Patent Publication Number: US-2021166212-A1

Title: Commodity sales processing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-217987, filed Dec. 2, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a commodity sales processing system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, a commodity sales processing system has been proposed that allows a consumer to register the items for purchase by himself or herself while shopping at retail stores such as a supermarket or a convenience store. As an example such a commodity sales processing system, there is a system using a cart-mounted terminal. The cart-mounted terminal includes a product scanner and a display device attached to a shopping cart. In the system of this type, a consumer uses the scanner to read barcodes on commodities being purchased. Then, barcode data is transmitted from the cart terminal to a store server or the like via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The server performs registration processing for the purchased commodities based on the barcode data and transmits registration data indicating a result of the registration processing to the cart terminal for display. The cart terminal causes the display device to display a registration screen based on the registration data. In this way, the consumer can confirm from the registration screen that the commodities are correctly registered. 
     As another example of a commodity sales processing system, there is a system using a hand-held information terminal such as a smartphone owned by the consumer/shopper. In the system of this type, the consumer installs a dedicated application program in the information terminal in advance. The consumer then images, with a camera of the information terminal, barcodes on the commodities being purchased. Then, barcode data is transmitted from the information terminal to a store server or the like via a wireless LAN. The server-side operation is substantially the same in this case as in the system using the cart-mounted terminal. Therefore, a registration screen is displayed on a display device of the information terminal, and the consumer can confirm that the commodities are correctly registered. 
     The cart-based system needs a dedicated cart terminal for each of shopping carts at the store. On the other hand, in the system using the hand-held information terminal owned by the consumer, the store does not need to prepare and provide any terminal, which generally requires less upfront investment than the system using the cart terminals. However, a camera of the smartphone is not primarily designed to read a barcode on a commodity. Furthermore, the consumer must hold the information terminal with at least one hand while performing barcode reading operation. Accordingly, for example, the consumer may have trouble in reading a barcode of a larger commodity that the consumer may be unable to easily hold with the other hand while reading the barcode. In this way, the system using the hand-held information terminal provided by the consumer is somewhat poorer in user convenience than the system using the cart terminals. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a commodity sales processing system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a shopping cart including a scanner module. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a scanner module and a schematic depiction of certain functions of a scanner module. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an information terminal. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a cooperation server. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of data structure of a terminal cooperation table. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a store server; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure of a scanner management table. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a virtual POS server. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure of a transaction file. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of information processing executed by a processor of an information terminal. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart of information processing executed by a processor of an information terminal. 
         FIGS. 13-17  are flowcharts of information processing executed by a processor of a cooperation server. 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart of information processing executed by a processor of a store server. 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart of information processing executed by a processor of a store server. 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart of information processing executed by a processor of a store server. 
         FIGS. 21-23  are flowcharts of information processing executed by a processor of a virtual POS server. 
         FIG. 24  depicts a display example of a code symbol indicating a cooperation ID. 
         FIG. 25  depicts a display example of a shopping start screen. 
         FIG. 26  depicts a display example of a registration screen. 
         FIG. 27  depicts a display example of an accounting screen. 
         FIG. 28  is a block diagram of a scanner module in a second embodiment and schematic depiction of certain function aspects of a scanner module. 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic depiction of aspects of a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 30  is a flowchart of information processing executed by a processor of an information terminal in a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 31  is a flowchart of cooperation notification command reception processing executed by a processor of a cooperation server in a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     According to an embodiment, a commodity sales processing system comprises a first server, configured to connect to a customer information terminal via a first network, and a second server, configured to connect to a store code reading apparatus. The first server is configured to associate a first unique code for the customer information terminal with a second unique code for the store code reading apparatus. The second server is configured to register a product in a sales transaction associated with the second unique code, the product being identified by a commodity code received by the second server from the store code reading apparatus via the second network. The first server is configured to transmit, via the first network, product information for the product registered in the sales transaction to the customer information terminal associated with the first unique code. 
     Example embodiments of a commodity sales processing system are explained below with reference to the drawings. The commodity sales processing system in these examples are utilized in retail stores, such as a supermarket or a convenience store, and permit a customer to register commodities being purchased while shopping (that is, moving about the sales floor or the like of the store) rather than at a checkout counter or the like. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a commodity sales processing system according to an embodiment. The commodity sales processing system includes a cooperation server  10 . The cooperation server  10  in this example is a cloud computing server that provides a service to an information terminal  20  through a wide area network NW 1  such as the Internet. The information terminal  20  is owned by a customer (also referred to as a consumer) who does shopping in a store ST 1 . For example, a terminal adapted for connection to the Internet, such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, can be used as the information terminal  20 . 
     The commodity sale processing system in this example also includes devices such as a store server  30 , a virtual POS (Point Of Sales) server  40 , a self-service accounting machine  50  (also referred to as a settlement kiosk, a transaction payment machine, or the like), a manned accounting machine  60  (also referred to as sales register, cash register, cashier stand, or the like), a router  80 , and an access point  70 . These devices are provided in the store ST 1 . An intra-store network NW 2  such as a LAN is laid out in the store ST 1 . All of the devices are connected to the intra-store network NW 2 . 
     The store server  30  is a server computer for supporting an entire store business. The virtual POS server  40  is a server computer for providing, using a virtual POS application program, an environment in which a plurality of POS terminals are virtually operating. In the following explanation, the virtual POS application program is abbreviated as virtual POS application. 
