Patent Publication Number: US-2021182819-A1

Title: Transaction processing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-227132, filed Dec. 17, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a transaction processing system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, a self-service for causing a customer to perform an instruction concerning various kinds of information processing relating to transaction processing has been actively performed for labor saving in a store. 
     For example, a system for performing, according to an instruction of a customer by operation of an information terminal carried by the customer, information processing relating to registration to settlement of purchased commodities called a smartphone POS (point-of-sale) system or the like has been developed. 
     Related art is described in, for example, JP-A-2019-133716. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a transaction processing system according to at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a store server illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a virtual POS server illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a mobile controller illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a customer terminal illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a store clerk terminal illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of information processing based on a store clerk terminal application by a processor illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the information processing based on the store clerk terminal application by the processor illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of information processing based on a substitution application by a processor illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of an in-substitution screen; and 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of a guidance screen. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In some POS systems, it may be difficult for all customers to perform, however, without a mistake, all kinds of operation that the customers should perform. Therefore, it is desirable that a store clerk in a store can support apart of the operation. Accordingly, it is conceivable that the store clerk performs, through a remote operation, substituting for the customer, an instruction that the customer should perform. In this case, however, it may be difficult for the customer to confirm what kind of operation the customer should perform. 
     Under such circumstances, if the store clerk performs, substituting for the customer, an instruction that the customer should perform, it is desired to make it possible to cause the customer to confirm the operation for the instruction. 
     An object of at least one embodiment is to provide a transaction processing system that can cause, if a store clerk performs, substituting for a customer, an instruction that the customer should perform, the customer to confirm operation for the instruction. 
     According to at least one embodiment, there is provided a transaction processing system that includes a first apparatus and a second apparatus and processes a transaction with a customer in a store, the transaction processing system including: a first input unit provided in the first apparatus; a second input unit provided in the second apparatus; a processing unit; and a display unit provided in the first apparatus. The first input unit inputs an instruction by the customer. The second input unit inputs an instruction by a store clerk in the store. The processing unit executes information processing for processing the transaction according to the instruction input by the first input unit or the second input unit. The display unit is provided in the first apparatus and, if the processing unit executes the information processing according to the instruction input by the second input unit, displays operation performed by the store clerk when inputting the instruction with the second input unit. 
     A transaction processing system according to an embodiment is explained below with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the transaction processing system according to at least one embodiment. 
     The transaction processing system includes store systems  100 , a relay server  200 , customer terminals  300 , and store clerk terminals  400 . The store systems  100 , the relay server  200 , and the customer terminals  300  are communicably connected via a communication network  500 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , two store systems  100  are illustrated. These store systems  100  are respectively provided in a store A and a store B different from each other that use the transaction processing system. Three or more stores that use the transaction processing system may be present. The store systems  100  are provided in each of the stores. In the following explanation, if it is necessary to distinguish the store systems  100  provided in the stores, the store system  100  provided in the store A is represented as a store system  100 A and the store system  100  provided in the store B is represented as a store system  100 B. 
     A company that operates the store A may be the same as or may be different from a company that operates the store B. If a transaction system is used in another store, a company that operates the store may be the same as or may be different from the company that operates the store A or the store B. 
     The relay server  200  relays data communication between the customer terminals  300  and the store systems  100 . The relay server  200  provides, for example, a relay function for the data communication as a cloud service via the communication network  500 . 
     The customer terminals  300  are terminal apparatuses functioning as user interfaces for customers who do shopping in the stores using the transaction system. The customer terminals  300  have a function of wirelessly communicating with the store systems  100  and a function of wirelessly communicating with the communication network  500 . The customer terminals  300  may be carried by customers or may be lent to the customers in the stores. 
     The store clerk terminals  400  are terminal apparatuses functioning as user interfaces for store clerks in the stores including the store systems  100 . The store clerk terminals  400  have a function of wirelessly communicating with the store systems  100 . Only one store clerk terminal  400  may be provided or a plurality of store clerk terminals  400  may be provided for one store system  100 . 
     As the communication network  500 , for example, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a LAN (local area network), a public communication network, and a mobile communication network can be used alone or can be combined and used as appropriate. As the communication network  500 , typically, the mobile communication network and the Internet or the VPN are used. 
     A schematic configuration of the store systems  100  are common. That is, each of the store systems  100  is configured by communicably connecting a store server  1 , a virtual POS server  2 , a mobile controller  3 , a communication server  4 , an accounting machine  5 , and an access point  6  via an intra-store communication network  7 . However, the store server  1 , the virtual POS server  2 , the mobile controller  3 , the communication server  4 , the accounting machine  5 , the access point  6 , and the intra-communication network  7  only have to be common in a function for realizing operation explained below and do not need to be completely the same. A part of the store systems  100  may include apparatuses not illustrate in  FIG. 1 . 
     The store server  1  comprehensively manages a plurality of transactions set as targets of transaction processing realized by the store system  100  as explained below. The store server  1  has, for example, the same functions as functions of an existing POS server. 
     The virtual POS server  2  performs information processing for registration of purchased commodities, settlement of a price for the purchased commodities, and the like in each of transactions according to a request from the outside. That is, the virtual POS server  2  virtually realizes the functions of the existing POS server. However, the virtual POS server  2  does not perform an input of an instruction by the customer or the store clerk. The information processing performed by the virtual POS server  2  is customized to be adapted to a difference in an operation policy of each of the stores. That is, for example, information processing performed by the store server  1  included in the store system  100 A and information processing performed by the store server  1  included in the store system  100 B are sometimes partially different. The virtual POS server  2  is an example of a transaction processing apparatus. 
     The mobile controller  3  performs support for causing the virtual POS server  2  to perform the information processing explained above using the customer terminal  300  as a user interface device. 
     The communication server  4  performs communication processing for the store server  1 , the virtual POS server  2 , the mobile controller  3 , and the accounting machine  5  to exchange data with the relay server  200  and the like via the communication network  500 . 
     The accounting machine  5  performs processing for calculating prices for purchased commodities in each of transactions managed by the virtual POS server  2  and causing a customer to settle the prices. A settlement method that can be used by the accounting machine  5  for the settlement may be all or any part of well-known settlement methods such as cash settlement, credit card settlement, electronic money settlement, point settlement, and code settlement (also called mobile settlement or smartphone settlement). The accounting machine  5  may be operated by either a store clerk or a customer. As the accounting machine  5 , for example, a self-service accounting machine used in an existing semi-self-service POS system can be used. The accounting machine  5  may have a function of performing information processing for registering a commodity as a purchased commodity. In this case, as the accounting machine  5 , for example, a facing-type POS terminal used in an existing POS system or a self-service POS terminal used in an existing self-service POS system can be used. 
     The access point  6  performs communication processing for enabling the customer terminal  300  and the store clerk terminal  400  to access the intra-store communication network  7  through wireless communication. As the access point  6 , for example, a well-known communication device that performs wireless communication according to the IEEE 801.11 standard can be used. The access point  6  is set in the store to enable the customer terminal  300  and the store clerk terminal  400  to wirelessly communicate with the access point  6  from anywhere in a selling space of the store. Depending on a store size, a plurality of access points  6  are disposed in one store system  100 . 
     As the intra-store communication network  7 , the Internet, a VPN, a LAN, a public communication network, a mobile communication network, and the like can be used alone or can be combined and used as appropriate. However, typically, the intra-store communication network  7  is a LAN. 
