Recording medium, communication device, information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method

Abstract

This communication device is to be used by customers of a store, and is provided with an acquisition unit, a selection unit, a transmission unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires product identification information identifying a product. The selection unit performs a selection process for allowing a user to select whether or not to cause an information processing device to execute first processing for searching for a related product related to the product indicated by the product identification information. If the execution of the first processing is selected, the transmission unit transmits the product identification information to the information processing device to cause the information processing device to execute the first processing. The output unit acquires related information about the related product from the information processing device and outputs the related information.

Description

Recording medium, communication device, information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording medium, a communication device, an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

[0002] In a store, a customer may check information about products related to the product they have picked up, for example, information about similar products. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes that when product identification information of a first product is selected by a terminal device, an external server transmits recommended product information, including product information about a second product that is highly similar to the first product, to the terminal device via a store server.

[0003] JP 2014-29643 A

[0004] A customer may cause a communication device to acquire product identification information of a first product for the purpose of obtaining information on products related to the first product, or may cause a communication device to acquire product identification information for other purposes. In such cases, the product identification information needs to be processed appropriately.

[0005] The recording medium of the present disclosure is a recording medium having recorded thereon a program executable on at least one computer, the program providing the at least one computer with the following: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information that identifies a product; a selection means for performing a selection process that allows a user to select whether or not to have an information processing device execute a first process that searches for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a transmission means for transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device in order to have the information processing device execute the first process when execution of the first process is selected; and an output means for acquiring related information regarding the related products from the information processing device and outputting the related information.

[0006] The communication device of the present disclosure is used by customers of a store and comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information that identifies a product; a selection means for performing a selection process to allow a user to select whether or not to have an information processing device execute a first process that searches for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a transmission means for transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device to cause the information processing device to execute the first process when execution of the first process is selected; and an output means for acquiring related information regarding the related products from the information processing device and outputting the related information.

[0007] The information processing device of the present disclosure comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be executed using the product identification information from a communication device operated by a customer of a store; a first processing means for identifying a product related to the product indicated by the product identification information when the instruction information indicates a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a second processing means for executing the second process when the instruction information indicates a second process that is different from the first process and uses the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting related information regarding the related products to the communication device when the first processing means identifies the related products, and transmitting information indicating a result of the second process to the communication device when the second processing means executes the second process.

[0008] The recording medium of the present disclosure is a recording medium having recorded thereon a program executable on at least one computer, the program causing the at least one computer to have: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be executed using the product identification information from a communication device operated by a customer of a store; a first processing means for identifying related products of the product indicated by the product identification information when the instruction information indicates a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a second processing means for executing the second process when the instruction information indicates a second process that is different from the first process and uses the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting related information regarding the related products to the communication device when the first processing means has identified the related products, and for transmitting information indicating the results of the second process to the communication device when the second processing means has executed the second process.

[0009] The information processing system of the present disclosure comprises a communication device used by customers of a store, and an information processing device, wherein the communication device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information that identifies a product; a selection means for performing a selection process to allow a user to select whether or not to have the information processing device execute a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a transmission means for transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device in order to have the information processing device execute the first process when execution of the first process is selected; and an output means for acquiring related information regarding the related products from the information processing device and outputting the related information, and the information processing device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product from the communication device; a first processing means for identifying the related products of the product indicated by the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting the related information regarding the related products to the communication device.

[0010] The information processing method disclosed herein involves a communication device used by a customer of a store acquiring product identification information that identifies a product, performing a selection process to allow the user to select whether or not to perform a first process to search for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information, transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device to have the information processing device perform the first process when it is selected to perform the first process, acquiring related information regarding the related products from the information processing device, and outputting the related information.

[0011] The information processing method disclosed herein comprises an information processing device that acquires, from a communication device operated by a customer in a store, product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be performed using the product identification information, and if the instruction information indicates a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information, identifies the related products of the product indicated by the product identification information, and if the instruction information indicates a second process that is different from the first process and uses the product identification information, executes the second process, and when the related products are identified, transmits related information about the related products to the communication device, and if the second process has been executed, transmits information indicating the results of the second process to the communication device.

[0012] The information processing method disclosed herein involves a communication device used by a customer of a store acquiring product identification information that identifies a product, performing a selection process to allow the user to select whether or not to execute a first process to search for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information, transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device to cause the information processing device to execute the first process when execution of the first process is selected, acquiring related information regarding the related products from the information processing device and outputting the related information, and the information processing device acquiring the product identification information of the product from the communication device, identifying the related products of the product indicated by the product identification information, and transmitting the related information regarding the related products to the communication device.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, product identification information is appropriately processed.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a communication device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example hardware configuration of a communication device and an information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example processing operation of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of an information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example processing operation of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example processing operation of a communication device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example screen displayed by a communication device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example screen displayed by a communication device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example processing operation of an information processing device according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Hereinafter, in this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments. In addition, in all drawings, similar components are given similar reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0016] 1, the information processing system includes a communication device 10 and an information processing device 20. The communication device 10 and the information processing device 20 provide information about products to customers of a store.

