JP7337888B2 - Terminal management device and its control program - Google Patents

Description

The embodiment of the present invention relates to a terminal management device and its control program.

There is already a shopping support system in which when a consumer purchases a product at a sales floor, he or she operates a designated communication terminal and reads the product code to identify the product, thereby allowing the user to self-register the purchased product. Are known.

In this type of shopping support system, it is common for stores to lend communication terminals capable of reading commodity codes to consumers. For example, a store attaches a communication terminal to a shopping cart and lends it to a consumer.

On the other hand, in recent years, it has been considered that consumers use communication terminals such as smartphones that they personally own. By using the personally owned communication terminal, there is an advantage that the store can save the initial capital investment. For the consumer, the same communication terminal can be used at a plurality of stores to self-register the products to be purchased, so there is an advantage of good operability. However, the consumer must install a dedicated application program on the communication terminal in advance. Moreover, there is also a demerit that the communication terminal cannot be used when the remaining capacity of the battery is insufficient.

Therefore, there is a demand for a shopping support system in which a communication terminal provided by the store and a communication terminal owned by the consumer can be used together. Moreover, it is preferable to know the frequency of use of each communication terminal rather than simply using them together.

JP 2019-204457 A

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a terminal management device capable of managing the frequency of use of each type of communication terminal used in a shopping support system.

In one embodiment, a terminal of a shopping support system that uses both a first communication terminal rented from a store to a consumer and a second communication terminal owned by the consumer as terminals for inputting data of products to be purchased by the consumer. The management device comprises communication means , identification means, storage means, and counting means. The communication means communicates with the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal. The identifying means identifies, based on the terminal identification information acquired from the terminal, whether the terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means is the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal. The storage means stores terminal identification information of a terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means, together with type information for distinguishing whether the terminal identified by the terminal identification information is the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal. The counting means counts the number of terminal identification information stored in the storage means for each type of information.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a shopping support system according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the essential circuit configuration of a first communication terminal used in the same system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a second communication terminal used in the same system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a virtual POS server included in the system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a terminal controller included in the system; 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a transaction information file managed by a virtual POS server; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a mobile information file managed by a terminal controller; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a management table provided in the terminal controller; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a tally table provided in the terminal controller; 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor of the communication terminal; 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of usage start notification command reception processing executed by the processor of the terminal controller; 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of product registration notification command reception processing executed by the processor of the terminal controller; 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of accounting notification command reception processing executed by the processor of the terminal controller; FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the main part of the tallying process shown in FIG. 13; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of use start request command reception processing executed by the processor of the virtual POS server; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of product registration request command reception processing executed by the processor of the virtual POS server; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of accounting request command reception processing executed by the processor of the virtual POS server; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a terminal management device will be described with reference to the drawings.
This embodiment exemplifies a terminal management device incorporated in a shopping support system that enables a consumer to operate a communication terminal and register purchased commodities by himself when shopping around. In the shopping support system, as communication terminals, a first communication terminal that can be attached to a shopping cart and used, and a second communication terminal such as a smart phone carried by a consumer who is a shopper are used together.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a shopping support system 100 according to one embodiment. Shopping support system 100 includes store server 10 , virtual POS server 20 , accounting machine 30 , terminal controller 40 , access point 50 and communication network 90 . The communication network 90 is a wired LAN (Local Area Network). That is, a communication network 90 is configured by connecting the store server 10, the virtual POS server 20, the checkout machine 30, the terminal controller 40, and the access point 50 to communication cables. Communication network 90 may be a wireless LAN.

The access point 50 is a device that forms a wireless LAN together with the first communication terminal 60, the second communication terminal 70, and the monitoring terminal 80. FIG. The access point 50 serves as a data relay point that exchanges data between the first communication terminal 60, the second communication terminal 70, or the monitoring terminal 80 connected via a wireless LAN and each device connected via a wired LAN. The number of access points 50 is not limited to one. Two or more access points 50 may be connected to the communication network 90 in consideration of the size, layout, etc. of the store.

The first communication terminal 60 is a portable electronic device for supporting the shopping behavior of consumers at the store where the shopping support system 100 is configured. The first communication terminal 60 is basically attached to a shopping cart and used. The first communication terminal 60 may be rented from the store to the consumer and carried by the consumer. Therefore, the first communication terminal 60 is typically operated by a consumer. If the consumer has difficulty operating the terminal, the store clerk may be the operator.

Like the first communication terminal 60, the second communication terminal 70 is also a portable electronic device for supporting the shopping behavior of the consumer at the store where the shopping support system 100 is configured. The second communication terminal 70 is a communication terminal such as a smart phone or a tablet terminal that is personally owned by the consumer. Therefore, the second communication terminal 70 is operated by the consumer.

The monitoring terminal 80 is electronic equipment for monitoring the state of the first communication terminal 60 . The monitoring terminal 80 may monitor the state of the checkout machine 30 together with the first communication terminal 60 . The monitoring terminal 80 is typically operated by a store clerk called an attendant. The monitoring terminal 80 is installed and used at a place where an attendant waits. The monitoring terminal 80 may be a portable electronic device that can be taken out by the attendant.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the first communication terminal 60. As shown in FIG. The first communication terminal 60 includes a processor 61 , main memory 62 , auxiliary storage device 63 , wireless device 64 , touch panel 65 , scanner 66 and system transmission path 67 . The system transmission line 67 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The first communication terminal 60 connects a processor 61 , a main memory 62 , an auxiliary storage device 63 , a wireless device 64 , a touch panel 65 and a scanner 66 to a system transmission line 67 . In the first communication terminal 60, a computer is configured by a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, and a system transmission line 67 connecting them.

The processor 61 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 61 controls each part to realize various functions as the first communication terminal 60 according to an operating system or application program. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

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 or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores data necessary for the processor 61 to control each part in a volatile memory area. The above data may be stored in a non-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 61 . The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage device 63 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 can be the auxiliary storage device 63 . The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used when the processor 61 performs various processes, data created by the processes performed by the processor 61, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 63 may store the above application programs.

The wireless device 64 is a device for performing wireless data communication with the access point 50 via the wireless LAN.

