Patent Publication Number: US-2021182842-A1

Title: Information processing device and control program for information processing device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from. Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-227237, filed in Dec. 17, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information processing device and a control program for the information processing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, a variety of systems that enable a customer to perform registration for settlement using a portable terminal, so-called registration settlement systems have been devised for the purpose of labor saving and unmanned operation in a store. 
     In such registration settlement systems, credit card settlement is mainly performed. With a recent tendency, prepaid electronic money settlement has also been widely used. Therefore, it has been conceived to use the prepaid electronic money settlement in the registration settlement systems as well. 
     However, in the case of the electronic money settlement, if a balance of electronic money at a point in time of settlement is short, an error occurs. If the error occurs, a customer has to charge the electronic money or select another settlement method such as credit card settlement. In this way, if an error occurs at the point in time of the settlement, operation for solving the error is desired. Therefore, the settlement is likely to be delayed. 
     Related art is described in, for example, JP-A-2019-86832. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a registration settlement system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a portable terminal; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of an entrance gate device; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a member server; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a customer table; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a commodity server; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a virtual POS server; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a purchase registration list; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of a settlement server; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of a processor in the entrance gate device; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of a processor in the member server; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of the processor in the member server; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of the processor in the member server; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of the processor in the member server; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of the processor in the member server; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of the processor in the member server; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of a processor in the virtual POS server; 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of a processor in the settlement server; 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating a main part control procedure of the processor in the settlement server; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a purchase registration screen displayed in a portable terminal; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a balance shortage notification screen displayed in the portable terminal; and 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a charge amount input screen displayed in the portable terminal. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An object of embodiments is to provide an information processing device and a control program for the information processing device that, if prepaid electronic money settlement is adopted as a settlement scheme of a commercial transaction, can prevent a situation in which a balance shortage is revealed at a point in time of settlement and the settlement is delayed. 
     In an embodiment, an information processing device includes a processor. The processor can acquire a balance of electronic money owned by a customer. The processor can update, every time the customer purchases a commodity, a total amount of price for the one or more purchased commodities. The processor can determine whether the total amount exceeds the balance of the electronic money. The processor can provide a notification in response to determining that the total amount exceeds the balance of the electronic money. 
     An information processing device and a control program for the information processing device in an embodiment are explained below with reference to the drawings. 
     In this embodiment, a registration settlement system that enables a customer to perform registration to settlement of a commodity using a portable terminal is illustrated. As a settlement scheme, prepaid electronic money settlement and credit card settlement are adopted. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a registration settlement system  1  according to the embodiment. 
     The registration settlement system  1  includes a portable terminal  10 , an entrance gate device  20 , an exit gate device  30 , a member server  40 , a commodity server  50 , a virtual POS server  60 , a settlement server  70 , an access point  80 , and a communication network  90 . The communication network  90  is, for example, a LAN (local area network). The LAN may be a wired LAN or may be a wireless LAN. 
     In the registration settlement system  1 , the entrance gate device  20 , the exit gate device  30 , the member server  40 , the commodity server  50 , the virtual POS server  60 , the settlement server  70 , and the access point  80  are connected to the communication network  90 . The portable terminal  10  enables wireless communication between the portable terminal  10  and the access point  80 . The portable terminal  10  connected to the access point  80  by the wireless communication can perform data communication with the member server  40 , the commodity server  50 , the virtual POS server  60 , or the settlement server  70  via the communication network  90 . 
     The portable terminal  10  is a portable communication terminal. As explained in detail below, the portable terminal  10  includes hardware for reading at least data codes such as a barcode and a two-dimensional code. For example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal mounted with a digital camera personally owned by a customer can be used as the portable terminal  10 . 
     The entrance gate device  20  receives check-in operation for the customer to enter a store. The entrance gate device  20  selectively forms an opened state for permitting store entry of the customer and a closed state for preventing the store entry of the customer, for example, under an instruction from the member server  40 . 
     The exit gate device  30  receives check-out operation for the customer to leave the store. The exit gate device  30  selectively forms an open state for permitting store leave of the customer and a closed state for preventing the store leave of the customer, for example, under an instruction from the member server  40 . 
     The entrance gate device  20  and the exit gate device  30  have a function of detecting passage of the customer. As the entrance gate device  20  and the exit gate device  30 , for example, a well-known device that opens and closes a door for closing a gate can be used. In  FIG. 1 , one entrance gate device  20  and one exit gate device  30  are illustrated. However, the numbers of entrance gate devices  20  and exit gate devices  30  are not particularly limited. 
     The member server  40  is a computer that manages information concerning members registered as users of a store in which the registration settlement system  1  is introduced and executes various kinds of information processing relating to the members. 
     The commodity server  50  is a computer that manages information concerning commodities sold in the store and executes various kinds of information processing relating to the commodities. 
     The virtual POS server  60  is a computer that cooperates with the portable terminal  10  to execute information processing for showing as if the portable terminal  10  is functioning as a POS terminal. 
     The settlement server  70  is a computer that executes information processing relating to settlement such as credit card settlement and prepaid electronic money settlement. 
     The access point  80  is communication equipment set in the store as a relay point at the time when the servers (the member server  40 , the commodity server  50 , the virtual POS server  60 , the settlement server  70 , and the like) of the registration settlement system  1  perform data communication with the portable terminal  10  via a wireless LAN. The wireless LAN confirms to, for example, the standard of Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In  FIG. 1 , only one access point  80  is illustrated. However, the number of access points  80  is not limited. A plurality of access points  80  may be connected to the communication network  90  according to a size and the like of the store. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the portable terminal  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the portable terminal  10  includes a processor  11 , a built-in memory  12 , an external memory  13 , a touch panel  14 , a camera  15 , a wireless unit  16 , a communication interface  17 , and a system transmission line  18 . 
     The system transmission line  18  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. In the portable terminal  10 , the processor  11 , the built-in memory  12 , the external memory  13 , the touch panel  14 , the camera  15 , the wireless unit  16 , and the communication interface  17  are connected to the system transmission line  18 . The processor  11 , the built-in memory  12 , and the external memory  13  are connected by the system transmission line  18  to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the portable terminal  10 . 
     The processor  11  is equivalent to a central part of the computer. The processor  11  controls the units in order to realize various functions of the portable terminal  10  according to an operating system or application programs. The processor  11  is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). 
     The built-in memory  12  is equivalent to a main storage part of the computer. The built-in memory  12  includes a nonvolatile memory region and a volatile memory region. The built-in memory  12  stores the operating system or the application programs in the nonvolatile memory region. The built-in memory  12  stores, in the volatile memory region, data for the processor  11  in executing processing for controlling the units. The built-in 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 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory region is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). 
     The external memory  13  is equivalent to an auxiliary storage part of the computer. For example, an SD memory card and a USB memory could be the external memory  13 . The external memory  13  saves data used by the processor  11  in performing various kinds of processing, data created by processing in the processor  11 , or the like. The external memory  13  sometimes stores the application programs. 
