Information processing devices and storage media readable by computers.

Abstract

The invention relates to an information processing device comprising a receiving device, a storage device, and a transmission device, in which the information processing device is connected to higher-level peripheral devices, communicates with multiple devices located in the store where the information processing device is installed, and performs information processing for the store based on information transmitted from each of these devices. The receiving device receives product sales information that indicates the product for which payment has been made on the device. The storage device stores the product sales information received by the receiving device in a storage unit. The transmission device transmits the product sales information stored in the storage unit to peripheral devices at a predetermined time.

Description

Information processing device and information processing program

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing program.

[0002] Conventionally, a cloud server (headquarters server) that manages chain stores is installed at the headquarters, and information processing devices (hereinafter also referred to as edge servers) such as store servers installed in each store are connected to the cloud server. The edge server is connected to multiple devices (hereinafter also referred to as edge devices) such as printers, scanners, cash drawers, and change dispensers in addition to POS (Point of Sale) terminals that handle the main operations of the store, and controls and manages these multiple edge devices.

[0003] The edge server is connected to the POS terminal and multiple edge devices via a network installed in the store. Therefore, for example, if the amount of communication between the edge server and each edge device increases, communication delays may occur, which may result in delays or errors in the transmission and reception of information between the edge server and the POS terminal.

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing device and an information processing program that can reduce the occurrence of delays in communication between the information processing device and a plurality of devices.

[0005] An information processing device according to an embodiment is communicatively connected to a higher-level external device, communicates with a plurality of devices installed in its own store, and performs information processing related to the store based on information transmitted from the devices. The information processing device includes an acquisition means, a storage means, and a transmission means. The acquisition means acquires product sales information indicating products for which payments have been made by the devices. The storage means stores the product sales information acquired by the acquisition means in a storage unit. The transmission means transmits the product sales information stored in the storage unit to the external device at a predetermined timing.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a cloud server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an edge server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a first tablet terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the first tablet terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an edge server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of control processing of the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing device and an information processing program will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment described below, an edge server will be described as an example of an information processing device. Also, a cloud server will be described as an example of an external device. Note that the embodiment is an embodiment of an information processing device and an information processing program, and the configuration, functions, etc. thereof do not limit the invention.

[0008] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. The information processing system 10 is a system including a cloud server 1, an edge server 2, and an edge device 3.

[0009] The cloud server 1 is, for example, a server installed at the headquarters of a company. The cloud server 1 is composed of one or more computers. The cloud server 1 transmits a product master 142 (see FIG. 2) to the edge server 2 of each store. The product master 142 is information that associates code information, such as a product code uniquely assigned to each product, with product information, such as the product name, price, and product classification. The cloud server 1 also receives and manages customer information 143 (see FIG. 2) from the edge server 2 of each store. The customer information 143 is various information related to the customer name, a customer ID (Identification) for identifying the customer, and the like.

[0010] Furthermore, the cloud server 1 receives and manages product sales information 144 (see FIG. 2 ) from the edge server 2 of each store. The product sales information 144 is information generated by the first tablet terminal 311 when it performs product registration and payment processing, and indicates information related to the product registration and payment processing. In other words, the cloud server 1 is a server that can receive product sales information indicating information related to the product registration and payment processing from the edge server 2 via the communication line 4.

[0011] The cloud server 1 can sell products at the same price in each store by transmitting the product master 142 to the edge server 2 of each store. The cloud server 1 can also analyze the customers who purchase products at each store and the sales trends of the products by managing customer information 143 and product sales information 144. Furthermore, the cloud server 1 is connected to the edge server 2 of each store via a communication line 4, which may be, for example, a dedicated line or an internet line.

[0012] The edge server 2 is a server device that is communicably connected to the upper cloud server 1, communicates with multiple edge devices 3 installed in its own store, and performs information processing related to the store based on information transmitted from the devices. The edge server 2 controls and manages the multiple edge devices 3 installed in its own store by communicating with the edge devices 3.