The touch panel 65 is a device that serves both as an input device and a display device for the first communication terminal 60 . The touch panel 65 displays various images. The touch panel 65 detects a touch position on the displayed image and outputs the touch position information to the processor 61 .

The scanner 66 is a device for reading data codes such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes. The scanner 66 may be a device that scans with a laser beam to optically read the data code, or may be a device that processes an image containing the data code captured by a camera and reads the data code.

The first communication terminal 60 has a first shopping assistance program Pa installed in the auxiliary storage device 63 as one type of application program. A method for installing the first shopping assistance program Pa in the auxiliary storage device 63 is not particularly limited. The first shopping assistance program Pa can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed through communication via a network and installed in the auxiliary storage device 63 . 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. The installation destination of the first shopping assistance program Pa may be the main memory 62 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the essential circuit configuration of the second communication terminal 70. As shown in FIG. The second communication terminal 70 has a processor 71 , a main memory 72 , an auxiliary storage device 73 , a wireless device 74 , a touch panel 75 , a camera 76 and a system transmission path 77 . The system transmission line 77 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The second communication terminal 70 connects a processor 71 , a main memory 72 , an auxiliary storage device 73 , a wireless device 74 , a touch panel 75 and a camera 76 to a system transmission line 77 . In the second communication terminal 70, a computer is composed of a processor 71, a main memory 72, an auxiliary storage device 73, and a system transmission line 77 connecting them.

The description of the processor 71, the main memory 72, the auxiliary storage device 73, the wireless device 74, and the touch panel 75 overlaps the description of the processor 61, the main memory 62, the auxiliary storage device 63, the wireless device 64, and the touch panel 65 for the first communication terminal 60. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

Camera 76 is an imaging device built into second communication terminal 70 . The camera 76 operates according to an application program installed in the second communication terminal 70 as a device for taking still images or moving images, or as a device for scanning data codes such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes.

The second communication terminal 70 has a second shopping assistance program Pb installed in the auxiliary storage device 73 as one type of application program. The method of installing the second shopping assistance program Pb in the auxiliary storage device 73 is not particularly limited either. A method equivalent to the first shopping assistance program Pa can be applied as it is. The installation destination of the second shopping assistance program Pb may be the main memory 72 .

The accounting machine 30 is a terminal for settling commercial transactions with consumers. The accounting machine 30 acquires accounting data for commercial transactions from the virtual POS server 20 and settles the transactions based on the accounting data. The accounting machine 30 can settle commercial transactions by well-known payment methods such as cash payment, credit card payment, electronic money payment, point payment, code payment (also called mobile payment, smartphone payment, etc.).

The checkout machine 30 includes a manned checkout machine in which a store clerk inputs information for settlement, and a self-checkout machine in which a consumer inputs information for settlement. The shopping support system 100 may have both a manned checkout machine and a self checkout machine, or may have only one of them. A conventionally well-known POS terminal can be applied as the manned checkout machine. As the self-checkout machine, a conventionally known self-service or semi-self checkout service can be applied.

The store server 10 supports overall store operations. For that support, the store server 10 manages various databases such as a product database and a member database.

The product database is a collection of product records that store data on each product sold at a store. The product record includes data items such as product code, product name, price, and discount information. A product code is a unique identification code set for each product to individually identify each product. A bar code indicating a product code is attached to each product. The discount information is information relating to product discounts such as discount amounts and discount rates.

The member database is a collection of member records that store data on consumers who have registered as members such as point members, ie so-called members. The member record includes data items such as a member code and accumulated points. A member code is a unique identification code set for each member to identify each member. Accumulated points are accumulated points given to consumers who are members in commercial transactions with members.

The virtual POS server 20 cooperates with the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 to assist in making it appear as if a known POS terminal is operating. That is, the virtual POS server 20 performs registration processing of purchased products based on data input from the touch panel 65 or the scanner 66 of the first communication terminal 60 or data input from the touch panel 75 or the camera 76 of the second communication terminal 70. I do.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the essential circuit configuration of the virtual POS server 20. As shown in FIG. The virtual POS server 20 comprises a processor 21 , main memory 22 , auxiliary storage device 23 , clock 24 , communication interface 25 and system transmission line 26 . The system transmission line 26 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The virtual POS server 20 connects a processor 21 , a main memory 22 , an auxiliary storage device 23 , a clock 24 and a communication interface 25 to a system transmission line 26 . In the virtual POS server 20, a computer is composed of a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, and a system transmission path 26 connecting them.

Descriptions of the processor 21, the main memory 22, and the auxiliary storage device 23 overlap with the description of the processor 61, the main memory 62, and the auxiliary storage device 63 of the first communication terminal 60, so the description is omitted here.

The clock 24 functions as a time information source for the virtual POS server 20 . The processor 21 clocks the current date and time based on the time information clocked by the clock 24 .

The communication interface 25 is a circuit for performing data communication with each unit connected via the communication network 90 . The communication interface 25 can perform data communication with the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 with which a communication line has been established with the access point 50 .

The virtual POS server 20 having such a configuration forms a storage area in the auxiliary storage device 23 for storing a plurality of transaction information files TFL. The data structure of the transaction information file TFL will be described later.

The terminal controller 40 controls operations of the first communication terminal 60, the second communication terminal 70, and the monitoring terminal 80, which are connected via the access point 50 by wireless LAN. The terminal controller 40 exchanges data commands with the first communication terminal 60 on which the first shopping support program Pa is running, thereby causing the first communication terminal 60 to function as an input/output interface of the POS terminal. The terminal controller 40 makes the second communication terminal 70 function as an input/output interface of the POS terminal by exchanging data commands with the second communication terminal 70 running the second shopping support program Pb. The terminal controller 40 is one aspect of a terminal management device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the terminal controller 40. As shown in FIG. Terminal controller 40 includes processor 41 , main memory 42 , auxiliary storage device 43 , clock 44 , communication interface 45 and system transmission line 46 . The system transmission line 46 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. Terminal controller 40 connects processor 41 , main memory 42 , auxiliary storage device 43 , clock 44 and communication interface 45 to system transmission line 46 . In the terminal controller 40, a computer is composed of a processor 41, a main memory 42, an auxiliary storage device 43, and a system transmission line 46 connecting them.