[0017] The communication device 10 is a portable communication device such as a smartphone, which is used by a customer and moves with the customer. As an example, the communication device 10 is attached to a container, such as a cart or shopping basket, into which the customer places merchandise before paying for it. The communication device 10 may also be a portable communication terminal that the customer brings into the store.

[0018] The information processing device 20 is, for example, part of a POS system. The information processing device 20 may be provided for each store, or may be a cloud server.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2 , the communication device 10 includes an acquisition unit 110 , a selection unit 120 , a transmission unit 130 , and an output unit 140 .

[0020] The acquisition unit 110 acquires product identification information that identifies a product. As an example, the acquisition unit 110 reads the product identification information attached to the product. An example of the product identification information read by the communication device 10 is code information attached to the packaging of the product. This code information may be a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

[0021] The communication device 10 may include an imaging device that captures images of products. In this case, the acquisition unit 110 processes the images captured by the imaging device to identify the products and acquires product identification information for the products from a storage unit, such as a product master. This storage unit may, for example, store, for each of a plurality of products, the product's appearance features and the product identification information in association with each other. In this example, the imaging device of the communication device 10 and the device that performs image processing may be physically separate devices. In this case, the device that performs image processing may be a stationary device, such as an in-store server or a cloud server, such as the information processing device 20. Note that the acquisition unit 110 may perform at least a part of the image processing.

[0022] The selection unit 120 performs a process for allowing a user to select whether or not to cause the information processing device 20 to execute a first process for searching for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information. Hereinafter, this process will be referred to as a selection process. Furthermore, the product identified by the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 110 will be referred to as a first product.

[0023] A first example of a related product is a product similar to the first product, i.e., a similar product. A similar product is, for example, a product that is classified in the same category as the first product in the product master. The granularity of this category can be set as appropriate. As an example, all beverages may be classified as one category, alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages may be classified as different categories, or beer and wine may be classified as different categories. Furthermore, if the granularity of the categories is set to multiple levels, the user of the communication device 10 may be able to specify the granularity of the category when selecting related products.

[0024] A second example of a related product is a product that is often purchased at the same time as the first product. As an example, the related product is a product that is used at the same time as the first product. For example, if the first product is a food product, the related product is a food product that is prepared at the same time as the first product. In this example, the related product may be identified, for example, based on the sales record of the store, or may be designated by the store clerk for each first product. Here, the sales record may be narrowed down to the purchase record of people who have the same attributes as the customer's attributes. An example of an attribute here is at least one of gender and age group.

[0025] A third example of a related product is a product that the store recommends to purchase together with the first product. In this example, the related product is specified for each first product by, for example, a store clerk.

[0026] The related products are not limited to the above examples.

[0027] When execution of the first process is selected, the transmission unit 130 transmits product identification information to the information processing device 20 to have the information processing device 20 perform the first process. In addition to the product identification information, the transmission unit 130 may also transmit instruction information to the information processing device 20 indicating the process to be performed using the product identification information. One example of the instruction information is information indicating that the information processing device 20 is to perform the first process. Another example of the instruction information is information indicating that the information processing device 20 is to perform a second process that is different from the first process. The product identification information is also used in the second process. One example of the second process includes registering the product indicated by the product identification information in a product list. This product list is a list indicating the products that the customer, i.e., the user of the communication device 10, wishes to purchase.

[0028] The output unit 140 acquires related information about related products from the information processing device 20 and outputs the related information. If the communication device 10 has a display, the communication device 10 displays the related information on the display.

[0029] Furthermore, when the information processing device 20 performs the second processing, the output unit 140 acquires information indicating the result of the second processing from the information processing device 20 and outputs this information. As an example, the output unit 140 displays this information on a display.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3 , the information processing device 20 includes an acquisition unit 210 , a first processing unit 220 , a second processing unit 230 , and a transmission unit 240 .

[0031] The acquisition unit 210 acquires product identification information of the product from the communication device 10. The acquisition unit 210 may acquire instruction information together with the product identification information.

[0032] The first processing unit 220 identifies related products of the first product indicated by the product identification information. This process is performed using, for example, a database that can identify related products from the first product. This database may be included in the information processing device 20 or may be provided externally to the information processing device 20. When instruction information is transmitted, the first processing unit 220 identifies related products if the instruction information indicates the first process.

[0033] When instruction information is transmitted and the instruction information indicates the second process, the second processing unit 230 executes the second process.

