JP7315020B2 - Management server, management system, control method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to updating member information.

2. Description of the Related Art As a product sales system for a customer who visits a store to purchase products, a system is known in which a customer uses a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the customer to read the barcode of the product, register the product, and settle the account. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a self-shopping system including a mobile terminal that acquires product information of a product to be purchased and transmits settlement information including all the acquired product information to a management server, and a management server that generates and outputs sorted detail information in which each product name is listed in descending order of price based on the product information included in the settlement information.

In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a payment server device that determines whether or not there is a problem related to updating processing of amount information stored in a storage medium based on history information of amount information acquired from a storage medium that performs contactless communication with a user terminal device in payment for digital content or the like.

JP 2013-41354 A JP 2018-110024 A

In a system in which a customer uses a mobile terminal to read the bar code of the product, register the product, and settle the account, if the application that controls the mobile terminal used by the customer is forcibly terminated for some reason before the payment is made, it is necessary to re-register the product. Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 do not disclose any processing when the application of the mobile terminal ends before payment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a management server, a management system, a control method, and a storage medium that enable smooth resumption of shopping even if the application of a mobile terminal used for shopping ends for some reason before payment.

One aspect of the management server includes receiving means for receiving product identification information from a portable terminal used by a customer;quotientgenerating means for generating a purchase product list that is a list of items; holding means for holding the purchase product list until restarting of the application is detected when termination of an application that controls transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchase product list in the portable terminal is detected while the purchase product list is in an unsettled state;a notification means for notifying the mobile terminal of non-payment at predetermined time intervals until restarting of the application is detected after termination of the application is detected;and transmitting means for transmitting information regarding the purchase product list to the portable terminal after restarting the application.

One aspect of the control method is a control method executed by a management server, in which product identification information is received from a mobile terminal used by a customer, and based on the product identification information, the customer plans to purchase a product.quotientgenerating a purchased product list that is a list of products, and detecting termination of an application that controls transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchased product list on the mobile terminal while the purchased product list is in an unsettled state, holding the purchased product list until restarting of the application is detected;Notifying the portable terminal about unsettlement at predetermined time intervals after detecting the end of the application until restarting the application is detected,After restarting the application, information about the purchase product list is transmitted to the portable terminal.

One aspect of the program includes receiving means for receiving product identification information from a portable terminal used by a customer;quotientgeneration means for generating a purchase product list that is a list of items; holding means for holding the purchase product list until restarting of the application is detected when termination of an application that controls transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchase product list in the mobile terminal is detected while the purchase product list is in an unsettled state;a notification means for notifying the mobile terminal of non-payment at predetermined time intervals until restarting of the application is detected after termination of the application is detected;The program causes a computer to function as transmission means for transmitting information regarding the purchase product list to the portable terminal after restarting the application.

According to the present invention, even if the application of the mobile terminal used for shopping is terminated for some reason before payment, the customer can smoothly resume shopping.

1 shows the configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment; 1 shows a schematic configuration of a POS server; 1 shows a schematic configuration of a management server; 1 shows a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal; 1 shows a schematic configuration of a member server; A schematic configuration of the accounting machine is shown. It is a flow chart of product purchase processing. It is a flow chart of entering processing. It is a flow chart of product selection processing. It is an example of a display of a purchase goods list screen. It is a flow chart of accounting processing. It is a display example of a payment method selection screen. It is an example of the display screen of the accounting machine. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the procedure of unsettlement processing. It is an example of the display screen of the mobile terminal when the dedicated application is stopped. It is an example of the display screen of the mobile terminal after restarting the dedicated application. It is an example of a display screen of a mobile terminal when an abnormal state in unsettled is detected. It is an example of a display screen displayed by a mobile terminal when performing electronic commerce using a dedicated application. 4 shows a schematic configuration of a management server according to a second embodiment;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
(1) Configuration of management system
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a management system 100 according to this embodiment. The management system 100 mainly includes a POS server 1 , a management server 2 , a mobile terminal 3 , a member server 4 and an accounting machine 5 . In the management system 100, the customer using the portable terminal 3 registers the product to be purchased (also called "purchased product") by reading the product barcode 7 attached to the product in the store 8 where the product is sold, and settles the account using the accounting machine 5 in the store 8 or by electronic payment.

The POS server 1 is a server that manages various sales information such as product information including prices and inventory statuses of products sold at the store 8 and sales information of the store 8 . The POS server 1 can communicate with the management server 2 and the accounting machine 5 via a network or the like. The POS server 1 may collectively manage the sales information of a plurality of affiliated stores, or may exist for each store and manage only the sales information of that store.

The management server 2 is a server device that controls the mobile terminal 3 and the accounting machine 5, and can communicate with the mobile terminal 3, the member server 4, and the accounting machine 5 via a network or the like. The management server 2 acquires information necessary for display control of the portable terminal 3 from the POS server 1 and stores the information. The management server 2 transmits display information for the mobile terminal 3 to display various screens to the mobile terminal 3 . The various screens described above include a screen (also referred to as a "purchased product list screen") that displays a list of purchased products (referred to as a "purchased product list") registered by the mobile terminal 3 reading the product barcode 7 together with the selling price. The management server 2 also acquires information about members from the member server 4 and transmits information to the member server 4 for updating information stored in the member server 4 .

Note that the management server 2 may be composed of a plurality of server devices. For example, the management server 2 may be composed of a server device that mainly performs interface operations with the mobile terminal 3 such as exchanging data with the mobile terminal 3, and a server device that stores and manages various information such as information obtained from the POS server 1 and a list of purchased products. In this case, the former server device functions as a so-called application server, and the latter server device functions as a so-called database server. In this case, these server devices send and receive information necessary for executing their assigned processes via a network or the like.

The mobile terminal 3 is a mobile terminal used by customers who shop at the store 8, and has a function of reading the product bar code 7 attached to the product, and a function of acquiring and displaying various screens such as a purchased product list screen by communicating with the management server 2. Although only one mobile terminal 3 is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience of explanation, there are actually as many mobile terminals as the number of customers who have entered the store 8 .