The description of the processor 41, the main memory 42, the auxiliary storage device 43, the clock 44, and the communication interface 45 overlaps the description of the processor 21, the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, the clock 24, and the communication interface 25 of the virtual POS server 20. Therefore, the description here is omitted. The communication interface 45 cooperates with the access point 50 to constitute communication means. That is, the communication interface 45 functions as a means of communication with the first communication terminal 60 and the second communication terminal 70, which function as terminals for inputting data of products purchased by the consumer through self-operation when the consumer goes shopping. .

The main memory 42 or the auxiliary storage device 43 stores a control program for causing the terminal controller 40 to function as a terminal management device. A method for storing the control program in the main memory 42 or the auxiliary storage device 63 is not particularly limited. The control program can be stored in the main memory 42 or the auxiliary storage device 63 by recording the control program on a removable recording medium or distributing the control program by communication via a network. 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.

The terminal controller 40 having such a configuration forms a storage area in the auxiliary storage device 23 for storing a plurality of mobile information files MFL. The terminal controller 40 also creates a management table TTB and an aggregate table ATB in the auxiliary storage device 23 . The data structures of the mobile information file MFL, management table TTB, and aggregation table ATB will be described later.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the transaction information file TFL. As illustrated, the transaction information file TFL is composed of an area Aa for storing the terminal ID, an area Ab for storing a plurality of registration data, and an area Ac for storing the first status Sa. be. A terminal ID is a unique identification code set in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63 in the first communication terminal 60 . A terminal ID is a unique identification code set in the main memory 72 or the auxiliary storage device 73 in the second communication terminal 70 .

The registration data is normal registration data. The normal registration data consists of item data of product code, product name, price, points, discount amount and error flag. The error flag is "0". The first status Sa is information for identifying the status of the transaction information file TFL. The transaction information file TFL has a first state before the start of product registration, a second state after the start of product registration, a third state after the declaration of the transaction, and a fourth state after the end of the transaction. In this embodiment, the first status Sa representing the first state is set to "0", the first status Sa representing the second state is set to "1", the first status Sa representing the third state is set to "2", Assume that the first status Sa representing the fourth state is "3".

The transaction information files TFL are stored in the auxiliary storage device 23 in chronological order of creation date and time.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the mobile information file MFL. As illustrated, the mobile information file MFL is composed of an area Ba for storing a terminal ID, an area Bb for storing a plurality of registration data, and an area Bc for storing a second status Sb. be. The terminal ID is the same as in the transaction information file TFL.

The registration data includes error registration data in addition to the normal registration data described above. The error registration data consists of bar code data and error flag item data. The error flag is "1". The second status Sb is information for identifying the state of the mobile information file MFL. The state of the mobile information file MFL also has first to fourth states like the transaction information file TFL. In this embodiment, the second status Sb representing the first state is set to "0", the second status Sb representing the second state is set to "1", and the second status Sb representing the third state is set to "2". , the second status Sb representing the fourth state is set to "3".

In the auxiliary storage device 43, the mobile information files MFL are saved in chronological order of creation date and time.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the management table TTB. As illustrated, the management table TTB has a terminal ID field FLa, a type flag field FLb, and a use start date and time field FLc. Each field FLa, FLb, FLc is cleared in the initial state.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the aggregation table ATB. As illustrated, the summary table ATB has an item field FLd, a first summary data field FLe, and a second summary data field FLe. Field FLd stores items of "type flag", "type name", "number of times of use", "total number of cases", "total points", and "total price" in order. In the field FLe, " 0 " is stored corresponding to the item "type flag", and "first communication terminal" is stored corresponding to the item "type name". Data "Aa", "Ab", "Ac", and "Ad" corresponding to other items are all numerical data, and the initial value is "0". In the field FLf, "1" is stored corresponding to the item "type flag", and "second communication terminal" is stored corresponding to the item "type name". Data "Ba", "Bb", "Bc", and "Bd" corresponding to other items are all numerical data, and the initial value is "0".

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor 61 of the first communication terminal 60 according to the first shopping assistance program Pa. FIG. 10 is also a flow chart showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor 71 of the second communication terminal 70 according to the second shopping assistance program Pb. 11 to 14 are flow charts showing the procedure of information processing executed by the processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 in response to the information processing of the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70. FIG. 15 to 17 are flow charts showing procedures of information processing executed by the processor 21 of the virtual POS server 20 in response to the information processing of the terminal controller 40. FIG. These flow charts will be used below to describe shopping support system 100 from the time a consumer uses first communication terminal 60 or second communication terminal 70 to input data based on a purchased product to finish accounting for the purchased product. Operation will be explained. Note that the operation described below is an example. The procedure and the like are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

First, it is assumed that the consumer has registered as a member. By registering as a member, a unique member code will be issued. The membership code is recorded on the membership card and issued to the consumer. The membership code may be downloaded and issued to a smartphone or the like owned by the consumer.

Before starting shopping, a consumer visiting a store decides whether to use the first communication terminal 60 attached to the shopping cart in the store or to use the second communication terminal 70 such as a smartphone owned by the consumer. .

A consumer using the first communication terminal 60 selects the shopping cart with the idle first communication terminal 60 attached. Then, the consumer causes the scanner 66 to read the membership code recorded on the membership card. The consumer may have the scanner 66 read the membership code downloaded to the smart phone. The processor 61 of the first communication terminal 60 reads the membership code with the scanner 66, thereby accepting the consumer's use start declaration.

The power of the first communication terminal 60 is turned on by a store clerk, for example, before the opening of the store. When the power is turned on, the first shopping assistance program Pa is activated in the first communication terminal 60 . When the first shopping assistance program Pa is activated, processor 61 establishes a communication line with access point 50 according to a predetermined communication protocol. When the communication line is established, the processor 61 notifies the terminal controller 40 of the terminal ID and enters an idle state. The processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 collectively stores the terminal IDs notified from the respective first communication terminals 60 in the auxiliary storage device 43 .