     The self-service accounting machine  50  is an accounting machine that enables a customer to perform, by himself or herself, settlement processing (e.g., payment processing) for the commodities purchased by the customer. The manned accounting machine  60  is an accounting machine that enables a store clerk to perform the settlement processing for the commodities. As the self-service accounting machine  50 , a well-known self-service-type POS terminal or a semi-self-service-type checkout machine can be applied. As the manned accounting machine  60 , a well-known POS terminal or an electronic cash register can be applied. 
     The cooperation server  10  is connected to the router  80  via a dedicated communication network NW 3 . The router  80  is a network device that enables data communication between the devices connected to the intra-store network NW 2  and the cooperation server  10 . 
     The access point  70  receives a connection request from a wireless communication device present in the store ST 1  and connects the wireless communication devices to the intra-store network NW 4  by wireless radio signals between the access point  70  and the wireless communication device. Scanner modules  90  are present in the store ST 1  and are wireless communication devices that can connect to the access point  70 . The scanner modules  90  are provided in shopping carts C. In the following explanation, the shopping carts C are referred to as carts C for simplicity. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an example of the cart C including the scanner module  90 . The cart C includes a caster section C 1  for movement, a handle frame section C 2 , and a basket section C 3 . The caster section C 1  includes four wheels for smoothly moving the cart Con a floor surface. The handle frame section C 2  includes a pair of vertical frames C 21 , C 21  erected on a rear wheel side of the caster section C 1  and a handlebar C 22  that couples upper ends of the vertical frames C 21 , C 21 . The basket section C 3  is present forward from a halfway part of the handle frame section C 2 . In the cart C, a shopping basket BA provided in the store can be placed on the basket section C 3  and a lower part of the cart C. 
     In the cart C having such a configuration, the scanner module  90  is at an approximate midpoint of the handlebar C 22 . The scanner module  90  is attached to the handlebar C 22  such that a reading window  91  is facing towards a customer holding the handlebar C 22  and pushing the cart C. A battery BT is attached to the lower end side of the handle frame section C 2  over the vertical frames C 21 , C 21 . The battery BT functions as a power supply for the scanner module  90 . 
     A pole C 4  is attached to one vertical frame C 21  of the cart C. A placing stand  200  for the information terminal  20  is provided at the distal end of the pole C 4 . The consumer using the cart C can place the information terminal  20  on the placing stand  200  and do shopping. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the scanner module  90 . The scanner module  90  includes an imaging unit  92 , a reading unit  93 , a storing unit  94 , and a wireless unit  95 . The imaging unit  92  captures an image including a barcode or a two-dimensional code through the reading window  91 . The reading unit  93  reads data of the barcode or the two-dimensional code from the image captured by the imaging unit  92 . The storing unit  94  stores the data read by the reading unit  93 . The storing unit  94  stores a scanner ID in a non-volatile manner. The scanner ID is a unique identification code set for each of the scanner modules  90  at the store in order to individually identify each of the scanner modules  90 . The wireless unit  95  transmits, on condition that the wireless unit  95  is connected to the access point  70 , the data of the barcode or the two-dimensional code together with the scanner ID according to a predetermined wireless communication scheme. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information terminal  20 . The information terminal  20  includes a processor  21 , a main memory  22 , an auxiliary storage device  23 , a wireless device  24 , a touch panel  25 , and a system transmission line  26 . The system transmission line  26  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line . In the information terminal  20 , the processor  21 , the main memory  22 , the auxiliary storage device  23 , the wireless device  24 , and the touch panel  25  are connected to the system transmission line  26 . In the information terminal  20 , a computer is configured by the processor  21 , the main memory  22 , and the auxiliary storage device  23  and the system transmission line  26  that connects these devices. 
     The processor  21  controls the units in order to realize various function of the information terminal  20  according to an operating system or application programs. The processor  21  is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). 
     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 necessary for the processor  21  in executing processing for controlling the units. The main memory  22  sometimes stores the data in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  22  uses the volatile memory region as a work area in which data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor  21 . 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 auxiliary storage device  23  is, for example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The auxiliary storage device  23  stores data used by the processor  21  in performing various kinds of processing operations, data created by the processing in the processor  21 , or the like. The auxiliary storage device  23  sometimes stores the application programs. 
     The application programs stored in the auxiliary storage device  23  include a shopping supporting program  27 . The consumer uses the shopping supporting program  27  when doing shopping in the store ST 1 . A method of installing the shopping supporting program  27  in the auxiliary storage device  23  is not particularly limited. A control program can be recorded in a removable recording medium or distributed by communication via a network to be installed in the auxiliary storage device  23 . A form of the recording medium may be any form if the recording medium can store programs and is readable by a device like a CD-ROM, a memory card, or the like. The shopping supporting program  27  may be installed in the main memory  22  rather than in the auxiliary storage device  23 . 
     The wireless device  24  is a device for performing wireless communication of data according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol between the wireless device  24  and the cooperation server  10  connected to the wireless device  24  via the wide area network NW 1 . 
     The touch panel  25  is a device functioning as both of an input device and a display device of the information terminal  20 . The touch panel  25  displays various images. The touch panel  25  detects a touch position on a displayed image and outputs information concerning the touch position to the processor  21 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the cooperation server  10 . The cooperation server  10  includes a processor  11 , a main memory  12 , an auxiliary storage device  13 , a first communication interface  14 , a second communication interface  15 , and a system transmission line  16 . The system transmission line  16  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. In the cooperation server  10 , the processor  11 , the main memory  12 , the auxiliary storage device  13 , the first communication interface  14 , and the second communication interface  15  are connected to the system transmission line  16 . In the cooperation server  10 , a computer is configured by the processor  11 , the main memory  12 , and the auxiliary storage device  13  and the system transmission line  16  that connects these devices. 
