JP2023060203A - Commodity sales system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a shopper to successively continue to register commodities to be purchased even in a case where a commodity not permitted to be sold is designated as a target to be purchased.

SOLUTION: A commodity sales system of an embodiment includes storage means and notification means. The storage means stores a list including a commodity identifier for identifying a commodity that a purchaser has determined to purchase irrespective of whether or not the commodity identified by the commodity identifier is permitted to be sold, the list being capable of distinguishing whether or not the commodity identified by the commodity identifier is permitted to be sold. In a case where a commodity code of a commodity not permitted to be sold is included in the list stored by the storage means, the notification means notifies a predetermined notification destination of the fact.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 24

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a merchandise sales system.

A system has been proposed in which a shopper uses a portable information terminal such as an information terminal provided on a trolley such as a shopping cart to register purchases of products that the shopper has decided to purchase. there is
In such a system, for example, if a product that is not set as a product to be sold on the system side is erroneously displayed on the sales floor, and the shopper designates such a product as a purchase target, an error has conventionally occurred. board.

In addition, there is a possibility that the store clerk needs to deal with such an error each time it occurs, which may become a burden on the store clerk and cause the shopper to wait.
Under such circumstances, it has been desired that the shopper can continue to register the purchased products even if the products that are not permitted to be sold are designated as the purchase target.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-108010

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a merchandise sales system in which a shopper can continue to register purchased merchandise even when merchandise not permitted to be sold is specified as an object to be purchased.

A product sales system according to an embodiment includes storage means and notification means. The storage means includes a product identifier for identifying the product that the purchaser has decided to purchase, regardless of whether or not the sale of the product identified by the product identifier is permitted, and the product identifier Stores a list that distinguishes whether or not the sale of the product identified by is allowed. The notification means notifies a predetermined notification destination when the list stored by the storage means includes the product code of the product that is not permitted to be sold.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales system according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a layout example of a store in which the product sales system shown in FIG. 1 is introduced; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the first server in FIG. 1; 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a data record per product stored in the product database in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a data record per member stored in the member database in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a data record per piece of information stored in the sales promotion database in FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a second server in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a data record per cart included in the cart management database in FIG. 7; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a data record per accounting machine included in the accounting machine management database shown in FIG. 7; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the information terminal in FIG. 1; The perspective view which shows an example of the external appearance of a cart. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the monitoring terminal in FIG. 1; 8 is a flowchart of information processing performed by the processor in FIG. 7 in cooperation with an information terminal; 8 is a flowchart of information processing performed by the processor in FIG. 7 in cooperation with an information terminal; Schematic diagram showing the data structure of a product list. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a dummy list; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the product list after updating due to cancellation of purchase registration; The figure which shows a registration screen. 8 is a flowchart of information processing performed by the processor in FIG. 7 in cooperation with the accounting machine; 8 is a flowchart of information processing performed by the processor in FIG. 7 in cooperation with a monitoring terminal; The figure which shows the structure of a list screen. The figure which shows the structure of a list screen. The figure which shows the structure of a list screen. The figure which shows a detailed screen. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a dummy list after updating due to cancellation;

In the following, a merchandise sales system in which purchased merchandise is registered according to the shopper's operation of the information terminal, and the purchased merchandise is also accounted for according to the shopper's operation of the accounting machine, will be described with reference to the drawings. .

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales system according to this embodiment.
The merchandise sales system 100 includes a first server 10 , a second server 20 , a POS (point-of-sale) terminal 30 , a checkout machine 40 , an information terminal 50 and a monitoring terminal 60 . The first server 10, second server 20, POS terminal 30, and accounting machine 40 are connected to a network 70 such as a LAN (local area network).

Both the information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60 have wireless units. An access point 80 is connected to the network 70 . The information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60 can communicate with each device connected to the network 70 via wireless communication with the access point 80 .

Although one POS terminal 30, checkout machine 40, information terminal 50, monitoring terminal 60, and access point 80 are shown in FIG. 1, two or more of each may be provided. The first server 10 and the second server 20 do not necessarily have to be connected to the network 70 . For example, the Internet may be connected to the network 70 via a gateway, and at least one of the first server 10 and the second server 20 may be connected to the Internet. Also, at least one of the first server 10 and the second server 20 may be realized by distributed processing by a plurality of servers. In this case, the plurality of servers responsible for distributed processing need not be connected to the network 70, and it is sufficient if the servers that perform information processing in cooperation can communicate with each other in some form. Alternatively, one server having the functions of the first server 10 and the second server 20 may be provided instead of the first server 10 and the second server 20 .

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a layout example of a store in which the merchandise sales system 100 is introduced.
The information terminal 50 is temporarily operated by the shopper M1 who is shopping in the store. The information terminal 50 is attached to a shopping cart (hereinafter simply referred to as cart) C, for example. The shopper M1 walks around the sales floor while pushing the cart C, and places the product to be purchased directly on the cart C or puts it in a basket placed on the cart C. At this time, the shopper M1 operates the information terminal 50 to perform an operation for registering the product as a purchased product. When the shopper M1 has finished selecting all the products to be purchased, the shopper M1 goes to the checkout corner G2 and pays the price. After that, the shopper M1 packs the commodities on the soccer table SU as necessary.

A POS terminal 30 is installed in the checkout corner G1. A stationary scanner SC is installed in the checkout corner G1. A hand-held scanner may be provided instead of or in addition to the scanner SC. When the cashier M2 causes the scanner SC to scan the bar code of the purchased product one by one, the POS terminal 30 registers the product ID (identifier) shown in the bar code as the product ID of the purchased product. The POS terminal 30 calculates the price of the purchased product and settles the payment in accordance with the operator's operation through the interaction between the cashier M2 and the shopper M1 regarding the payment of the price. Cash, credit cards, electronic money, points, cash vouchers such as gift certificates, and the like can be used for payment. It should be noted that the store can be configured without providing the checkout corner G1.

A checkout machine 40 is installed in the checkout corner G2. The data of purchased products registered by the information terminal 50 is managed by the second server 20 . The accounting machine 40 acquires the data of the purchased product related to one transaction managed by the second server 20 and calculates the price of the purchased product. The checkout machine 40 settles the payment according to the operation by the shopper M1. Cash, credit cards, electronic money, points, etc. can be used for payment. Note that the calculation of the price may be performed by the second server 20 . In this case, instead of the checkout machine 40, a settlement machine having a function of settling the price calculated by the second server 20, that is, a function of performing only settlement-related processing in accounting may be used.

An attendant counter AT is installed near the checkout corner G2. As described above, in a store where the product sales system 100 is introduced, the shopper M1 operates the information terminal 50 and the checkout machine 40, so that the registration of the purchased product and the payment are handled consistently without the intervention of a store clerk. It can be carried out. In the following, such mechanism will be referred to as cart POS service. However, in providing this cart POS service, a situation may arise in which a salesclerk must intervene. For example, there is a case where a specialized salesperson must provide information to a shopper M1 who purchases medicine. In addition, there is a case where the normal price is registered because the information on the discount sticker is forgotten to be input to the information terminal 50 . In the accounting machine 40 as well, errors such as coin jams and out of receipt paper may occur.

A clerk in charge of customer service, a so-called attendant M3, is permanently stationed at the attendant counter AT so that such events can be dealt with promptly. Also, the attendant counter AT is provided with a monitor terminal 60 . The attendant M3 can use the monitor terminal 60 to monitor the status of each information terminal 50 and the checkout machine 40 .

Next, configurations of the first server 10, the second server 20, the information terminal 50, and the monitoring terminal 60 will be described. As the POS terminal 30, an existing POS terminal called face-to-face type can be used as it is. Also, the checkout machine 40 is similar to the existing checkout machine used in the semi-self-type merchandise sales system. Therefore, descriptions of the configurations of the POS terminal 30 and the checkout machine 40 are omitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the first server 10. As shown in FIG.
The first server 10 has a processor 11 , a main memory 12 , an auxiliary storage device 13 , a communication interface 14 and a system transmission line 15 . The system transmission path 15 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and the processor 11, main memory 12, auxiliary storage device 13, and communication interface 14 are connected. The processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the system transmission path 15 connecting them constitute a computer that executes information processing for realizing various functions of the first server 10. FIG.

