Transaction management system

Abstract

A transaction management system according to an embodiment comprises a server device and an information processing device. The server device includes: a product registration means that registers, in a storage device, product identification information which makes it possible to identify each product purchased in one transaction such that the product identification information is associated with transaction identification information which makes it possible to identify the transaction; a determination means that determines, on the basis of the product identification information and the transaction identification information which have been received from the information processing device, whether or not a product identified by the product identification information is registered in the storage device; and an unregistered product output means that transmits, to the information processing device, information pertaining to a product which has been determined not to be registered. The information processing device includes: a product identification information acquisition means that, when receiving an input of the transaction identification information, acquires the product identification information pertaining to the product purchased in the transaction corresponding to the transaction identification information; a product identification information transmission means that transmits, to the server device, the acquired product identification information together with the transaction identification information; and an unregistered product display means that receives and displays the product information which has been transmitted from the unregistered product output means.

Description

Transaction Management System

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a transaction management system.

[0002] In recent years, supermarkets and other stores have adopted systems that allow customers to pick up products from shelves and register them on the spot. For example, one such system has been proposed that uses a shopping cart equipped with a tablet terminal and a scanner.

[0003] A customer using a scanner to scan a barcode or other code symbol (hereinafter referred to as a "product barcode") attached to a product they wish to purchase in a store's sales area. The product is registered based on the product code read by the scanner, and the registered product information (product name, price, etc.) is stored on a tablet device or a store server. The product information is then transferred to a cash register that processes the transaction when the customer pays. The customer pays using the cash register they operate themselves.

[0004] In addition, a system has been adopted that allows customers to make the above-mentioned purchases using their own mobile devices, such as smartphones, instead of the tablet devices and scanners provided by the store. In this system, a shopping application program is installed on the customer's smartphone. The smartphone's camera then captures an image of the product barcode and reads the product code. The customer then uses the cash register to process the payment for the registered product themselves.

[0005] Stores that use the above system typically have employees stationed in a checkout area where one or more cashiers are installed to process the purchases of merchandise. The employees stationed in the checkout area (hereinafter also referred to as "attendants") check the merchandise purchased by customers and assist customers in operating the cashiers. The checks performed by the attendants vary from store to store depending on operations, but may include, for example, checking for any products that have not been registered.

[0006] Before a customer pays at the cash register, an attendant checks at the entrance to the checkout area to make sure that the items the customer is purchasing are not missing from the product registration. At this time, the attendant visually checks to see if there are any missing items based on the registered products displayed on the attendant's PC and the products contained in the shopping cart. This places a burden on the attendant's checking work and makes it difficult to perform the check work with high accuracy.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a transaction management system that can improve the accuracy of checks while reducing the burden on attendants' checking work.

[0008] A transaction management system according to an embodiment includes a server device and an information processing device that checks products purchased by a customer before payment at a cash register. The server device includes a product registration means that registers product identification information capable of identifying each product purchased in a transaction in a storage device, in association with the transaction identification information capable of identifying the transaction. The information processing device includes a product identification information acquisition means that, when transaction identification information is input, acquires product identification information for one or more products purchased in the transaction corresponding to the transaction identification information, and a product identification information transmission means that transmits the acquired product identification information together with the input transaction identification information to the server device. The server device includes a determination means that determines, based on the product identification information and the transaction identification information received from the information processing device, whether a product identified by the product identification information is registered in the storage device, and an unregistered product output means that transmits information about a product that the determination means determines is not registered to the information processing device. The information processing device includes an unregistered product display means that receives and displays the product information transmitted by the unregistered product output means.

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

[0010] The following describes an information processing device and a transaction management system according to an embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, in the embodiments described below, a server device that manages information on one or more stores is described as an example of an information processing device, but this is not limiting. The information processing device may be a device such as a terminal device operated by a store clerk (hereinafter also referred to as an attendant terminal), or may be another device installed in the store. Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, a mobile terminal owned by a customer is described as an example of an information terminal, but this is not limiting. The information terminal may also be a mobile terminal provided by the store. Note that product registration refers to storing (registering) information on products purchased by customers.

[0011] A transaction management system according to an embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a transaction management system 1. The transaction management system 1 is used in a store that sells products, such as a supermarket. The transaction management system 1 includes a server device 2 and a mobile self-checkout system 3. The server device 2 and the mobile self-checkout system 3 are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet so that they can communicate with each other.

[0012] The mobile self-checkout system 3 is a system employed in a single store, and includes a mobile terminal 4 carried by a customer, a payment machine 5 that processes payments, and an attendant PC 6 that monitors the customer's payments using the payment machine 5. The mobile terminal 4, payment machine 5, and attendant PC 6 are communicatively connected to one another via an in-store network such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The mobile terminal 4, payment machine 5, and attendant PC 6 are also communicatively connected to a server device 2 via the in-store network.

[0013] The mobile terminal 4 may be able to communicate with the server device 2 without going through the in-store network. Various other devices may also be connected to the in-store network. For example, the in-store network may be connected to a POS terminal where a store clerk performs operations related to product registration and payment, a self-service POS terminal where a customer performs operations related to product registration and payment, or a semi-self-service POS system where a store clerk performs operations related to product registration and a customer performs operations related to payment. Furthermore, the number of mobile terminals 4 and payment machines 5 is not limited to the example shown in the figure.

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

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

[0016] The mobile terminal 4 is a terminal that the customer carries and operates to issue a product registration request to the server device 2 when placing a product to be purchased in the shopping cart. When the mobile terminal 4 transmits various information to the server device 2, the server device 2 can easily identify the mobile terminal 4 that transmitted the information by transmitting the terminal code. In this embodiment, multiple transaction codes are not issued to a single mobile terminal 4 while the customer is shopping. In other words, because there is a one-to-one correspondence between terminal codes and transaction codes, either one can have the function of the other.

[0017] Specifically, a transaction can be identified by the terminal code. Therefore, the terminal code is also an example of transaction identification information. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 4 can be identified by the transaction code. Therefore, the transaction code is also an example of terminal identification information. Therefore, in the following description, the terminal code and the transaction code can be used interchangeably as appropriate. Furthermore, the server device 2 may issue only either the terminal code or the transaction code.

[0018] The server device 2 receives a registration request from the mobile terminal 4. The registration request includes the terminal code of the mobile terminal 4 that made the registration request and the product code read by the mobile terminal 4. The server device 2, which manages product information for each store, reads out product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request received from the mobile terminal 4 and registers the product as a transaction target. In other words, the server device 2 registers the product information as part of the transaction information. The transaction information includes various information necessary for customers to make payments, such as product information. The product information includes information such as product name, price, and highlight information. The highlight information is information indicating that the product is one that the attendant should pay attention to when checking. In this way, the server device 2 manages transaction information in real time for each customer, or in other words, for each terminal code.

[0019] The server device 2 transmits to the attendant PC 6, from among the transaction information it manages, transaction information of the store where the attendant PC 6 is installed (hereinafter also referred to as "store transaction information"). The server device 2 periodically receives store transaction information requests (hereinafter also referred to as "requests") from the attendant PC 6 at short intervals and transmits store transaction information in response to the store transaction information request. This allows the attendant PC 6 to obtain transaction information for its own store substantially in real time. The attendant PC 6 manages the status of each customer based on the obtained transaction information. Note that the server device 2 may also transmit store transaction information of the store whose transaction information has been updated to the attendant PC 6 itself each time the server device 2 updates the transaction information. In this case, the attendant PC 6 does not need to transmit a store transaction information request.

[0020] The server device 2 also receives check information from the attendant PC 6. The check information indicates that an attendant has checked the items placed in the shopping cart for purchase by the customer, and includes transaction-specific information (transaction code or terminal code). In the following description, the check performed by the attendant on the purchased items at the entrance to the checkout area may be referred to as an "attendant check." The server device 2 manages whether each transaction has been checked by an attendant by storing the terminal code, transaction code, and check information in association with each other.

[0021] The server device 2 also receives a transaction information request from the payment machine 5. The transaction information request is a request for transaction information for the customer to make a payment by operating the payment machine 5, and includes a transaction code that identifies the transaction to be paid. Upon receiving the transaction information request, the server device 2 determines whether the transaction identified by the transaction code included in the transaction information request (hereinafter also referred to as the target transaction) has been attendant checked.