     The processor  11  controls the units in order to realize various functions of the cooperation server  10  according to an operating system or application programs. The processor  11  is, for example, a CPU. 
     The main memory  12  includes a nonvolatile memory region and a volatile memory region. The main memory  12  stores the operating system or the application programs in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  12  stores, in the volatile memory region, data necessary for the processor  11  in executing processing for controlling the units. The main memory  12  sometimes stores the data in the nonvolatile memory region. The main memory  12  uses the volatile memory region as, for example, a work area in which data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor  11 . The nonvolatile memory region is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory region is, for example, a RAM. 
     The auxiliary storage device  13  can be, for example, an EEPROM, a HDD, an SSD, or the like. The auxiliary storage device  13  stores 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 device  13  sometimes stores the application programs. 
     The application programs stored in the main memory  12  or the auxiliary storage device  13  include a control program described concerning information processing executed by the cooperation server  10 . As in the case of the shopping supporting program  27 , a method of installing the control program in the main memory  12  or the auxiliary storage device  13  is not particularly limited. 
     The first communication interface  14  is an interface circuit for performing wireless communication of data according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol between the first communication interface  14  and the information terminal  20  connected to the first communication interface  14  via the wide area network NW 1 . 
     The second communication interface  15  is an interface circuit for performing transmission and reception of data according to a predetermined communication protocol between the second communication interface  15  and the router  80  connected to the second communication interface  15  via the communication network NW 3 . 
     The cooperation server  10  having such a configuration stores a terminal cooperation table  17  in the auxiliary storage device  13 . A storage destination of the terminal cooperation table  17  is not limited to the auxiliary storage device  13 . The terminal cooperation table  17  may be stored in the volatile memory region of the main memory  12 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating a main data structure of the terminal cooperation table  17 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the terminal cooperation table  17  includes data fields for describing, in the same row, a cooperation ID, a communication address, a scanner ID, and an in-cooperation flag related to one another. 
     The cooperation ID is a unique code set for each of information terminals  20  in order to individually identify the various information terminals  20  owned by different consumers. The cooperation ID is automatically generated in the cooperation server  10 . 
     The communication address is a communication address set in the information terminal  20  identified by the cooperation ID in the same row. For example, an IP address is equivalent to the communication address in this context. 
     The scanner ID is a code for identifying the scanner module  90  that operates in cooperation with the information terminal  20  identified by the cooperation ID in the same row. Unique scanner IDs are set in advance in the scanner modules  90  respectively attached to the carts C. 
     The in-cooperation flag is one-bit data indicating whether a cooperation state of the information terminal  20  identified by the cooperation ID and the scanner module  90  identified by the scanner ID in the same row is established. In this embodiment, the in-cooperation flag at the time when the cooperation state is established is represented as “1” and the in-cooperation flag at the time when the cooperation state is not established is represented as “0”. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the store server  30 . The store server  30  includes a processor  31 , a main memory  32 , an auxiliary storage device  33 , a communication interface  34 , and a system transmission line  35 . Explanation about the processor  31 , the main memory  32 , the auxiliary storage device  33 , and the system transmission line  35  is omitted because the explanation overlaps the explanation about the processor  11 , the main memory  12 , the auxiliary storage device  13 , and the system transmission line  16  of the cooperation server  10 . 
     The communication interface  34  is an interface circuit for performing data communication with devices connected to the communication interface  34  via the intra-store network NW 2 . 
     The store server  30  having such a configuration stores a scanner management table  36  in the auxiliary storage device  33 . A storage destination of the scanner management table  36  is not limited to the auxiliary storage device  33 . The scanner management table  36  may be stored in a volatile memory region of the main memory  32 . 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram illustrating a main data structure of the scanner management table  36 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the scanner management table  36  includes data fields for describing, in one row, a scanner ID, an in-operation flag, and a virtual POS No. related to one another. In the data field of the scanner ID, scanner IDs of the scanner modules  90  respectively attached to the carts C are described in advance. 
     In in-operation flag is one-bit data indicating whether the scanner module  90  identified by the scanner ID in the same row is in operation. In this embodiment, the in-operation flag indicating that the scanner module  90  is in operation is represented as “1” and the in-operation flag indicating that the scanner module  90  is not in operation is represented as “0”. 
     The virtual POS No. is a serial number set for each of virtual POS applications in order to individually identify, in correlation with the scanner module  90  identified by the scanner ID in the same row, the virtual POS applications executed in the virtual POS server  40 . 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the virtual POS server  40 . The virtual POS 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 . Explanation about the processor  41 , the main memory  42 , the auxiliary storage device  43 , the communication interface  44 , and the system transmission line  45  is omitted because the explanation overlaps the explanation about the processor  31 , the main memory  32 , the auxiliary storage device  33 , the communication interface  34 , and the system transmission line  35  of the store server  30 . 
     The virtual POS server  40  having such a configuration stores a commodity file  46  in the auxiliary storage device  43 . The commodity file  46  is a data file describing, in correlation with a unique commodity ID set for each of commodities in order to respectively identify the commodities sold in the store ST 1 , commodity data such as a commodity name and a price of the commodity identified by the commodity ID. 
