Terminal device, store server, store system, terminal device processing method, store server processing method, and recording medium

Abstract

A terminal device according to the present disclosure comprises: a commodity identification information acquisition unit that acquires commodity identification information; a list acquisition unit that acquires a list of purchase target commodities, the list having been generated on the basis of the acquired commodity identification information; a settlement unit that executes settlement processing on the basis of the list; a light emission control unit that changes, in response to completion of the settlement processing, a light emission state of a light emission means included in a commodity container or the terminal device carried by a customer; and a message output unit that causes, in response to the completion of the settlement processing, a display of the terminal device to display a message indicating that the settlement processing has been completed.

Description

Terminal device, store server, store system, terminal device processing method, store server processing method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal device, a store server, a store system, a processing method for a terminal device, a processing method for a store server, and a recording medium.

[0002] In recent years, self-service shopping in stores has become common, where customers register products to be purchased and pay for them themselves.

[0003] A technology related to the present disclosure is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for preventing a shopping cart containing unpaid items from being taken out of a store. This technology includes a lighting device attached to the shopping cart. This lighting device is turned on when the payment is incomplete and turned off when the payment is complete.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-67947

[0005] Simply switching the lighting status of the lighting device as in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not correctly convey the current status of the checkout process to the user. For example, a customer visiting the store for the first time and unfamiliar with using the shopping cart may not correctly understand the meaning of the lighting status of the lighting device.

[0006] By correctly communicating the current status of the checkout process not only to store staff but also to customers, it is possible to prevent customers from taking items out of the store without paying.

[0007] One example of the objective of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal device, a store server, a store system, a processing method for a terminal device, a processing method for a store server, and a recording medium that can correctly communicate the current status of the settlement process to the user, in consideration of the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] The recording medium of the present disclosure stores a program that causes a computer of a terminal device carried by a customer to function as: a product identification information acquisition means that acquires product identification information; a list acquisition means that acquires a list of products eligible for purchase generated based on the acquired product identification information; a checkout means that executes a checkout process based on the list; a light emission control means that changes the light emission state of a product container carried by the customer or a light emission means provided in the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process; and a message output means that displays a message indicating that the checkout process has been completed on the display of the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process.

[0009] The terminal device of the present disclosure also has a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information, a list acquisition means for acquiring a list of products eligible for purchase generated based on the acquired product identification information, a settlement means for executing a settlement process based on the list, a light emission control means for changing the light emission state of a product container carried by the customer or a light emission means provided in the terminal device in response to completion of the settlement process, and a message output means for displaying a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on a display of the terminal device in response to completion of the settlement process.

[0010] In addition, the processing method of the terminal device disclosed herein includes a computer of the terminal device carried by the customer acquiring product identification information, acquiring a list of products eligible for purchase generated based on the acquired product identification information, executing a checkout process based on the list, changing the light-emitting state of a product container carried by the customer or a light-emitting means provided on the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process, and displaying a message indicating that the checkout process has been completed on the display of the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process.

[0011] The store system of the present disclosure also includes the terminal device and a product container that is carried by a customer and includes a light-emitting means.

[0012] The store server of the present disclosure also has: a correspondence information acquisition means for acquiring correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the terminal device carried by the customer and the product container carried by the customer; a settlement completion terminal information acquisition means for acquiring, from the terminal device or the settlement device, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed; a server-side light emission control means for identifying the product container corresponding to the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed based on the correspondence information and changing the light emission state of the light emitting means provided in the identified product container; and a server-side message output means for displaying a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on the display of the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed.

[0013] The store system of the present disclosure also includes the store server and a product container that is carried by a customer and includes a light-emitting means.

[0014] In addition, the processing method of the store server disclosed herein involves one or more computers acquiring correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the terminal device carried by the customer and the product container carried by the customer, acquiring settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed from the terminal device or the settlement device, identifying the product container corresponding to the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed based on the correspondence information, changing the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means provided on the identified product container, and displaying a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on the display of the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed.

[0015] In addition, the recording medium of the present disclosure stores a program that causes a computer to function as: a correspondence information acquisition means that acquires correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the terminal device carried by the customer and the product container carried by the customer; a settlement completion terminal information acquisition means that acquires, from the terminal device or the settlement device, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed; a server-side light-emitting control means that identifies the product container corresponding to the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed based on the correspondence information and changes the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means provided in the identified product container; and a server-side message output means that displays a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on the display of the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device, a store server, a store system, a processing method for a terminal device, a processing method for a store server, and a recording medium are realized that can correctly communicate the current status of the payment process to a user.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram of a terminal device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a terminal device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram of a store system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a commodity container according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the light emitting state of a light emitting means according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on a display of a terminal device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of information displayed on a display of a terminal device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of a processing flow of a terminal device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a functional block diagram of a store system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of a processing flow of a terminal device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of a functional block diagram of a store server according to the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of a store server according to the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of a functional block diagram of a store system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another example of a processing flow of a store server according to the present disclosure.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments. In all drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0019] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of a terminal device 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal device 10 has a product identification information acquisition unit 11, a list acquisition unit 12, a checkout unit 13, a light emission control unit 14, and a message output unit 15. These functional units are realized in the terminal device 10 by installing a predetermined program (application) in the terminal device 10. These functional units execute the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 2.

[0020] In S10, the product identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires product identification information.

[0021] In S11, the list acquisition unit 12 acquires a list of products to be purchased that has been generated based on the product identification information acquired in S10.

[0022] In S12, the settlement unit 13 executes the settlement process based on the list acquired in S11.

[0023] In S13, the light emission control unit 14 changes the light emission state of the light emitting means provided in the product container carried by the customer or the terminal device in response to the completion of the checkout process.

[0024] In S14, upon completion of the settlement process, the message output unit 15 displays a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on the display of the terminal device.

[0025] The processing order of S13 and S14 may be reversed from that shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the processing of S13 and S14 may be performed in parallel.

[0026] The terminal device 10 of this embodiment can notify the customer that the checkout process is complete by the illumination state of the product container carried by the customer or the illumination means provided in the terminal device 10. Furthermore, the terminal device 10 of this embodiment can notify the customer that the checkout process is complete by a message displayed on the display of the terminal device 10.

[0027] In this way, the terminal device 10 of this embodiment notifies the completion of the checkout process by the lighting status of the light-emitting means of the product container carried by the customer or the terminal device, and by a message displayed on the terminal device, so that the current status of the checkout process can be correctly communicated to customers and store workers.

[0028] The store system of this embodiment includes such a terminal device 10. The store system of this embodiment achieves the same effects as the terminal device 10 of this embodiment.

[0029] Second Embodiment Overview The terminal device 10 of the second embodiment is a specific implementation of the configuration of the terminal device 10 of the first embodiment. The details will be described below.

[0030] "Hardware Configuration of Terminal Device 10" First, an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described. Each functional unit of the terminal device 10 is realized by any combination of hardware and software. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are various variations in the realization method and device. Software includes programs that are pre-stored in the device before shipping, and programs downloaded from recording media such as CDs (Compact Discs) or servers on the Internet.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 10 has a processor 1A, a memory 2A, an input / output interface 3A, a peripheral circuit 4A, and a bus 5A. The peripheral circuit 4A includes various modules. The terminal device 10 does not necessarily have to have the peripheral circuit 4A. Note that the terminal device 10 may be composed of multiple devices that are physically and / or logically separated. In this case, each of the multiple devices can have the above hardware configuration.

[0032] The bus 5A is a data transmission path for the processor 1A, memory 2A, peripheral circuit 4A, and input / output interface 3A to mutually transmit and receive data. The processor 1A is, for example, a processing unit such as a CPU or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The memory 2A is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM). The input / output interface 3A includes interfaces for acquiring information from input devices, external devices, external servers, external sensors, cameras, etc., and interfaces for outputting information to output devices, external devices, external servers, etc. The input / output interface 3A also includes an interface for connecting to a communication network such as the Internet. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, mouse, microphone, physical buttons, touch panel, etc. Examples of output devices include a display, speaker, printer, mailer, etc. The processor 1A can issue commands to each module and perform calculations based on the results of those calculations.

[0033] "Overall view of a store system having a terminal device 10" Figure 4 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a store system according to this embodiment. The store system has a terminal device 10 and a commodity container 40. The store system may further have at least one of a store server 20 and a checkout device 30. The components connected by lines in the functional block diagram of the store system are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via wired and / or wireless communication. This premise is the same in other embodiments. Below, an overview of each component will be explained.

