199 is taking pictures at regular intervals, the processor 101 acquires the image data output by the camera 199 corresponding to the most recent picture taken by the camera 199. For example, if the camera 199 takes pictures in response to instructions from the processor 101, the processor 101 instructs the camera 199 to take a picture and acquires the image data output by the camera 199 in response. The processor 101 then stores the acquired image data in the main storage unit 102 or the auxiliary storage unit 103. As ACT22, processor 101 checks whether the product has been placed in shopping cart SB. If processor 101 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and returns to the waiting state of ACT14~ACT16 in Figure 4.

[0040] If the first acquisition timing is immediately after proceeding from ACT13 to ACT14 in Figure 4, then the image data acquired by executing ACT21 for the first time in Figure 5 will, in most cases, not contain any images of the product. For this reason, when ACT22 is executed for the first time, the processor 101 determines NO and returns to the waiting state of ACT14 to ACT16 in Figure 4. Then, each time it is an acquisition timing, the processor 101 repeats ACT21 and ACT22 in Figure 5. At this time, the processor 101 leaves in the main storage unit 102 or auxiliary storage unit 103 any image data (hereinafter referred to as past data) that has already been acquired by executing ACT21 in a predetermined period in the past.

[0041] For example, in ACT21, the processor 101 checks whether a new item has been placed in the shopping cart SB based on the difference between the newly acquired image data (hereinafter referred to as current data) and past data, and if the item exists, it is determined that the item has been placed. Alternatively, the processor 101 may monitor the movement of the hand holding the item based on the current data and multiple past data, and determine that the item has been placed based on the results as well. If the processor 101 determines that the item has been placed, it determines YES in ACT22 and proceeds to ACT23.

[0042] As ACT23, processor 101 performs recognition processing on the input products detected by ACT23. For example, processor 101 inputs the current data into a machine learning-certified image recognition engine, detects products, and extracts product features. Then, for example, processor 101 searches a matching dictionary for the amount of extracted features, and selects products whose feature amount is above a threshold as candidate products. Thus, by having processor 101 perform information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, the computer with processor 101 as its central component functions as a recognition means.

[0043] As ACT24, processor 101 checks if the candidate product above matches the trading product registered in the previous step. If the two products are different, or if no trading products have been registered yet, processor 101 determines that they do not match and proceeds to ACT25. As ACT25, processor 101 checks whether the registration of the previous transaction item was done via barcode registration. Then, if processor 101 proceeds to ACT25 because the first item was placed in the shopping cart SB without having its barcode scanned by scanner 198, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT26.

[0044] As ACT26, processor 101 registers the candidate products found in ACT23 as trading products. For example, processor 101 updates the trading data DAA to include the relevant product as one of the trading products. As ACT27, processor 101 updates the registration screen, similar to ACT18 in Figure 4. After this, processor 101 returns to the waiting state of ACT14-ACT16.

[0045] After the customer has registered the first transaction item as described above, if they wish to purchase any other items, they can either add those items to their shopping cart SB or have the barcode of those items scanned by scanner 198. When the barcode of a new product is read by the scanner 198, the processor 101 executes ACT17 and ACT18 as described above, and then returns to the waiting state of ACT14 to ACT16. Meanwhile, each time it is time to acquire data, the processor 101 determines YES in ACT14 and proceeds to ACT21, executing ACT21 to ACT23 as described above. At this time, if the image data acquired in ACT21 shows the new product placed in the shopping basket SB as described above, and the processor 101 successfully recognizes the product in ACT23, it processes the data according to the customer's actions as follows.

[0046] (Case 1: A customer adds a previously registered transaction item to their shopping cart SB without scanning its barcode with scanner 198, and then adds a different item to their shopping cart SB without scanning its barcode with scanner 198.) Processor 101 determines NO in both ACT24 and ACT25, and executes ACT26 and ACT27 as described above, adding the newly added item to shopping cart SB to the transaction items.