[0034] When the first processing unit 220 identifies a related product, the transmitting unit 240 transmits related information about the related product to the communication device 10. When the second processing unit 230 executes the second processing, the transmitting unit 240 transmits information indicating the result of the second processing to the communication device 10.

[0035] The information processing device 20 does not necessarily have to include the second processing unit 230 .

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device 10 has, as its hardware configuration, for example, a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0037] The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data among the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0038] The processor 1020 is implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like.

[0039] The memory 1030 is a main storage device realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0040] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by removable media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card, or a read-only memory (ROM), and has a recording medium. The recording medium of the storage device 1040 stores program modules that realize each function of the communication device 10 (e.g., the acquisition unit 110, the selection unit 120, the transmission unit 130, and the output unit 140). The processor 1020 loads each of these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing each function corresponding to the program module.

[0041] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the communication device 10 to various input / output devices.

[0042] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the communication device 10 to a network. This network is, for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). The network interface 1060 may connect to the network wirelessly or by wire. The communication device 10 may communicate with the information processing device 20 via the network interface 1060.

[0043] An example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20 is also similar to the example of the hardware configuration of the communication device 10 shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the recording medium of the storage device 1040 stores program modules that realize each function of the information processing device 20 (e.g., the acquisition unit 210, the first processing unit 220, the second processing unit 230, and the transmission unit 240). The information processing device 20 may be realized by a plurality of devices each having the configuration shown in Fig. 4.

[0044] The communication device 10 and the information processing device 20 operate, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0045] First, the acquisition unit 110 of the communication device 10 acquires product identification information (step S10). Next, the selection unit 120 of the communication device 10 performs a selection process, i.e., a process for allowing the user to select whether or not to have the information processing device 20 execute a first process (step S20). If execution of the first process is selected (step S30: Yes), the transmission unit 130 transmits the product identification information to the information processing device 20 (step S40).

[0046] The acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 acquires the product identification information transmitted by the communication device 10. The first processing unit 220 of the information processing device 20 then identifies related products of the first product indicated by the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 210 (step S50). The first processing unit 220 then generates related information. The transmission unit 240 of the information processing device 20 transmits this related information to the communication device 10 (step S60).

[0047] When the output unit 140 of the communication device 10 acquires the related information from the information processing device 20, the output unit 140 outputs the related information (step S70).

[0048] In this embodiment, when a first process of searching for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information is selected, the transmitting unit 130 of the communication device 10 transmits the product identification information to the information processing device 20 to cause the information processing device 20 to perform the first process. Therefore, the communication device 10 can appropriately process the product identification information.

[0049] The transmitting unit 130 may also transmit the product identification information to the information processing device 20 together with instruction information indicating a process to be performed using the product identification information. One example of the instruction information is information indicating that the information processing device 20 is to perform a first process. Another example of the instruction information is information indicating that the information processing device 20 is to perform a second process that is different from the first process. In this case, the information processing device 20 executes the process indicated by the instruction information. For example, if the instruction information indicates the first process, the first processing unit 220 performs the first process. Also, if the instruction information indicates the second process, the second processing unit 230 performs the second process. This allows the information processing device 20 to process the product identification information appropriately.

[0050] 6 , the information processing device 20 may further include a related product storage unit 250. The related product storage unit 250 stores information for identifying products related to a product indicated by product identification information using the product identification information. The first processing unit 220 of the information processing device 20 can identify the related products by using the information stored in the related product storage unit 250.

[0051] For example, the related product storage unit 250 stores, for each product, the product identification information of the product and information that can identify the product identification information of related products of the product in association with each other. An example of information that can identify the product identification information of related products is the product identification information itself of the related products or the product category. In the latter case, at least some of the products that belong to the product category become at least some of the related products.

[0052] As another example, the related product storage unit 250 stores a product category and its related categories in association with each other. In this case, at least some of the products belonging to the product category become at least some of the related products. For example, the first processing unit 220 identifies a product category to which the product identification information acquired from the communication device 10 belongs, identifies related categories of the product category, and sets the products belonging to the related categories as related products.

[0053] If the rule for identifying related products is "products classified in the same category as the first product in the product master," the product master is used instead of the related product storage unit 250. Therefore, the related product storage unit 250 may not be necessary.

[0054] The communication device 10 and the information processing device 20 may operate as shown in FIG. 7 . In this example, the selection unit 120 of the communication device 10 acquires information indicating a selection result made by the user of the communication device 10 from a plurality of options indicating a method of processing the product identification information. The options include, for example, a first process and a second process that is different from the first process and uses the product identification information. As described with reference to FIG. 2 , an example of the second process includes registering the product indicated by the product identification information in a product list.

[0055] First, the acquisition unit 110 of the communication device 10 acquires the product identification information of the first product (step S120). An example of the process performed here is similar to step S10 in FIG.

