Shopping cart

A shopping cart according to an embodiment comprises a shopping basket in which items to be purchased are placed and an electronic device including a display, a memory in which a list of the items to be purchased is stored, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a plurality of items to be returned from the list of the items to be purchased, calculate a priority value for each of items to be returned based on character of the item, determine a return sequence of the items to be returned based on the calculated priority value, and control the display to display guidance information indicating the determined return sequence of the items to be returned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-139863, filed Jul. 19, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a shopping cart.

BACKGROUND

In a store such as a supermarket, a shopper puts a commodity to be purchased in a shopping basket, and once the shopper has obtained all commodities that the shopper wants to purchase, the shopper makes payment at the register.

It is common or the shopper to change his or her mind before making payment and put some commodities back to an original display place. When the shopper has two or more commodities to be put back, the shopper decides what order the commodities are to be put back.

However, from the viewpoint of a store owner, it is preferable for a commodity that is perishable or easy to deteriorate to be given priority. For example, since an ice cream product is easily degraded in the shopping basket, the store wants the shopper to put it back in the freezer as soon as possible. Nevertheless, some shoppers do not care about such conditions and may put the commodity with less risk of deterioration, such as vegetables, back prior to the ice cream product.

Under such circumstances, there is a need for a system that helps a shopper to put commodities back to their original locations in a more proper order.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide a shopping cart including an electronic device capable of guiding the return of the commodity in a particular order.

A shopping cart according to an embodiment comprises a shopping basket in which items to be purchased are placed and an electronic device including a display, a memory in which a list of the items to be purchased is stored, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a plurality of items to be returned from the list of the items to be purchased, calculate a priority value for each of items to be returned based on character of the item, determine a return sequence of the items to be returned based on the calculated priority value, and control the display to display guidance information indicating the determined return sequence of the items to be returned.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to drawings.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sales information processing system and a circuit configuration of a main portion of an electronic device provided in a shopping cart100.FIG. 2is a perspective view of the appearance of the shopping cart100. Electrical equipment of the shopping cart100has a function of an information processing terminal that performs information processing to be described later.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, as an electrical facility, the shopping cart100includes, a central processing unit (CPU)1, a storage unit2, an operation unit3, a customer surface display4, a payment lamps, a tag communication unit6, a wireless local area network (LAN) communication unit7, a weighing scale8, a card reader9, and a printer10. The CPU1, the storage unit2, the operation unit3, the customer surface display4, the payment lamp5, the tag communication unit6, the wireless LAN communication unit7, the weighing scale8, the card reader9, and the printer10are connected to a bus11. The customer surface display4, the payment lamp5, the tag communication unit6, the wireless LAN communication unit7, the weighing scale8, the card reader9and the printer10may be connected to the bus11via a controller and a communication cable. These electrical facilities operate with power supplied from a battery.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the shopping cart100includes a commodity basket101, a traveling mechanism102, a user interface unit103, and a lamp unit104.

The CPU1executes information processing described later based on an operating system, a middleware, and an application program stored in the storage unit2. The CPU1forms a central part of a computer including the storage unit2.

The storage unit2includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random-access memory (RAM). The storage unit2may include an auxiliary storage unit such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive (SSD), for example. The storage unit2stores the above-described operating system, the middleware, and the application program. The storage unit2stores data to be referred to in performing various processes by the CPU1in some cases. A part of the storage area of the storage unit2is used as an area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU1in performing various processes, that is, as a work area. A part of the storage area of the storage unit2is used as an area for storing a purchase list, a candidate list, a return list, and an invalid list, which will be described later.

In an embodiment, the operation unit3is a touch screen. For example, the operation unit3is arranged to overlap a display surface of the customer surface display4. When the customer touches the display screen of the customer surface display4, the operation unit3outputs a detection signal corresponding to the touch position. However, various types of operation devices other than the touch screen can be appropriately used as the operation unit3. As the operation unit3, a combination of a plurality of touch screens and various other operation devices may be used.

