阅读说明：本技术 商品信息处理装置及控制方法、终端设备 (Commodity information processing device, control method and terminal equipment ) 是由 權田真也 于 2018-02-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种商品信息处理装置及控制方法、终端设备,其能够减少顾客在POS终端结账排队的等待时间,该商品信息处理装置与POS终端配合使用,包括：显示部、输入部、商品信息取得部、销售登记处理部、合计部、符号图像生成部和符号图像显示部,所述POS终端包括：符号摄像部和控制部。(The invention discloses a commodity information processing device, a control method and terminal equipment, which can reduce the waiting time of a customer in a POS terminal checkout queue, and the commodity information processing device is matched with the POS terminal for use and comprises the following components: a display unit, an input unit, a commodity information acquisition unit, a sales registration processing unit, a totaling unit, a symbol image generation unit, and a symbol image display unit, the POS terminal including: a symbol imaging unit and a control unit.)

1. A commodity information processing apparatus for use with a POS terminal, comprising:

a display unit;

an input unit for inputting symbol information attached to a commodity;

a product information acquisition unit that acquires a product code corresponding to the coincidence information based on the symbol information input from the input unit, transmits the product code to the POS terminal, and acquires product designation information corresponding to the product code that designates a product;

a sales registration processing unit that executes a sales registration process for the commodity based on the commodity specifying information acquired by the commodity information acquisition unit;

a totaling unit for totaling purchases of commodities;

a symbol image generating unit that generates a two-dimensional code symbol image including the commodity specifying information of the commodity corresponding to the transaction that has been subjected to the sales registration processing by the sales registration processing unit when the counting operation is performed by the counting unit;

a symbol image display unit that displays the two-dimensional code symbol image on the display unit;

the POS terminal includes:

a symbol imaging unit that images the two-dimensional code symbol image displayed on the symbol image display unit;

a control unit that analyzes the two-dimensional code symbol image and acquires product designation information corresponding to a transaction, total operation information, and a designation code of a product information processing device, which are included in the two-dimensional code symbol image; performing a settlement process based on the aggregate operation information when there is no misbehavior by the customer,

wherein the two-dimensional code symbol image further includes information indicating that the counting operation has been performed by the counting unit, and a designation code for designating the product information processing device that displays the two-dimensional code symbol image.

2. The commodity information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

an informing unit that informs whether the transaction is completed or has an error;

a first determination unit that determines whether or not a checkout process is executed by a checkout apparatus based on the two-dimensional code symbol image displayed by the display unit;

the notification unit may be configured to issue an unpaid signal indicating that the payment processing is not performed in the transaction, on condition that the first determination unit determines that the payment processing based on the two-dimensional code symbol image is not performed.

3. The commodity information processing apparatus according to claim 2,

the notification unit notifies a message indicating that the settlement is not completed in response to the issued non-settled signal.

4. The commodity information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a second determination unit that determines whether or not error information associated with a weight check in the checkout device based on the two-dimensional code symbol image displayed by the display unit is received;

wherein the notification unit displays an error message on the display unit for the transaction when the second determination unit determines that the error message is received.

5. The commodity information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

the symbol image display unit displays the commodity specifying information on the same screen as the two-dimensional code for settlement of the display unit.

6. A control method of a commodity information processing apparatus, which is used in cooperation with a POS terminal and includes a display portion and an input portion that inputs symbol information attached to a commodity, the control method comprising the steps of:

a product information acquisition step of acquiring a product code corresponding to the coincidence information based on the symbol information input from the input unit, transmitting the product code to the POS terminal, and acquiring product designation information corresponding to the product code designating a product;

a sales registration processing step of executing sales registration processing of the commodity based on the commodity specifying information acquired in the commodity information acquisition step;

a totaling step of totaling purchases of commodities;

a symbol image generation step of generating a two-dimensional code symbol image including the commodity specifying information of the commodity corresponding to one transaction which has been sales-registered in the sales registration processing step when the totaling operation is performed in the totaling step; and

a symbol image display step of displaying the two-dimensional code symbol image on the display unit;

wherein, the POS terminal includes:

a symbol imaging unit that images the two-dimensional code symbol image displayed in the symbol image display step;

a control unit that analyzes the two-dimensional code symbol image and acquires product designation information corresponding to a transaction, total operation information, and a designation code of a product information processing device, which are included in the two-dimensional code symbol image; performing a settlement process based on the aggregate operation information when there is no misbehavior by the customer,

wherein the two-dimensional code symbol image further includes information indicating that the counting operation has been performed by the counting step, and a designation code designating the own product information processing apparatus displaying the two-dimensional code symbol image.

7. The control method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

informing whether the transaction is finished or has error information; and

a first determination step of determining whether or not a settlement device executes settlement processing based on the symbol image displayed on the display unit; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

in the notification step, an unpaid signal indicating that the checkout process is not executed in the transaction is issued on condition that the first determination step determines that the checkout process based on the symbol image is not executed.

