JP7326523B2 - Terminal management device and its program - Google Patents

Description

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a terminal management device and a program for causing a computer to function as the terminal management device.

The product registration function and the accounting function of a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal are divided into a registration machine and an accounting machine, and the registration machine is operated by a store clerk, and the accounting machine is operated by the customer himself/herself. The system has already been put into practical use. A product sales system is already known in which a customer walks around the sales floor with an information terminal having a wireless communication function and registers the data of the product to be purchased on the information terminal by himself/herself, thereby simplifying the product registration operation on the POS terminal. ing.

The introduction of a product sales system in which the customer himself/herself registers the purchased product by operating the information terminal and the customer himself/herself accounts for the purchased product using an accounting machine is being considered. In order to introduce such a product sales system, it is necessary to efficiently rotate the information terminal.

JP 2007-095026 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-108010

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a terminal management device and its program capable of efficiently rotating an information terminal.

In one embodiment, the terminal management device is a terminal of a merchandise sales system in which a user of an information terminal operates an information terminal at a sales floor to register purchased merchandise, and the user accounts for the purchased merchandise using an accounting machine. It is a management device. This terminal management device includes a storage unit, an output unit, an accounting processing unit, and a control unit. The storage unit stores information on purchased products registered in the information terminal. The output unit outputs the information on the purchased product stored in the storage unit to a checkout machine for the user of the information terminal to checkout. The checkout processing unit performs processing such that, when the purchase is made by the checkout machine, the information on the purchase is stored as the purchase history data of the user. When the control unit receives an instruction from a device other than the accounting machine to cancel information on a purchased product that has been registered in the information terminal and has not been accounted for by the accounting machine, the control unit stores the information on the purchased product in the storage unit. Delete from

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales system according to the present embodiment; FIG. Schematic diagram showing a layout example of a store in which the product sales system is introduced. Block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the main part of the first server in the product sales system FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a product data record stored in a product database in the first server; Schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a member data record stored in a member database in the first server. Schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a sales promotion data record stored in a sales promotion database in the first server. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a second server in the product sales system; 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an information terminal table in the second server; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration list described in the same information terminal table; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sales promotion list described in the same information terminal table; 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shopping list described in the same information terminal table; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a checkout machine table in the second server; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a monitoring terminal in the product sales system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of an information terminal in the product sales system; A perspective view showing an example of a cart to which the information terminal is attached. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor of the information terminal; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of login interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of product registration interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of product registration interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of product registration interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure of accounting interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure of accounting request interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure of accounting end interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of face-to-face accounting interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of timeout interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the monitoring image creation process which the processor of the said 2nd server performs. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure of collective cancellation interrupt processing executed by the processor of the second server; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registered image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registered image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal; The schematic diagram which shows an example of the staff confirmation image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shopping bag confirmation image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal; The schematic diagram which shows an example of the member barcode image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a monitoring image displayed on the touch panel of the monitoring terminal; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an accounting machine status display portion displayed in the same monitoring image; The schematic diagram which shows an example of the terminal state display part displayed on the same monitoring image. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a monitoring image displayed on the touch panel of the monitoring terminal; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a collective cancellation confirmation image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal;

Hereafter, a terminal that can efficiently rotate the information terminal in a product sales system in which the customer himself/herself registers the purchased product by operating the information terminal, and the customer himself/herself accounts for the purchased product using the accounting machine. An embodiment of a management device 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 includes a first server 10 , a second server 20 , a POS terminal 30 , a checkout machine 40 , an information terminal 50 and a monitoring terminal 60 . The first server 10, the second server 20, the POS terminal 30, and the 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 wirelessly communicate with the access point 80 . The access point 80 relays communication between each device connected to the network 70 , that is, the first server 10 , the second server 20 , the POS terminal 30 and the accounting machine 40 , the information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60 .

A plurality of POS terminals 30, accounting machines 40, and information terminals 50 may be installed in one store. There may be two or more monitoring terminals 60 and access points 80 depending on the scale of the store. At least one of the first server 10 and the second server 20 communicates with a customer terminal via a public network. The customer terminal is, for example, a tablet terminal, a smart phone, a personal computer, or the like owned by the customer. A public network is, for example, the Internet. In this embodiment, the first server 10 connects to the public network as a center saver. The second server 20 communicates with the POS terminal 30 as a store server.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a layout example of a store in which the product sales system is introduced. A shopping cart used by customer M1 who is a purchaser or a consumer when shopping in the store has an information terminal 50 . The shopping cart will be referred to as cart C in the following description. A customer becomes a user of the information terminal 50 . The information terminal 50 may be possessed by the cart C or may be possessed by the shopping cart. The customer M1 goes around the sales floor with the cart C and puts the products to be purchased into the cart C. The customer M1 operates the information terminal 50 to register the purchased product. After completing the registration of the purchased product, the customer M1 goes to the face-to-face cashier G1 or the self-checkout G2 and pays for the purchased product to settle the transaction. After the settlement, the customer M1 packs the bag on the soccer table SU as necessary.

At the face-to-face register G1, a cashier M2, who is in charge of accounting, registers and settles the purchased commodities. The face-to-face cashier G1 has a POS terminal 30 . The face-to-face register G1 has a scanner. The scanner may be stationary or hand-held. The cashier M2 registers the sales data of the purchased product in the POS terminal 30 by scanning the bar code of the purchased product one by one with the scanner SC. The POS terminal 30 calculates the settlement amount for the registered purchased product. The customer M1 pays a price corresponding to the settlement amount to the cashier M2. The price can be paid by cash, credit card, electronic money, points, cash vouchers such as gift certificates, and the like. The POS terminal 30 is an example of a commodity sales processing device that processes registration and accounting of purchased commodities.

At the self-checkout G2, the customer M1 registers and settles the purchased products. The self-checkout G2 has a checkout machine 40 . The second server 20 calculates the settlement amount of the purchased product registered by operating the information terminal 50 by the customer M1. The second server 20 notifies the accounting machine 40 of the settlement amount via the network 70 . The customer M1 pays the price equivalent to the settlement amount to the accounting machine 40 notified of the settlement amount. Payment can be made by cash, credit card, electronic money, points, or the like.

The attendant counter AT is located near the self-checkout G2. As described above, in the store of the present embodiment, the customer M1 can operate the information terminal 50 and the checkout machine 40, thereby allowing the customer to perform the entire process from registration of purchased products to payment. On the other hand, however, a situation may arise in which the clerk must intervene. For example, there is a case where a specialized salesperson has to provide information to a customer M1 who purchases medicine. 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 . Alternatively, there may be a case where scanning the bar code of the product with the information terminal 50 results in an error and the product cannot be registered. In the accounting machine 40 as well, errors such as coin jams and out of receipt paper may occur.

An attendant M3, who is a store clerk in charge of customer service, is stationed at the attendant counter AT so that such events can be dealt with promptly. The attendant counter AT has a monitoring terminal 60 . The attendant M3 uses 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. The POS terminal 30 may be the same as the POS terminal used in a store having an existing face-to-face cash register G1. The checkout machine 40 may be similar to the checkout machine used in the semi-self-type merchandise sales system. A description of the configurations of the POS terminal 30 and the checkout machine 40 is omitted.

First, the configuration of the first server 10 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the first server 10. As shown in FIG. The first server 10 comprises a processor 11 , main memory 12 , auxiliary storage device 13 , communication interface 14 , gateway device 15 and system transmission path 16 . The system transmission line 16 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The first server 10 connects the processor 11 , the main memory 12 , the auxiliary storage device 13 , the communication interface 14 and the gateway device 15 to the system transmission line 16 . The first server 10 constitutes a computer with a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, and a system transmission line 16 connecting them.

The processor 11 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part to realize various functions as the first server 10 according to an operating system 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 an operating system and application programs in a nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may store data necessary for the processor to execute processing for controlling each part 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. 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 . The auxiliary storage device 13 may store the above application programs.

The communication interface 14 transmits and receives data according to a communication protocol with each unit connected via the network 70 . Gateway device 15 connects to a public network.

The first server 10 has a product database 131 , a member database 132 and a sales promotion database 133 in the auxiliary storage device 13 . In FIG. 3, the database is abbreviated as DB.

The product database 131 stores data on each product sold at the store. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the product data record 131R for each product stored in the product database 131. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the product data record 131R includes items such as product ID, product name, price, category name, link sales promotion ID, and restriction flag.

The product ID is a unique code set for each product to individually identify each product. The product name and price are the name of the product specified by the product ID and the selling price per item.

The category name is information specifying the category to which the product identified by the product ID belongs. For example, the product "Apple" has many varieties such as "Fuji", "Jonagold", and "Kogyoku", and a different product ID is set for each variety. However, regardless of which variety, the classification name is unified to "apple".

The link sales promotion ID is a code for identifying sales promotion information associated with the product identified by the product ID, among the sales promotion information stored in the sales promotion database 133 . The sales promotion information associated with a product includes, for example, information on a campaign that can be participated in by purchasing the product, information on a bargain item that gives a discount, information on available coupons, and the like. Incidentally, when no sales promotion information is associated with the product, a Null value is set as the link sales promotion ID. In this embodiment, one piece of sales promotion information is associated with one product, but two or more pieces of sales promotion information may be associated.

The restriction flag is 1-bit information for identifying whether the product specified by the product ID is age-restricted, such as alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. In this embodiment, the restriction flag for products with age restrictions is set to "1", and the restriction flag for products without age restrictions is set to "0".

The member database 132 stores data on customers who have registered as members, such as point members, so-called members. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the member data record 132R per member stored in the member database 132. As shown in FIG. As shown, the member data record 132R includes items such as a member ID, purchase history data, and shopping data. A member ID is a unique code set for each member to individually identify each member. A member owns a recording medium on 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. The purchase history data is data indicating when and what the member identified by the member ID purchased.

The shopping data is data of products that the member specified by the member ID plans to purchase. A customer can access the first server 10 via a public network by operating a customer terminal, for example, and register shopping data in his/her own member data record 132R. The shopping data includes the name of the product that is planned to be purchased. The name may be a product name set in the product data record 131R or a classification name. In other words, a customer who plans to purchase the product "apple" regardless of the variety may register the name "apple" as shopping data. On the other hand, for example, a customer who is planning to purchase a product "Apple" whose product name is "Fuji Ringo" may register the name "Fuji Ringo" as shopping data.

The promotional database 133 stores promotional information relating to campaigns, special offers, coupons, etc. as described above. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the sales promotion data record 133R per piece of information stored in the sales promotion database 133. As shown in FIG. Promotion data record 133R, as shown, includes a promotion ID and promotion data. The sales promotion ID is a unique code set for each sales promotion information to individually identify the sales promotion information. Sales promotion data is image data specifically representing sales promotion information.

Next, the configuration of the second server 20 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the second server 20. As shown in FIG. Like the first server 10, the second server 20 includes a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a communication interface 24, and a system transmission path 25. The system transmission path 25 includes the processor 21, the main memory 22, Auxiliary storage device 23 and communication interface 24 are connected. The second server 20 constitutes a computer with a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, and a system transmission line 25 connecting them. A schematic description of the processor 21 , main memory 22 , auxiliary storage device 23 and communication interface 24 may be the same as the description for the first server 10 .