The processor 11 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 11 executes information processing for realizing various functions of the first server 10 according to information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit).

The main memory 12 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores at least part of the information processing program in a nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may also store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processing for controlling each unit in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11 . For example, the non-volatile memory area is ROM (read only memory). The volatile memory area is RAM (random access memory).

The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), HDD (hard disc drive), SSD (solid state drive), or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 13 . The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 for various processes and data created by the processes performed by the processor 11 . Auxiliary storage device 13 may store a part of the above information processing program.
The communication interface 14 performs data communication with each unit connected to the network 70 according to a predetermined communication protocol.

A part of the storage area of the auxiliary storage device 1 is used as a product database 131 , a member database 132 and a sales promotion database 133 .
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a data record 131R per product stored in the product database 131. As shown in FIG.
A data record 131R having a structure as shown in FIG. 4 is included in the product database 131 in association with each of a plurality of products sold at the store. The data record 131R is added by the processor 11 according to the operation by the person in charge of managing the product sales system 100 or the like, which is related to the product to be newly sold at the store. The data record 131R is deleted by the processor 11 in response to an operation by the person in charge of management or the like, such as when the sale of the associated product is cancelled. The data record 131R is updated by the processor 11 in accordance with instructions from the person in charge of management or the like when the sales conditions of the associated product are changed. Data record 131R then includes fields F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, and F7.

A product ID, which is a unique code for distinguishing the associated product from other products, is set in the field F1. Field F2 is set with a product name, which is the name given to the associated product. A field F3 is set with a selling price per item of the associated product. A field F4 is set with a classification name, which is a name assigned to the classification to which the associated product belongs. Note that the classification is predetermined so that a plurality of types of products belong. For example, a category with a category name of "Apple" is defined as including various products with product names such as "Fuji", "Jonagold", and "Kogyoku". A field F5 is set with a sales promotion ID, which is a code for identifying a sales promotion measure for the associated product. Sales promotion measures include, for example, giving purchasers the right to participate in campaigns, discounting the selling price when purchasing a product, and discounting the selling price when purchasing a product together with other products. and issuing coupons for the purchase of merchandise. By the way, when the implementation of the sales promotion measure is not defined for the associated product, a Null value is set in the field F5. In this embodiment, one piece of sales promotion information can be associated with one product, but two or more pieces of sales promotion information may be associated. In field F6, a restriction flag is set as 1-bit information for identifying whether or not the associated product is a product such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, etc., which has a purchaser's age limit. In this embodiment, "1" is set in the field F6 when there is an age limit, and "0" when there is no age limit. Field F7 is set with the sales period of the associated product. For example, if an expiration date is specified for the associated product, the date of the expiration date is set in field F7. Also, for example, if the associated product is planned to be sold for a limited period of time, the start date and end date of the sales period are set in field F7.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a data record 132R per member stored in the member database 132. As shown in FIG.
A data record 132R structured as shown in FIG. 5 is included in member database 132 in association with each member who has completed registration for use of the cart POS service. The data record 132R is added by the processor 11, for example, based on data sent for membership registration from an information terminal (not shown). The data record 132R is deleted by the processor 11, for example, based on the data sent from the information terminal for withdrawal. The data record 132R is also updated by the processor 11 based on the data sent from the information terminal for modification. Data record 132R is also updated by processor 11 upon receipt of notification that an item has been purchased by the associated member. Data record 132R then includes fields F11, F12, and F13.

A member ID, which is a unique code set to identify the associated member, is set in the field F11. A member possesses a recording medium in which a member ID is recorded. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic card, a contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card, a non-contact IC card, a smartphone, or the like. Field F12 is set with personal identification data for identifying the associated member. Personal identification data includes, for example, name, date of birth, gender, address, contact telephone number, and the like. Field F13 is set with purchase history data indicating when and what the associated member purchased.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the data record 133R per piece of information stored in the sales promotion database 133. As shown in FIG.
A data record 133R structured as shown in FIG. 6 is included in the promotion database 133 in association with each of a plurality of promotions that may be implemented at the store. The data record 133R is added by the processor 11 in response to an operation by a person in charge of managing the merchandise sales system 100, for example, when a new sales promotion measure is introduced in the store. The data record 133R is deleted by the processor 11 in response to an operation by the person in charge of management or the like, for example, when the sales promotion measures are no longer implemented in the store. The data record 133R is updated by the processor 11 in accordance with the operation by the person in charge of management or the like, for example, when the content of the sales promotion measure is changed. Data record 133R then includes fields F21 and F22.

A sales promotion ID, which is a unique code for identifying the associated sales promotion measure, is set in the field F21. One of the plurality of sales promotion IDs respectively set in the field F21 of the plurality of data records 133R is set in the field F5 of the data record 131R described above. The field F22 is set with sales promotion data representing the content of the associated sales promotion measure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the second server 20. As shown in FIG.
The second server 20 comprises a processor 21 , main memory 22 , auxiliary storage device 23 , communication interface 24 and system transmission line 25 . The system transmission path 25 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and the processor 21, main memory 22, auxiliary storage device 23, and communication interface 24 are connected. The processor 21, the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, and the system transmission path 25 connecting them constitute a computer that executes information processing for realizing various functions of the second server 20. FIG. The functions of the processor 21, the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, and the communication interface 24 are roughly the same as those of the processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the communication interface 14, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

A part of the storage area of the auxiliary storage device 23 is used as the cart management database 231 and the accounting machine management database 232 .
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the per-cart data record 231R included in the cart management database 231. As shown in FIG.
A data record 231R having a structure as shown in FIG. 8 is included in the cart management database 231 in association with each cart C used in the store. Data record 231R then includes fields F31, F32, F33, F34, and F35.

A terminal ID, which is a unique code for identifying the information terminal 50 attached to the associated cart C, is set in the field F31. A cart name, which is a name given to the associated cart C, is set in the field F32. Field F33 is set with a transaction ID, which will be described later, when the associated cart C is used by the shopper M1. The field F34 is set with the member ID of the shopper M1 when the associated cart C is used by the shopper M1. The current operation stage of the associated cart C is set in the field F35. The operation stage defines in which state the cart C is used in a series of flows relating to one transaction in the cart POS service by dividing the above series of flows into several stages. In this embodiment, the operation stage corresponding to the state where the cart C is not used is called "standby". Also, the operation stage corresponding to the state in which the cart C is being used to register the purchase of merchandise is assumed to be "registration in progress". Further, the operation stage corresponding to the state of accounting for the products registered as purchases using the cart C is assumed to be "accounting in progress". One of these stages is set in the field F33.

The data record 231R is added by the processor 21 in response to an instruction from a worker or the like, for example, when the merchandise sales system 100 is installed in a store. The data record 231R is added by the processor 21 in response to an instruction from a person in charge of administration of the merchandise sales system 100, for example, when using a new cart C is started. Data record 231R is added by processor 21 in response to instructions, such as those given above, when the associated cart C is discarded. The data record 231R is updated by the processor 21 in accordance with instructions from the person in charge of management or the like as the management form of the associated cart C is changed, for example. Data record 231R is updated by processor 21 in response to changes in usage by shopper M1 with respect to associated cart C, for example. Among the fields of the data record 231R, the contents of the fields F31 and F32 are set when the data record 231R is added or updated as described above. The contents of the fields F33, F34 and F35 are set appropriately by the processor 21. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the data record 232R per accounting machine contained in the accounting machine management database 232. As shown in FIG.
A data record 232R structured as shown in FIG. 9 is included in the accounting machine management database 232 in association with each accounting machine 40 used in the store. The data record 232R is added by the processor 21 in response to an instruction from a worker or the like, for example, when the merchandise sales system 100 is installed in a store. The data record 231R is added by the processor 21 in response to an instruction from an installation operator of the accounting machine 40 or a manager of the product sales system 100, for example, when installing a new accounting machine 40 in a store. The data record 231R is added by the processor 21, for example, in response to an instruction from the removal operator of the relevant accounting machine 40 or the above management personnel when the associated accounting machine 40 is removed from the store. The data record 231R is updated by the processor 21 in accordance with instructions from the person in charge of management or the like as, for example, a change in the management form of the associated accounting machine 40 occurs. Data record 231R is updated by processor 21, for example, in response to changes in operating conditions for associated accounting machine 40. FIG. Data record 232R then includes fields F41, F42, F43, F44, F45, and F46.