8. The control method according to claim 7,

the informing step informs a message indicating that the settlement is not completed in response to the issued non-settled signal.

9. The control method according to claim 6,

in the symbol image display step, the commodity specifying information is displayed on the same screen as the two-dimensional code for settlement of the display unit.

10. A terminal device, comprising: a processor, a memory, an interface and a bus, through which the processor, the memory and the interface communicate with each other,

the memory stores at least one executable instruction, and the executable instruction causes the processor to execute the operation corresponding to the control method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

Technical Field

The embodiment of the invention relates to a commodity information processing device, a control method and terminal equipment.

Background

Conventionally, sales registration processing and payment processing for commodities purchased in stores are performed by a clerk using a POS terminal or the like.

Recently, there is a self-service type POS terminal that performs a sales registration operation and a checkout operation by a customer. The self-service POS terminal can reduce staff such as store staff who operate.

However, since the self-service POS terminal operates a customer who is not familiar with the operation, the POS terminal has a queue waiting for cash collection when the store is crowded.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a commodity information processing apparatus, a control method, and a terminal device, which can reduce waiting time in which a customer waits for checkout at a POS terminal.

In order to solve the above problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a commodity information processing apparatus used in cooperation with a POS terminal, the commodity information processing apparatus including: a display unit; an input unit for inputting symbol information attached to a commodity; a product information acquisition unit that acquires a product code corresponding to the coincidence information based on the symbol information input from the input unit, transmits the product code to the POS terminal, and acquires product designation information corresponding to the product code that designates a product; a sales registration processing unit that executes a sales registration process for the commodity based on the commodity specifying information acquired by the commodity information acquisition unit; a totaling unit for totaling purchases of commodities; a symbol image generating unit that generates a two-dimensional code symbol image including the commodity specifying information of the commodity corresponding to the transaction that has been subjected to the sales registration processing by the sales registration processing unit when the counting operation is performed by the counting unit; a symbol image display unit that displays the two-dimensional code symbol image on the display unit; the POS terminal includes: a symbol imaging unit that images the two-dimensional code symbol image displayed on the symbol image display unit; a control unit that analyzes the two-dimensional code symbol image and acquires product designation information corresponding to a transaction, total operation information, and a designation code of a product information processing device, which are included in the two-dimensional code symbol image; when there is no misbehavior by the customer, the settlement processing is performed based on the total operation information, wherein the two-dimensional code symbol image further includes information indicating that the total operation has been performed by the total unit and a designation code for designating the product information processing device displaying the two-dimensional code symbol image.

With this configuration, the waiting time in which the customer waits for the checkout at the POS terminal can be reduced.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a control method for a product information processing apparatus, the product information processing apparatus being used in cooperation with a POS terminal and including a display unit and an input unit that inputs symbol information attached to a product, the control method including the steps of: a product information acquisition step of acquiring a product code corresponding to the coincidence information based on the symbol information input from the input unit, transmitting the product code to the POS terminal, and acquiring product designation information corresponding to the product code designating a product; a sales registration processing step of executing sales registration processing of the commodity based on the commodity specifying information acquired in the commodity information acquisition step; a totaling step of totaling purchases of commodities; a symbol image generation step of generating a two-dimensional code symbol image including the commodity specifying information of the commodity corresponding to one transaction which has been sales-registered in the sales registration processing step when the totaling operation is performed in the totaling step; and a symbol image display step of displaying the two-dimensional code symbol image on the display unit; wherein, the POS terminal includes: a symbol imaging unit that images the two-dimensional code symbol image displayed in the symbol image display step; a control unit that analyzes the two-dimensional code symbol image and acquires product designation information corresponding to a transaction, total operation information, and a designation code of a product information processing device, which are included in the two-dimensional code symbol image; when there is no misbehavior by the customer, the settlement processing is performed based on the totaling operation information, wherein the two-dimensional code symbol image further includes information indicating that the totaling operation has been performed by the totaling step and a designation code designating the product information processing apparatus displaying the two-dimensional code symbol image.

According to the control method, the waiting time of the customer in the checkout queue of the POS terminal can be reduced.

A third embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal device, including: the processor, the memory and the interface complete mutual communication through the bus, and the memory stores at least one executable instruction which enables the processor to execute the operation corresponding to the control method.

With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the waiting time for the customer to wait in a line for checkout at the POS terminal.

Drawings

Next, a product information processing device and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form a part of this application, and wherein the illustrated embodiments of the invention and the description thereof are intended to illustrate and not limit the invention, wherein:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system including a portable terminal according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a POS terminal;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server;

fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the portable terminal;

fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of control processing of the server;

fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the portable terminal;

fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of control processing of the portable terminal;

fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal;

fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of another screen displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal;

fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a third screen displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal;

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a POS terminal; and

fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of the POS terminal.