[0022] If the target transaction has been attendant-checked, the server device 2 sends transaction information for the target transaction to the payment machine 5. If the target transaction has not been attendant-checked, the server device 2 does not send transaction information but instead sends error information to the payment machine 5. The error information indicates that the target transaction has not been attendant-checked. This allows the server device 2 to allow the customer to make payment at the payment machine 5, provided that the transaction has been attendant-checked in advance.

[0023] The server device 2 may be configured with multiple computers. In other words, the functions of the server device 2 may be distributed among multiple computers. The server device 2 may also be a cloud server installed on a cloud.

[0024] The mobile terminal 4 is a mobile terminal carried by a customer. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 4 is configured as a smartphone owned by the customer. An application program for a mobile self-checkout system is installed on the mobile terminal 4. The mobile terminal 4 may be attached to a shopping cart that the customer moves. The mobile terminal 4 captures an image of a code symbol, such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, attached to a product using the imaging unit 44 (see FIG. 10 ) and acquires a product code (product identification information) that identifies the product. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 4 captures an image of the product itself, identifies the product using a known general object recognition technology, and acquires the product code of the product. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 4 optically reads the product barcode to acquire the product code. The mobile terminal 4 then transmits registration request information to the server device 2 based on the acquired product code.

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

[0026] When the payment machine 5 receives transaction information from the server device 2 in response to the transaction information request, it executes payment processing based on the transaction information. Payment processing is processing for paying for the products purchased by the customer. In the case of cash payments, payment processing includes, for example, displaying transaction information, calculating the amount of change, and dispensing the change, while in the case of cashless payments, it includes sending and receiving various information to and from the payment server of the payment service provider.

[0027] When the payment machine 5 receives error information from the server device 2 in response to the transaction information request, it displays the error information on its own display. The displayed error information may, for example, indicate that payment cannot be made because the attendant check has not been completed. The payment machine 5 sends and receives various information to and from the server device 2. If the payment machine 5 receives error information, it will not process the transaction.

[0028] The attendant PC 6 is operated by a store clerk such as an attendant and is an example of an attendant terminal. The attendant PC 6 is equipped with a scanner unit 64 (see FIG. 12) that can read code symbols. The attendant PC 6 reads a transaction code from the accounting barcode on the attendant check screen displayed on the portable terminal 4 using the scanner unit 64. The attendant PC 6 obtains transaction information corresponding to the read transaction code from the server device 2 and displays it on the display unit 62 (see FIG. 12).

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

[0030] The attendant performs an attendant check based on the transaction information displayed on the attendant PC 6. The attendant performs the attendant check by operating the scanner unit 64 to read the code symbols of the products contained in the shopping cart. For example, the attendant check verifies whether the products contained in the shopping cart are registered. Hereinafter, products contained in the shopping cart but not registered are referred to as "unscanned products." For example, if the registered products (subjects of the transaction) include age verification products, the attendant verifies the customer's age. If the transaction includes unregistered products, the attendant checks the unregistered products. An unregistered product is a product whose product information corresponding to its product code is not registered in the product master for some reason. Once the attendant check is completed, a "check completed" entry is made in the attendant PC 6. Upon completion of the check completed entry, the attendant PC 6 transmits check information to the server device 2. The attendant PC 6 may also perform the attendant check by capturing an image of the product itself or the product's code symbol.

[0031] If the attendant finds an unregistered product, he or she inputs a check mark into the attendant PC 6, and then moves to the payment machine 5 or dedicated register together with the customer. The attendant then operates the payment machine 5 or dedicated register to manually register the product information of the unregistered product as part of the transaction information.

[0032] Now, operation in a store will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a checkout area in a store. The checkout area is an area where one or more checkout machines 5 are located, and customers who have completed product registration can pay for their products by operating one of the checkout machines 5 themselves. Near the entrance to the checkout area, in other words, on the customer's path to one of the checkout machines 5, an attendant and an attendant PC 6 operated by the attendant are located. Before making a payment using a checkout machine 5, the customer undergoes an attendant check by the attendant at the entrance to the checkout area. The attendant operates the attendant PC 6 to perform the attendant check.

[0033] Before making a payment at the payment machine 5, the customer presents the attendant check screen displayed on the portable terminal 4 to the attendant. The attendant scans the payment barcode on the attendant check screen with the scanner unit 64 of the attendant PC 6. The attendant PC 6 obtains transaction information corresponding to the transaction code read from the payment barcode from the server device 2 and displays it on the display unit 62. The attendant performs an attendant check based on the displayed transaction information. When the attendant check is completed, the attendant inputs a "check completed" message into the attendant PC 6. The attendant PC 6 then transmits the check information to the server device 2.

[0034] Once the attendant check is complete, the customer can make payment at any of the payment machines 5. If a customer who has not yet completed the attendant check attempts to make a payment at a payment machine 5, an error message is displayed on that payment machine 5 and the payment cannot be made. In this case, the customer must go to the location of the attendant PC 6 to undergo the attendant check. Since the attendant can perform the attendant check on each customer at the location where the attendant PC 6 is installed, the check work is simplified. In addition, the attendant can efficiently check unscanned items.

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

[0036] First, the server device 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 20, the storage unit 21, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the communication unit 24 are connected to one another via a bus 25 or the like.

[0037] The control unit 20 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, ROM 202, and RAM 203 are connected to one another via a bus 25.

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

[0039] The storage unit 21 is configured with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 21 stores a control program 211, a product master 212, a terminal management table 213, a highlight information management table 214, a transaction information management table 215, and a mode management table 216.

[0040] The control program 211 is a program for realizing functions such as sending and receiving information to and from external devices such as the mobile terminal 4, the accounting machine 5, and the attendant PC 6, managing transaction information for each customer, and accepting a transaction information request and determining whether the transaction that is the subject of the transaction information request has been checked by an attendant.

[0041] The product master 212 is a master file that stores information about products handled by each store. The product master 212 is updated based on information obtained from each store. Because the products handled by each store change daily, the product master 212 is updated as appropriate for each store. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the product master. The product master 212 stores company codes, store codes, product codes, product names, prices, and highlight item numbers in association with each other.

[0042] The company code is information that identifies the company that operates the store that uses the transaction management system 1. The store code is information that identifies the store that uses the transaction management system 1. If multiple stores in a single company use the transaction management system 1, multiple store codes are associated with the company code.

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

[0044] The terminal management table 213 is a data table that manages the mobile terminals 4 used in the mobile self-checkout system 3. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the terminal management table 213. The terminal management table 213 stores terminal codes, notification destinations, company codes, and store codes in association with each other.

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

[0046] The notification destination is information indicating the notification destination of the mobile terminal 4, such as the communication address of the mobile terminal 4. The company code is information identifying the company that operates the store where the mobile terminal 4 is located. The store code is information identifying the store where the mobile terminal 4 is located. The notification destination, company code, and store code are registered based on the store entry information received from the mobile terminal 4. Of the information registered in the terminal management table 213, information related to the terminal codes of customers who have completed payment for a transaction may be sequentially deleted. In this case, the same terminal code can be used multiple times, thereby reducing the number of digits in the terminal code used.

[0047] The highlight information management table 214 is a data table that manages highlight items for highlighted products. The highlight information management table 214 is updated based on information obtained from each store. The attendant PC 6 displays a transaction details screen based on the information registered in the highlight information management table 214. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the highlight information management table 214. The highlight information management table 214 stores company codes, store codes, highlight item numbers, items, importance, display order, and display comments in association with each other.

[0048] As described above, the company code is information that identifies the company, and the store code is information that identifies the store. The highlight item number is information that identifies the highlight item that should be noted during the attendant check. The item is information that indicates the content of the highlight item, for example, information that indicates age verification products or unregistered products. The importance is information that indicates the importance of the highlight item, for example, a "1" is registered for a highlight item with high importance, and a "0" is registered for a highlight item with low importance. The display order is information that indicates the display order on the transaction details screen of the attendant PC 6. The display comment is information that indicates a comment on the transaction details screen of the attendant PC 6.

[0049] The transaction information management table 215 is a data table that manages transaction information for each store for each transaction. The transaction information management table 215 is updated based on information from the mobile terminal 4, the payment machine 5, and the attendant PC 6. FIG. 7 shows an example of the data configuration of the transaction information management table 215. The transaction information management table 215 stores and associates the following: transaction code, terminal code, check-in time, payment instruction time, payment machine number, attendant check flag, transaction amount, payment completed flag, product information, registration time, and cancellation flag.