[0034] The terminal device 10 is a terminal that each customer who visits a store carries while shopping at the store. The terminal device 10 may be owned by the customer. Alternatively, the terminal device 10 may be owned by the store. The store may then lend the terminal device 10 to customers who visit the store.

[0035] The terminal device 10 may be a general-purpose device such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, smart watch, mobile phone, or personal computer, or may be a device dedicated to shopping in a store.

[0036] The terminal device 10 is attachable to a commodity container 40, which will be described below. For example, the commodity container 40, which will be described below, may be provided with a member for attaching the terminal device 10. The customer may then attach their own terminal device 10, or a terminal device 10 rented from the store, to the commodity container 40. Alternatively, the terminal device 10 may be attached to the commodity container 40 in advance when it is rented to the customer from the store. In other words, the terminal device 10 and the commodity container 40 may be rented to the customer with the terminal device 10 already attached to the commodity container 40.

[0037] A customer performs various operations related to shopping at a store on the terminal device 10. For example, the customer operates the terminal device 10 to register products to be purchased, check the list of registered products, modify the list, input information to start the checkout process, and perform the checkout process.

[0038] The terminal device 10 may have at least one light-emitting means (e.g., a light). Each light-emitting means may emit light in multiple light-emitting states. The multiple light-emitting states may take various forms as long as they are distinguishable by human eyes. For example, the multiple light-emitting states may include a lit state and a non-lit state. Alternatively, the multiple light-emitting states may include multiple states in which light is emitted in different colors. Alternatively, the multiple light-emitting states may include multiple states in which light is emitted in different forms, such as "lit" and "flashing." Alternatively, the multiple light-emitting states may include multiple states in which light is emitted at different light intensities.

[0039] The product container 40 is a device that each customer carrying while shopping at the store. The product container 40 is, for example, a cart or a basket, but is not limited to these. The customer places the products to be purchased in the product container 40.

[0040] The product container 40 may have at least one light-emitting means (e.g., a light) and a computer (e.g., a microcontroller) that switches the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means under control of an external device. Each light-emitting means can emit light in multiple light-emitting states. The multiple light-emitting states may take various forms as long as they are distinguishable by human eyes. For example, the multiple light-emitting states may include a lit state and an unlit state. Alternatively, the multiple light-emitting states may include multiple states that emit light in different colors. Alternatively, the multiple light-emitting states may include multiple states that emit light in different ways, such as "lit" and "flashing." Alternatively, the multiple light-emitting states may include multiple states that emit light at different light intensities.

[0041] The light-emitting means may be installed in various positions on the commodity container 40, but it is preferable that the light-emitting state be easily visible to customers carrying the commodity container 40 and nearby store personnel. For example, as described above, when the terminal device 10 is attached to a predetermined attachment position on the commodity container 40, the attachment position of the terminal device 10 and the light-emitting means may be adjacent to each other. While shopping, customers look at the terminal device 10 many times. By placing the terminal device 10 and the light-emitting means adjacent to each other, the presence of the light-emitting means can be made known to the customer. Then, the customer can check the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means when looking at the terminal device 10. "Adjacent" refers to a relatively close distance, for example, a distance of several centimeters to a dozen centimeters.

[0042] Fig. 5 shows an example of a product container 40. The product container 40 in Fig. 5 is a cart. The illustrated product container 40 has a handle 42, a basket section 43, and wheels 44. A customer places products to be purchased in the basket section 43. The customer then holds the handle 42 and operates the cart.

[0043] The illustrated product container 40 also has a terminal device 10 attached to it. The terminal device 10 may be attached to the product container 40 in advance. Alternatively, a terminal device 10 rented from a store separately from the product container 40, or a terminal device 10 owned by a customer, may be attached to a predetermined attachment position on the product container 40. The illustrated product container 40 has two light-emitting means 41. The two light-emitting means 41 are provided adjacent to the attachment positions where the terminal devices 10 are attached. The two light-emitting means 41 sandwich the attachment position where the terminal devices 10 are attached.

[0044] The illustrated example is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, when the commodity container 40 is a basket, the position of the light-emitting means 41, the mounting position of the terminal device 10, and the like may be selected in various ways.

[0045] The store server 20 is a server provided for each store. The store server 20 executes various processes related to store operations. For example, the store server 20 may store a product master of products handled in each store and provide product information in response to a request. The product master includes product information of products handled in each store. Product information includes, but is not limited to, product unit prices, product names, etc. Additionally, the store server 20 may manage sales information for the store based on notifications from the checkout device 30 or the terminal device 10. Additionally, the store server 20 may manage information indicating the details of products registered as purchase targets by each customer based on notifications from the terminal device 10.

[0046] The settlement device 30 executes the settlement process. The settlement device 30 is installed inside the store. The settlement device 30 acquires information indicating the settlement details from the terminal device 10 or the store server 20. This information indicates the products registered as items to be purchased, the unit price of each product, the total amount, etc. The settlement device 30 then executes payment processing to receive payment for the total amount from the customer. The payment processing can be realized using any well-known means, such as cash, credit card, electronic money, or points. The settlement device 30 can notify the terminal device 10 or the store server 20 of the completion of the payment processing.

[0047] "Functional Configuration of Terminal Device 10" Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the terminal device 10. As shown in the figure, the terminal device 10 has a product identification information acquisition unit 11, a list acquisition unit 12, a checkout unit 13, a light emission control unit 14, and a message output unit 15. These functional units are realized within the terminal device 10 by installing a predetermined program (application) in the terminal device 10.

[0048] The product identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires product identification information. Product identification information is information that identifies multiple products from each other. The product identification information may be, for example, a product code. Alternatively, the product identification information may be a product name, etc. A customer performs an operation to register a product to be purchased on the terminal device 10 that the customer carries in the store. The product identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires the product identification information input into the terminal device 10 by the customer's operation.

[0049] The operation of registering a product to be purchased can employ any widely known technology. For example, the operation of registering a product to be purchased may involve having the terminal device 10 read a code attached to the product to be purchased. In this case, the product identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires the product identification information indicated by the read code. Alternatively, the operation of registering a product to be purchased may involve taking a photograph of the exterior of the product to be purchased. In this case, the product identification information acquisition unit 11 analyzes an image showing the product to be purchased, recognizes the product, and acquires the product identification information of the recognized product. Alternatively, the operation of registering a product to be purchased may involve selecting a product from among multiple products displayed on the display of the terminal device 10. In this case, the product identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires the product identification information of the selected product.

[0050] When a customer takes a product to be purchased from a product shelf while shopping at a store, the customer operates the terminal device 10 to register the product as a product to be purchased. The customer then stores the product taken from the product shelf in a product container 40. The customer then continues shopping at the store.

[0051] The list acquisition unit 12 acquires a list of products eligible for purchase (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "list") generated based on the product identification information acquired by the product identification information acquisition unit 11. The list includes the product name and unit price of each product eligible for purchase. The list may also include other information such as a subtotal or total amount based on the registered products eligible for purchase.

[0052] The list acquisition unit 12 may generate a list. For example, every time the product identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires product identification information, the list acquisition unit 12 transmits the product identification information acquired by the product identification information acquisition unit 11 to the store server 20 and requests product information. The store server 20 searches the product master using the received product identification information as a key, and transmits the product information obtained as a search result to the terminal device 10. Then, the list acquisition unit 12 generates and updates the above-mentioned list based on the product information received from the store server 20.

[0053] Alternatively, the list acquisition unit 12 may receive the list from the store server 20. For example, each time the product identification information acquisition unit 11 acquires product identification information, the list acquisition unit 12 transmits the acquired product identification information to the store server 20. The store server 20 searches the product master using the received product identification information as a key, and generates and updates a list based on the product information obtained as a search result. The store server 20 then transmits the generated and updated latest list to the terminal device 10. The list acquisition unit 12 receives the latest list transmitted by the store server 20. In this example, the store server 20 manages lists for each of a plurality of customers. The store server 20 can store the list by linking it to, for example, identification information of the terminal device 10 or user identification information entered when logging in to an application installed on the terminal device 10.

[0054] The list acquisition unit 12 manages the acquired list. When new product identification information is acquired by the product identification information acquisition unit 11, the list acquisition unit 12 performs the above process to acquire the latest list. The list acquisition unit 12 may also be able to change the contents of the list based on a user operation on the terminal device 10. Changes to the contents of the list include, for example, deleting a registered product, changing the number of items, adding a product, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0055] The list may be managed not only by the terminal device 10 but also by the store server 20. That is, the store server 20 may store the list managed by the list acquisition unit 12 and stored in the terminal device 10. The contents of the list stored in the terminal device 10 and the list stored in the store server 20 are synchronized by any means. The store server 20 can distinguish between multiple stored lists by storing the list in association with identification information of the terminal device 10, user identification information entered when logging in to an application installed on the terminal device 10, or the like.