A consumer using the second communication terminal 70 activates the second shopping assistance program Pb. When the second shopping assistance program Pb is activated, the processor 71 enters a data code reading mode. The consumer uses the camera 76 to read the data code for entering the store prepared at the entrance of the store. In the data code, parameters and the like necessary for communication at the store are coded and recorded. The processor 71 receives the consumer's use start declaration by reading the data code with the camera 76 .

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the processor 61 of the first communication terminal 60 or the processor 71 of the second communication terminal 70 waits for a usage start declaration as ACT101. Hereinafter, the processor 61 and the processor 71 will be collectively referred to as the processor 61 (71). The same applies to other common configuration requirements. That is, they are expressed as a main memory 62 (72), an auxiliary storage device 63 (73), a wireless device 64 (74), and a touch panel 65 (75).

When the processor 61 (71) receives the use start declaration, it determines YES in ACT101 and proceeds to ACT102. The processor 61 (71) controls the wireless device 64 (74) to notify the usage start as ACT102. By this control, a usage start notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device 64 (74). The usage start notification command is received by the access point 50 with which the communication line is established, and is transmitted to the terminal controller 40 via the communication network 90 . The use start notification command includes the terminal ID set in the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 .

When the processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 receives the usage start notification command via the communication interface 45, it starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. The processor 41 controls the communication interface 45 to issue a usage start request as ACT 201 . By this control, a usage start request command is output from the communication interface 45 . The usage start request command is transmitted to the virtual POS server 20 via the communication network 90 . The use start request command includes the terminal ID detected from the use start notification command.

When the processor 21 of the virtual POS server 20 receives the usage start request command via the communication interface 25, it starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The processor 21 detects the terminal ID from the usage start request command as ACT301. Then, as ACT 302, the processor 21 determines whether or not the terminal ID can be used.

Specifically, the processor 21 searches the transaction information file TFL for a transaction information file TFL whose terminal ID is set in the area Aa and whose first status Sa is other than "3". A transaction information file TFL whose first status Sa is other than "3" corresponds to the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 for which the use start declaration has been made but the accounting has not been completed. Therefore, when the corresponding transaction information file TFL is detected, the processor 21 determines that the terminal ID cannot be used. If the corresponding transaction information file TFL cannot be detected, the processor 21 determines that the terminal ID can be used.

When determining that the terminal ID cannot be used, the processor 21 determines NO in ACT 302 and proceeds to ACT 303 . The processor 21 controls the communication interface 25 to send a rejection response as ACT303.

When determining that the terminal ID can be used, the processor 21 determines YES in ACT 302 and proceeds to ACT 304 . Processor 21 creates transaction information file TFL in auxiliary storage device 23 as ACT 304 . Then, as ACT305, the processor 21 sets the terminal ID detected from the usage start request command in the area Aa of the transaction information file TFL. The processor 21 also sets the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL to "0" as ACT306. Furthermore, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 25 to make an authorization response as ACT 307 .

Under the control of ACT 303 or ACT 307, the communication interface 25 outputs a refusal response command or a permission response command. A rejection response command or an authorization response command is sent to the terminal controller 40 via the communication network 90 . The refusal response command or the permission response command includes the terminal ID detected from the use start request command.
After outputting the refusal response command or the permission response command, the processor 21 terminates the use start request command reception process.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 that made the use start request waits for an authorization response command as ACT202. Here, when a rejection response command is received via the communication interface 45, the processor 41 determines NO in ACT202 and proceeds to ACT203. The processor 41 controls the communication interface 45 so as to issue a rejection notification as ACT203. By this control, a refusal notification command is output from the communication interface 45 .

On the other hand, when the permission response command is received, the processor 41 determines YES in ACT202 and proceeds to ACT204. Processor 41 creates mobile information file MFL in auxiliary storage device 43 as ACT 204 . Then, as ACT205, the processor 41 sets the terminal ID detected from the permission response command in the area Ba of the mobile information file MFL. The processor 41 also sets the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL to "0" as ACT206.

Processor 41 identifies in ACT 207 whether the terminal ID is the terminal ID of first communication terminal 60 or the terminal ID of second communication terminal 70 . As described above, the terminal ID of the first communication terminal 60 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 43 when the terminal ID is powered on. Processor 41 confirms whether or not the terminal ID detected from the permission response command is the terminal ID stored in auxiliary storage device 43 . If the terminal ID is stored in auxiliary storage device 43 , processor 41 identifies that terminal ID as the terminal ID of first communication terminal 60 . If the terminal ID is not stored in auxiliary storage device 43 , processor 41 identifies that terminal ID as the terminal ID of second communication terminal 70 .

If it is the terminal ID of first communication terminal 60 , processor 41 determines YES in ACT 207 and proceeds to ACT 208 . As ACT 208, the processor 41 generates a type flag with a value of “0”. On the other hand, if it is the terminal ID of second communication terminal 70 , processor 41 determines NO in ACT 207 and proceeds to ACT 209 . As ACT 209, the processor 41 generates a type flag with a value of " 1 ".

The processor 41 acquires the usage start date and time as ACT 210 . That is, the processor 41 acquires the date and time kept by the clock 44 as the usage start date and time. Note that the processor 41 may first acquire the usage start date and time and then generate the type flag.

The processor 41 adds a management record to the management table TTB as ACT211. That is, the processor 41 sets the terminal ID in the field FLa of the management table TTB, sets the type flag in the field FLb, and sets the usage start date and time in the field FLc. After that, the processor 41 controls the communication interface 45 so as to issue a permission notification as ACT212. By this control, the permission notification command is output from the communication interface 45 .

In ACT 203 or ACT 212, when the communication interface 45 outputs the refusal notification command or the permission notification command, the processor 41 terminates the use start notification command reception process.

The refusal notification command or permission notification command output from the terminal controller 40 is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 50 via the communication network 90 . The refusal notification command or permission notification command includes the terminal ID detected from the refusal response command or permission response command. The refusal notification command or permission notification command wirelessly transmitted from the access point 50 is received by the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 to which the terminal ID included in the command is set.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 61 (71) that has sent the usage start notification waits for a permission notification command as ACT103. Here, upon receiving the rejection notification command via the wireless device 64 (74), the processor 61 (71) determines NO in ACT103. The processor 61 (71) terminates the processing for the usage start declaration as an error. Therefore, consumers cannot use the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 . A consumer who cannot use the first communication terminal 60 replaces the shopping cart and declares the start of use to the first communication terminal 60 of the replaced cart. A consumer who cannot use the second communication terminal 70 selects a shopping cart and declares the start of use to the first communication terminal 60 of the cart.