     The touch panel  14  is a device functioning as both of an input device and a display device of the portable terminal  10 . The touch panel  14  detects a touch position on a displayed image and outputs information concerning the touch position to the processor  11 . 
     The camera  15  is an imaging device incorporated in the portable terminal  10 . The camera  15  operates as a photographing device for a still image or a moving image or a scanning device for data codes such as a barcode and a two-dimensional code according to an application program installed in the portable terminal  10 . The camera  15  is an example of a code reader. 
     The wireless unit  16  is a circuit for performing data communication according to a communication protocol of a wireless LAN between the wireless unit  16  and the access point  80 . 
     The communication interface  17  is a circuit for performing data communication between the communication interface  17  and an external device connected via the Internet or a mobile communication network. 
     The portable terminal  10  having such a configuration stores, as an application program stored in the built-in memory  12  or the external memory  13 , an application program for registration settlement used in purchase in the store in which the registration settlement system  1  is introduced. In the following explanation, the application program for registration settlement is referred to as registration settlement application. A method of installing the registration settlement application in the built-in memory  12  or the external memory  13  is not particularly limited. The registration settlement application can be installed in the built-in memory  12  or the external memory  13  by recording a control program in a removable recording medium or distributing the control program with communication via a network. A form of the recording medium may be any form if the recording medium can store a program like an SD memory card, a USB memory, or the like and can be read by a device. 
     The portable terminal  10  stores a terminal ID in the nonvolatile memory region in the built-in memory  12 . The terminal ID is terminal identification data set for each of portable terminals  10  in order to individually identify the portable terminals  10 . 
     The portable terminal  10  stores a member ID in the external memory  13 . The member ID is a specific code allocated to each of customers who perform member registration in order to use the store in which the registration settlement system  1  is introduced. The customer can perform the member registration by installing the registration settlement application in the portable terminal  10 . In the member registration, the member registers a number of a credit card used in settlement. The member purchases prepaid electronic money. If the member purchases the electronic money, an electronic money user ID is issued. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the entrance gate device  20 . A hardware configuration of the exit gate device  30  is the same as the hardware configuration of the entrance gate device  20 . Accordingly, the entrance gate device  20  is explained. Explanation of the exit gate device  30  is omitted. 
     The entrance gate device  20  includes a processor  21 , a main memory  22 , an auxiliary storage device  23 , a communication interface  24 , a touch panel  25 , a reader  26 , an interface  27 , a gate mechanism  28 , and a system transmission line  29 . 
     The system transmission line  29  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. In the entrance gate device  20 , the processor  21 , the main memory  22 , the auxiliary storage device  23 , the communication interface  24 , the touch panel  25 , the reader  26 , and the interface  27  are connected to the system transmission line  29 . The processor  21 , the main memory  22 , and the auxiliary storage device  23  are connected by the system transmission line  29  to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the entrance gate device  20 . 
     The processor  21  is equivalent to a central part of the computer. The processor  21  controls the units in order to realize various functions of the entrance gate device  20  according to an operating system or application programs. The processor  21  is, for example, a CPU. 
     The main memory  22  is equivalent to a main storage part of the computer. The main memory  22  includes a nonvolatile memory region and a volatile memory region. The main memory  22  stores the operating system or the application programs in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  22  stores, in the volatile memory region, data for the processor  21  in executing processing for controlling the units. The main memory  22  uses the volatile memory region as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor  21 . The nonvolatile memory region is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory region is, for example, a RAM. 
     The auxiliary storage device  23  is equivalent to an auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage device  23 , for example, 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) is used alone or a plurality of storage devices are used in combination. The auxiliary storage device  23  saves data used by the processor  21  in performing various kinds of processing and data generated by the processing in the processor  21 . The auxiliary storage device  23  sometimes stores the application programs. 
     The application programs stored in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage device  23  include a control program described concerning information processing executed in the entrance gate device  20 . A method of installing the control program in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage device  23  is not particularly limited. The control program can be installed in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage device  23  by recording the control program in a removable recording medium or distributing the control program with communication via a network. A form of the recording medium may be any form if the recording medium can store a program like a CD-ROM, a memory card, or the like and can be read by a device. 
     The communication interface  24  is a circuit for performing data communication with other devices connected via the communication network  90 . 
     The touch panel  25  displays a screen for presenting various kinds of information to an operator. Data designated by an operation (e.g., a touch operation) of the operator is input to the touch panel  25 . An operator of the entrance gate device  20  is often a customer. However, a store clerk is sometimes the operator. 
     The reader  26  reads a barcode of a member ID presented by the customer. The member ID is displayed on the touch panel  14  if the registration settlement application starts in the portable terminal  10  of the customer. The reader  26  reads the member ID displayed on the touch panel  14 . In this embodiment, operation by the customer for causing the reader  26  to read the member ID displayed on the touch panel  14  is referred to as check-in and check-out operation. As the reader  26 , for example, an optical two-dimensional barcode reader is used. 
     The interface  27  outputs an opening command signal or a closing command signal to the gate mechanism  28 . The interface  27  receives a detection signal input by a gate passage sensor. The gate mechanism  28  includes a door for opening and closing a gate and a sensor for detecting passage through the gate, a so-called gate passage sensor. The gate mechanism  28  opens the door according to the opening command signal to open the gate. The gate mechanism  28  closes the door according to the closing command signal to close the gate. The gate mechanism  28  outputs a detection signal of the gate passage sensor to the interface  27 . The gate passage sensor is, for example, an optical sensor. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the member server  40 . The member server  40  includes a processor  41 , a main memory  42 , an auxiliary storage device  43 , a communication interface  44 , and a system transmission line  45 . 
     The system transmission line  45  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. In the member server  40 , the processor  41 , the main memory  42 , the auxiliary storage device  43 , and the communication interface  44  are connected to the system transmission line  45 . The processor  41 , the main memory  42 , and the auxiliary storage device  43  are connected by the system transmission line  45  to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the member server  40 . 
     The processor  41  is equivalent to a central part of the computer. The processor  41  controls the units in order to realize various functions of the member server  40  according to an operating system or application programs. The processor  41  is, for example, a CPU. 
     The main memory  42  is equivalent to a main storage part of the computer. The main memory  42  includes a nonvolatile memory region and a volatile memory region. The main memory  42  stores the operating system or the application programs in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  42  stores, in the volatile memory region, data for the processor  41  in executing processing for controlling the units. The main memory  42  uses the volatile memory region as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor  41 . The nonvolatile memory region is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory region is, for example, a RAM. 
     The auxiliary storage device  43  is equivalent to an auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage device  43 , a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD is used alone or a plurality of storage devices are used in combination. The auxiliary storage device  43  saves data used by the processor  41  in performing various kinds of processing or data generated by the processing in the processor  41 . The auxiliary storage device  43  sometimes stores the application programs. 