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

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

[0052] The attendant check flag is information indicating whether the attendant check has been completed or not, and if completed, "1" is registered, and if not, "0" is registered. The attendant check flag is rewritten to "1" based on the check information acquired from the attendant PC 6. An attendant check flag with "1" registered is an example of check information that is registered when the attendant check has been completed.

[0053] The transaction amount is information that indicates the total price of the products in one transaction. The transaction complete flag is information that indicates whether payment for the transaction has been completed, in other words, whether the transaction processing by the payment machine 5 has been completed. The transaction complete flag is registered as "1" if payment for the transaction has been completed, and "0" if not. The transaction complete flag is rewritten to "1" based on a transaction completion notification received from the payment machine 5.

[0054] Product information is information indicating the product code, product name, and price of a registered product. When multiple products are registered in one transaction, multiple pieces of product information are registered corresponding to the transaction code. The registration time is information indicating the time when the product information was registered. The cancellation flag is information indicating whether the product information has been canceled, and is registered as "1" if canceled, or "0" if not. The cancellation flag is rewritten to "1" based on cancellation information from the mobile terminal 4. The cancellation information is information instructing the cancellation of a product registration, and includes the product code of the product registration to be canceled.

[0055] The mode management table 216 is a data table that manages the modes set in the mobile self-checkout system 3 of each store. The mode management table 216 is updated based on information obtained from each store. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the mode management table 216. The mode management table 216 stores company codes, store codes, and modes in association with each other.

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

[0057] The front check mode is a mode for operation in which an attendant check is performed before the customer makes a payment at the payment machine 5, as described in FIG. 2. Specifically, the front check mode is a mode that allows the customer to process the payment at the payment machine 5 on the condition that the attendant check has been performed. The normal mode is a mode for conventional operation. Specifically, the normal mode is a mode that allows the customer to make a payment at the payment machine 5 without having to undergo attendant check. Each store can select either the front check mode or the normal mode depending on its operation.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 3, the hardware configuration of the server device 2 will be described.

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

[0060] The operation unit 23 is used to input information to the control unit 20, and is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and the like.

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

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

[0063] The transmission / reception means 2001 transmits and receives various information between the portable terminal 4, the payment machine 5, and the attendant PC 6. For example, the transmission / reception means 2001 receives store entry information from the portable terminal 4, and transmits a terminal code, a transaction code, and mode information to the portable terminal 4 that is the sender of the store entry information.

[0064] The transmission / reception means 2001 receives a registration request including a terminal code and a product code from the mobile terminal 4, and in response transmits registered product information to the mobile terminal 4 that sent the registration request. The transmission / reception means 2001 receives a checkout instruction including a transaction code from the mobile terminal 4, and transmits the transaction amount of the transaction identified by the transaction code and an instruction to display an attendant check screen to the mobile terminal 4 that sent the checkout instruction. The checkout instruction is information indicating that product registration for one transaction has been completed. The instruction to display an attendant screen is information instructing the mobile terminal 4 to display a checkout barcode to be read by the attendant PC 6. The transaction amount may also be calculated by the mobile terminal 4.

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

[0066] The transmission / reception means 2001 receives check information from the attendant PC 6. The check information is information indicating that the attendant check has been completed and includes transaction-specific information (transaction code or terminal code). Based on the received check information, the transmission / reception means 2001 transmits an instruction to display a checkout screen to the mobile terminal 4 of the customer whose attendant check has been completed. The instruction to display a checkout screen is information instructing the mobile terminal 4 to display a checkout barcode to be read by the payment machine 5.

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

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

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

[0070] When the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 receives a registration request, the information management unit 2002 registers product information corresponding to the product code included in the registration request in the transaction information management table 215. Specifically, the information management unit 2002 references the terminal management table 213 and reads out the company code and store code corresponding to the terminal code included in the registration request. The information management unit 2002 then reads out product information associated with the company code and store code and corresponding to the product code included in the registration request from the product master 212, and registers the product information in the transaction information management table 215. The information management unit 2002 functions as an example of a registration unit that executes product registration. The product registration unit is included in the information management unit 2002. That is, the product registration unit registers products purchased in one transaction. In this embodiment, the product registration unit registers the products based on the code symbols captured by the portable terminal 4 and the code symbols of unscanned products read by the attendant PC 6.

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

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

[0073] Furthermore, when the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives check information, the information management means 2002 rewrites the attendant check flag in the transaction information management table 215 corresponding to the transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code) included in the check information to "1." The information management means 2002 writes or reads other information to or from the memory unit 21 as necessary. The transaction management means is included in the information management means 2002. That is, the transaction management means associates and stores a transaction code identifying a transaction, transaction information relating to a product registered by the product registration means, and check information received from the attendant PC 6. Specifically, the transaction management means associates and stores the transaction code, transaction information, and check information in the transaction information management table 215.

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

[0075] The information processing means 2003 executes various information processes. For example, the information processing means 2003 calculates the transaction amount of one transaction. The information processing means 2003 also assigns and issues transaction codes and terminal codes. The information processing means 2003 references the transaction information management table 215 to determine whether the transaction has been checked by an attendant.

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

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

[0078] Next, the details of the portable terminal 4 will be described. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the portable terminal 4. The portable terminal 4 includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, a display unit 42, an operation unit 43, an imaging unit 44, and a communication unit 45. The control unit 40, the storage unit 41, the display unit 42, the operation unit 43, the imaging unit 44, and the communication unit 45 are connected to one another via a bus 46 or the like.

[0079] The control unit 40 is configured as a computer including a CPU 401, which is an example of a processor, a ROM 402, and a RAM 403. The CPU 401, the ROM 402, and the RAM 403 are connected to one another via a bus 46.

[0080] The CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the portable terminal 4. The ROM 402 stores various programs and various data, such as programs used to drive the CPU 401. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401, and loads various programs and various data stored in the ROM 402 and the storage unit 41. The control unit 40 executes various control processes of the portable terminal 4 by the CPU 401 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 402 and the storage unit 41 and loaded in the RAM 403.

[0081] The storage unit 41 is configured with a storage medium such as an HDD or flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 41 stores a control program 411, a terminal code section 412, a transaction information section 413, and a mode information section 414.

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

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

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

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

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

[0087] The display unit 42 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel and displays various information. For example, the display unit 42 displays product information of products registered in the server device 2 and the total price of the registered products. The display unit 42 also displays an attendant check screen and an accounting screen. These attendant check screen and accounting screen display an accounting barcode to be read by the attendant PC 6 and the accounting machine 5.

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

[0089] The imaging unit 44 captures an image of a two-dimensional code, product barcode, or the like displayed at the entrance of a store, and inputs the image (or video) data (hereinafter also referred to as image data) obtained by capturing the image to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 reads store information from the image of the two-dimensional code, and reads the product code from the image of the product barcode. When the mobile terminal 4 recognizes the product code using so-called object recognition, the imaging unit 44 captures an image of the exterior of the product and inputs the image data to the control unit 40.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0097] For example, information management means 4004 writes the terminal code received by transmission / reception means 4001 into terminal code section 412. Information management means 4004 also writes the transaction code and product information received by transmission / reception means 4001 into transaction information section 413. Specifically, when transmission / reception means 4001 receives a transaction code, information management means 4004 writes the transaction code into transaction information section 413. Then, every time transmission / reception means 4001 receives product information registered in server device 2, it writes the product information in association with the transaction code into transaction information section 413. Information management means 4004 writes mode information received by transmission / reception means 4001 into mode information section 414.

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

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

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

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

[0102] Next, the attendant PC 6 will be described in detail. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the attendant PC 6. The attendant PC 6 includes a control unit 60, a storage unit 61, a display unit 62, an operation unit 63, a scanner unit 64, and a communication unit 65. The control unit 60, the storage unit 61, the display unit 62, the operation unit 63, the scanner unit 64, and the communication unit 65 are connected to one another via a bus 66 or the like.

[0103] The control unit 60 is configured as a computer including a CPU 601, which is an example of a processor, a ROM 602, and a RAM 603. The CPU 601, the ROM 602, and the RAM 603 are connected to one another via a bus 66.

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

[0105] The storage unit 61 is configured with a storage medium such as an HDD or flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 61 stores a control program 611 and a status management table 612.

[0106] The control program 611 is a program for realizing functions such as sending and receiving information to and from the server device 2 and managing the status of customers at the store.