In an embodiment, the customer surface indicator4is a liquid crystal display (LCD). The customer surface display4displays an image under the control of the CPU1. The image displayed by the customer surface display4is an image representing various kinds of information commodities to be normally presented to a shopper who uses the shopping cart100.

The payment lamp5can selectively take at least two display states under the control of the CPU1. The two display states are, for example, a lighting state and a light-out state. Alternatively, the two display states are distinguished by two different colors (for example, red and blue). In addition, the two display states may be any state as long as a person can visually recognize the difference. The payment lamp5allows other shoppers around the shopper using the shopping cart to recognize the display state. It is desirable that the payment lamp5is arranged such that its display state can be visually recognized from anywhere in 360 degrees range in a horizontal direction, even from a long distance.

The tag communication unit6is a circuit that communicates with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to a commodity, and acquires an RFID tag identification code (hereinafter, referred to as a tag code) and a commodity identification code (hereinafter, referred to as a commodity code) from at least the RFID tag. The tag communication unit6sets a space in the commodity basket101as the communication range.

The wireless LAN communication unit7is a circuit that communicates with a server400via one of a plurality of wireless access points200and a LAN300. The wireless access point200is installed at various places in the store. For example, the server400is a store server provided in the store, or a head office server provided in the head off ice that administers a plurality of stores. The server400may aggregate commodity sales data and manage data related to shopping cart operations. The server400holds a price lock up (PLU) file relating to the commodity to be sold at the store. The PLU file is a set of data records corresponding to each commodity to be sold at the store. The data record of the PLU file includes various kinds of well-known information commodities such as a commodity name, a unit price, a weight, and the like relating to the corresponding commodity in association with the commodity code given for identifying the corresponding commodity. The data record of the PLU file further includes a return flag and deterioration degree. The return flag indicates whether to return the corresponding commodity. The deterioration degree represents tendency of the commodity to deteriorate overtime. In an embodiment, a great deterioration degree is set for a commodity that is easily deteriorated. In an embodiment, the commodity that is easily deteriorated should be returned quickly. That is, the deterioration degree is an example of a priority for determining a return sequence of the items. However, the priority at the time of return may change depending on the circumstances of each store. Therefore, the deterioration degree may be determined, for example, by a manager of the store considering not only the tendency of deterioration but also other circumstances.

The weighing scale8measures a total weight of the commodities in the commodity basket101.

The card reader9reads the card information recorded on the payment card. The payment card is a card for performing payment without cash, and may include a credit card, an integrated circuit (IC) card for electronic money, a debit card, a prepaid card, and the like.

The printer10is, for example, a thermal printer, a dot impact printer or the like, and prints a receipt or the like.

The commodity basket101forms a space for accommodating commodities therein. The bottom portion of the commodity basket101is a box-like case101a. The case101aincludes the CPU1, the storage unit2, the tag communication unit6, the wireless LAN communication unit7, and the weighing scale8. However, each unit other than the weighing scale8may be provided in other places such as inside the user interface unit103. The commodity basket101supports the user interface unit103and the lamp unit104. The traveling mechanism102is positioned below the commodity basket101and supports the commodity basket101. The traveling mechanism102includes four wheels102a, and enables the shopping cart100to be moved by hand pushing.

The user interface unit103includes the operation unit3, the customer surface display4, the card reader9, and the printer10. The display surface of the customer surface display4is oriented to face the shopper. In an embodiment, the card reader9corresponds to a magnetic stripe type credit card and a contactless type electronic money compliant IC card. The card reader9reads the card information from the credit card slid by the shopper along a slit9a. The card reader9wirelessly reads the card information from the IC card close to a reading unit9b. The card reader9can read the same type of information as the card information from the IC chip mounted on a medium other than the IC card. The printer10ejects a printed receipt from a discharging port10ato the outside of the user interface unit103. The lamp unit104includes the payment lamp5. The lamp unit104positions the payment lamp5so that the lighting state of the payment lamp5can be easily seen from the surrounding people other than shoppers.

Next, the operation of the sales information processing system described above will be described.

When in a normal operation state, the CPU1executes the following information processing based on the application program stored in the storage unit2.

FIGS. 3 and 4are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the CPU1.