Description of the reference numerals

1 POS terminal 3 server

5 Mobile terminal 100 control part

101 checkout part 500 control part

501 commodity information acquisition unit 502 sales registration processing unit

503 symbol image display section 504 first determination section

505 transmitting unit 506 second judging unit

507 error display part 508 message notification part

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the product information processing device and the program according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 to 12. In the embodiments, a description will be given of an example in which a portable terminal is used as an information processing device. Note that a description will be given of an example in which the POS (point of sale) terminal 1 is used as a checkout device. The following examples do not limit the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system including a mobile terminal according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, the system includes a POS terminal 1 (a plurality of POS terminals 1 may be provided) for performing a sales registration operation and a payment operation by a customer. The POS terminal 1 is a device that allows a customer to perform a sales registration operation and a payment operation for a purchased product. The sales registration operation and the checkout operation will be described later. The system further includes a server 3. The POS terminal 1 and the server 3 are connected to each other through a communication circuit 6 such as a LAN (local area network). The system further includes a mobile terminal 5. The portable terminal 5 and the POS terminal 1 are connected to each other via a communication circuit 2 such as WiFi (one of specifications of wireless LAN (registered trademark)). The mobile terminal 5 and the server 3 are connected by a communication circuit 4 such as WiFi (one of standards of wireless LAN) or the internet. The communication circuit 2 and the communication circuit 4 may be a general-purpose communication circuit.

In store sales, the POS terminal 1 performs a sales registration process and a payment process for a commodity purchased by a customer. Here, the sales registration processing is processing for displaying product information (product code, product name, price, and the like) of the product based on the acquired product code (product specifying information) in accordance with the input code symbol and storing the product information in the product information unit 131. The settlement processing is processing for displaying settlement information such as a total amount related to a transaction, a payment amount of a customer, and change, and issuing a bill having printed commodity information and settlement information, based on information of the sales registration processing. In addition, the transaction includes a sales registration process and a settlement process for one customer.

The server 3 collects commodity information and payment information of commodities that have been traded at the POS terminal 1. The server 3 transmits the product master file information including the product information to the POS terminal 1. The server 3 transmits application software described later to the mobile terminal 5. The application software is software for causing the POS terminal 5 to execute control described later in fig. 7.

Next, the POS terminal 1 will be explained. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1. As shown in fig. 2, the POS terminal 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11, a ROM (read only memory) 12, a RAM (random access memory) 13, a storage unit 14, and the like. The CPU11 is the control subject. The ROM12 stores various programs. The RAM13 develops various data. The storage unit 14 stores various programs. The CPU11, ROM12, RAM13, and storage section 14 are connected to each other by a data bus 15. The CPU11, ROM12, and RAM13 constitute a control section 100. That is, the control unit 100 operates in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM and the storage unit 14 and developed in the RAM13 by the CPU11, and executes control processing described later.

The RAM13 includes a product information unit 131 for storing product information. The storage unit 14 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or a flash memory that holds storage information even when the power supply is turned off, and includes a control program unit 141 that stores a control program and a product master file 142. The product master file 142 stores product information such as a product name, a product price, and a product weight in association with a product code of a specified product.

The control unit 100 is connected to an operation unit 17, a display unit 18, a symbol imaging unit 19, a printing unit 20, a measuring unit 21, a change machine 22, a card reading unit 23, and a light emitting unit 24, which are configured by a touch panel, via a data bus 15 and a controller 16.

The operation unit 17 includes a start key 171 and an account key 172 corresponding to the display of the "start key" and the "account key" on the display unit 18. The start key 171 is operated by the customer when the operation of the POS terminal 1 is started. The checkout key 172 is operated by the customer when the sales registration operation for the POS terminal 1 is ended and the transition is made to the checkout operation. When the checkout key 172 is operated, the POS terminal 1 executes checkout processing relating to the commodity that has been subjected to the sales registration processing (i.e., the commodity purchased by the customer). In the following description, the "keys provided in the operation unit 17 corresponding to the display of the keys on the display unit 18" will be described in a simplified manner as "keys displayed on the display unit 18".

The display unit 18 displays the commodity information of the commodity subjected to the sales registration processing. The display unit 18 displays settlement information of the settlement processing. The symbol imaging unit 19 images a barcode attached to a commodity. The POS terminal 1 analyzes the picked-up barcode and acquires symbol information composed of numbers. The symbol imaging unit 19 also images a two-dimensional code (symbol image) displayed on the mobile terminal 5. The two-dimensional code includes a product code for specifying a product imaged by an imaging unit (input unit) of the mobile terminal 5, although the two-dimensional code will be described in detail later. The two-dimensional code includes information indicating that a payment key 574 to be described later is operated and a total operation is performed. The two-dimensional code includes a terminal specification code for specifying the mobile terminal 5 on which the two-dimensional code is displayed.