The member server 4 stores information on members and information on member cards to be issued to members. The member server 4 can communicate with the management server 2 via a network or the like. Note that the management server 2 may function as the member server 4 . In this case, the management server 2 stores information about members and membership cards that the member server 4 stores.

The checkout machine 5 is a checkout machine (so-called self checkout machine) for the customer to pay using the mobile terminal 3 . The accounting machine 5 can communicate with the management server 2 and exchanges various information necessary for settlement with the management server 2 and, if necessary, the POS server 1 . The checkout machine 5 includes a bar code reader 56 for reading a checkout bar code, which will be described later, from the customer's portable terminal 3, and a light 57 for calling a clerk.

(2) Device configuration
Next, configurations of the POS server 1, the management server 2, the mobile terminal 3, the member server 4, and the checkout machine 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG.

(2-1) POS Server FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the POS server 1. As shown in FIG. The POS server 1 mainly includes a storage unit 13 , a communication unit 14 that performs data communication, and a control unit 15 . These elements are interconnected by bus lines 10 .

The storage unit 13 is configured by a memory such as a hard disk or flash memory. The storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the control unit 15 and information necessary for executing a predetermined process by the control unit 15 executing the program. In this embodiment, the storage unit 13 includes selling price change information 17, product information DB (Database) 18, and sales information 19, which is information on product sales. Note that the storage unit 13 may store various information related to sales other than the selling price change information 17, the product information DB 18, and the sales information 19. FIG.

The product information DB 18 is a database of information on products handled by the store 8 or affiliated stores including the store 8 . The product information DB 18 includes, for example, product prices, information for identifying products such as JAN (Japanese Article Number) codes (also referred to as “product identification information”), product classification information, product inventory status, and various other types of information.

The selling price change information 17 is information on changing the selling price. Specifically, the selling price change information 17 includes at least one of arbitrary discount information or discount information such as classification discount information, bundle discount information, set discount information, total discount information, classification discount information, bundle discount information, set discount information, and total discount information.

The control unit 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the POS server 1 . For example, the control unit 15 updates the sales information 19 by communicating with the accounting machine 5 via the communication unit 14 . In addition, the control unit 15 communicates with the management server 2 via the communication unit 14 to transmit the selling price change information 17 and information on the product information DB 18 to the management server 2 .

(2-2) Management Server FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the management server 2. As shown in FIG. The management server 2 mainly includes a storage section 23 , a communication section 24 and a control section 25 . These elements are interconnected via bus lines 20 .

The storage unit 23 is configured by a memory such as a hard disk or flash memory. The storage unit 23 stores a program executed by the control unit 25 and information necessary for executing a predetermined process by the control unit 25 executing the program. In this embodiment, the storage unit 23 stores selling price change information 27 , product information DB 28 , and purchased product list DB 29 .

The selling price change information 27 is, like the selling price change information 17, information relating to discounts or changes in selling prices due to discounts. The selling price change information 27 is updated periodically or irregularly so as to synchronize with the selling price change information 17 stored in the POS server 1 under the control of the control unit 25 . Like the product information DB 18, the product information DB 28 is a database of product-related information. The product information DB 28 is updated periodically or irregularly so as to synchronize with the product information DB 18 stored in the POS server 1 under the control of the control unit 25 .

The purchased product list DB 29 is a database of the unsettled purchased product list for each mobile terminal 3 of the customer who is shopping at the store 8 . The purchase product list is, for example, a list containing product identification information indicating products to be purchased (that is, unsettled) and the planned purchase quantity of the products, and is associated with information identifying the mobile terminal 3 or the customer using the mobile terminal 3 (also referred to as "customer identification information"). The customer identification information may be any information that can uniquely identify the customer, and may be the card number of the membership card given to the target customer, the identification information of the dedicated application described later, or the information that identifies the mobile terminal 3. The purchase product list is updated each time the purchase product is added, deleted, or changed in quantity based on the operation of the mobile terminal 3 .

The storage unit 23 also stores position information represented by absolute coordinates for specifying the area of the store 8 (specifically, the area where shopping is performed at the store 8). This position information is used to determine whether or not the portable terminal 3 has left the store 8, as will be described later.

The communication unit 24 communicates with the POS server 1, the mobile terminal 3, and the accounting machine 5 through wired or wireless communication. The control unit 25 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component within the management server 2 . Processing executed by the control unit 25 will be described later.

(2-3) Mobile Terminal FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 3 . The mobile terminal 3 mainly includes a display section 31 , an input section 32 , a storage section 33 , a communication section 34 , a control section 35 and a reading section 36 . These elements are interconnected via bus lines 30 .

Under the control of the control unit 35, the display unit 31 displays various types of information such as a purchase product list and accounting bar code. The input unit 32 is an interface that receives user input, and corresponds to, for example, a touch panel, buttons, voice input device, and the like.

The storage unit 33 is configured by a memory such as a hard disk or flash memory. The storage unit 33 stores a program executed by the control unit 35 and information necessary for executing a predetermined process by the control unit 35 executing the program. For example, the storage unit 33 stores an application program (hereinafter also referred to as a “dedicated application”) provided by the store 8 or a company (organization) that manages the store 8 . The dedicated application is activated when shopping at the store 8, and controls the display of various screens such as the purchased product list screen.

The communication unit 34 communicates with the management server 2 by wireless communication. The control unit 35 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the mobile terminal 3 . The control unit 35 controls the display unit 31, the communication unit 34, the reading unit 36, etc., and functions as an "acquisition unit", a "transmission unit", and a "display control unit". The control executed by the control unit 35 will be described later.

The reading unit 36 is an optical device such as a camera, reads the product bar code 7 attached to the product, and supplies the read information to the control unit 35 . In this embodiment, the control unit 35 acquires product identification information such as a JAN code from the product barcode 7 attached to the product based on information output by the reading unit 36 .

(2-4) Member Server FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the member server 4. As shown in FIG. The member server 4 mainly includes a storage unit 43 , a communication unit 44 and a control unit 45 . These elements are interconnected via bus lines 40 .