[0056] The settlement unit 13 executes the settlement process based on the list acquired by the list acquisition unit 12. The "settlement process" executed by the settlement unit 13 in this embodiment is a process of sending the list acquired by the list acquisition unit 12 to the settlement device 30 and receiving a notification of the completion of the payment process by the settlement device 30. The settlement process is completed when the settlement device 30 receives a notification of the completion of the payment process.

[0057] Any well-known technology can be used as a means for transmitting the list to the settlement device 30. The list may be transmitted from the terminal device 10 to the settlement device 30, or from the store server 20 to the settlement device 30.

[0058] For example, the settlement unit 13 may transmit the list to the settlement device 30 via short-range wireless communication. In one example, the customer may perform an operation to start the settlement process on at least one of the terminal device 10 and the settlement device 30, and then perform an operation to touch or hold the terminal device 10 over a predetermined position on the settlement device 30. In response to this, the settlement unit 13 can transmit the list stored in the terminal device 10 to the settlement device 30.

[0059] Alternatively, when a customer operates the terminal device 10 to start the payment process, the payment unit 13 may cause a code indicating the identification information of the terminal device 10 or the customer's user identification information to be displayed on the display of the terminal device 10. The customer then has the payment device 30 read the code. When the payment device 30 recognizes the identification information of the terminal device 10 or the customer's user identification information indicated by the read code, it requests the store server 20 to send a list stored in association with the code. In response to the request, the store server 20 transmits the predetermined list to the payment device 30.

[0060] The means for transmitting the list to the settlement device 30 illustrated here are merely examples, and are not limited to these.

[0061] When the settlement device 30 acquires the list, it executes a payment process to receive payment from the customer for the total amount shown in the list. The payment process can be realized using any well-known means, such as cash, credit card, electronic money, points, etc. When the payment process is completed, the settlement device 30 notifies the terminal device 10 and the store server 20 of the completion of the payment process.

[0062] Any well-known technology can be used to notify the terminal device 10 of the completion of the payment process. The notification may be sent directly from the settlement device 30 to the terminal device 10, or from the settlement device 30 to the terminal device 10 via the store server 20.

[0063] For example, when the payment process is completed, the settlement device 30 may display guidance information on the display of the settlement device 30 that prompts the customer to touch or hold the terminal device 10 over a predetermined position on the settlement device 30. Then, when the customer performs this operation, a notification of the completion of the payment process may be sent from the settlement device 30 to the terminal device 10.

[0064] Alternatively, when the payment process is completed, the settlement device 30 may transmit information indicating that the payment process is completed to the store server 20, linked to the identification information of the terminal device 10 or the user identification information of the customer. In response to the notification, the store server 20 can transmit information indicating that the payment process is completed to the terminal device 10 identified by the identification information of the terminal device 10 or the user identification information of the customer.

[0065] In response to the completion of the checkout process, the light-emitting control unit 14 changes the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the product container 40 carried by the customer or the terminal device 10. If the product container 40 or the terminal device 10 is provided with multiple light-emitting means 41, the light-emitting control unit 14 controls the light-emitting states of the multiple light-emitting means 41.

[0066] When the light-emitting control unit 14 controls the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the commodity container 40, the terminal device 10 carried by a certain customer and a computer (e.g., a microcontroller) controlling the light-emitting means 41 of the commodity container 40 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. In one example, when the terminal device 10 is attached to a predetermined mounting position of the commodity container 40, the terminal device 10 and the computer of the commodity container 40 can communicate with each other via short-range wireless communication. For example, an antenna may be installed at the predetermined mounting position of the commodity container 40 to transmit and receive radio waves to and from the terminal device 10 attached to the predetermined mounting position. Alternatively, a cable connected to the light-emitting means 41 and extending to the mounting position may be provided. Then, after attaching the terminal device 10 to the predetermined mounting position, the customer may insert the cable into the terminal device 10 to enable communication between the terminal device 10 and the computer of the commodity container 40.

[0067] The light-emission control unit 14 controls the light-emission state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the product container 40 communicably connected to the terminal device 10, or the light-emitting means 41 provided in the terminal device 10. Upon completion of the checkout process, the light-emission control unit 14 changes the light-emission state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the product container 40 or the light-emitting means 41 provided in the terminal device 10 to a state corresponding to the completion of the checkout process.

[0068] In one example, a light emitting state corresponding to each of a plurality of situations is predefined as shown in Fig. 6. In the example of Fig. 6, it is defined that the zeroth light emitting state is set for the situation "registration in progress", the first light emitting state is set for the situation "payment start", and the second light emitting state is set for the situation "payment completed".

[0069] It should be noted that this example is merely an example and is not limiting. For example, it may be specified that the first light-emitting state is achieved in the status "payment start" and the second light-emitting state is achieved in the status "payment complete". Alternatively, it may be specified that the second light-emitting state is achieved in the status "payment complete".

[0070] As described above, the plurality of light emitting states differ from one another in terms of whether light is emitted, the color of the light emitted, the manner of light emission, the intensity of light, and so on.

[0071] The "registering" status occurs before the "checkout begins" and "checkout complete" statuses, and is a status in which a customer is walking around the store and registering items to be purchased. In response to a predetermined operation performed by the customer on the terminal device 10, the light-emitting control unit 14 recognizes the current status as "registering" and can change the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 to a state corresponding to the status. The predetermined operation recognized as being in registration may be an input operation to start shopping, an operation to register product identification information for the first (initial) item to be purchased, or some other operation.

[0072] The status "checkout started" occurs after the status "registration in progress" and before the status "checkout completed," and is a status in which the customer is processing the checkout for the items to be purchased. In response to the customer performing a predetermined operation on the terminal device 10, the light-emitting control unit 14 recognizes the current status as "checkout started" and can change the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 to a state corresponding to the status. The predetermined operation recognized as the start of checkout may be an input operation to start the checkout process, an operation to establish short-range wireless communication between the checkout device 30 and the terminal device 10, or some other operation.

[0073] The status "payment complete" occurs after the status "registration in progress" and the status "payment start", and is the status when the customer has completed the payment process for the purchased item. When the payment unit 13 receives a notification that the payment process by the payment device 30 has been completed, the light-emitting control unit 14 recognizes the current status as "payment complete" and can change the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 to a state corresponding to the status.

[0074] Returning to Fig. 1, upon completion of the settlement process, the message output unit 15 displays a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on the display of the terminal device 10. The content of the message may vary, and may be, for example, "The settlement process has been completed."

[0075] Here, an example of information displayed on the display of the terminal device 10 during shopping is shown.

[0076] 7 shows an example of information displayed on the display of the terminal device 10 in the above-mentioned "registering" state. In Fig. 7, the display of the terminal device 10 is divided into area A and area B. Area A displays the latest list acquired by the list acquisition unit 12.

[0077] 7, when the scan button is touched, the terminal device 10 enters scan mode. In scan mode, area A, area B, or the entire display becomes a viewfinder, allowing the camera to read the product code.

[0078] When the selection button is touched, multiple products are displayed in area A, area B, or the entire display for selection. For example, the name and unit price of each of the multiple products may be displayed. Also, an image of each of the multiple products may be displayed. For example, products that cannot be assigned a code, such as fresh food, may be displayed here for selection. When the user selects one of the multiple products displayed for selection, the selected product is newly registered in the list.

[0079] Touching the "Edit" button switches to a mode for editing the list contents. In this mode, the terminal device 10 selects one product from the list in response to a user operation, and accepts various modifications (deletion, change of points, etc.) for the selected product from the customer.

[0080] When the settlement start button is touched, the settlement unit 13 starts the settlement process described above.

[0081] For example, an advertisement is displayed in area B. An advertisement for the store may be displayed, or an advertisement for a product sold by the store may be displayed.

[0082] When the instruction button is touched, the instruction is displayed in area B or on the entire display. The message output unit 15 may display information (instructions) explaining the situations indicated by each of the multiple light-emitting states of the light-emitting means 41. That is, the instructions may indicate that the light-emitting means 41 will enter the second light-emitting state upon completion of the checkout process. The instructions may also indicate that the light-emitting means 41 will enter the zeroth light-emitting state while the customer is walking around the store and registering products, and that the light-emitting means 41 will enter the first light-emitting state upon the start of checkout.