The printing unit 20 prints commodity information and payment information of the commodity subjected to payment processing on the receipt paper. The printing unit 20 issues a printed ticket. The weighing unit 21 is a table on which shopping baskets containing commodities are placed. The weighing unit 21 weighs the weight of the commodity loaded in the loaded shopping basket. The POS terminal 1 checks the weight of the article for preventing an error in the operation of the customer when registering the article. Specifically, when a shopping basket containing commodities is placed on the weighing unit 21, the weighing unit 21 weighs the total weight of the commodities contained in the shopping basket. When a customer removes an item from a shopping basket, the weight of the removed item is weighed minus the weight of the removed item. The difference between the two weights (the subtracted weight) is used as the weight of the product, and the weight of the product included in the weight information of the product is compared (that is, a weight check is performed), and if the two weights are consistent, it is determined that there is no error. The POS terminal 1 checks whether or not there is an error based on the total weight of the measured products and the total weight of the products stored in advance. If the two weights are consistent, it is determined that there is no error.

The change machine 22 discharges change of the amount paid by the customer when change has occurred in the change processing. The card reader 23 operates when making a payment with a card such as a credit card, an electronic money card, or the like. The light emitting section 24 is provided at the tip end of a column projecting upward from the POS terminal 1. The light emitting unit 24 is a device for calling a clerk by operating the light emitting unit 24 to emit light when the customer erroneously operates the POS terminal 1, when the customer is unfamiliar with the operation of the POS terminal 1, when an error occurs in the POS terminal 1, or the like.

The control unit 100 is connected to the communication unit 25 via the data bus 15. The communication unit 25 transmits and receives information to and from the server 3 via the communication circuit 6. The control unit 100 is connected to the communication unit 26 via the data bus 15. The communication unit 26 transmits and receives information to and from the mobile terminal 5 via the communication circuit 2.

The customer places a shopping basket containing a commodity on the measuring section 21. Then, the customer takes out the item from the shopping basket and passes it through the front of the POS terminal 1. When a commodity passes through the commodity, a barcode (symbol) attached to the commodity is aligned with the symbol imaging unit 19. The operation of the customer by the barcode registration symbol imaging unit 19 is referred to as a sales registration operation. The symbol imaging unit 19 of the POS terminal 1 images information of a barcode attached to a commodity. The POS terminal 1 inputs symbol information analyzed from the imaged symbol. Next, the POS terminal 1 acquires a product code that specifies a product corresponding to the input symbol information. Then, the POS terminal 1 reads the product information corresponding to the product code, and executes the sales registration processing for the product for which the weight check is skipped.

When the sales registration processing is performed for all the purchased commodities, the customer operates the checkout key 172 (checkout operation). Then, the POS terminal 1 executes a settlement process based on the commodity information of the commodity subjected to the sales registration process. When the checkout process ends, the transaction for one customer ends. The customer performs bagging of the items subjected to the settlement processing, and the like.

Next, the server 3 will be explained. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 3. As shown in fig. 3, the server 3 is a computer including a CPU31, a ROM32, a RAM33, a storage unit 34, and the like. The CPU31 is the control subject. The ROM32 stores various programs. The RAM33 develops various data. The storage unit 34 stores various programs. The CPU31, ROM32, RAM33, and storage section 34 are connected to each other by a data bus 35. The CPU31, ROM32, and RAM33 constitute a control section 300. That is, the control unit 300 operates in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM and the storage unit 34 and developed in the RAM33 by the CPU31, and executes control processing described later.

The storage unit 34 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD or a flash memory that holds storage information even when the power supply is turned off, and includes a control program unit 341 that stores a control program and a product master file 342. The product master file 342 has the configuration of the product master file 142.

The control unit 300 is connected to the operation unit 37 and the display unit 38 via the data bus 35 and the processor 36. The operation unit 37 is a keyboard provided with various keys. The display unit 38 displays various kinds of information.

The control unit 300 is connected to the communication unit 39 via the data bus 35. The communication unit 39 transmits and receives information to and from the POS terminal 1 via the communication circuit 6. The control unit 300 is connected to the communication unit 40 via the data bus 35. The communication unit 40 transmits and receives information to and from the mobile terminal 5 via the communication circuit 4.

Next, the mobile terminal 5 will be explained. The portable terminal 5 is a terminal that a customer can carry with him, and includes a smart phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), and the like. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 5. As shown in fig. 4, the portable terminal 5 is a computer such as a CPU51, a ROM52, a RAM53, and a storage unit 54. The CPU51 is the control subject. The ROM52 stores various programs. The RAM53 develops various data. The storage unit 54 stores various programs. The CPU51, ROM52, RAM53, and storage section 54 are connected to each other by a data bus 55. The CPU51, ROM52, and RAM53 constitute a control section 500. That is, the controller 500 operates according to a control program stored in the ROM52 and the storage unit 54 and developed in the RAM53 by the CPU51, and executes control processing described later.