[0107] The status management table 612 is a data table that manages the status of customers who have not yet completed payment. The status management table 612 is updated as needed based on information obtained from the server device 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the status management table 612. The status management table 612 stores the terminal code, transaction code, check-in time, patrol time, most recent operation time, registered points, registered amount, status, and checkout device number in association with each other.

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

[0109] The registered number is information indicating the number of registered items. The registered amount is information indicating the total price of the registered items. The registered amount has the same meaning as the transaction amount and may be the price including or excluding tax. The status is an example of status information indicating the customer's status. The status is registered as a state before checkout, such as "shopping." "shopping" indicates a state in which one or more items have been registered and no checkout instructions have been entered into the mobile terminal 4. The status may also be registered as "checkout in progress" or "checkout completed." "checkout in progress" indicates a state in which checkout instructions have been entered into the mobile terminal 4 and payment has not been completed. "checkout completed" indicates a state in which payment has been completed. The checkout device number is information identifying the checkout device 5 currently performing the checkout process for the corresponding transaction number.

[0110] Returning to FIG. 12, the hardware configuration of the attendant PC 6 will be described.

[0111] The display unit 62 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information. For example, the display unit 62 displays a transaction list screen, a transaction details screen, a guidance screen, and a highlight setting screen. The transaction list screen is a screen that displays a list of customer statuses. The transaction details screen is a screen that displays details of a customer's transactions. The guidance screen is a screen that displays guidance to attendants during attendant checks. The highlight setting screen is a screen that sets highlighted products. Details of each of these screens will be described later.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0120] The information management means 6004 manages various information such as information received by the transmission / reception means 6001. Here, managing information means writing or reading various information (data) to or from the storage unit 61.

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

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

[0123] Although the configuration of the payment machine 5 has not been described, similar to the server device 2, mobile terminal 4, and attendant PC 6 described above, the payment machine 5 is equipped with a computer-configured control unit comprised of a CPU (an example of a processor), ROM, RAM, etc. The payment machine 5 also includes a storage unit such as an HDD or flash memory for storing various programs, a display unit comprised of a display device such as an LCD panel, an operation unit comprised of input devices such as a keyboard or touch panel, a scanner unit similar to the scanner unit 64, and a communications unit for communicating with external devices. The control unit of the payment machine 5 executes various processes, such as the attendant check determination process described below, in cooperation with the programs stored in the storage unit. The control unit of the payment machine 5 also implements the functional configuration of a receiving means, a transaction processing means, etc., in cooperation with the programs stored in the storage unit.

[0124] Next, an overview of the operation of the transaction management system 1 configured as described above will be explained. Figure 15 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation flow of the transaction management system 1. Note that this sequence chart shows the operation flow when the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 is set to front check mode. The sequence chart also shows the operation flow when a customer is checked by an attendant before making a payment at the accounting machine 5.

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

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

[0127] The mobile terminal 4 registers the received information (step S7). Specifically, the mobile terminal 4 registers the received terminal code in the terminal code section 412, the transaction code in the transaction information section 413, and the mode information in the mode information section 414. When the customer captures an image of a product barcode using the imaging section 44, the mobile terminal 4 acquires a product code that identifies the product (step S8). Note that a product code for a product without a barcode is input via the operation section 43. The mobile terminal 4 transmits a registration request including the terminal code and the product code to the server device 2 (step S9). The mobile terminal 4 may transmit a registration request including the transaction code instead of or together with the terminal code to the server device 2. In the following description, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 4 transmits the terminal code when transmitting information to the server device 2.

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

[0129] Here, with reference to a portion of FIG. 24 , the product registration performed by the server device 2 based on a registration request received from the mobile terminal 4 in steps S10 and S11 will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the control process of the server device 2. As shown in FIG. 24 , the control unit 20 of the server device 2 determines whether a registration request has been received from the mobile terminal 4 (step S121). If it is determined that a registration request has been received from the mobile terminal 4 (step S121: Yes), the control unit 20 executes the process of step S10 by reading product information for the product from the product master 212 based on the product code received at the same time, and registering the product in the transaction information management table 215 (step S122). The control unit 20 (product registration means) then transmits the registered product information to the mobile terminal 4 (step S123). The control unit 20 then returns to step S121.

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

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

[0132] The header section 421 displays the company name "XX", the store name "△△ Store", the text "Registering" indicating that the customer is currently shopping, etc. The header section 421 also has a terminal code section 4211 formed therein. The terminal code section 4211 displays the terminal code.

[0133] The total number and total price of registered products are displayed in the total information section 422. Products that have been registered but then cancelled are not included in the total number and total price.

[0134] The product information section 423 displays information about registered products and products whose registration has been cancelled. The displayed product information includes the product name, price, tax rate, number of items, and additional information. The additional information may be, for example, information indicating an age verification product, but is set independently of the highlighted product. For products whose registration has been cancelled, the product name, price, and number of items are crossed out.

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

[0136] Returning to FIG. 15, the outline of the operation of the transaction management system 1 will be described.

[0137] Each time the customer captures an image of the barcode attached to the product, the processes of steps S8 to S12 are repeated. The attendant PC 6 transmits a store transaction information request to the server device 2 (step S13). For convenience of explanation, the store transaction information request is referred to as the process of step S13, but it is actually repeatedly output to the server device 2 in a short period of time, regardless of other processes. In other words, the store transaction information request is essentially constantly transmitted to the server device 2.

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

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

[0140] Returning to the description of FIG. 15 , attendant PC 6 updates status management table 612 based on the received store transaction information (step S16). Attendant PC 6 displays a transaction list screen on display 62 based on the information stored in status management table 612 (step S17). As described above, store transaction information requests are repeatedly sent to server device 2 at short intervals, and therefore steps S14 to S17, which are executed in conjunction with the store transaction information requests, are also repeatedly executed. Therefore, the transaction list screen is automatically updated.

[0141] The transaction list screen will now be described. Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of the transaction list screen displayed by the attendant PC 6. The display unit 62 of the attendant PC 6 displays an update button 621, a terminal code input field 622, a used cash register display unit 623, an end button 624, a highlight setting button 625, and a status display unit 626 on the transaction list screen.

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

[0143] The end button 624 is an operator for ending the transaction list display. The screen displayed after the end button 624 is operated can be set arbitrarily by the store. The highlight setting button 625 is an operator for transitioning to the highlight setting screen.

[0144] The status display section 626 displays a list of customer status for each terminal code. Specifically, the status display section 626 displays the following items in association with each other: terminal code, shopping time, most recent operation time, registered points, registered amount, status, and payment machine number. The contents of each item are the same as those described in the status management table 612 of the attendant PC 6, so duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0145] Each item in the status display section 626 displays a sorting icon 6261, which is displayed as an up arrow and a down arrow. When the sorting icon 6261 for any one item is operated, the customer status is sorted using that item as a key. For example, when the sorting icon 6261 for the circulation time item is operated in the state shown in FIG. 17, the data is sorted in ascending order of circulation time. In other words, the data in the lowest row with the shortest circulation time is positioned at the top. The data in all rows is sorted in the same way. When the sorting icon 6261 for the circulation time item is operated again in this state, the data is sorted in descending order of collection time.

[0146] The same applies when the sorting icon 6261 for other items is operated. When sorting in ascending or descending order, if the numeric values ​​of key items are the same, the numeric value of the item located further to the left is prioritized. For example, when sorting by shopping time in ascending order in the example of FIG. 17 , the third row (the row with the cashier number 403) and the fourth row (the row with the cashier number 404) have the same shopping time, but the third row, which has the smallest terminal code value (the leftmost item), will be positioned at the top. The default display format of the status display section 626 is set so that the status item "Shopping" is at the top.

[0147] A highlight icon 6262 is displayed in the status item in the status display section 626. The highlight icon 6262 is an icon indicating that a highlighted product is included in the transaction information. The attendant can recognize that a transaction for which the highlight icon 6262 is displayed requires a careful attendant check.

[0148] Here, the statuses displayed in the status field, such as "Shopping," also function as operators that can accept a selection operation. When one of the statuses is selected from the status display section 626, a transaction details screen related to the terminal code of the selected status is displayed. In other words, the statuses displayed in the status display section 626 represent the customer's status and also function as an example of an operator for displaying a transaction details screen related to the corresponding terminal code. The status selection operation is utilized, for example, when checking the transaction details of an arbitrary mobile terminal 4. Hereinafter, the status displayed in the status field of the status display section 626 is also referred to as a "status operator."