The storage unit 43 is configured by a memory such as a hard disk or flash memory. The storage unit 43 stores a program executed by the control unit 45 and information necessary for executing a predetermined process by the control unit 45 executing the program. In this embodiment, the storage unit 43 mainly stores a member information DB 47 and a card information DB 48 .

The member information DB 47 is a database of member information, which is information for each member who has completed membership procedures. Member information includes, for example, general attribute information such as name, gender, date of birth, and member-specific attribute information such as card number, member rank, and accumulated points. The card number is the identification number of the membership card, and the membership card is, for example, a point card given by applying for membership at a counter or the like provided in the store 8 . In order to issue a membership card, the applicant is required to fill in an application form in which personal information such as name, for example, is entered. A card number assigned to the card and a personal identification number (PIN code) for determining validity of the card number are printed on the membership card. There are primary members who are ordinary members who are not subordinate to other members, and family members who are subordinate to the primary member, and membership cards include primary membership cards given to primary members and family cards given to family members. The main member and the family member share points given according to shopping and the like.

The card information DB 48 is a database related to membership cards. For example, the card information DB 48 contains a combination of a card number assigned to an issueable membership card and a personal identification number for authenticating the validity of the card number. The card information DB 48 also contains information on the validity of each membership card. In addition, the card number of the family card that can be issued is associated with the card number of the primary membership card that shares points with the family card.

The purchase history DB 49 is a database of purchase history information generated based on a purchased product list for which payment has been made. The purchase history information is generated for each list of purchased products for which payment has been made, and is associated with the list of purchased products for which payment has been made, information on the customer (for example, customer identification information), and information on payment. Information related to payment includes, for example, information such as the date and time of payment, the store where payment was made, the price of the product at the time of payment, and the total amount. The purchase history DB 49 may be held by the management server 2 instead of the member server 4 .

The communication unit 44 communicates with the management server 2 and the like through wired or wireless communication. The control unit 45 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component within the member server 4 .

(2-5) Accounting Machine FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the accounting machine 5. As shown in FIG. The accounting machine 5 mainly includes a display section 51 , an input section 52 , a storage section 53 , a communication section 54 , a control section 55 , a barcode reader 56 , a light 57 and a speaker 58 . These elements are interconnected via bus lines 50 .

The display unit 51 displays various information such as a payment method selection screen and an end screen under the control of the control unit 55 . The input unit 52 is an interface that receives customer input, and corresponds to, for example, a touch panel and buttons.

The storage unit 53 is configured by a memory such as a hard disk or flash memory. The storage unit 53 stores programs executed by the control unit 55 and information necessary for executing predetermined processing by the control unit 55 executing the programs. For example, the storage unit 53 stores a dedicated application program that operates when a customer pays and performs accounting processing.

The control unit 55 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the accounting machine 5 . The control executed by the control unit 55 will be described later. The barcode reader 56 reads the accounting barcode displayed on the customer's portable terminal 3 at the time of accounting, and supplies the read information to the control unit 55 . The light 57 is turned on when there is a problem with the checkout machine 5 or when calling a clerk. A speaker 58 outputs an operation sound, a voice message, or the like for calling attention as necessary.

(3) Merchandise purchase processing
Next, an overview of product purchase processing by the management system 100 will be described. Product purchase processing is processing in which a customer purchases a product using the mobile terminal 3 at the store 8 . FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of product purchase processing. The product purchase process is roughly divided into a store entry process S100, a product selection process S200, and a checkout process S300. The product purchase process is realized mainly by the management server 2, the mobile terminal 3, and the accounting machine 5 executing programs prepared in advance.

(3-1) Store entry processing First, store entry processing will be described. The store entry process is a process performed prior to the purchase of the product when the customer enters the store 8, and corresponds to preparation for the purchase of the product. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of store entry processing. This processing is performed by the mobile terminal 3 and the management server 2 .

First, when the customer enters the store 8, the customer uses the portable terminal 3 to read the store bar code (step S101). The shop barcode is pasted on a predetermined place in the shop 8, for example, on a wall near the entrance of the shop or on a card used for shopping. When the customer reads the store barcode, the portable terminal 3 acquires the store ID from the read store barcode and transmits it to the management server (step S102). When transmitting the store ID, the mobile terminal 3 also transmits customer identification information for identifying the customer who uses the mobile terminal 3 or the mobile terminal 3 . It should be noted that, even in the product selection process and accounting process described below, basically when the portable terminal 3 transmits some information to the management server 2, it also transmits customer identification information for identifying itself.

The management server 2 receives the store ID from the mobile terminal 3 and acquires the sales price list of the store from the product information DB 28 (step S104). This is because the selling price of the product differs from store to store. Then, the management server 2 transmits store information including the store name and sale information of the store to the mobile terminal 3 (step S105), and the mobile terminal 3 receives the store information (step S106). As a result, the current store name and sale information of the store are displayed on the display unit 31 of the portable terminal 3, and the customer can start shopping. The store information transmitted by the management server 2 includes information indicating the customer's transaction status at the store, and when the customer starts shopping at the store, the transaction status is new. On the other hand, if the customer stops shopping at the store for some reason, the purchase product list screen corresponding to the transaction status up to that point is displayed on the portable terminal 3 .

(3-2) Product Selection Processing Next, product selection processing will be described. The product selection process is a process in which the customer uses the portable terminal 3 to read the product barcode attached to the product and registers the product in the purchase product list. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of product selection processing. This processing is executed by the mobile terminal 3 and the management server 2 .