[0056] Next, the selection unit 120 of the communication device 10 performs a selection process (step S140). At this time, the selection unit 120 acquires information indicating the result of the user's selection from multiple options indicating how to process the product identification information. The transmission unit 130 then transmits the product identification information and information indicating the selection result in step S140, i.e., information indicating the process to be performed using the product identification information, to the information processing device 20 (step S160). This information is an example of instruction information.

[0057] The acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 acquires the product identification information and instruction information transmitted by the communication device 10. The information processing device 20 then performs the processing indicated by the instruction information (step S180). Next, the transmission unit 240 of the information processing device 20 transmits information indicating the processing result of step S180 to the communication device 10 (step S200). An example of this information is related information.

[0058] When the output unit 140 of the communication device 10 acquires the information indicating the processing result from the information processing device 20, it outputs this information (step S220).

[0059] In the example shown in the figure, step S140 and the subsequent processes are performed every time the acquisition unit 110 of the communication device 10 acquires product identification information. In this way, the user of the communication device 10, i.e., the customer of the store, can specify a method for processing the product identification information every time the acquisition unit 110 acquires the product identification information.

[0060] The communication device 10 and the information processing device 20 may operate as shown in Fig. 8. In this example, the selection unit 120 of the communication device 10 performs a selection process before the acquisition unit 110 acquires the product identification information.

[0061] First, the selection unit 120 of the communication device 10 performs a selection process (step S102). Next, the transmission unit 130 of the communication device 10 transmits information indicating the result of the selection process, i.e., instruction information, to the information processing device 20 (step S104). At this time, the transmission unit 130 also transmits customer identification information to the information processing device 20. The customer identification information is pre-stored in the communication device 10 or is registered in the communication device 10 by the customer before step S102.

[0062] Upon acquiring the instruction information and the customer identification information, the acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 stores the information in a storage device (step S106). This storage device may be included in the information processing device 20 or may be provided externally to the information processing device 20.

[0063] Thereafter, each time the acquisition unit 110 of the communication device 10 acquires product identification information (step S120), steps S160, S180, S200, and S220 are performed. Each of these processes is as described with reference to FIG. 7. However, unlike FIG. 7, no instruction information is transmitted in step S160, and instead, customer identification information is transmitted. Also, in step S180, the information processing device 20 reads instruction information corresponding to the customer identification information acquired in step S160 from the storage device and performs the processing indicated by this instruction information.

[0064] According to the process shown in this figure, the number of times that the method for processing the product identification information needs to be specified is reduced, and therefore the burden on the user of the communication device 10 is reduced.

[0065] In step S140 shown in FIG. 7 or step S102 shown in FIG. 8, the selection unit 120 of the communication device 10 performs, for example, the process shown in FIG.

[0066] First, the selection unit 120 displays a plurality of selectable processing methods for the product identification information on the display of the communication device 10. That is, the selection unit 120 displays a plurality of options on the display (step S142). The user of the communication device 10 selects one of the processing methods displayed on the display. The selection unit 120 then acquires information indicating the selected processing method and includes the processing method indicated by this information in the instruction information (step S144).

[0067] In step S142, the selection unit 120 displays, for example, a screen shown in FIG. 10. On this screen, a mark M1 indicating a first process and a mark M2 indicating a second process are displayed selectably on the display of the communication device 10. These marks may also be referred to as selection buttons. The user of the communication device 10 selects mark M1 or mark M2 on this screen.

[0068] In step S140 shown in FIG. 7 or step S102 shown in FIG. 8, the selection unit 120 of the communication device 10 may perform the process shown in FIG.

[0069] 9 (e.g., steps S142 and S144). If the first process is selected in step S144 (step S146: Yes), the selection unit 120 performs a process for prompting the user to specify additional conditions for searching for related products. Hereinafter, this process will be referred to as a "specifying process."

[0070] For example, the selection unit 120 displays a screen for specifying an additional process on the display of the communication device 10. This screen displays, for example, options for additional processes (step S148). The user of the communication device 10 selects one of the additional processes displayed on the display. The selection unit 120 then obtains information indicating the selected additional process and includes this information in the instruction information (step S150).

[0071] The acquisition unit 210 of the information processing device 20 acquires instruction information including the additional condition. Then, the first processing unit 220 of the information processing device 20 identifies related products using the additional condition in addition to the product identification information. In this way, it is possible to narrow down the related products about which information is provided to the user of the communication device 10. Note that the first processing unit 220 may select related products using only the additional condition.

[0072] 11 is performed in step S140 shown in Fig. 7, the selection unit 120 performs the designation process each time the acquisition unit 110 acquires product identification information. In this case, the user of the communication device 10 can designate additional processing each time the acquisition unit 110 acquires product identification information.

[0073] 11 is performed in step S102 shown in Fig. 8, the selection unit 120 performs the designation process before the acquisition unit 110 acquires the product identification information. In this case, the number of times the additional process is designated is reduced, thereby reducing the load on the user of the communication device 10.