     In the store in which the store system  100  is provided, a two-dimensional code TC 1  for check-in is posted near an entrance of the store and a two-dimensional code TC 2  for check-out is posted near an exit of the store. The two-dimensional code TC 1  represents check-in data for check-in. The two-dimensional code TC 2  represents check-out data for check-out. The check-in data and the check-out data are different for each of the stores. Accordingly, if it is necessary to distinguish the two-dimensional codes TC 1  and TC 2  for the store A and the two-dimensional codes TC 1  and TC 2  for the store B, the two-dimensional codes TC 1  and TC 2  for the store A are represented as two-dimensional codes TC 1 A and TC 2 A and the two-dimensional codes TC 1  and TC 2  for the store B are represented as two-dimensional codes TC 1 B and TC 2 B. 
     The check-in data represents, for example, information explained below. 
     (1) An operation version of the store system  100 . For example, check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents an operation version of the store system  100 A. Check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents an operation version of the store system  100 B. 
     (2) A company code for identifying a company that operates the store in which the store system  100  is provided. For example, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents a company code allocated to a company that operates the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents a company code allocated to a company that operates the store B. 
     (3) A store code for identifying the store in which the store system  100  is provided. For example, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents a store code allocated to the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents a store code allocated to the store B. The store code may be a store code capable of identifying each of all of the stores that use the transaction processing system or may be a store code capable of identifying each of a plurality of stores operated by the same company. 
     (4) A name of the company that operates the store in which the store system  100  may be provided. For example, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents a name of the company that operates the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents a name of the company that operates the store B. 
     (5) A name of the store in which the store system  100  is provided. For example, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents a name of the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents a name of the store B. 
     (6) A flag for distinguishing the two-dimensional code TC 1  and the two-dimensional code TC 2 . The flag in the check-in data is set in a state representing the check-in data. The state is, for example, “1”. The flag is common to all the two-dimensional codes TC 1 . 
     (7) An IP address of the communication server  4 . For example, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents an IP address of the communication server included in the store system  100 A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents an IP address of the communication server  4  included in the store system  100 B. 
     (8) A domain name of the relay server  200 . The domain name is common to all the two-dimensional codes TC 1 . However, a plurality of relay servers  200  having different domain names one another may be properly used for each of the stores. In this case, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1  represents a domain name of the relay server  200  used in a store corresponding to the check-in data. 
     (9) An address of an electronic receipt server. The electronic receipt server is not included in the transaction processing system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The electronic receipt server provides an electronic receipt service via the communication network  500 . For example, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents an address for accessing, via the communication network  500 , the electronic receipt server that provides the electronic receipt service used by the company that operates the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents an address for accessing, via the communication network  500 , the electronic receipt server that provides the electronic receipt service used by the company that operates the store B. The address may be common to all the two-dimensional codes TC 1  or any one of a plurality of addresses may be represented for each of the two-dimensional codes TC 1 . 
     (10) A flag indicating which of wireless communication with the access point  6  and wireless communication with the communication network  500  the customer terminal  300  should use for data exchange with the store system  100 . For example, in the store A, if wireless communication with the access point  6  is used for data exchange between the store system  100 A and the customer terminal  300 , the flag is set to, for example, “1”. For example, in the store B, if wireless communication with the communication network  500  is used for data exchange between the store system  100 B and the customer terminal  300 , the flag is set to, for example, “0”. 
     (11) An SSID (service set identifier) for identifying the access point  6 . For example, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents an SSID for identifying the access point  6  included in the store system  100 A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents an SSID of the access point  6  included in the store system  100 B. 
     (12) A password for accessing the access point  6 . For example, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents a password set in the access point  6  included in the store system  100 A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents a password set in the access point  6  included in the store system  100 B. 
     (13) An identification number of a security scheme used by the access point  6 . As the identification number, for example, “1” is allocated to a WPA2-PSK scheme, “2” is allocated to a WPA-PSK scheme, and “3” is allocated to a WEP scheme. For example, if the access point  6  included in the store system  100 A uses the WPA2-PSK scheme as the security scheme, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents “1” as the identification number. For example, if the access point  6  included in the store system  100 B uses the WPA-PSK scheme as the security scheme, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents “2” as the identification number. 
     (14) A flag for identifying, if the customer terminal  300  fails in connection to the relay server  200 , whether the failure is regarded as an error or operation is continued without regarding the failure as an error. For example, in the store A, if setting is made to regard, if the customer terminal  300  fails in connection to the relay server  200 , the failure as an error, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “1” as the flag. For example, in the store B, if setting is made to continue operation even if the terminal  300  fails in connection to the relay server  200 , the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, for example, “0” as the flag. 
     (15) An identification number of a transmission mode concerning a status of the customer terminal  300 . As the transmission mode, there are, for example, a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. As the identification number of the transmission mode, for example, “1” is allocated to a first mode, “2” is allocated to a second mode, and “3” is allocated to a third mode. In the first mode, the status of the customer terminal  300  is transmitted to the relay server  200 . In the second mode, the status of the customer terminal  300  is transmitted to the store system  100 . In the third mode, the status of the customer terminal  300  is not transmitted. For example, in the store A, if the first mode is applied as the transmission mode, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents “1” as the identification number. For example, in the store B, if the second mode is applied as the transmission mode, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents “2” as the identification number. 
     (16) An identification number of a transmission mode concerning a log file in which log data of the customer terminal  300  is accumulated. As the transmission mode, there are, for example, a first mode, a second mode, a third mode, and a fourth mode. As the identification number of the transmission mode, for example “1” is allocated to the first mode, “2” is allocated to the second mode, “3” is allocated to the third mode, and “4” is allocated to the fourth mode. In the first mode, the log file is transmitted to only the relay server  200 . In the second mode, the log file is transmitted to only the store system  100 . In the third mode, the log file is transmitted to both of the store system  100  and the relay server  200 . In the fourth mode, the log file is not transmitted. For example, in the store A, if the first mode is applied as the transmission mode, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents “1” as the identification number. For example, in the store B, if the second mode is applied as the transmission mode, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents “2” as the identification number. 
     (17) A host name or an IP address used when the log file is transmitted to the relay server  200  via the communication network  500  with an FTP (file transfer protocol). 
     (18) A user name used when the log file is transmitted to the relay server  200  via the communication network  500  with the FTP. 
     (19) A password used when the log file is transmitted to the relay server  200  via the communication network  500  with the FTP. 
     (20) A pass name of the log file transmitted to the relay server  200  via the communication network  500  with the FTP. 
     (21) A flag for identifying whether to delete a check digit of a UPC (universal product cord), which is a type of a commodity code. For example, in the store A, in operation for not deleting the check digit, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “1” as the flag. For example, in the store B, in operation for deleting the check digit, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, for example, “0” as the flag. 
     (22) A time until a camera screen is automatically transitioned in the customer terminal  300 . The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, as the time, a time set in advance concerning the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, as the time, a time set in advance concerning the store B. 
     (23) A timeout time in communication performed by the customer terminal  300  with the store system  100  via the access point  6 . The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, as the timeout time, a time set in advance concerning the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, as the timeout time, a time set in advance concerning the store B. 
     (24) The number of times retry is permitted if communication between the customer terminal  300  and the store system.  100  via the access point  6  times out. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, as the number of times, the number of times set in advance concerning the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, as the number of times, the number of times set in advance concerning the store B. 
     (25) A timeout time in communication performed by the customer terminal  300  with the store system  100  via the relay server  200 . The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, as the timeout time, a time set in advance concerning the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B may represent, as the timeout time, a time set in advance concerning the store B. 