     The application programs stored in the main memory  42  or the auxiliary storage device  43  include a control program described concerning information processing executed in the member server  40 . A method of installing the control program in the main memory  42  or the auxiliary storage device  43  is not particularly limited. The control program can be installed in the main memory  42  or the auxiliary storage device  43  by recording the control program in a removable recording medium or distributing the control program with communication via a network. A form of the recording medium may be any form if the recording medium can store a program like a CD-ROM, a memory card, or the like and can be read by a device. 
     The communication interface  44  is a circuit for performing data communication with other devices connected via the communication network  90 . 
     The member server  40  having such a configuration stores a member database  431  in the auxiliary storage device  43 . The member database  431  saves a member data record created for each of customers who perform member registration. The member data record includes items such as a member ID, a terminal ID, a credit card number, and an electronic money user ID. The member ID is generated when the customer installs the registration settlement application in the portable terminal  10  and performs the member registration. The terminal ID is acquired from the portable terminal  10  in which the member registration is performed. The credit card number is registered by the customer in the member registration. The electronic money user ID is issued when the customer purchases prepaid electronic money. 
     The member server  40  stores a customer table  421  in the volatile memory region of the main memory  42 . A data structure of the customer table  421  is illustrated in the schematic diagram of  FIG. 5 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the customer table  421  has a data structure for correlating and storing at least a member ID, a terminal ID, an electronic money user ID, an electronic money balance, a credit card number, and a priority flag. The priority flag is one-bit data for identifying whether the electronic money settlement is prioritized or the credit card settlement is prioritized. In this embodiment, the priority flag is set to “0” if the electronic money settlement is prioritized and is set to “1” if the credit card settlement is prioritized. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the commodity server  50 . The commodity server  50  includes a processor  51 , a main memory  52 , an auxiliary storage device  53 , a communication interface  54 , and a system transmission line  55 . 
     The system transmission line  55  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. In the commodity server  50 , the processor  51 , the main memory  52 , the auxiliary storage device  53 , and the communication interface  54  are connected to the system transmission line  55 . The processor  51 , the main memory  52 , and the auxiliary storage device  53  are connected by the system transmission line  55  to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the commodity server  50 . 
     The processor  51  is equivalent to a central part of the computer. The processor  51  controls the units in order to realize various functions of the commodity server  50  according to an operating system or application programs. The processor  51  is, for example, a CPU. 
     The main memory  52  is equivalent to a main storage part of the computer. The main memory  52  includes a nonvolatile memory region and a volatile memory region. The main memory  52  stores the operating system or the application programs in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  52  stores, in the volatile memory region, data for the processor  51  in executing processing for controlling the units. The main memory  52  uses the volatile memory region as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor  51 . The nonvolatile memory region is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory region is, for example, a RAM. 
     The auxiliary storage device  53  is equivalent to an auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage device  53 , for example, a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD is used alone or a plurality of storage devices are used in combination. The auxiliary storage device  53  saves data used by the processor  51  in performing various kinds of processing and data generated by the processing in the processor  51 . The auxiliary storage device  53  sometimes stores the application programs. 
     The application programs stored in the main memory  52  or the auxiliary storage device  53  include a control program described concerning information processing executed in the commodity server  50 . A method of installing the control program in the main memory  52  or the auxiliary storage device  53  is not particularly limited as in the case of the member server  40 . 
     The communication interface  54  is a circuit for performing data communication with other devices connected via the communication network  90 . 
     The commodity server  50  having such a configuration stores a commodity database  531  in the auxiliary storage device  53 . The commodity database  531  saves a commodity data record describing data of commodities sold in the store. The commodity data record includes items such as a commodity code, a commodity name, and a unit price. The commodity code is commodity identification data set for each of the commodities in order to individually identify the commodities. Usually, barcodes representing commodity codes are attached to the commodities. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the virtual POS server  60 . The virtual POS server  60  includes a processor  61 , a main memory  62 , an auxiliary storage device  63 , a communication interface  64 , and a system transmission line  65 . 
     The system transmission line  65  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. In the virtual POS server  60 , the processor  61 , the main memory  62 , the auxiliary storage device  63 , and the communication interface  64  are connected to the system transmission line  65 . The processor  61 , the main memory  62 , and the auxiliary storage device  63  are connected by the system transmission line  65  to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the virtual POS server  60 . 
     The processor  61  is equivalent to a central part of the computer. The processor  61  controls the units in order to realize various functions of the virtual POS server  60  according to an operating system or application programs. The processor  61  is, for example, a CPU. 
     The main memory  62  is equivalent to a main storage part of the computer. The main memory  62  includes a nonvolatile memory region and a volatile memory region. The main memory  62  stores the operating system or the application programs in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  62  stores, in the volatile memory region, data for the processor  61  in executing processing for controlling the units. The main memory  62  uses the volatile memory region as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor  61 . The nonvolatile memory region is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory region is, for example, a RAM. 
     The auxiliary storage device  63  is equivalent to an auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage device  63 , a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD is used alone or a plurality of storage devices are used in combination. The auxiliary storage device  63  saves data used by the processor  61  in performing various kinds of processing or data generated by the processing in the processor  61 . The auxiliary storage device  63  sometimes stores the application programs. 
     The application programs stored in the main memory  62  or the auxiliary storage device  63  include a control program described concerning information processing executed in the virtual POSs server  60 . A method of installing the control program in the main memory  62  or the auxiliary storage device  63  is not particularly limited as in the case of the member server  40 . 
     The communication interface  64  is a circuit for performing data communication with other devices connected via the communication network  90 . 
     The virtual POS server  60  having such a configuration uses a part of the volatile memory region in the main memory  62  as a creation region for a purchase registration list  621 . An example of the purchase registration list  621  is illustrated in the schematic diagram of  FIG. 8 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the purchase registration list  621  describes a commodity code, a commodity name, a unit price, the number of purchased items, and a price in the order of a series of numbers. The number of purchased items is the number of purchased items of a commodity specified by the commodity code. The price is a total of the unit price based on the number of purchased items. The purchase registration list  621  is created for each of the portable terminals  10  connected via communication means. The purchase registration list  621  is correlated with the member ID of the portable terminal  10  and created. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a main part circuit configuration of the settlement server  70 . The settlement server  70  includes a processor  71 , a main memory  72 , an auxiliary storage device  73 , a first communication interface  74 , a second communication interface  75 , and a system transmission line  76 . 
     The system transmission line  76  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. In the settlement server  70 , the processor  71 , the main memory  72 , the auxiliary storage device  73 , the first communication interface  74 , and the second communication interface  75  are connected to the system transmission line  76 . The processor  71 , the main memory  72 , and the auxiliary storage device  73  are connected by the system transmission line  76  to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the settlement server  70 . 