[0083] Figure 8 shows an example of information displayed on the display of the terminal device 10 in the above-mentioned "settlement started" situation. In Figure 8, the display of the terminal device 10 is divided into area A and area B. Area A displays the list that has been acquired by the list acquisition unit 12 and is the subject of settlement processing. In the "settlement started" situation, the list is transmitted to the settlement device 30, and payment processing is being carried out in the settlement device 30. Area B displays a message indicating that settlement has not yet been completed.

[0084] Figure 9 shows an example of information displayed on the display of the terminal device 10 in the above-mentioned "payment completed" status. In Figure 9, the display of the terminal device 10 is divided into area A and area B. Area A displays the list acquired by the list acquisition unit 12 and subject to payment processing. In the "payment completed" status, the payment processing (payment process) for the products shown in the list is completed. Area B displays a message indicating that payment has been completed.

[0085] 7 to 9 , before the settlement process is completed, the message output unit 15 can display a list in a first area (area A) on the display of the terminal device 10, and can display other information in a second area (area B) different from the first area on the display of the terminal device 10. The other information includes at least one of an advertisement and an instruction manual.

[0086] Then, upon completion of the settlement process, the message output unit 15 can display a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed in the second area.

[0087] In this way, even if the message output unit 15 displays a message according to the status of the checkout process on the display of the terminal device 10, the customer can still check the list that continues to be displayed in the first area. The contents of the list are important to the customer while shopping. By allowing the customer to check the contents of such important lists at all times, convenience is improved.

[0088] As a modified example, lists and various messages may be displayed on the entire display of the terminal device 10, without being divided into multiple areas. The displayed content may be switched in response to a user operation, or may be switched at a predetermined timing.

[0089] Next, an example of the processing flow of the terminal device 10 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 10. In this example, the terminal device 10 sets the light-emitting means 41 to the first light-emitting state in the status "payment start", and sets the light-emitting means 41 to the second light-emitting state in the status "payment completion".

[0090] First, the terminal device 10 executes a registration process (S20). That is, the terminal device 10 acquires product identification information in response to a customer's operation. Then, the terminal device 10 acquires a list of products to be purchased that has been generated based on the acquired product identification information.

[0091] The terminal device 10 continues the registration process in S20 unless it receives an operation to start the checkout process (No in S21). When the terminal device 10 receives an operation to start the checkout process (Yes in S21), it starts the checkout process and changes the light-emitting means 41 of the product container 40 carried by the customer or the terminal device 10 to the first light-emitting state (S22). At this time, the terminal device 10 may display a message on its display indicating that the checkout process is in progress or that the checkout process is not yet complete. During the checkout process, the terminal device 10 performs processing to send the latest list to the checkout device 30. The terminal device 10 then waits for a notification from the checkout device 30 that the payment process has been completed (S23).

[0092] When the terminal device 10 receives notification that the payment process has been completed by the settlement device 30 and the settlement process is completed (Yes in S23), it changes the light-emitting means 41 to the second light-emitting state and displays a message on the display of the terminal device 10 indicating that the settlement process has been completed (S24).

[0093] "Effects" The terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment achieve the same effects as the terminal device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0094] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 of this embodiment can illuminate the product container 40 carried by the customer or the light emitting means 41 provided in the terminal device 10 in an illumination state corresponding to each of a plurality of situations during shopping. Such a terminal device 10 and store system can convey the customer's situation during shopping in more detail to the customer and store staff.

[0095] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 of this embodiment can display messages corresponding to each of a plurality of situations during shopping on the display of the terminal device 10. With such a terminal device 10 and store system, it is possible to communicate the situation of a customer while shopping to customers and store staff in more detail.

[0096] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 of this embodiment can display instructions regarding the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 on the display of the terminal device 10. Based on the instructions, customers can understand the meaning of the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41. As a result, customers are less likely to take products out of the store without paying for them.

[0097] 7 to 9, before the settlement process is completed, the terminal device 10 of this embodiment can display a list in a first area (area A) on the display of the terminal device 10, and can display other information in a second area (area B) different from the first area on the display of the terminal device 10. Then, upon completion of the settlement process, the message output unit 15 can display a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed in the second area.

[0098] In this way, even if the terminal device 10 displays a message on its display according to the status of the checkout process, the customer can still check the list that continues to be displayed in the first area. The contents of the list are important to the customer while shopping. By allowing the customer to check the contents of such important lists at all times, convenience is improved.

[0099] Furthermore, when the light emitting means 41 is attached to the product container 40 of this embodiment, the light emitting means 41 can be installed adjacent to the installation position of the terminal device 10. While shopping, customers look at the terminal device 10 many times. By placing the terminal device 10 and the light emitting means 41 adjacent to each other, the presence of the light emitting means 41 can be made known to the customer. Then, the customer can check the light emitting state of the light emitting means 41 when looking at the terminal device 10.

[0100] <Third embodiment> Fig. 11 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a store system of this embodiment. The store system of this embodiment differs from the store system of the second embodiment in that it does not have a checkout device 30. In this embodiment, customers perform payment processing by operating a terminal device 10 without using the checkout device 30. This will be described in detail below.

[0101] FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a terminal device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0102] The settlement unit 13 executes a settlement process based on the list acquired by the list acquisition unit 12. The "settlement process" executed by the settlement unit 13 in this embodiment is a process of communicating with the payment server and executing a settlement for the total amount indicated in the list acquired by the list acquisition unit 12. The settlement process is completed when the settlement is successfully completed.

[0103] The payment server is a server that provides payment services, and any widely known server can be used. For example, the payment server may be a server managed by a credit card company that provides credit card payment services. Alternatively, the payment server may be a server managed by a company that provides code payment services. Alternatively, the payment server may be a server managed by a company that provides electronic money payment services. Alternatively, the payment server may be a server managed by a company that provides points payment services.

[0104] The settlement unit 13 sends payment-related information (total amount, user identification information, credit card information, etc.) to the payment server selected by the user operation and requests payment. The settlement unit 13 then receives the payment result (payment completed / error) from the payment server. Note that the settlement unit 13 may also send a request to the payment server and receive the payment result via the store server 20. This "settlement process" performed by the settlement unit 13 of this embodiment can be realized using any widely known technology.

[0105] The light-emitting control unit 14 and the message output unit 15 determine that the settlement process is complete based on the notification that the settlement has been successfully completed from the settlement server, and change the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 and output a predetermined message. The details of this process are as described in the second embodiment.

[0106] As a variation of the store system of this embodiment, the store system may include a checkout device 30. Each customer may be able to select either the checkout process using the checkout device 30 described in the second embodiment or the checkout process using the terminal device 10 described in this embodiment.

[0107] Other configurations of the terminal device 10 and the store system of this embodiment are similar to those of the terminal device 10 and the store system of the first and second embodiments.

[0108] The terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment achieve the same effects as the terminal device 10 and store systems of the first and second embodiments.

[0109] Furthermore, according to the terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment, even when payment processing is performed using the terminal device 10 without using the settlement device 30 installed in the store, the same effects as those of the terminal device 10 and store system of the first and second embodiments are achieved.

[0110] Fourth Embodiment The terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment change the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit 41 depending on the products included in the list. With this configuration, it is possible to notify store staff and customers of the products included in the list based on the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit 41. This will be described in detail below.

[0111] FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a terminal device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0112] The light emission control unit 14 changes the light emission state of the light emitting means 41 depending on whether the target product is included in the list or not.

[0113] "Targeted products" are products that can be purchased when certain conditions are met. Targeted products may include any of the following: Age-restricted products that cannot be purchased by customers under a certain age Products with a maximum purchase limit

[0114] Examples of age-restricted products include alcohol and tobacco.

[0115] At least one product is registered in advance as a target product in the store server 20. For example, information indicating whether each product is a target product may be registered in a product master managed by the store server 20. The terminal device 10 can identify whether a product included in the list is a target product based on the information registered in the store server 20. There are various specific processes for identifying the target product.

[0116] For example, every time the product identification information is acquired by the product identification information acquisition unit 11, the list acquisition unit 12 transmits the product identification information acquired by the product identification information acquisition unit 11 to the store server 20 and requests product information. The store server 20 searches the product master using the received product identification information as a key, and transmits the product information obtained as a search result to the terminal device 10. This product information may include information indicating whether or not the product is a target product, in addition to the product name and product unit price. Then, the list acquisition unit 12 generates and updates the above-mentioned list based on the product information received from the store server 20. The list may indicate whether or not each product is a target product. The light emission control unit 14 can identify whether or not a product included in the list is a target product based on the list.