[0013] Specifically, the edge server 2 performs information processing related to the store based on information transmitted from the edge device 3. For example, the edge server 2 collects product sales information (see FIG. 3 ) including product information on products for which payment has been processed at each POS terminal, and manages sales for the store. The edge server 2 is also connected to the cloud server 1 via a communication line 4, such as a dedicated line or an Internet line. The edge server 2 is also connected to multiple edge devices 3 in the store via a communication line 5, such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0014] The edge devices 3 are devices installed in the store and are communicatively connected to the edge server 2 via the communication line 5. The edge devices 3 are an example of a plurality of devices. The edge devices 3 include, for example, a first tablet terminal 311, a second tablet terminal 312, a printer 313, a scanner 314, a drawer 315, and a change dispenser 316.

[0015] The first tablet terminal 311 executes a product registration process for products sold in the store. The product registration process includes retrieving and displaying product information, such as the product name and price, based on a product code that identifies the product and is associated with a symbol attached to the product and that is read by a scanner 314 (described below), and storing the information in memory 34 (see FIG. 4). The first tablet terminal 311 also generates print information 335 (see FIG. 4) for printing a breakdown of the transaction on a receipt, based on product sales information 334 (see FIG. 4) that indicates information related to the payment process, and outputs the print information to the second tablet terminal 312 or the printer 313. The first tablet terminal 311 may also obtain a value obtained by reading a symbol attached to the product using the scanner 314.

[0016] The payment process includes processing for paying for products based on the product information of the registered products, as well as processing for displaying the total amount and change amount related to the transaction with the customer (hereinafter referred to as "product sales information"). The payment process also includes processing for issuing a receipt on which the product information of the paid products and product sales information 334 (printed information 335) are printed. The first tablet terminal 311 obtains the product master 342 (see FIG. 4 ) used to identify products from the cloud server 1 or the edge server 2, and transmits the product sales information of products for which payment processing has been completed to the cloud server 1 or the edge server 2.

[0017] The second tablet terminal 312 is a customer display unit that displays product information, product sales information, etc. to customers. The second tablet terminal 312 also accepts operations according to the displayed content. In response to a print instruction request from the first tablet terminal 311, the printer 313 issues printed information and slips that print product information and product sales information for registered products.

[0018] The scanner 314 is, for example, a handheld device that uses, for example, visible light to read code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes and transfers the decoded values ​​of the code symbols to the first tablet terminal 311. The code symbols read by the scanner 314 are, for example, encoded product codes or membership codes. Code symbols indicating product codes are attached to products or product packaging. Code symbols indicating membership codes are displayed, for example, on the screen of the second tablet terminal 312 when a membership app (abbreviation for application software) is running. Note that the functions of the scanner 314 may also be provided in the first tablet terminal 311.

[0019] The drawer 315 stores coins and banknotes. The drawer 315 stores money received from customers, valuable securities such as gift certificates, and change to be handed to customers. The change dispenser 316 receives coins and banknotes to be paid when cash is used as the payment medium, and dispenses change if any. The change dispenser 316 stores the inserted banknotes and coins in the drawer 315. Then, the change dispenser 316 dispenses change in banknotes or coins in response to a change dispensing request from the first tablet terminal 311.

[0020] Next, the hardware configuration of the cloud server 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the cloud server 1. Note that in Fig. 2, the cloud server 1 is described as consisting of a single computer, but it may also be consisting of multiple computers.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, the cloud server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, and a memory 14. The CPU 11 is the main controller. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 expands programs and various data. The memory 14 stores various programs.

[0022] The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and memory 14 are connected to one another via a bus 15. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 constitute a control unit 100. That is, the control unit 100 executes control processing of the cloud server 1, which will be described later, by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 12 and memory 14 and deployed in the RAM 13.

[0023] The memory 14 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory, which retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory 14 stores a control program 141 that stores a control program for controlling the cloud server 1, a product master 142, customer information 143, product sales information 144, etc.