     The processor  71  is equivalent to a central part of the computer. The processor  71  controls the units in order to realize various functions of the settlement server  70  according to an operating system or application programs. The processor  71  is, for example, a CPU. 
     The main memory  72  is equivalent to a main storage part of the computer. The main memory  72  includes a nonvolatile memory region and a memory region. The main memory  72  stores the operating system or the application programs in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  72  stores, in the volatile memory region, data for the processor  71  in executing processing for controlling the units. The main memory  72  uses the volatile memory region as a work area where data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor  71 . The nonvolatile memory region is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory region is, for example, a RAM. 
     The auxiliary storage device  73  is equivalent to an auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage device  73 , a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD is used alone or a plurality of storage devices are used in combination. The auxiliary storage device  73  saves data used by the processor  71  in performing various kinds of processing or data generated by the processing in the processor  71 . The auxiliary storage device  73  sometimes stores the application programs. 
     The application programs stored in the main memory  72  or the auxiliary storage device  73  include a control program described concerning information processing executed in the settlement server  70 . A method of installing the control program in the main memory  72  or the auxiliary storage device  73  is not particularly limited as in the case of the member server  40 . 
     The first communication interface  74  is a circuit for performing data communication with other devices connected via the communication network  90 . 
     The second communication interface  75  is a circuit for performing data communication between the second communication interface  75  and an electronic money management server  78  and a financial institution server  79  connected via an external network  77  such as the Internet or a mobile communication network. 
     The electronic money management server  78  is a computer that manages a balance of electronic money for each of electronic money user IDs. 
     The financial institution server  79  is a computer that manages account information of a financial institution specified by a credit card number. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a main part procedure of check-in processing executed by the processor  21  of the entrance gate device  20 .  FIGS. 11 to 16  are flowcharts illustrating main part procedures of main processing executed by the processor  41  of the member server  40  according to the control program.  FIG. 17  is a flowchart illustrating a main part procedure of main processing executed by the processor  61  of the virtual POS server  60 .  FIGS. 18 and 19  are flowcharts illustrating main part procedures of main processing executed by the processor  71  of the settlement server  70  according to the control program. 
     In the following explanation, the operation of the registration settlement system  1  is explained with reference to these figures. The procedures of the operation and contents of the procedures explained below are examples. The procedures and the contents are not limited if the same results can be obtained. 
     First, a customer starts the settlement registration application of the portable terminal  10  before entering the store. If the registration settlement application is started, a barcode representing a member ID is displayed on the touch panel  14  of the portable terminal  10 . Therefore, the customer holds the barcode over the reader  26  of the entrance gate device  20 . Operation for holding the barcode representing the member ID over the reader  26  in this way is referred to as check-in operation. Incidentally, when the customer entering the store leaves the store, the customer holds the barcode representing the member ID over a reader of the exit gate device  30 . This operation is referred to as check-out operation. 
     In ACT  101  in  FIG. 10 , the processor  21  of the entrance gate device  20  waits for an input of a member ID. If the customer performs the check-in operation on the entrance gate device  20 , the member ID of the customer is input via the reader  26 . Therefore, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  101  and proceeds to ACT  102 . In ACT  102 , the processor  21  controls the communication interface  24  to give a member notification to the member server  40 . According to this control, a member notification command is output from the communication interface  24  to the member server  40 . The member notification command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received in the member server  40 . The member notification command includes the member ID input by the check-in operation. 
     The processor  41  of the member server  40  waits for a notification command. If receiving the member notification command via the communication interface  44 , the processor  41  starts member notification reception processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 11 . 
     In ACT  211 , the processor  41  detects the member ID from the member notification command. If succeeding in detecting the member ID, in ACT  212 , the processor  41  searches through the member database  431  with the member ID and acquires a member data record correlated with the member ID. In ACT  213 , the processor  41  confirms whether store entry is permitted. For example, if failing in acquiring a member data record from the member database  431 , the processor  41  determines that the store entry is rejected. If succeeding in acquiring a member data record from the member database  431 , the processor  41  determines that the store entry is permitted. 
     In the case of the store entry permission, the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  213  and proceeds to ACT  214 . In ACT  214 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to return a permission response. On the other hand, in the case of the store entry rejection, the processor  41  determines NO in ACT  213  and proceeds to ACT  215 . In ACT  215 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to return a rejection response. According to the control explained above, a permission response command or a rejection response command is output from the communication interface  44  to the entrance gate device  20 . The permission response command or the rejection response command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the entrance gate device  20 . The processor  41  ends the reception processing for the member notification command. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 10 . 
     In ACT  103 , the processor  21  of the entrance gate device  20 , which controls the transmission of the member notification command, waits for the permission response command. If receiving the rejection response command from the member server  40 , the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  103  and proceeds to ACT  104 . In ACT  104 , the processor  21  controls the touch panel  25  to inform store entrance impossibility. According to this control, in the touch panel  25 , the store entry impossibility is informed to, with display or voice, the customer who performs the check-in operation. The processor  21  ends the information processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 10 . 
     On the other hand, if receiving the permission response command from the member server  40  in ACT  103 , the processor  21  determines YES and proceeds to ACT  105 . In ACT  105 , the processor  21  controls the interface  27  to output an opening command signal to the gate mechanism  28 . According to this control, the opening command signal is output from the interface  27  to the gate mechanism  28  and the gate is opened. Since the gate is opened, the customer, who performs the check-in operation, can enter the store. 
     In ACT  106 , the processor  21  confirms whether the customer passes through the gate. If passage of the customer is not detected by the sensor of the gate mechanism  28  even if a predetermined time elapses, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  106  and proceeds to ACT  107 . In ACT  107 , the processor  21  controls the interface  27  to output the closing command signal to the gate mechanism  28 . According to this control, the closing command signal is output from the interface  27  to the gate mechanism  28  and the gate is closed. Since the gate is closed, store entry of the customer is prevented. 
     If passage of the customer is detected by the sensor of the gate mechanism  28  within the predetermined time, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  106  and proceeds to ACT  108 . In ACT  108 , the processor  21  controls the interface  27  to output the closing command signal to the gate mechanism  28 . According to this control, the closing command signal is output from the interface  27  to the gate mechanism  28  and the gate is closed. Since the gate is closed, store entry of the customer is prevented. 
     In ACT  109 , the processor  21 , which controls the closing of the gate, controls the communication interface  24  to give a store entry notification to the member server  40 . According to this control, a store entry notification command is output from the communication interface  24  to the member server  40 . The store entry notification command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the member server  40 . The store entry notification command includes the member ID input by the check-in operation. The processor  21  ends the information processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 10 . 
     If receiving the store entry notification command via the communication interface  44 , the processor  41  of the member server  40  starts store entry notification reception processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 12 . 
     In ACT  221 , the processor  41  detects the member ID from the store entry notification command. In ACT  222 , the processor  41  searches through the member database with the member ID and acquires member data including the member ID. The member data includes the member ID, a terminal ID, a credit card number, and an electronic money user ID. 