     (26) The number of times retry is permitted if communication between the customer terminal  300  and the store system  100  via the relay server  200  times out. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, as the number of times, the number of times set in advance concerning the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, as the number of times, the number of times set in advance concerning the store B. 
     (27) Authentication data used in authentication processing for authenticating a declaration of a confirmation end concerning a transaction targeting commodities for which confirmation by a store clerk is necessary. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents authentication data set in advance concerning the store A. The check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents authentication data set in advance concerning the store B. It is preferable that the authentication data is decided to be different in each of the stores. However, the same authentication data may be set in different stores. 
     (28) Data for identifying an operation mode of the store system  100 . For example, if the store system  100 A is set in a normal mode for normally operating the transaction processing system, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “1” as the data. For example, if the store system  100 B is set in a demonstration mode for demonstratively operating the transaction processing system, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, for example, “2” as the data. 
     (29) Data for identifying a mode of data transfer to the accounting machine  5 . For example, if the store system  100 A is set in a mode for requesting, from the accounting machine  5 , the mobile controller  3  to perform data transfer, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “1” as the data. For example, if the store system  100 B is set in a mode for performing data transfer from the mobile controller  3  to the accounting machine  5  without a request from the accounting machine  5 , the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, for example, “2” as the data. 
     (30) A flag representing whether to permit settlement in a code settlement scheme by operation in the customer terminal  300 . For example, in the store A, if the code settlement is permitted, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “1” as the flag. For example, in the store B, if the code settlement is not permitted, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, for example, “0” as the flag. 
     (31) A flag for identifying whether to permit registration in the customer terminal  300  of a commodity for which an age limit for purchasers is decided (hereinafter referred to as age limited commodity). For example, in the store A, if the registration of the age limited commodity in the customer terminal  300  is permitted, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “1” as the flag. For example, in the store B, if the code settlement is not permitted, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents for example, “0” as the flag. 
     (32) Data for identifying an input mode for a member code of a point member. For example, if the store system  100 A is set in a mode for manually inputting the member code, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “1” as the data. For example, if the store system  100 B is set in a mode for inputting the member code by reading a barcode, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, for example, “2” as the data. 
     (33) A flag for identifying whether confirmation by a store clerk is necessary in an input of the member code if the mode for manually inputting the member code of the point member is set. For example, if the confirmation is necessary in the store A, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “1” as the flag. For example, if the confirmation is unnecessary in the store B, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, for example, “0” as the flag. 
     (34) A threshold for checking battery residual power of the customer terminal  300  during check-in. The threshold is set for each of the stores or each of the companies. For example, if the company that operates the store A decides the threshold as “20%”, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 A represents, for example, “20” as the threshold. For example, if the store B decides the threshold as “25%”, the check-in data represented by the two-dimensional code TC 1 B represents, for example, “25” as the threshold. 
     The examples of the information represented by the check-in data are as explained above. However, the check-in data may not include apart of the various kinds of information explained above. The check-in data may represent information different from the various kinds of information explained above, in at least one embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the store server  1 . 
     The store server  1  includes a processor  11 , a main memory  12 , an auxiliary storage unit  13 , a communication interface  14 , and a transmission line  15 . The processor  11 , the main memory  12 , the auxiliary storage unit  13 , and the communication interface  14  are communicably connected via the transmission line  15 . The processor  11 , the main memory  12 , and the auxiliary storage unit  13  are connected by the transmission line  15 , whereby a computer for controlling the store server  1  is configured. 
     The processor  11  is equivalent to a central part of the computer. The processor  11  executes, according to information processing programs such as an operating system and application programs, information processing for realizing various functions of the store server  1 . The processor  11  may be, for example, a CPU (central processing unit). 
     The main memory  12  is equivalent to a main storage part of the computer. The main memory  12  includes a nonvolatile memory region and a volatile memory region. The main memory  12  stores the information processing programs in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  12  sometimes stores, in the nonvolatile or volatile memory region, data necessary for the processor  11  in executing the information processing. The main memory  12  uses the volatile memory region as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor  11 . The nonvolatile memory region may be, for example, a ROM (read only memory). The volatile memory region may be, for example, a RAM (random access memory). 
     The auxiliary storage unit  13  is equivalent to an auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit  13 , for example, a storage unit including a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a HDD (hard disc drive), or an SSD (solid state drive) can be used. The auxiliary storage unit  13  saves data used by the processor  11  in performing various kinds of processing, data created by the processing in the processor  11 , or the like. The auxiliary storage unit  13  sometimes stores the information processing programs. 
     The communication interface  14  performs data communication between the communication interface  14  and the units connected to the intra-store communication network  7  according to a predetermined communication protocol. As the communication interface  14 , for example, a well-known communication device for LAN can be applied. 
     The transmission line  15  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line and transmits data and control signals exchanged among the connected units. 
     The auxiliary storage unit  13  stores a store management application AP 11 , which is one of the information processing programs. The store management application AP 11  is an application program and is described about information processing for realizing the functions of the store server  1 . The store management application AP 11  may be a separate application created to be adapted to a store operation policy of each of the stores or each of the companies that operate the stores. For example, if management methods for sales data are different between the store A and the store B, the store management application AP 11  used in the store system  100 A is described about information processing for management of sales data adapted to the management method for sales data in the store A and the store management application AP 11  used in the store system  100 B is described regarding information processing for management of sales data adapted to the management method for the sales data in the store B. 
     Apart of a storage region of the auxiliary storage unit  13  is used as a database group DB 11 . The database group DB 11  includes a plurality of databases for various kinds of information management. One of the databases included in the database group DB 11  is a commodity database for managing commodities sold in the store. The commodity database is a set of data records correlated with management target commodities. The data records of the commodity database include data concerning correlated commodities such as a commodity code, a price, and a commodity name. The commodity code is an identification code decided to identify the commodities for each of SKUs (stock keeping units). For example, a JAN (Japanese article number) code is used. The commodity name is a name decided to allow a human to easily distinguish a commodity. The price is an amount paid for sales of a commodity. 
     One of the databases included in the database group DB 11  is a user database for managing users of the store. The user database is a set of data records correlated with customers registered as users. The data records of the user database include data concerning the correlated customers such as user codes and attribute information for specifying the users. The user codes are unique identification codes decided for each of the customers in order to individually identify the users. The attribute information could include a name, sex, age, an address, and a telephone number. The data records of the user database sometimes include settlement information declared by the users. The settlement information is a credit number, a code settlement ID (identifier), and the like. If a plurality of settlement methods are selectable, the settlement information sometimes includes settlement method codes for identifying the settlement methods. In the case of a store that provides a point service, the settlement information sometimes includes an ID of the point service and the number of owned points. 
     Besides, the database group DB  11  could include various databases managed by a POS server in the existing POS system. It may be decided for each of the stores what kinds of databases the database group DB  11  includes or what kinds of data in what kinds of structure the databases include. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the virtual POS server  2 . 
     The virtual POS server  2  includes a processor  21 , a main memory  22 , an auxiliary storage unit  23 , a communication interface  24 , and a transmission line  25 . The processor  21 , the main memory  22 , the auxiliary storage unit  23 , and the communication interface  24  are communicably connected via the transmission line  25 . The processor  21 , the main memory  22 , and the auxiliary storage unit  23  are connected by the transmission line  25 , whereby a computer for controlling the virtual POS server  2  is configured. Overviews of functions of the processor  21 , the main memory  22 , the auxiliary storage unit  23 , the communication interface  24 , and the transmission line  25  are equivalent to the overviews of the functions of the processor  11 , the main memory  12 , the auxiliary storage unit  13 , the communication interface  14 , and the transmission line  15 . Therefore, explanation of the overviews of the functions is omitted. 