First, when the customer finds a product that the customer wants to purchase, the customer sets the mobile terminal 3 to the product reading mode, and reads the product barcode attached to the product with the mobile terminal 3 (step S201: Yes). The portable terminal 3 transmits the product identification information of the read product to the management server 2 (step S202). At this time, the product quantity is automatically set to "1". When the management server 2 receives the product identification information from the mobile terminal 3 (step S203), it updates the purchase product list and transmits it to the mobile terminal 3 (step S204). The portable terminal 3 receives the updated purchase product list and displays it on the display unit 31 (step S205). As a result, the newly added product and its quantity are added to the purchase product list and displayed on the portable terminal 3. - 特許庁

Next, when the customer operates the mobile terminal 3 to change the product quantity as necessary, the mobile terminal 3 acquires the changed quantity (step S206: Yes). When the commodity bar code is first read, the quantity of the commodity is automatically set to "1", but when the customer purchases a plurality of the same commodity, the quantity can be changed by operating the mobile terminal 3. When the quantity after change is set, the portable terminal 3 transmits the product identification information of the product to be changed and the quantity after change to the management server 2 (step S207).

When the management server 2 receives the product identification information and the changed quantity from the mobile terminal 3 (step S208), it updates the purchase product list and transmits it to the mobile terminal 3 (step S209). The portable terminal 3 receives the updated purchase product list and displays it on the display unit 31 (step S210). As a result, the quantity change is reflected in the purchase product list.

Next, the mobile terminal 3 determines whether or not the customer has pressed the payment button (step S211). The payment button is a button that the customer presses when finishing shopping. If the payment button has not been pressed (step S211: No), the process returns to step S201. Thus, the customer can add items, change quantities, and continue shopping until the payment button is pressed. When the payment button is pressed (step S211: Yes), the product selection process ends.

FIG. 10 shows a display example of a purchase product list screen displayed on the mobile terminal 3. As shown in FIG. In this example, the purchased product list screen has a read product button 90, a list display field 91, a subtotal display field 92, a total amount display field 93, a home screen transition button 94, a payment button 95, and a transaction stop button 96.

When the mobile terminal 3 detects that the read product button 90 has been selected by a tap operation or the like, the mobile terminal 3 switches the display of the display unit 31 to the read product screen. On the product reading screen, the portable terminal 3 displays an image or the like obtained from the activated reading unit 36 . As a result, the customer can read the product barcode 7 by moving the product or the portable terminal 3 so that the product barcode 7 is positioned within the reading range of the reading unit 36 .

The list display field 91 displays the name, quantity, and price of each purchased product. Also, a quantity decrease button 97 and a quantity increase button 98 are displayed for each purchased item in the list display field 91 . Then, when the mobile terminal 3 accepts a change in the quantity of the purchased product by pressing the quantity decrease button 97 or the quantity increase button 98, it transmits, for example, the product identification information of the purchased product whose quantity has been changed and the changed quantity to the management server 2.例文帳に追加

The subtotal display field 92 displays a subtotal of sales prices excluding tax for all products in the purchased product list, and the total display field 93 displays the total sales price including tax for all products in the purchased product list. The management server 2 calculates these subtotals or total amounts based on the prices of purchased products registered in the product information DB 28, specifically, based on the sales price list of the store acquired by the store entry process.

When detecting that the home screen transition button 94 has been selected, the mobile terminal 3 transmits a home screen display request to the management server 2, and displays a predetermined home screen based on the display information received as a response. The home screen may display information on discounts and discounts at the store 8, registered information of the customer of the portable terminal 3, and the like.

When the mobile terminal 3 detects that the payment button 95 has been selected, it transmits an accounting request to the management server 2, and displays a payment screen including an accounting bar code screen, which will be described later, based on the display information received as a response. Further, when detecting that the transaction abort button 96 has been selected, the mobile terminal 3 transmits information for notifying the transaction abort to the management server 2 . In this case, the management server 2 deletes the purchase product list corresponding to the mobile terminal 3 .

(3-3) Accounting processing Next, accounting processing will be described. The accounting process is the process of paying for the product selected by the customer through the product selection process. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of accounting processing. This processing is executed by the mobile terminal 3, the management server 2, and the accounting machine 5. FIG.

First, when the payment button 95 described above is pressed, the mobile terminal 3 transmits an accounting request to the management server 2 (step S301). When the management server 2 receives the accounting request (step S302), it calculates the payment amount based on the purchased product list at that time (step S303). Furthermore, the management server 2 generates an accounting barcode (step S304). The accounting barcode is information that uniquely identifies the purchase indicated by the current purchase product list. In one example, the checkout barcode may be a random code or the like that is uniquely associated with the current purchase. In this case, the accounting barcode has a meaning as a payment information inquiry number. The management server 2 transmits a payment screen including the payment amount calculated in step S303 and the accounting barcode generated in step S304 to the mobile terminal 3 (step S305).

The mobile terminal 3 displays the received payment screen on the display unit 31 . FIG. 12 is a display example of a payment screen. In this example, the payment screen includes an accounting barcode 37, a total amount field 38, and a Done button 39. The customer moves to the checkout machine 5 with the portable terminal 3 on which the payment screen is displayed, and reads the checkout bar code with the bar code reader 56 (step S307). The checkout machine 5 displays a payment method selection screen based on the read checkout bar code (step S308). Specifically, the accounting machine 5 transmits the inquiry number indicated by the accounting barcode to the management server 2 and acquires the payment information. The payment information includes details such as the total amount and the IDs and quantities of all the products included in the purchase product list. The accounting machine 5 displays a payment method selection screen based on the acquired payment information.

FIG. 13A shows a display example of the payment method selection screen. The payment method selection screen includes a total amount column 61 , a cash button 62 and a credit button 63 . The customer checks the payment amount by looking at the payment method selection screen, and presses either the cash button 62 or the credit button 63 to make the payment. As a result, the purchase price is settled (step S309). Specifically, when the customer chooses to pay in cash, the accounting machine 5 prompts the customer to insert cash into the cash slot, and when the cash is inserted, the customer pays change as required. If the customer chooses to pay by credit card, the accounting machine 5 prompts the customer to insert the card and, if necessary, prompts the input of the personal identification number, etc., and performs the credit settlement.