As Act1, the CPU1determines whether a payment request is received. If the request is not received, the CPU1determines as No, and proceeds to Act2.

As Act2, the CPU1determines whether a return request is received. If the request is not received, the CPU1determines as No, and proceeds to Act3.

As Act3, the CPU1determines whether the scan timing arrives. If the scan timing does not arrived, the CPU1determines as No, and returns to Act1.

Thus, in Act1to Act3, the CPU1waits for a payment request or return request to be received or arrival of the scan timing. If the scan timing arrives, the CPU1determines as Yes in Act3and proceeds to Act5. The scan timing may be determined by, for example, a creator of the application program. In an embodiment, the scan timing is a fixed time interval.

As Act4, the CPU1begins the process for scanning the commodities in the commodity basket101. Specifically, an instruction is applied to the tag communication unit6to acquire the information from the RFID tag attached to the commodity in the commodity basket101, and in response to this instruction, the tag communication unit6transmits the information acquired from the RFID tag.

As Act5, the CPU1determines whether the commodity registered in the commodity list mismatches the commodity detected this time by referring the information fetched in Act3and the information in the commodity list area. If there is the mismatch, the CPU1determines as Yes and proceeds to Act6.

As Act6, the CPU1determines whether the commodity already placed in the commodity basket101is taken out from the commodity basket101. Specifically, the CPU1determines whether the commodity which is included in the commodity list and which is not included in the commodity detected this time exists, and if such a commodity is present, CPU1determines that the commodity is taken out. In this case, the CPU1determines as Yes and proceeds to Act7.

As Act7, the CPU1controls the customer surface display4to display a warning screen. The warning screen notifies the shopper that the commodity cannot be returned without a return operation and is previously determined as guiding the shopper to return the commodity taken out from the commodity basket101to the commodity basket101. Thereafter, the CPU1proceeds to Act8. If the commodity is not taken out, the CPU1determines as No in Act6, passes Act7, and proceeds to Act8.

As Act8, the CPU1updates the commodity list. More specifically, a tag code and a commodity code relating to the newly detected commodity are added to the commodity list area. In addition, the CPU1acquires the information on the commodity name, the unit price, and the weight from the server400based on the commodity code, writes the information commodities in the commodity list area in association with the tag code and the commodity code, and the payment flag is in a state of indicating non-payment. In addition, the CPU1stores the current time in the commodity list area in association with the tag code and the commodity code as the registration time. The PLU file may be acquired from the server400and stored in the storage unit2, and the CPU1may read the information of the commodity name, the unit price, and the weight from the storage unit2. In addition, information on the commodities that are registered in the commodity list but that are not detected in this time is deleted from the commodity list area. That is, even if the warning screen is displayed, since the shopper may return the commodity as it is, information on the commodity taken out from the commodity basket101is deleted from the commodity list area. If the shopper returns the commodity to the commodity basket101according to the guidance on the warning screen, the CPU1performs Act8at the subsequent scan timing. Therefore, the information about the commodity is also returned to the commodities list. However, in this case, the registration time inherits the information before taking out the commodity.

As Act9, the CPU1updates the display screen of the customer surface display4so as to indicate the contents of the updated commodity list. If at least one commodity is included in the commodity list, the CPU1causes the customer surface display4to display a screen showing a list of commodities or the like included in the commodity list.

As Act10, the CPU1determines whether payment for all of the commodities included in the commodity list is done. The commodity list includes a payment flag set to be described later so as to indicate whether payment is completed or not. Therefore, the CPU1determines whether all of the payment flags relating to all commodities registered in the commodity list are in the state indicating “paid”, and the CPU1determines whether payment is completed for all of the commodities in the commodity basket101. Then, if the payment has been done, the CPU1determines as Yes and proceeds to Act11.

As Act11, the CPU1calculates the weight difference between the total weight obtained as the sum of the weights stored in the commodity list area and the measured value at the weighing scale8, and determines whether the weight difference is equal to or less than a predetermined allowable value. If the weight difference is equal to or less than the allowable value, the CPU1determines as Yes and proceeds to Act12.