     The virtual POS server  40  stores a plurality of transaction files  47  in the auxiliary storage device  43 . A storage destination of the commodity file  46  and the transaction files  47  is not limited to the auxiliary storage device  43 . At least one of the commodity file  46  and the transaction files  47  may be stored in a volatile memory region of the main memory  42 . 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating a main data structure of one transaction file  47 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the transaction file  47  includes a virtual POS No. region, a purchase list region, and an accounting code region. In the virtual POS No. region, a number (No.) n of a virtual POS application to be executed is described in correlation with the transaction file  47 . In the purchase list region, a commodity ID, a commodity name, a price, and the like of a commodity, sales of which is registered according to the virtual POS application having the number (No.) n, are described in a list format. In the accounting code region, an accounting code necessary for accounting of the commodity describe in the purchase list region is described. The accounting code is generated as appropriate in the store server  30 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are flowcharts illustrating information processing executed by the processor  21  of the information terminal  20  according to the shopping supporting program  27 .  FIGS. 13 to 17  are flowcharts illustrating information processing executed by the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10 .  FIGS. 18 to 20  are flowcharts illustrating information processing executed by the processor  31  of the store server  30 .  FIGS. 21 to 23  are flowcharts illustrating information processing executed by the processor  41  of the virtual POS server  40 .  FIGS. 24 to 27  are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of various images displayed on the touch panel  25  of the information terminal  20 . In the following explanation, the operation of the commodity sales processing system is explained with reference to these figures. The operation explained below is a non-limiting example. The procedures and the like of the operation are not particularly limited to those described so long as the same result as described can be obtained. 
     First, the consumer doing shopping in the store ST 1  starts the shopping supporting program  27  installed in the information terminal  20 . If the shopping supporting program  27  starts, the processor  21  of the information terminal  20  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowcharts of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     That is, in ACT  101 , the processor  21  waits for a shopping start to be instructed. According to the start of the shopping supporting program  27 , an initial screen is displayed on the touch panel  25  of the information terminal  20 . A shopping start button is displayed on the initial screen. The consumer touches the shopping start button. If the shopping start button is selected (e.g., touched), the processor  21  recognizes that the shopping start is instructed. The processor  21  determines YES in ACT  101  and proceeds to ACT  102 . In ACT  102 , the processor  21  controls the wireless device  24  to transmit a shopping instruction command to the cooperation server  10 . According to this control, the wireless device  24  wirelessly transmits the shopping instruction command. The shopping instruction command is received by the cooperation server  10  via the wide area network NW 1 . The shopping instruction command includes a communication address, for example, an IP address of the information terminal  20 . 
     If the shopping instruction command is received via the first communication interface  14 , the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 13 . That is, in ACT  211 , the processor  11  acquires a communication address of the information terminal from the shopping instruction command. In ACT  212 , the processor  11  generates a unique cooperation ID. 
     In ACT  213 , the processor  11  saves the cooperation ID generated in ACT  212  and the communication address acquired in ACT  211  in the same row in the terminal cooperation table  17 . The processor  11  sets the in-cooperation flag in the same row to “0”. Data is not set in the scanner ID field in the same row at this point in time. 
     In ACT  214 , the processor  11  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit data of the cooperation ID generated in ACT  212  with the communication address acquired in ACT  211  set as a destination. According to this control, the data of the cooperation ID is transmitted from the first communication interface  14 . The data is received by the wireless device  24  of the information terminal  20 , in which the destination communication address is set, via the wide area network NW 1 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 11 , in ACT  103 , the processor  21  of the information terminal  20 , which controls the transmission of the shopping instruction command, checks whether the data of the cooperation ID has been received. If the data of the cooperation ID is not received, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  103  and proceeds to ACT  104 . In ACT  104 , the processor  21  checks whether an elapsed time from the transmission of the shopping instruction command exceeds a preset timeout time. The timeout time is, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time does not yet exceed the timeout time, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  104  and returns to ACT  103 . In ACT  103  and ACT  104 , the processor  21  waits for the data of the cooperation ID to be received or waits for the timeout time to elapse. If the timeout time elapses, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  104  and ends the processing. 
     If the data of the cooperation ID is received before the timeout time elapses, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  103  and proceeds to ACT  105 . In ACT  105 , the processor  21  stores the data of the cooperation ID. A storage destination of the data may be the volatile memory region of the main memory  22  or may be the auxiliary storage device  23 . In ACT  106 , the processor  21  causes the touch panel  25  to display a code symbol indicating the cooperation ID based on the stored data. 
       FIG. 24  is an example of a screen SC 1  in which a code symbol CD 1  indicating the cooperation ID is displayed on the touch panel  25 . In this embodiment, the code symbol CD 1  is displayed in a form of a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code is a code symbol readable by the scanner module  90 . The screen SC 1  includes a message M 1  for informing the consumer that the consumer scans the code symbol CD 1  with the scanner module  90  of the cart C. Incidentally, the code symbol CD 1  does not always have to be the form of the two-dimensional code. The code symbol CD 1  may be, for example, barcodes in two stages or may be barcodes in two or more stages if the barcode symbol CD 1  can be read by the scanner module  90 . 
     The consumer confirming the screen SC 1  holds the screen SC 1  over the reading window  91  of the scanner module  90  provided in the cart C in use. If an image including the code symbol CD 1  is captured by the imaging unit  92  of the scanner module  90  according to this operation, data of the code symbol CD 1 , that is, the cooperation ID is read by the reading unit  93 . The data of the cooperation ID is wirelessly transmitted, by the action of the wireless unit  95 , through the intra-store network NW 4  together with the scanner ID stored in the storing unit  94 . 