     The auxiliary storage unit  23  stores a virtual POS application AP 21 . The virtual POS application AP 21  is an application program and is described about information processing for realizing functions of the virtual POS server  2 . The virtual POS application AP 21  may be a separate application created to be adapted to a store operation policy of each of the stores or each of the companies that operate the stores. For example, in the store A, if a discount service not performed in the store B is performed, the virtual POS application AP 21  used in the store system  100 A is described regarding information processing for realizing the discount service. The virtual POS application AP 21  used in the store system  100 B is not described about the information processing for realizing the discount service. 
     A part of the storage region of the auxiliary storage unit  23  is used as a transaction database DB 21 . The transaction database DB 21  is a set of data records correlated with a transaction with a customer shopping in the store. The data records of the transaction database DB 21  include transaction codes and commodity data concerning commodities registered as purchased commodities. The transaction codes are unique identification codes set for each of the transactions in order to identify the individual transactions. The commodity data represents a commodity code, a commodity name, a prices, the number of items, and the like. The structure of the transaction database DB 21  may be individually decided to be adapted to a store operation policy of each of the stores or each of the companies that operate the stores. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the mobile controller  3 . 
     The mobile controller  3  includes a processor  31 , a main memory  32 , an auxiliary storage unit  33 , a communication interface  34 , and a transmission line  35 . The processor  31 , the main memory  32 , the auxiliary storage unit  33 , and the communication interface  34  are communicably connected via the transmission line  35 . The processor  31 , the main memory  32 , and the auxiliary storage unit  33  are connected by the transmission line  35 , whereby a computer for controlling the mobile controller  3  is configured. Overviews of functions of the processor  31 , the main memory  32 , the auxiliary storage unit  33 , the communication interface  34 , and the transmission line  35  are equivalent to the overviews of the functions of the processor  11 , the main memory  12 , the auxiliary storage unit  13 , the communication interface  14 , and the transmission line  15 . Therefore, explanation of the overviews of the functions is omitted. 
     However, the auxiliary storage unit  33  stores a registration support application AP 31 . The registration support application AP 31  is an application program and is described about information processing for supporting registration of purchased commodities. The registration support application AP 31  is common to the store systems  100 . However, various settings for the information processing based on the registration support application AP 31  may be customized for each of the store systems  100 . 
     A part of a storage region of the auxiliary storage unit  23  is used as a transaction management database DB 31  and a registration database DB 32 . The structures of the transaction management database DB 31  and the registration database DB 32  are common to the store systems  100 . 
     The transaction management database DB 31  is a set of data records correlated with the customer terminals  300  used by customers in the store. Accordingly, if one customer is present in the store, the transaction management database DB 31  includes one data record. If no customer is present in the store, the transaction management database DB 31  does not include data record. The data record of the transaction management database DB 31  correlates, with terminal IDs (identifiers) of the customer terminals  300 , members codes for identifying customers using the customer terminals  300  and transaction codes for identifying transactions performed using the customer terminals  300  and describes the member codes and the transaction codes. 
     The registration database DB 32  is a set of data records correlated with a transaction of a customer shopping in the store. In the data records of the registration database DB 32 , for example, registration data concerning each of commodities registered as purchased commodities is correlated with transaction codes and described. The registration data includes, for example, a commodity code, a price, the number of items, and a cancellation flag. The cancellation flag is set when a commodity concerning the registration data including the cancellation flag is cancelled from the registered commodities. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a main part configuration of the customer terminal  300 . 
     The customer terminal  300  may include a processor  301 , a main memory  302 , an auxiliary storage unit  303 , a touch panel  304 , a camera  305 , a wireless communication unit  306 , a mobile communication unit  307 , and a transmission line  308 . The processor  301 , the main memory  302 , the auxiliary storage unit  303 , the touch panel  304 , the camera  305 , and the mobile communication unit  307  are communicably connected via the transmission line  308 . The processor  301 , the main memory  302 , and the auxiliary storage unit  303  are connected by the transmission line  308 , whereby a computer for controlling the customer terminal  300  is configured. Overviews of functions of the processor  301 , the main memory  302 , the auxiliary storage unit  303 , and the transmission line  308  are equivalent to the overviews of the functions of the processor  11 , the main memory  12 , the auxiliary storage unit  13 , and the transmission line  15 . Therefore, explanation of the overviews of the functions is omitted. 
     The touch panel  304  functions as an operation device and a display device of the customer terminal  300 . 
     The camera  305  includes an optical system and an image sensor and generates, with the image sensor, image data representing an image in a visual field formed by the optical system. 
     The wireless communication unit  306  exchanges data between the wireless communication unit  306  and the access point  6  through wireless communication conforming to a wireless communication protocol. As the wireless communication unit  306 , for example, a well-known communication device conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard can be used. 
     The mobile communication unit  307  is an interface of data communication via the communication network  500 . As the mobile communication unit  307 , for example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via a mobile communication network can be used. 
     The auxiliary storage unit  303  stores a smartphone POS application AP 301  and a substitution application AP 302 , each of which is one of the information processing programs. The smartphone POS application AP 301  is an application program and is described about information processing for causing the customer terminal  300  to function as a user interface of the store system  100 . The substitution application AP 302  is described about information processing explained below for receiving substitution operation by the store clerk terminal  400 . The smartphone POS application AP 301  and the substitution application AP 302  are used in common in a plurality of customer terminals  300 . The smartphone POS application AP 301  and the substitution application AP 302  may be replaced with one application program including two program modules corresponding to the smartphone POS application AP 301  and the substitution application AP 302 . 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the store clerk terminal  400 . 
     The store clerk terminal  400  may include a processor  401 , a main memory  402 , an auxiliary storage unit  403 , a touch panel  404 , a camera  405 , a wireless communication unit  406 , and a transmission line  407 . The processor  401 , the main memory  402 , the auxiliary storage unit  403 , the touch panel  404 , the camera  405 , and the wireless communication unit  406  are communicably connected via the transmission line  407 . The processor  401 , the main memory  402 , and the auxiliary storage unit  403  are connected by the transmission line  407 , whereby a computer for controlling the store clerk terminal  400  is configured. Overviews of functions of the processor  401 , the main memory  402 , the auxiliary storage unit  403 , the touch panel  404 , the camera  405 , and the wireless communication unit  406  and the transmission line  407  are equal to the overviews of the functions of the processor  11 , the main memory  12 , the auxiliary storage unit  13 , the touch panel  304 , the camera  305 , and the wireless communication unit  306  and the transmission line  15 . Therefore, explanation of the overviews of the functions is omitted. The store clerk terminal  400  may include a unit having the same function as the function of the mobile communication unit  307 . 
     The auxiliary storage unit  403  stores a store clerk terminal application AP 401 , which is one of the information processing programs. The store clerk terminal application AP 401  is an application program and is described about information processing explained below for causing the store clerk terminal  400  to function as a user interface of the store system  100 . 