A field F41 is set with an accounting machine ID, which is a unique code for identifying the associated accounting machine 40 . The field F42 is set with the accounting machine name, which is the name assigned to the associated accounting machine 40 . Field F43 is set to the current operating stage of the associated accounting machine 40 . The operation stage defines the state in which the checkout machine 40 is in a series of flows relating to the accounting of purchased products by dividing the above series of flows into several stages. In this embodiment, the operation stage corresponding to the state in which the checkout machine 40 is not performing processing for checkout is defined as "idling". Also, the operation stage corresponding to the state in which the accounting machine 40 is processing for accounting is assumed to be "paying". A field F44 is set with a call flag as 1-bit information indicating whether or not the associated checkout machine 40 is in the state of calling a clerk. In the present embodiment, "1" is set in the field F44 when it is in the state of calling a clerk, and "0" when it is not in this state. Field F45 sets a replenishment flag as 1-bit information indicating whether or not the associated accounting machine 40 needs to be replenished with money. In the present embodiment, the field F45 is set to "1" when money replenishment is required, and "0" when not. Field F46 is set with a collection flag as 1-bit information indicating whether or not money needs to be collected from the associated accounting machine 40. FIG. In this embodiment, "1" is set in the field F46 when money collection is required, and "0" is set when it is not in that state.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the essential circuit configuration of the information terminal 50. As shown in FIG.
The information terminal 50 includes a processor 51 , main memory 52 , auxiliary storage device 53 , wireless unit 54 , touch panel 55 , scanner 56 , reader 57 and system transmission line 58 . The system transmission path 58 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and is connected to the processor 51, main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, wireless unit 54, touch panel 55, scanner 56 and reader 57. The processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, and the system transmission path 58 connecting them constitute a computer that executes information processing for realizing various functions of the information terminal 50. FIG. Note that the functions of the processor 51, the main memory 52 and the auxiliary storage device 53 are roughly the same as those of the processor 11, the main memory 12 and the auxiliary storage device 13, so the description thereof will be omitted.

The wireless unit 54 performs data communication with each unit connected to the network 70 via wireless communication with the access point 80 according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol.
The touch panel 55 is a device that serves both as an input device and a display device for the information terminal 50 . The touch panel 55 inputs various instructions by an operator such as the shopper M1 and data designated by the operator. The touch panel 55 displays arbitrary screens under instructions from the processor 51 .

The scanner 56 has a camera as an imaging unit, and reads code symbols such as barcodes or two-dimensional data codes from images captured by the camera.
A reader 57 reads data such as a member ID recorded on a recording medium. Therefore, the reader 57 is a magnetic card reader when the recording medium is a magnetic card, and is an IC card reader when the recording medium is a contact IC card. In the case of a recording medium using RFID (radio frequency identification) such as a non-contact IC card or smart phone, an RFID reader is used as the reader 57 .

It is assumed that the information terminal 50 uses devices provided in a general-purpose tablet terminal as the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, the wireless unit 54, and the touch panel 55, for example. In this case, the information terminal 50 is configured by connecting the scanner 56 and the reader 57 to a general-purpose tablet terminal.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the cart C. As shown in FIG.
The cart C has a caster portion C1 for movement, a handle frame portion C2, and a basket receiving portion C3.

The caster part C1 has four wheels for smooth movement on the floor surface.
The handle frame portion C2 includes a pair of vertical frames C21, C21 and a handle bar C22. The vertical frames C21, C21 are erected above the two wheels of the caster portion C1. The handlebar C22 connects the upper ends of the vertical frames C21, C21.
The basket receiving portion C3 is provided horizontally from the middle portion of the handle frame portion C2. The basket receiving portion C3 holds a shopping basket BA for storing products. The casters C1 also hold the shopping basket BA thereon.

Typically, the shopper M1, who is on the front side in FIG. 11 of the handle frame portion C2, pushes the cart C while gripping the handle bar C22. That is, the direction in which the basket receiving portion C3 protrudes from the handle frame portion C2 is the advancing direction of the cart C. As shown in FIG.

A scanner 56 is attached to the middle of the handlebar C22. A pole C4 is attached to one of the vertical frames C21 so that the tip of the pole C4 is located above the handlebar C22. The above-described tablet terminal TM is attached to the tip of the pole C4 in such a posture that the screen of the touch panel 55 faces the opposite side of the advancing direction. Furthermore, a reader 57 is attached to the tablet terminal TM. In addition, in FIG. 11, the reader 57 is a magnetic card reader. The card slit of the reader 57 faces in the same direction as the screen of the touch panel 55 . A battery BT is attached between the vertical frames C21, C21 on the lower end side of the handle frame portion C2. A battery BT is a driving power source for the tablet terminal TM and the scanner 56 .

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the essential circuitry of the monitoring terminal 60. As shown in FIG.
The monitoring terminal 60 includes a processor 61 , main memory 62 , auxiliary storage device 63 , wireless unit 64 , touch panel 65 and system transmission path 66 . The system transmission line 66 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc., and is connected to the processor 61, main memory 62, auxiliary storage device 63, wireless unit 64, and touch panel 65. FIG. The processor 61 , main memory 62 , auxiliary storage device 63 , and system transmission path 66 connecting them constitute a computer that executes information processing for realizing various functions of the monitoring terminal 60 . The functions of the processor 61, the main memory 62, the auxiliary storage device 63, the wireless unit 64, and the touch panel 65 are roughly equivalent to those of the processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the wireless unit 54, and the touch panel 55. The explanation is omitted.
As the monitoring terminal 60, various information processing devices such as a tablet terminal, a notebook computer, and a desktop computer can be used.

Next, the operation of the merchandise sales system 100 configured as above will be described. It should be noted that the plurality of information processes described below are merely examples, and the processing order and processing contents can be appropriately changed as long as similar results can be obtained.
The information terminal 50 attached to the cart C placed in the cart storage is in a standby state. In the information terminal 50 in this standby state, the processor 51 waits for a login operation to be performed.

When the shopper M1 who is a member starts shopping using the cart POS service, he takes out the cart C from the cart storage area and reads the member information recorded on the recording medium by the reader 57 provided in the information terminal 50, for example. A predetermined log-in operation such as reading data such as an ID is performed. Then, the processor 51 of the information terminal 50 authenticates the member by accessing the first server 10 and referring to the member database 132, for example. Then, if the authentication is successful, the processor 51 requests the second server 20 to establish a session. At this time, the processor 41 notifies the second server of the member ID at the same time as the request for session establishment or in response to the establishment of the session.

Now, the processor 21 in the second server 20 receives the above request through the communication interface 24, and when the communication interface 24 notifies it, it starts information processing as described below. Note that the processor 21 executes the processing described below in parallel in response to requests from each of the plurality of information terminals 50 . However, information processing for only one information terminal 50 will be described below.

13 and 14 are flowcharts of information processing performed by the processor 21 in cooperation with the information terminal 50. FIG. Note that the processor 21 executes the information processing based on an information processing program stored in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 .

As Act1, the processor 21 establishes a session for data communication via the LAN 70 with the information terminal 50 of the request source. Establishment of this session can be performed using the existing communication technology as it is. The processor 21 uses the session to communicate with the information terminal 50, which is the source of the request, in the subsequent various processes shown in FIGS. In addition, in the description of the information processing shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the term "information terminal 50" simply refers to the information terminal 50 that has established the session. At this time, the processor 21 updates the data record 231R in which the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 is set in the field F31. Specifically, the processor 21 sets, in the field F33, a transaction ID determined so as not to duplicate the transaction IDs given to other transactions in order to identify each transaction. The processor 21 also sets the member ID notified from the information terminal 50 as described above in the field F34. Furthermore, the processor 21 rewrites the field F35 to "during registration".