     In ACT  223 , the processor  41  inquires the settlement server  70  about a balance of electronic money identified by the electronic money user ID. According to this inquiry, the settlement server  70  acquires a balance of electronic money managed by the electronic money management server  78  and responds to the member server  40 . Therefore, the processor  41  acquires the balance of the electronic money. 
     In ACT  224 , the processor  41 , which acquires the member data and the balance of the electronic money in this way, causes the customer table  421  to store the member ID, the terminal ID, the electronic money user ID, the electronic money balance, and the credit card number. The processor  41  sets the priority flag to “0”. In this way, in this embodiment, the electronic money settlement is prioritized. 
     In ACT  225 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to give a display notification for a purchase registration screen SC 1  (see  FIG. 20 ) to the portable terminal  10 . According to this control, a display notification command for the purchase registration screen SC 1  is output from the communication interface  44  to the portable terminal  10 . The display notification command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and the access point  80  and received by the portable terminal  10 . In the portable terminal  10  that receives the display notification command, the purchase registration screen SC 1  is displayed on the touch panel  14 . 
       FIG. 20  is a display example of the purchase registration screen SC 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , a region for displaying a commodity name, a price, and a total amount of a commodity, purchase registration of which is performed, is formed in the purchase registration screen SC 1 . An image of an accounting button BT 1  for instructing accounting is displayed. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 12 . 
     In ACT  226 , the processor  41  of the member server  40 , which controls the transmission of the display notification command, controls the communication interface  44  to give a creation notification for the purchase registration list  621  to the virtual POS server  60 . According to this control, a creation notification command for the purchase registration list  621  is output from the communication interface  44  to the virtual POS server  60 . The creation notification command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the virtual POS server  60 . The creation notification command includes the member ID detected from the store entry notification command. The processor  41  ends the reception processing for the store entry notification command. 
     The processor  61  of the virtual POS server  60  waits for a notification command in ACT  301  in  FIG. 17 . If receiving the notification command via the communication interface  64 , the processor  61  determines YES in ACT  301  and proceeds to ACT  302 . In ACT  302 , the processor  61  confirms whether the received notification command is the creation notification command for the purchase registration list  621 . In this case, since the creation notification command for the purchase registration list  621  is received, the processor  61  determines YES in ACT  302  and proceeds to ACT  303 . 
     In ACT  303 , the processor  61  creates the purchase registration list  621  in the main memory  62 . In ACT  304 , the processor  61  registers the member ID included in the creation notification command in the purchase registration list  621 . Since the member ID is registered, the purchase registration list  621  is correlated with the member ID. The processor  61  ends the information processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 17 . 
     In this way, if a customer, who is a member, performs the check-in operation at the entrance of the store, is permitted to enter the store, and enters the store, in the member server  40 , data concerning the customer is stored in the customer table  421 . The data includes, besides a member ID of the customer, an electronic money user ID and an electronic money balance of electronic money used by the customer and a credit card number and the like of a credit card used by the customer. In the virtual POS server  60 , the purchase registration list  621  correlated with the member ID is created. 
     The customer holds a lens of the camera  15  over a barcode attached to a commodity that the customer desires to purchase on a selling floor. Then, the barcode is scanned by the camera  15 . The barcode includes a commodity code of the commodity. If the barcode is scanned, a purchase notification command is output from the portable terminal  10  to the member server  40 . The purchase notification command includes a member ID for identifying the customer and the scanned commodity code of the commodity. 
     If receiving the purchase notification command via the communication interface  44 , the processor  41  of the member server  40  starts purchase notification reception processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 13 . 
     In ACT  231 , the processor  41  detects the commodity code from the purchase notification command. In ACT  232 , the processor  41  inquires the commodity server  50  about a unit price of the commodity using the commodity code. According to the inquiry, the commodity server  50  searches through the commodity database  531 , reads out a unit price correlated with the commodity code, and responds to the member server  40 . In this way, the processor  41  acquires a unit price A of the commodity. 
     In ACT  233 , the processor  41  detects the member ID from the purchase notification command. In ACT  234 , the processor  41  checks the priority flag correlated with the member code and stored in the customer table  421 . If the priority flag is “0”, that is, the electronic money settlement is prioritized, the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  234  and proceeds to ACT  235 . In ACT  235 , the processor  41  inquires the virtual POS server  60  about a total amount. According to the inquiry, the virtual POS server  60  responds to the member server  40  with a total amount of a price registered in the purchase registration list  621  correlated with the member code. In this way, the processor  41  acquires a total amount B. 
     In ACT  236 , the processor  41 , which acquires the unit price A and the total amount B of the commodity, calculates an added-up amount C of the unit price A and the total amount B. In ACT  237 , the processor  41  acquires the electronic money balance correlated with the member ID, which is detected from the purchase notification command, and stored in the in the customer table  421 . In ACT  238 , the processor  41  confirms whether the added-up amount C exceeds the electronic money balance. 
     If the added-up amount C does not exceed the electronic money balance, the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  238  and proceeds to ACT  239 . If the priority flag is “1”, that is, the credit card settlement is prioritized, the processor  41  determines NO in ACT  234  and proceeds to ACT  239 . In ACT  239 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to give a purchase registration notification to the virtual POS server  60 . According to this control, a purchase registration notification command is output from the communication interface  44  to the virtual POS server  60 . The purchase registration notification command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the virtual POS server  60 . The purchase notification command includes the member ID and the commodity code detected from the purchase notification command. The processor  41 , which performs the purchase registration notification, ends the reception processing for the purchase notification command. 
     In ACT  301  in  FIG. 17 , the processor  61  of the virtual POS server  60  detects that a notification command is received. In ACT  302 , if confirming that the notification command is not a creation notification command for a purchase registration list, the processor  61  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  305 . In ACT  305 , the processor  61  confirms whether the notification command is the purchase registration notification command. In this case, since the purchase registration notification command is received, the processor  61  determines YES in ACT  305  and proceeds to ACT  306 . In ACT  306 , the processor  61  updates the purchase registration list  621 . 
     Specifically, the processor  61  selects the purchase registration list  621  in which the member ID included in the purchase registration notification command is registered. The processor  61  inquires the commodity server  50  about commodity data using the commodity code included in the purchase registration notification command. According to this inquiry, the commodity server  50  searches through the commodity database  531 , reads out commodity data such as a commodity name and a unit price correlated with the commodity code, and responds to the virtual POS server  60 . In this way, the processor  61  acquires the commodity data. The processor  61  registers the commodity code, the commodity name, the unit price, the number of purchased items, and a price in the selected purchase registration list  621 . The number of purchased items is basically “1”. The price is an amount calculated by multiplying the unit price by the number of purchased items. The processor  61  ends the information processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 17 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 13 , if the added-up amount C exceeds the electronic money balance as a result of collating the added-up amount C and the electronic money balance, the processor  41  determines NO in ACT  237  and proceeds to ACT  251  in  FIG. 15 . In ACT  251 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to give a display notification for a balance shortage notification screen SC 2  (see  FIG. 21 ) to the portable terminal  10 . According to this control, a display notification command for the balance shortage notification screen SC 2  is output from the communication interface  44  to the portable terminal  10 . The display notification command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and the access point  80  and received by the portable terminal  10 . In the portable terminal  10  that receives the display notification command, the balance shortage notification screen SC 2  is displayed on the touch panel  14 . 