The RAM53 includes a commodity information unit 531. The product information unit 531 stores product information of a product with a barcode captured by the imaging unit 59 described later. The storage unit 54 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD or a flash memory that holds storage information even when the power supply is turned off, and includes a control program unit 541 that stores a control program. The control program section 541 stores application software downloaded from the server 3 in addition to the control program. The application software is actionable based on the control program. The control unit 500 operates in accordance with application software to execute control processing described later.

The control unit 500 is connected to the operation unit 57 and the display unit 58 via the data bus 55 and the processor 56. The operation unit 57 is a touch panel provided on the display unit 58. The operation unit 57 includes a start key 571, an end key 572, a registration end key 573, and a payment key 574. The display unit 58 displays various information.

The image pickup section 59 is a camera constituted by, for example, a CCD image sensor. The imaging unit 59 images a barcode attached to a commodity. The portable terminal 5 analyzes the picked-up barcode and acquires symbol information composed of numbers.

The control unit 500 is connected to the communication unit 60 and the communication unit 61 via the data bus 55. The communication unit 60 transmits and receives information to and from the POS terminal 1 via the communication circuit 2. The communication unit 61 transmits and receives information to and from the server 3 via the communication circuit 4.

The mobile terminal 5 may be a terminal owned by a customer. The mobile terminal 5 may be a terminal that is distributed to customers from the store side at the entrance of the store or the like and collected at the exit. The portable terminal 5 may be a terminal attachable to and detachable from a cart in which commodities are loaded or a cart on which a shopping basket in which commodities are loaded is placed.

When the mobile terminal 5 is owned by the customer, the application software is downloaded from the server 3 via the communication circuit 4. The customer starts the downloaded application software. When the mobile terminal 5 is assigned to the entrance of the store, the application software downloaded in advance is started.

By downloading application software (APP) from the mobile terminal 5, the operation unit 57 has functions of a start key 571, an end key 572, a registration end key 573, and a payment key 574.

The portable terminal 5 acquires symbol information based on the barcode attached to the commodity imaged by the imaging unit 59, and acquires a commodity code of a specified commodity based on the symbol information. Then, the mobile terminal 5 executes the sales registration process based on the acquired product code. In the sales registration process, the mobile terminal 5 stores the product information in the product information unit 531 (see fig. 4). Then, the portable terminal 5 creates and displays a two-dimensional code including a product code. The two-dimensional code includes information indicating that the payment key 574 has been operated and the counting operation has been performed. The two-dimensional code includes a terminal specification code for specifying the mobile terminal 5.

The control of the server 3, the mobile terminal 5, and the POS terminal 1 will be described. First, a control process of the server 3 will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of control processing of the server. As shown in fig. 5, the control unit 300 of the server 3 determines whether or not a request for downloading application software is received from the mobile terminal 5 (S11). When determining that the request for downloading the application software has been received (Yes at S11), the control unit 300 transmits the application software to the received mobile terminal 5 (S12). Then, the control unit 300 returns to S11.

When determining that the request for downloading the application software is not received from the mobile terminal 5 (No at S11), the control unit 300 determines whether or not the commodity information and the payment information are received from the POS terminal 1 (S13). When determining that the commodity information and the payment information are received from the POS terminal 1 (Yes at S13), the control unit 300 cumulatively stores the received commodity information and payment information (S14). The control unit 300 accumulates and stores commodity information and checkout information. Sales information of stores is managed. Then, the control unit 300 returns to S11. When determining that the commodity information and the payment information are not received from the POS terminal 1 (No at S13), the control unit 300 performs other processing (S15). Then, the control unit 300 returns to S11.

In this way, the server 3 transmits the application software in response to a request from the mobile terminal 5.

Next, a control process of the mobile terminal 5 will be described. The customer starts the application software downloaded to the portable terminal 5. Then, the customer picks up a barcode of a product to be purchased from among the products displayed in the store by the image pickup unit 59 of the portable terminal 5. The customer loads the imaged goods into a shopping basket held by the customer.

Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile terminal 5. The control unit 500 has functions as a product information acquisition unit (product information acquisition step) 501, a sales registration processing unit (sales registration processing step) 502, a symbol image display unit (symbol image display step) 503, a first determination unit (first determination step) 504, a transmission unit (transmission step) 505, a second determination unit (second determination step) 506, an error display unit (error display step) 507, and a message notification unit (message notification step) 508, according to a control program stored in the ROM52 or the control program unit 541 of the storage unit 54.