[0024] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is connected to an operation unit 17 and a display unit 18 via a bus 15 and a controller 16. The controller 16 receives instructions from the control unit 100 and controls the operation unit 17 and the display unit 18. However, for convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 16 will be described as being performed by the control unit 100.

[0025] The operation unit 17 is, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel, and is operated by the operator of the cloud server 1. The display unit 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information to the operator of the cloud server 1. The control unit 100 is also connected to a communication unit 19 via the bus 15. The communication unit 19 is connected to each edge server 2 via the communication line 4, and transmits and receives various information. Note that the hardware configuration of the cloud server 1 is not limited to this.

[0026] Next, the hardware configuration of the edge server 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the edge server 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the edge server 2 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and a memory 24. The CPU 21 is the main controller. The ROM 22 stores various programs. The RAM 23 expands programs and various data. The memory 24 stores various programs.

[0027] The CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, and the memory 24 are connected to one another via a bus 25. The CPU 21, the ROM 22, and the RAM 23 constitute a control unit 200. That is, the control unit 200 executes a control process of the edge server 2, which will be described later, by the CPU 21 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 22 or the memory 24 and loaded into the RAM 23.

[0028] The memory 24 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory 24 stores a control program 241 that stores a control program for controlling the edge server 2, a product master 242, customer information 243, and product sales information 244. The product master 242, customer information 243, and product sales information 244 stored in the memory 24 correspond to the product master 142, customer information 143, and product sales information 144 stored in the memory 14 of the store where the edge server 2 is located. The memory 24 is an example of a storage unit.

[0029] The control unit 200 is also connected to an operation unit 27 and a display unit 28 via a bus 25 and a controller 26. The controller 26 receives instructions from the control unit 200 and controls the operation unit 27 and the display unit 28. However, for convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 26 will be described as being performed by the control unit 200.

[0030] The operation unit 27 is, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel, and is operated by an operator of the edge server 2. The display unit 28 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information to the operator of the edge server 2. The control unit 200 is also connected to the communication unit 30 via the bus 25. The communication unit 30 is connected to the cloud server 1 via the communication line 4, and transmits and receives information to and from the cloud server 1. The communication unit 30 is also connected to the edge device 3 via the communication line 5, and transmits and receives information to and from the edge device 3. Note that the hardware configuration of the edge server 2 is not limited to this.

[0031] Next, the hardware configuration of the first tablet terminal 311 included in the edge device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the first tablet terminal 311 according to this embodiment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first tablet terminal 311 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, and a memory 34. The CPU 31 is the main controller. The ROM 32 stores various programs. The RAM 33 loads programs and various data. The memory 34 stores various programs. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, and the memory 34 are connected to one another via a bus 35. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM 33 constitute a control unit 300. In other words, the control unit 300 executes the control processing of the first tablet terminal 311, which will be described later, by the CPU 31 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 32 and the memory 34 and loaded in the RAM 33.

[0033] The RAM 33 stores a product master 331, customer information 332, product registration information 333, product sales information 334, and print information 335. The print information 335 is information to be printed on a receipt corresponding to the product sales information 334, which indicates information related to the payment process. The product master 331, customer information 332, and product sales information 334 stored in the RAM 33 correspond to the product master 142, customer information 143, and product sales information 144 stored in the memory 14 of the cloud server 1. The product master 331, customer information 332, and product registration information 333 stored in the RAM 33 correspond to the product master 242, customer information 243, and product sales information 244 stored in the memory 24 of the edge server 2.

[0034] The memory 34 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory 34 stores a control program 341 that stores a control program for controlling the first tablet terminal 311.

[0035] Furthermore, the control unit 300 is connected to the operation unit 41, the display unit 42, and the card reading unit 43 via the bus 35 and the controller 36. The controller 36 receives instructions from the control unit 300 and controls the operation unit 41, the display unit 42, and the card reading unit 43. However, for the sake of convenience, the control performed by the controller 36 will be described as being performed by the control unit 300.