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

[0150] In this way, on the transaction list screen, it is possible to command the display of the transaction details screen by three methods: (1) directly entering the terminal code via the terminal code input field 622, (2) selecting the status operator, and (3) reading the accounting barcode.

[0151] Returning to FIG. 15, the outline of the operation of the transaction management system 1 will be described.

[0152] When the customer has completed product registration of the purchased items and operates the payment icon on the transaction information display screen, a payment instruction is input to the mobile terminal 4 (step S18). The mobile terminal 4 then transmits the payment instruction to the server device 2 (step S19).

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

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

[0155] In this embodiment, a customer places items to be purchased in a shopping cart while wandering around the store, requests registration of the items from the mobile terminal 4, and then pays for the items at the cash register 5. Therefore, an attendant must perform an attendant check before paying for the items. For example, the attendant check involves confirming the customer's age if the items in the shopping cart include an age verification item that requires age verification. The attendant also checks whether the items in the shopping cart are registered. In other words, the attendant checks whether there are any items that have not been registered due to customer error or fraud.

[0156] The attendant check screen will now be described. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the attendant check screen displayed on the mobile terminal 4. The display unit 42 of the mobile terminal 4 displays a header section 421, a total information section 422, and a billing barcode section 425 on the attendant check screen.

[0157] The header section 421 displays the company name "XX", the store name "YY Store", and the words "Payment at checkout machine" indicating that the customer has entered payment instructions. The header section 421 also has a terminal code section 4211 formed therein. The terminal code section 4211 displays the terminal code. The header section 421 also displays a back button 4212. The back button 4212 is an operator for returning the display to the previous screen. For example, on the attendant check screen, when the back button 4212 is operated, the mobile terminal 4 returns the display to the transaction information display screen (see FIG. 16 ).

[0158] The total number and total price of registered products are displayed in the total information section 422. If discounted products are registered for the transaction for which the checkout instruction was entered, the total information section 422 also displays the total discount amount.

[0159] The accounting barcode section 425 displays an accounting barcode indicating a transaction code. The accounting barcode section 425 also displays a guidance message to the customer, such as a message such as "Please present your accounting barcode at the entrance to the accounting area." Furthermore, the accounting barcode section 425 displays an illustration that gives the impression of the accounting barcode being read by the scanner section 64 of the attendant PC 6. When a customer sees the attendant check screen, they can recognize that they need to go to the location where the attendant PC 6 is located and present their accounting barcode.

[0160] Returning to FIG. 15, the outline of the operation of the transaction management system 1 will be described.

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

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

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

[0164] The attendant PC 6 stores the transaction information received from the server device 2 in the status management table 612, and switches the display from the transaction list screen to display a transaction details screen related to the stored transaction information (step S29).

[0165] The transaction details screen will now be described. Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of the transaction details screen displayed by attendant PC 6. On the transaction details screen, display unit 62 of attendant PC 6 displays a terminal code display section 721, a total amount display section 722, a total points display section 723, a display switch button 724, a display target display section 725, a product details section 726, a back button 727, an OK button 728, and a preset button 730.

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

[0167] The display switch button 724 is an operator that switches the display items displayed in the product details section 726. The display switch button 724 switches the display items displayed in the product details section 726 between all products that are the subject of the transaction and only highlighted products. In the example of FIG. 19 , only highlighted products are displayed in the product details section 726, so the display switch button 724 displays the words "All Items." When the display switch button 724 is operated in this state, all products that are the subject of the transaction are displayed in the product details section 726.

[0168] For example, in a store where an attendant checks that all registered products match all products contained in a shopping cart, all products that are the subject of a transaction are displayed in the product details section 726. In a store where an attendant checks only highlighted products among registered products, only highlighted products are displayed in the product details section 726.

[0169] The display object display section 725 displays the display object displayed in the product details section 726. In the example of Fig. 19, only the highlighted product is displayed in the product details section 726, so the display object display section 725 displays "highlighted only."

[0170] The product details section 726 displays product details. Specifically, the product details section 726 displays the following items for each product: scan order, product name, quantity, price, tax, and confirmation point. The scan order indicates the order in which the products were scanned. The product name indicates the name of the product. The quantity indicates the quantity in which the corresponding product was registered. The price indicates the price of the corresponding product, specifically the price obtained by multiplying the unit price and the quantity. The tax indicates the applicable tax type. The confirmation point indicates a display comment (see highlight information management table 214) that has been preset for the product.

[0171] A sorting icon 7261 is displayed for the items of scan order, quantity, and price in the product details section 726. The function of the sorting icon 7261 is the same as the sorting icon 6261 on the transaction list screen of FIG. 17, so a duplicated explanation will be omitted.

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

[0173] The back button 727 is an operator for returning to the transaction list screen. The OK button 728 is an operator for inputting information indicating that the attendant check has been completed. When the OK button 728 is operated, the attendant PC 6 transmits the check information to the server device 2. The preset button 730 is operated by the attendant when performing an attendant check on a product that does not have a code symbol attached. When the preset button 730 is operated, the screen shown in FIG. 23 is displayed (details will be described later).

[0174] 20 is a diagram showing an example of a guidance screen displayed by attendant PC 6. The guidance screen is a screen that is displayed before the transaction details screen is displayed. Whether or not the guidance screen is displayed can be determined by the store. The guidance screen is displayed in the form of a guidance display section 729 popping up on the transaction details screen.

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

[0176] Guidance display section 729 displays a back button 7291 and an OK button 7292. Back button 7291 is an operator for returning to the transaction list screen. OK button 7292 is an operator for inputting information indicating that the attendant has confirmed the content displayed in guidance display section 729. When OK button 7292 is operated, guidance display section 729 is cleared and the transaction details screen is displayed.

[0177] Returning to FIG. 15 , the attendant then performs an attendant check (step S30). Specifically, the attendant randomly selects one or more items from the shopping cart and reads the code symbols attached to the items using the scanner unit 64. The attendant PC 6 obtains the product codes of the items from the read code symbols and transmits them to the server device 2, which then verifies whether the items have been registered. That is, the attendant check is performed by the attendant PC 6 and the server device 2. For items without code symbols, the customer selects the item by operating the preset button 730. The attendant PC 6 and the server device 2 obtain the product codes of the selected items and perform an attendant check. By performing an attendant check on items added to the customer's shopping cart in this way, it is possible to prevent customers from failing to register the items. Furthermore, performing an attendant check before checkout can be expected to prevent fraudulent behavior by customers, such as intentionally not registering items. Therefore, the attendant does not have to check all the products in the shopping cart, but may check only one or a few products. Also, from the viewpoint of reducing the burden on the attendant, the attendant check may be performed on one or a few products.

[0178] FIG. 21 is a sequence chart showing the attendant check process in the attendant PC 6 and the server device 2 in step S30. As shown in FIG. 21, the attendant PC 6 reads the code symbol attached to the product or operates the preset button 730 to select the product and obtain a product code (step S101). The obtained product code is then transmitted to the server device 2 (step S102). The server device 2 determines whether the product is registered based on the received product code (step S103). If the product is not registered, the server device 2 executes product registration for the product (step S104). If the product is registered, the server device 2 does not execute product registration for the product (step S104 is not executed). The server device 2 then stores the product information for the product as transaction information in the transaction information management table 215 corresponding to the transaction code simultaneously received in S102 (step S105).

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

[0180] Here, with reference to a portion of FIG. 22 , the control of the attendant PC 6 (processing of step S30) when a code symbol of a product is read during the attendant check will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the control process of the attendant PC 6. The control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6 determines whether the scanner unit 64 has read the code symbol attached to the product (step S111). If it determines that the code symbol has been read (step S111: Yes), the control unit 60 (product identification information acquisition means) acquires a product code corresponding to the code symbol (step S112). The control unit 60 (transmission means) then transmits the acquired product code to the server device 2 together with a transaction code (the transaction code read in step S25) that identifies the mobile terminal 4 undergoing the attendant check (step S113). The control unit 60 then returns to step S111.

[0181] If the product to be checked by the attendant does not have a code symbol attached, the attendant operates the preset button 730. This causes the attendant PC 6 to display a preset screen B on which the preset keys shown in FIG. 23 are displayed. The preset screen B has a message field Ba and a product selection field Bb. A message prompting the attendant to operate the preset key is displayed in the message field Ba.