When the payment is completed, the checkout machine 5 displays a checkout end screen. FIG. 13B shows a display example of the accounting end screen. In this example, the accounting end screen includes a payment information column 64 , a receipt button 65 and an end button 66 . FIG. 13B shows an example in which the customer selects credit card payment, and the payment information column 64 displays information such as the payment amount and payment method. The receipt button 65 is a button for printing out a receipt. The end button 66 is a button for confirming that the customer has completed the accounting process. When the customer presses the end button 66, the accounting machine 5 reports to the management server 2 that the payment has been completed, and returns the display on the display section 51 to the main menu. A completion button 39 is also displayed on the payment screen shown in FIG. 12, and the customer presses the completion button 39 on the payment screen when the accounting processing is completed. When the completion button 39 is pressed, the portable terminal 3 reports to the management server 2 that the payment has been completed, and returns the display section 31 to the main menu.

In the above example, the accounting bar code is simply an inquiry number for payment information, and accounting machine 5 obtains payment information from management server 2 using this inquiry number. Alternatively, the accounting barcode may contain the payment information. That is, the management server 2 generates an accounting bar code based on the contents of the purchased product list at that time, using information on the total amount and details of the purchased products. In this case, the accounting machine 5 can acquire the payment information by reading and decoding the accounting bar code, so there is no need to communicate with the management server 2 to acquire the payment information. That is, the accounting machine 5 may extract the total amount from the read accounting bar code and display the payment method selection screen.

(4) Unsettled processing
Next, unsettled processing, which is processing performed by the management server 2 when an abnormality occurs when there is an unsettled purchased product list, will be described.

(4-1) Overview
When the management server 2 detects the end of the exclusive application of the mobile terminal 3 used by the customer in which the unsettled purchased merchandise list exists, the management server 2 holds the purchased merchandise list without erasing it from the purchased merchandise list DB 29.例文帳に追加Then, when the management server 2 detects the restart of the dedicated application on the target portable terminal 3, the management server 2 transmits the retained information of the unsettled purchased commodity list to the portable terminal 3, thereby displaying the purchased commodity list immediately before the end of the dedicated application on the portable terminal 3. - 特許庁By doing so, even if the dedicated application is terminated for some reason during shopping, the management server 2 can allow the customer to smoothly resume shopping by restarting the dedicated application.

In addition, when the dedicated application is ended in a state in which an unsettled purchased merchandise list exists, the management server 2 causes the mobile terminal 3 to output a notification to the effect that the unsettled purchased merchandise list exists at predetermined time intervals until the dedicated application is restarted. As a result, the management server 2 can notify the customer of the existence of the unsettled purchase item list, and favorably prompt the customer to resume shopping and make the settlement.

When the unsettled purchased merchandise list is not updated for a predetermined time or longer, or when it is detected that the portable terminal 3 has left the store 8 while the unsettled purchased merchandise list exists, the management server 2 outputs a notification regarding the unsettled purchased merchandise list to the portable terminal 3. - 特許庁In this way, the management server 2 can output a notification to the portable terminal 3 when detecting an abnormal state in unsettled.

(4-2) Processing Flow FIG. 14 is an example of a flow chart showing the procedure of unsettlement processing executed by the management server 2 . For example, the management server 2 executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 for each customer who has not completed payment after executing the store entry processing shown in FIG. For convenience of explanation, the unsettled processing shown in FIG. 14 includes the processing executed by the management server 2 in the product selection processing shown in FIG.

First, the mobile terminal 3 used by the customer activates the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 to establish communication with the management server 2, and then performs the processing of the flow chart of the entering processing shown in FIG. Then, when the customer finds the product he or she wants to purchase, the customer puts the portable terminal 3 into a product reading mode, and reads the product bar code attached to the product with the portable terminal 3 . The mobile terminal 3 transmits the product identification information of the read product to the management server 2 .

Then, the management server 2 determines whether or not the product identification information has been received from the mobile terminal 3 (step S401). Then, when the management server 2 receives the product identification information from the mobile terminal 3 (step S401; Yes), it updates the purchased product list and transmits the updated purchased product list to the mobile terminal 3 (step S402). Here, when the purchase merchandise list for the target customer is not registered in the purchase merchandise list DB 29, the management server 2 registers the purchase merchandise list having the received merchandise identification information as an element in the purchase merchandise list DB 29 in association with the customer identification information of the target customer. If the management server 2 receives information about the quantity to be changed together with the product identification information from the mobile terminal 3 in step S401, it changes the product quantity indicated by the designated product identification information in step S402. The processing of step S401 corresponds to the processing of steps S203 and S208 of the product selection processing shown in FIG. 9, and the processing of step S402 corresponds to the processing of steps S204 and S209.

Next, the management server 2 determines whether or not the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 has ended (step S403). For example, when the communication connection established with the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 is disconnected, the management server 2 determines that the dedicated application has ended. In another example, the management server 2 determines that the dedicated application has ended when information transmitted from the mobile terminal 3 is no longer received while the dedicated application is running. The termination of the dedicated application includes, for example, termination due to the customer's operation on the mobile terminal 3, as well as forcible termination due to interruption of another application on the mobile terminal 3 (for example, incoming call) or freezing of the dedicated application. Examples of the termination of the dedicated application due to the customer's operation on the mobile terminal 3 include, for example, termination of the dedicated application due to an erroneous operation, temporary leaving of the shopping basket at the service counter of the store 8 due to urgent business, temporary termination of the dedicated application, and the customer leaving the store 8.

Then, when the management server 2 determines that the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 has ended (step S403; Yes), it continues to hold the purchase product list of the target customer for which payment has not yet been made (step S404). Specifically, the management server 2 continues to store the target customer's purchased product list in the purchased product list DB 29 without deleting it from the purchased product list DB 29 . In this case, for example, the management server 2 may add flag information or the like indicating that the dedicated application has ended to the purchase product list of the target customer.

Then, the management server 2 causes the mobile terminal 3 to output notifications at predetermined time intervals until the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 used by the target customer is restarted (step S405). The predetermined time interval described above is, for example, a predetermined time interval and is stored in the storage unit 23 or the like. In step S405, for example, the management server 2 transmits to the portable terminal 3 notification information indicating that there is an unsettled purchased product list, and displays the notification information on the screen of the portable terminal 3 using the push notification function. As a result, the management server 2 can continuously make the customer using the portable terminal 3 aware of the existence of the purchase item list for which payment has not yet been made.