The second server 20 functions as a terminal management device of the merchandise sales system. The second server 20 uses a part of the volatile area in the main memory 22 as an information terminal table 221 and an accounting machine table 222 in order to realize the function as a terminal management device. The information terminal table 221 has an area for holding various information for each information terminal 50 provided in each cart C, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal table 221. As shown in FIG. The information terminal table 221 includes terminal ID, terminal status ST1, member ID, accounting machine ID, first timer T1, second timer T2, third timer T3, counter N, registration list, sales promotion list, shopping list, accounting code, It has areas A1 to A13 for describing each piece of ranking information.

Area A1 is an area for describing a unique terminal ID set for each information terminal 50 in order to identify each information terminal 50 individually. In FIG. 8, the terminal IDs are expressed as TB1, TB2, TB3, TB4, . The terminal ID is terminal identification information. The area A2 is an area for describing information indicating the state of the information terminal 50 specified by the corresponding terminal ID, that is, the so-called terminal status ST1. The terminal status ST1 represents "waiting", "registering", "accounting", and "idle". "Waiting" is the state from the end of the payment of the previous customer until the login of the next customer. "Registered" is a state from when login is performed until accounting is approved. "Under accounting" is a state from when the accounting is approved until the accounting is completed. "None" is a state in which no operation has been performed for a certain period of time from the "registering" state.

Area A3 is an area for describing the member ID of the member who has logged into the information terminal 50 . Area A4 is an area for describing the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 that accounts for the products registered on the information terminal 50 . The accounting machine 40 has a unique accounting machine ID to uniquely identify each accounting machine 40 .

An area A5 is an area for describing the value of the first timer T1 for counting the elapsed time after login. An area A6 is an area for describing the value of the second timer T2 for counting the elapsed time after the bar code of the product with the discount sticker is scanned. An area A7 is an area for describing the value of the third timer T3 for counting the elapsed time after the last registration of the purchased product after login. Area A8 is an area for describing the value of counter N for counting the number of sales promotion data.

An area A9 is an area for writing a registration list L1 shown in FIG. Area A10 is an area for writing sales promotion list L2 shown in FIG. Area A11 is an area for describing shopping list L3 shown in FIG. Area A12 is an area for describing an accounting code issued for each commercial transaction in order to identify the commercial transaction for which product registration has been performed on the information terminal 50. FIG. The area A13 is an area for describing the order when the status of the information terminal 50 is displayed on the monitoring terminal 60. FIG. Accounting codes and ranks will be clarified later in the description.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the registration list L1. The registration list L1 describes product IDs, product names, points, amounts, first flags F1, second flags F2, and third flags F3 in order of a series of numbers. The first flag F1, the second flag F2 and the third flag F3 will be clarified later.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the sales promotion list L2. The sales promotion list L2 describes sales promotion IDs, sales promotion data, merchandise IDs, and fourth flags F4 in serial numerical order. The fourth flag F4 will be clarified later.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the shopping list L3. The shopping list L3 describes names and fifth flags F5 in a series of numerical order. The fifth flag F5 will be clarified later.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the accounting machine table 222. As shown in FIG. The accounting machine table 222 has areas B1 to B4 for respectively describing each information of accounting machine ID, accounting machine status ST2, first error flag EF1, and second error flag EF2.

The area B1 is an area for describing a unique accounting machine ID set for each accounting machine 40 in order to identify each accounting machine 40 individually. The area B2 is an area for describing the accounting machine status ST2. The accounting machine status ST2 is information indicating the status of the accounting machine 40 specified by the accounting machine ID. Accounting machine status ST2 represents "idle" and "paying". "During idle" is the state from the end of the previous customer's checkout to the start of the next customer's checkout. "Paying" is the state from the start to the end of accounting for one customer.

A region B3 is a region for describing a first error flag EF1 that indicates whether or not an error has occurred in the printer of the checkout machine 40 with 1-bit information. The accounting machine 40 has a printer for printing receipts. For example, when the receipt paper runs out, the accounting machine 40 causes a printer error. When a printer error occurs, the first error flag EF1 changes from "0" to "1". After that, when the error is resolved, the first error flag EF1 returns from "1" to "0".

A region B4 is a region for describing a second error flag EF2 that indicates whether or not an error has occurred in the change machine of the accounting machine 40 with 1-bit information. The accounting machine 40 has a change machine for collecting deposits and paying out change. For example, when a coin jam occurs in the accounting machine 40, a change machine error occurs. When a change dispenser error occurs, the second error flag EF2 changes from "0" to "1". After that, when the error is resolved, the second error flag EF2 returns from "1" to "0".

Next, configurations of the monitoring terminal 60 and the information terminal 50 will be described.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration 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 and the like. The monitoring terminal 60 connects the processor 61, the main memory 62, the auxiliary storage device 63, the radio unit 64 and the touch panel 65 to the system transmission line 66 either directly or via signal input/output circuits. The monitoring terminal 60 constitutes a computer with a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, and a system transmission line 66 connecting them.

The processor 61 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 61 controls each part to implement various functions of the monitoring terminal 60 according to an operating system and application programs. Processor 61 is, for example, a CPU.

The main memory 62 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 62 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores an operating system and application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 62 may store data necessary for the processor to execute processing for controlling each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 62 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor. For example, the non-volatile memory area is ROM. A volatile memory area is RAM.

The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 63 . The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used by the processor 61 for various processes and data created by the processes performed by the processor 61 . The auxiliary storage device 63 may store the above application programs.

Wireless unit 64 wirelessly transmits or receives data to or from access point 80 according to a wireless communication protocol.

The touch panel 65 is a device that serves both as an input device and a display device for the monitoring terminal 60 . The monitoring terminal 60 incorporates a browser for displaying an image on the touch panel 65 based on image data created by a Web server such as the second server 20 .

Computer equipment such as a tablet terminal, a notebook computer, and a desktop computer can be used as the monitoring terminal 60 .

FIG. 14 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 line 58 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The information terminal 50 connects the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, the wireless unit 54, the touch panel 55, the scanner 56 and the reader 57 to the system transmission line 58 directly or via signal input/output circuits. The information terminal 50 constitutes a computer with a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, and a system transmission line 58 connecting them. A general description of the processor 51 , main memory 52 , auxiliary storage device 53 and wireless unit 54 may be the same as that for the monitor terminal 60 .

The touch panel 55 is a device that serves both as an input device and a display device for the information terminal 50 . The information terminal 50 incorporates a browser for displaying an image on the touch panel 55 based on image data created by a Web server such as the second server 20 .

The scanner 56 has a camera as an imaging section. A scanner 56 reads a code symbol such as a bar code or two-dimensional data code from the image captured by the camera.

The reader 57 reads the member ID recorded on the recording medium. 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. An RFID reader is used as the reader 57 in the case of a recording medium using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) such as a noncontact IC card or a smart phone.

The information terminal 50 can electrically connect a scanner 56 and a reader 57 to a tablet terminal TM shown in FIG. consists of

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of the cart C to which the information terminal 50 is attached. The cart C includes 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 erected on the rear wheel side of the caster portion C1, and a handlebar C22 connecting the upper ends of the vertical frames C21, C21. The basket receiving portion C3 is located forward from the middle portion of the handle frame portion C2. The cart C carries a shopping basket BA for storing products on the basket receiving portion C3 and the caster portion C1.

Scanner 56 is in the middle of handlebar C22. The scanner 56 is attached to the handlebar C22 so that the reading window faces forward. The cart C has a pole C4 attached to one vertical frame C21. The tip of the pole C4 is located above the handlebar C22. The tablet terminal TM is attached to the tip of the pole C4 so that the screen of the touch panel 55 faces backward. The reader 57 is attached to the tablet terminal TM so that the card slit faces backward. In FIG. 15, the reader 57 is a magnetic card reader. The battery BT is attached across the vertical frames C21, C21 on the lower end side of the handle frame portion C2. The battery BT serves as a driving power source for the tablet terminal TM and the scanner 56 .

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor 51 of the information terminal 50. As shown in FIG. 17 to 27 are flowcharts showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. FIG. 28 to 32 and 37 are examples of images displayed on the touch panel 55, which is the display device of the information terminal 50. FIG. 33 to 36 are examples of images displayed on the touch panel 65, which is the display device of the monitoring terminal 60. FIG. Main operations of the product sales system according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The content of the processing described below is an example. As long as similar results can be obtained, the processing procedure and processing contents are not particularly limited.

First, the operation of the information terminal 50 will be described.
The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 displays an initial image on the touch panel 55 as Act1 in FIG. The initial image is arbitrary. The processor 51 uses, for example, an image for explaining a login procedure as an initial image. Image data of the initial image is received from the second server 20 . The processor 21 of the second server 20 distributes the image data of the initial image to the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "waiting". The information terminal 50 waiting for login displays an initial image on the touch panel 55 .

A customer M1, who is a member, takes out an empty cart C from the cart storage when he comes to the store. The customer M1 confirms that the initial image is displayed on the touch panel 55 of the information terminal 50 attached to the cart C. After confirmation, the customer M1 logs in. That is, the customer M1 causes the reader 57 to read the data on the recording medium on which the member ID is recorded.

The processor 51 waits for login as Act2. When the reader 57 reads the data of the recording medium in which the member ID is recorded, the processor 51 determines that login has been performed, and proceeds to YES in Act2. The processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 to send the login command to the second server 20 as Act3. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the login command. The login command includes the member ID read by reader 57 and the terminal ID of information terminal 50 . Access point 80 receives the login command. Access point 80 transmits the login command to second server 20 via network 70 .

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the login command via the communication interface 24 starts login interrupt processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. First, the processor 21 detects the terminal ID from the login command as Act21. As Act 22, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID detected from the login command. In the following description, a terminal ID detected from a login command is called a login terminal ID.

If the terminal status ST1 is "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act22. The processor 21 detects the member ID from the login command as Act23. In Act 24, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to inquire of the first server 10 about the member ID for authentication. Communication interface 24 transmits an authentication inquiry command. The authentication inquiry command includes a member ID. The first server 10 receives the authentication inquiry command via the network 70 .

The processor 11 of the first server 10 detects the member ID from the authentication inquiry command. Processor 11 accesses member database 132 and retrieves member data record 132R containing the member ID. If the member data record 132 R for the member ID is not registered in the member database 132 , the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to send a negative response to the second server 20 . The communication interface 14 transmits a denial response signal to the second server 20 .

The processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to transmit an approval response to the second server 20 when the corresponding member data record 132R is read from the member database 132 . The communication interface 14 transmits an approval response response signal to the second server 20 . The authorization response includes purchase data for member data record 132R.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has controlled transmission of the authentication inquiry command waits for a response signal from the first server 10 in Act25. If the response signal of the approval response is received within the fixed time, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act25. As Act 26, the processor 21 checks whether or not the approval response contains shopping data.

If the logged-in customer M1 has registered shopping data in advance, the shopping data is included in the approval response. If the purchase data has not been registered, the approval response will not include the purchase data. If the authorization response contains purchase data, processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 26 . The processor 21 creates a shopping list L3 from the shopping data as Act27. That is, the processor 21 creates the shopping list L3 by assigning a series of numbers to the names constituting the shopping data. The processor 21 saves the shopping list L3 in the area A11 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. FIG. In Act28, the processor 21 sets all the fifth flags F5 corresponding to the numbers in the shopping list L3 to "0". If the authorization response does not contain purchase data, processor 21 proceeds to NO at Act 26 . The processor 21 does not execute the processing of Act27 and Act28 described above.