     Incidentally, if an image including a barcode is captured in the imaging unit  92 , the scanner module  90  operates in the same manner. That is, data of the barcode is wirelessly transmitted through the intra-store network NW 4  together with the scanner ID. The data wirelessly transmitted from the scanner module  90  is received by the access point  70  and sent to the store server  30  through the intra-store network NW 2 . 
     If the data transmitted from the scanner module  90  is received via the communication interface  34 , the processor  31  of the store server  30  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 18 . That is, in ACT  301 , the processor  31  analyzes the received data. In ACT  302 , the processor  31  checks whether the received data includes a cooperation ID. In this case, since the received data includes the cooperation ID, the processor  31  determines YES in ACT  302  and proceeds to ACT  303 . 
     In ACT  303 , the processor  31  acquires a scanner ID from the received data. In the following explanation, the scanner ID can be referred to as an acquired scanner ID. The processor  31  checks an in-operation flag present in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the scanner management table  36 . An initial state of the in-operation flag is represented as “0”. 
     If confirming that the in-operation flag is not set to “1”, that is, is set to “0”, the processor  31  determines NO in ACT  304  and proceeds to ACT  305 . In ACT  305 , the processor  31  controls the communication interface  34  to transmit a cooperation notification command to the cooperation server  10 . According to this control, the cooperation notification command is transmitted from the communication interface  34 . The cooperation notification command is received by the router  80  via the intra-store network NW 2  and further received by the cooperation server  10  via the communication network NW 3 . The cooperation notification command includes a cooperation ID and a scanner ID. The cooperation ID and the scanner ID are the cooperation ID and the scanner ID included in the data received from the scanner module  90 . 
     The processor  11  of the cooperation server  10 , which receives the cooperation notification command via the second communication interface  15 , starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 14 . That is, in ACT  221 , the processor  11  acquires a cooperation ID from the cooperation notification command. In the following explanation, the cooperation ID is referred to as acquired cooperation ID. In ACT  222 , the processor  11  searches through the terminal cooperation table  17  and checks whether the in-cooperation flag in the same row as the acquired cooperation ID is set to “1”. 
     If the in-cooperation flag is set to “1”, the processor  11  determines YES in ACT  222  and proceeds to ACT  223 . In ACT  223 , the processor  11  controls the second communication interface  15  to transmit an error response command to the store server  30  at a cooperation notification command transmission source. According to this control, the error response command is transmitted from the second communication interface  15 . The error response command is received by the router  80  via the communication network NW 3  and further received by the store server  30  via the intra-store network NW 2 . 
     On the other hand, if the in-cooperation flag is set to “0”, the processor  11  determines NO in ACT  222  and proceeds to ACT  224 . In ACT  224 , the processor  11  acquires a scanner ID from the cooperation notification command. In ACT  225 , the processor  11  saves the scanner ID in the scanner ID field in the same row as the acquired cooperation ID of the terminal cooperation table  17 . The processor  11  changes the in-cooperation flag present in the same row as the acquired cooperation ID from “0” to “1”. 
     In ACT  226 , the processor  11  controls the second communication interface  15  to transmit an approval response command to the store server  30  at the cooperation notification command transmission source. According to this control, the approval response command is transmitted from the second communication interface  15 . The approval response command is received by the router  80  via the communication network NW 3  and further received by the store server  30  via the intra-store network NW 2 . 
     In ACT  227 , the processor  11  acquires a communication address from a field in the same row as the acquired cooperation ID in the terminal cooperation table  17 . In ACT  228 , the processor  11  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit a permission notification command with the communication address set as a destination. According to this control, the permission notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the first communication interface  14 . The permission notification command is received by the wireless device  24  of the information terminal  20 , in which the destination communication address is set, via the wide area network NW 1 . The processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  ends this reception processing for the cooperation notification command. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 18 , in ACT  306 , the processor  31  of the store server  30 , which controls the transmission of the cooperation notification command, waits for a response command from the cooperation server  10 . If the approval response command is received via the first communication interface  14 , the processor  31  determines YES in ACT  306  and proceeds to ACT  307 . 
     In ACT  307 , the processor  31  changes the in-operation flag present in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the scanner management table  36  from “0” to “1”. In ACT  308 , the processor  31  acquires, from the virtual POS server  40 , a virtual POS No. of a virtual POS application not being executed. In ACT  309 , the processor  31  saves the virtual POS No. in the field in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the scanner management table  36 . 
     In ACT  310 , the processor  31  controls the communication interface  34  to transmit a registration start notification command to the virtual POS server  40 . According to this control, the registration start notification command is transmitted from the communication interface  34  to the virtual POS server  40 . The registration start notification command is received by the virtual POS server  40  via the intra-store network NW 2 . The registration start notification command includes a virtual POS No. The virtual POS No. is the virtual POS No. acquired in the processing in ACT  308 . 
     The processor  31  ends this scan data reception processing for the cooperation ID. If the in-operation flag is set to “1” in ACT  304  or if the error response command is received in ACT  306 , the processor  31  determines that an error occurs in the reception processing and ends the reception processing. 
     If the registration start notification command is received via the communication interface  44 , the processor  41  of the virtual POS server  40  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 21 . That is, in ACT  401 , the processor  41  acquires a virtual POS No. from the registration start notification command. In ACT  402 , the processor  41  initializes one transaction file  47 . Specifically, the processor  41  describes the virtual POS No. acquired in ACT  401  in the virtual POS No. region of the transaction file  47 . The processor  41  clears the purchase list region and the accounting code region of the transaction file  47 . The processor  41  ends this reception processing for the registration start notification command. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 11 , in ACT  107 , the processor  21  of the information terminal  20 , which causes the touch panel  25  to display the code symbol CD 1  of the cooperation ID, waits for the permission notification command. If the permission notification command is received via the wireless device  24 , the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  107  and proceeds to ACT  108 . In ACT  108 , the processor  21  causes the touch panel  25  to display a shopping start screen SC 2  (see  FIG. 25 ). 