       FIG. 21  is a display example of the balance shortage notification screen SC 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , a message for notifying that an electronic money balance is short, the present electronic money balance, and a total amount of a commodity, purchase registration of which is performed, are displayed on the balance shortage notification screen SC 2 . Images of a charge button BT 2 , a credit button BT 3 , and a cancellation button BT 4  are displayed on the balance shortage notification screen SC 2  as operators for selecting measures taken if the electronic money balance is short. 
     The charge button BT 2  is a button image for receiving charge of electronic money as measures taken when the electronic money balance is short. The credit button BT 3  is a button image for receiving a change to the credit card settlement as the measures. The cancellation button BT 4  is a button image for receiving purchase cancellation for the commodity as the measures. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 15 , in ACT  252 , the processor  41  of the member server  40 , which controls the transmission of the display notification command, confirms whether the charge button BT 2  is touched or otherwise interacted. If the charge button BT 2  is not touched, the processor  41  determines NO in ACT  252  and proceeds to ACT  253 . In ACT  253 , the processor  41  confirms whether the credit button BT 3  is touched. If the credit button BT 3  is not touched, the processor  41  determines NO in ACT  253  and proceeds to ACT  254 . In ACT  254 , the processor  41  confirms whether the cancellation button BT 4  is touched. If the cancellation button BT 4  is not touched, the processor  41  determines NO in ACT  254  and returns to ACT  252 . In ACT  252  to ACT  254 , the processor  41  waits for the charge button BT 2  to be touched, the credit button BT 3  to be touched, or the cancellation button BT 4  to be touched. 
     If the cancellation button BT 4  is touched in the waiting state in ACT  252  to ACT  254 , the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  254  and ends the reception processing for the purchase notification command. In this case, the purchase registration of the commodity, the barcode of which is read by the portable terminal  10 , is not performed. 
     If the credit button BT 3  is touched in the waiting state in ACT  252  to ACT  254 , the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  253  and proceeds to ACT  255 . In ACT  255 , the processor  41  sets the priority flag, which is correlated with the member ID detected from the purchase notification command and stored in the customer table  421 , to “1”. Thereafter, the processor  41  proceeds to ACT  238  in  FIG. 14 . That is, the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to give a purchase registration notification to the virtual POS server  60 . The processor  41  ends the reception processing for the purchase notification command. 
     If the charge button BT 2  is touched in the waiting state in ACT  252  to ACT  254 , the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  252  and proceeds to ACT  261  in  FIG. 16 . In ACT  261 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to give a display notification for a charge amount input screen SC 3  (see  FIG. 22 ) to the portable terminal  10 . According to this control, a display notification command for the charge amount input screen SC 3  is output from the communication interface  44  to the portable terminal  10 . The display notification command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and the access point  80  and received by the portable terminal  10 . In the portable terminal  10  that receives the display notification command, the charge amount input screen SC 3  is displayed on the touch panel  14 . 
       FIG. 22  is a display example of the charge amount input screen SC 3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , an input button BT 5  for a charge amount, a decision button BT 6 , and an input field IN 1  for a charge amount are displayed on the charge amount input screen SC 3 . The input button BT 5  includes number buttons of “0” to “9”, a determination button of “yen”, and a clear button of “C”. A customer charging electronic money only has to input a charge amount with the number buttons and touch the determination button. To clear the charge amount, the customer only has to touch the clear button. The decision button BT 6  is grayed out first. An operation input with the decision button BT 6  is disabled. 
     The customer confirming the charge amount input screen SC 3  operates the input button BT 5  to input a desired charge amount. The charge amount is displayed in the input field IN 1 . Information concerning the charge amount is transmitted from the portable terminal  10  to the member server  40 . 
     In ACT  262 , the processor  41  of the member server  40 , which controls the display of the charge amount input screen SC 3 , waits for a charge amount to be input. If receiving the information concerning the charge amount, the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  262  and proceeds to ACT  263 . In ACT  263 , the processor  41  acquires a charge amount D. In ACT  264 , the processor  41  confirms whether an amount obtained by adding the charge amount D to the electronic money balance is equal to or more than the added-up amount C. If the amount obtained by adding the charge amount D to the electronic money balance is less than the added-up amount C, the processor  41  determines NO in ACT  264  and returns to ACT  262 . The processor  41  waits fora charge amount to be input again. At this time, the processor  41  may inform the portable terminal  10  that the charge amount is short. 
     If the amount obtained by adding the charge amount D to the electronic money balance is equal to or more than the added-up amount C in ACT  264 , the processor  41  determines YES and proceeds to ACT  265 . In ACT  265 , the processor  41  controls the decision button BT 6  of the charge amount input screen SC 3  to be enabled. In ACT  266 , the processor  41  waits for the decision button BT 6  to be touched. 
     The customer confirming that the decision button BT 6  is enabled touches the decision button BT 6 . Consequently, a decision command is transmitted from the portable terminal  10  to the member server  40 . 
     The processor  41 , which receives the decision command, determines YES in ACT  266  and proceeds to ACT  267 . In ACT  267 , the processor  41  acquires an electronic money user ID correlated with the member ID, which is detected from the purchase notification command, and stored in the customer table  421 . In ACT  268 , the processor  41  acquires a credit card number stored in the customer table  421 . In ACT  269 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to transmit a charge request command to the settlement server  70 . According to this control, the charge request command is output from the communication interface  44  to the settlement server  70 . The charge request command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the settlement server  70 . The charge request command includes the electronic money user ID, the credit card number, and the charge amount D. 
     The processor  71  of the settlement server  70 , which receives the charge request command, starts information processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 18 . That is, in ACT  401 , the processor  71  acquires the credit card number from the charge request command. In ACT  402 , the processor  71  instructs the financial institution server  79  to withdraw the charge amount from an account managed with the credit card number. In ACT  403 , the processor  71  waits for the withdrawal to be completed. 
     If receiving a notification of withdrawal completion from the financial institution server  79 , the processor  71  determines YES in ACT  403  and proceeds to ACT  404 . In ACT  404 , the processor  71  instructs the electronic money management server  78  to charge the charge amount in an electronic money balance specified by the electronic money user ID included in the charge request command. In ACT  405 , the processor  71  waits for the charge to be completed. 