As Act12, the CPU1sets the lighting state of the payment lamp5to a payment state. The payment state is, for example, in a lighting state or a lighting state in blue.

On the other hand, when payment is not completed for some commodities, the CPU1determines as No in Act10and determines as No in Act11, and when the weight difference is greater than the allowable value and in either case proceed to Act13.

As Act13, the CPU1sets the lighting state of the payment lamp5to a non-payment state. The non-payment state is, for example, a light-out state or the lighting state in red.

If Act12or Act13is terminated, the CPU1returns to the standby state of Act1to Act3.

When the payment flag, which indicates that payment for the commodity is not completed, is included in the commodity list, the CPU1includes a payment button on the screen of the customer surface display4. When the shopper touches the payment button in the standby state of Act1to Act3, if the touching is detected by the operation unit3, the CPU1determines YES in Act1, and proceeds to Act14.

As Act14, the CPU1performs payment process for the commodity associated with the payment flag in the commodity list indicating that the payment is not completed. The CPU1changes the payment flag associated with the commodity to a state indicating that payment is completed. When the CPU1completes the payment process, the CPU1returns to the standby state of Act1to Act3.

When at least one commodity is included in the commodity list, the CPU1includes a return button on the screen of the customer surface display4. When the shopper touches the return button in the standby state of Act1to Act3, if the touching is detected by the operation unit3, the CPU1determines as YES in Act2and proceeds to Act21inFIG. 4.

As Act21, the CPU1determines one commodity to be returned by the shopper among the commodities included in the commodity list as a candidate commodity. For example, the CPU1causes the customer surface display4to display a screen showing the list of commodities included in the commodity list including the return buttons associated with each commodity. When the shopper touches one of the return buttons and the touching is detected by the operation unit3, the CPU1determines the commodity corresponding to the touched return button as the candidate commodity.

As Act22, the CPU1determines whether the return of the candidate commodity is permitted. For example, the CPU1refers to the PLU file held by the server400and retrieves the state of the return flag included in the data record related to the candidate commodity. In addition, for example, the CPU1retrieves the state of the payment flag associated with the commodity code of the candidate commodity in the commodity list. Then, if the return of the candidate commodity is permitted and the payment flag is in the unpaid state, the CPU1determines as Yes and proceeds to Act23.

As Act23, the CPU1calculates the urgency relating to the return of the candidate commodity. The CPU1calculates the urgency as a greater value for the commodity to be returned earlier in a predetermined method. For example, the CPU1determines the urgency as the greater value as the deterioration degree of the candidate commodity is greater. In an embodiment, the urgency may be modified based on the elapsed time from the registration time of the candidate commodity. The degree of modification may be the same for each commodity or different for each commodity.

In an embodiment, the urgency value may be calculated a product of the elapsed time and a coefficient corresponding to the deterioration degree, and then adding the product to a base value corresponding to the deterioration degree. Here, both the base value and the coefficient are determined in advance as greater values as the deterioration degree is greater. The base value and the coefficient are determined so that the urgency at a certain elapsed time for a commodity with a lower deterioration degree may become greater than the urgency at the shorter elapsed time for the commodity with the greater deterioration degree. The coefficient relating to the lowest deterioration degree may be “0” and the elapsed time may be ignored. For example, in many of commodities to be stored at room temperature, since deterioration over time is very small, the coefficients for such goods may be set to “0”.

As Act24, the CPU1determines whether the urgency calculated as described above is equal to or greater than a predetermined limit value. Then, if the urgency is less than the limit value, CPU1determines as No and the proceeds to Act25. If the urgency is not less than the limit value, the CPU1determines as Yes and proceeds to Act26. When the return of the candidate commodity is not permitted and CPU determines as No in Act22, the CPU1also proceeds to Act26.

As Act25, the CPU1adds the identification code of the candidate commodity and the urgency calculated in Act23as a set to the return list. Therefore, the return list becomes a list of commodities that shoppers desire to return and are permitted to return. The commodities included in the return list correspond to returned commodities which stop purchasing. Thus, the CPU1executes the information processing based on the application program, and by executing the above-mentioned processing relating to the generation of the return list, the computer having the CPU1as the central portion functions as the first determination unit configured to determine the returned commodities. When the processing is ended, the CPU1proceeds to Act27.