The processor 21 creates a registration image P1 shown in FIG. 28 as Act29. In Act30, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit an approval response to the information terminal 50 that sent the login command. Further, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit the image data of the registered image P1 to the information terminal 50 in Act31. The communication interface 24 transmits the response signal of the approval response and the image data of the registered image P1 via the network 70 . The access point 80 wirelessly transmits response signals and image data. The information terminal 50 that has transmitted the login command receives the response signal and the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 .

The processor 21 that has controlled the transmission of the response signal and the image data changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the login terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 from "waiting" to "registering" in Act32. The processor 21 resets the value of the counter N associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 to "0" as Act33. Further, the processor 21 starts the counting operation of the first timer T1 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act34.
With this, the processor 21 ends the login interrupt process.

If the terminal status ST1 is not "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act22. If the response from the first server 10 was a negative response, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act25. In Act 35, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit a denial response to the information terminal 50 that sent the login command. The communication interface 24 transmits a response signal of a negative response via the network 70 . The access point 80 wirelessly transmits a response signal of denial. The information terminal 50 that is the source of the login command receives the response signal of the denial response wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 .

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that has controlled transmission of the login command in Act3 waits for a response signal from the second server 20 in Act4. If a negative response response signal is received via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act4. The processor 51 treats the login as an error. If there is an error in the login, processor 51 causes touch panel 55 to display an error notification image including a confirmation button. When the confirmation button is touched, the processor 51 returns the image on the touch panel 55 to the initial image and waits for the next login.

If the processor 51 receives the response signal of the approval response via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act4. Based on the image data received together with the approval response in Act 5, the registered image P1 is displayed on the touch panel 55. FIG.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the registered image P1. As shown in FIG. 28, the registration image P1 includes a registration list area PA1, a sales promotion list area PA2, a shopping memo area PA3, a [product without barcode] touch button BU1, and a [checkout] touch button BU2. include.

The registration list area PA1 is located in the central portion of the registration image P1. Registration list area PA<b>1 is an area for displaying registration list L<b>1 stored in area A<b>9 associated with the login terminal ID of information terminal table 221 . Before the product registration starts, the registration list area PA1 is blank.

The promotional list area PA2 is above the registration image P1. The sales promotion list area PA2 includes a plurality of sales promotion areas along the upper edge of the registration image P1. FIG. 28 shows four promotional areas PA21, PA22, PA23, PA24. Each sales promotion area PA21, PA22, PA23, PA24 displays the sales promotion information of the sales promotion list L2 described in the area A10 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. FIG. The sales promotion area PA21 on the left end of the screen displays the latest sales promotion information registered in the sales promotion list L2. Sales promotion areas PA22, PA23, and PA24 on the right side of the screen from the sales promotion area PA21 sequentially shift the previously registered sales promotion information. Before the product registration is started, the sales promotion list area PA2 is also blank. Sales promotion information that is not associated with purchased products, such as "tomorrow is a bargain sale day", may be displayed in the sales promotion areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24 of the registration image P1 before the start of product registration.

The shopping memo area PA3 is located on the left side of the screen of the registered image P1. The shopping memo area PA3 is an area for displaying the shopping list L3 described in the area A11 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. FIG. If the logged-in customer M1 has registered shopping data in advance, the shopping memo area PA3 displays the information of the shopping list L3 based on the shopping data. If the logged-in customer M1 has not previously registered shopping data, the shopping memo area PA3 is blank. Alternatively, the shopping memo area PA3 itself may be omitted from the registration image P1.

The [product without barcode] touch button BU1 and the [checkout] touch button BU2 are located below the registered image P1. Specifically, there is a touch button BU1 for [goods without barcode] on the left side of the screen, and a touch button BU2 for [checkout] on the right side. The arrangement of the touch button BU1 and the touch button BU2 may be reversed left and right.

The [product without barcode] touch button BU1 is used when the customer registers a product without a barcode in the information terminal 50 . Barcodes corresponding to product IDs of the products are attached to many products sold in stores. Therefore, the customer M1 who performs self-registration using the cart C operates the scanner 56 to read the bar code attached to the merchandise before putting the purchased merchandise into the shopping basket BA at the sales floor. By reading the bar code with the scanner 56 , the product ID represented by the bar code is input to the information terminal 50 . That is, product registration is performed. On the other hand, some products, such as perishables, may not have barcodes. If the bar code is not attached to the purchased product, the customer M1 touches the touch button BU1. Then, a touch button corresponding to a product with no barcode attached, that is, a so-called product button is displayed on the touch panel 55, and the customer M1 touches the product button corresponding to the purchased product. By touching a product button, the product ID of the product corresponding to the product button is input to the information terminal 50 . That is, product registration is performed.

The [Accounting] touch button BU2 is used when the customer declares accounting for the purchased product. That is, the customer M1, who has self-registered the purchased products using the cart C, touches the touch button BU2 when proceeding to checkout.

Returning to the description of FIG.
In Act5, the processor 51 that causes the touch panel 55 to display the registration image P1 checks in Act6 whether or not the product has been registered. If the product has not been registered, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act6. In Act7, the processor 51 confirms whether or not the touch button BU2 of [Accounting] has been touched. If the [Accounting] touch button BU2 has not been touched, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act7. Processor 51 returns to Act6. Here, the processor 51 waits in Act 6 and Act 7 for product registration or touch of the [checkout] touch button BU2.

In the standby state of Act6 and Act7, when confirming that the product has been registered, the processor 51 advances to YES in Act6. The processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 to transmit the product registration command to the second server 20 as Act8. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits a product registration command. The product registration command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 and the product ID of the registered product. That is, when the barcode of the registered product is read by the scanner 56, the product registration command includes the product ID obtained from the barcode. When a registered product is selected by touching the product button, the product registration command includes the product ID assigned to the product button. The product registration command is received by the access point 80 and sent to the second server 20 via the network 70 .

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the product registration command via the communication interface 24 starts the product registration interrupt processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 to 20. FIG. First, in Act 41, the processor 21 detects the product ID from the product registration command. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 in Act 42 to query the first server 10 for product data. The communication interface 24 transmits a product inquiry command. The product inquiry command includes a product ID. The product inquiry command is transmitted to first server 10 via network 70 .

The processor 11 of the first server 10 that has received the product inquiry command via the communication interface 14 detects the product ID from the product inquiry command. Processor 11 accesses product database 131 and reads product data record 131R containing the product ID. If the product data record 131R of the product ID cannot be read from the product database 131, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to send an abnormal response to the second server 20. FIG. The communication interface 14 transmits an abnormal response response signal to the second server 20 .

The processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to transmit a normal response to the second server 20 when the corresponding product data record 131R is read from the product database 131 . The communication interface 14 transmits a normal response response signal to the second server 20 . The normal response includes product data such as the product ID, product name, price, category name, link sales promotion ID, and restriction flag of the product data record 131R.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has controlled transmission of the product inquiry command waits for a response signal from the first server 10 as Act 43 . If the response signal of the normal response is received within the fixed time, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act43. The processor 21 adds the product data included in the normal response to the registration list L1 of the information terminal table 221 as Act44. That is, the processor 21 adds the product ID, product name, points, and amount to the registration list L1 in the area A9 associated with the terminal ID included in the product registration command of the information terminal table 221 . The product ID and product name are included in the product data. The score is "1". The amount is the price of the product data. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the product registration command will be referred to as a registered terminal ID. In Act 45, the processor 21 sets all of the first to third flags F1 to F3 of the added product data to "0".
The information terminal table 221 functions as a storage unit that stores information on purchased products registered in the information terminal 50 for each information terminal 50 .

The processor 21 determines in Act 46 whether or not the registered product is a product with a discount sticker. In the present embodiment, a discount sticker indicating discount information is attached to a product to be discounted, and a discount mark is attached to a part of the bar code. The discount information is, for example, a discount amount or a discount rate. If the barcode image captured by the scanner 56 of the information terminal 50 includes a discount mark, the processor 21 determines that the registered product is a product with a discount sticker. If the registered product is not a product with a discount sticker, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act46. The processor 21 proceeds to the processing of Act53.

If the registered product is a product with a discount sticker, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act46. The processor 21 starts the timer count operation of the second timer T2 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act47. The processor 21 checks in Act 48 whether discount information has been received. If discount information has not been received, processor 21 proceeds to NO at Act 48 . The processor 21 checks in Act 49 whether or not the second timer T2 has timed out. For example, the second timer T2 times out after counting 15 seconds. If the second timer T2 has not timed out, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act49. The processor 21 returns to Act48. In Act48 and Act49, the processor 21 waits for the discount information to be received or for the second timer T2 to time out.

If a discount sticker is affixed to the purchased product, the customer M1 during self-registration must operate the scanner 56 to read the information on the discount sticker. If the registered product is a product with a discount sticker, the processor 21 may cause the touch panel 55 of the information terminal 50 to display guidance instructing the scanner 56 to read the discount sticker.

When the discount information is read by the scanner 56 of the information terminal 50, the wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the discount information. The discount information is received at access point 80 and sent to second server 20 via network 70 .

When the processor 21 of the second server 20 detects that the discount information is received via the communication interface 24 before the second timer T2 times out, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act48. The processor 21 performs discount processing as Act50. For example, the processor 21 acquires the discount amount based on the discount information, and subtracts the discount amount from the price of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the process of Act44. The processor 21 stops the second timer T2 in Act51. After that, the processor 21 proceeds to the processing of Act53.

If the second timer T2 times out, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act49. In Act52, the processor 21 changes the second flag F2 of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the process of Act44 from "0" to "1". After that, the processor 21 proceeds to the processing of Act53. When the customer M1 causes the scanner 56 to read the information on the discount sticker before the second timer T2 times out, the registered product is discounted by the discount information on the discount sticker and stored in the registration list L1. be. However, when the second timer T2 times out, the registered product is stored in the registration list L1 without being discounted. In other words, a discount sticker reading error occurs for the registered product. The second flag F2 becomes "1" for a registered product with a discount label reading error.

In Act 53, the processor 21 checks the restriction flag of the product data. If the restriction flag is "0", that is, if the registered product is a product without age restrictions, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act53. Processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 in FIG.

If the restriction flag is "1", that is, if the registered product is an age-restricted product, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act53. In Act54, the processor 21 changes the third flag F3 of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the process of Act44 from "0" to "1". That is, the third flag F3 is "1" for registered products with age restrictions.

In Act 55, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the image data of the age confirmation image to the information terminal 50 that transmitted the product registration command. Processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 in FIG. Communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the age confirmation image via network 70 . The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The information terminal 50 that has transmitted the product registration command receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 .

Upon receiving the image data of the age confirmation image, the information terminal 50 displays the age confirmation image on the touch panel 55 . The age confirmation image is displayed with a confirmation button, for example, along with guidance "Are you 20 years old or older?" Then, the age confirmation image is erased, and the screen of the touch panel 55 returns to the registration image P1.