[0074] In step S148 of Fig. 11, the selection unit 120 displays, for example, a screen shown in Fig. 12. On this screen, a mark M3 is displayed on the display of the communication device 10 so that the mark M3 can be selected for each of a plurality of additional processes. This mark M3 may also be referred to as a selection button. The user of the communication device 10 selects one of the marks M3 on this screen.

[0075] When "recommend" is selected, the first processing unit 220 of the information processing device 20 selects, as related products, products recommended by the store, for example, products that are often purchased together with the first product.

[0076] When "SALE" is selected, the first processing unit 220 selects sale items as related items. In this case, the first processing unit 220 may select items that are sale items and similar to the first item as related items.

[0077] Furthermore, when "Price" is selected, the first processing unit 220 displays the price per unit amount of the related product as at least part of the related information. An example of the price per unit amount is the price per predetermined weight. An example of the price per unit amount is the price per unit amount when multiple related products are sold together, such as the price per bottle when a set of six drinks is sold.

[0078] The additional processing may be "sales comparison" or "brand comparison." "Sales comparison" identifies related products based on, for example, the sales performance of the store. "Brand comparison" displays related products grouped by manufacturer.

[0079] The additional conditions may be input into the communication device 10 by the user of the communication device 10 before entering the store or the store. The input here may be text.

[0080] If the related product is a food product, the adding process may be a process of selecting a product that does not contain a specific ingredient or raw material from candidate related products. The specific ingredient or raw material may be, for example, an ingredient or raw material that causes an allergy. In this case, the "information indicating the specific ingredient or raw material" used in the adding process is acquired in advance by the communication device 10. For example, the communication device 10 may acquire this information from a device that manages customer information, or may acquire it through input from the user. Meanwhile, information indicating whether the related product contains a specific ingredient or raw material is stored, for example, in a product master. Note that the information acquired in advance by the communication device 10 is not limited to the "information indicating the specific ingredient or raw material" described above.

[0081] When the first process is performed in step S180 in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first processing unit 220 of the information processing device 20 performs the process shown in FIG. 13, for example.

[0082] First, the first processing unit 220 selects related products (step S182). Next, the first processing unit 220 generates related information (step S184). The related information includes a list of related products. This list also includes detailed information for each related product.

[0083] 7 and 8, the related information is transmitted to the communication device 10. Then, in step S220, the output unit 140 of the communication device 10 displays the related information on the display of the communication device 10.

[0084] For example, as shown in Fig. 14, the related information displayed on the display of the communication device 10 includes the product name, price, and availability and quantity of each product. The products displayed here are the first product and multiple related products. Furthermore, if the product is a food product, the screen shown in Fig. 14 includes an ingredient information display mark M4 for each product. When an ingredient information display mark M4 is selected, the communication device 10 obtains ingredient information of the product corresponding to the selected ingredient information display mark M4 from the information processing device 20 and displays it on the display.

[0085] The display order of related products on this screen may be determined based on the sales ranking of the store or the company to which the store belongs within a predetermined period, for example, the most recent month. The display order of related products may also be determined based on the availability of stock.

[0086] 7 and 8 , the second processing unit 230 of the information processing device 20 performs the second processing. If the second processing includes registering the product indicated by the product identification information in the product list, as shown in FIG. 15 , the second processing unit 230 updates the product list by registering the product indicated by the product identification information in the product list (step S192). For example, if the product list is a list of product identification information for products that the user of the communication device 10 wishes to purchase, the second processing unit 230 adds the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 210 to the product list. Note that the information processing device 20 may store the updated product list in association with the customer identification information.

[0087] 7 and 8 , the updated product list is transmitted to the communication device 10. Then, in step S220, the output unit 140 of the communication device 10 outputs the updated product list. For example, the output unit 140 displays the updated product list on the display of the communication device 10. In this way, the user of the communication device 10 can know that a product has been added to the product list.

[0088] For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the product list output by the output unit 140 includes product names, prices, and total amounts.

[0089] The output unit 140 of the communication device 10 may display at least one related product on the display in a selectable manner. For example, the related product may be selectable on the screen shown in Fig. 14. In this case, the communication device 10 and the information processing device 20 perform a third process for adding the selected related product to the product list.

[0090] The third process may include, for example, outputting information indicating the display location of the selected related product in the store, allowing the user of the communication device 10 to easily place the related product in a container such as a shopping basket or cart.

[0091] The third process may also include a process of displaying a selectable mark on the display to allow the user to confirm that the selected related product should be registered in the product list, and a process of adding the related product to the product list when the mark is selected. In this case, the user of the communication device 10 can add the related product to the product list without having the communication device 10 read the code information of the related product.