As Act26, the CPU1adds the identification code of the candidate commodity to an invalid list. As a result, the invalid list indicates a list of candidate commodities that are not permitted to be returned or there is a risk of significant deterioration, and the return list indicates a list of commodities that can be returned. When the processing is ended, the CPU1proceeds to Act27.

As Act27, the CPU1determines whether there is the next candidate commodity. For example, when the shopper touches the return button associated with another commodity and the touching is detected by the operation unit3, the CPU1determines as Yes and returns to Act21. Thus, the commodity associated with a newly touched return button is added to the return list or the invalid list. The CPU1declares completion of the setting of the candidate commodity by a predetermined operation such as a shopper touching a completion button included in the screen of the customer surface display4, and if it is detected by the operation unit3, the CPU1determines as No in Act27, and proceeds to Act28.

As Act28, the CPU1sorts the commodity codes included in the return list in descending order of the urgency associated with the commodity code. When there is a plurality of commodity codes associated with equal urgency, the CPU1determines the order among the plurality of commodities according to a predetermined rule. For example, the rule can be set such that “the order of commodities closest to the display place of the commodity identified by the commodity code of which the display place is one before among the plurality of commodities identified by the corresponding plurality of commodities codes is set higher.”. The order of the commodity codes in the return list sorted here is the return order as described later. Thus, by executing the information processing based on the application program by the CPU1, the computer having the CPU1as a central portion functions as the second determination unit configured to determine the return order based on the degree of deterioration which is an example of the priority.

As Act29, the CPU1causes the customer surface display4to display the return guidance guide screen. The return guidance screen informs the shopper to return one commodity to be returned to the display place of the commodity. Specifically, the CPU1selects, one commodity identified by the commodity code located at the beginning of the return list after sorting as the first commodity to be returned. The CPU1causes the customer surface display4to display the return guidance screen for returning the selected commodity to be returned to the display place. In an embodiment, this return guidance screen represents a text message and a map representing a display place to return to the sketch of the store. As the return guidance screen, it is also possible to indicate only a text message or a picture or illustration of the display place to be returned in addition to the text message.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example of the return guidance screen.

The return guidance screen illustrated inFIG. 5is an example of a case where the commodity name of the commodity to be returned is “xxx ice cream” and includes a text message ME1indicating the message. In addition, the return guidance screen illustrated inFIG. 5includes a map MA1representing a place to return as a star symbol SY1.

As Act30, the CPU1determines whether the commodity to be returned is taken out from the commodity basket101. Specifically, the CPU1instructs the tag communication unit6to acquire information from the RFID tag attached to the commodity contained in the commodity basket101, and in response to this instruction, the CPU1takes out the information acquired from the RFID tag by the tag communication unit6. The CPU1determines whether only the commodity to be returned in the commodity detected this time is decreasing for the commodity registered in the commodity list. If the commodities detected this time match the commodities registered in the commodity list, the CPU1repeats the determination. If the number of commodities different from the commodity to be returned decreases, the CPU1determines as No, and proceeds to Act31.

As Act31, the CPU1displays an error screen on the customer surface display4. The error screen notifies the shopper of an error in taking out the commodity and prompts the taken out commodity to be returned to the commodity basket101.

As Act32, the CPU1determines whether the above-described taken out commodity is reinserted into the commodity basket101. Specifically, the CPU1instructs the tag communication unit6to acquire the information from the RFID tag attached to the commodity in the commodity basket101, and in response to this instruction, the tag communication unit6transmits the information acquired from the RFID tag. The CPU1determines whether the commodity registered in the commodity list matches the commodity detected this time. If the commodities do not match, the CPU1determines as No, and repeats Act32. Thus, as Act32, the CPU1waits for reinsertion of the taken out commodities. If the commodity registered in the commodity list matches the commodity detected this time, the CPU1determines as Yes in Act32and returns to Act30.