[0182] The message field Ba displays category selection keys W and preset keys V. The category selection key W is a key for selecting the type (field) of preset key V to be displayed. The preset key V is a preset key belonging to the operated category selection key W. The attendant operates the preset key V for the product for which the attendant check is to be performed. The control unit 60 then acquires the product code for that product (step S112). The control unit 60 then transmits the acquired product code to the server device 2 together with a transaction code that identifies the mobile terminal 4 undergoing the attendant check (step S113). The control unit 60 then returns to S111. The back key U is operated to return to the screen of FIG. 19.

[0183] Next, with reference to a portion of FIG. 24 , the control of the server device 2 that received the product code and transaction code transmitted in step S113 will be described. If the control unit 20 determines that the store transaction information request was not received from the attendant PC 6 (step S124: No), it determines whether the product code and transaction code transmitted in step S113 were received (step S131). If the control unit 20 determines that the product code and transaction code were received (step S131: Yes), it determines whether the product corresponding to the product code has been registered (whether the product has been omitted from product registration) (step S132). Specifically, the control unit 20 determines whether the product information corresponding to the product code received in step S131 is included in the product information registered in the transaction information management table 215 in step S10, thereby determining whether the product corresponding to the product code has been registered. In some embodiments, the determination in step S132 does not involve determining the number of registered products. For example, if multiple units of the same product are purchased, the determination in step S132 determines whether the product is registered, but does not determine the number of units of the product registered. Note that the function of receiving the product code in step S131 (Yes in S131) ​​corresponds to the product identification information acquisition means.

[0184] If the control unit 20 determines that the product with the product code is not registered (i.e., is an unscanned product) (step S132: No), the control unit 20 (product registration means) performs product registration processing for the product (step S133). That is, the control unit 20 automatically registers unscanned products that the determination means determines are not registered. This reduces the attendant's burden associated with registering unscanned products. The control unit 20 then stores the registered product information in the transaction information management table 215 corresponding to the received transaction code (step S134). Note that if the result of step S132 is No and the processing of step S133 is performed, the product information is stored in step S134 with information indicating that the product is an unscanned product. The control unit 20 (unregistered product output means) then transmits the transaction information stored in the transaction information management table 215 corresponding to the transaction code to the attendant PC 6 (step S135). The control unit 60 then returns to step S121. If it is determined that the product with the product code has already been registered (step S132: Yes), the control unit 60 executes the process of step S134 without registering the product (step S133). In this case, in step S134, the control unit 60 stores information indicating that the product has been checked by an attendant. In this case, in S135, the control unit 60 may send a message indicating that the product has been properly registered to the attendant PC 6.

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

[0186] FIG. 25 shows an example of the transaction details screen displayed in step S115. In FIG. 25, items C and D are items that have been checked by an attendant. Because item D was registered by the customer, the column Sa for item D is highlighted in a color indicating that it has been checked by an attendant. Furthermore, because item C was determined to be an unscanned item after the attendant check, the column Sb for item C is highlighted in a color different from the column Sa for item D, indicating that it is an unscanned item. Furthermore, a mark Sba indicating that item C is an unscanned item is displayed at the beginning of column Sb. Furthermore, a message Sbb indicating that item C is an unscanned item (in this embodiment, the text "Scan Not Registered") is displayed near the product name of item C (directly above the product name of item C in this embodiment). The other displays on the transaction details screen shown in FIG. 25 are similar to those in FIG. 19 , and therefore will not be described here.

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

[0188] 15. When the OK button 728 is pressed on the transaction details screen of attendant PC 6, the check is entered on attendant PC 6 (step S31). Then, attendant PC 6 transmits the check information to server device 2 (step S32).

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

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

[0191] First, referring to a portion of FIG. 22 , the process of the attendant PC 6 when the OK button 728 is operated will be described. As shown in FIG. 22 , if it is determined that the transaction information is not received from the server device 2 (step S114: No), the control unit 60 determines whether the OK button 728 has been operated (step S116). If it is determined that the OK button 728 has been operated (i.e., a check has been entered) (step S116: Yes), the control unit 60 (check information transmission means) transmits the check information (including the transaction code) to the server device 2 (step S117). The control unit 60 then returns to step S111.

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

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

[0194] The accounting screen will now be described. Figure 26 is a diagram showing an example of the accounting screen displayed on the mobile device 4. The display unit 42 of the mobile device 4 displays a header section 421, a total information section 422, and an accounting barcode section 425 on the accounting screen. Note that the accounting screen is similar to the attendant check screen, so here we will explain the differences from the attendant check screen and omit redundant explanations.

[0195] Like the attendant check screen, the header section 421 displays the company name "XX", the store name "YY Store", the words "Payment at checkout machine" indicating that the customer has entered payment instructions, and the terminal code. Furthermore, in the header section 421 of the checkout screen, the back button 4212 displayed on the attendant checkout screen has been disabled by the processing of step S34. Disabling here means making the back button 4212 in an inoperable state. By disabling the back button 4212, the back button 4212 may be displayed, for example, grayed out or hidden.

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

[0197] The reason for disabling the back button 4212 on the checkout screen is as follows: In the operation flow when the front check mode is set, after the attendant check is completed, the registered items are confirmed, and the customer cannot add or cancel items by operating the attendant check themselves; they can only make payments at the checkout machine 5. If the customer were allowed to return to the attendant checkout screen or the previous transaction information display screen after the attendant checkout is completed, there is a possibility that the customer may inadvertently edit the registered product details after the attendant checkout is completed. In this case, there is a possibility that an item that has not been verified by the attendant, such as an age verification item, may be purchased without verifying the customer's age.

[0198] Therefore, in the mobile terminal 4 of this embodiment, in order to prevent the user from returning to the previous screen on the checkout screen displayed after the attendant check is completed, the back button 4212 is disabled when the checkout screen is displayed. This prevents the user from returning to the attendant checkout screen or a previous screen where product registration could be performed, and allows the product registration status at the stage when the attendant checkout is completed to be maintained.

[0199] However, if the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 is selected as the normal mode, the mode is not limited to this, and the checkout screen may be displayed with the back button 4212 enabled, similar to the attendant check screen.

[0200] The accounting barcode section 425 displays a guidance message to the customer, such as "Please scan the accounting barcode on the screen with the scanner on the accounting machine." The accounting barcode section 425 also displays an illustration that gives the impression of reading the accounting barcode with the scanner on the accounting machine 5. When a customer sees the accounting screen, they will know that they need to go to the accounting machine 5 and scan the accounting barcode.

[0201] Returning to FIG. 15, the outline of the operation of the transaction management system 1 will be described.

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

[0203] The server device 2 executes an attendant check determination process (step S39). The attendant check determination process is a process for determining whether an attendant check has been completed for the transaction for which the transaction information has been requested. The attendant check determination process will be described in detail later.

[0204] If the attendant check has been completed, the server device 2 transmits the transaction information corresponding to the transaction code included in the transaction information request to the payment machine 5 (step S40). At this time, the server device 2 stores the payment machine number in the transaction information management table 215 in association with the transaction code included in the transaction information request.

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

[0206] Upon receiving the transaction information, the payment machine 5 executes the payment process (step S41). Based on the customer's operation, the payment machine 5 executes the payment process for cash payment or cashless payment. Note that if the customer's purchase includes unregistered items, or if attendant operation is required, the payment machine 5 may also be operated by the attendant. Once the payment process is complete, the payment machine 5 sends a payment completion notification to the server device 2 (step S42).

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

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

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

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

[0211] Next, we will explain the process for displaying the transaction details screen on the transaction list screen. Figure 27 is a flowchart showing the process for displaying the transaction details screen by the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6. This process is an example of the process executed by the attendant PC 6 in steps S25 to S31 described in Figure 15.

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

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

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

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

[0216] The transaction details screen for viewing will now be described. Figure 28 shows an example of the transaction details screen for viewing displayed by attendant PC 6. Note that the transaction details screen for viewing is similar to the transaction details screen, so here we will explain the differences from the transaction details screen and omit redundant explanations.

[0217] 28, the OK button 728 that was displayed on the transaction details screen for inputting information indicating that the attendant check has been completed is hidden on the transaction details screen for viewing. In other words, the transaction details screen for viewing allows the user to check the product details of registered products, but the operation to complete the attendant check is disabled (impossible).

[0218] The reason why the transaction details screen for viewing displayed by selecting the status operator is different from the transaction details screen displayed by other operating methods is as follows.