[0047] (Second case: When a customer adds a previously registered item to their shopping cart SB without scanning its barcode with scanner 198, and then adds the same item as the previously registered item to their shopping cart SB without scanning its barcode with scanner 198.) Processor 101 determines YES in ACT24 because the candidate product matches the previously registered trading product, and proceeds to ACT28. As ACT28, processor 101 checks, in the same way as ACT25, whether the registration of the previous transaction item was a barcode registration. Since it is not a barcode registration, processor 101 determines NO and proceeds to ACT26. Then processor 101 executes ACT26 and ACT27 as described above and adds the newly added item to shopping cart SB to the transaction items.

[0048] (Case 3: When a customer places an item whose barcode has been scanned by scanner 198 into their shopping cart SB before any other items.) Processor 101 determines YES in ACT24 because the candidate product matches the previously registered transaction product, and proceeds to ACT28. Furthermore, processor 101 determines YES again because the registration of the previous transaction product was a barcode registration, and returns to the waiting state of ACT14~ACT16 in Figure 4 without performing either ACT26 or ACT27. In other words, processor 101 does not add the newly added product to shopping cart SB to the transaction products because it is already barcode registered.

[0049] (Fourth case: When a customer does not place an item whose barcode has been scanned by scanner 198 into shopping cart SB, and instead places an item different from the previously registered item into shopping cart SB without scanning its barcode with scanner 198.) Processor 101 determines NO at ACT24 in Figure 5 because the candidate product does not match the previously registered transaction product, and proceeds to ACT25. Then, because the previously registered transaction product was registered using a barcode, Processor 101 determines YES at ACT25 and proceeds to ACT29. As ACT29, processor 101 displays an alarm screen on touch panel 104. The alarm screen is designed to warn the user not to add the previously registered product to shopping cart SB.

[0050] Figure 8 shows an example of an alarm screen. The alarm screen shown in Figure 8 is a screen that displays the window WIA overlaid on the registration screen that was previously displayed on the touch panel 104. The window WIA represents the text message CMB and the button BUB. The text message CMB warns the customer not to add the previously registered product to the shopping cart SB. The button BUB is a soft key that receives confirmation from the customer that they have received the warning from the text message CMB. Thus, by having the processor 101 perform information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, the computer with the processor 101 as its central component functions as an alarm system.

[0051] The processor 101 waits for a predetermined termination condition regarding the display of the alarm screen to be met, then proceeds to ACT26 in Figure 5, executes ACT26 and ACT27 as described above, and adds the newly added product to the shopping cart SB to the transaction items. The termination condition is expected to be, for example, when button BUB is tapped. The termination condition may be determined as appropriate by, for example, the creator of the cart terminal program PRA, such as when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the alarm screen was displayed.

[0052] Thus, in the first, second, and fourth cases, the processor 101 executes ACT26, registering the goods recognized in ACT23 as traded goods. In other words, by the processor 101 executing information processing based on the cart terminal program PRA, the computer with the processor 101 as its central component functions as a second registration means.

[0053] As described above, if a customer has scanned the barcode of an item with scanner 198 and then puts that item into shopping cart SB before putting any other items into shopping cart SB, the third case described above will be processed, and the barcode-registered item will not be registered as a duplicate transaction item based on recognition by ACT23.

[0054] However, if a product whose barcode has been scanned by scanner 198 is then added to shopping cart SB after another product has been added to shopping cart SB, the processing described as the third case above may not occur, and the product may be processed as the first or second case, potentially resulting in duplicate registration. Therefore, an alert screen is displayed to warn the customer and prevent duplicate registration.

[0055] Now, if the processor 101 determines that accounting is being performed through a predetermined operation such as tapping the button BUA displayed on the registration screen, it will determine YES in ACT16 in Figure 4 and proceed to ACT19. As ACT19, processor 101 requests payment for all registered transaction items from, for example, the accounting machine 200. That is, processor 101, for example, passes transaction data to accounting machine 200 and requests payment from accounting machine 200. If, for example, a payment terminal (not shown) is attached to the cart 900 and the payment terminal is connected to the cart terminal 100, processor 101 may calculate the amount to be paid and request that payment be made by credit card payment, code payment, etc. Alternatively, processor 101 may calculate the amount to be paid and request that payment be made from an online payment server (not shown).