[0036] The operation unit 41 is, for example, a keyboard or touch panel, and is operated by the operator of the first tablet terminal 311. The display unit 42 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information to the store clerk who is the operator of the first tablet terminal 311. The card reading unit 43 reads a customer code from a card (for example, a credit card, electronic money, etc.) used by a customer for payment. The control unit 300 of the first tablet terminal 311 executes payment processing for that customer based on the read customer code.

[0037] The code reading unit 46 captures or optically reads symbols such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes attached to products. The control unit 300 of the first tablet terminal 311 executes product registration processing for the product based on the value read by the scanner 314 from the symbol attached to the product. The control unit 300 is also connected to the communication unit 47 via the bus 35. The communication unit 47 is connected to the edge server 2 via the communication line 5 to send and receive various information. Note that the hardware configuration of the first tablet terminal 311 is not limited to this.

[0038] Next, the functional configuration of the first tablet terminal 311 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the first tablet terminal 311 according to this embodiment.

[0039] 5, the control unit 300 of the first tablet terminal 311 includes a product master acquisition unit 301, a product registration unit 302, a display control unit 303, a product payment unit 304, and a transmission unit 305. Note that the functional configuration of the control unit 300 of the first tablet terminal 311 is not limited to this.

[0040] The product master acquisition unit 301 acquires the product master. Specifically, the product master acquisition unit 301 acquires the product master stored in the memory of the cloud server 1 or the edge server 2. Then, the product master acquisition unit 301 stores the acquired product master in the RAM 33.

[0041] The product registration means 302 executes a product registration process for the read product. Specifically, the product registration means 302 registers product information related to the product based on the value obtained by reading the symbol attached to the product with the scanner 314 and the product master 331 stored in the RAM 33.

[0042] The display control means 303 performs display control to output product information related to the registered products. Specifically, the display control means 303 performs display control to output product information related to the products registered by the product registration means 302 to the display unit 42.

[0043] The product settlement means 304 executes the settlement process for the registered products. Specifically, the product settlement means 304 calculates the total amount of the registered products based on the product information registered by the product registration means 302, and settles the total amount with the payment amount to be paid by the customer.

[0044] For example, the product settlement means 304 cooperates with the card reading unit 43 to accept input related to product sales based on the customer code read by the card reading unit 43, calculates the registered total price of the products based on the product information registered by the product registration means 302, and settles this total price with the payment amount to be paid by the customer. Furthermore, for example, the product settlement means 304 cooperates with the change dispenser 316 to store bills and coins inserted by the customer, calculates the registered total price of the products based on the product information registered by the product registration means 302, and settles this total price with the payment amount to be paid by the customer. Then, the product settlement means 304 outputs product sales information related to the settled products to RAM 33.

[0045] The transmission means 305 transmits the product sales information. Specifically, the transmission means 305 transmits the product sales information 334 that the product payment means 304 output to RAM 33 to the edge server 2. The transmission means 305 also transmits print information. Specifically, the transmission means 305 transmits print information indicating information to be printed on a receipt corresponding to the product sales information 334 that the product payment means 304 output to RAM 33 to the printer 313.

[0046] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the edge server 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 200 of the edge server 2 includes an acquisition unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a transmission unit 203. Note that the functional configuration of the control unit 200 of the edge server 2 is not limited to this.

[0047] The acquisition unit 201 acquires the product master data. Specifically, the acquisition unit 201 acquires the product master data 142 stored in the memory 14 of the cloud server 1 at a predetermined cycle. Here, the predetermined cycle is, for example, once a day. The timing for acquiring the product master data 142 is, for example, before the store opens for business. Note that the predetermined cycle is not limited to this.

[0048] The acquisition unit 201 also acquires product sales information. Specifically, the acquisition unit 201 acquires product sales information 334 indicating the product for which the first tablet terminal 311 has made a payment each time the first tablet terminal 311 makes a payment for a product.

[0049] The storage unit 202 stores the product master. Specifically, the storage unit 202 stores the product master 142 acquired by the acquisition unit 201 in the memory 24. The storage unit 202 also stores product sales information. Specifically, the storage unit 202 stores the product sales information 334 acquired by the acquisition unit 201 in the memory 24.