As Act 2 , the processor 21 generates a registration screen to be displayed on the information terminal 50 and transmits screen data representing the registration screen to the information terminal 50 . The registration screen is a GUI (graphical user interface) screen for allowing the shopper M1 to confirm the registration status of the purchased product and for receiving instructions from the shopper M1. Details of the registration screen will be described later. The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 causes the touch panel 55 to display the screen represented by the screen data when the wireless unit 54 receives various screen data, not limited to those representing the registration screen.
As Act 3, the processor 21 waits for notification of the product code.

The shopper M1 pushes the cart C activated as described above and walks in the store looking for the product to be purchased. When he/she finds a product to purchase, he/she takes the product out of the display area and puts it on the cart C. At this time, the shopper M1 purchases the product by scanning the code symbol displayed on the product with the scanner 56 or by touching the button on the touch panel 55 associated with the product. Instruct to register as a product. Then, the processor 51 of the information terminal 50 determines the commodity ID of the commodity according to the instruction. In other words, the information terminal 50 corresponds to a first terminal that acquires product IDs. The processor 51 then notifies the second server 20 of the product ID. Specifically, the processor 51 causes the wireless unit 54 to wirelessly transmit, for example, notification data in a predetermined format including the determined product ID to the second server 20 . The notification data is then transmitted to the second server 20 via the access point 80 and the network 70 and received by the communication interface 24 . Note that requests, notifications, responses, etc. between devices in the operations described below are realized by transmitting and receiving predetermined data according to their respective purposes via the network 70 in the same manner as described above. However, detailed description thereof will be omitted below. In response to the notification data being received by the communication interface 24 in this manner, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act 3 and proceeds to Act 4 .

As Act 4 , the processor 21 confirms whether or not the notified product ID is registered in the product database 131 . Specifically, the processor 21 extracts the product ID from the notification data received by the communication interface 24 and requests the first server 10 to inquire about the product ID. When the processor 11 in the first server 10 receives this request, it confirms whether or not the product database 131 includes a data record 131R in which the corresponding product ID is set in the field F1. Then, if the relevant data record 131R exists, the processor 11 transmits the relevant data record 131R to the second server 20 as a response to the inquiry request. However, the processor 11 may transmit only part of the data contained in the data record 131R, or may additionally transmit data not contained in the data record 131R. Also, if the corresponding data record 131R does not exist, the processor 11 notifies the second server 20 of "not registered" as a response to the inquiry request. If the data record 131R was sent as a response, the processor 21 in the second server 20 determines Yes in Act4, and proceeds to Act5.

In Act 5, the processor 21 acquires the transmitted data record 131R as product data regarding the specified product. Processor 21 stores the product data in main memory 22 or auxiliary storage device 23 .

In Act6, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the designated product is permitted to be sold based on the product data acquired in Act5. Here, the processor 21 determines whether or not the sale of the product is permitted based on whether or not a condition for permitting sale or a condition for prohibiting sale, which is predetermined for each product, is established. to confirm. For example, when the sales period is set in field F7 of the product data, the processor 21 determines that the sale is not permitted when the sales period does not include the current time. For example, the processor 21 determines that sales are not permitted when the restriction flag set in field F6 of the product data is "1" and the shopper M1 is under 20 years old. Note that the processor 21 inquires of the first server 10 and refers to the data record 132R in which the member ID acquired in Act 1 is set in the field F11 among the data records 132R of the member database 132 . Processor 21 then ascertains the age of shopper M1 based on the personal identification data set in field F12 of said data record 132R. A field for setting another condition is included in the product data, and when the condition is set in the field, the processor 21 determines whether the sale is permitted depending on whether the condition is established. You can decide whether or not For example, for products such as some medicines that require an explanation by an authorized person, the product data includes in advance a field for setting a flag indicating whether or not an explanation is required. Processor 21 then determines that the sale is not permitted if the flag set in the field indicates that an explanation is required. If the sale is permitted, the processor 21 determines YES in Act6 and proceeds to Act7.

As Act7, the processor 21 updates the product list to include the product ID notified from the information terminal 50 as described above. Note that the product list is saved in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 . When the processor 21 performs Act 7 first after starting the information processing shown in FIG. Here, the product list is a list of products for purchased products. Since the processor 21 may execute the information processing shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in parallel, the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 may store multiple product lists related to multiple transactions. be.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the product list. However, FIG. 15 shows the structure of the product list L1 as an example in a state where five products have already been registered as purchased products.
The product list L1 shown in FIG. 15 includes fields F51, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57, F58, and F59.
Processor 21 sets in field F51 the same transaction ID that was set in field F33 of data record 231R when the session was established in Act1. The processor 21 sets the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 in the field F52. The processor 21 sets the member ID obtained when the session was established in Act1 in the field F53. The processor 21 sets the product data obtained in Act 5 as described above in each field after the field F54. However, when the processor 21 first performs Act7 after starting the information processing shown in FIG. 13, the newly generated product list does not include the fields F55 to F59 in the product list L1. Then, when executing Act7 again as described later, the processor 21 adds fields in which the product data acquired in Act5 immediately before is set to the product list one by one. As described above, the product list includes product IDs as product identifiers only when the product identified by the product ID is permitted to be sold, and corresponds to the first list.

When the processor 21 finishes updating the product list, it proceeds to Act8. Note that if the product ID notified from the information terminal 50 is notified of "not registered" as a response to the inquiry request, the processor 21 determines No in Act 4, passes Acts 5-Act 7, and performs Act 8. proceed to In other words, if the designated product is not registered in the product database 131, the processor 21 does not add the product to the product list. In principle, all the data records 131R associated with each product displayed in the store are included in the product database 131. FIG. However, due to a maintenance mistake in the product database 131, it may happen that the product database 131 does not include the data record 131R associated with the product even though the product is displayed in the store. In such a case, if the corresponding product is designated as a purchase target, the processor 21 determines No in Act4. Based on the above principle, it can be said that a product whose associated data record 131R is not included in the product database 131 is not permitted to be sold by the product sales system 100 .

If the processor 21 determines in Act 6 that the sale is not permitted, the processor 21 determines No in Act 6, skips Act 7, and proceeds to Act 8. FIG. In other words, the processor 21 does not add the product data for the specified product to the product list in these cases. In other words, the processor 21 does not add the specified product to the product list when the sale of the specified product is not permitted.
In other words, the processor 21 does not add the merchandise not registered in the merchandise database 131 and the merchandise the sale of which is not permitted based on predetermined conditions to the merchandise list as the merchandise the sale of which is not permitted. It should be noted that there may be products that are not registered in the product database 131 due to a mistake or the like, although they are actually displayed as products that are permitted to be sold in the sales floor of the store. In other words, in the present embodiment, "products not permitted to be sold" refer to products that are not managed as sales targets in the product sales system 100, and have nothing to do with whether they are actually sold at stores or the like. .

As Act8, the processor 21 updates the dummy list. Note that the dummy list is saved in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 . When the processor 21 performs Act 8 first after starting the information processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the dummy list. However, FIG. 16 shows the structure of the dummy list L2 as an example when the product list is in the state shown in FIG.
The dummy list L2 shown in FIG. 16 includes fields F61, F62, F63, F64, F65, F66, F67 and F68.
The processor 21 sets the product data in each field if the product data has been acquired in Act 5 as described above, and if the product data has not been acquired by passing Act 5, the information The product ID notified from the terminal 50 is set. Note that the processor 21 may set the product data in each field after deleting a part of the data contained therein.