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

[0220] In this embodiment, attendant PC 6 switches between displaying a transaction details screen with the attendant check completion operation enabled and displaying a transaction details screen with the attendant check completion operation disabled, depending on the operation method. This prevents attendant PC 6 from accidentally performing the attendant check completion operation from the displayed transaction details screen.

[0221] Although the OK button 728 is hidden on the transaction details screen for viewing in Figure 28, the method of disabling it is not limited to this, and it may also be displayed in a grayed-out state so that it cannot be operated, for example.

[0222] Returning to Figure 27. After displaying the transaction details screen in step S55 or step S57, the control unit 60 determines whether operation of the back button 727 has been accepted (step S58). If operation of the back button 727 is accepted (Y in step S58), the control unit 60 erases the transaction details screen and returns the process to step S51, thereby displaying the transaction list screen on the display unit 62.

[0223] Furthermore, if operation of the back button 727 is not accepted (N in step S58), the control unit 60 determines whether operation of the OK button 728 has been accepted (step S59). If operation of the OK button 728 is not accepted, the control unit 60 returns the process to step S58. Note that when the transaction details screen for viewing is displayed in step S57, the OK button 728 is disabled, and therefore the control unit 60 waits for operation of the back button 727 in step S58 without performing the judgment process in step S59 (N in step S58).

[0224] When the OK button 728 is operated in step S59 (Y in step S59), the control unit 60 transmits check information including the transaction specific information (transaction code or terminal code) of the transaction related to the transaction details screen to the server device 2 (step S60). The control unit 60 then erases the transaction details screen and returns the process to step S51, thereby displaying the transaction list screen on the display unit 62. The processes in steps S59 and S60 are the same as those in steps S116 and S117.

[0225] The transaction details screen allows users to check the details of registered products, complete the attendant check, and even edit registered products. For example, if the attendant check reveals that a product has been omitted from the registration or that the customer's age does not permit the purchase of a product (such as alcohol or tobacco), the customer can add or delete registered products from the transaction details screen.

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

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

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

[0229] The method for specifying the product to be cancelled is not particularly limited. For example, the product to be cancelled may be specified via the product details section 726, or may be specified by reading the product barcode. Furthermore, the product to be cancelled may be specified by, for example, performing an operation to reduce the quantity in the product details section 726. In this case, the control unit 60 may send a registration cancellation request for the reduced quantity, or may send the registration cancellation request including the quantity to be cancelled.

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

[0231] In addition, with regard to editing operations via the transaction details screen, in order to prevent editing operations from being performed accidentally on the displayed transaction details screen, it is preferable to display a viewing transaction screen in which editing operations are disabled depending on the operation method used to display the transaction details screen.

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

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

[0234] When the control unit 60 of the attendant PC 6 accepts an edit operation for a product based on the transaction details screen (step S71), it sends an edit request to the server device 2, including the transaction code or terminal code of the transaction related to the transaction details screen and the product code of the product being edited (step S72). For example, if the edit operation is to add a product to the registration list, the control unit 60 sends to the server device 2 a registration request including the transaction code or product code of the transaction related to the transaction details screen and the product code of the product being added. For example, if the edit operation is to cancel the registration of a product, the control unit 60 sends to the server device 2 a registration cancellation request including the transaction code or product code of the transaction related to the transaction details screen and the product code of the product being canceled.

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

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

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

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

[0239] In the present embodiment, after editing the transaction details, the attendant PC 6 transmits a transaction information request to acquire the edited transaction information from the server device 2, but this is not limiting. For example, the control unit 20 of the server device 2 may edit the transaction information and then transmit the edited transaction information to the attendant PC 6, so that the attendant PC 6 acquires the edited transaction information.

[0240] Next, a description will be given of the attendant check determination process executed by the server device 2. Fig. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the attendant check determination process executed by the control unit 20 of the server device 2.

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

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

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

[0244] If the read transaction information has passed the attendant check (Y in step S83), the transmitting / receiving means 2001 (output means) transmits the transaction information to the payment machine 5 that sent the transaction information request (step S84).Then, the control unit 20 ends the attendant check determination process.

[0245] If the read transaction information has not been attendant checked (N in step S83), the transmitting / receiving unit 2001 transmits error information to the payment device 5 that sent the transaction information request (step S85). The error information indicates that the transaction information cannot be transmitted because the attendant check has not been completed. The control unit 20 then terminates the attendant check determination process.

[0246] By performing the attendant check determination process, the server device 2 transmits transaction information to the payment machine 5 only for transactions for which the attendant check has been completed. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the payment machine 5 from processing transactions for which the attendant check has not been completed.

[0247] Next, a method for setting a highlighted product will be described. Figure 31 is a diagram showing an example of a highlight setting screen displayed by the attendant PC 6. The highlight setting screen is displayed, for example, by operating the highlight setting button 625 on the transaction list screen shown in Figure 17. The display unit 62 of the attendant PC 6 displays an item selection field 821, an importance selection field 822, a display order setting field 823, a display comment setting field 824, a back button 825, and a save button 826 on the sub-screen of the highlight setting screen.

[0248] The item selection field 821 displays multiple items and a check box corresponding to each item. Items available include, for example, age verification items, items not registered in the product master, set sales items, automatic discount items, high-priced items, and many others. The user operating the attendant PC 6 checks the check box of the item to be set as a highlight item in their own store.

[0249] Products that correspond to the items selected as highlighted items are set as highlighted products, and a highlight icon 7262 is displayed on the transaction details screen (see FIG. 19 ). For example, if the item is an age verification item, products that correspond to the selected item include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, etc.

[0250] The importance selection column 822 displays radio buttons corresponding to each item. The user operating the attendant PC 6 selects a radio button corresponding to an item that is to be set as important during an attendant check at their own store. For items corresponding to an item for which an importance radio button is selected, an importance icon 7263 is displayed on the transaction details screen (see FIG. 19 ). Note that importance may be selectable only for highlighted items whose checkboxes in the item selection column 821 are checked, or may be selectable for items whose checkboxes in the item selection column 821 are not checked.

[0251] The display order setting field 823 displays an input field corresponding to each item. The user operating the attendant PC 6 inputs the display order in the input field. The display order is the display order displayed on the transaction details screen. In the example shown in FIG. 31 , the display order for products not registered in the product master is set to "1," so if the transaction includes products not registered in the product master, the products not registered in the product master will be displayed at the top of the transaction details screen.

[0252] The display comment setting field 824 displays a comment input field corresponding to each item. The user operating the attendant PC 6 inputs comments into the comment input field as necessary. The display comment setting field 824 allows input only for highlighted items or items for which importance has been selected. The input comment is displayed as a confirmation point on the transaction details screen.

[0253] The back button 825 is an operator for returning to the transaction list screen. The save button 826 is an operator for saving the setting information entered on the highlight setting screen. When the save button 826 is operated, the store information (company code, store code) where the attendant PC 6 is installed and the setting information are sent to the server device 2.

[0254] The server device 2 updates the highlight information management table 214 based on the received store information and setting information, thereby enabling the server device 2 to manage the highlighted products set in each store.

[0255] Next, a modified example of the attendant check determination process will be described. In the example described above, the server device 2 executes the attendant check determination process, whereas in this modified example, the payment machine 5 executes the attendant check determination process.

[0256] It is assumed that the accounting barcode read by the scanner unit of the payment machine 5 is encoded with a check code indicating whether attendant check has been completed in addition to the transaction code. For example, in the sequence chart shown in Figure 15, when the mobile terminal 4 receives an instruction to display the accounting screen in step S34, it generates an accounting barcode to be displayed on the accounting screen. The accounting barcode displayed on the accounting screen is encoded with a check code indicating whether attendant check has been completed in addition to the transaction code. The customer has the scanner unit of the payment machine 5 read the accounting barcode.

[0257] FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the attendant check determination process executed by the control unit of the payment device 5.

[0258] The control unit determines whether a transaction barcode has been input (step S91), and if not (step S91: N), returns to the process of step S91 and waits. When a transaction barcode has been input, the control unit reads the check code encoded in the transaction barcode (step S92).

[0259] The control unit determines whether the read check code indicates that the attendant check has been completed (step S93). If the attendant check has been completed (step S93: Yes), the control unit executes the transaction process (step S94). The transaction process is the same as in the example described above. Next, the control unit sends a transaction completion notification to the server device 2 (step S95). The control unit then ends the attendant check determination process.