If the processor 21 fails to receive a response signal indicating a normal response to the transmission of the product inquiry command within a certain period of time, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 43 . The processor 21 executes virtual product registration processing. For example, the product data record 131R of the registered product may have been deleted from the product database 131. FIG. In this case, the processor 21 cannot receive the normal response response signal. As virtual product registration processing, the processor 21 adds only the product ID of the registered product to the registration list L1. The product name, points, and price are not added to the registration list L1. The processor 21 sets the first flag F1 of the product data to which only the product ID is added in Act58 to "1", and sets both the second flag F2 and the third flag F3 to "0". Processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 in FIG. The first flag F1 becomes "1" for the product registered by the virtual product registration process.

In Act 61 , the processor 21 creates a registration list image based on the registration list L<b>1 in the area A<b>9 associated with the registration terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 . The registration list image is an image displayed in the registration list area PA1 of the registration image P1. That is, as shown in FIG. 28, the registration list image is an image in which the product names, points, and prices of the product data registered in the registration list L1 are arranged in list form. This sorting order is such that newly registered products are ranked higher, that is, in descending order from those with higher registration numbers in the registration list L1. The registration number is represented as "No." in FIG. The product data added most recently to the registration list L1 can be identified by using a different character color or a different background color from other product data. The example in FIG. 28 shows a case where the background colors are changed. A [Cancel] touch button BU3 is displayed for each product data. The [Cancel] touch button BU3 is touched by the customer M1 when canceling the purchase of the product of the corresponding product data in the middle of shopping. When the [Cancel] touch button BU3 is touch-operated, the points and price of the corresponding product in the registration list area PA1 become "0". The [Cancel] touch button BU3 is deleted.

The processor 21 checks in Act 62 whether or not sales promotion information is set in association with the registered product. That is, the processor 21 checks the link sales promotion ID included in the product data in the normal response response signal received in Act 43 . If the link promotion ID is a null value, processor 21 determines that no promotion information has been set. When the code as the link promotion ID is set, the processor 21 determines that the promotion information is set. If no promotional information has been set, processor 21 proceeds to NO at Act 62 . The processor 21 proceeds to the processing of Act71.

If promotional information has been set, processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 62 . The processor 21 searches the sales promotion list L2 in the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 as Act63. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the link sales promotion ID included in the product data has already been registered in the sales promotion list L2.

If the link promotion ID is not registered in the promotion list L2, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act64. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to query the first server 10 for sales promotion data in Act 65 . Communication interface 24 transmits promotional inquiry commands. The promotion inquiry command includes a link promotion ID. The promotion inquiry command is sent to the first server 10 via the network 70 .

The processor 11 of the first server 10 that receives the sales promotion inquiry command via the communication interface 14 detects the link sales promotion ID from the sales promotion inquiry command. Processor 11 accesses promotion database 133 and retrieves promotion data record 133R containing the link promotion ID. If the promotion data record 133 R for the promotion ID is not registered in the promotion database 133 , the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to send a normal response without promotion to the second server 20 . The communication interface 14 sends a normal response without promotion to the second server 20 .

The processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 to transmit a normal response including the sales promotion data to the second server 20 when the corresponding sales promotion data record 133R can be read from the sales promotion database 133 . The communication interface 14 sends a normal response including the promotional data to the second server 20 .

The processor 21 of the second server 20, which has controlled transmission of the sales promotion inquiry command, checks in Act 66 whether or not a normal response including sales promotion data has been received. If a successful no-promotion response is received, processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 66 . The processor 21 proceeds to the processing of Act71.

If a successful response containing promotional data is received, processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 66 . The processor 21 counts up the counter N of the area A8 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 by "1" in Act67. The processor 21 adds data to the sales promotion list L2 in the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act68. The data consists of the merchandise ID of the registered merchandise, the link sales promotion ID associated with the merchandise ID, and the sales promotion data set with the link sales promotion ID. The data is added to the area with the same number as the counter N.

If the link promotion ID is already registered in the promotion list L2, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act64. The processor 21 shifts the link sales promotion ID and the sales promotion data and product ID registered in the sales promotion list L2 together with this link sales promotion ID to the area with the same number as the counter N as Act69.

After completing the processing of Act68 or Act69, the processor 21, in Act70, sets the fourth flag F4 of the area with the same number as the counter N of the sales promotion list L2 to "1", and sets the fourth flag F4 of the area with the other number to "1". 0”. After that, the processor 21 proceeds to Act71. The fourth flag F4 is "1" for the sales promotion information associated with the newly registered product.

In Act71, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the counter N is counting a value greater than "0". If the counter N is "0", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act71. Processor 21 proceeds to Act 81 in FIG.

If the counter N is greater than "0", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act71. The processor 21 creates a sales promotion image based on the sales promotion list L2 in the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act72. When the processor 21 finishes creating the promotional image, it proceeds to Act 81 in FIG.

The sales promotion image is an image displayed in the sales promotion list area PA2 of the registration image P1. That is, as shown in FIG. 28, the sales promotion image is obtained by arranging sales promotion information generated from sales promotion data registered in the sales promotion list L2 in areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24. Specifically, the sales promotion information is displayed in the area PA21, the area PA22, the area PA23, and the area PA24 in descending order of the number of the sales promotion list L2. The sales promotion information generated from the sales promotion data with the fourth flag F4 set to "1", that is, the sales promotion information displayed in the area PA21 can be distinguished from the sales promotion information displayed in the other areas PA22, PA23 and PA24. For example, by setting the frame color and background color of only the area PA21 to the same color as the character color and background color of the newly added registered product in the registration list area PA1, the area PA21 can be distinguished from other sales promotion information. The example in FIG. 28 shows a case where the background color is the same as the background color of the newly added registered product.

In Act81, the processor 21 determines whether or not the shopping list L3 is saved in the area A11 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. FIG. If shopping list L3 is not saved, processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act81. Processor 21 proceeds to Act86.

If shopping list L3 is saved, processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act81. The processor 21 retrieves the shopping list L3 as Act82. In Act83, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the registered product is included in the shopping list L3. That is, the processor 21 confirms whether or not there is a name that matches the product name or classification name of the registered product in the shopping list L3. If no matching name exists, processor 21 proceeds to NO at Act 83 . Processor 21 proceeds to Act85.

If a matching name exists, processor 21 proceeds YES in Act 83 . As Act84, the processor 21 changes the fifth flag F5 corresponding to the matching name in the shopping list L3 from "0" to "1". Thereafter, processor 21 proceeds to Act85. The fifth flag F5 is set to "1" for the names of products for which product registration has been performed among the names stored in the shopping list L3.

In Act85, the processor 21 creates a shopping memo image with the information of the shopping list L3. After finishing creating the shopping memo image, the processor 21 proceeds to Act86.

The shopping memo image is an image displayed in the shopping memo area PA3 of the registered image P1. That is, as shown in FIG. 28, the processor 21 forms a shopping memo image by arranging the names registered in the shopping list L3 in order from the top to the bottom of the screen. The processor 21 erases the name whose fifth flag F5 is "1". For example, the processor 21 crosses out the name whose fifth flag F5 is "1" by drawing a line through it. Alternatively, the processor 21 erases the name whose fifth flag F5 is "1" by making the character density lighter than other names.

In Act86, the processor 21 edits the registration image P1. That is, the processor 21 edits the registration image P1 so that the registration list image created in Act 61, the sales promotion image created in Act 72, and the shopping memo image created in Act 85 are displayed in areas PA1, PA2, and PA3, respectively. do.

In Act87, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit the registration image P1 to the information terminal 50 that transmitted the product registration command. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the registered image P1 edited in Act 86 via the network 70 . The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The information terminal 50 , which is the source of the product registration command, receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 .

The processor 21 that has controlled transmission of the registered image P1 starts the counting operation of the third timer T3 associated with the registered terminal information ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act88. If the third timer T3 has already started, the processor 21 restarts the third timer T3. With this, the processor 21 ends the product registration interrupt process.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that has controlled transmission of the product registration command in Act8 returns to Act5. That is, the processor 51 updates the registration image P1 displayed on the touch panel 55 based on the image data newly received from the second server 20 .

The product name, points, and price of the product self-registered by the customer M1 are added to the registration list area PA1. If the registered product exists in the shopping list L3, the name of the registered product is erased from the shopping memo area PA3. When sales promotion information is set in association with the registered product, a sales promotion image based on the sales promotion information is displayed in the sales promotion area PA21 of the sales promotion list area PA2. When other sales promotion information is already displayed in the sales promotion areas PA21 to PA23, the information is sequentially shifted to the sales promotion areas PA22 to PA24 on the right side, and the sales promotion information displayed in the sales promotion area PA24 is no longer displayed. However, if the sales promotion information of the registered product has already been displayed in the sales promotion area PA21, the sales promotion image does not change. For example, when the sales promotion information of the registered product is displayed in the sales promotion area PA22, the sales promotion information is moved to the sales promotion area PA21, and the sales promotion information displayed in the sales promotion area PA22 immediately before is shifted to the sales promotion area PA22. . The same applies when the sales promotion information of the registered product is displayed in the other sales promotion areas PA23 and PA24.

The processor 51 advances to YES in Act 6 each time product registration is performed. The processor 51 repeats the processing of Act8 and Act5.

By the way, the first flag F1 of the product registered by the virtual product registration process is "1". As shown in the display example PR1 of FIG. 29, the name of the registered product for which the first flag F1 is "1" is "product registration error". Instead of the points and amount of money, the guidance "to be confirmed by the staff at checkout" is displayed. An icon IC1 indicating that the product registration is in error is displayed.

The second flag F2 is "1" for the registered product for which the discount label reading error has occurred. As shown in the display example PR2 in FIG. 29, the name of the registered product for which the second flag F2 is "1" is "discount sticker error". Instead of the points and amount of money, the guidance "to be confirmed by the staff at checkout" is displayed. An icon IC2 indicating a discount sticker error is displayed.

The third flag F3 is "1" for registered products with age restrictions. As shown in a display example PR3 of FIG. 29, an icon IC3 indicating that the product is an age-restricted product is displayed for the registered product whose third flag F3 is "1".

For products for which cancellation is instructed by the touch operation of the [Cancel] touch button BU3, the score and amount may not be set to "0" in the registration list area PA1. As shown in a display example PR4 in FIG. 29, the product name, points, and price may be displayed with a strike-through line, and the [Cancel] touch button BU3 may be deleted. As shown in FIG. 29, the order of the error items such as "product registration error" and "discount sticker error" may be changed so that they are positioned higher in the registration list area PA1. Error items such as "product registration error" and "discount sticker error" are newly registered without changing the sorting order so as to serve as a reference for the customer M1 who searches for the product corresponding to the error in the shopping cart BA. It is also possible to keep the sorting order in which the higher the product, the higher the order. The background color of the position corresponding to the error item line on the rightmost scroll bar in FIG. The background color of the position that does not correspond to .

Returning to the description of FIG.
In the standby state of Act6 and Act7, if the touch button BU2 of [Accounting] is input, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act7. The processor 21 controls the wireless unit 54 to send the accounting command to the second server 20 as Act9. A wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits accounting commands. The accounting command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 concerned.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the accounting command via the communication interface 24 starts accounting interrupt processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. First, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 with the terminal ID included in the accounting command as Act101. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the accounting command will be referred to as accounting terminal ID. The processor 21 checks whether data with the first flag F1 set to "1" exists in the registration list L1 in the area A9 associated with the accounting terminal ID.