On the other hand, when the permission notification command is received, the processor 61 (71) determines YES in ACT103 and proceeds to ACT104. The processor 61 (71) causes the touch panel 65 (75) to display a registration screen as ACT104. The registration screen has a detail area for displaying the product name, price, points, discount amount, etc. of the purchased product, and a total area for displaying the total points, total price, etc. of the purchased product. The registration screen also displays a checkout button for the consumer to declare the transition to checkout. The checkout button is an example of an operator reproduced on the screen of the touch panel 65 (75) by software. Note that the screen size of the touch panel 65 (75) differs between the first communication terminal 60 and the second communication terminal 70 . Therefore, the registration screen displayed on touch panel 65 and the registration screen displayed on touch panel 75 may differ in layout, character size, number of characters, and the like.

The processor 61 (71) displaying the registration screen determines in ACT 105 whether product registration has been accepted. If the product registration has not been accepted, the processor 61 (71) determines NO in ACT105 and proceeds to ACT106. Processor 61 (71) confirms as ACT 106 whether or not the accounting declaration has been received. If no accounting declaration has been received, processor 61 (71) determines NO in ACT106 and returns to ACT105. Here, the processor 61 (71) waits for product registration or accounting declaration in ACT105 and ACT106.

Every time a consumer using the first communication terminal 60 obtains a purchased product at a sales floor, the barcode of the purchased product is read by the scanner 66 to register the product. Every time a consumer using the second communication terminal 70 obtains a purchased product at a sales floor, the bar code of the purchased product is read by the camera 76 to register the product.

When the barcode is read by the scanner 66 or the camera 76, the processor 61 (71) in the waiting state of ACT105 and ACT106 determines that the product has been registered. The processor 61 (71) determines YES in ACT105 and proceeds to ACT108. The processor 61 (71) controls the wireless device 64 (74) to perform product registration notification as ACT108. By this control, a product registration notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device 64 (74). The product registration notification command is transmitted to the terminal controller 40 via the access point 50 . The product registration notification command includes barcode data read by the scanner 66 or the camera 76 and the terminal ID of the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 .

When the processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 receives the product registration notification command via the communication interface 45, it starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. The processor 41 detects the terminal ID from the product registration notification command as ACT221. Then, the processor 41 checks whether the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL in which the terminal ID is set as ACT222 is "0" or "1". If the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL is other than "0" or "1", the processor 41 determines NO in ACT222. The processor 41 terminates the processing for the product registration notification as an error.

If the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL is “0” or “1”, the processor 41 determines YES in ACT222 and proceeds to ACT223. The processor 41 controls the communication interface 45 to request product registration as ACT 223 . By this control, a product registration request command is output from the communication interface 45 . The product registration request command is transmitted to the virtual POS server 20 via the communication network 90 . The product registration request command includes the bar code data and the terminal ID detected from the product registration notification command.

When the processor 21 of the virtual POS server 20 receives the product registration request command via the communication interface 25, it starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The processor 21 detects the terminal ID from the product registration request command as ACT311. Then, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL in which the terminal ID is set as ACT312 is "0" or "1". If the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL is other than "0" or "1", the processor 21 determines NO in ACT312. The processor 21 terminates the processing for the product registration request as an error.

If the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL is "0" or "1", the processor 21 determines YES in ACT312 and proceeds to ACT313. As ACT 313, the processor 21 inquires of the shop server 10 about the product data using the bar code data detected from the product registration request command.

In response to the product data inquiry, the processor 11 of the shop server 10 confirms whether or not the bar code data is the product code. In the case of a product code, the processor 11 searches the product database with that product code. When the processor 11 detects a product record containing the product code, the processor 11 transmits a normal response command to the virtual POS server 20 . The normal response command includes product data such as a product code, product name, price, discount information, etc. that constitute the product record.

On the other hand, when the product database is searched but the corresponding product record cannot be found, or when the barcode data is not the product code, the processor 11 transmits an error response command to the virtual POS server 20. . In addition to the bar code of the product code, the product may have a bar code or the like for identifying the producer, manufacturer, or the like, for example. If the consumer accidentally reads such a bar code, processor 11 sends an error response command to virtual POS server 20 . The error response command includes barcode data detected from the product registration request command.

The processor 21 of the virtual POS server 20 that has made the inquiry about the product data waits for a normal response command as ACT314. Here, when an error response command is received via the communication interface 25, the processor 21 determines NO in ACT314 and proceeds to ACT315. Processor 21 generates error registration data as ACT 315 . The error registration data includes barcode data detected from the error response command and an error flag of "1". Having generated the error registration data, processor 21 proceeds to ACT 320 . The processing of ACT 320 will be described later.

On the other hand, when the normal response command is received via the communication interface 25, the processor 21 determines YES in ACT314 and proceeds to ACT316. Processor 21 generates normal registration data as ACT 316 . The normal registration data includes product data detected from the normal response command and an error flag of "0".

The processor 21 that generated the normal registration data registers the normal registration data in the transaction information file TFL as ACT317. Also, the processor 21 checks in ACT 318 whether or not the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL is "0". When the first status Sa is “0”, the processor 21 determines YES in ACT318 and proceeds to ACT319. The processor 21 changes its first status Sa from "0" to "1" as ACT319. If the first status Sa has already been changed to "1", the processor 21 determines NO in ACT318 and skips the processing of ACT319.

After completing processing of ACT 319 or skipping processing of ACT 319 , processor 21 proceeds to ACT 320 . Processor 21 controls communication interface 25 to transmit registration data to terminal controller 40 as ACT 320 . Through this control, normal registration data or error registration data is output from the communication interface 25 . The normal registration data or error registration data is transmitted to terminal controller 40 via communication network 90 .