However, when the processor 21 first performs Act 8 after starting the information processing shown in FIG. 13, the newly generated product list does not include the fields F62 to F68 in the dummy list L2. Then, when executing Act 8 again as described later, the processor 21 adds fields in which the product data obtained in Act 5 immediately before or the notified product ID is set to the dummy list one by one. Thus, the dummy list is a list representing product data or product IDs for all products designated as purchase targets regardless of whether or not the sale of the products is permitted.

As described above, the dummy list contains product IDs as product identifiers regardless of whether or not the products identified by the product IDs are permitted to be sold, and corresponds to the second list. . The main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 stores the dummy list corresponding to the second list and the product list corresponding to the first list, and functions as storage means. In the present embodiment, it is possible to distinguish between the products related to the product IDs or the product data included in the dummy list and the products that are not allowed to be sold as products different from the products related to the product data included in the product list. be.

As Act 9 in FIG. 14 , the processor 21 creates a registration screen and transmits this registration screen to the information terminal 50 . The registration screen will be described later.

In Act 10, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the information terminal 50 has notified a new product ID. If the notification has not been made, the processor 21 determines No, and proceeds to Act11.
In Act 11, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the product list has been updated by separate processing, which will be described later. If the update has not been performed, the processor 21 determines No, and proceeds to Act12.

In Act 12, the processor 21 confirms whether or not a cancellation instruction has been given to exclude the product registered as the purchased product from the purchase target. Then, the processor 21 determines No if the cancellation instruction has not been issued, and proceeds to Act13.
As Act13, the processor 21 confirms whether or not an accounting instruction to proceed to accounting has been given. Then, if the relevant instruction has not been given, it is determined to be No, and the process returns to Act10.
Thus, in Act10-Act13, the processor 21 waits for any of the product ID notification, product list update, cancellation instruction, and accounting instruction.

If the shopper M1 purchases a plurality of commodities, he/she sequentially designates the commodities by repeating the above-described operation. Then, the processor 51 of the information terminal 50 notifies the second server 20 of the product ID of the product each time the product is specified. Then, the processor 21 in the second server 20 determines Yes in Act10 when the new product ID is notified in this way, and returns to Act4 in FIG. Then, the processor 21 repeats Act 4 and subsequent steps in the same manner as described above. Thus, processor 21 updates the dummy list so as to include fields in which product data or product IDs relating to the specified product are set when product designation is repeated as described above. Also, if the sale of the newly specified product is permitted, the processor 21 adds to the product list a field in which the product data of the product is set.

The product list L1 shown in FIG. 15 and the dummy list L2 shown in FIG. 16 indicate the state after the processor 21 has executed Act8 seven times. More specifically, after eight products with product names "AAA", "BBB", "CCC", "DDD", "EEE", "EEE", "FFF", and "GGG" are designated as purchase targets in that order. is in a state of It is permitted to sell products whose product names are "AAA", "CCC", "EEE", "FFF", and "GGG". Since the product whose product name is "BBB" is not registered in the product database 131, the product data of this product is not included in the product list, and the product ID is set in the field F62 of the dummy list. A product whose product name is "DDD" was registered in the product database 131, but was not permitted to be sold. It is set in field F64.

If the shopper M1 wants to cancel the purchase of a product that has already been registered as a purchase target, the shopper M1 touches the button BU1 displayed for the corresponding product on the registration screen. In response to this, the processor 51 notifies the second server 20 that the cancellation has been instructed in such a manner that the product ID of the product to be canceled can be identified. The display of the registration screen SC1 on the information terminal 50 and the notification to the second server 20 that the button BU1 has been touched can be realized, for example, by the functions of an existing web browser. When the processor 21 in the second server 20 receives the above notification, it determines Yes in Act12, and proceeds to Act14.
As Act 14, the processor 21 updates the product list so as to indicate that the purchase registration of the product for which cancellation has been designated has been cancelled.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the product list after updating due to cancellation of purchase registration. However, FIG. 17 shows the structure of the product list L3 as an example when the product with the product name "CCC" is canceled from the product list L1 shown in FIG.

The product list L3 shown in FIG. 17 has a field F71 added after the field F55. The processor 21 sets in this field F71 a cancellation flag indicating that the purchase registration of the product relating to the product data set in the previous field F55 has been cancelled. The cancel flag here is set to "1" in this embodiment. The processor 21 then returns to the standby state of Act10-Act13.

By the way, when the processor 21 is in the standby state of Act10-Act13, the registration screen is displayed on the touch panel 55 of the information terminal 50 based on the screen data transmitted in Act9.

FIG. 18 shows a registration screen. However, FIG. 18 shows a registration screen SC1 as an example based on the dummy list L2 shown in FIG. 16 and the product list L3 shown in FIG.
The processor 21 displays the product list TA1 shown in the dummy list L2 on the registration screen SC1. In the list TA1, the processor 21 displays the product names of the products whose product data are included in the dummy list L2, and the product IDs of the products whose product IDs are included in the dummy list L2, arranged in the row direction. The processor 21 arranges the product whose product data is included in the product list L3 in the column direction with respect to the above product name, and indicates the number of registered products and the selling price of the product. In the list TA1, the processor 21 crosses out the product name, the number of registered items, and the selling price corresponding to the product data immediately before the cancellation flag included in the product list L3. The processor 21 arranges the icon area IA1 along each line of the list TA1. Although illustration is omitted, the processor 21 displays an icon corresponding to the associated product in the icon area IA1 as necessary. The processor 21 arranges the button BU1 in each row of the list TA1, lined up with the row corresponding to the product data that is included in the product list L3 and to which the cancel flag is not added. The operation that the shopper M1 touches the button BU1 is the above-described operation for instructing cancellation.

The processor 21 displays a character string "product registration error" in front of the product ID for the product whose product ID is included in the dummy list L2, and displays a guide message "to be confirmed by the cashier at checkout".
The processor 21 displays a button BU2 for accounting instruction on the registration screen SC1.

When the shopper M1 has finished registering all the products to be purchased, the shopper M1 touches the button BU2 to issue a checkout instruction. Then, the processor 51 notifies the second server 20 to that effect. When the processor 21 of the second server 20 receives the notification, it determines Yes in Act13, and proceeds to Act15.

As Act 15 , the processor 21 generates a billing guidance screen to be displayed on the information terminal 50 and transmits screen data representing the billing guidance screen to the information terminal 50 . Processor 21 displays a code symbol representing the transaction ID on the accounting guidance screen. In addition, the processor 21 displays a text message and an image on the checkout guide screen to guide the shopper M1 to read the code symbol using the scanner provided in the checkout machine 40 in order to start checkout. represents at least one of
When the screen data representing the accounting guidance screen is transmitted to the information terminal 50, the processor 51 causes the touch panel 55 to display the accounting guidance screen based on the screen data.

The shopper M1 pushes the cart C to move to the checkout corner G2, and uses the scanner provided in the unoccupied checkout machine 40 to read the code symbol displayed on the checkout guidance screen. In response, the accounting machine 40 requests the second server 20 to establish a session.

Now, the processor 21 in the second server 20 receives the above request through the communication interface 24, and when the communication interface 24 notifies it, it starts information processing as described below. Note that the processor 21 executes the information processing described below in parallel in response to requests from each of the plurality of checkout machines 40 . However, information processing for only one checkout machine 40 will be described below. The processor 21 can execute the information processing described below while executing the information processing shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 .

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of information processing performed by the processor 21 in cooperation with the checkout machine 40. As shown in FIG. Note that the processor 21 executes the information processing based on an information processing program stored in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 .

In Act 21, the processor 21 establishes a session for data communication via the LAN 70 with the accounting machine 40 of the request source. The processor 21 uses this session to communicate with the accounting machine 40, which is the source of the request, in the various processes that follow in FIG. In addition, in the description of the information processing shown in FIG. 19, the term "accounting machine 40" simply refers to the accounting machine 40 that has established the session.

When the session is established, the accounting machine 40 notifies the second server 20 of the transaction ID indicated by the read code symbol.
As Act 22, the processor 21 acquires the notified transaction ID.