Then, the management server 2 determines whether or not the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 used by the target customer has been restarted (step S406). For example, when the management server 2 re-establishes communication with the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 used by the target customer, or receives predetermined information transmitted while the dedicated application is in operation, the management server 2 determines that the dedicated application of the target mobile terminal 3 has been restarted. Then, if the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 has not been restarted (step S406; No), the management server 2 continues the processing of steps S404 and S405.

On the other hand, when the management server 2 detects that the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 used by the target customer has been restarted (step S406; Yes), the management server 2 transmits the purchase product list corresponding to the target customer to the target mobile terminal 3 (step S407). In this case, the management server 2 extracts the purchased product list linked to the customer identification information of the target customer from the purchased product list DB 29 and transmits the information of the purchased product list to the target mobile terminal 3 . In this case, the portable terminal 3 displays the purchased product list screen on the dedicated application based on the purchased product list information received from the management server 2 . As a result, even if the dedicated application is terminated for some reason during shopping, the customer can continue shopping in the state immediately before the termination of the dedicated application by restarting the dedicated application. That is, in this case, the customer does not need to read the product bar code of the product placed in the shopping cart again before the dedicated application is terminated.

After detecting the restart of the dedicated application, the management server 2 may allow the customer of the mobile terminal 3 to select whether or not to continue shopping using the purchased product list immediately before the termination of the dedicated application. In this case, the management server 2 transmits the purchased product list in step S407 when the customer selects to continue shopping using the purchased product list immediately before the end of the dedicated application. A specific example of this will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 has not ended (step S403; No), the management server 2 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time or more has elapsed since the last update of the purchase product list (step S408). That is, the management server 2 determines whether or not the processing of step S402 has been performed within a predetermined time. The above-mentioned predetermined time is determined in advance, for example, in consideration of the average time interval at which products are placed in the product basket in shopping.

Then, if a predetermined period of time or more has passed since the previous purchase item list was updated (step S408; Yes), the management server 2 causes the mobile terminal 3 to output a notification to the effect that there is an unsettled purchase item list (step S409). As a result, the management server 2 appropriately notifies the customer of the existence of the purchase product list left unsettled and prompts the customer to complete the settlement.

On the other hand, if the predetermined time or more has not passed since the previous purchase product list was updated (step S408; No), the management server 2 determines whether or not the portable terminal 3 has left the store 8 (step S410). In this case, for example, the management server 2 acquires location information transmitted from the mobile terminal 3 and determines whether or not the location indicated by the location information is within the area of the store 8 . The position information described above may be position information based on GPS radio waves, position information based on radio waves of a beacon terminal, or position information based on radio waves of a wireless LAN. Note that the location information indicating the area of the store 8 is stored in the storage unit 23 in advance, for example.

When the management server 2 determines that the mobile terminal 3 has left the store 8 (step S410; Yes), the management server 2 causes the mobile terminal 3 to output a notification to the effect that there is an unsettled purchased product list (step S409). As a result, the management server 2 can favorably prompt the customer to complete the payment for the unsettled purchase product list.

In this case, the management server 2 may transmit information to the terminal used by the store clerk at the store 8 to notify that the customer whose purchase item list has not been settled has left the store 8 . In other words, the management server 2 may notify the terminal used by the shop clerk of the store 8 of the presence of the mobile terminal 3 that has left the store 8 . In this case, the management server 2 may include the member information recorded in the record of the member information DB 47 corresponding to the target customer in the information transmitted to the terminal used by the store clerk. As a result, the management server 2 can suitably notify the store clerk or the like of the presence of the customer who has left the store 8 without making a payment.

On the other hand, if the management server 2 determines that the mobile terminal 3 is not outside the store 8 (step S410; No), or after executing step S407, the management server 2 determines whether the target customer has finished shopping (step S411). In this case, the management server 2 determines that the shopping is finished when it detects that the payment for the purchase product list is completed or when it detects that the transaction is canceled in the dedicated application. Then, when the shopping is completed (step S411; Yes), the management server 2 ends the processing of the flowchart. On the other hand, if the shopping has not ended (step S411; No), the management server 2 returns the processing to step S401.

(4-3) Screen Example FIG. 15 is an example of a display screen displayed on the mobile terminal 3 of the target customer by the management server 2 in step S405 of FIG.

In this case, since the predetermined time interval has passed since the dedicated application ended in step S403 of FIG. 14 and the dedicated application has not been restarted, the management server 2 outputs a notification to the mobile terminal 3 using the push notification function based on step S405. In this case, based on the information received from the management server 2, the mobile terminal 3 pops up a window 71 displaying "there is a list of unsettled purchased products".

In this way, the management server 2 pops up a window 71 indicating that there is a list of unsettled purchased commodities when the exclusive application of the portable terminal 3 used by the customer with the unsettled purchased commodities list is terminated. As a result, the mobile terminal 3 can favorably prompt the user to restart the dedicated application and to resume shopping at the store 8 .

FIG. 16 is an example of a display screen displayed by the mobile terminal 3 after restarting the dedicated application from the state shown in FIG.

In this case, the mobile terminal 3 pops up a window 72 on the display screen of the dedicated application of the mobile terminal 3 after restarting the dedicated application. The mobile terminal 3 displays a first button 73 and a second button 74 on the window 72 along with text information indicating that there is a list of unsettled purchased products. The first button 73 is a button for specifying to continue shopping using the unsettled purchase product list, and the second button 74 is a button for specifying to cancel the transaction. Then, when detecting that the first button 73 is selected, the mobile terminal 3 receives the information of the unsettled purchased product list (that is, the purchased product list immediately before the dedicated application ends) transmitted from the management server 2 according to step S407 of FIG. 14, and redisplays the purchased product list screen. In this case, on the purchased product list screen, the purchased product list immediately before the dedicated application is terminated is displayed. On the other hand, when detecting that the second button 74 is selected, the mobile terminal 3 transmits information for notifying the suspension of the transaction to the management server 2 in the same way as when the suspension button 46 of the transaction is selected on the purchased commodity list screen. In this case, the management server 2 deletes the purchase product list corresponding to the mobile terminal 3 .