[0050] The transmission means 203 transmits the product sales information. Specifically, the transmission means 203 transmits the acquired product sales information 244 acquired by the acquisition means 201 and stored in the memory 24 to the cloud server 1. The transmission means 203 also transmits the product master 242. Specifically, the transmission means 203 transmits the product master 242 stored in the memory 24 to the first tablet terminal 311 at a predetermined timing. Note that the predetermined timing is, for example, the timing when the scanner 344 of the first tablet terminal 311 acquires a value obtained by reading a symbol attached to a product.

[0051] As described above, the edge server 2 manages multiple edge devices 3 via the communication line 5. Therefore, for example, communication delays may occur if the amount of communication between the edge server 2 and the multiple edge devices 3 increases. For example, when the first tablet terminal 311 registers a product read by the scanner 314 in a product transaction, the first tablet terminal 311 accesses the product master 142 in the cloud server 1 via the edge server 2 to obtain product information. This involves communication with the cloud server 1 for each product.

[0052] If the volume of data sent and received between the edge server 2 and the first tablet terminal 311 increases, depending on the network environment, it may take longer to register a product or may lead to pressure due to the load on the network environment.

[0053] Therefore, in order to reduce access to the cloud server 1, the first tablet terminal 311 according to this embodiment acquires the product master 242 stored in the memory 24 of the edge server 2 as the product master 331, stores it in the RAM 33, and uses it when trading products. In addition, the edge server 2 according to this embodiment acquires product sales information 334 from the first tablet terminal 311 and stores (accumulates) it in the acquired memory 24.

[0054] The edge server 2 then transmits the product sales information 244 stored in the memory 24 to the cloud server 1 at a predetermined timing. Here, the predetermined timing is preferably a time period when the network load on the cloud server 1 is reduced, such as after the store closes.

[0055] Next, the control processing of the information processing system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the control processing of the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment. The sequence diagram shown in Fig. 7 shows the processing in which the edge server 2 acquires the product master 142 from the cloud server 1 and transmits the product sales information 244 to the cloud server 1.

[0056] In step S71, the acquisition unit 201 of the edge server 2 acquires the product master 142 stored in the memory 14 of the cloud server 1 at a predetermined interval (step S71).

[0057] In step S72, the product master acquisition unit 301 of the first tablet terminal 311 acquires the product master 242 stored in the memory 24 of the edge server 2. The product master acquisition unit 301 then stores the acquired product master 242 as the product master 331 in the RAM 33 (step S72). In step S73, the product registration unit 302 of the first tablet terminal 311 registers product information related to the product based on the value obtained by reading the symbol attached to the product with the scanner 314 and the product master 331 stored in the RAM 33 (step S73).

[0058] In step S74, the display control means 303 of the first tablet terminal 311 controls the display unit 42 to output product information about the products registered by the product registration means 302 (step S74). In step S75, the product payment means 304 of the first tablet terminal 311 calculates the total amount of the registered products based on the product information registered by the product registration means 302, and settles this total amount with the payment amount to be paid by the customer (step S75). In step S76, the transmission means 305 of the first tablet terminal 311 transmits the product sales information 334 output to the RAM 33 by the product payment means 304 to the edge server 2 (step S76).

[0059] In step S77, the acquisition unit 201 of the edge server 2 acquires product sales information 334 indicating the product for which the first tablet terminal 311 has paid each time the first tablet terminal 311 has paid for a product (step S77). In step S78, the storage unit 202 stores the acquired product sales information 334 as product sales information 244 in the memory 24 (step S78). In step S79, the transmission unit 203 transmits the product sales information 244 acquired by the acquisition unit 201 and stored in the memory 24 to the cloud server 1 at a predetermined timing (step S79).

[0060] In step S80, the control unit 200 of the cloud server 1 acquires the product sales information 244 sent by the edge server 2 (step S80). By performing this process, the cloud server 1 can acquire the product sales information 334 for the product payments made by the first tablet terminal 311.