The product information acquisition unit 501 has a function of acquiring a product code of a specified product based on symbol information corresponding to a symbol imaged by the imaging unit 59.

The sales registration processing unit 502 has a function of executing sales registration processing of the product based on the product designation code acquired by the product information acquisition unit 501.

The symbol image display unit 503 has a function of displaying a symbol image including commodity code information of a commodity corresponding to a transaction that has been subjected to the sales registration processing by the sales registration processing unit on the display unit 58.

The first determination unit 504 has a function of determining whether or not the POS terminal 1 executes a checkout process based on the symbol image displayed on the display unit 58.

The transmission unit 505 has a function of transmitting an unpaid signal indicating that the checkout process is not executed in the transaction, on the condition that the first determination unit 504 determines that the first determination unit 504 does not execute the checkout process based on the symbol image.

The second determination unit 506 has a function of determining whether or not error information associated with weight verification in the POS terminal 1 based on the symbol image displayed on the display unit 58 is received.

The error display unit 507 has a function of displaying error information on the display unit 58 during the transaction when the second determination unit 506 determines that the error information has been received.

The message notification unit 508 has a function of notifying a message indicating that the received checkout has not been completed in response to the transmitted unpaid signal.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of control processing of the mobile terminal 5. As shown in fig. 7, the control unit 500 of the mobile terminal 5 determines whether the customer operates the start key 571 (S41). When determining that the start key 571 is operated (Yes at S41), the control unit 500 starts the application downloaded to the mobile terminal 5 (S42). Next, the control unit 500 determines whether or not the imaging unit 59 has imaged the barcode attached to the commodity (S51). When it is determined that the barcode attached to the commodity is captured (Yes at S51), the control unit 500 analyzes the captured barcode and inputs symbol information. Then, the control unit 500 acquires the product code corresponding to the inputted symbol information. Then, the control unit 500 transmits the product code to the POS terminal 1, and inquires about product information of the product specified by the acquired product code (S52). Next, the control unit 500 (product information acquisition unit 501) determines whether or not product information of the product specified by the transmitted product code is received from the POS terminal 1 (S53). Upon standing by before reception (No at S53), when determining that the product information is received from the POS terminal 1 (Yes at S53), the control unit 500 (sales registration processing unit 502) executes sales registration processing for storing the received product information in the product information unit 531 (S54). Then, the control unit 500 displays the received product information on the display unit 58 (S55). Then, the control unit 500 returns to S51.

Fig. 8 is an example of the screen of the display unit 58 for displaying the product information in S55. In fig. 8, the control unit 500 displays a logo or a store name 581 of the store, a message 582 to the customer who operates the mobile terminal 5, and product information 583 of the product that has been subjected to the sales registration processing on the display unit 58. The message 582 is a message urging the customer to align the purchased product with the image pickup section 59. Further, control unit 500 displays registration end key 584 on display unit 58. When the purchase of the product is completed by the portable terminal 5, the customer operates the registration completion key 584.

The explanation returns to fig. 7. On the other hand, if it is determined that the barcode attached to the commodity is not realized (No at S51), the control unit 500 determines whether or not the registration end key 573 is operated (S61). When determining that the registration end key 573 is operated (Yes at S61), the control unit 500 displays a checkout screen (S62).

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a checkout screen. In fig. 9, the control unit 500 displays a message 585 prompting the operation of a payment key (summary key) 586 and the payment key 586 in addition to the store logo, the store name 581, and the product information on the display unit 58. The payment key 586 is a key for ending purchase of an article and settling a transaction. The customer confirms the purchased goods and operates the payment key 586.

The explanation returns to fig. 7. Control unit 500 determines whether or not payment key 574 has been operated (S63). When the user waits until the operation (No in S63) and determines that the payment key 574 has been operated (Yes in S63), the control unit 500 creates a two-dimensional code (S64). The two-dimensional code includes a product code of product information of all the products stored in the product information unit 531, information indicating that the payment key 574 has been operated, and a terminal specification code for specifying the mobile terminal 5. Further, the control section 500 (symbol image display section 503) displays the two-dimensional code that has been created on the display section 58 in a size that can be imaged by the POS terminal 1 (S65).

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display displayed in S65, and in fig. 10, the control unit 500 displays a message 587 to the customer and the two-dimensional code 588 created in S64, in addition to the store logo, the store name 581, and the product information 583, on the display unit 58. The message 587 to the customer is a message urging the displayed two-dimensional code to be aligned with the symbol imaging unit 19 of the POS terminal 1. The customer aligns the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 58 with the symbol imaging unit 19.

The explanation returns to fig. 7. Next, the control unit 500 (first determination unit 504) determines whether or not checkout end information (described later in fig. 12) indicating that the checkout process has ended has been received from the POS terminal 1 (S66). When determining that the checkout end information has not been received (No at S66), the control unit 500 (transmission unit 505) transmits a checkout signal (S67).