       FIG. 25  is a display example of the shopping start screen SC 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the shopping start screen SC 2  includes a message M 2  for informing the consumer that scanning of the code symbol CD 1  indicating the cooperation ID is successful and the consumer may begin shopping and a message M 3  for informing the user that, in the shopping, the user scans a barcode of a purchased commodity with the scanner module  90  of the cart C. 
     The consumer confirming the shopping start screen SC 2  starts shopping after placing the information terminal  20  on the placing stand  200  of the cart C. The consumer holds a barcode of a purchased commodity over the reading window  91  of the scanner module  90  and then puts the purchased commodity in a shopping basket SB. According to this operation, as explained above, data of the barcode is transmitted to the store server  30  together with the scanner ID through the intra-store network NW 4  and the intra-store network NW 2 . 
     If the data transmitted from the scanner module  90  is received via the communication interface  34 , the processor  31  of the store server  30  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 18 . That is, in ACT  301 , the processor  31  analyzes the received data. In ACT  302 , the processor  31  checks whether the received data includes a cooperation ID. In this case, since the received data does not include a cooperation ID, the processor  31  determines NO in ACT  302  and proceeds to ACT  311 . 
     In ACT  311 , the processor  31  checks whether the received data includes a commodity ID. In this case, since the received data includes a commodity ID, the processor  31  determines YES in ACT  311  and proceeds to ACT  312 . 
     In ACT  312 , the processor  31  acquires a scanner ID from the received data. In the following explanation, the scanner ID can be referred to as an acquired scanner ID. In ACT  313 , the processor  31  checks an in-operation flag present in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the scanner management table  36 . 
     If the in-operation flag is set to “1”, the processor  31  determines YES in ACT  313  and proceeds to ACT  314 . In ACT  314 , the processor  31  acquires a virtual POS No. that is in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the scanner management table  36 . The processor  31  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit a registration request command to the virtual POS server  40 . According to this control, the registration request command is transmitted from the first communication interface  14  to the virtual POS server  40 . The registration request command is received by the virtual POS server  40  via the intra-store network NW 2 . The registration request command includes a commodity ID and a virtual POS No. The commodity ID is the commodity ID included in the received data from the scanner module  90 . The virtual POS No. is the virtual POS No. acquired in the processing in ACT  314 . 
     If the registration request command is received via the communication interface  44 , the processor  41  of the virtual POS server  40  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 22 . That is, in ACT  411 , the processor  41  acquires a virtual POS No. from the registration request command. In ACT  412 , the processor  41  acquires a commodity ID from the registration request command. In ACT  413 , the processor  41  executes commodity registration processing. Specifically, the processor  41  reads out, from the commodity file  46 , commodity data such as a unit price and a commodity name of the commodity specified by the commodity ID. The processor  41  generates a purchased commodity record including the commodity ID, the commodity name, and the price. The processor  41  adds the purchased commodity record to the purchase list of the transaction file  47  in which the virtual POS No. is set. 
     If ending the commodity registration processing in this way, in ACT  414 , the processor  41  controls the communication interface  44  to transmit a registration response command to the store server  30 . According to this control, the registration response command is transmitted from the communication interface  44  to the store server  30 . The registration response command is received by the store server  30  via the intra-store network NW 2 . The registration response command includes data of the transaction file  47  to which the purchased commodity record is added in ACT  413 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 18 , in ACT  316 , the processor  31  of the store server  30 , which controls the transmission of the registration request command, waits for the registration response command. If the registration response command is received via the communication interface  34 , the processor  31  determines YES in ACT  316  and proceeds to ACT  317 . In ACT  317 , the processor  31  acquires a purchase list from data of the transaction file  47  included in the registration response command. In ACT  318 , the processor  31  controls the communication interface  34  to transmit a registration notification command to the cooperation server  10 . According to this control, the registration notification command is transmitted from the communication interface  34  to the cooperation server  10 . The registration notification command is received by the cooperation server  10  via the communication network NW 3 . The registration notification command includes a scanner ID and a purchase list. The scanner ID is the scanner ID acquired in the processing in ACT  312 . The purchase list is the purchase list acquired in the processing in ACT  317 . 
     The processor  31  ends this scan data reception processing for the commodity ID. If the in-operation flag is set to “0” in ACT  313 , the processor  31  determines that an error occurs in the reception processing and ends the reception processing. 
     If the registration notification command is received via the second communication interface  15 , the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 15 . That is, in ACT  231 , the processor  11  acquires a scanner ID from the registration notification command. In the following explanation, the scanner ID is referred to as acquired scanner ID. In ACT  232 , the processor  11  checks an in-cooperation flag present in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the terminal cooperation table  17 . 
     If the in-cooperation flag is set to “0”, the processor  11  determines NO in ACT  232  and proceeds to ACT  233 . In ACT  233 , the processor  11  controls the second communication interface  15  to transmit the error response command to the store server  30  at a registration notification command transmission source. According to this control, the error response command is transmitted from the second communication interface  15 . The error response command is received by the router  80  via the communication network NW 3  and further received by the store server  30  via the intra-store network NW 2 . 