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 that has transmitted the product registration request command waits for registration data as ACT224. Upon receiving normal registration data or error registration data via communication interface 45 , processor 41 determines YES in ACT 224 and proceeds to ACT 225 . The processor 41 registers the normal registration data or the error registration data in the mobile information file MFL as ACT225.

The processor 41 confirms whether the data registered in the mobile information file MFL as ACT 226 is normal registration data of the specific product. Specific products are products with age restrictions, such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. Alternatively, the specific product is a product that requires the intervention of a store clerk, such as second-class pharmaceuticals. In addition, the kind of specific goods is not limited to this.

If the data registered in the mobile information file MFL is not the normal registration data of the specific product, the processor 41 determines NO in ACT226 and proceeds to ACT229.

If the data registered in the mobile information file MFL is the normal registration data of the specific product, processor 41 determines YES in ACT226 and proceeds to ACT227. The processor 41 searches the management table TTB as ACT 227 to check the type flag of the management record including the terminal ID of the mobile information file MFL. Here, if the type flag is "1", that is, if the communication terminal specified by the terminal ID is identified as the second communication terminal 70, the processor 41 determines NO in ACT 227, and proceeds to ACT 229. and proceed.

If the type flag is “0”, that is, if the communication terminal specified by the terminal ID is identified as the first communication terminal 60, the processor 41 determines YES in ACT227 and proceeds to ACT228. The processor 41 controls the communication interface 45 so as to transmit to the monitoring terminal 80 a command notifying that the specific product has been registered as ACT 228 . By this control, the communication interface 45 outputs a registration notification command for the specific product. The registration notification command is wirelessly transmitted from access point 50 via communication network 90 . The registration notification command includes the terminal ID of the mobile information file MFL and the product name of the specific product. The registration notification command wirelessly transmitted from the access point 50 is received by the monitoring terminal 80 . As a result, information indicating that the specific product has been registered in the first communication terminal 60 identified by the terminal ID is displayed on the monitoring terminal 80 . Therefore, the store clerk monitoring the monitoring terminal 80 can know that the consumer using the first communication terminal 60 has purchased the specific product.

After processor 41 finishes processing ACT 228 , it proceeds to ACT 229 . That is, when ACT 226 is determined to be NO, ACT 227 is determined to be NO, or the processing of ACT 228 is completed, the processor 41 proceeds to ACT 229 .

The processor 41 checks in ACT229 whether or not the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL is "0". When the second status Sb is “0”, the processor 41 determines YES in ACT229 and proceeds to ACT230. The processor 41 changes its second status Sb from "0" to "1" as ACT230. If the second status Sb has already been changed to "1", the processor 41 determines NO in ACT229 and skips the processing of ACT230.
With this, the processor 41 ends the product registration notification command reception process.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 61 (71) that has controlled the transmission of the product registration notification command returns to the standby state of ACT105 and ACT106.

When the consumer finishes shopping, the consumer touches the checkout button on the registration screen. When the checkout button is touched, the processor 61 (71) determines YES in ACT106 and proceeds to ACT109. Processor 61 (71) controls wireless device 64 (74) to perform accounting notification as ACT109. By this control, the accounting notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device 64 (74). The accounting notification command is sent to terminal controller 40 via access point 50 . The accounting notification command includes the terminal ID of the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 .

When the processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 receives the transaction notification command via the communication interface 45, it starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. The processor 41 detects the terminal ID from the accounting notification command as ACT241. Then, the processor 41 checks whether the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL in which the terminal ID is set as ACT242 is "1". If the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL is other than "1", the processor 41 determines NO in ACT242. The processor 41 terminates the accounting notification command reception processing as an error.

If the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL is “1”, the processor 41 determines YES in ACT242 and proceeds to ACT243. The processor 41 changes the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL from "1" to "2" as ACT243. Processor 41 also controls communication interface 45 to make accounting requests as ACT 244 . Under this control, the communication interface 45 outputs an accounting request command. The accounting request command is transmitted to virtual POS server 20 via communication network 90 . The accounting request command includes the terminal ID detected from the accounting notification command.

When the processor 21 of the virtual POS server 20 receives the accounting request command via the communication interface 25, it starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The processor 21 detects the terminal ID from the accounting request command as ACT331. Then, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL in which the terminal ID is set as ACT332 is "1". If the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL is other than "1", the processor 21 determines NO in ACT332. The processor 21 terminates the accounting request command reception processing as an error.

When the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL is "1", the processor 21 determines YES in ACT332 and proceeds to ACT333. The processor 21 changes the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL from "1" to "2" as ACT333.

The processor 21 controls the communication interface 25 to issue an accounting authorization notification as ACT 334 . Under this control, the communication interface 25 outputs an accounting permission notification command. The accounting permission notification command is transmitted to terminal controller 40 via communication network 90 . The accounting authorization notification command includes the terminal ID detected from the accounting request command.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 that has transmitted the accounting request command waits for an accounting permission notification command as ACT225. Upon receiving the transaction authorization notification command via communication interface 45 , processor 41 determines YES in ACT 225 and proceeds to ACT 226 . The processor 41 controls the communication interface 25 so as to notify the execution of accounting as ACT 226 . Under this control, the communication interface 25 outputs an accounting execution notification command. The accounting execution notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 50 via the communication network 90 . The accounting execution notification command includes the terminal ID detected from the accounting notification command. The accounting execution notification command wirelessly transmitted from the access point 50 is received by the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70 to which the terminal ID included in the command is set.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 61 (71) that has issued the accounting notification waits for the accounting execution notification as ACT110. Upon receiving the accounting execution notification command via wireless device 64 (74), processor 61 (71) determines YES in ACT110 and proceeds to ACT111. The processor 61 (71) causes the touch panel 65 (75) to display a barcode indicating the terminal ID as ACT111. With this, the processor 61 (71) ends the information processing for the usage start declaration.

After confirming that the bar code is displayed on the touch panel 65 (75), the consumer goes to the checkout machine 30. - 特許庁Then, the consumer reads the bar code displayed on the touch panel 65 (75) with a scanner provided in the checkout machine 30. - 特許庁The bar code data read by the checkout machine 30 is output to the store server 10 .