     As hardware of the store server  1 , the virtual POS server  2 , or the mobile controller  3 , for example, a general-purpose server apparatus can be used. In general, transfer of the store server  1 , the virtual POS server  2 , or the mobile controller is performed in a state in which the store management application AP 11 , the virtual POS application AP 21 , or the registration support application AP 31  is stored in the auxiliary storage unit  13 ,  23 , or  33  and the database group DB 11 , the transaction database DB 21 , or the transaction management database DB 31  and the registration database DB 32  need not be stored in the auxiliary storage units  13 ,  23 , or  33 . However, the hardware in a state in which the store management application AP 11 , the virtual POS application AP 21 , or the registration support application AP 31  are not stored in the auxiliary storage unit  13 ,  23 , or  33  or a state in which an application program of the same type and another version is stored in the auxiliary storage unit  13 ,  23 , or  33  and the store management application AP 11 , the virtual POS application AP 21 , or the registration support application AP 31  may be individually transferred. The store management application AP 11 , the virtual POS application AP 21 , or the registration support application AP 31  is written in the auxiliary storage unit  13 ,  23 , or  33  according to operation by any operator, whereby the store server  1 , the virtual POS server  2 , or the mobile controller  3  may be configured. Transfer of the store management application AP 11 , the virtual POS application AP 21 , or the registration support application AP 31  can be performed by recording the store management application AP 11 , the virtual POS application AP 21 , or the registration support application AP 31  in a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory or can be performed by communication via a network. The processor  11 ,  21 , or  31  executes the information processing based on the store management application AP 11 , the virtual POS application AP 21 , or the registration support application AP 31 , whereby the transaction database DB 21  or the transaction management DB 31  and the registration database DB 32  are configured in the auxiliary storage unit  13 ,  23 , or  33 . The store management application AP 11  and at least a part of the databases included in the database group DB 11  may be stored in the main memory  12 . The virtual POS application AP 21  and at least a part of the transaction database DB 21  may be stored in the main memory  22 . The registration support application AP 31  and at least a part of the transaction management database DB 31  and the registration database DB 32  may be stored in the main memory  32 . 
     As the store clerk terminal  400 , a portable general-purpose information processing apparatus such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, which are handheld devices, or a stationary general-purpose information processing apparatus such as a desktop computer can be used. In general, transfer of the store clerk terminal  400  is performed in a state in which hardware in a state in which the store clerk terminal application AP 401  is not stored in the auxiliary storage unit  403  and the store clerk terminal application AP 401  are separate. The store clerk terminal application AP 401  is written in the auxiliary storage unit  403  according to operation by any operator, whereby the store clerk terminal  400  may be configured. Transfer of the store clerk terminal application AP 401  can be performed by recording the store clerk terminal application AP 401  in a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory or can be performed by communication via a network. However, the store clerk terminal  400  in a state in which the store clerk terminal application AP 401  is written in the auxiliary storage unit  403  may be transferred. The store clerk terminal application AP 401  may be stored in the main memory  402 . 
     The operation of the transaction processing system configured as explained above is explained. Contents of various kinds of processing explained below are examples. A change of the order of a part of the processing, omission of a part of the processing, addition of another kind of processing, or the like can be performed as appropriate. For example, in the following explanation, explanation about a part of the processing is omitted in order to clearly explain characteristic operations in at least one embodiment. For example, if some error occurs, processing for coping with the error is sometimes performed. However, description is omitted about a part of such processing. 
     A service provided to customers by the operation of the transaction processing system explained below is referred to as smartphone POS service. 
     In order to use the smartphone POS service, a customer installs the smartphone POS application AP 301  and the substitution application AP 302  in a general-purpose information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer carried by the customer and enables the information terminal to be used as the customer terminal  300 . Alternatively, the customer borrows, in the store, the customer terminal  300  configured by installing the smartphone POS application AP 301  in a tablet terminal or the like. The customer may carry the customer terminal  300  in a state in which the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301  is started and enters any store in which the store system  100  is provided. 
     If entering the store and starting shopping, the customer performs predetermined operation for designating the shopping start in the customer terminal  300 . The customer causes the camera  305  to photograph the two-dimensional code TC 1  posted near the entrance of the store. Consequently, the customer terminal  300  acquires the check-in data explained above and thereafter performs operation adapted to setting of the store system  100  indicated by the check-in data. The customer terminal  300  requests, based on the check-in data, the mobile controller  3  to perform check-in. In response to the request, in the mobile controller  3 , the processor  31  starts support processing for supporting the virtual POS server  2  in processing a transaction with the customer who is using the customer terminal  300 . The virtual POS server  2  performs registration processing and accounting processing under the support by the mobile controller  3  according to an instruction of the customer by operation of the customer terminal  300 . 
     In the customer terminal  300 , the processor  301  inputs an instruction by the customer for the registration processing and the accounting processing. Specifically, in order to receive various instructions of the customer for the registration processing and the accounting processing, the processor  301  causes the touch panel  304  of the customer terminal  300  to display various operation screens and then waits for an instruction by the customer. The processor  301  receives an instruction for commodity registration, a change of the number of items of a purchased commodity, cancellation of the purchased commodity, a start of accounting, in which of operation in the customer terminal  300  and the accounting machine  5  the accounting is performed, a settlement method, or settlement information applied to settlement such as a credit number. The processor  301  executes information processing based on the smart phone POS application AP 301  in this way, whereby a computer including the processor  301  as a central part functions as a first input unit (a first receiver). The customer terminal  300  is an example of a first apparatus. 
     The instruction is input in the customer terminal  300 . However, the customer terminal  300  may directly notify content of the instruction to the mobile controller  3 . In the mobile controller  3 , the processor  31  may determine which of the various instruction is performed. 
     The registration processing is processing for registering, as a purchased commodity, a commodity that the customer is about to purchase. The accounting processing is processing for calculating a price of the purchased commodity and causing the customer to settle the price. The registration processing and the accounting processing may be the same processing as, for example, processing performed by a POS server in the existing POS system according to operation in the POS terminal. The registration processing and the accounting processing are realized by information processing by the processor  21 . The registration processing and the accounting processing are equivalent to information processing for processing a transaction. The processor  21  executes the information processing based on the virtual POS application AP 21  in this way, whereby a computer including the processor  21  as a central part functions as a processing unit. 
     The support processing by the mobile controller  3  is processing for giving an instruction input in the customer terminal  300  to the virtual POS server  2  as if the instruction is an instruction given by the POS terminal, and causing the customer terminal  300  to operate like the POS terminal. The support processing is realized by information processing by the processor  31 . 
     In at least one embodiment, in principle, the instruction for the registration processing and the accounting processing should be performed by the customer. However, in the case of a customer unaccustomed to use of the smartphone POS service or operation of the customer terminal  300 , the customer sometimes cannot appropriately give the instruction. It is conceivable that such a customer inquires a store clerk about the operation of the customer terminal  300 . The store clerk receiving such an inquiry supports the customer using the store clerk terminal  400  that starts the information processing by the store clerk terminal application AP 401 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are flowcharts of the information processing based on the store clerk terminal application AP 401  by the processor  401 . 
     In ACT  1  in  FIG. 7 , the processor  401  causes the touch panel  404  to display a list screen. The list screen is a screen for displaying a list of the customer terminals  300  in operation in the store and causing a store clerk to designate one customer terminal  300  set as a target of operation substitution out of those customer terminals  300 . For example, the processor  401  acquires a list of the customer terminals  300  in operation in the store from the mobile controller  3 , generates a list screen showing the list, and causes the touch panel  404  to display the list screen. The generation of the list screen may be performed by the processor  31  in the mobile controller  3 . 
     In ACT  2 , the processor  401  waits for the customer terminal  300  set as a target of the operation substitution to be designated. The store clerk confirms the list screen and designates the customer terminal  300  used by the inquiring customer. According to the designation, the processor  401  determines YES and proceeds to ACT  3 . 