If there is no data with the first flag F1 set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act101. In Act 102, the processor 21 confirms whether or not data with the second flag F2 set to "1" exists in the same registration list L1.

If there is also no data with the second flag F2 set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act102. In Act 103, the processor 21 controls the communication interface so as to transmit an approval response to the information terminal 50, which is the source of the accounting command. Further, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the image data of the plastic shopping bag confirmation image P3 shown in FIG. The communication interface 24 transmits the response signal of the approval response and the image data of the shopping bag confirmation image P3 via the network 70 . The access point 80 wirelessly transmits response signals and image data. The information terminal 50 that has sent the accounting command receives the response signal and the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 .

In Act101, if there is data with the first flag F1 set to "1" in the registration list L1, the processor 21 proceeds to YES to proceed to the processing of Act111. In Act102, even if there is data with the second flag F2 set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to YES and proceeds to the processing of Act111. In Act 111, the processor 21 controls the communication interface so as to transmit a denial response to the information terminal 50 which is the accounting command transmission source. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the image data of the staff confirmation image P2 shown in FIG. The communication interface 24 transmits the response signal of the denial response and the image data of the staff confirmation image P2 via the network 70 . The access point 80 wirelessly transmits response signals and image data. The information terminal 50 that has sent the accounting command receives the response signal and the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 .

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that has controlled transmission of the accounting command in Act9 waits for a response signal from the second server 20 in Act10. If a negative acknowledgment response signal is received via radio unit 64, processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act10. The processor 51 causes the touch panel 55 to display the staff confirmation image P2 based on the image data received together with the response signal in Act11.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the staff confirmation image P2. As shown in FIG. 30, the clerk confirmation image P2 includes a touch button BU4 for [Yes] together with guidance GA1 for notifying that confirmation by the clerk is required due to an error in self-registration of the product. After confirming the attendant confirmation image P2, the customer M1 goes to the attendant counter AT and asks the attendant M3.

The attendant M3, who has received the offer from the customer M1, performs an operation to delete the data of the product whose first flag F1 is "1" or whose second flag F2 is "1" from the registration list L1. This operation may be performed from the monitoring terminal 60 or from the information terminal 50 . Alternatively, it may be performed from the accounting machine 40, or may be performed by connecting other computer equipment to the network 70. FIG.

When the data of the product whose first flag F1 is "1" or whose second flag F2 is "1" is deleted from the registration list L1, the customer M1 touches the [YES] touch button BU4.

The processor 51 that has controlled the display of the staff confirmation image P2 waits for the confirmation operation in Act12. If the processor 51 detects that the [YES] touch button BU4, which is a confirmation operation, has been touched, the process proceeds to YES in Act12. Processor 51 returns to Act5. That is, the processor 51 returns the screen of the touch panel 55 to the registered image P1.

After confirming that the screen of the touch panel 55 has returned to the registered image P1, the customer M1 again touches the touch button BU2 of [Accounting]. Then, the processor 21 of the second server 20 executes the processing of Act 103 and Act 104 since Act 101 of FIG. 21 is NO and Act 102 is NO. As a result, the information terminal 50 receives the response signal of the approval response and the image data of the shopping bag confirmation image P3.

Upon receiving the acknowledge response signal via wireless unit 54, processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act10. Based on the image data received together with the response signal in Act 13, the processor 51 causes the touch panel 55 to display the shopping bag confirmation image P3.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the shopping bag confirmation image P3. As shown in FIG. 31, the shopping bag confirmation image P3 includes guidance GA2 for inquiring whether or not to purchase a shopping bag, touch button BU5 for [Yes], and touch button BU6 for [No]. After confirming the shopping bag confirmation image P3, the customer M1 touches the touch button BU5 to go to the attendant counter AT and receive the shopping bag when purchasing the shopping bag. When not purchasing the shopping bag, the customer M1 touches the touch button BU6 and does not receive the shopping bag.

The processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 to transmit the shopping bag information to the second server 20 in Act14. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits shopping bag information. The shopping bag information is information indicating shopping bag purchase when the [Yes] touch button BU5 is touch-operated in the shopping bag confirmation image P3, and when the [No] touch button BU6 is touch-operated. is information indicating non-purchase of shopping bags.

In Act104 of FIG. 21, the processor 21 of the second server 20 that has controlled the transmission of the shopping bag confirmation image P3 waits for shopping bag information in Act105. If shopping bag information indicating shopping bag purchase is received, the processor 21 advances to YES in Act 105 . In Act 106, the processor 21 adds the shopping bag sales data to the registration list L1. When receiving shopping bag information indicating non-purchase of a shopping bag, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 105 . The processor 21 skips the processing of Act106.

If the price of a plastic shopping bag is fixed, the sales data of the plastic shopping bag may be set in advance. If the charge for a plastic shopping bag differs depending on the size or the like, the scanner 56 scans the barcode of the plastic shopping bag when receiving the plastic shopping bag. When the bar code of the shopping bag is scanned, the sales data of the shopping bag is added to the registration list L1 in the same procedure as for normal product registration.

The processor 21 issues a new accounting code as Act107. An accounting code is unique, for example, a combination of a date and a series of transaction numbers, and does not overlap with other accounting codes. The processor 21 stores the accounting code in the area A12 associated with the accounting terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. FIG.

In Act 108, the processor 21 converts the accounting code into a barcode and creates an accounting barcode image P4 shown in FIG. In Act 109, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the accounting barcode image P4 to the information terminal 50 that sent the accounting command. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the accounting barcode image P4 via the network 70. FIG. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The information terminal 50 that has transmitted the transaction command receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 .

The processor 21 that has controlled transmission of the image data of the accounting barcode image P4 changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the accounting terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 from "registering" to "accounting" in Act110. Thus, when the processing of Act110 or the processing of Act112 described above is completed, the processor 21 stops the counting operation of the third timer T3 associated with the accounting terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act113. With this, the processor 21 ends the accounting interrupt processing.

Returning to the description of FIG.
In Act14, the processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that has transmitted the shopping bag information waits for the accounting barcode image P4 in Act15. Upon receiving the image data of the accounting barcode image P4 via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act15. In Act16, the processor 51 causes the touch panel 55 to display the checkout barcode image P4 based on the image data. With this, the processor 51 ends the processing after login.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the accounting barcode image P4. As shown in FIG. 32, the accounting barcode image P4 includes a barcode BC representing an accounting code. The customer M1 who confirms the checkout bar code image P4 proceeds to an empty checkout machine 40 in the self-checkout G2, and uses a scanner connected to the checkout machine 40 to read the bar code BC of the checkout bar code image P4.

When the barcode BC is read by the scanner of the accounting machine 40, the accounting machine 40 sends an accounting request command including the accounting code obtained from the barcode BC and the accounting machine ID unique to the accounting machine via the network 70. 2 to the server 20;

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the accounting request command starts accounting request interrupt processing in FIG. First, the processor 21 detects the accounting code included in the accounting request command as Act121. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 as Act122, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID in which the same account code is saved in the area A12. In the following description, a terminal ID that stores the same accounting code in area A12 will be referred to as an accounting requesting terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is other than "accounting", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act122. The processor 21 terminates this interrupt processing as an error.

If the terminal status ST1 is "accounting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act122. The processor 21 saves the accounting machine ID included in the accounting request command in the area A4 associated with the accounting requesting terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act123. In Act 124, the processor 21 controls to send the registration list L1 stored in the area A9 associated with the accounting request terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 to the accounting machine 40 that sent the accounting request command. Further, the processor 21 searches the accounting machine table 222 in Act 125, and sets the accounting machine status ST2 corresponding to the accounting machine ID included in the accounting request command to "paying". With this, the processor 21 terminates the accounting request interrupt process.
The processor 21 cooperates with the communication interface 24, which is a communication unit, to execute the processes of Act 121 to Act 124, thereby transferring the information on purchased products stored for each information terminal 50 in the information terminal table 221, which is a storage unit, to the relevant information terminal. It functions as an output unit for outputting to the accounting machine 40 where the user who has registered with the information terminal 50 makes an accounting.

The communication interface 24 transmits the data of the registration list L1 to the accounting machine 40 via the network 70 . The accounting machine 40 can execute accounting processing based on the data in the registration list L1. The customer M1 pays the accounting machine 40 for the settlement amount calculated based on the data in the registration list L1. When the accounting process is completed, the accounting machine 40 transmits a transaction completion command containing the same accounting code and accounting machine ID as the accounting request command to the second server 20 via the network 70 .

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the transaction end command starts the transaction end interrupt process of FIG. 23 . First, the processor 21 detects the accounting code included in the accounting end command as Act131. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 as Act 132, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID in which the same account code is stored in the area A12. In the following description, the terminal ID for which the same accounting code is stored in area A12 will be referred to as the accounting end terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is other than "accounting", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act132. The processor 21 terminates this interrupt processing as an error.

If the terminal status ST1 is "accounting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act132. The processor 21 searches the accounting machine table 222 in Act 133, and sets the accounting machine status ST2 corresponding to the accounting machine ID included in the accounting end command to "idle". The processor 21 retrieves the shopping list L3 in the area A11 associated with the checkout terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act134. In Act135, the processor 21 determines whether or not there is data for which the fifth flag is set to "1". If there is data with the fifth flag set to "1" in the shopping list L3, the processor 21 advances to YES in Act135. The processor 21 edits the shopping list L3 as Act136. That is, the processor 21 deletes the data for which the fifth flag F5 is set from the shopping list L3. If there is no data with the fifth flag set to "1" in the shopping list L3, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act135. The processor 21 does not execute the processing of Act136.

After that, the processor 21 controls to transmit the member data to the first server 10 as Act137. The member data includes the member ID in area A3 associated with the checkout terminal ID in the information terminal table 221, the registration list L1 in area A9, and the shopping list L3 in area A11.

The processor 11 of the first server 10 that has received the accounting data adds the data of the registration list L1 included in the accounting data to the purchase history data of the member database 132 specified by the member ID included in the accounting data. The processor 11 changes the shopping data of the member database 132 to the data of the shopping list L3 included in the accounting data.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has controlled transmission of the accounting data initializes information associated with the accounting end terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 as Act 138 . That is, the processor 21 stores the member ID in area A3, the accounting machine ID in area A4, the registration list L1 in area A9, the sales promotion list L2 in area A10, the shopping list L3 in area A11, and the accounting code in area A12. to clear. The processor 21 resets the values of the first timer T1 in the area A5, the second timer T2 in the area A6, and the third timer T3 in the area A9 to "0". Further, processor 21 resets the value of counter N in area A8 to "0".

Thereafter, in Act 139, the processor 21 changes the status ST1 associated with the accounting end terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 from "accounting" to "waiting". With this, the processor 21 ends the accounting end interrupt process.
The processor 21 functions as a control unit that deletes the information on the purchased product for which accounting is performed by the accounting machine 40 from the information terminal table 221 as a storage unit by executing the processing of Act138 and Act139.