[0092] The third process is performed, for example, as shown in Fig. 17 . First, the selection unit 120 of the communication device 10 acquires the selection result of the related products, for example, information indicating the selected related products (step S302). The transmission unit 130 of the communication device 10 transmits information indicating the selection result, for example, product identification information of the selected related products, to the information processing device 20 (step S304). Note that the product identification information of the related products was transmitted from the information processing device 20 to the communication device 10 in step S50 of Fig. 5 or step S200 of Figs. 7 and 8 .

[0093] The product master usable by the information processing device 20 stores, for each product identification information, information indicating the display position within the store of the product indicated by that product identification information. The first processing unit 220 of the information processing device 20 reads from this product master information the information indicating the display position corresponding to the product identification information transmitted in step S304, and generates display position information using this information (step S306). The display position information indicates the display position within the store of the related product selected in step S302. The display position information may be a map of the store with a mark indicating the display position superimposed on it. Next, the transmission unit 240 of the information processing device 20 transmits the display position information to the communication device 10 (step S308).

[0094] The output unit 140 of the communication device 10 displays the display position information on the display of the communication device 10. The output unit 140 also displays a mark on the display, along with the display position information, to confirm to the user that the selected related product is to be registered in the product list (step S310). Hereinafter, this mark will be referred to as a purchase mark. The user of the communication device 10 refers to the display position information displayed on the communication device 10 and moves to the display position of the selected related product. The user then picks up the related product and places it in a container such as a cart. The user then selects the purchase mark displayed on the communication device 10 (step S312: Yes). The output unit 140 of the communication device 10 then updates the product list by adding the related product to the product list, and displays the updated product list on the display (step S314). Thereafter, if necessary, the output unit 140 transmits the updated product list to the information processing device 20 and stores it in the information processing device 20.

[0095] Here, if electronic shelf labels are used on the display shelves and the information processing device 20 can acquire information on the location of the communication device 10 within the store, the information processing device 20 may change the illumination state of the display shelves for related products when the user of the communication device 10 approaches the display position of the related product. As an example, the information processing device 20 may cause the electronic shelf label to flash. In this way, the user of the communication device 10 can easily find the related product.

[0096] The process shown in step S314 may be performed by the information processing device 20. In this case, the output unit 140 transmits product identification information of related products to be added to the product list to the information processing device 20. Then, the second processing unit 230 of the information processing device 20 performs a process of adding the products indicated by the product identification information to the product list. This process is similar to the process shown in FIG. 15 . Thereafter, the second processing unit 230 transmits the updated product list to the communication device 10.

[0097] As described above, when the first process of searching for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information is selected, the transmission unit 130 of the communication device 10 transmits the product identification information to the information processing device 20 to cause the information processing device 20 to perform the first process. This allows the communication device 10 to process the product identification information appropriately. Furthermore, the transmission unit 130 may transmit the product identification information to the information processing device 20 together with instruction information indicating the process to be performed using the product identification information. In this case, the information processing device 20 performs the process indicated by the instruction information. This allows the information processing device 20 to process the product identification information appropriately.

[0098] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0099] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show a sequence of steps (processes), the order of steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the sequence shown in the flowcharts. In each embodiment, the order of steps shown in the diagrams can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content.