     In ACT  3 , the processor  401  notifies a substitution start to the customer terminal  300 . For example, the processor  401  transmits notification data for notifying the substitution start to the mobile controller  3  from the wireless communication unit  406 . The processor  401  includes, in the notification data, as identification data representing a reason for the notification, identification data predetermined as representing the notification of the substitution start. The processor  401  includes, in the notification data, a terminal ID of the customer terminal  300  as a notification destination ID. The processor  401  includes, in the notification data, as a notification source ID, a terminal ID of the store clerk terminal  400  in which the processor  401  is provided. The notification data is transmitted to the mobile controller  3  by the access point  6  and the intra-store communication network  7 . The notification data is received by the communication interface  34  in the mobile controller  3 . 
     According to the reception of the notification data, in the mobile controller  3 , the processor  31  transmits notification data for notifying the substitution start from the communication interface  34  to the customer terminal  300  identified by the notification destination ID included in the received notification data. The processor  301  may directly transfer the notification data received by the communication interface or may transmit other notification data based on the notification data. The processor  301  includes, in the notification data to be transmitted, as identification data representing a reason for the notification, identification data predetermined as representing the notification of the substitution start and includes, in the notification data to be transmitted, the notification source ID included in the received notification data. The identification data included in the notification data transmitted from the store clerk terminal  400  and the identification data included in the notification data transmitted to the customer terminal  300  may represent the same reason or may be different from each other. The notification data is transmitted to the customer terminal  300  via the intra-store communication network  7  and the access point  6  or via the intra-store communication network  7 , the communication server  4 , the communication network  500 , the relay server  200 , and the communication network  500 . The notification data is received by the wireless communication unit  306  or the mobile communication unit  307  in the customer terminal  300 . 
     Various notifications from the store clerk terminal  400  to the customer terminal  300  in the following explanation are performed in the same manner as explained above via the mobile controller  3 . Various notifications from the customer terminal  300  to the store clerk terminal  400  in the following explanation is performed in a flow opposite to the flow explained above via the mobile controller  3 . 
     The customer terminal  300  and the store clerk terminal  400  may perform various notifications via the intra-store communication network  7  and not via the mobile controller  3 . The customer terminal  300  and the store clerk terminal  400  may perform notifications to each other through direct wireless communication between the customer terminal  300  and the store clerk terminal  400 . 
     In the customer terminal  300 , if the substitution start is notified, the processor  301  starts information processing based on the substitution application AP 302 . At this time, the processor  301  executes the information processing based on the substitution application AP 302  in parallel without ending the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301  executed as explained above. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the information processing based on the substitution application AP 302  by the processor  301 . 
     In ACT  21 , the processor  301  confirms whether the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301  is in a state of waiting for an instruction by the customer. If the information processing is not in the waiting state, the processor  301  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  22 . 
     In ACT  22 , the processor  301  notifies the store clerk terminal  400  at a notification source of the substitution start that the substitution start is rejected. Accordingly, the processor  301  ends the information processing based on the substitution application AP 302 . 
     If the information processing is in the state of waiting for an instruction by the customer, the processor  301  determines YES in ACT  21  and proceeds to ACT  23 . 
     In ACT  23 , the processor  301  notifies the store clerk terminal  400  at the notification source of the substitution start which screen is a screen set as a target of the substitution operation (hereinafter referred to as target screen). Since operation on a screen displayed in the customer terminal  300  is unknown for the customer, the screen being displayed is the target screen. For example, the processor  301  may include, in notification data for the notification, a screen ID of a screen displayed on the touch panel  304  in order to wait for an instruction from the customer in the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301 . 
     In the store clerk terminal  400 , after notifying the substitution start in ACT  3  in  FIG. 7 , the processor  401  proceeds to ACT  4 . 
     In ACT  4 , the processor  401  confirms whether a rejection notification is performed. If failing in confirming the notification, the processor  401  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  5 . 
     In ACT  5 , the processor  401  confirms whether a screen notification is performed. If failing in confirming the notification, the processor  401  determines NO and returns to ACT  4 . 
     In this way, in ACT  4  and ACT  5 , the processor  401  waits for the rejection notification or the screen notification. If the rejection notification is received from the customer terminal  300  as explained above, the processor  401  determines YES in ACT  4  and proceeds to ACT  6 . 
     In ACT  6 , the processor  401  causes the touch panel  404  to display an error screen. The error screen is a screen predetermined as informing the store clerk that the customer terminal  300  is not in a situation in which operation is performed substituting for the customer. If a predetermined end condition is satisfied, the processor  401  returns to ACT  1  and returns the display on the touch panel  404  to the list screen. 
     On the other hand, if the screen notification is received from the customer terminal  300  as explained above, the processor  401  determines YES in ACT  5  and proceeds to ACT  7  in  FIG. 8 . 
     In ACT  7 , the processor  401  confirms whether the target screen is a screen preset as confirmation required. A screen, for which substitution operation by the store clerk is permitted but which is preferably operated by the customer, is preset as confirmation required. However, which screen is specifically set as confirmation required may be optionally decided by an administrator or the like of the store. If the target screen is set as confirmation required, the processor  401  determines YES and proceeds to ACT  8 . 
     In ACT  8 , the processor  401  causes the touch panel  404  to display a confirmation screen. The confirmation screen is a screen for causing the store clerk to select whether a substitution operation concerning the target screen is performed. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen SC 1 . 
     The input screen SC 1  is a screen that, in the customer terminal  300 , the processor  301  causes the touch panel  304  to display in order to cause the customer to input a credit number in the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301 . The input screen SC 1  includes a display area AR 11 , an input area AR 12 , buttons BU 11  and BU 12 , and a tenkey TK 11 . The display area AR 11  represents a total number and a total amount of registered commodities. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , five commodities are registered in total and a total amount of the commodities is 1,720 yen. An input area AR 12  is an area for inputting a credit number. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a state in which the credit number is not input yet is illustrated. The button BU 11  is a softkey for the customer to instruct input completion of the credit number. The button BU 12  is a softkey for the customer to cancel the input of the credit number. The tenkey TK 11  is a softkey group for the customer to input numbers. 
     It is preferable that operation for the input of the credit number is performed by the customer. However, if the input of the credit number by the store clerk is permitted according to a desire of the customer, it is assumed that the input screen SC 1  is set as confirmation required. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen SC 2 . 
     In the confirmation screen SC 2  in the example illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the customer terminal  300  in a state in which the input screen SC 1  illustrated in  FIG. 10  is displayed on the touch panel  304  is designated as a target of the operation substitution. 
     The confirmation screen SC 2  is a screen on which a window WI 21  is displayed over the input screen SC 1 . The window WI 21  represents a message ME 21  and buttons BU 21  and BU 22 . The message ME 21  is a character message for informing the store clerk that it is recommended that an instruction on a screen set as a target of the operation substitution is performed by the customer. The button BU 21  is a softkey for the store clerk to instruct execution of the operation substitution. The button BU 21  is a softkey for the store clerk to instruct cancellation of the operation substitution. 
     If the target screen set as confirmation required is displayed in the store clerk terminal  400 , a state in which the processor  401  functioning as a second input unit (a second receiver) inputs an instruction predetermined as being recommended to be performed by the customer is formed. The confirmation screen is a screen for informing the store clerk that an instruction should be input by the processor  301  functioning as the first input unit. The processor  401  executes the information processing based on the store clerk terminal application AP 401  in this way, whereby a computer including the processor  401  as a central part functions as a first informing unit. 