[0117] Additionally, each time product identification information is acquired by the product identification information acquisition unit 11, the list acquisition unit 12 transmits the acquired product identification information to the store server 20. The store server 20 searches the product master using the received product identification information as a key, and generates and updates a list based on the product information obtained as a search result. The list may indicate whether each product is a target product. The store server 20 then transmits the generated and updated latest list to the terminal device 10. The list acquisition unit 12 receives the latest list transmitted by the store server 20. The light emission control unit 14 can identify whether a product included in the list is a target product based on the list.

[0118] Next, an example in which the light emitting state of the light emitting means 41 is changed will be described.

[0119] For example, the product container 40 or the terminal device 10 may have a plurality of light-emitting means 41. Then, the light-emitting control unit 14 sets the light-emitting state of one light-emitting means 41 to a light-emitting state corresponding to each shopping status (registration in progress, checkout start, checkout completion, etc.) as described in the second embodiment.

[0120] Then, the light-emitting control unit 14 changes the light-emitting state of the other light-emitting means 41 to a light-emitting state according to whether or not the target product is included in the list. For example, the light-emitting control unit 14 changes the light-emitting state of the other light-emitting means 41 to the first' light-emitting state when the target product is included in the list, and changes the light-emitting state of the other light-emitting means 41 to the second' light-emitting state when the target product is not included in the list.

[0121] The first' light-emitting state and the second' light-emitting state are any of the plurality of light-emitting states described above. The first' light-emitting state and the second' light-emitting state are different light-emitting states from each other. The first' light-emitting state may be the same as any of the zeroth to second light-emitting states described above, or may be a light-emitting state different from any of them. Furthermore, the second' light-emitting state may be the same as any of the zeroth to second light-emitting states described above, or may be a light-emitting state different from any of them.

[0122] As another example, the light-emitting control unit 14 changes the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 to a light-emitting state corresponding to each shopping situation (registration in progress, checkout starting, checkout completed, etc.), as described in the second embodiment.

[0123] Note that there are multiple light-emitting states corresponding to each status. For example, in the status "Registering", the light-emitting means 41 can take two light-emitting states (light-emitting state 0-1 and light-emitting state 0-2) depending on whether or not the target product is included in the list at that time. Also, in the status "Checkout Start", the light-emitting means 41 can take two light-emitting states (light-emitting state 1-1 and light-emitting state 1-2) depending on whether or not the target product is included in the list at that time. Also, in the status "Checkout Complete", the light-emitting means 41 can take two light-emitting states (light-emitting state 2-1 and light-emitting state 2-2) depending on whether or not the target product is included in the list at that time.

[0124] In one example, the light emission states are as follows. Note that these are merely examples and are not limiting. Light emission state 0-1: Green light on Light emission state 0-2: Green flashing Light emission state 1-1: Red light on Light emission state 1-2: Red flashing Light emission state 2-1: Blue light on Light emission state 2-2: Blue flashing

[0125] The light emission control unit 14 then changes the light emission state of the light emitting means 41 to a light emission state that corresponds to the shopping situation and whether or not the target product is included in the list at that time.

[0126] Other configurations of the terminal device 10 and the store system of this embodiment are similar to the configurations of the terminal device 10 and the store system of the first to third embodiments.

[0127] The terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment achieve the same effects as the terminal device 10 and store systems of the first to third embodiments.

[0128] Furthermore, with the terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment, store staff can easily determine whether the target product is included in each customer's list based on the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41. Then, the store staff can verify the age of each customer as needed, or check the number of products registered by each customer.

[0129] Fifth Embodiment The terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment change the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit 41 depending on the position of the terminal device 10 after starting the checkout process. With this configuration, it is possible to notify store staff and customers that the customer's position after starting the checkout process is unnatural, based on the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit 41. This will be described in detail below.

[0130] FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a terminal device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0131] The light-emitting control unit 14 changes the light-emitting means 41 to the first light-emitting state in response to the start of the settlement process. Furthermore, the light-emitting control unit 14 changes the light-emitting means 41 to the second light-emitting state in response to the completion of the settlement process. Note that the light-emitting control unit 14 may set the light-emitting means 41 to the zeroth light-emitting state during the registration process. The zeroth to second light-emitting states are as described in the second embodiment.

[0132] Then, if the location of the terminal device 10 satisfies the warning condition after the start of the settlement process and before the completion of the settlement process, the light-emitting control unit 14 changes the light-emitting means 41 to the third light-emitting state. The terminal device 10 has a function of acquiring location information. The location information indicates the current location of the terminal device 10, for example, in latitude and longitude.

[0133] After the settlement process starts and before the settlement process is completed, the light-emitting control unit 14 monitors whether the location of the terminal device 10 satisfies the warning condition based on the location information. If the location of the terminal device 10 satisfies the warning condition, the light-emitting unit 41 is changed to a third light-emitting state. The third light-emitting state is a light-emitting state different from the first light-emitting state and the second light-emitting state.

[0134] The warning conditions include at least one of the following: Passing a predetermined position; The distance from the reference position is equal to or greater than a threshold; The distance from a predetermined settlement device 30 is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0135] The "predetermined location" may be, for example, the entrance or exit of a store. Alternatively, if the store has a checkout area where multiple checkout devices 30 are installed, the predetermined location may be the exit of the checkout area.

[0136] The light emission control unit 14 can detect the passage of a predetermined position by comparing the position history (movement trajectory) of the terminal device 10 indicated by the above position information with a predetermined position that has been registered in advance.

[0137] The "reference position" is a predetermined position within the store, such as the position of a payment device 30 installed in the store. If multiple payment devices 30 are installed in the store, when each customer operates the terminal device 10 to input the start of payment, the store server 20 may specify the payment device 30 to be used by each customer. In this case, the reference position may be the position of the payment device 30 specified by each customer. The light-emitting control unit 14 calculates the distance between the position of the terminal device 10 indicated by the position information and a pre-registered reference position, and compares the calculated distance with a pre-registered threshold. Based on the result of the comparison, the light-emitting control unit 14 then detects whether the distance from the reference position is equal to or greater than the threshold, or whether the distance from a predetermined payment device 30 is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0138] There are various means by which the store server 20 can specify the checkout device 30 to be used by each customer. An example will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0139] First, when each customer operates the terminal device 10 to input the start of settlement, this is notified to the store server 20. In response to this notification, the store server 20 designates the settlement device 30 to be used by each customer. Possible methods for designation include, for example, the following.

[0140] The store server 20 manages the usage status (whether or not the payment device 30 is in use) of each payment device 30 in real time based on notifications from each of the multiple payment devices 30. When a customer operates the terminal device 10 to input the start of payment, the terminal device 10 notifies the store server 20 of this. In response to the notification, the store server 20 selects one of the payment devices 30 that are not in use at that time. There are various means for selecting one. For example, the selection may be random, the payment device 30 that has been used the least number of times, or other criteria.

[0141] The store server 20 then notifies the terminal device 10 that the payment will be made at the selected payment device 30. In response to this notification, the store server 20 may transmit a list of the customer (a list of products to be purchased) to the selected payment device 30.

[0142] Next, an example of the processing flow of the terminal device 10 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 12. In this example, the terminal device 10 sets the light-emitting means 41 to a first light-emitting state in the status "payment start", sets the light-emitting means 41 to a second light-emitting state in the status "payment completion", and sets the light-emitting means 41 to a third light-emitting state when a warning condition is met.

[0143] First, the terminal device 10 executes a registration process (S30). That is, the terminal device 10 acquires product identification information in response to a customer's operation. Then, the terminal device 10 acquires a list of products to be purchased that has been generated based on the acquired product identification information.

[0144] The terminal device 10 continues the registration process in S30 unless it receives an operation to start the checkout process (No in S31). Then, when it receives an operation to start the checkout process (Yes in S31), it starts the checkout process and changes the light-emitting means 41 of the product container 40 carried by the customer or the terminal device 10 to the first light-emitting state (S32). At this time, the terminal device 10 may display on its display a message indicating that the checkout process is in progress or a message indicating that the checkout process has not yet been completed. The terminal device 10 then waits for the checkout process to be completed (S33).

[0145] When the settlement process is completed (Yes in S33), the terminal device 10 changes the light-emitting means 41 to the second light-emitting state and displays a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on the display of the terminal device 10 (S34).

[0146] While the settlement process is not completed (No in S33), the terminal device 10 monitors whether the location of the terminal device 10 satisfies the warning condition (S35).