As Act 23 , the processor 21 transmits to the accounting machine 40 the product list stored in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 with the acquired transaction ID set in the first field. At this time, the processor 21 sets the data record 231R in which the same terminal ID as that set in the second field of the transmitted product list is set in the field F31, and sets the field F35 to "accounting ” to be rewritten. At this time, the processor 21 also updates the data record 232R in which the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 is set in the field F41 so as to rewrite the field F43 to "paying". Before this rewriting, the field F43 is "idle".

When the accounting machine 40 receives the product list, it calculates the payment amount based on the product data included in the product list, and executes payment processing to settle the payment amount. This payment processing may be the same processing as that performed by another existing accounting machine. Then, when the payment is completed, the accounting machine 40 notifies the second server 20 to that effect. In this manner, the accounting machine 40 accounts for transaction fees based on the product list as the first list. The accounting machine thus functions as an accounting instrument.

In the second server 20, the processor 21 proceeds to Act24 after transmitting the product list in Act23 as described above.
As Act 24, the processor 21 waits for completion of settlement based on the transmitted product list. Then, if the processor 21 is notified of the settlement completion from the checkout machine 40, it determines Yes, and proceeds to Act25.
As Act 25 , the processor 21 deletes from the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 the product list and the dummy list in which the transaction ID acquired in Act 22 is set in the top field.

As Act26, the processor 21 cancels the session established in Act21. After that, the processor 21 ends the information processing. At this time, the processor 21 stores the data record 231R in which the same terminal ID as that set in the second field of the transmitted product list is set in the field F31, and sets the field F35 to "waiting". ” to be rewritten. At this time, the processor 21 also updates the data record 232R in which the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 is set in the field F41 so that the field F43 is rewritten to "idle".

When the settlement is completed as described above, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act16 in FIG. 14, and proceeds to Act17.
As Act17, the processor 21 cancels the session with the information terminal 50. FIG. The processor 21 then ends the information processing shown in FIGS.
As described above, one transaction using one cart C is completed.

By the way, the processor 21 in the second server 20 starts information processing as described below when the monitor terminal 60 accesses the second server 20 according to the operation of the attendant M3. Note that the processor 21 executes the processing described below in parallel for access from each of the plurality of monitoring terminals 60 . However, information processing for only one monitor terminal 60 will be described below.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of information processing performed by the processor 21 in cooperation with the monitoring terminal 60 . Note that the processor 21 executes the information processing based on an information processing program stored in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 . The processor 21 can execute the information processing described below while executing the information processing shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 and further the information processing shown in FIG.

As Act 31 , the processor 21 establishes a session for data communication via the LAN 70 with the monitoring terminal 60 that is the access source. Then, the processor 21 uses the session to communicate with the monitoring terminal 60 that is the source of the request in the various processes that follow in FIG. In addition, in the description of the information processing shown in FIG. 20, the term "monitoring terminal 60" simply refers to the monitoring terminal 60 that has established a session.

As Act 32 , the processor 21 generates a list screen to be displayed on the monitoring terminal 60 and transmits screen data representing the list screen to the monitoring terminal 60 . The list screen is a GUI screen for displaying the operation status of the checkout machine 40 and the information terminal 50 as a list and for receiving instructions from the attendant M3.

21, 22 and 23 are diagrams showing the configuration of the list screen SC2.
As shown in FIG. 21, the list screen SC2 has a form in which a plurality of window areas WA1 are arranged. In the example of FIG. 21, 18 window areas WA1 are arranged in a matrix of 3 columns×6 rows. Note that in FIG. 21, the illustration of the image shown inside the window area WA1 is omitted.
Then, the processor 21 displays, in each of the window areas WA1, a situation image IM1 as shown in FIG. 22 which outlines the operation status of the checkout machine 40 or a situation as shown in FIG. 23 which represents the outline of the operation status of the cart C. An image IM2 is arranged to generate a list screen SC2.

The situation image IM1 includes a character string LS1. The situation image IM1 may also include indicators IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4, IN5.
One situation image IM1 corresponds to one checkout machine 40 . A character string LS1 represents the name of the corresponding accounting machine 40 . Therefore, the processor 21 makes the character string LS1 different for each of the plurality of situation images IM1, such as "accounting machine 2" or "accounting machine 3".

Indicator IN1 indicates that the corresponding checkout machine 40 is calling a clerk. Indicator IN2 indicates that the corresponding accounting machine 40 is in need of change replenishment. Indicator IN3 represents a situation in which change collection is required for the corresponding accounting machine 40 . Indicator IN4 indicates that the corresponding accounting machine 40 is waiting for the start of accounting processing. Indicator IN5 indicates that the corresponding accounting machine 40 is performing accounting processing.

The processor 21 appropriately activates the indicators IN1, IN2 and IN3 according to the operation status of the corresponding accounting machine 40. FIG. The processor 21 activates either one of the indicators IN4 and IN5 according to the operating state of the corresponding accounting machine 40 . Specifically, the processor 21 generates a situation image IM1 for each data record 232R contained in the accounting machine management database 232. FIG. Processor 21 then outputs indicator IN1 if field F44 is set to "1", indicator IN2 if field F45 is set to "1", and indicator IN2 if field F46 is set to "1". If so, the indicator IN3 is made active. Based on the notification from the accounting machine 40, the processor 21 updates the data record 232R so that the fields F44, F45, and F46 represent the current operational status of the accounting machine 40. FIG. The processor 21 also activates the indicator IN4 when the stage set in the field F43 is "idle" and the indicator IN5 when it is "paying". Note that the processor 21 hides or grays out the indicators that are not active.

The processor 21 arranges the situation images IM1 sequentially downward from the upper left window area WA1. That is, if the processor 21 includes, for example, three checkout machines 40 as shown in FIG. are arranged in the three window areas WA1. Then, the processor 21 arranges the situation image IM2 corresponding to each of the carts C in the other window area WA1.

The situation image IM2 includes character strings LS11, LS12 and a plurality of icon areas IA11. Note that the example of FIG. 23 includes six icon areas IA11. The situation image IM2 may also include indicators IN11, IN12, IN13.
One situation image IM2 corresponds to one cart C. FIG. The character string LS11 represents the corresponding cart C name. The processor 21 sets the character string set in the field F32 of the data record 231R associated with the corresponding cart C as the character string LS11. Therefore, the processor 21 makes the character string LS11 different for each of the situation images IM2, such as "TB02" or "TB03". A character string LS12 represents the member ID of the shopper M1 logging in from the information terminal 50 provided in the corresponding cart C. FIG. The processor 21 adds a character string indicating the member ID set in the field F34 of the data record 231R associated with the corresponding cart C to the end of the character string "Member ID:" to generate the character string LS12. .

The icon area IA11 is an area for arranging icons representing the operation status of the corresponding cart C and the information terminal 50 provided on the cart C. FIG. When there are commodities registered in the dummy list but not registered in the commodity list, a predetermined warning icon is arranged in one of the icon areas IA11 to indicate that. For example, when the number of fields in which product data is set in the product list does not match the number of fields in which product data or product IDs are set in the dummy list, the processor 21 displays the warning icon. should be determined. Description of what other icons are arranged in the icon area IA11 and how they are arranged will be omitted.

The indicator IN11 indicates that the information terminal 50 provided on the corresponding cart C is in a standby state. The indicator IN12 indicates that the information terminal 50 provided on the corresponding cart C is in the state of registering the purchase. The indicator IN13 indicates that the information terminal 50 provided in the corresponding cart C is in the process of accounting for the registered transaction.

Processor 21 activates any one of indicators IN11, IN12, IN13 based on field F35 of data record 231R associated with corresponding cart C; Specifically, processor 21 generates situation image IM2 for each of data records 231R included in cart management database 231, respectively. The processor 21 then sets the indicator IN11 if the stage set in the field F35 is "standby", the indicator IN12 if it is "registering", and the indicator IN13 if it is "accounting". , respectively active. Note that the processor 21 hides or grays out the indicators that are not active.