     The display of the confirmation screen SC 2  can call the store clerk&#39;s attention to the fact that it is preferable that an input of an instruction on the target screen is performed by the customer. The store clerk determines, while considering that it is preferable that the instruction is performed by the customer, whether to execute the operation substitution or cancel the operation substitution and cause the customer to perform operation. If the store clerk executes the operation substitution, the store clerk instructs the execution with predetermined operation for, for example, touching the button BU 21 . If the store clerk cancels the operation substitution, the store clerk instructs the cancellation with predetermined operation for, for example, touching the button BU 22 . 
     The processor  401  proceeds to ACT  9  in  FIG. 8  in a state in which the processor  401  causes the touch panel  404  to display the confirmation screen SC 2 . 
     In ACT  9 , the processor  401  confirms whether the cancellation of the operation substitution is instructed. If failing in confirming the instruction, the processor  401  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  10 . 
     In ACT  10 , the processor  401  confirms whether the execution of the operation substitution is instructed. If failing in confirming the instruction, the processor  401  determines NO and returns to ACT  9 . 
     In this way, in ACT  9  and ACT  10 , the processor  401  waits for the cancellation or the execution of the operation substitution to be instructed. If confirming that the execution is instructed by the store clerk as explained above, the processor  401  determines YES in ACT  10  and proceeds to ACT  12 . 
     On the other hand, if the target screen is not set as confirmation required, the processor  401  determines NO in ACT  7  and proceeds to ACT  11 . 
     In ACT  11 , the processor  401  confirms whether the target screen is set to store clerk instruction prohibited. A screen that is not to be operated in a substituted manner by the store clerk is set in advance as store clerk instruction prohibited. However, which screen is specifically set as store clerk instruction prohibited may be optionally decided by the administrator or the like of the store. For example, in a store in which it is prohibited to ask a customer about a credit number, the input screen SC 1  is set as store clerk instruction prohibited. If the target screen is not set as store clerk instruction prohibited, the processor  401  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  12 . 
     In this way, if the target screen is set neither as confirmation required nor as the store clerk instruction prohibited and if the target screen is set as confirmation required but the execution of the substitution operation is instructed on the configuration screen, the processor  401  proceeds to ACT  12 . 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen SC 3 . 
     The selection screen SC 3  is a screen that, in the customer terminal  300 , the processor  301  causes the touch panel  304  to display in order to cause the customer to select a payment method for a price in the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301 . 
     The selection screen SC 3  includes a display area AR 31 , a message ME 31 , and buttons BU 31  and BU 32 . The display area AR 31  represents a total number and a total amount of registered commodities. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 12 , five commodities are registered in total and a total amount of the commodities is 1,720 yen. The message ME 31  is a character message for urging the user to select a payment method. The button BU 31  is a softkey for the customer to instruct to perform settlement with operation in the customer terminal  300 . The button BU 32  is a softkey for the customer to instruct to perform settlement using the accounting machine  5 . 
     In general, the store clerk may perform, substituting for the customer, an instruction of a settlement method on the selection screen SC 3 . Therefore, it is assumed that neither the setting of confirmation required nor the setting of the store clerk instruction prohibited is performed on the selection screen SC 3 . Accordingly, if the selection screen SC 3  is the target screen, the processor  401  determines NO in both of ACT  7  and ACT  11  in  FIG. 8  and proceeds to ACT  12 . 
     In ACT  12 , the processor  401  causes the touch panel  404  to display the target screen. Data of all screens that could be the target screen among screens displayed in the customer terminal  300  may be stored in advance in the auxiliary storage unit  403  of the store clerk terminal  400 . Alternatively, all the screens that could be the target screen among the screens displayed in the customer terminal  300  are set to be able to be generated by the information processing by the processor  401 . Screen data of the target screen may be transmitted from the customer terminal  300  to the store clerk terminal  400 . 
     The store clerk performs, substituting for the customer, operation that the customer should perform concerning the target screen displayed on the touch panel  404  of the store clerk terminal  400 . If the store clerk cancels the operation substitution for some reason, the store clerk instructs the cancellation with predetermined operation for, for example, touching a button for cancellation instruction additionally displayed on the target screen. 
     In ACT  13 , the processor  401  confirms whether operation concerning the target screen is performed. If the operation is not performed, the processor  401  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  14 . 
     In ACT  14 , the processor  401  confirms whether cancellation of the substitution is instructed. If failing in confirming the instruction, the processor  401  determines NO and returns to ACT  13 . 
     In this way, in ACT  13  and ACT  14 , the processor  401  waits for the operation concerning the target screen or the instruction for the cancellation. If the operation concerning the target screen is performed as explained above, the processor  401  determines YES in ACT  13  and proceeds to ACT  15 . 
     In ACT  15 , the processor  401  notifies the instruction performed by the operation to the customer terminal  300 . Thereafter, the processor  401  proceeds to ACT  16 . At this time, the processor  401  inputs an instruction by the store clerk. The processor  401  executes the information processing based on the store clerk terminal application AP 401  in this way, whereby the computer including the processor  401  as the central part functions as a second input unit. The store clerk terminal  400  is an example of a second apparatus. 
     If confirming that the cancellation is instructed when the confirmation screen SC 2  is displayed, the processor  401  determines YES in ACT  9  and proceeds to ACT  16  passing ACT  10  to ACT  15 . If the target screen is set to store clerk instruction prohibited, the processor  401  determines YES in ACT  11  and proceeds to ACT  16  passing ACT  12  to ACT  15 . If confirming that the cancellation is instructed as explained above when the target screen is displayed, the processor  401  determines YES in ACT  14  and proceeds to ACT  16  passing ACT  15 . That is, in these cases, the processor  401  proceeds to ACT  16  without executing ACT  15 . 
     In ACT  16 , the processor  401  notifies a substitution end to the customer terminal  300 . Thereafter, the processor  401  ends the information processing based on the store clerk terminal application AP 401 . 
     In the customer terminal  300 , if notifying the target screen in ACT  23  in  FIG. 9 , the processor  301  proceeds to ACT  24 . 
     In ACT  24 , the processor  301  causes the touch panel  304  to display an in-substitution screen. The in-substitution screen is a screen for informing the customer a state in which operation is performed by the store clerk terminal  400  substituting for the customer. 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of an in-substitution screen SC 4 . 
     The in-substitution screen SC 4  in the example illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the customer terminal  300  in a state in which the selection screen SC 3  illustrated in  FIG. 12  is displayed on the touch panel  304  is designated as a target of the operation substitution. 
     The in-substitution screen SC 4  illustrated in  FIG. 13  is formed by superimposing a window WI 41  on an image representing appearance of the selection screen SC 3 . The in-substitution screen SC 4  represents appearance of the buttons BU 31  and BU 32  on the selection screen SC 3  but does not have functions of softkeys. The window WI 41  represents a character message for informing the customer that the customer cannot perform operation because the operation is performed by the store clerk terminal  400  substituting for the customer. That is, the display of the in-substitution screen SC 4  is equivalent to informing the customer that an input of an instruction by the processor  301  functioning as the first input unit is invalid. The processor  301  executes the information processing based on the substitution application AP 302  in this way, whereby the computer including the processor  301  as the central part functions as a second informing unit. 
     Although the customer requests the store clerk to perform operation substituting for the customer, if an instruction can be input in the customer terminal  300  as well, it is likely that some instruction is input in the customer terminal  300  as well. However, if the in-substitution screen SC 4  is displayed, an instruction by the customer cannot be received in the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301 . Consequently, an instruction based on the same screen is prevented from being performed in both of the customer terminal  300  and the store clerk terminal  400 . 