[0147] If the condition is not satisfied (No in S35), the terminal device 10 continues to wait for the completion of the settlement process (S33) and to monitor whether the position of the terminal device 10 satisfies the warning condition (S35).

[0148] On the other hand, if the location of the terminal device 10 satisfies the warning condition (Yes in S35), the terminal device 10 changes the light-emitting means 41 to the third light-emitting state (S36). At this time, the terminal device 10 may display a message on the display of the terminal device 10 indicating that the payment process has not yet been completed, or urging the customer to leave the location after the payment process is completed. A store employee may call out to the customer whose light-emitting means 41 is in the third light-emitting state.

[0149] After changing the light-emitting means 41 to the third light-emitting state, the terminal device 10 waits for the payment process to be completed (S37). Then, when the payment process is completed (Yes in S37), the terminal device 10 changes the light-emitting means 41 to the second light-emitting state and displays a message indicating that the payment process has been completed on the display of the terminal device 10 (S34).

[0150] Other configurations of the terminal device 10 and the store system of this embodiment are similar to those of the terminal device 10 and the store system of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0151] According to the terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment, the same effects as those of the terminal device 10 and store systems of the first to fourth embodiments are realized.

[0152] Furthermore, with the terminal device 10 and store system of this embodiment, if the customer's location meets the warning condition before the completion of the checkout process, this fact can be notified by the light emitting state of the light emitting means 41. Store staff can grasp this situation and, if necessary, speak to the customer.

[0153] Sixth Embodiment In the first to fifth embodiments, the terminal device 10 controls the light emitting state of the light emitting means 41 and the output of messages to the display of the terminal device 10. In this embodiment, the store server 20 performs this control.

[0154] Fig. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of the store server 20. As shown in Fig. 13, the store server 20 has a correspondence information acquisition unit 21, a payment completion terminal information acquisition unit 22, a server-side light-emission control unit 23, and a server-side message output unit 24. These functional units execute the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 14.

[0155] In S40, the correspondence information acquisition unit 21 acquires correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the terminal device 10 carried by the customer and the commodity container 40 carried by the customer.

[0156] In S41, the settlement completion terminal information acquisition unit 22 acquires, from the terminal device 10 or the settlement device 30, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device 10 for which the settlement process has been completed.

[0157] In S42, the server-side light-emitting control unit 23 identifies the product container 40 corresponding to the terminal device 10 for which the settlement process has been completed based on the correspondence information, and changes the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the identified product container 40.

[0158] In S43, the server-side message output unit 24 displays a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on the display of the terminal device 10 for which the settlement process has been completed.

[0159] The processing order of S42 and S43 may be reversed from that shown in Fig. 14. Furthermore, the processing of S42 and S43 may be performed in parallel.

[0160] According to the store server 20 of this embodiment, the completion of the checkout process can be notified by the light emitting state of the light emitting means provided on the product container carried by the customer. Also, according to the store server 20 of this embodiment, the completion of the checkout process can be notified by a message displayed on the display of the terminal device 10.

[0161] In this way, the store server 20 of this embodiment notifies the completion of the checkout process by the illumination state of the light-emitting means 41 provided on the product container 40 carried by the customer and a message displayed on the terminal device 10, so that the current status of the checkout process can be correctly communicated to the user.

[0162] The store system of this embodiment includes such a store server 20. The store system of this embodiment achieves the same effects as the store server 20 of this embodiment.

[0163] Seventh Embodiment Overview The store server 20 of the seventh embodiment is a specific implementation of the configuration of the store server 20 of the sixth embodiment. The details will be described below.

[0164] "Hardware Configuration of the Store Server 20" First, an example of the hardware configuration of the store server 20 will be described. Each functional unit of the store server 20 is realized by any combination of hardware and software. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are many variations in the realization method and device. The software includes programs that are pre-loaded when the device is shipped, and programs downloaded from recording media such as CDs (Compact Discs) or servers on the Internet.

[0165] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the store server 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the store server 20 has a processor 1A, a memory 2A, an input / output interface 3A, a peripheral circuit 4A, and a bus 5A. The peripheral circuit 4A includes various modules. The store server 20 does not necessarily have to have the peripheral circuit 4A. The store server 20 may also be composed of multiple devices that are physically and / or logically separated. In this case, each of the multiple devices can have the above hardware configuration.

[0166] "Overview of a store system having a store server 20" Figure 15 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a store system according to this embodiment. The store system has a store server 20 and a commodity container 40. The store system may further have at least one of a terminal device 10 and a payment device 30.

[0167] The configuration of the terminal device 10 is the same as that of the first to fifth embodiments, except that the light emission control unit 14 and the message output unit 15 are not included.

[0168] The configuration of the commodity container 40 is the same as that of the first to fifth embodiments, except that the light emitting state of the light emitting means 41 is controlled by the store server 20 rather than the terminal device 10 .

[0169] The configuration of the settlement device 30 is the same as in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0170] The configuration of the store server 20 is the same as that of the first to fifth embodiments, except that it has the functions described below.

[0171] "Functional Configuration of Store Server 20" Next, the functional configuration of the store server 20 will be described in detail. An example of a functional block diagram of the store server 20 is shown in Fig. 13. As shown in the figure, the store server 20 has a correspondence information acquisition unit 21, a payment completion terminal information acquisition unit 22, a server-side light-emission control unit 23, and a server-side message output unit 24.

[0172] The correspondence information acquisition unit 21 acquires correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the terminal device 10 carried by the customer and the commodity container 40 carried by the customer.

[0173] For example, the correspondence information acquisition unit 21 can acquire correspondence information from a computer (e.g., a microcontroller) included in the terminal device 10 or the commodity container 40. Below, examples of the process in which the correspondence information acquisition unit 21 acquires correspondence information will be described, but the process is not limited to these.

[0174] In one example, as described in the second embodiment, the terminal device 10 carried by the customer and a computer (e.g., a microcontroller (micom)) that controls the light-emitting means 41 of the product container 40 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.

[0175] In this connected state, the computer of the commodity container 40 may transmit the identification information of its own commodity container 40 stored in its own storage device to the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 may then link the received identification information of the commodity container 40 with the identification information of its own terminal device 10 and transmit them to the store server 20. The terminal device 10 may transmit user identification information entered when logging in to an application installed on the terminal device 10 to the store server 20, instead of the identification information of its own terminal device 10. The user identification information can also be used as information for identifying the terminal device 10.

[0176] Additionally, in the above-described connected state, the terminal device 10 may transmit its own identification information stored in its own storage device to the computer of the commodity container 40. The computer of the commodity container 40 may then link the received identification information of the terminal device 10 with the identification information of its own commodity container 40 stored in its own storage device and transmit the linked information to the store server 20. The terminal device 10 and the computer of the commodity container 40 may transmit and receive user identification information entered when logging in to an application installed on the terminal device 10, instead of the identification information of the terminal device 10. The user identification information can also be used as information for identifying the terminal device 10.

[0177] As another example, each commodity container 40 may indicate its own identification information. For example, a label indicating the identification information of each commodity container 40 may be affixed to each commodity container 40. The customer may then input the identification information of the commodity container 40 they are carrying into the terminal device 10 and perform an operation to transmit the information to the store server 20. In response to this operation, the terminal device 10 associates the input identification information of the commodity container 40 with the identification information of the terminal device 10 and transmits the information to the store server 20. The terminal device 10 may transmit user identification information input when logging in to an application installed on the terminal device 10 to the store server 20, instead of the identification information of the terminal device 10 itself. The user identification information may also be used as information to identify the terminal device 10.

[0178] If the terminal device 10 is already attached to the commodity container 40 when it is lent to a customer from a store, the correspondence information may be stored in advance in the store server 20 by any means. In this case, an operator may manually input the correspondence information into the store server 20. Alternatively, when the terminal device 10 is attached to the commodity container 40 in advance, the terminal device 10 or a computer included in the commodity container 40 may send the correspondence information to the store server 20 by the means described above. The store server 20 may then store the correspondence information received in this manner.

[0179] The settlement completion terminal information acquisition unit 22 acquires, from the terminal device 10 or the settlement device 30, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device 10 for which the settlement process has been completed.

[0180] The store system of this embodiment performs payment processing via the settlement device 30 as described in the second embodiment and the like. As described in the second embodiment, when the settlement device 30 completes the payment processing, it can notify the store server 20 of the completion of the payment processing. The settlement device 30 may include information indicating the terminal device 10 for which the settlement processing has been completed in this notification. The settlement completion terminal information acquisition unit 22 may then acquire this notification as settlement completion terminal information. The information indicating the terminal device 10 for which the settlement processing has been completed is the identification information of the terminal device 10 or the user identification information entered when logging in to an application installed on the terminal device 10.