When the screen data representing the list screen as described above is transmitted to the monitoring terminal 60, the processor 61 causes the touch panel 65 to display the list screen according to this screen data. Accordingly, the attendant M3 can view the list screen and monitor the general status of the checkout machine 40 and the cart C. FIG. Then, when it becomes necessary to confirm the details of purchase registration for any cart C, the situation image IM2 corresponding to that cart C is touched. In response, the processor 61 notifies the second server 20 that the situation image IM2 has been touched in such a manner that which situation image IM2 has been touched can be identified. Note that the display of the list screen SC2 on the monitoring terminal 60 and the notification to the second server 20 that the situation image IM2 has been touched can be realized by, for example, the functions of an existing web browser.

After transmitting the screen data representing the list screen, the processor 21 in the second server 20 proceeds to Act 33 .
In Act 33, the processor 21 waits for an instruction to display details. Then, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act33 in response to the notification that the situation image IM2 has been touched as described above, and proceeds to Act34.

As Act 34 , the processor 21 generates a detailed screen to be displayed on the monitoring terminal 60 and transmits screen data representing the detailed screen to the monitoring terminal 60 . The detail screen is a GUI screen for displaying details of the purchase registration performed on the information terminal 50 provided in one cart C, and for accepting instructions from the attendant M3.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a detailed screen. However, FIG. 24 shows a detailed screen SC3 as an example based on the dummy list L2 shown in FIG. 16 and the product list L3 shown in FIG. That is, the detail screen SC3 is generated when the registration screen SC1 shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the touch panel 55 of the information terminal 50. FIG. In FIG. 24, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same display elements as those shown in FIGS. 18 and 23, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The processor 21 displays the character strings LS11 and LS12, the icon area IA11, and the indicators IN11, IN12, and IN13 displayed in the situation image IM2 touched to instruct the detailed display above the detailed screen SC3 as shown in the figure. Arrange them in a row. The processor 21 displays the icon displayed in the touched situation image IM2 as it is in the icon area IS11. The processor 21 displays the list TA1 in the center of the detail screen SC3. However, the processor 21 does not display the guide message "to be confirmed by the cashier at checkout" on the detail screen SC3. The processor 21 arranges the icon area IA1 along each line of the list TA1. The processor 21 displays a predetermined warning icon indicating that the product is not registered in the product database 131 in the icon area IA1 arranged in the row displaying the product ID as the product name. The processor 21 displays a warning icon corresponding to the reason why the sale is not permitted in the icon area IA1 arranged in rows corresponding to product data included in the dummy list L2 but not included in the product list L3. The warning icon is, for example, an icon predetermined to warn of "expired expiration date", "age limit", or "out of sales period". Thus, by transmitting such a detailed screen SC3, the monitoring terminal as the notification destination is notified that the product code of the product that is not permitted to be sold is stored in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 as storage means. 60 will be notified. In other words, the monitoring terminal 60 is a terminal different from the information terminal 50 serving as a first terminal and serving as a notification destination, and corresponds to a second terminal. As a result of the processor 21 executing information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 21 as its central part functions as notification means. The processor 21 selects a row corresponding to the product data included in the product list L3 and to which the cancel flag is not added, or a row corresponding to the product data or product ID included in the dummy list L2, among the rows of the list TA1. Arrange them in rows and place a button BU1 on each. The processor 21 arranges an accounting information area AA1 and buttons BU11 and BU12 below the list TA1 as shown. In the example of FIG. 24, the accounting information area AA1 displays the total number of products registered for purchase, the discount amount due to set discounts, and the settlement amount for the products registered for purchase.

When the screen data representing the detailed screen SC3 as described above is transmitted to the monitoring terminal 60, the processor 61 causes the touch panel 65 to display the detailed screen SC3 according to this screen data. As a result, the attendant M3 can view the detailed screen SC3 and confirm the details of the purchase registration status on the specified one information terminal 50 . Also, the attendant M3 can confirm which products are placed on the cart C although the purchase registration has not been established because the sales are not permitted. After confirming these conditions, the attendant M3 calls out to the corresponding shopper M1 and takes appropriate measures. The relevant action is, for example, to withdraw the goods placed on the cart C that are not permitted to be sold. The processing concerned is, for example, performing an operation for purchase registration as a regular sales product. If it is an error that the product in question is not registered in the product database 131 and the sale is actually permitted, the latter action is the appropriate action.

After transmitting the screen data representing the detailed screen, the processor 21 in the second server 20 proceeds to Act 35 .
As Act 35, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the list display is instructed. Then, the processor 21 determines No if the relevant instruction is not given, and proceeds to Act36.
In Act 36, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the dummy list referred to when generating the detailed screen in Act 34 has been updated. If the update has not been performed, the processor 21 determines No, and proceeds to Act37.
As Act 37, the processor 21 confirms whether or not a cancellation instruction has been given. Then, the processor 21 determines No if the relevant instruction is not made, and returns to Act35.
Thus, in Acts 35 and 37, the processor 21 waits for an instruction to display a list, update the dummy list, or cancel the list.

When the attendant M3 collects a product whose sale is not permitted, the attendant M3 touches the button BU1 displayed on the detail screen SC3 in association with the product. The attendant M3 can also instruct the cancellation of a product registered as a purchase target by touching the button BU1 associated with the product in response to a request from the shopper M1. . In addition, if the attendant M3 collects all of the products that are not permitted to be sold and collects all of the products, the attendant M3 touches the button BU12 displayed on the detail screen SC3. When the button BU1 or the button BU12 is touched, the processor 61 notifies the second server 20 that the cancellation has been instructed in such a way that the product ID of the product to be canceled can be identified. However, when the button BU12 is touched, the processor 61 does not make the specific product ID identifiable, but identifiably notifies the second server 20 of batch cancellation. When the processor 21 in the second server 20 receives the notification, it determines Yes in Act 37 and proceeds to Act 38 .

In Act 38, the processor 21 updates the product list in the same manner as in Act 14 in FIG. 14 if the cancellation of the product registered as a purchase target is instructed.
In Act 39, the processor 21 updates the dummy list to indicate that the product for which cancellation has been designated has been completed.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the dummy list after updating due to cancellation. However, FIG. 25 shows the structure of the dummy list L4 as an example when the cancellation of the product with the product name "BBB" is instructed from the situation where the dummy list is the dummy list L2 shown in FIG.
The dummy list L4 shown in FIG. 25 has a field F81 added after the field F62. The processor 21 sets in this field F81 a cancellation flag indicating that the product identified by the product ID set in the previous field F62 has been collected. The cancel flag here is set to "1" in this embodiment. When the object of cancellation is "batch", the processor 21 sets a field in which the product ID is set in the dummy list and a field in which product data which is not included in the product list but is included in the dummy list is set. Add a cancel flag after all the and . After that, the processor 21 repeats the processing after Act34. That is, the processor 21 updates the detailed screen so as to show the contents of the updated product list and dummy list, and then returns to the standby state of Act35-Act37. As a result, the product ID or product data set in the field immediately preceding the field in which the cancel flag is set is invalidated. In the registration screen displayed on the information terminal 50, the button BU1 is not displayed in association with the product that is not permitted to be sold. Therefore, a request for invalidation is received from the monitoring terminal 60 as the second terminal, but is not received from the information terminal 50 as the first terminal. As a result of the processor 21 executing the information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 21 as a central part functions as the invalidation means. It should be noted that the product ID or product data may be invalidated by deleting the product ID or product data itself.

The dummy list referred to when generating the detailed screen in Act 34 may be updated by executing Act 8 in FIG. 13 . In this case, the processor 21 determines Yes in Act36, and repeats the processing from Act34 onward. In other words, the processor 21 updates the detailed screen so as to show the contents of the updated dummy list, and then returns to the standby mode of Act35-Act37.

When the attendant M3 finishes confirming the detailed screen and wants to confirm the list screen again, he touches the button BU11. In response to this, the processor 61 notifies the second server 20 that the list display has been instructed. When the processor 21 in the second server 20 receives the notification, it determines Yes in Act 35 and returns to Act 32 .