By the way, the customer M1 who has performed self-registration by operating the information terminal 50 provided on the cart C can also complete the checkout at the face-to-face register G1. When the payment is made at the face-to-face register G1, the cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 to the POS terminal 30. FIG. For example, the information terminal 50 is attached with a bar code indicating a terminal ID. The cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID by scanning the bar code with a scanner. Alternatively, the information terminal 50 is attached with an RFID tag that wirelessly transmits a terminal ID. The cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID by reading the data of the RFID tag with the RFID reader connected to the POS terminal 30 .

When the terminal ID is entered, a face-to-face checkout command is transmitted from the POS terminal 30 to the second server 20 via the network 70 . The face-to-face accounting command includes the terminal ID entered at the POS terminal 30 .

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the face-to-face accounting command starts face-to-face accounting interrupt processing in FIG. First, the processor 21 detects the terminal ID included in the face-to-face accounting command as Act141. The processor 21 checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID included in the face-to-face accounting command of the information terminal table 221 as Act142. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the face-to-face accounting command of the information terminal table 221 is referred to as face-to-face terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act142. The processor 21 ends the face-to-face accounting interrupt processing.

If the terminal status ST1 is other than "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act142. The processor 21 initializes the information associated with the face-to-face terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act 143 as described above. After that, the processor 21 changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the facing terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 to "waiting" in Act144. With this, the processor 21 ends the face-to-face accounting interrupt processing.
By executing the processing of Act 143 and Act 144, the processor 21 functions as a control unit that deletes the information on the purchased product registered in the information terminal 50 designated to be canceled from the outside from the information terminal table 221 as a storage unit. . More specifically, when the processor 21 receives identification information identifying the information terminal 50 from the POS terminal 30 (merchandise sales processing device) via the communication interface 24 (communication unit), the information terminal 50 identified by the identification information The information of the registered purchased product is deleted from the information terminal table 221 as a storage unit.

The fact that the terminal status ST1 is “waiting” means that the customer M1 has not logged in to the information terminal 50 . In other words, the customer M1 has completed the checkout at the face-to-face register G1 without performing self-registration. In this case, even if the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 is input at the POS terminal 30, the processor 21 of the second server 20 does not execute Act143 and Act144.

For example, when the terminal status ST1 is "registered", it means that the customer M1 who has logged in to the information terminal 50 has completed the payment at the face-to-face register G1. In this case, the member ID is described in the area A3 associated with the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 in the information terminal table 221 . If customer M1 has registered shopping data, shopping list L3 is stored in area A11. When customer M1 performs self-registration, registration list L1 and sales promotion list L2 are stored in area A9 and area A10, respectively. The information terminal 50 cannot be used unless these areas are initialized and the terminal status ST1 is returned to "waiting". By executing the processes of Act143 and Act144, the processor 21 can restore the information terminal 50 used by the customer M1 who switched from the self-registration to the face-to-face cash register G1 to a usable state.

By the way, there is a case where the store clerk M2 forgets to input the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 to the POS terminal 30 when paying at the face-to-face register G1. If the user forgets to enter the terminal ID, the data regarding the information terminal 50 remains in the information terminal table 221 even after the payment is completed. The terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 is "registered". Therefore, since the next customer cannot log in to the information terminal 50, the cart C is left unattended.

The third timer T3 stored in the area A7 of the information terminal table 221 is restarted each time the processor 21 of the second server 20 executes the product registration interruption process. When the same processor 21 executes accounting interrupt processing, the third timer T3 is stopped. In other words, after the processor 21 executes the product registration interrupt process in response to the product registration command, if the next product registration command or accounting command is not received from the information terminal 50 that sent the product registration command, The third timer T3 corresponding to the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 continues to count up.
The third timer T3 functions as a timer that measures the elapsed time from the last registration of the purchased product for each information terminal 50 .

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the procedure of timer monitoring processing executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. As shown in FIG. The processor 21 starts this timer monitoring process, for example, at intervals of one minute. That is, the processor 21 confirms the counted time of the third timer T3 stored in the area A7 of the information terminal table 221 as Act151. The processor 21 determines whether or not there is a third timer T3 that counts the first threshold time TM1 preset as Act152, for example, 5 minutes. If the time counted by the third timers T3 associated with all terminal IDs is less than the first threshold time TM1, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act152. Processor 21 terminates the timer monitoring process.

If the time counted by at least one third timer T3 is greater than or equal to the first threshold time TM1, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act152. As Act153, the processor 21 checks the terminal status ST1 corresponding to the third timer T3 that counted the first threshold time TM1. If the terminal status ST1 is "registered", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act153. In Act154, the processor 21 changes the terminal status ST1 from "registering" to "abandoned". If the terminal status ST1 is other than "registered", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act153. The processor 21 does not execute the processing of Act154. With this, the processor 21 terminates the timer monitoring process.

In this way, the information terminal 50 provided on the abandoned cart C is managed with the terminal status ST1 set to "abandoned" in the information terminal table 221. FIG. A member ID is stored in the area A3 of the information terminal table 221 associated with the terminal ID whose terminal status ST1 is "abandoned". If the customer has registered shopping data, the shopping list L3 is saved in the area A11. When a customer performs self-registration, a registration list L1 and a sales promotion list L2 are stored in areas A9 and A10, respectively. As described above, the information terminal 50 cannot be used unless these areas are initialized and the terminal status ST1 is returned to "waiting".

Now, in this embodiment, the data of the information terminal table 221 regarding the information terminal 50 provided on the abandoned cart C can be initialized by remote control from the monitoring terminal 60 . Next, operations related to the monitoring terminal 60 will be described.

FIG. 33 shows an example of a monitoring image P11 displayed on the touch panel 65, which is the display device of the monitoring terminal 60. As shown in FIG. In this example, the number of checkout machines 40 is three.

A total of 15 status display portions (T1) to (T15) are arranged in a matrix of 5 rows×3 columns in the monitoring image P11. Three status display portions (T1) to (T3) from the first row to the third row of the first column are the accounting machine status display portion Ta that displays the status of the accounting machine 40. FIG. The state display portions (T4) and (T5) in the 4th and 5th rows of the 1st column and the state display portions (T4) to (T15) in the 2nd and 3rd columns indicate the state of the information terminal 50. It is the terminal state display part Tb to display.

For example, the state display portions (T1) to (T15) have the same shape, size, background color, and the like. In this regard, the accounting machine status display section Ta and the terminal status display section Tb may be differentiated, for example, by differentiating at least part of the shape, size, background color, and the like.

In addition, the monitor image P11 includes the [in operation] touch button BU11, the [standby] touch button BU12, the [all units] touch button BU13, the monitor image layout button BU14, and the detailed image layout button. BU 15 and the like are arranged. The arrangement and the number of state display portions of the monitoring image P11 shown in FIG. 33 are merely examples. Needless to say, the screen size of the touch panel 65 and the number of accounting machines 40 and information terminals 50 can be changed as appropriate.

FIG. 34 is an example of the accounting machine status display section Ta. The accounting machine status display portion Ta consists of a first area Ta1 on the left side of the screen and a second area Ta2 on the right side of the screen. The first area Ta1 displays the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 . In FIG. 34, the accounting machine ID is "Q1". In FIG. 33, the accounting machine IDs are "Q1", "Q2", and "Q3". The second area Ta2 displays the state of the accounting machine 40. FIG. Specifically, the second area Ta2 displays whether the checkout machine 40 is [idling] before checkout processing or [paying] in checkout processing. Such a status display is based on the accounting machine status ST2 of the accounting machine table 222. FIG. Incidentally, FIG. 34 shows that the accounting machine 40 is [idling].

The second area Ta2 displays a mark MC1 that lights up when an error occurs in the printer of the accounting machine 40, and a mark MC2 that lights up when an error occurs in the change dispenser. When the first error flag EF1 of the accounting machine table 222 becomes "1", the mark MC1 lights up. When the second error flag EF2 of the accounting machine table 222 becomes "1", the mark MC2 lights up.

[A] to [E] in FIG. 35 are examples of the terminal status display section Tb. The terminal status display section Tb is composed of a first area Tb1 on the left side of the screen and a second area Tb2 on the right side of the screen. A second area Tb2 displays the state of the information terminal 50 . Specifically, the second area Tb2 displays the state of whether the information terminal 50 is [waiting], [registering], [accounting], or [idle]. . Such status display is based on the terminal status ST1 of the information terminal table 221. FIG. Incidentally, the terminal status display section Tb shown in [A] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [waiting]. The terminal status display section Tb shown in [B] and [C] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [registering]. The terminal status display section Tb shown in [D] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [accounting]. The terminal status display portion Tb shown in [E] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is in the [Abandoned] state.

The second area Tb2 includes a mark MC3 that lights up when a product with a "product registration error" is registered in the registration list L1, and a mark MC4 that lights up when a product with a "discount sticker error" is registered. , and a mark MC5 that lights up when an age-restricted product is registered. When the registration list L1 contains data whose first flag F1 is "1", the mark MC3 is lit. When there is data in the registration list L1 with the second flag F2 set to "1", the mark MC4 lights up. When there is data in the registration list L1 for which the third flag F3 is "1", the mark MC5 lights up.

The first area Tb1 is an area in which the state of the information terminal 50 can be identified by color or the like. In the case of [waiting], [registration], or [accounting], in the normal state where no error occurs, the background color of the first region Tb1 is, for example, blue. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first region Tb1 of the terminal state display portion Tb shown in [A] and [D] is blue. In the case of [accounting in progress], the first area Tb1 displays the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 that is performing accounting processing. In the example of FIG. 35, the accounting machine ID is displayed in the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display section Tb shown in [D]. In [during registration], if the attention of the attendant is required due to the registration of an age-restricted product, the background color of the first area Tb1 is set to a color, such as yellow, that calls attention. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display section Tb shown in [B] is yellow. In [During registration], if the intervention of a staff member is required for accounting due to "product registration error", "discount sticker error", etc., the first area Tb1 changes the background color to a warning color such as red. and In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first region Tb1 of the terminal status display portion Tb shown in [C] is red. In the case of [None], the background color of the first area Tb1 is set to another warning color, such as black. The second region Tb2 displays a mark MC6 indicating that it is in the neglected state. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display section Tb shown in [E] is black, and the mark MC6 is displayed in the second area Tb2.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the procedure of monitoring image creation processing executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. As shown in FIG. The processor 21 starts this monitoring image creation process, for example, at intervals of 10 seconds. First, the processor 21 selects the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "accounting" from the information terminal table 221 in Act161. The processor 21 ranks the information terminal 50 selected in Act 162 from first to a in descending order of the count value of the first timer T1, and describes the rank in the area A13 of the information terminal table 221. FIG. Rank a is the rank corresponding to the number of information terminals 50 that are "in accounting". If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "accounting", the processor 21 does not execute Act162.

The processor 21 selects the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "registered" from the information terminal table 221 in Act163. The processor 21 calculates the remaining points of the shopping list L3 for each information terminal 50 selected in Act164. The remaining points are the number of names registered in the shopping list L3 minus the names whose fifth flag F5 is "1". If the shopping list L3 is not stored, the remaining points are set to a specified value, eg, "100". The processor 21 ranks the information terminals 50 selected in Act 165 from rank a+1 to rank a+b in descending order of remaining points, and describes the ranks in the area A13 of the information terminal table 221 . Rank b is a rank corresponding to the number of information terminals 50 that are “registered”. The processor 21 determines in Act 166 whether or not there is an information terminal 50 with the same remaining score. At least when two or more customers who have not registered shopping data in advance have logged in, there are a plurality of information terminals 50 with a remaining score of "100". If there is an information terminal 50 with the same remaining score, the processor 21 advances to YES in Act166. The processor 21 sets the order in Act 167 in descending order of the count value of the first timer T1. If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "registered", the processor 21 does not execute the processing of Act164 to Act167.