[0061] As described above, the edge server 2 of this embodiment acquires and accumulates product sales information indicating the products paid for from each of the first tablet terminals 311, and transmits the accumulated product sales information to the cloud server 1 at a predetermined timing.

[0062] This allows the edge server 2 to reduce the number and frequency of communications with the cloud server 1. Therefore, the edge server 2 can reduce the occurrence of delays in communications between the edge server 2 and the multiple edge devices 3 that are caused by communications with the cloud server 1.

[0063] Additionally, the edge server 2 periodically acquires from the cloud server 1 a product master that indicates information associating code information relating to a product code uniquely assigned to each product with product information relating to the product's name, price, and product classification. Furthermore, the edge server 2 provides the product master 242 to the first tablet terminal 311 at a predetermined timing. This reduces the number of times that the first tablet terminal 311 accesses the cloud server 1 or the edge server 2 to reference the product master, thereby reducing network traffic on the communication lines 4 and 5 in the information processing system 10.

[0064] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0065] (First Modification) In the above-described embodiment, the first tablet terminal 311 acquires the product master 242 stored in the memory 24 of the edge server 2 as the product master 331, stores it in the RAM 33, and uses it when trading the product. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the product master acquisition means 301 of the first tablet terminal 311 references the product master 242 stored in the memory 24 of the edge server 2 when the scanner 314 reads a symbol attached to the product. At this time, the storage means 202 of the edge server 2 stores the product master 242 acquired by the acquisition means 201 in the memory 24 so that it can be referenced by the first tablet terminal 311.

[0066] (Second Modification) For example, the first tablet terminal 311 may switch the product master 242 stored in the memory 24 of the edge server 2 in response to a request (instruction) from the edge server 2. For example, when the edge server 2 detects a decrease in the communication speed with the cloud server 1, the edge server 2 may transmit the product master 242 to the first tablet terminal 311, or may transmit an instruction to the first tablet terminal 311 to acquire / reference the product master 242 on the edge server 2.

[0067] (Third Modification) For example, the product master acquisition means 301 of the first tablet terminal 311 may be capable of determining whether to acquire the product master 242 from either the cloud server 1 or the edge server 2 depending on the communication conditions.

[0068] (Fourth Modification) For example, the first tablet terminal 311 and the second tablet terminal 312 may be the same device. Furthermore, if the first tablet terminal 311 and the second tablet terminal 312 are separate devices, the second tablet terminal 312 may acquire / reference the product master 242 stored in the memory 24 of the edge server 2, just like the first tablet terminal 311.

[0069] In addition, the program executed by the edge server 2 of the embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0070] The program executed by the edge server 2 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by the edge server 2 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0071] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cloud server 2 Edge server 3 Edge device 10 Information processing system 200 Control unit 201 Acquisition means 202 Storage means 203 Transmission means 300 Control unit 301 Product master acquisition means 302 Product registration means 303 Display control means 304 Product payment means 305 Transmission means 311 First tablet terminal 312 Second tablet terminal

[0072] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-247597

Claims

1. An information processing device that is communicatively connected to a higher-level external device, communicates with a plurality of devices installed in its own store, and processes information related to the store based on information transmitted from the devices, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring product sales information indicating products for which payment has been made by the devices; a storage means for storing the product sales information acquired by the acquisition means in a storage unit; and a transmission means for transmitting the product sales information stored in the storage unit to the external device at a predetermined timing.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires from the external device at a predetermined interval a product master indicating information associating code information relating to a product code uniquely assigned to each product with product information relating to the name, price and product classification of the product.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting means transmits the product master to the device at a predetermined timing.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said storage means stores said product master in said storage unit so that said device can refer to said product master.

5. An information processing program for causing a computer of an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a higher-level external device, communicates with a plurality of devices installed in its own store, and processes information related to the store based on information transmitted from the devices, to function as: an acquisition means for acquiring product sales information indicating products for which the devices have made payments; a storage means for storing the product sales information acquired by the acquisition means in a storage unit; and a transmission means for transmitting the product sales information stored in the storage unit to the external device at a predetermined timing.

Images