     On the other hand, if the in-cooperation flag is set to “1”, the processor  11  determines YES in ACT  232  and proceeds to ACT  234 . In ACT  234 , the processor  11  edits registration screen data based on data of a shopping list included in the registration notification command. In ACT  235 , the processor  11  acquires a communication address from the same row as the acquired scanner ID from the terminal cooperation table  17 . In ACT  236 , the processor  11  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit the registration screen data with the communication address set as a destination. According to this control, the registration screen data is transmitted from the first communication interface  14 . The registration screen data is received in the information terminal  20 , in which the communication address is set as the destination, via the wide area network NW 1 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 11 , in ACT  109 , the processor  21  of the information terminal  20 , which displays the shopping start screen SC 2 , waits for registration screen data. If the registration screen data is received via the wireless device  24 , the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  109  and proceeds to ACT  110 . In ACT  110 , the processor  21  causes the touch panel  25  to display a registration screen SC 3  (see  FIG. 26 ) based on the registration screen data. 
       FIG. 26  is a display example of the registration screen SC 3 . As illustrated, an accounting button BT 1  is displayed on the registration screen SC 3  together with a purchase list LS 1 . In the purchase list LS 1 , a list of a commodity name and a price of a commodity, sales of which is registered, a total number of items, a total amount, and the like are displayed. The accounting button BT 1  is a button image that the consumer finishing shopping touches in order to instruct accounting. 
     In ACT  111 , the processor  21  of the information terminal  20 , which displays the registration screen SC 1 , checks whether the accounting button BT 1  is selected. If the accounting button BT 1  is not selected, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  111  and proceeds to ACT  112 . In ACT  112 , the processor  21  checks whether the next registration screen data has been received. If the next registration screen data is not received, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  112  and returns to ACT  111 . In ACT  11  and ACT  112 , the processor  21  waits for the accounting button BT 1  to be selected or waits for the next registration screen data to be received. 
     If the next registration screen data is received in this waiting state, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  112  and proceeds to ACT  110 . That is, the processor  21  updates, based on the registration screen data, the registration screen SC 3  displayed on the touch panel  25 . The processor  21  returns to the waiting state in ACT  111  and ACT  112 . 
     If detecting during this waiting state that the accounting button BT 1  is selected, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  111  and proceeds to ACT  121  in  FIG. 12 . In ACT  121 , the processor  21  acquires a cooperation ID stored in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage device  23 . In ACT  122 , the processor  21  controls the wireless device  24  to transmit an accounting instruction command to the cooperation server  10 . According to this control, the accounting instruction command is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device  24 . The accounting instruction command is received by the correlation server  10  via the wide area network NW 1 . The accounting instruction command includes a communication address of the information terminal  20  and the cooperation ID acquired in ACT  121 . 
     If the accounting instruction command is received via the first communication interface  14 , the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 16 . That is, in ACT  241 , the processor  11  acquires a cooperation ID from the accounting instruction command. In the following explanation, the cooperation ID is referred to as acquired cooperation ID. The processor  11  checks an in-cooperation flag present in the same row as the acquired cooperation ID in the terminal cooperation table  17 . 
     If the in-cooperation flag is not set to “1”, the processor  11  determines NO in ACT  242  and proceeds to ACT  243 . In ACT  243 , the processor  11  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit the error response command to the information terminal  20  at an accounting instruction command transmission source. According to this control, the error response command is transmitted from the first communication interface  14 . The error response command is received by the information terminal  20  at the accounting instruction command transmission source via the wide area network NW 1 . 
     On the other hand, if the in-cooperation flag is set to “1”, the processor  11  determines YES in ACT  242  and proceeds to ACT  244 . In ACT  244 , the processor  11  acquires a scanner ID from the same row as the acquired cooperation ID in the terminal cooperation table  17 . In ACT  245 , the processor  11  controls the second communication interface  15  to transmit an accounting notification command to the store server  30 . According to this control, the accounting notification command is transmitted from the second communication interface  15  to the store server  30 . The accounting notification command is received by the router  80  via the communication network NW 3  and further received by the store server  30  via the intra-store network NW 2 . The accounting notification command includes a scanner ID. The scanner ID is the scanner ID acquired in the processing in ACT  244 . 
     If the accounting notification command is received, the processor  31  of the store server  30  starts procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 19 . That is, in ACT  321 , the processor  31  acquires a scanner ID from the accounting notification command. In the following explanation, the scanner ID is referred to as acquired scanner ID. In ACT  322 , the processor  31  checks an in-operation flag in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the scanner management table  36 . 
     If the in-operation flag is set to “0”, the processor  31  determines NO in ACT  322  and proceeds to ACT  323 . In ACT  323 , the processor  31  controls the communication interface  34  to transmit the error response command to the cooperation server  10  at an accounting notification command transmission source. According to this control, the error response command is transmitted from the communication interface  34  to the cooperation server  10 . The error response command is received by the router  80  via the intra-store network NW 2  and further received by the cooperation server  10  via the communication network NW 3 . 
     On the other hand, if the in-operation flag is set to “1”, the processor  31  determines YES in ACT  322  and proceeds to ACT  324 . In ACT  324 , the processor  31  acquires a virtual POS No. from a field in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the scanner management table  36 . In ACT  325 , the processor  31  generates a new accounting code. 
     In ACT  326 , the processor  31  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit an accounting permission notification command to the virtual POS server  40 . According to this control, the accounting permission notification command is transmitted from the first communication interface  14  to the virtual POS server  40 . The accounting permission notification command is received by the virtual POS server  40  via the intra-store network NW 2 . The accounting permission notification command includes a virtual POS No. and an accounting code. The virtual POS No. is the virtual POS No. acquired in the processing in ACT  324  . The accounting code is the accounting code generated in the processing in ACT  325 . 