The processor 21 selects the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "abandoned" from the information terminal table 221 in Act168. The processor 21 sets ranks from a+b+1 to a+b+c in order of the terminal IDs set in the information terminal table 221 for the information terminal 50 selected in Act 165, and ranks the information terminal table 221 in area A13. Describe the ranking in . The rank c is a rank corresponding to the number of information terminals 50 that are "abandoned". If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "abandoned", the processor 21 does not execute Act169.

In Act170, the processor 21 selects the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "waiting" from the information terminal table 221. FIG. The processor 21 sets ranks from a+b+c+1 to a+b+c+d in order of the terminal IDs set in the information terminal table 221 for the information terminal 50 selected in Act 171 . The order is described in area A13. The d-th rank is a rank corresponding to the number of information terminals 50 that are on standby. If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is “waiting”, the processor 21 does not execute Act171.

The processor 21 generates a monitoring image P11 based on the data in the information terminal table 221 and the accounting machine table 222 as Act172. That is, the processor 21 creates the accounting machine status display section Ta for each accounting machine 40 based on the accounting machine ID, accounting machine status ST2, first error flag EF1, and second error flag EF2 in the accounting machine table 222. FIG. The processor 21 arranges the accounting machine state display portion Ta of each accounting machine 40 in the state display portion (T1), the state display portion (T2), and the state display portion (T3) of the monitoring image P11.

The processor 21 creates a terminal status display section Tb for each information terminal 50 based on the terminal ID of the information terminal table 221, the terminal status ST1, and the first to third flags F1 to F3 of the registration list A9. The processor 21 selects the terminal state display sections Tb of the information terminals 50 ranked first to twelfth, and arranges them in the state display section (T4) to the state display section (T15) in order from the first rank.

After creating the monitoring image P11, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24, which is the communication unit, so as to transmit the monitoring image P11 to the monitoring terminal 60 in Act173. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the monitoring image P11 via the network 70. FIG. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The monitoring terminal 60 receives image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 . The touch panel 65 of the monitoring terminal 60 displays a monitoring image P11 shown in FIG.

When the [in operation] touch button BU11 of the monitoring image P11 is touch-operated, the processor 21 executes the monitoring image creation processing in which the processing of Act161 and Act162 and the processing of Act170 and Act171 of FIG. 26 are omitted. The monitoring image P11 is narrowed down to only the terminal status display portion Tb that indicates the status of the information terminal 50 of [Accounting], [Registration], or [Abandoned]. When the [Waiting] touch button BU12 is touch-operated, the processor 21 executes the monitoring image creation processing omitting the processing of Act161 to Act169 in FIG. The monitoring image P11 is narrowed down to only the terminal state display portion Tb showing the state of the information terminal 50 in the [waiting] state.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 33, the monitoring image P11 includes a page turn touch button BU16. The accounting machine status display section Ta and the terminal status display section Tb are touch buttons.

As shown in FIG. 26 , the processor 21 of the second server 20 checks whether or not the touch button BU16 for turning pages has been touch-operated in Act174 after controlling transmission of the monitoring image. If the touch button BU16 has not been touch-operated, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act174. In Act175, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the accounting machine status display section Ta or the terminal status display section Tb has been touch-operated. If the accounting machine status display portion Ta or the terminal status display portion Tb has not been touch-operated, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act174. The processor 21 checks in Act 176 whether or not a timer interrupt signal has been detected. If the timer interrupt signal has not been detected, processor 21 returns to Act174. That is, the processor 21 waits for a touch operation of the page feed touch button BU16, a touch operation of the accounting machine status display section Ta or the terminal status display section Tb, or detection of a timer interrupt signal.

If a timer interrupt signal is detected, processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 176; The processor 21 executes the process from Act161 again.

If the page turn touch button BU16 is touch-operated, the processor 21 advances to YES in Act174. The processor 21 returns to Act172. That is, the processor 21 recreates the monitoring image P11. For example, the processor 21 creates a monitoring image P11 in which the state display portions (T1) to (T15) are the terminal state display portions Tb ranked 13th to 27th. When the attendant M3 touches the page turn touch button BU16, terminal state display portions Tb2 ranked 13th to 27th are displayed in the state display portions (T1) to (T15).

The pattern of the monitoring image P11 created by the processor 21 when the page turning touch button BU16 is operated is not limited to the above. For example, the state display sections (T1) to (T3) where the accounting machine state display section Ta is arranged are fixed, and the remaining state display sections (T4) to (T15) are ranked 13th to 24th. A monitor image P11 in which the terminal state display portion Tb2 is arranged may be created.

If the touch operation is performed on the accounting machine status display portion Ta or the terminal status display portion Tb, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act175. The processor 21 acquires the registration list L1 as Act177. For example, when the accounting machine status display portion Ta of the accounting machine 40 whose status is [paying] is touch-operated, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221, and the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 is stored in the area A4. A registration list L1 associated with the terminal ID obtained is acquired. When the terminal status display portion Tb of the information terminal 50 whose status is [Registered] is touch-operated, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 and acquires the registration list L1 associated with the terminal ID of the information terminal 50. do.

After acquiring the registration list L1, the processor 21 returns to Act172 and creates the monitoring image P11 again. Specifically, the processor 21 displays detailed images indicating the touch-operated accounting machine state display portion Ta or terminal state display portion Tb and the contents of the registration list L1 acquired in the processing of Act 177, such as product names, points, and amounts. Create a monitoring image P11 including The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit the monitoring image P11 to the monitoring terminal 60 as Act173.

The attendant M3, for example, touches the accounting machine status display part Ta to confirm the information of the purchased product of the customer M1 who is paying with the accounting machine 40 whose status is displayed on the accounting machine status display part Ta. be able to. The attendant M3, for example, touches the terminal status display portion Tb in which the mark MC5 is lit and the first area Tb1 is yellow, thereby displaying information on the products purchased by the customer M1 who is purchasing age-restricted products. can be confirmed. The attendant M3, for example, touches the terminal state display portion Tb in which the mark MC3 or the mark MC4 is lit and the first area Tb1 is red, so that a "product registration error" or a "discount sticker error" occurs. It is possible to confirm the information of the purchased products of the customer M1 who is in the store.

When the transmission of the monitoring image P11 including the detailed image is controlled in Act173, the processor 21 ignores the timer interrupt in Act176. For example, in response to detecting that the monitor image layout button BU14 has been touched, the processor 21 returns to the processing of Act161.

FIG. 36 shows an example of the monitoring image P11 when the terminal state display portion Tb indicating the [left] state is touch-operated. As shown in FIG. 36, the monitoring image P11 includes a state display portion Tb that has been touch-operated, and the product name, points, amount, etc. of the product registered on the information terminal 50 whose state is displayed on the state display portion Tb. and a touch button BU17 for [collective cancellation]. When a touch operation is performed on the terminal status display portion Tb indicating the [Registering] status, the detailed image P111 is displayed, but the [Bulk Cancel] touch button BU17 is not displayed.

As described above, the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is managed as "abandoned" cannot be used unless the information in the information terminal table 221 is initialized. When the attendant M3 finds the terminal state display portion Tb shown in [E] of FIG. 35, the terminal state display portion Tb is touch-operated. When the terminal state display portion Tb is touch-operated, the monitoring image P11 of FIG. 36 is displayed. The attendant M3 touches the [collective cancellation] touch button BU17.

The processor 61 of the monitoring terminal 60 controls the wireless unit 64 to transmit a collective cancel command to the second server 20 when it detects that the [collective cancel] touch button BU17 has been touched. The wireless unit 64 wirelessly transmits the collective cancel command. The batch cancel command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 assigned to the touch-operated terminal state display portion Tb. The bulk cancel command is received at access point 80 and sent over network 70 to second server 20 .

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the batch cancel command via the communication interface 24 starts batch cancellation interrupt processing shown in the flow chart of FIG. First, the processor 21 detects the terminal ID from the collective cancellation command as Act181. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 as Act 182, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID detected from the batch cancel command. In the following description, the terminal ID detected from the batch cancel command will be referred to as the cancel terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is other than "abandoned", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act182. The processor 21 terminates the collective cancellation interrupt process.

If the terminal status ST1 is "abandoned", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act182. In Act 183, the processor 21 determines whether the third timer T3 associated with the canceled terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 has passed a second threshold time TM2 longer than the first threshold time TM1, for example, 15 minutes. to confirm. If the third timer T3 has passed the second threshold time TM2, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act183. The processor 21 proceeds to process Act186.

If the third timer T3 has not reached the second threshold time TM2, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act183. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 to transmit the image data of the cancellation confirmation image P12 shown in FIG. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the cancellation confirmation image P<b>12 via the network 70 . The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The monitoring terminal 60 receives image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80 . The monitoring terminal 60 displays a cancellation confirmation image P<b>12 on the touch panel 65 .

FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the cancellation confirmation image P12. As shown in FIG. 37, the cancellation confirmation image P12 includes guidance GA3 for inquiring whether or not collective cancellation can be performed, touch button BU21 for [Yes], and touch button BU22 for [No]. After confirming the cancellation confirmation image P12, the attendant M3 confirms again whether to permit the batch cancellation. When permitting batch cancellation, the attendant M3 touches the touch button BU21. When canceling the collective cancellation, the attendant M3 touches the touch button BU22.

The processor 21 that has controlled the transmission of the image data of the cancellation confirmation image P12 waits for the input of an instruction as to whether or not the collective cancellation may be performed in Act185. When the processor 21 detects that the touch button BU22 for [NO] of the cancellation confirmation image P12 has been touched, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act185. The processor 21 terminates this batch cancellation interrupt process.

If the processor 21 detects that the touch button BU22 of [Yes] on the cancellation confirmation image P12 has been touched, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act185. The processor 21 proceeds to process Act186.

In Act 186 , the processor 21 initializes information associated with the cancellation terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 . That is, the processor 21 stores the member ID in area A3, the accounting machine ID in area A4, the registration list L1 in area A9, the sales promotion list L2 in area A10, the shopping list L3 in area A11, and the accounting code in area A12. to clear. The processor 21 resets the values of the first timer T1 in the area A5, the second timer T2 in the area A6, and the third timer T3 in the area A9 to "0". Further, processor 21 resets the value of counter N in area A8 to "0".