As described above, even if the product to be registered as an object to be purchased includes a product that is not permitted to be sold, the shopper M1 can perform the operation for registration without the involvement of the store clerk. can continue.

It should be noted that the operation of designating a product that is not permitted to be sold as a purchase target does not constitute an error. However, from the display of the detailed screen on the monitoring terminal 60, it is possible that an attempt has been made to register a product that is not permitted to be sold as a product to be purchased. Attendant M3 is notified that there is a problem. This enables the attendant M3 to take appropriate measures such as collecting the product or carrying out procedures for sale.

In addition, all products designated as purchase targets are registered in a dummy list, and those products designated as purchase targets that are allowed to be sold are registered in another product list. In accounting, the settlement amount is calculated based on the product list. Therefore, products that are not permitted to be sold that are registered only on the dummy list are not subject to accounting, and products that are not permitted to be sold are sold because it is not desirable to sell them. I never get tired of it.

Moreover, the registration of products that are not permitted to be sold in the dummy list cannot be canceled by the shopper M1's instruction from the information terminal 50. FIG. Therefore, the attendant M3 is reliably notified of the presence of merchandise that is not permitted to be sold in the sales floor. As a result, the attendant M3 takes actions such as updating the product database 131, collecting products that are not allowed to be sold but left on the counter, or instructs another person in charge to take such measures. can be

This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows.
While registering all of the products designated as purchase targets in the product list, it may be possible to distinguish whether or not each product is allowed to be sold by managing, for example, a flag within the product list. .

At least one of the product list and the dummy list may be stored in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53 provided in the information terminal 50, for example.

At least one of the product list and the dummy list may be generated and updated by the processor 51 provided in the information terminal 50 .

The processor 51 in the information terminal 50 may acquire the product list and the dummy list from the second server 20 and then generate the registration screen.

The processor 61 in the monitoring terminal 60 may acquire the product list and the dummy list from the second server 20 and then generate the detailed screen.

Various data records may have additional fields added or some fields omitted.

The information terminal 50 may be hand-held by the shopper M1 without being attached to the cart C. Also, the information terminal 50 may be a terminal such as a smart phone owned by the shopper M1, instead of one provided in the store.

Processor 21 instructs monitoring terminal 60 to perform an alarm operation when the product list transmitted as Act 23 in FIG. 19 is paired with a dummy list in which products not permitted to be sold are registered. may In this case, the monitoring terminal 60 executes an alarm operation such as outputting an alarm sound in accordance with the instruction. In this way, even if the attendant M3 is too busy to fully check the list screen and the detailed screen, it is possible to make the attendant M3 aware that it is necessary to take the above measures. can.

The list screen and detail screen may be displayed on the POS terminal 30 or any other terminal. That is, the notification destination is not limited to the monitor terminal 60 installed at the attendant counter AT, and may be any terminal installed at any location.

The method for distinguishing whether or not the sale of the product identified by the product ID included in the dummy list is permitted can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the dummy list may include product data for products that are permitted to be sold, and only product IDs for products that are not permitted to be sold. Also, for example, a flag indicating whether or not the sale is permitted may be set in association with each product ID included in the dummy list. In these cases, without creating a separate product list, product data for products permitted to be sold may be extracted from the dummy list, and accounting may be performed based on the applicable product data.

The method for making it possible to confirm whether or not the sale of each product is permitted on the detailed screen can be arbitrarily changed. For example, a product name may be indicated for products that are allowed to be sold, and a product ID may be indicated for products that are not allowed to be sold. Also, for example, the display color may be changed depending on whether or not the sale is permitted.

Each function realized by the processor 21 by information processing can also be partially or entirely realized by hardware such as a logic circuit that executes information processing not based on a program. Further, each of the functions described above can be implemented by combining hardware such as the logic circuit described above with software control.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... 1st server, 20... 2nd server, 30... POS terminal, 40... Accounting machine, 50... Information terminal, 60... Monitoring terminal, 70... Network, 80... Access point, 100... Merchandise sales system, 11,21 , 51, 61 ... processor, 12, 22, 52, 62 ... main memory, 13, 23, 53, 63 ... auxiliary storage device, 14, 24 ... communication interface, 15, 25, 58, 66 ... system transmission path, 54 , 64... Wireless unit, 55, 65... Touch panel, 56... Scanner, 57... Reader, 131... Merchandise database, 132... Member database, 133... Sales promotion database, 231... Cart management database, 232... Accounting machine management database.

A merchandise sales system according to an embodiment includes input means, first control means, first acceptance means, second control means, third control means, second acceptance means and fourth control means. The input means inputs identification information for identifying a product. The first control means tries to acquire the first information related to the product identified by the identification information each time the identification information is input by the input means while the customer goes around the sales floor, and lists the acquired first information. is displayed on the first display provided in the portable communication terminal. The first reception means receives a cancellation instruction from the customer regarding the first information displayed in the list displayed on the first display. The second control means, when receiving the cancellation instruction by the first receiving means, adds second information indicating that the cancellation has been made to the first information that is the object of the cancellation instruction in the list displayed on the first display. display. When the third control means fails to acquire the first information related to the product identified by the identification information input by the input means, the third control means provides a third information indicating that the product is not permitted to be sold. Displaying a list simultaneously containing information and first information and second information included in the list displayed on the first display on a second display provided on an information terminal separate from the portable communication terminal display. The second reception means receives a cancellation instruction from the clerk regarding the third information included in the list displayed on the second display. The fourth control means, when receiving the cancellation instruction by the second receiving means, adds fourth information indicating cancellation to the third information, which is the target of the cancellation instruction in the list displayed on the second display. display.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
The following is a supplementary description of the inventions originally claimed in this application.
[Appendix 1] Include a product identifier for identifying the product that the purchaser has decided to purchase, regardless of whether or not the product identified by the product identifier is permitted to be sold, and the product identifier a storage means for storing a list in which it is possible to distinguish whether or not the sale of the product identified by is permitted;
notification means for notifying a predetermined notification destination when a product code of a product that is not permitted to be sold is included in the list stored by the storage means;
A product sales system equipped with
[Appendix 2] The storage means includes a first list that includes the product identifier only when the product identified by the product identifier is permitted to be sold, and the product identifier that is identified by the product identifier. each storing a second list containing whether or not the sale of the goods to be sold is permitted;
The product sales system according to appendix 1.
[Appendix 3] Accounting means for accounting for transaction fees based on the first list;
The merchandise sales system according to appendix 2, further comprising:
[Appendix 4] The storage means stores the product identifier acquired by the first terminal,
The reporting means has a second terminal different from the first terminal as the reporting destination,
The product sales system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.
[Supplementary Note 5] In response to a request from the second terminal, the product identifier that identifies a product whose sale is not permitted among the product identifiers stored in the storage means is invalidated, and invalidation means that does not accept a request from the first terminal;
The merchandise sales system according to appendix 4, further comprising:

Claims (5)

Includes a product identifier for identifying the product that the purchaser has decided to purchase, regardless of whether or not the product identified by the product identifier is permitted to be sold, and is identified by the product identifier storage means for storing a list in which it is possible to distinguish whether or not the sale of products is permitted;
notification means for notifying a predetermined notification destination when a product code of a product that is not permitted to be sold is included in the list stored by the storage means;
A product sales system equipped with The storage means stores a first list that includes the product identifier only when the product identified by the product identifier is permitted to be sold, and stores the product identifier in a list that includes the product identifier of the product identified by the product identifier. storing a second list containing whether or not the sale is allowed, respectively;
The merchandise sales system according to claim 1. accounting means for accounting for transactions based on the first list;
3. The merchandise sales system according to claim 2, further comprising: The storage means stores the product identifier acquired by the first terminal,
The notification means has a second terminal different from the first terminal as the notification destination.
The merchandise sales system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In response to a request from the second terminal, the product identifier that identifies a product that is not permitted to be sold among the product identifiers stored in the storage means is invalidated, and the first product identifier related to the invalidation is invalidated. Disabling means that does not accept requests from terminals,
5. The merchandise sales system according to claim 4, further comprising:

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