The non-payment signal is a signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 5 when payment processing of the transaction is not completed in the POS terminal 1. For example, when a customer having a mobile terminal 5 that transmits an unpaid signal passes through a door that is at the exit of a store, the door transmits a message to the mobile terminal 5 indicating that checkout is not complete. The message is also a message indicating that the checkout is not complete. The mobile terminal 5 displays (notifies) the received message on the display unit 58. The door may be of an open-close type, and when the unpaid signal is received, the door may be closed to prevent the customer from going outside the store. In this way, the customer is prevented from moving out of the store without having settled.

The control unit 500 determines whether or not the slave door has received a message indicating that the checkout has not been completed (S72). When determining that the message indicating that the checkout has not been completed has been received (Yes at S72), the control unit 500 (message notification unit 508) displays (notifies) a message indicating that the checkout has not been completed on the display unit 58 (S73). Then, the control unit 500 returns to S66. On the other hand, if it is determined that the message indicating that the checkout has not been completed has not been received (No at S72), the control unit 500 returns to S66. In S72, the mobile terminal 5 may determine whether or not a message indicating that the checkout has not been completed has been received via the server 3. In S73, the control unit 500 may sound a buzzer sound to notify that the checkout is not completed. In S73, the control unit 500 may notify both the display of the display unit 58 and the sounding of the buzzer sound.

On the other hand, when determining that the checkout end information has been received (Yes at S66), the control unit 500 (second determination unit 506) determines whether or not error information relating to a weight check described later has been received from the POS terminal 1 (S68). If it is determined that the error information on the weight verification has not been received (No at S68), control unit 500 stops the unpaid signal transmitted at S67 (S69). Then, the control unit 500 returns to S41. At this time, the portable terminal 5 carried by the customer passing through the door is not caused to display the message. On the other hand, when it is determined that the error information on the weight verification has been received (Yes in S68), control unit 500 (error display unit 507) displays a message indicating that an error has occurred with respect to the weight verification on display unit 58 (70). Then, the control unit 500 determines whether the error is resolved (S71). When the error is determined to be released (Yes in S71), the control unit 500 returns to S41, while waiting until the error is released (No in S71). That is, upon receiving the error information of the result of the weight check in the POS terminal 1, the portable terminal 5 continues to transmit the unpaid signal, and the customer cannot go out of the store from the door.

In S61, if it is determined that the registration end key 573 has not been operated (No in S61), the controller 500 returns to S51. When it is determined in S41 that the start key 571 has not been operated (No in S41), the control unit 500 determines whether or not the end key 572 has been operated (S81). When determining that end key 572 is operated (Yes at S81), control unit 500 ends the application software started at S42 (S82). Then, the control unit 500 returns to S41. When determining that end key 572 has not been operated (No at S82), control unit 500 returns to S41.

Next, a control process of the POS terminal 1 will be described, and a customer places a shopping basket containing a commodity that has been subjected to a sales registration process in the mobile terminal 5 on the metering unit 21 of the POS terminal 1. The weighing unit 21 weighs the total weight of the commodities contained in the shopping basket. The customer aligns the two-dimensional code displayed on the mobile terminal 5 with the symbol imaging unit 19. The symbol imaging unit 19 images the aligned two-dimensional code.

Fig. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the POS terminal 1. The control unit 100 functions as the accounting unit 101 according to the control program stored in the ROM12 or the control program unit 141 of the storage unit 14.

The checkout unit 101 has a function of executing checkout processing of a commodity even if the checkout key 172 is not operated, on the condition that the symbol imaging unit 19 has imaged the two-dimensional code including the commodity code indicating the commodity subjected to the sales registration processing and the information indicating the counting operation.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of the POS terminal 1. As shown in fig. 12, the control unit 100 determines whether or not a barcode is captured by the symbol imaging unit 19 (S21). When it is determined that the barcode is imaged by the symbol imaging unit 19 (Yes in S21), the control unit 100 reads the product information of the product from the product master 142 based on the product code acquired in correspondence with the imaged barcode. Then, the control unit 100 executes the sales registration processing of the product based on the read product code (S22). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S21.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the barcode is not captured (No at S21), the control unit 100 determines whether or not an inquiry of the product information based on the product code is received from the portable terminal 5 (S23). When determining that the inquiry is received from the mobile terminal 5 (Yes at S23), the control unit 100 reads the product information corresponding to the product code from the product master 142 and transmits the read product information to the mobile terminal 5 having the inquiry (S24). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S21.

When determining that the inquiry is not received from the mobile terminal 5 (No at S23), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the symbol imaging unit 19 has imaged the two-dimensional code displayed on the mobile terminal 5 (S25). When it is determined that the two-dimensional code has been captured (Yes in S25), the control unit 100 analyzes all product codes included in the two-dimensional code. Then, the control unit 100 reads out the product information from the product master 142 based on the analyzed product code. Then, the control unit 100 displays the read commodity information on the display unit 18 (S26). The control unit 100 also stores the product information in the product information unit 131.