Thereafter, in Act 187, the processor 21 changes the status ST1 associated with the canceled terminal ID in the information terminal table 221 from "idle" to "waiting". With this, the processor 21 ends the collective cancellation interrupt process.
The processor 21 cooperates with the terminal status ST1 of the information terminal table 221 and executes the processing of Act151 to Act154 in FIG. It functions as a control unit that manages the information on purchased products so that it can be deleted.
The processor 21 performs the processing of Act168, Act169, and Act172 in FIG. 26 and the processing of Act181 to Act187 in FIG. can be identified by the touch panel 65 of the monitoring terminal 60. When the processor 21 designates cancellation via the touch panel 65 of the monitoring terminal 60 as an input device for the information terminal 50 for which the first threshold time TM1 has passed, the processor 21 cancels the purchased product registered on the information terminal 50. It functions as a control unit that deletes information from the information terminal table 221 as a storage unit.
Specifically, when a cancellation is designated via the touch panel 65 as an input device for the information terminal 50 that exceeds the first threshold time TM1, the processor 21 sets the elapsed time of the information terminal 50 to the first threshold. It is determined whether or not a second threshold time TM2, which is longer than the time TM1, has been exceeded. If the second threshold time TM2 is exceeded, the processor 21 deletes the information on the purchased product registered in the information terminal 50 from the information terminal table 221 as a storage unit. If the second threshold time TM2 is not exceeded, the processor 21 causes the touch panel 65 as a display device to display the cancellation confirmation image P12. The processor 21 deletes the information on the purchased product registered in the information terminal 50 from the information terminal table 221 as a storage section on condition that an input permitting deletion is received via the touch panel 65 as an input device.

When the collective cancellation interrupt process is executed, data in the information terminal table 221 relating to the information terminals 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "abandoned" is initialized. The information terminal 50 whose data in the information terminal table 221 has been initialized can be used as a terminal for self-registration.

As described in detail above, the second server 20 stores the information of the purchased products registered in the information terminal 50 as the registration list L1 in the information terminal table 221 for each information terminal. The second server 20 collectively collects the data stored in the information terminal table 221 for the information terminal 50 when the accounting machine 40 of the self-checkout G2 performs accounting for the purchased product registered by the information terminal 50. to delete. By deleting the data stored in the information terminal table 221, the information terminal 50 returns to its initial state. The information terminal 50 becomes usable by returning to the initial state. According to this embodiment, the turnover rate of the information terminal 50 increases, so the information terminal 50 can be used efficiently.

A customer who has used the information terminal 50 to register the purchased product may end up paying at the POS terminal 30 of the face-to-face register G1. Even in such a case, when the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 is input to the POS terminal 30, the second server 20 collectively deletes the data stored in the information terminal table 221 regarding the information terminal 50. do. By deleting the data stored in the information terminal table 221, the information terminal 50 returns to its initial state. The information terminal 50 becomes usable by returning to the initial state. According to this embodiment, even if a customer changes the checkout from the self-checkout G2 to the face-to-face checkout G1 in the middle of shopping, the next customer can immediately use the information terminal 50 used by the customer.

Even if the terminal ID is not input to the POS terminal 30 and the information terminal 50 is left in an unusable state, the second server 20 counts the idle time. When the idle time exceeds the first threshold time TM1, the second server 20 manages the information terminal 50 as being idle. The second server 20 notifies the attendant M3 via the monitoring terminal 60 that the information terminal 50 is in the idle state. According to the present embodiment, the attendant M3 can easily know that the information terminal 50 is left unattended.

The attendant M3, who has learned that the information terminal 50 is left unattended, touches the touch button BU17 of [Bulk cancel] displayed on the monitoring image P11. When the [batch cancel] touch button BU17 is touched, the second server 20 collectively deletes the data stored in the information terminal table 221 regarding the information terminal 50 . By deleting the data stored in the information terminal table 221, the information terminal 50 returns to its initial state. The information terminal 50 becomes usable by returning to the initial state. According to this embodiment, the information terminal 50 in the idle state can be returned to a usable state by a simple remote operation.

If the idle time is shorter than the second threshold time TM2, the second server 20 displays a cancellation confirmation image P12 on the touch panel 65 of the monitoring terminal 60. FIG. For example, some customers may talk with other customers at the sales floor and do not operate the information terminal 50 even after the first threshold time TM1 has passed. When the cancellation confirmation image P12 is displayed on the touch panel 65, the attendant M3 confirms whether or not the cancellation is permitted. According to this embodiment, the attendant M3 can reduce the risk of deleting the information in the information terminal 50 by mistake.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a terminal management apparatus capable of efficiently rotating the information terminal 50, that is, the second server 20. FIG.

Although the embodiment of the terminal management apparatus capable of efficiently rotating the information terminal has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this.

In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring terminal 60 displays the touch button BU17 for [collective cancellation]. In this regard, for example, the POS terminal 30 may display the [Bulk cancellation] touch button BU17, and the cashier M2 may instruct the batch cancellation.

In the above embodiment, the case where the information terminal 50 is provided on the cart C is exemplified. In this regard, the information terminal 50 does not necessarily have to be provided on the cart C. The customer himself/herself may carry the information terminal 50 around the sales floor and operate the information terminal 50 appropriately to register purchased products.

Transfer of the second server 20 is generally done with the program stored in ROM. However, the transfer is not limited to this, and the program may be transferred without being stored in the ROM. In this case, a program or the like transferred separately from the second server 20 may be written into the writable storage device of the second server 20 according to the user's operation. Transfer of the program or the like can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium or by communication via the network 70 . The recording medium may be of any form, such as CD-ROM, memory card, etc., as long as it can store the program and can be read by the device.

Additionally, 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 invention described in the original claims of the present application is appended below.
[1] A terminal management device for a merchandise sales system in which each user of an information terminal operates the information terminal at a sales floor to register purchased merchandise, and the user accounts for the purchased merchandise using an accounting machine. a storage unit for storing information on the purchased product registered by the information terminal for each information terminal; An output unit for outputting to an accounting machine for accounting by a user who performed the transaction, and information on purchased products for which accounting has been carried out by the accounting machine are deleted from the storage unit, and registration is performed by the information terminal where cancellation is instructed from the outside. and a control unit that deletes the purchased product information that has been purchased from the storage unit.
[2] A communication unit that communicates with a product sales processing device that processes registration and accounting of purchased products, and the control unit communicates with the information terminal from the product sales processing device via the communication unit. The terminal management device according to appendix [1], wherein, upon receiving identification information for identification, the information on the purchased product registered in the information terminal specified by the identification information is deleted from the storage unit.
[3] Each of the information terminals further includes a timer that measures the elapsed time since the final purchase item was registered, and the control unit controls the elapsed time to exceed a first threshold time. The terminal management device according to appendix [1], which manages the information of the purchased product registered in the information terminal as deletable.
[4] further comprising a communication unit that communicates with a monitoring terminal having a display device and an input device, wherein the control unit displays the information terminal in which the elapsed time exceeds the first threshold time; When the information terminal is controlled to be identifiable by the device and the cancellation is instructed via the input device to the information terminal that exceeds the first threshold time, the purchased product registered in the information terminal is canceled. The terminal management device according to appendix [3], wherein information is deleted from the storage unit.
[5] When a cancellation instruction is given via the input device to the information terminal that has exceeded the first threshold time, the control unit causes the elapsed time in the information terminal to exceed the first threshold time. determining whether or not a second threshold time longer than the second threshold time is exceeded, and if the second threshold time is exceeded, deleting the information of the purchased product registered in the information terminal from the storage unit. and displaying a confirmation image on the display device if the second threshold time is not exceeded, and receiving an input to permit deletion via the input device. The terminal management device according to appendix [4], wherein information on purchased products is deleted from the storage unit.
[6] A terminal management device for a merchandise sales system in which each user of an information terminal operates the information terminal at a sales floor to register purchased merchandise, and the user accounts for the purchased merchandise using an accounting machine. A function of storing the information of the purchased product registered by the information terminal in the computer in the storage unit for each information terminal, and registering the information of the purchased product stored by the information terminal in the storage unit by the information terminal A function for outputting to the accounting machine that performs accounting by the user who performed the checkout, deleting the information of the purchased product whose accounting was carried out by the accounting machine from the storage unit, and registering it at the information terminal where the cancellation was instructed from the outside. A program for realizing a function of deleting the information of the purchased product from the storage unit.

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, 11, 21, 51, 61... Processor , 12, 22, 52, 62... Main memory 13, 23, 53, 63... Auxiliary storage device 14, 24... Communication interface 54, 64... Wireless unit 55, 65... Touch panel 56... Scanner 57... Reader 131 Product database 132 Member database 133 Sales promotion database 221 Information terminal table 222 Accounting table C Cart L1 Registration list L2 Sales promotion list L3 Shopping list P1 Registered image, P2... Staff confirmation image, P3... Shopping bag confirmation image, P4... Accounting bar code image, P11... Surveillance image, Ta... Accounting machine status display part, Tb... Terminal status display part.

Claims (6)

A terminal management device for a merchandise sales system in which a user of an information terminal operates the information terminal at a sales floor to register purchased merchandise, and the user uses an accounting machine to pay for the purchased merchandise,
a storage unit that stores information on the purchased product registered in the information terminal;
an output unit for outputting the information on the purchased product stored in the storage unit to an accounting machine for accounting by a user of the information terminal;
an accounting processing unit that, when accounting for the purchased product is carried out by the accounting machine, stores information on the purchased product as purchase history data of the user;
Registered at the information terminal from a device other than the accounting machine, which is a product sales processing device for processing the registration and accounting of purchased products or a monitoring terminal equipped with a display device and an input device, and a control unit for deleting the information on the purchased product from the storage unit when a cancellation instruction is given for the information on the purchased product for which the payment has not been made by the accounting machine but the payment has been made by the product sales processing device ;
A terminal management device comprising: The storage unit further stores a status indicating a state of the information terminal that registered the purchased product in association with the purchased product information,
The control unit controls a first state indicating that the status of the information terminal in which the information of the purchased product whose cancellation is instructed by the product sales processing device or the monitoring terminal is registered indicates that the purchased product is being registered, or the above-mentioned 2. The terminal management device according to claim 1, wherein when the information terminal is in the second state indicating that the information terminal has been left unattended, the information on the purchased product is deleted from the storage unit. When the control unit receives a command to collectively cancel the information on the purchased product from the monitoring terminal , the control unit batches the information on the purchased product registered in the information terminal whose status is the second state. 3. The terminal management device according to claim 2, wherein the terminal management device is deleted from the storage unit. 4. The terminal management device according to claim 2, wherein said control unit sets said status stored in association with said deleted purchased product information to a standby state waiting for start of registration of said purchased product by a new user. When the control unit receives the identification information identifying the information terminal from the merchandise sales processing device, the control unit regards the information on the purchased merchandise registered in the information terminal identified by the identification information as being instructed to be canceled. 2. The terminal management device according to claim 1, which processes. A computer of a terminal management device of a commodity sales system in which a user of an information terminal operates the information terminal at a sales floor to register purchased commodities, and the user accounts for the purchased commodities using an accounting machine,
a function of storing the information of the purchased product registered by the information terminal in the storage unit;
A function of outputting the information on the purchased product stored in the storage unit to an accounting machine for accounting by the user of the information terminal;
a function of processing such that, when the accounting of the purchased product is performed by the accounting machine, the information of the purchased product is stored as purchase history data of the user;
Registered at the information terminal from a device other than the accounting machine, which is a product sales processing device for processing the registration and accounting of purchased products or a monitoring terminal equipped with a display device and an input device, and a function of deleting the information on the purchased product from the storage unit when a cancellation instruction is given for the information on the purchased product for which the payment has not been made by the accounting machine but the payment has been made by the product sales processing device ;
program to make it happen.