FIG. 17 is an example of a display screen displayed on the mobile terminal 3 of the target customer by the management server 2 in step S409 of FIG.

In this case, the management server 2 detects that a predetermined time has passed without updating the unsettled purchased merchandise list, or that the mobile terminal 3 has left the store 8 while the unsettled purchased merchandise list exists, and displays a window 75 indicating notification on the purchased merchandise list screen displayed by the dedicated application. Here, the management server 2 displays on the window 75 the text information prompting the payment of the purchased product list.

(4-4) Utilization of Purchase History The management server 2 may preferably use the information of the purchased product list for which payment has been completed in the purchase of products based on electronic commerce by the same customer. In this case, when the payment is completed, the management server 2 generates purchase history information in which a list of purchased commodities for which payment has been completed, customer identification information indicating the customer who purchased the product, and information on payment are associated with each other, and stores the purchase history information in a purchase history DB 49 of the member server 4.例文帳に追加Then, the management server 2 generates a display and a list of products to be purchased based on the purchase history information stored in the purchase history DB 49 in shopping based on electronic commerce by the same customer.

FIG. 18 is an example of a display screen displayed by the mobile terminal 3 when performing electronic commerce using a dedicated application.

In FIG. 18 , first, the management server 2 detects that the user has input an order based on the past purchase history on the portable terminal 3 . In other words, the management server 2 receives a shopping request from the mobile terminal 3 based on the past purchase history in electronic commerce. Then, when the management server 2 receives the above shopping request, the management server 2 extracts from the purchase history DB 49 purchase history information indicating a plurality of purchase records associated with the customer identification information of the customer using the portable terminal 3. Then, the management server 2 generates a purchase history list 76 based on the purchase history information extracted from the purchase history DB 49 and causes the portable terminal 3 to display the generated purchase history list 76 . Here, the purchase history list 76 has a plurality of elements corresponding to past purchase results, and each element includes information on date and time of purchase, store of purchase, settlement number, and total amount. Each element constituting the purchase history list 76 is provided with detail display buttons 77A to 77D (77) for displaying detailed purchase histories.

Then, the customer using the portable terminal 3 refers to the purchase history list 76 and selects the detailed display button 77 corresponding to the purchase history to be referred to in the current electronic commerce. In this case, the management server 2 receives information about the selected detail display button 77 from the mobile terminal 3 and causes the mobile terminal 3 to display a purchase history detail screen corresponding to the selected detail display button 77 . On the detailed screen described above, for example, a purchased product list, which is a list of purchased products, is displayed. Also, the management server 2 preferably generates a shopping list for the current electronic commerce (that is, a list of products to be purchased) based on the purchase product list displayed on the detailed screen. That is, the management server 2 generates the current shopping list based on the purchased commodity list indicated by the selected purchase history when detecting an operation to reflect the purchased commodity list on the current shopping list on the detailed screen. As a result, the customer can preferably purchase a product based on electronic commerce using the past purchase history at the physical store. The terminal used by the customer for electronic commerce is not limited to the mobile terminal 3, and may be any terminal such as a stationary computer used by the customer.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 19 shows a schematic configuration of a management server 2A in the second embodiment. The management server 2A has a receiver 81, a generator 82, a holder 83, and a transmitter .

The receiving unit 81 receives the product identification information "S1" from the portable terminal 3A used by the customer. The receiving unit 81 is implemented by, for example, the control unit 25 that controls the communication unit 24 in the first embodiment. Moreover, 3 A of portable terminals are the portable terminals 3 in 1st Embodiment, for example. The generation unit 82 generates a purchase product list, which is a list of products that the customer plans to purchase, based on the product identification information S1. The generation unit 82 is realized by, for example, the control unit 25 in the first embodiment.

When the holding unit 83 detects the end of the application that controls the transmission of the product identification information S1 and the display of the purchased product list in the portable terminal 3A while the purchased product list is in an unsettled state, the holding unit 83 holds the purchased product list until restarting of the application is detected. The holding unit 83 is implemented, for example, by the control unit 25 that controls registration and deletion of the purchase product list in the purchase product list DB 29 of the storage unit 23 in the first embodiment. After restarting the application, the transmission unit 84 transmits the stored information "S2" regarding the purchase product list to the portable terminal 3A. The transmission unit 84 is implemented by, for example, the control unit 25 that controls the communication unit 24 in the first embodiment.

In this manner, when the application of the mobile terminal 3A is terminated during shopping, the management server 2A according to the second embodiment can display the purchased product list immediately before the termination on the mobile terminal 3A again when the application is restarted. As a result, even if the application of the mobile terminal 3A ends during shopping, the customer can continue shopping smoothly by restarting the application.

In addition, part or all of each of the above embodiments (including modifications, the same applies hereinafter) can be described as the following additional remarks, but is not limited to the following.

[Appendix 1]
a receiving unit for receiving product identification information from a mobile terminal used by a customer;
a generation unit that generates a purchase product list, which is a list of the products that the customer plans to purchase, based on the product identification information;
a holding unit for holding the purchased product list until restarting of the application is detected when termination of an application for controlling transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchased product list in the mobile terminal is detected while the purchased product list is in an unsettled state;
and a transmission unit configured to transmit information regarding the purchase product list to the portable terminal after the application is restarted.

[Appendix 2]
The management server according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the portable terminal of non-payment at predetermined time intervals after detection of termination of the application until detection of restart of the application.

[Appendix 3]
3. The management server according to appendix 1 or 2, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the mobile terminal of unsettled status when the purchase product list is not updated for a predetermined time or more in an unsettled state.

[Appendix 4]
4. The management server according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, comprising a notification unit that notifies the mobile terminal of unsettled payment when it is determined that the mobile terminal has left the store while the purchase product list is in an unsettled state.