     If receiving the notification of the charge completion from the electronic money management server  78 , the processor  71  determines YES in ACT  405  and proceeds to ACT  406 . In ACT  406 , the processor  71  controls the first communication interface  74  to give a charge end notification to the member server  40 . According to this control, a charge end command is output from the first communication interface  74  to the member server  40 . The charge end command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the member server  40 . The charge end command includes an electronic money balance after the charge. The processor  71  ends the reception processing for the charge request command. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 16 , in ACT  270 , the processor  41 , which transmits the charge request command, waits for the charge end command. If receiving the charge end command via the communication interface  44 , the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  270  and proceeds to ACT  271 . In ACT  271 , the processor  41  acquires the electronic money balance from the charge end command. In ACT  272 , the processor  41  updates the electronic money balance correlated with the member ID, which is detected from the purchase notification command, and stored in the customer table  421  to the electronic money balance acquired from the charge end command. In ACT  273 , if the priority flag correlated with the member ID and stored in the customer table  421  is “1”, the processor  41  changes the priority flag to “0”. Thereafter, the processor  41  proceeds to ACT  238  in  FIG. 13 . That is, the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to give a purchase registration notification to the virtual POS server  60 . The processor  41  ends the reception processing for the purchase notification command. 
     If the customer reads a barcode of a commodity, which the customer desire to purchase, using the portable terminal  10  in this way, a total amount (the added-up amount C) of a commercial transaction including the commodity and an electronic money balance of the customer are compared. If the total amount is equal to or less than the electronic money balance, sales data of the commodity is registered in the purchase registration list  621  correlated with a member ID of the customer. 
     If the total amount exceeds the electronic money balance, the balance shortage notification screen SC 2  is displayed on the touch panel  14  of the portable terminal  10 . According to this display, the customer can learn that the electronic money balance runs short if the commodity is purchased. In that case, as measures, the customer selects to charge electronic money, change a payment method to the credit card settlement, or cancel the purchase of the commodity. 
     If cancelling the purchase of the commodity, the customer touches the cancellation button BT 4  of the balance shortage notification screen SC 2 . In that case, the sales data of the commodity is not registered in the purchase registration list  621 . In some embodiments, the sales data may be updated by subtracting the price of a canceled commodity from the total amount. 
     If changing the payment method to the credit card settlement, the customer touches the credit button BT 3  of the screen SC 2 . Then, the priority flag correlated with the member ID of the customer and stored in the customer table  421  is changed from “0” to “1”. The sales data of the commodity is registered in the purchase registration list  621 . 
     If charging the electronic money, the customer touches the charge button BT 2  of the screen SC 2 . Then, a screen of the touch panel  14  changes to the charge amount input screen SC 3 . Therefore, the customer inputs a desired charge amount. As a result, the charge amount is withdrawn from an account of a financial institution managed with a credit card number of the customer and charged in the electronic money balance. If the electronic money balance increases to the total amount or more in this way, the sales data of the commodity is registered in the purchase registration list  621 . 
     If finishing purchasing the commodity that the customer desires to purchase, the customer touches the accounting button BT 1  on the purchase registration screen SC 1 . If the accounting button BT 1  is touched, an accounting notification command is transmitted from the portable terminal  10  to the member server  40  via the communication network  90 . 
     If receiving the accounting notification command via the communication interface  44 , the processor  41  of the member server starts accounting notification reception processing illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 14 . 
     In ACT  241 , the processor  41  detects the member ID from the accounting notification command. In ACT  242 , the processor  41  checks the priority flag correlated with the member ID and stored in the customer table  421 . 
     If the priority flag is “0”, the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  242  and proceeds to ACT  243 . In ACT  243 , the processor  41  acquires the electronic money user ID correlated with the member ID and stored in the customer table  421 . 
     If the priority flag is “1”, the processor  41  determines NO in ACT  242  and proceeds to ACT  244 . In ACT  244 , the processor  41  acquires the credit card number correlated with the member ID and stored in the customer table  421 . 
     If ending the processing in ACT  243  and ACT  244 , the processor  41  proceeds to ACT  245 . In ACT  245 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to give a settlement request to the settlement server  70 . According to this control, a settlement request command is output from the communication interface  44  to the settlement server  70 . The settlement request command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the settlement server  70 . The settlement request command includes the member ID acquired from the accounting notification command and the credit card number or the electronic money user ID acquired from the customer table  421 . 
     The processor  71  of the settlement server  70 , which receives the settlement request command, starts information processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 19 . That is, in ACT  411 , the processor  71  controls the first communication interface  74  to give a settlement notification to the virtual POS server  60 . According to this control, a settlement notification command is output from the first communication interface  74  to the virtual POS server  60 . The settlement notification command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the virtual POS server  60 . The settlement notification command includes the member ID acquired from the settlement request command. 
     In ACT  301  in  FIG. 17 , the processor  61  of the virtual POS server  60  detects that a notification command is received. In ACT  305 , if confirming that the notification command is not a purchase registration notification command, the processor  61  determines NO and proceeds to ACT  307 . In ACT  307 , the processor  61  confirms whether the notification command is the settlement notification command. In this case, since the settlement notification command is received, the processor  61  determines YES in ACT  307  and proceeds to ACT  308 . In ACT  308 , the processor  61  transfers, to the settlement server  70 , data of the purchase registration list  621  in which the member ID included in the settlement notification command is registered. The processor  51  ends the information processing of the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 17 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 19 . 
     In ACT  412 , the processor  71  of the settlement server  70 , which controls the transmission of the settlement notification command, waits for data of the purchase registration list  621 . If receiving the data of the purchase registration list  621  from the virtual POS server  60 , the processor  71  determines YES in ACT  412  and proceeds to ACT  413 . In ACT  413 , the processor  71  determines whether to execute the electronic money settlement or execute the credit card settlement. That is, if the electronic money user ID is included in the settlement request command together with the member ID, the processor  71  determines to execute the electronic money settlement. If the credit card number is included in the settlement request command together with the member ID, the processor  71  determines to execute the credit card settlement. 
     If executing the credit card settlement, the processor  71  determines NO in ACT  413  and proceeds to ACT  414 . In ACT  414 , the processor  41  executes credit card settlement processing in cooperation with the financial institution server  79 . 
     If executing the electronic money settlement, the processor  71  determines YES in ACT  413  and proceeds to ACT  415 . In ACT  415 , the processor  41  executes electronic money settlement processing in cooperation with the electronic money management server  78 . Since the credit card settlement processing and the electronic money settlement processing are well-known processing, detailed explanation is omitted. 
     If the credit card settlement processing or the electronic money settlement processing ends, the processor  71  proceeds to ACT  416 . In ACT  416 , the processor  71  controls the first communication interface  74  to give a settlement end notification to the member server  40 . According to this control, a settlement end command is output from the first communication interface  74  to the member server  40 . The settlement end command is transmitted via the communication network  90  and received by the member server  40 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 14 , in ACT  246 , the processor  41  of the member server  40 , which controls the transmission of the settlement request command, waits for the settlement end command. If receiving the settlement end command via the communication interface  44 , the processor  41  determines YES in ACT  246  and proceeds to ACT  247 . In ACT  247 , the processor  41  stores, in the volatile memory region of the main memory  42 , the member ID detected from the accounting notification command. The processor  41  ends the reception processing for the accounting notification command. 