As Act30, if only the commodity to be returned is decreased in the commodities detected in this time for the commodities registered in the commodity list in Act30, the CPU1determines as Yes and proceeds to Act33.

As Act33, the CPU1determines whether all the commodities indicated in the return list are returned. Specifically, the CPU1determines whether all the commodities indicated in the return list are selected as commodities to be returned. Then, if there is the commodity which is not selected yet, the CPU1determines as No, and proceeds to Act34.

As Act34, the CPU1selects the commodity which is not selected as a commodity to be returned yet among the commodities indicated in the return list as a new commodity to be returned, and returns a return guidance screen corresponding to the new commodity to be returned on the customer surface display4. Thereafter, the CPU1returns to Act30. Thus, the return guidance screens corresponding to each of the plurality of returned goods are sequentially displayed in the order according to the order in the return list. The processing of displaying the return guidance screen on the customer surface display4in this manner corresponds to the processing of supporting the return of the returned commodity in the return order determined as described above. Thus, by executing the information processing based on the application program by the CPU1, the computer having the CPU1as the central part functions as the processing unit.

When the CPU1determines as Yes in Act30, if the CPU1finishes returning all the commodities indicated in the return list, the CPU1determines as Yes in Act33and proceeds to Act35.

As Act35, the CPU1determines whether there is a commodity that cannot be returned to the commodity designated as the candidate commodity. Specifically, the CPU1determines whether the commodity code is indicated in the invalid list. Then, if the commodity code is indicated in the invalid list, the CPU1determines as Yes and proceeds to Act36.

As Act36, the CPU1causes the customer surface display4to display the invalid guidance screen indicating the contents to guide the shopper that it is impossible to return the commodity identified by the commodity code shown in the disability list. Thus, the commodities indicated in the invalid list are those determined as non-returnable commodities. However, among the commodities included in the invalid list, the commodities that are originally returned may be included without problems. Therefore, on the invalid guidance screen, the contents notifying that the shopper may go to the service counter or the like and consult with the store staff may be included as necessary. When the processing is ended, the CPU1returns to the standby state of Act1to Act3inFIG. 4.

If the commodity code is not indicated in the invalid list, the CPU1determines as No in Act35, passes Act36, and returns to the standby state of Act1to Act3inFIG. 3. The display of the invalid guidance screen is ended under the control of the CPU1in response to the operation of the confirmation button shown on the invalid guidance screen, for example.

If the shopper places all the commodities to be purchased in the commodity basket101and finishes payment for those commodities, the shopper moves to a bag stuffing section in the store with the shopping cart100. At the bag stuffing section, the shopper transfers the goods from the commodity basket101to an any container such as a plastic bag or the shopper's bag. Then, the shopper leaves the shopping cart100where the commodity basket101is empty after returning the cart to a predetermined return place. A store staff who is in charge of monitoring the bag stuffing section confirms the lighting state of the payment lamp5, and when the shopping cart100which is in the non-payment state is moved to the bag stuffing section, the store staff guides the shopper who uses the shopping cart100to make the payment. However, the operations of the shopper and the store staff are only examples, and they may be arbitrarily changed depending on the circumstances of each store.

The CPU1sends transaction data representing a list of commodities purchased or a result of payment to the server400in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event such as when the shopping cart100is returned to the return place. Specifically, the CPU1transmits the transaction data to the server400from the wireless LAN communication unit7to the LAN300via the wireless access point200. Thereafter, the CPU1clears any of the purchase list, the candidate list, the return list and the invalid list.

As described above, according to the shopping cart100, when the shopper desires to return a plurality of commodities in the commodity basket101, the urgency is determined as a greater value as the predetermined degree of deterioration for each of the commodities to be returned is greater. The return guidance screen for guiding return of each commodity to be returned is displayed in descending order of the urgency of corresponding commodities. Therefore, the guidance is made so that return of goods is performed in an appropriate order for the store side. If the shopper returns the commodities in accordance with this guidance, the return of the commodities is performed in an appropriate order for the store side.