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

[0261] As described above, the attendant PC 6 of the embodiment is configured to be able to communicate with the server device 2, which manages the following items in association with each other: transaction identification information (transaction code or terminal code) that identifies a transaction; transaction information indicating the details of the products registered in that transaction; status information (status) indicating the status of the customer who registered the products; and check information (attendant check flag) that is registered when a store clerk checks the products registered by the customer's operation. The attendant PC 6 displays a transaction list screen that lists the customer status information for each transaction managed by the server device 2. When an operation to specify a specific transaction is accepted, the attendant PC 6 displays a transaction details screen that shows the transaction information for the specified transaction and includes an OK button 728 for accepting an attendant check operation. The attendant PC 6 also displays the transaction details screen with the OK button 728 enabled or disabled, depending on the operation used to accept the transaction specification.

[0262] This allows the attendant PC 6, where the attendant check is performed, to display a transaction details screen in which the OK button 728 is set to be valid or invalid depending on the operation method used to specify the transaction. This reduces the occurrence of attendant checks being performed on transactions that have been selected (specified) by mistake. This makes it easier for attendants to check transactions.

[0263] The server device 2 also includes a transaction management means (information management means 2002) that manages transaction specific information (transaction code or terminal code) that identifies a transaction, transaction information required for accounting processing for a customer to make payment, and check information (attendant check flag) that is registered when a store clerk completes a check on a product registered by the customer's operation, in association with each other; a reception means (transmission / reception means 2001) that receives a transaction information request that includes the transaction specific information; and an output means (transmission / reception means 2001) that outputs transaction information corresponding to the transaction specific information included in the transaction information request received by the reception means, on the condition that the transaction specific information is registered in association with the check information.

[0264] This allows the server device 2 to guide the customer to undergo attendant check before making payment at the payment machine 5. This makes it easier for the attendant to perform the check.

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

[0266] This allows the server device 2 to select the front check mode or the normal mode for the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3. This allows the store to adopt the mode of the mobile self-checkout system 3 that is best suited to its own operations.

[0267] As described above, the transaction management system 1 of the embodiment is a transaction management system 1 having a server device 2 and an attendant PC 6 that monitors the transaction of products using the payment machine 5, wherein the server device 2 has a product registration means for registering products purchased in one transaction, the attendant PC 6 has a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product codes related to one or more products to be purchased immediately before the transaction is made using the payment machine 5, and a product identification information transmission means for transmitting the acquired product codes to the server device 2, the server device 2 has a determination means for determining, based on the product code received from the attendant PC 6, whether the product identified by the product code is registered, and an unregistered product output means for transmitting information about products that the determination means determines are not registered to the attendant PC 6, and the attendant PC 6 has an unregistered product display means for receiving and displaying the product information transmitted by the unregistered product output means.

[0268] In this embodiment, when there is an unscanned product, the transaction management system 1 displays information about the product on the attendant PC 6 during the attendant check, thereby reducing the attendant's workload while improving the accuracy of the check.

[0269] In addition, the information processing device (server device 2) of the embodiment is an information processing device that checks products purchased by a customer before checkout, and is equipped with a product identification information acquisition means that acquires product codes related to one or more products to be checked out, a determination means that determines, based on the acquired product code, whether the product identified by the product code is already registered, and an unregistered product output means that outputs information about products that the determination means determines are not registered.

[0270] In this embodiment, when there is an unscanned product, the information processing device outputs the product information during the attendant check, thereby reducing the burden on the attendant in the check work and improving the accuracy of the check.

[0271] Although the 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 embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

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

[0273] In addition, the program executed by the server device 2 or the attendant PC 6 in 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).

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

[0275] Furthermore, the programs executed by the server device 2 or the attendant PC 6 of the embodiment may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0276] (Additional Notes) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following technology: (1) A transaction management system having a server device and an attendant terminal that monitors the transaction of products using a checkout machine, wherein the server device comprises: product registration means that registers products purchased in one transaction, the attendant terminal comprises: product identification information acquisition means that acquires product identification information for one or more products to be purchased in one transaction immediately before the transaction is made using the checkout machine, and product identification information transmission means that transmits the acquired product identification information to the server device, the server device comprises: determination means that determines, based on the product identification information received from the attendant terminal, whether a product identified by the product identification information is registered, and unregistered product output means that transmits information about products that the determination means determines are not registered to the attendant terminal, and the attendant terminal comprises: unregistered product display means that receives and displays the product information transmitted by the unregistered product output means. (2) The transaction management system of (1), wherein the product identification information acquisition means acquires the product identification information by reading a code symbol attached to the product with a scanner provided in the attendant terminal. (3) The transaction management system of (1), wherein the product registration means automatically performs product registration processing for a product that the determination means determines is not registered. (4) The transaction management system of any one of (1) to (3), wherein the attendant terminal further comprises: a check information transmission means that transmits check information to the server device when the attendant has completed checking the product to be purchased; and the server device comprises: a transaction management means that associates and stores transaction identification information that identifies the transaction, transaction information related to the product registered by the product registration means, and the check information received from the attendant terminal.(5) The transaction management system described in (4), wherein the server device comprises: output means for outputting to the payment machine the transaction information corresponding to the transaction identification information included in the transaction information request received from the payment machine, on the condition that the transaction identification information is associated with the check information. (6) An information processing device that performs a pre-payment check on products to be purchased by a customer, comprising: product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information for one or more products to be paid for, determination means for determining, based on the acquired product identification information, whether the products identified by the product identification information are already registered, and unregistered product output means for outputting information on products that the determination means determines are not registered. (7) A program that can cause a computer as an information processing device that performs a pre-payment check on products to be purchased by a customer to function as: product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information for one or more products to be paid for, determination means for determining, based on the acquired product identification information, whether the products identified by the product identification information are already registered, and unregistered product output means for outputting information on products that the determination means determines are not registered.

[0277] 1 Transaction management system 2 Server device 3 Mobile self-checkout system 4 Portable terminal 5 Checkout machine 6 Attendant PC 20 Control unit 40 Control unit 60 Control unit 64 Scanner unit 215 Transaction information management table 425 Checkout barcode unit 728 OK button 2001 Transmission / reception means (unregistered product output means, output means) 2002 Information management means (product registration means, judgment means, transaction management means) 2003 Information processing means 2004 Mode setting means 2005 Highlight product setting means 4001 Transmission / reception means 4002 Input means 4003 Reading means 4004 Information management means 4005 Information processing means 4006 Display control means 4211 Terminal code unit 6001 Transmission / reception means (transmission means, check information transmission means) 6002 Input means 6003 Reading means (product specific information acquisition means) 6004 Information management means 6005 Display control means (unregistered product display means)

[0278] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-67947

Claims

1. A transaction management system having a server device and an information processing device which checks products purchased by a customer before payment is made at a cash register, wherein the server device comprises: product registration means which registers product specifying information capable of identifying each of the products purchased in one transaction in a storage device in association with the transaction specifying information capable of identifying the transaction, the information processing device comprises: product specifying information acquisition means which, when transaction specifying information is input, acquires product specifying information for one or more of the products purchased in the transaction corresponding to the transaction specifying information, and product specifying information transmission means which transmits the acquired product specifying information together with the input transaction specifying information to the server device, the server device comprises: determination means which determines whether a product identified by the product specifying information is registered in the storage device, based on the product specifying information and the transaction specifying information received from the information processing device, and unregistered product output means which transmits information of a product determined by the determination means to be not registered to the information processing device, and the information processing device comprises: unregistered product display means which receives and displays the information of a product transmitted by the unregistered product output means.

2. A transaction management system according to claim 1, wherein said product specific information acquisition means acquires said product specific information by reading a code symbol attached to the product with a scanner provided in said information processing device.

3. A transaction management system as described in claim 1, wherein the product registration means registers in the storage device product identification information of a product that the judgment means judges to be unregistered in association with the transaction identification information received together with the product identification information.

4. A transaction management system as described in claim 1, wherein the information processing device further comprises a check information sending means for sending check information indicating the input transaction specific information to the server device when the operator has completed checking the item to be purchased, and the server device further comprises a transaction management means for, upon receiving the check information, registering the check information in correspondence with the transaction specific information of the storage device indicated by the check information.

5. A transaction management system as described in claim 4, wherein the server device is provided with an output means for outputting to the accounting machine the product specific information registered in association with the transaction specific information contained in the transaction information request received from the accounting machine, on condition that the transaction specific information is associated with the check information.

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