Next, the control unit 100 adds the weights of the products read from the product master 142, and calculates the total weight of all the products. Then, the control unit 100 compares the total weight of the product measured by the measuring unit 21 with the calculated total weight. If the weights match, the control unit 100 determines that the customer has no misbehavior. If the weights are not the same, the control unit determines that there is a possibility of improper behavior of the customer.

The control unit 100 determines whether the customer has improper behavior (S27). When it is determined that the customer has no misbehavior (Yes at S27), the control unit 100 (accounting unit 101) executes an accounting process based on the commodity information stored in the commodity information unit 131 (that is, the commodity information displayed on the display unit 18) (S30). That is, the control unit 100 executes the payment processing without operating the payment key 172 on the condition that the two-dimensional code including the information indicating the counting operation is captured. In this way, since the total operation is performed in the mobile terminal 5, the POS terminal 1 can omit the operation of the checkout key 172 again. Then, the control unit 100 transmits the payment completion information indicating that the payment has been completed to the portable terminal 5 specified by the terminal specifying code (S31). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S21. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a possibility of misbehavior of the customer (No at S27), the control unit 100 transmits error information related to the weight verification to the mobile terminal 5 based on the terminal specifying code included in the captured two-dimensional code (S28). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S21.

When it is determined that the two-dimensional code displayed on the mobile terminal 5 is not imaged (No at S25), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the billing key 172 is operated (S29). When determining that the checkout key 172 is operated (Yes at S29), the control unit 100 executes checkout processing based on the commodity information stored in the commodity information unit 131 (S32). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S21. If it is determined that the checkout key 172 is not operated (No at S29), the control unit 100 returns to S21.

According to such an embodiment, since the two-dimensional code is displayed on the portable terminal 5 for the product code of the product to be paid out at the POS terminal 1, the payment processing at the POS terminal 1 can be smoothly performed. Therefore, the processing function of the commodity information processing device can be improved, and the waiting time of the customer in a line for checkout at the POS terminal can be reduced.

Further, the POS terminal 1 images the two-dimensional code displayed on the mobile terminal 5, and executes a settlement process. Therefore, the waiting time of the customer in line for checkout at the POS terminal can be reduced.

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 may be embodied in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the scope of claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

For example, in the embodiment, information indicating that the aggregation operation is performed is included in the two-dimensional code. However, the two-dimensional code may not include information indicating that the counting operation is performed. At this time, in the POS terminal 1 that imaged the two-dimensional code, the payment processing is executed based on the operation of the payment key 172.

In the embodiment, the barcode is picked up by the image pickup unit 59 of the portable terminal 5 and symbol information is input. However, the symbol information indicated at the lower position of the barcode may be input by the key of the operation unit 57 of the mobile terminal 5.

Further, in the embodiment, the server that transmits the application software to the portable terminal 5 and the server that collects the sales information from the POS terminal 1 are regarded as the same server 3. However, the server that transmits the application software to the mobile terminal 5 and the server that collects the sales information from the POS terminal 1 may be separate servers.

The program executed in the mobile terminal 5 of the embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format, and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory), a Flexible Disk (FD), a CD-R (compact disk-Recordable), or a DVD (digital versatile disk).

The program executed in the mobile terminal 5 of the embodiment may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed in the portable terminal 5 of the embodiment may also be provided or distributed through a network via the internet or the like.

The program executed in the mobile terminal 5 of the embodiment may be provided by being installed in advance in a ROM or the like.

In the present invention, there is provided a terminal device including: the control method comprises a processor, a memory, an interface and a bus, wherein the processor, the memory and the interface complete mutual communication through the bus, and the memory stores at least one executable instruction which enables the processor to execute the corresponding operation of the control method. In this way, it is possible to realize a function of reducing the waiting time in which the customer waits for the checkout at the POS terminal.

One or more embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium on which commands or instructions such as program modules executed by a computer are recorded. The computer readable recording medium may be any medium that can be accessed by the computer, such as volatile media and the like. Also, the computer readable recording medium may be a computer storage medium or a communication medium that may be any information transmission medium.

A computer-readable recording medium of the present invention stores a program that causes a computer to function as: a commodity information acquisition unit configured to acquire commodity specifying information specifying a commodity based on the symbol information input from the input unit; a sales registration processing unit that executes a sales registration process for the commodity based on the commodity specifying information acquired by the commodity information acquisition unit; and a symbol image display unit that displays a symbol image including the commodity specifying information of the commodity corresponding to the transaction that has been subjected to the sales registration processing by the sales registration processing unit.