In addition, according to the shopping cart100, the urgency is corrected so that the elapsed time after being put in the commodity basket101increases as the time passes. Accordingly, it is possible to urge the shoppers to return in order taking into consideration the deterioration degree over time of each commodity of commodities, and it is possible to return the commodities in a more appropriate order.

In addition according to the shopping cart100, for the goods which are so high that the urgency becomes higher than the predetermined limit value, for the commodities, it is not set the commodities to be returned and guides to the commodity as return. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the returned goods which have lost commercial value such as ice cream which is melted.

In addition, according to the shopping cart100, when the commodity different from the commodity guided on the return guidance screen is taken out from the commodity basket101, it is determined that an erroneous commodity is taken out by displaying the error screen and is prompted to return the goods to the commodity basket101.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent returning of goods from being performed in an order different from an appropriate order for the store side.

According to the shopping cart100, if there is the commodity that is not returnable, an invalid guidance screen for notifying the shopper to that message is displayed. Consequently, if the shopper can recognize that if the commodity that the person wishes to return but there is the commodity not returned for guidance on the return guidance screen, the commodity cannot be returned. Therefore, it prevents the shoppers from having distrust or uneasiness, and prevents the shoppers from returning without knowing that they cannot return.

In this embodiment, the following various modifications can be implemented.

Even if the commodity has a low degree of deterioration, the CPU1may set the urgency of the commodity that is desirably returned earlier due to circumstances of some store side to be high.

As Act22, if the return of the candidate commodity is permitted, the CPU1may determine as Yes even if the payment flag is in the payment state. In this case, the CPU1performs refund processing on the commodity for which the payment flag is in the payment state, for example, after determining as Yes in Act33. The refund accompanying the return of such paid commodities may be carried out by the store staff.

All or a part of the various types of screens may be displayed on an any information terminal such as a smartphone possessed by shoppers, for example.

A part of the processing illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4may be executed by another information processing device connected to the server400or the LAN300. For example, the various types of lists may be generated and stored by the server400, and processing other than Act1to Act3may be performed by the server400. However, the shopping cart operation is received by the shopping cart100, and the CPU1notifies the server400thereof. Various types of screen displays are performed on the customer surface display4under instructions from the server400.

Even when commodity carrying equipment of a different from the shopping cart100is used, such as a hand-held basket, it is possible to implement the same as in the above embodiment.

The payment may be performed at a payment terminal different from the shopping cart100at the payment section as in the conventional case. In this case, part or all of the weighing scale8, the card reader9, and the printer10may not be provided in the shopping cart100.

The commodity identification information may be obtained by reading a barcode displayed on the commodity with a scanner or inputting a commodity selection operation by a shopper on a commodity selection screen displayed on the customer surface display4with the operation unit3. Alternatively, any of a plurality of methods may be used. In addition, by analyzing the commodity displayed in the store and the moving images obtained by a large number of video cameras imaging the shoppers, the shopper may identify the commodity to be purchased.

Any notification operation may be performed by any operation that can be perceived by a person, such as display, sounding or vibration.

A part of the above-described information processing performed by the CPU1may be omitted. For example, the CPU1may omit Act6and Act7. In addition, the CPU1may omit Act24and proceed from Act23to Act25. Furthermore, the CPU1may omit Act22, Act24and Act26and may process Act21, Act23, and Act25in this order. In this case, the CPU1may also omit Act35and Act36. In addition, Act31and Act32may be omitted, and in Act30, the CPU1may wait for retrieval of the commodity to be returned.

An application program for causing the CPU1to execute the information processing illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4may be stored in the storage unit2at the time of assignment of the shopping cart100or may be stored separately from the shopping cart100, for example. In the latter case, the application program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disc, an optical disc, a semiconductor memory, or the like or transferred via a network. The application program may be replaced with another application program of the same type stored in the storage unit2of the shopping cart100or may be transferred as a version upgrade program for partially modifying the application program.

The functions realized by the CPU1by the information processing illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4can be partially or entirely realized by hardware for executing information processing not based on a program such as a logic circuit or the like. In addition, each of the above-described functions can also be realized by combining software control with hardware such as the above logic circuit.