[0181] Additionally, as described in the second embodiment, when the payment process is completed, the settlement device 30 can notify the terminal device 10 of the completion of the payment process. In response to receiving this notification, the terminal device 10 may transmit to the store server 20 that the payment process has been completed. The settlement completion terminal information acquisition unit 22 may acquire this notification from the terminal device 10 as settlement completion terminal information.

[0182] The server-side light-emission control unit 23 identifies the commodity container 40 corresponding to the terminal device 10 that has completed the checkout process based on the correspondence information. Then, the server-side light-emission control unit 23 changes the light-emission state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the identified commodity container 40. The store server 20 and the computer of the commodity container 40 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via any communication means.

[0183] Additionally, the store server 20 may obtain information indicating the shopping status (registration in progress, checkout start, checkout completion, etc.) in real time from the terminal device 10. Then, the server-side light-emission control unit 23 may identify the commodity container 40 corresponding to each terminal device 10 based on the corresponding information, and then control the light-emitting means 41 of the identified commodity container 40 to emit light in a state corresponding to each status.

[0184] Alternatively, the store server 20 may determine whether the target product is included in the list based on a list managed by the store server 20 itself or a list acquired from the terminal device 10. Target products are products that can be purchased when certain conditions are met. Target products include at least one of age-restricted products that cannot be purchased by customers under a certain age and products with a maximum purchase quantity limit.

[0185] Then, the server-side light-emitting control unit 23 may identify the product container 40 corresponding to each terminal device 10 based on the correspondence information, and then control the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the identified product container 40 to be in a state corresponding to the result of the above judgment.

[0186] Alternatively, the store server 20 may acquire location information from each terminal device 10 after the start of the checkout process and before the completion of the checkout process, and determine whether the location of the terminal device 10 satisfies the warning condition. Then, the server-side light-emission control unit 23 may identify the commodity container 40 corresponding to each terminal device 10 based on the correspondence information, and then control the light-emission state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the identified commodity container 40 to be in a state corresponding to the result of the above determination.

[0187] The control of the light emitting state of the light emitting means 41 by the server-side light emission control unit 23 can be realized in the same manner as the light emission control unit 14 of the terminal device 10 described in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0188] The server-side message output unit 24 displays a message indicating that the payment process has been completed on the display of the terminal device 10 after the payment process has been completed. The server-side message output unit 24 may also display various messages according to the shopping situation on the display of the terminal device 10. The server-side message output unit 24 can display various information on the display of the terminal device 10 by processing similar to that of the message output unit 15 of the terminal device 10 described in the first to fifth embodiments.

[0189] Next, an example of the flow of processing by the store server 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0190] First, when starting shopping, a customer attaches the terminal device 10 that they carry to the product container 40 that they carry. This attachment enables the terminal device 10 and the computer of the product container 40 to communicate with each other. Then, in the process described above, the terminal device 10 or the computer of the product container 40 transmits correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the terminal device 10 and the product container 40 to the store server 20.

[0191] The store server 20 acquires the correspondence information transmitted in this manner from the terminal device 10 or the computer of the commodity container 40 (S50).

[0192] Thereafter, the store server 20 acquires information indicating that the first terminal device 10 has started the payment process from the first terminal device 10 or the payment device 30, which is one of the plurality of terminal devices 10 (S51). In response to acquiring the information, the store server 20 identifies the commodity container 40 corresponding to the first terminal device 10 based on the correspondence information, and changes the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 provided in the identified commodity container 40 to the first light-emitting state (S52).

[0193] The store server 20 then waits to receive payment completion terminal information from the first terminal device 10 or the settlement device 30, indicating that the first terminal device 10 has completed the payment process (S53). When the store server 20 receives payment completion terminal information indicating that the first terminal device 10 has completed the payment process (Yes in S53), the store server 20 proceeds to S54. In S54, the store server 20 changes the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 included in the commodity container 40 corresponding to the first terminal device 10 to the second light-emitting state. In S54, the store server 20 also displays a message indicating that the payment process has been completed on the display of the first terminal device 10.

[0194] In this way, even if the store server 20, rather than the terminal device 10, controls the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means 41 and the output of messages to the display of the terminal device 10, the same effects as those of the first to fifth embodiments are achieved.

[0195] Eighth Embodiment Fig. 17 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a store system according to this embodiment. The store system according to this embodiment differs from the store system according to the seventh embodiment in that it does not have a checkout device 30. In this embodiment, customers do not use the checkout device 30, but instead operate the terminal device 10 to perform payment processing. This will be described in detail below.

[0196] FIG. 13 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the store server 20 of this embodiment.

[0197] The settlement completion terminal information acquisition unit 22 acquires, from the terminal device 10, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device 10 for which the settlement process has been completed.

[0198] As described in the third embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the payment server and performs payment processing for the total amount of the list of products to be purchased. When the terminal device 10 receives a notification from the payment server that payment has been successfully completed, it notifies the store server 20 of this fact. The payment completion terminal information acquisition unit 22 acquires this notification as payment completion terminal information.

[0199] As a variation of the store system of this embodiment, the store system may include a checkout device 30. Each customer may be able to select either the checkout process using the checkout device 30 described in the seventh embodiment or the checkout process using the terminal device 10 described in this embodiment.

[0200] Other configurations of the store server 20 and the store system of this embodiment are similar to those of the store server 20 and the store system of the sixth and seventh embodiments.

[0201] The store server 20 and store system of this embodiment achieve the same effects as the store server 20 and store systems of the sixth and seventh embodiments.

[0202] Furthermore, according to the store server 20 and store system of this embodiment, even when payment processing is performed using the terminal device 10 without using the settlement device 30 installed in the store, the same effects as those of the store server 20 and store system of the sixth and seventh embodiments can be achieved.

[0203] 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.

[0204] In addition, in the flowcharts used in the above description, multiple steps (processes) are described in order. However, the order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order described. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed to the extent that the content is not affected. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent that the content is not contradictory.