     The processor  301  proceeds to ACT  25  in  FIG. 9  in a state in which the processor  301  causes the touch panel  304  to display the in-substitution screen SC 4 . 
     In ACT  25 , the processor  301  confirms whether an instruction is notified. If failing in confirming the notification, the processor  401  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  26 . 
     In ACT  26 , the processor  301  confirms whether an end of the operation substitution is notified. If failing in confirming the notification, the processor  301  determines NO and returns to ACT  25 . 
     In this way, in ACT  25  and ACT  26 , the processor  301  waits for the instruction or the end of the operation substitution to be notified. In the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301 , the processor  301  does not regard the operation on the target screen displayed on the in-substitution screen SC 4  as an instruction on the target screen. 
     If confirming that the instruction is notified from the store clerk terminal  400  as explained above, the processor  301  determines YES in ACT  25  and proceeds to ACT  27 . 
     In ACT  27 , the processor  301  causes the touch panel  304  to display a guidance screen. The guidance screen is a screen for informing the substitute operation in the store clerk terminal  400  to the customer. 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of a guidance screen SC 5 . 
     In the guidance screen SC 5  in the example illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the selection screen SC 3  illustrated in  FIG. 12  is set as the target screen and settlement by operation in the customer terminal  300  is instructed by the store clerk in the store clerk terminal  400 . 
     On the guidance screen SC 5  illustrated in  FIG. 14 , an area AR 51  equivalent to the button BU 31  on the selection screen SC 3  is highlighted and an image IM 51  is displayed over the area AR 51 , whereby a state of touching the button BU 31  is represented. The highlighting of the area AR 51  may be, for example, halftone dot meshing display, color display, or flashing display. The image IM 51  may be animation display that moves from the outside of the guidance screen SC 5  and stops in a state overlapping the area AR 51 . 
     The processor  301  executes the information processing based on the substitution application AP 302  in this way, whereby the computer including the processor  301  as the central part functions as a display unit. 
     In ACT  28  in  FIG. 9 , the processor  301  notifies, as an instruction in the customer terminal  300 , the instruction notified from the store clerk terminal  400  to the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301 . 
     In ACT  29 , the processor  301  waits for a substitution end notification. If the processor  401  proceeds from ACT  15  to ACT  16  in  FIG. 8  and notifies the substitution end in the store clerk terminal  400  as explained above, the processor  301  determines YES and ends the information processing based on the substitution application AP 302 . 
     If the processor  401  proceeds to ACT  16  and notifies the substitution end without executing ACT  15  in  FIG. 8 , the processor  301  determines YES in ACT  26  in  FIG. 9  and ends the information processing based on the substitution application AP 302  without performing ACT  27  and ACT  28 . 
     In the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301 , since the processor  301  is in a state of waiting for an instruction on the target screen, the processor  301  determines that an instruction notified by the information processing based on the substitution application AP 302  is performed and proceeds to processing corresponding to the instruction. As a result, in the virtual POS server  2 , the processor  21  executes the registration processing or the accounting processing according to an instruction by the store clerk in the store clerk terminal  400 . However, in a state in which, in the store clerk terminal  400 , the processor  401  does not execute the information processing based on the store clerk terminal application AP 401 , the processor  21  executes the registration processing or the accounting processing according to an instruction of the customer in the customer terminal  300  without considering the instruction of the store clerk in the store clerk terminal  400 . A state in which the processor  401  does not execute the information processing based on the store clerk terminal application AP 401  in this way is equivalent to a first operation mode. A state in which the processor  401  executes the information processing is equivalent to a second operation mode. 
     Thereafter, the display on the touch panel  304  of the customer terminal  300  is updated by the information processing based on the smartphone POS application AP 301  to reflect a processing result in the virtual POS server  2 . 
     As explained above, with the transaction processing system in this embodiment, it is possible to perform, according to an instruction of the store clerk by operation of the store clerk terminal  400 , substituting for the customer, an instruction that should be performed by operation by the customer in the customer terminal  300 . In this way, the operation for the instruction substitution is informed to the customer by displaying the guidance screen SC 5  in the customer terminal  300 . Accordingly, the customer can confirm the operation for the instruction performed by the store clerk substituting for the customer. 
     At this time, the operation by the store clerk is performed in the store clerk terminal  400  and the display of the guidance screen SC 5  is performed in the customer terminal  300 . Therefore, since the store clerk need not perform the operation such that the customer can easily see the operation, a burden on the store clerk does not increase excessively. Since the customer does not look into the operation by the store clerk, the customer can easily confirm the operation. 
     Various modified implementations of this embodiment are possible as explained below. 
     The transaction processing system may be realized as a transaction processing system that provides a cart POS service, a self-settlement service, a semi-self-settlement service, or the like. If the cart POS service is provided, the first apparatus is, for example, a cart terminal. If the self-settlement service is provided, the first apparatus is, for example, a self-service POS terminal. If the semi-self-settlement service is provided, the first apparatus is, for example, a semi-self-service accounting machine. 
     The processor  31  of the mobile controller  3  or a processor included in another server may execute information processing similar to the information processing illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  while using the store clerk terminal  400  as a user interface device. 
     The processor  31  of the mobile controller  3  or a processor included in another server may execute information processing similar to the information processing illustrated in  FIG. 9  while using the customer terminal  300  as a user interface device. 
     In the customer terminal  300 , the processor  301  may execute all or a part of the registration processing and the accounting processing. In this case, the computer including the processor  301  as the central part has a function of the processing unit. 
     The processor  31  of the mobile controller  3  or a processor included in another server may execute all or a part of the registration processing and the accounting processing. In this case, a computer including the processor  31  or a processor included in the other server as a central part has a function of the processing unit. 
     The processor  31  of the mobile controller  3  or the processor included in the other server may execute display of at least any one of the confirmation screen SC 2 , the in-substitution screen SC 4 , and the guidance screen SC 5 . In this case, a computer including the processor  31  or the processor included in the other server as a central part has a function of the display unit, the first informing unit, or the second informing unit. 
     In at least one embodiment, the substitution state is released if one instruction is performed in the store clerk terminal  400 . Consequently, it is possible to prevent the store clerk from easily continuing to perform, substituting the customer, an instruction that the customer should originally perform. The substitution state may be continued until the release is instructed in the customer terminal  300  or the store clerk terminal  400  to enable the store clerk to continuously perform a plurality of instructions substituting for the customer. 
     Concerning the various notifications between the customer terminal  300  and the store clerk terminal  400 , the terminal ID of the notification source may not be included in the notification data transmitted from the notification source. In this case, for example, in the mobile controller  3 , the processor  31  only has to identify the notification source using a protocol of communication with the notification source. 
     The terminal ID of the transmission source and the terminal ID of the notification destination of the notification data for notifying the substitution start may be correlated and managed in the mobile controller  3 . The terminal ID of the notification destination may not be included in other notification data transmitted from the notification source. 
     A part or all of the functions realized by the processors  11 ,  21 ,  31 ,  301 , and  401  according to the information processing can also be realized by hardware for executing information processing not based on a program such as a logic circuit. Each of the functions explained above can also be realized by combining software control with the hardware such as the logic circuit. 
     Several embodiments are explained above. However, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various forms. Various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. These embodiments and modifications of the embodiments are included in the scope and the gist of the disclosure and described in claims and the scope of equivalents of the embodiments.