     In this way, if the customer finishing purchasing the commodity, which the customer desires to purchase, touches the accounting button BT 1  displayed on the touch panel  14  of the portable terminal  10 , the settlement processing is executed by the settlement server  70 . In that case, if the electronic money balance runs short halfway in the shopping and the customer changes the payment method from the electronic money settlement to the credit card settlement, the credit card settlement is executed. If the electronic money balance does not run short halfway in the shopping, the electronic money settlement is executed. If the electronic money balance runs short halfway in the shopping but the customer charges an amount at that point, the electronic money settlement is executed. 
     If the customer touches the accounting button BT 1 , the barcode of the member ID is displayed on the touch panel  14  of the portable terminal  10 . Therefore, the customer performs check-out operation on the exit gate device  30 . A processing procedure of the processor of the exit gate device  30  for the check-out operation is substantially the same as the processing procedure of the processor  21  of the entrance gate device  20  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     That is, if acquiring the member ID via the reader (YES in ACT  101 ), the processor outputs the member notification command to the member server  40  (ACT  102 ). The processor  41  of the member server  40  determines whether the member ID included in the member notification command is present among the member IDs stored in the processing in ACT  247  in  FIG. 14 . If the member ID is present, the processor  41  outputs the permission response command to the exit gate device  30 . The processor  41  clears the stored member ID. On the other hand, if the member ID is absent, the processor  41  outputs the rejection response command to the exit gate device  30 . 
     If receiving the permission response command from the member server  40  (YES in ACT  103 ), the processor of the exit gate device  30 , which outputs the member notification command, opens the gate (ACT  105 ). If passage of the customer is detected within the predetermined time (YES in ACT  106 ), the processor closes the gate (ACT  108 ). 
     As it is evident from the above explanation, the processor  41  executes the processing in ACT  211  to ACT  215  in  FIG. 11 , whereby the member server  40 , which is an example of the information processing device, configures an identifying unit. That is, the member server  40  identifies the customer entering the selling floor from the member ID included in the member notification command output from the entrance gate device  20 . 
     The processor  41  executes the processing in ACT  221  to ACT  224  in  FIG. 12 , whereby the member server  40  configures an acquiring unit. That is, the member server  40  acquires, from the electronic money management server  78 , via the settlement server  70 , a balance of the electronic money owned by the customer identified by the member ID. 
     The processor  41  executes the processing in ACT  231  to ACT  235  in  FIG. 13 , whereby the member server  40  configures a totaling unit. That is, every time the member server  40  receives the purchase notification command generated in response to the customer purchasing a commodity on the selling floor, the member server  40  totals or otherwise updates a price of the commodity. 
     The processor  41  executes the processing in ACT  236  and ACT  237  in  FIG. 13  and the processing in ACT  251  in  FIG. 15 , whereby the member server  40  configures an informing unit. That is, every time the price of the commodity is totaled, the member server  40  compares a total amount of the price and the balance of the electronic money and, if the total amount exceeds the balance, causes the portable terminal  10  to display the balance shortage notification screen SC 2  and informs. 
     Therefore, in the registration settlement system including such a member server  40 , the customer can learn, before settlement, that the balance of the electronic money runs short if the customer purchases the commodity that the customer desires to purchase. As a result, the customer can charge the electronic money before settlement or change the settlement method to another settlement method. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the balance shortage of the electronic money is revealed at a point in time of settlement and the settlement is delayed. 
     Incidentally, the charge button BT 2  is displayed on the balance shortage notification screen SC 2 . If the customer touches the charge button BT 2 , the screen of the touch panel  14  is switched to the charge amount input screen SC 3 . The customer can charge the electronic money by operating a software key displayed on the screen SC 3 . Therefore, the customer confirming the balance shortage of the electronic money can efficiently charge a shortage on the site. 
     The credit button BT 3  is also displayed on the balance shortage notification screen SC 2 . If the customer touches the credit button BT 3 , the payment method is automatically switched from the electronic money settlement to the credit card settlement. Therefore, the customer confirming the balance shortage of the electronic money can efficiently change the payment method to the credit card settlement with simple operation. 
     Moreover, the charge button BT 2  and the credit button BT 3  are displayed side by side on the balance shortage notification screen SC 2 . The customer can touch both of the buttons. Therefore, as measures taken if the balance shortage of the electronic money is confirmed, the customer can appropriately select to charge the electronic money or change the payment method to the credit card settlement. 
     The information processing device and the control program for the information processing device in the embodiment are explained above. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. 
     For example, in the embodiment, as the measures taken if the balance of the electronic money is short, the charge of the electronic money, the change to the credit card settlement, and the commodity purchase cancellation are illustrated. The measures are not limited to these three measures. For example, the payment method may be changed to another settlement method rather than being changed to the credit card settlement. Any one of the measures may be taken. 
     In the embodiment, as an example, at a point in time when the balance of the electronic money runs short, the member server  40  causes the portable terminal  10  to display the balance shortage notification screen SC 2  and the customer selects measures. As another embodiment, the customer designates measures in advance. Data indicating the measures designated by the customer is included in the member data of the member database  431 . The member server  40  refers to the data indicating the measures included in the member data at a point in time when the balance of the electronic money runs short and executes processing corresponding to the measures. Consequently, if the customer selects the charge of the electronic money as the measures, the charge amount input screen SC 3  is displayed for the customer rather than the balance shortage notification screen SC 2 . Therefore, time for touching the charge button BT 2  may be unnecessary. The customer can immediately charge the electronic money. If the customer selects the change to the credit card settlement, the payment method is automatically changed to the credit card settlement. Therefore, the customer can continue the shopping without being aware of the shortage of the balance of the electronic money. 
     In the embodiment, as an example, the customer uses the portable terminal  10 . A terminal used by the customer may not be the portable terminal  10 . The terminal may be, for example, a tablet terminal attached to a shopping cart, a so-called cart terminal. 
     In the embodiment, the member server  40  is explained as an example of the information processing device. The information processing device is not limited to the member server  40 . For example, a total amount of a commodity purchased by the customer can be calculated in the commodity server  50  or the virtual POS server  60 . The member server  40  acquires the balance of the electronic money via the settlement server  70 . Therefore, a single server other than the member server  40  may realize or a plurality of servers may realize, in cooperation, the functions of the information processing device. 
     Besides, the several embodiments are explained above. However, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 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 invention. These embodiments and modifications of the embodiments are included in the scope and the gist of the invention and included in the inventions described in claims and the scope of equivalents of the inventions.