[0056] As described above, when registering a product for sale, customers can either place the product in their shopping cart SB or have the product's barcode scanned by the scanner 198. Furthermore, the cart terminal 100 will not register a product twice, even if the product's barcode has been scanned by the scanner 198 and then placed in the shopping cart SB, as mentioned above. This improves the efficiency of registering products for sale in the friction cart without significantly increasing the burden on the operator. Furthermore, the cart terminal 100 can prevent duplicate registrations by displaying an alarm screen and alerting the customer, as described above.

[0057] Furthermore, the cart terminal 100 informs customers before they begin shopping that if an item cannot be registered after being placed in the shopping cart SB, they can register the item using the scanner 198, through a text message displayed in area ARA of the guidance screen.

[0058] Furthermore, the cart terminal 100, through the text message CMA displayed on the registration screen, can constantly inform customers during the product registration process that if a product cannot be registered even after being placed in the shopping cart SB, they can register the product using the scanner 198.

[0059] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows: In the above embodiment, some of the processing performed by the processor 101 may be performed by the POS server 300 or any other one or more information processing devices. For example, the cart terminal 100 may only perform user interface operations, and the various information processing for identifying the trading items may be performed by a computer provided in the POS server 300. In other words, the recognition means, the first registration means, the second registration means, the alarm means, the guidance means, and the display means may each be provided in any information processing device other than the cart terminal 100 included in the transaction processing system 1, or they may be appropriately distributed and provided in multiple information processing devices included in the transaction processing system 1.

[0060] Each function realized by the processor 101 through information processing can also be partially or entirely realized by hardware that performs non-program-based information processing, such as logic circuits. Furthermore, each of the above functions can also be realized by combining the above-mentioned hardware, such as logic circuits, with software control. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 1...Transaction processing system, 2...Communication network, 100...Cart terminal, 101...Processor, 102...Main memory unit, 103...Auxiliary memory unit, 104...Touch panel, 105...Interface unit, 106...Wireless communication unit, 107...Transmission line, 198...Scanner, 199...Camera, 200...Accounting machine, 300...POS server, 400...Attendant terminal, 900...Cart, 930...Basket holder.

Claims

1. A photographing device that is attached to a cart and photographs products placed in the product storage space of the cart, A reader device attached to the aforementioned cart for reading product codes, A recognition means for recognizing a product based on the characteristics of the product shown in the image obtained by the aforementioned imaging device, A first registration means for registering a product identified by the product code read by the aforementioned reading device as a trading product, Except when the most recently registered trading product is registered by the first registration means and the trading product is identical to the product recognized by the recognition means, a second registration means registers the product recognized by the recognition means as a trading product, A transaction processing system equipped with the following features.

2. Alarm means for issuing an alarm if, after a trading product has been registered by the first registration means, the product first recognized by the recognition means is different from the trading product most recently registered by the first registration means. The transaction processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. A guidance means that, at the time when the user begins using the cart, if the product placed in the product storage space is not registered as a transaction product, guides the user to have the reading device read the product code. The transaction processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. A display device attached to the aforementioned cart, A display means that, if an item placed in the aforementioned item storage space is not registered as a transaction item, displays a screen on the display device during the period in which the user may place an item in the aforementioned item storage space, instructing the user to have the reading device read the item code. The transaction processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. A transaction processing device that constitutes a transaction processing system together with a cart equipped with a photographing device for photographing products to be placed in the product storage space of the cart, and a reading device for reading product codes, A recognition means for recognizing a product based on the characteristics of the product shown in the image obtained by the aforementioned imaging device, A first registration means for registering a product identified by the product code read by the aforementioned reading device as a trading product, Except when the most recently registered trading product is registered by the first registration means and the trading product is identical to the product recognized by the recognition means, a second registration means registers the product recognized by the recognition means as a trading product, A transaction processing device equipped with the following.

6. A computer is installed in a transaction processing unit that constitutes a transaction processing system, along with a cart equipped with a camera device that photographs products placed in the product storage space of the cart and a reader device that reads product codes, A recognition means for recognizing a product based on the characteristics of the product shown in the image obtained by the aforementioned imaging device, A first registration means for registering a product identified by the product code read by the aforementioned reading device as a trading product, Except when the most recently registered trading product is registered by the first registration means and the trading product is identical to the product recognized by the recognition means, a second registration means registers the product recognized by the recognition means as a trading product, An information processing program that enables a function to work.

Images