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 21 of the virtual POS server 20 that has transmitted the transaction authorization notification command controls the communication interface 25 so as to transmit the data of the transaction information file TFL to the shop server 10 as ACT335. By this control, the data of the transaction information file TFL are output from the communication interface 25 . This data is transmitted to the store server 10 via the communication network 90 .

The store server 10 temporarily stores the data of the transaction information file TFL received from the virtual POS server 20 . After obtaining the bar code data from the checkout machine 30, the store server 10 searches for the transaction information file TFL in which the terminal ID represented by the bar code is set. The store server 10 outputs the data of the relevant transaction information file TFL to the accounting machine 30 . The accounting machine 30 executes settlement processing for the product purchased by the consumer based on the data in the transaction information file TFL. The store server 10 outputs a checkout end command to the virtual POS server 20 when the payment processing at the checkout machine 30 is completed.

The processor 21 waits for an accounting end command as ACT 336 . When the processor 21 receives the accounting end command via the communication interface 25, it determines YES in ACT336 and proceeds to ACT337. The processor 21 changes the first status Sa of the transaction information file TFL from "2" to "3" as ACT337. The processor 21 also controls the communication interface 25 so as to notify the completion of accounting as ACT 338 . Under this control, the communication interface 25 outputs a transaction completion notification command. The accounting end notification command is transmitted to the terminal controller 40 via the communication network 90 . The accounting end notification command includes the terminal ID detected from the accounting request command. With this, the processor 21 ends the accounting request command reception processing.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 that has sent the accounting execution notification waits for an accounting end notification command in ACT247. Upon receiving the accounting end notification command via the communication interface 45 , the processor 41 determines YES in ACT 247 and proceeds to ACT 248 . The processor 41 executes aggregation processing as ACT 248 .

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the main procedure of the tabulation process. When the processor 41 enters the counting process, the processor 41 counts the number Cb of normal registration data registered in the mobile information file MFL as ACT 251 . The processor 41 also adds up the points included in the normal registration data as ACT 252 to calculate the total points Cc. Similarly, the processor 41 sums the price and the discount amount included in the normal registration data as ACT 253, and subtracts the sum of the discount amounts from the sum of the prices to calculate the total amount Cd.

The processor 41 searches the management table TTB as ACT 254 to check the type flag of the management record including the terminal ID of the mobile information file MFL. If the type flag is “0”, that is, if the mobile information file MFL has a terminal ID corresponding to the first communication terminal 60 , the processor 41 determines NO in ACT 254 and proceeds to ACT 255 . The processor 41 then executes the processing of ACT255 to ACT258.

That is, the processor 41 adds "1" to the value Aa of the item "number of uses" stored in the field FLe of the first total data of the total table ATB as ACT255. The processor 41 adds the number of registrations Cb to the value Ab of the item “total number of cases” stored in the same field FLe as ACT 256 . The processor 41 adds the total points Cc to the value Ac of the item "total points" stored in the same field FLe as ACT257. The processor 41 adds the total amount Cd to the value Ad of the item "total price" stored in the same field FLe as ACT258.

On the other hand, if the type flag is "1", that is, if the mobile information file MFL has a terminal ID corresponding to the second communication terminal 70, the processor 41 determines YES in ACT254 and proceeds to ACT259. The processor 41 then executes the processing of ACT259 to ACT262.

That is, the processor 41 adds "1" to the value Ba of the item "number of uses" stored in the field FLf of the second total data of the total table ATB as ACT259. The processor 41 adds the number of registrations Cb to the value Bb of the item "total number of cases" stored in the same field FLf as ACT260. The processor 41 adds the total points Cc to the value Bc of the item "total points" stored in the same field FLf as ACT261. The processor 41 adds the total amount Cd to the value Bd of the item "total price" stored in the same field FLf as ACT262.

With that, the tallying process ends.
When the tallying process is finished, the processor 41 changes the second status Sb of the mobile information file MFL from "2" to "3" in ACT249. With this, the processor 41 ends the accounting notification command reception processing.

As described above, according to the shopping support system 100, the first communication terminal prepared by the store and the consumer A second communication terminal owned by a person can be used together.

In the terminal controller 40 of the shopping support system 100, the processor 41 cooperates with the processor 21 of the virtual POS server 20 to execute the processing of ACT201 to ACT206 in FIG. 11 and the processing of ACT221 to 225 in FIG. and constitutes the means of creation. That is, the processor 41 creates a list of products to be purchased by the consumer, who is the user of the terminal, as data in the mobile information file MFL based on the data input from the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70. there is

Further, the terminal controller 40 constitutes payment processing means by having the processor 41 cooperate with the processor 21 of the virtual POS server 20 to execute the processes of ACT241 to ACT246 in FIG. That is, when the processor 41 receives an accounting notification command from the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication terminal 70, the processor 41 makes an accounting request based on the product data registered in the mobile information file MFL in which the terminal ID of the terminal is set. , processing related to settlement such as notification of accounting execution.

Further, the terminal controller 40 constitutes identification means by the processor 41 executing the processing of ACT207 to ACT211 in FIG. That is, the processor 41 determines whether the list registered in the mobile information file MFL is a list created based on the data input at the first communication terminal 60 or based on the data input at the second communication terminal 70. A management record is added to the management table TTB for identifying whether it is a list that has been created.

Therefore, for example, by counting the number of management records including the terminal ID of the mobile information file MFL in which the processing related to payment is executed, for each type flag, the frequency of use of the first communication terminal 60 or the second communication The frequency with which the terminal 70 is used can be known.

By the way, the terminal controller 40 identifies whether the terminal ID is that of the first communication terminal 60 or that of the second communication terminal 70 based on the terminal ID received from the terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means. . Therefore, it is not necessary to provide special data other than the terminal ID from the first communication terminal 60 and the second communication terminal 70, such as designating the terminal type.

In addition, the terminal controller 40 configures totaling means by causing the processor 41 to execute the processing of ACT 248 in FIG. 13 . That is, the processor 41 includes the data registered in the list identified as being created based on the data input at the first communication terminal 60 and the data identified as being created based on the data input at the second communication terminal 70. Data such as the number of times of use, total number of cases, total points, and total price are aggregated for each item separately from the data registered in the list.