[0205] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 1. A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer of a terminal device carried by a customer to function as: product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information; list acquisition means for acquiring a list of products eligible for purchase created based on the acquired product identification information; checkout means for executing a checkout process based on the list; light-emission control means for changing the light-emission state of a light-emitting means provided in a product container carried by the customer or in the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process; and message output means for displaying a message indicating the checkout process is complete on a display of the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process. 2. The recording medium described in 1, wherein the light-emission control means changes the light-emission state of the light-emitting means depending on whether the target product is included in the list or not. 3. The recording medium described in 2, wherein the target product is a product that can be purchased when a condition is met. 4. The recording medium described in 3, wherein the target product includes at least one of: age-restricted products that cannot be purchased by customers under a certain age; and products with a set upper limit on the number of purchases. 5. The recording medium according to any one of 1 to 4, wherein the message output means displays the list in a first area of ​​the display before the settlement process is completed, displays other information in a second area of ​​the display different from the first area, and displays a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed in the second area upon completion of the settlement process. 6. The recording medium according to 5, wherein the other information includes at least one of an advertisement and an instruction manual. 7. The recording medium according to any one of 1 to 6, wherein the light-emitting means is capable of emitting light in a plurality of light-emitting states, and the message output means displays on the display information explaining the status indicated by each of the plurality of light-emitting states of the light-emitting means.8. The recording medium described in any one of 1 to 7, wherein the light emission control means changes the light emitting means to a first light emitting state in response to the start of the checkout process, changes the light emitting means to a second light emitting state in response to the completion of the checkout process, and changes the light emitting means to a third light emitting state if the position of the terminal device satisfies a warning condition after the start of the checkout process and before the completion of the checkout process. 9. The recording medium described in 8, wherein the warning condition includes at least one of: passing a predetermined position, a distance from a reference position being equal to or greater than a threshold, and a distance from a predetermined checkout device being equal to or greater than a threshold. 10. The recording medium described in any one of 1 to 9, wherein the product container comprises a plurality of the light emitting means, and the light emission control means controls the light emitting states of the plurality of light emitting means. 11. The recording medium described in any one of 1 to 10, wherein the terminal device is attached to a predetermined attachment position on the product container, and the attachment position of the terminal device and the light emitting means are adjacent to each other. 12. 13. A terminal device comprising: a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information; a list acquisition means for acquiring a list of products eligible for purchase created based on the acquired product identification information; a checkout means for executing a checkout process based on the list; a light emission control means for changing the light emission state of a light emitting means provided in a product container carried by the customer or in the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process; and a message output means for displaying a message indicating the completion of the checkout process on a display of the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process. 13. A terminal device processing method in which a computer of a terminal device carried by a customer acquires product identification information, acquires a list of products eligible for purchase created based on the acquired product identification information, executes a checkout process based on the list, changes the light emission state of a product container carried by the customer or in the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process, and displays a message indicating the completion of the checkout process on a display of the terminal device upon completion of the checkout process. 14. A store system comprising the terminal device of 12 and a product container carried by a customer and provided with a light emitting means.15. A store server comprising: correspondence information acquisition means for acquiring correspondence information indicating the correspondence between a terminal device carried by a customer and a commodity container carried by the customer; payment completion terminal information acquisition means for acquiring, from the terminal device or a payment device, payment completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which payment processing has been completed; server-side light-emission control means for identifying the commodity container corresponding to the terminal device for which payment processing has been completed based on the correspondence information and changing the light-emitting state of a light-emitting means provided in the identified commodity container; and server-side message output means for displaying a message indicating that the payment processing has been completed on the display of the terminal device for which the payment processing has been completed. 16. The store server according to 15, wherein the server-side light-emission control means changes the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means depending on whether the target commodity is included in a list of products eligible for purchase registered via the terminal device or whether the target commodity is not included in the list. 17. The store server according to 16, wherein the target commodity is a product that can be purchased if a condition is met. 18. A store system comprising: a store server according to claim 15; and a commodity container carried by a customer and equipped with light-emitting means. 19. A store server processing method in which one or more computers acquire correspondence information indicating the correspondence between a terminal device carried by the customer and a commodity container carried by the customer, acquire from the terminal device or a payment device payment completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which payment processing has been completed, identify the commodity container corresponding to the terminal device for which payment processing has been completed based on the correspondence information, change the light-emitting state of the light-emitting means equipped on the identified commodity container, and display a message indicating that the payment processing has been completed on the display of the terminal device for which payment processing has been completed.20. A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as: correspondence information acquisition means for acquiring correspondence information indicating the correspondence between a terminal device carried by a customer and a commodity container carried by the customer; settlement completion terminal information acquisition means for acquiring, from the terminal device or a settlement device, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed; server-side light emission control means for identifying the commodity container corresponding to the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed based on the correspondence information and changing the light emission state of the light emitting means of the identified commodity container; and server-side message output means for displaying a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed on the display of the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed.

[0206] Some or all of Supplements 2 to 11 that are dependent on the recording medium of Supplement 1 described above may also be dependent on the terminal device of Supplement 12, the processing method of the terminal device of Supplement 13, and the store system of Supplement 14 in the same dependent relationship as Supplement 1 and Supplements 2 to 11. Furthermore, some or all of Supplements 16 and 17 that are dependent on the store server of Supplement 15 described above may also be dependent on the store system of Supplement 18, the processing method of the store server of Supplement 19, and the recording medium of Supplement 20 in the same dependent relationship as Supplement 15, Supplements 16, and 17. Furthermore, without departing from the scope of each of the above-described embodiments, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements can be realized in various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems.

[0207] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Terminal device 11 Product identification information acquisition unit 12 List acquisition unit 13 Payment unit 14 Light-emitting control unit 15 Message output unit 20 Store server 21 Corresponding information acquisition unit 22 Payment completion terminal information acquisition unit 23 Server-side light-emitting control unit 24 Server-side message output unit 30 Payment device 40 Product container 1A Processor 2A Memory 3A Input / output I / F 4A Peripheral circuit 5A Bus

Claims

1. A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer of a customer-carried terminal device to function as: a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information; a list acquisition means for acquiring a list of products to be purchased generated based on the acquired product identification information; a settlement means for executing a settlement process based on the list; a light emission control means for changing a light emission state of a product container carried by the customer or a light emission means provided in the terminal device in response to completion of the settlement process; and a message output means for causing a message indicating completion of the settlement process to be displayed on a display of the terminal device.

2. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control means makes the light emission state of the light emission means different between a case where a target product is included in the list and a case where the target product is not included in the list.

3. The recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the target product is a product that can be purchased when conditions are satisfied.

4. The recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the target product includes at least one of: a product with an age restriction that customers under a predetermined age cannot purchase; and a product with a defined upper limit on the number of purchase points.

5. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the message output means: before completion of the settlement process, displays the list in a first area of the display and displays other information in a second area different from the first area of the display; and in response to completion of the settlement process, displays a message indicating completion of the settlement process in the second area.

6. The recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the other information includes at least one of an advertisement and an instruction manual.

7. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light emission means can emit light in a plurality of light emission states, and the message output means causes information explaining a situation indicated by each of the plurality of light emission states of the light emission means to be displayed on the display.

8. The light emission control means changes the light emission means to a first light emission state in response to the start of the settlement process, changes the light emission means to a second light emission state in response to the completion of the settlement process, and changes the light emission means to a third light emission state when the position of the terminal device satisfies a warning condition after the start of the settlement process and before the completion of the settlement process. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The warning condition includes at least one of passing through a predetermined position, the distance from a reference position being equal to or greater than a threshold value, and the distance from a predetermined settlement device being equal to or greater than a threshold value. The recording medium according to claim 8.

10. The merchandise container includes a plurality of the light emission means, and the light emission control means controls the light emission states of the plurality of the light emission means. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The terminal device is attached to a predetermined attachment position of the merchandise container, and the attachment position of the terminal device and the light emission means are adjacent to each other. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A terminal device having merchandise identification information acquisition means for acquiring merchandise identification information, list acquisition means for acquiring a list of merchandise to be purchased generated based on the acquired merchandise identification information, settlement means for executing a settlement process based on the list, light emission control means for changing the light emission state of a light emission means provided in a merchandise container carried by a customer or the terminal device in response to the completion of the settlement process, and message output means for causing a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed to be displayed on a display of the terminal device in response to the completion of the settlement process.

13. A processing method of a terminal device in which a computer of a terminal device carried by a customer acquires merchandise identification information, acquires a list of merchandise to be purchased generated based on the acquired merchandise identification information, executes a settlement process based on the list, changes the light emission state of a light emission means provided in a merchandise container carried by a customer or the terminal device in response to the completion of the settlement process, and causes a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed to be displayed on a display of the terminal device in response to the completion of the settlement process.

14. A store system comprising the terminal device according to claim 12 and a merchandise container carried by a customer and provided with a light-emitting means.

15. A store server having: a correspondence information acquisition means for acquiring correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a terminal device carried by a customer and a merchandise container carried by the customer; a settlement completion terminal information acquisition means for acquiring, from the terminal device or a settlement device, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which settlement processing has been completed; a server-side light emission control means for specifying, based on the correspondence information, the merchandise container corresponding to the terminal device for which the settlement processing has been completed and changing a light emission state of a light-emitting means included in the specified merchandise container; and a server-side message output means for causing a message indicating that the settlement processing has been completed to be displayed on a display of the terminal device for which the settlement processing has been completed.

16. The store server according to claim 15, wherein the server-side light emission control means changes the light emission state of the light-emitting means depending on whether a target product is included in a list of purchase target products registered via the terminal device or not.

17. The store server according to claim 16, wherein the target product is a product that can be purchased when conditions are satisfied.

18. A store system comprising the store server according to claim 15 and a merchandise container carried by a customer and provided with a light-emitting means.

19. A processing method of a store server, wherein one or more computers acquire correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a terminal device carried by a customer and a merchandise container carried by the customer, acquire, from the terminal device or a settlement device, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which settlement processing has been completed, specify, based on the correspondence information, the merchandise container corresponding to the terminal device for which the settlement processing has been completed, change a light emission state of a light-emitting means included in the specified merchandise container, and cause a message indicating that the settlement processing has been completed to be displayed on a display of the terminal device for which the settlement processing has been completed.

20. A recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as: - a correspondence information acquisition means for acquiring correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between a terminal device carried by a customer and a merchandise container carried by the customer; - a settlement completion terminal information acquisition means for acquiring, from the terminal device or the settlement device, settlement completion terminal information indicating the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed; - a server-side light emission control means for specifying the merchandise container corresponding to the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed based on the correspondence information, and changing a light emission state of a light emission means provided in the specified merchandise container; and - a server-side message output means for displaying, on a display of the terminal device for which the settlement process has been completed, a message indicating that the settlement process has been completed.

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