[Appendix 5]
The management server according to appendix 4, wherein, when the notification unit determines that the mobile terminal has left the store while the purchase item list is in an unsettled state, it notifies a terminal used by a store clerk of information about the mobile terminal that has left the store.

[Appendix 6]
The generation unit generates a purchase history based on the settlement after the settlement for the purchase product list is made,
The receiving unit receives a shopping request based on the purchase history in electronic commerce from the terminal used by the customer,
6. The management server according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the transmission unit transmits display information regarding the purchase history to the terminal used by the customer when the request for shopping is received.

[Appendix 7]
The receiving unit receives information about the purchase history selected by the customer after transmitting display information about the purchase history to the terminal used by the customer,
7. The management server according to appendix 6, wherein the generating unit generates a list of products to be purchased in shopping based on the electronic commerce based on the purchased product list corresponding to the purchase history selected by the customer.

[Appendix 8]
the management server according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7;
A management system having a mobile terminal used by a customer,
The mobile terminal is
an acquisition unit for acquiring product identification information indicating a product to be purchased after activating an application for controlling the mobile terminal related to shopping at the store where the customer has entered the store;
a transmission unit that transmits the product identification information to the management server;
a display control unit that displays a purchased product list, which is a list of the products, on a display unit;
The management system, wherein the display control unit displays the purchase product list on the display unit based on information received from the management server after the application is restarted when the application is terminated while the purchase product list is in an unsettled state.

[Appendix 9]
A control method executed by a management server,
Receive product identification information from the mobile terminal used by the customer,
generating a purchase product list, which is a list of the products to be purchased by the customer, based on the product identification information;
when termination of an application for controlling transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchase product list on the mobile terminal is detected while the purchase product list is in an unsettled state, holding the purchase product list until restarting of the application is detected;
A control method of transmitting information about the purchase product list to the mobile terminal after restarting the application.

[Appendix 10]
a receiving unit for receiving product identification information from a mobile terminal used by a customer;
a generation unit that generates a purchase product list, which is a list of the products that the customer plans to purchase, based on the product identification information;
a holding unit for holding the purchased product list until restarting of the application is detected when termination of an application for controlling transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchased product list in the mobile terminal is detected while the purchased product list is in an unsettled state;
A program that causes a computer to function as a transmission unit that transmits information related to the purchase product list to the portable terminal after the application is restarted.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention naturally includes various variations and modifications that a person skilled in the art can make according to the entire disclosure including the scope of claims and technical ideas. In addition, the disclosures of the cited patent documents and the like are incorporated herein by reference.

1 POS server 2 management server 3, 3A portable terminal 4 member server 5 accounting machine 100, 100A management system

Claims (9)

Receiving means for receiving product identification information from a mobile terminal used by a customer;
generating means for generating a purchase product list, which is a list of products to be purchased by the customer, based on the product identification information;
holding means for holding the purchased product list until restarting of the application is detected when termination of an application for controlling transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchased product list in the portable terminal is detected while the purchased product list is in an unsettled state;
a notification means for notifying the mobile terminal of non-payment at predetermined time intervals until restarting of the application is detected after termination of the application is detected;
and transmitting means for transmitting information regarding the purchase product list to the portable terminal after the application is restarted. 2. The management server according to claim 1, further comprising notifying means for notifying said mobile terminal of unsettled status when said purchased product list is not updated for a predetermined time or more in an unsettled state. 3. The management server according to claim 1 , further comprising notification means for notifying said mobile terminal of unsettled payment when it is determined that said mobile terminal has left the store while said purchase item list is in an unsettled state. 4. The management server according to claim 3 , wherein, when it is determined that the mobile terminal has left the store while the purchase item list is in an unsettled state, the notification means notifies a terminal used by a store clerk of information about the mobile terminal that has left the store. The generating means generates a purchase history based on the settlement after the settlement for the purchase product list is made,
the receiving means receives a request for shopping based on the purchase history in electronic commerce from the terminal used by the customer;
5. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein said transmission means transmits display information regarding said purchase history to a terminal used by said customer when said request for shopping is received. The receiving means receives information about the purchase history selected by the customer after transmitting the display information about the purchase history to the terminal used by the customer,
6. The management server according to claim 5 , wherein said generating means generates a list of products to be purchased in shopping based on said electronic commerce based on said purchased product list corresponding to said purchase history selected by said customer. A management server according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ;
A management system having a mobile terminal used by a customer,
The mobile terminal is
Acquisition means for acquiring product identification information indicating a product to be purchased after activating an application for controlling the mobile terminal related to shopping at the store where the customer has entered the store;
a transmitting means for transmitting the product identification information to the management server;
display control means for displaying a purchased product list, which is a list of the products, on a display unit;
The management system, wherein the display control means displays the purchased product list on the display unit based on information received from the management server after the application is restarted when the application ends while the purchased product list is in an unsettled state. A control method executed by a management server,
Receive product identification information from the mobile terminal used by the customer,
generating a purchase product list, which is a list of products that the customer plans to purchase, based on the product identification information;
when termination of an application for controlling transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchase product list on the mobile terminal is detected while the purchase product list is in an unsettled state, holding the purchase product list until restarting of the application is detected;
Notifying the portable terminal about unsettlement at predetermined time intervals after detecting the end of the application until restarting the application is detected,
A control method of transmitting information about the purchase product list to the mobile terminal after restarting the application. Receiving means for receiving product identification information from a mobile terminal used by a customer;
generating means for generating a purchase product list, which is a list of products to be purchased by the customer, based on the product identification information;
holding means for holding the purchased product list until restarting of the application is detected when termination of an application for controlling transmission of the product identification information and display of the purchased product list in the portable terminal is detected while the purchased product list is in an unsettled state;
a notification means for notifying the mobile terminal of non-payment at predetermined time intervals until restarting of the application is detected after termination of the application is detected;
A program for causing a computer to function as transmission means for transmitting information regarding the purchase product list to the portable terminal after the application is restarted.

Images