In general, the administrator of the shopping support system 100 and the user of the shopping support system 100, that is, the store, are operated by different entities. For this reason, for example, the administrator may propose a subscription model in which the user (store) is billed for monthly usage at a predetermined ratio to the sales of transactions using the second communication terminal 70. Conceivable. In this embodiment, such a proposal can be realized because it is possible to easily obtain sales from transactions using the second communication terminal 70 .

Further, when the data registered in the mobile information file MFL is the normal registration data of the specific product, the processor 41 of the terminal controller 40 confirms the type flag of the management record including the terminal ID of the mobile information file MFL. When the type flag is "0", that is, the first communication terminal 60, the processor 41 transmits to the monitoring terminal 80 a command notifying that the specific product has been registered. In other words, the terminal controller 40 constitutes data processing means for executing different processing on the data of the specific product input from the first communication terminal 60 than when the data of the specific product is input from the second communication terminal 70. are doing.

The monitoring terminal 80 is for monitoring the state of the first communication terminal 60. For example, when a consumer purchases an age-restricted product, the monitoring terminal 80 alerts the consumer. . According to this embodiment, when the specific product is registered in the first communication terminal 60, the monitoring terminal 80 is notified, so that the monitoring by the monitoring terminal 80 can be properly operated. Further, since no notification is given when a specific product is registered in the second communication terminal 70, useless notification does not occur.

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

In the above embodiment, the terminal controller 40 has been described as one aspect of the terminal management device. The terminal management device does not have to consist of only the terminal controller 40 alone. For example, the terminal controller 40 and the virtual POS server 20 or the shop server 10 may cooperate to form a terminal management device. In relation to this, the management table TTB and aggregation table ATB do not have to be stored in the terminal controller 40 . The management table TTB and total table ATB may be formed in the storage device of the virtual POS server 20 or store server 10 .

In the above-described embodiment, the number of times of use, the total number of cases, the total number of points, and the total price are tabulated for each type flag in the tabulation table ATB. Aggregation items are not limited to these items. For example, since the management table TTB stores the use start time for each terminal ID, it is also possible to aggregate each item by day, week, or time period.

The data in the aggregation table ATB is saved in another file and cleared at the end of the business day, for example. By doing so, daily data can be aggregated in the aggregation table ATB.

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 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] Communication means for communicating with a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal functioning as terminals for inputting data of products purchased by the consumer through self-operation when the consumer goes shopping, and the first communication terminal. or creating means for creating a list of products to be purchased by a consumer who is a user of the terminal based on the data input at the second communication terminal; and the list is data input at the first communication terminal. identification means for identifying whether the list is created based on the data input from the second communication terminal or the list created based on the data input at the second communication terminal; and payment processing means for executing processing related to payment based on the data of products registered in the list of the consumer who is the user of the terminal in response to an instruction.
[2] The terminal management device according to [1], wherein the identification means identifies based on terminal identification information acquired from a terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means.
[3] Data registered in a list identified by the identification means as being created based on the data input at the first communication terminal and created based on the data input at the second communication terminal The terminal management device according to [1] or [2], further comprising a tallying means for tallying the data separately from the data registered in the list identified as the list.
[4] Further comprising data processing means for executing a different process from when the data of the specific product input at the first communication terminal is different from when the data of the specific product is input at the second communication terminal. The terminal management device according to [1] or [2].
[5] The first communication terminal is a communication terminal attached to a shopping cart in a store and used, and the second communication terminal is a communication terminal carried and used by a consumer [1] The terminal management device according to any one of [4] to [4].
[6] The first communication terminal or the A function of creating a list of products to be purchased by a consumer who is a user of the terminal based on the data input at the second communication terminal, and the list is based on the data input at the first communication terminal. There is a function to identify whether it is a created list or a list created based on the data input at the second communication terminal, and an accounting instruction from the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal. and a function of executing processing related to payment based on data of products registered in the list of the consumer who is the user of the terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Store server, 20... Virtual POS server, 21, 41, 61, 71... Processor, 22, 42, 62, 72... Main memory, 23, 43, 63, 73... Auxiliary storage device, 24, 44... Clock, 25, 45... Communication interface 30... Accounting machine 40... Terminal controller 50... Access point 60... First communication terminal 64, 74... Wireless device 65, 75... Touch panel 66... Scanner 70... Second Communication terminal 76 Camera 100 Shopping support system MFL Mobile information file TFL Transaction information file TTB Management table ATB Aggregation table.

Claims (5)

A terminal management device for a shopping support system using both a first communication terminal rented from a store to a consumer and a second communication terminal owned by the consumer as terminals for inputting data of products purchased by the consumer, ,
a communication means for communicating with the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal;
identification means for identifying whether the terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means is the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal based on terminal identification information acquired from the terminal;
Storage means for storing the terminal identification information of the terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means, together with type information for distinguishing whether the terminal identified by the terminal identification information is the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal. and,
counting means for counting the number of the terminal identification information stored in the storage means for each of the type information;
A terminal management device comprising: The identification means, when receiving a usage start notification including the terminal identification information from a terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means, identifies whether the terminal is the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal. identify,
2. The terminal management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means stores said terminal identification information together with said type information and a date when said usage start notification is received . creation means for creating a data file for storing data of products purchased by a consumer who is a user of the terminal, based on data input by the terminal with which communication is established by the communication means;
3. The terminal management device according to claim 2 , further comprising: permission notification means for notifying the terminal specified by the terminal identification information stored together with the type information in the storage means that the data entry of the product to be purchased is permitted;
4. The terminal management device according to claim 3, further comprising: The computer of the terminal management device of the shopping support system that uses both the first communication terminal rented from the store to the consumer and the second communication terminal owned by the consumer as the terminal for inputting the data of the product to be purchased by the consumer. ,
communication means for communicating with the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal;
Identification means for identifying whether the terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means is the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal based on terminal identification information acquired from the terminal;
Storage means for storing the terminal identification information of the terminal with which communication has been established by the communication means, together with type information for distinguishing whether the terminal identified by the terminal identification information is the first communication terminal or the second communication terminal. ,
counting means for counting the number of the terminal identification information stored in the storage means for each of the type information;
A control program for functioning as