[0100] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. Supplementary Note 1. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program executable by at least one computer, the program causing the at least one computer to have: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information that identifies a product; a selection means for performing a selection process that causes a user to select whether or not to cause an information processing device to execute a first process that searches for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information; a transmission means for transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device to cause the information processing device to execute the first process when execution of the first process is selected; and an output means for acquiring related information about the related products from the information processing device and outputting the related information. Supplementary Note 2. The recording medium described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the selection means acquires information indicating a result of a selection made by the user from options including the first process and a second process that is different from the first process and uses the product identification information. Supplementary Note 3. The recording medium described in Supplementary Note 2, wherein the second process includes registering the product identified by the product identification information in a product list that indicates products that the user wishes to purchase. Supplementary Note 4. The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein, when the second process is selected, the output means acquires the product list after the second process has been performed from the information processing device and outputs the product list. Supplementary Note 5. The recording medium according to any one of Supplements 2 to 4, wherein the transmission means transmits information indicating the user's selection result for the option together with the product identification information to the information processing device. Supplementary Note 6. The recording medium according to any one of Supplements 1 to 5, wherein the selection means performs the selection process every time the acquisition means acquires the product identification information. Supplementary Note 7. The recording medium according to any one of Supplements 1 to 5, wherein the selection means performs the selection process before the acquisition means acquires the product identification information.Supplementary Note 8. A recording medium according to any one of Supplements 1 to 7, wherein, when execution of the first process is selected, the selection means further performs a designation process for causing the user to designate additional conditions for searching for the related products. Supplementary Note 9. A recording medium according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the selection means performs the designation process each time the acquisition means acquires the product identification information. Supplementary Note 10. A recording medium according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the selection means performs the designation process before the acquisition means acquires the product identification information. Supplementary Note 11. A recording medium according to any one of Supplements 1 to 10, wherein the output means displays at least one of the related products on a display so that the related products can be selected, and when any of the related products is selected, performs a third process for registering the related product in a product list that indicates products that the user wishes to purchase. Supplementary Note 12. A recording medium according to Supplementary Note 11, wherein the computer is used by a user in a store, and the third process includes a process for outputting information indicating the display position of the selected related product in the store. Supplementary Note 13. a communication device for receiving information about the related products from the information processing device when the user selects the first process to search for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information; a transmission device for transmitting the information processing device with the product identification information when the user selects the first process to search for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information; and an output device for receiving information about the related products from the information processing device and outputting the related information.Supplementary Note 15. An information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be executed using the product identification information from a communication device operated by a customer of a store; a first processing means for identifying a product related to the product indicated by the product identification information when the instruction information indicates a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a second processing means for executing the second process when the instruction information indicates a second process that is different from the first process and uses the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting related information related to the related products to the communication device when the first processing means identifies the related products, and transmitting information indicating a result of the second process to the communication device when the second processing means executes the second process. Supplementary Note 16. In the information processing device described in Supplementary Note 15, when the instruction information indicates the first process, the acquisition means further acquires additional conditions for searching for the related products, and the first processing means identifies the related products using the additional conditions. Supplementary Note 17. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program executable by at least one computer, the program causing the at least one computer to have: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be executed using the product identification information from a communication device operated by a customer of a store; a first processing means for identifying a product related to the product indicated by the product identification information when the instruction information indicates a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a second processing means for executing the second process when the instruction information indicates a second process that is different from the first process and uses the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting related information regarding the related products to the communication device when the first processing means has identified the related products, and for transmitting information indicating a result of the second process to the communication device when the second processing means has executed the second process.Supplementary Note 18. An information processing system comprising a communication device used by customers of a store, and an information processing device, wherein the communication device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information that identifies a product; a selection means for performing a selection process that allows a user to select whether or not to have the information processing device execute a first process that searches for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information; a transmission means for transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device to cause the information processing device to execute the first process when execution of the first process is selected; and an output means for acquiring related information related to the related products from the information processing device and outputting the related information, wherein the information processing device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product from the communication device; a first processing means for identifying the related products of the product identified by the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting the related information related to the related products to the communication device. Supplementary Note 19. An information processing method in which a communication device used by a customer of a store: acquires product identification information that identifies a product, performs a selection process to allow a user to select whether or not to execute a first process to search for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information, and when execution of the first process is selected, transmits the product identification information to the information processing device to cause the information processing device to execute the first process, acquires related information about the related products from the information processing device, and outputs the related information.Supplementary Note 20. An information processing method in which an information processing device: acquires product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be executed using the product identification information from a communication device operated by a customer of the store, and when the instruction information indicates a first process to search for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information, identifies the related products of the product identified by the product identification information, and when the instruction information indicates a second process that is different from the first process and uses the product identification information, executes the second process, and when the related products are identified, transmits related information about the related products to the communication device, and when the second process is executed, transmits information indicating a result of the second process to the communication device.Supplementary Note 21. An information processing method in which a communication device used by a customer of a store acquires product identification information that identifies a product, performs a selection process to allow the user to select whether or not to execute a first process to search for related products related to the product identified by the product identification information, and when execution of the first process is selected, transmits the product identification information to the information processing device to cause the information processing device to execute the first process, acquires related information regarding the related products from the information processing device and outputs the related information, and the information processing device acquires the product identification information of the product from the communication device, identifies the related products of the product identified by the product identification information, and transmits the related information regarding the related products to the communication device.

[0101] The programs stored in the above-mentioned Supplements 1 to 13 and Supplement 17 are also disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplements 2 to 13, which are dependent on Supplement 1, may also be dependent on Supplements 14, 18, 19, and 21 in the same dependent relationship as Supplements 2 to 13. Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplement 16, which is dependent on Supplement 15, may also be dependent on Supplements 17, 18, 20, and 21 in the same dependent relationship as Supplement 16. Furthermore, not limited to Supplement 1, Supplement 14, Supplement 15, and Supplements 17 to 21, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0102] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Communication device 20 Information processing device 110 Acquisition unit 120 Selection unit 130 Transmission unit 140 Output unit 210 Acquisition unit 220 First processing unit 230 Second processing unit 240 Transmission unit 250 Related product storage unit

Claims

1. A recording medium having a program executable by at least one computer, the program causing the at least one computer to: have an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information for identifying a product; a selection means for performing a selection process for allowing a user to select whether to cause an information processing apparatus to execute a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a transmission means for transmitting the product identification information to the information processing apparatus in order to cause the information processing apparatus to perform the first process when it is selected to perform the first process; and an output means for acquiring related information regarding the related products from the information processing apparatus and outputting the related information.

2. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the selection means acquires information indicating a selection result by the user from options including the first process and a second process different from the first process and using the product identification information.

3. The recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the second process includes registering the product indicated by the product identification information in a product list indicating products that the user wishes to purchase.

4. The recording medium according to claim 3, wherein when the second process is selected, the output means acquires the product list after the second process has been performed from the information processing apparatus and outputs the product list.

5. The recording medium according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the transmission means transmits information indicating a selection result by the user for the options together with the product identification information to the information processing apparatus.

6. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the selection means performs the selection process each time the acquisition means acquires the product identification information.

7. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the selection means performs the selection process before the acquisition means acquires the product identification information.

8. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when it is selected to perform the first process, the selection means further performs a designation process for allowing the user to designate additional conditions for searching for the related products.

9. The recording medium according to claim 8, wherein the selection means performs the designation process each time the acquisition means acquires the product identification information.

10. The recording medium according to claim 8, wherein the selection means performs the designation process before the acquisition means acquires the product identification information.

11. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the output means: displays at least one of the related products on a display so as to be selectable; and when any one of the related products is selected, performs a third process for registering the selected related product in a product list indicating a product that the user wishes to purchase.

12. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein the computer is used by a user in a store, and the third process includes a process of outputting information indicating a display position of the selected related product in the store.

13. The recording medium according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the third process includes: a process of selectively displaying, on the display, a mark for allowing the user to confirm registration of the selected related product in the product list; and a process of adding the selected related product to the product list when the mark is selected.

14. A communication device used by a customer of a store, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information for identifying a product; a selection means for performing a selection process for allowing a user to select whether to cause an information processing device to execute a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a transmission means for transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device in order to cause the information processing device to perform the first process when execution of the first process is selected; and an output means for acquiring related information regarding the related product from the information processing device and outputting the related information.

15. An information processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be executed using the product identification information from a communication device operated by a customer of a store; a first processing means for specifying a related product of the product indicated by the product identification information when the instruction information indicates a first process of searching for a related product related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a second processing means for executing the second process when the instruction information is a process different from the first process and indicates a second process using the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting related information regarding the related product to the communication device when the first processing means specifies the related product, and transmitting information indicating the result of the second process to the communication device when the second processing means executes the second process.

16. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program executable by at least one computer, the program causing the at least one computer to have: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be executed using the product identification information from a communication device operated by a customer of a store; a first processing means for specifying a related product of the product indicated by the product identification information when the instruction information indicates a first process of searching for a related product related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a second processing means for executing the second process when the instruction information is a process different from the first process and indicates a second process using the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting related information regarding the related product to the communication device when the first processing means specifies the related product, and transmitting information indicating the result of the second process to the communication device when the second processing means executes the second process.

17. An information processing system comprising a communication device and an information processing device for use by a customer of a store, the communication device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information for identifying a product; a selection means for performing a selection process for allowing a user to select whether to cause the information processing device to execute a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information; a transmission means for transmitting the product identification information to the information processing device in order to cause the information processing device to perform the first process when it is selected to perform the first process; and an output means for acquiring related information regarding the related products from the information processing device and outputting the related information; the information processing device comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product from the communication device; a first processing means for identifying the related products of the product indicated by the product identification information; and a transmission means for transmitting the related information regarding the related products to the communication device.

18. An information processing method, wherein a communication device for use by a customer of a store acquires product identification information for identifying a product, performs a selection process for allowing a user to select whether to execute a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information, transmits the product identification information to an information processing device in order to cause the information processing device to perform the first process when it is selected to perform the first process, acquires related information regarding the related products from the information processing device, and outputs the related information.

19. An information processing method, wherein an information processing device acquires product identification information of a product and instruction information indicating a process to be executed using the product identification information from a communication device operated by a customer of a store, identifies the related products of the product indicated by the product identification information when the instruction information indicates a first process of searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information, executes the second process when the instruction information is a second process different from the first process and using the product identification information, transmits related information regarding the related products to the communication device when the related products are identified, and transmits information indicating the result of the second process to the communication device when the second process is executed.

20. A selection process is performed to allow a user to select whether a communication device used by a customer of a store executes a first process of acquiring product identification information for identifying a product and searching for related products related to the product indicated by the product identification information. When it is selected to execute the first process, the product identification information is transmitted to an information processing device in order to cause the information processing device to perform the first process. Related information regarding the related products is acquired from the information processing device and the related information is output. An information processing method in which the information processing device acquires product identification information of a product from the communication device, identifies the related products of the product indicated by the product identification information, and transmits the related information regarding the related products to the communication device.

Images