     If the accounting permission notification command is received, the processor  41  of the virtual POS server  40  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 23 . That is, in ACT  421 , the processor  41  acquires a virtual POS No. from the accounting permission notification command. In ACT  422 , the processor  41  acquires an accounting code from the accounting permission notification command. In ACT  423 , the processor  41  saves the accounting code in the transaction file  47  in which the virtual POS No. is set. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 19 , in ACT  327 , the processor  31  of the store server  30 , which controls the transmission of the accounting permission notification command, controls the communication interface  34  to transmit an approval response command to the cooperation server  10 . According to this control, the approval response command is transmitted from the communication interface  34  to the cooperation server  10 . The approval response command is received via the intra-store network NW 2  and further received by the cooperation server  10  via the communication network NW 3 . The approval response command includes an accounting code. The accounting code is the accounting code generated in the processing in ACT  325 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 16 , in ACT  246 , the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10 , which controls the transmission of the accounting notification command, checks whether the approval response command has been received. If the error response command is received rather than the approval response command, the processor  11  determines NO in ACT  246  and proceeds to the processing in ACT  243 . 
     If the approval response command is received, the processor  11  determines YES in ACT  246  and proceeds to ACT  247 . In ACT  247 , the processor  11  acquires an accounting code from the approval response command. In ACT  248 , the processor  11  edits accounting screen data including the accounting code. 
     In ACT  249 , the processor  11  acquires a communication address from a field in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the terminal cooperation table  17 . The processor  11  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit accounting screen data to the information terminal  20  in which the communication address is set. According to this control, the accounting screen data is transmitted from the first communication interface  14 . The accounting screen data is received, via the wide area network NW 1 , by the information terminal  20  in which the communication address is set. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 12 , in ACT  123 , the processor  21  of the information terminal  20 , which controls the transmission of the accounting instruction command, waits for accounting screen data. If the accounting screen data is received via the wireless device  24 , the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  123  and proceeds to ACT  124 . In ACT  124 , the processor  21  causes the touch panel  25  to display an accounting screen SC 4  (see  FIG. 27 ). 
       FIG. 27  is a display example of the accounting screen SC 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , on the accounting screen SC 4 , a barcode CD 2  or an accounting code is displayed. A message M 4  for instructing to scan the barcode CD 2  with a scanner of an accounting machine is displayed on the accounting screen SC 4 . 
     The consumer confirming the accounting screen SC 4  moves to a setting place of the self-service accounting machine  50  or the manned accounting machine  60 . For example, the consumer moving to the setting place of the self-service accounting machine  50  causes a scanner of the self-service accounting machine  50  to read a barcode BC 2  of the accounting screen SC 4 . Then, the transaction file  47 , in which an accounting code of the barcode BC 2  is set, is transmitted to the self-service accounting machine  50  from the virtual POS server  40 . Thereafter, a well-known payment process such as cash payment, credit card payment, or electronic money payment is executed in the self-service accounting machine  50 . If the payment process ends, the self-service accounting machine  50  transmits an accounting end notification command to the store server  30 . The accounting end notification command includes the accounting code of the barcode BC 2 . 
     For example, the consumer moving to the setting place of the manned accounting machine  60  shows the accounting screen SC 4  to a store clerk. The store clerk causes the scanner of the manned accounting machine  60  to read the barcode BC 2  of the accounting screen SC 4 . Then, the transaction file  47 , in which the accounting code of the barcode BC 2  is set, is transmitted to the manned accounting machine  60  from the virtual POS server  40 . Thereafter, a well-known payment process such as cash payment, credit card payment, or electronic money payment is executed in the manned accounting machine  60 . Correction and the like of registered commodities are performed according to necessity. If the payment process ends, the manned accounting machine  60  transmits the accounting end notification command to the store server  30 . The accounting end notification command includes the accounting code of the barcode BC 2 . 
     If the accounting end notification command is received, the processor  31  of the store server  30  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 20 . That is, in ACT  331 , the processor  31  acquires an accounting code from the accounting end notification command. In ACT  332 , the processor  31  inquires the virtual POS server  40  and acquires a virtual POS No. stored in the transaction file  47  together with the accounting code. In the following explanation, the virtual POS No. is referred to as acquired virtual POS No. 
     In ACT  333 , the processor  31  acquires a scanner ID from a field in the same row as the acquired virtual POS No. in the scanner management table  36 . The processor  31  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit a cooperation release notification command to the cooperation server  10 . Consequently, the cooperation release notification command is transmitted from the first communication interface  14  to the cooperation server  10 . The cooperation release notification command is received by the router  80  via the intra-store network NW 2  and further received by the cooperation server  10  via the communication network NW 3 . The cooperation release notification command includes a scanner ID. The scanner ID is the scanner ID acquired in the processing in ACT  333 . 
     If the cooperation release notification command is received, the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 17 . That is, in ACT  261 , the processor  11  acquires a scanner ID from the cooperation release notification command. In the following explanation, the scanner ID is referred to as an acquired scanner ID. The processor  11  changes an in-cooperation flag present in the same row as the acquired scanner ID of the terminal cooperation table  17  from “1” to “0”. 
     In ACT  263 , the processor  11  acquires a communication address from a field in the same row as the acquired scanner ID in the terminal cooperation table  17 . In ACT  264 , the processor  11  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit a shopping end command with the communication address set as a destination. According to this control, the shopping end command is transmitted from the first communication interface  14 . The shopping end command is received by the information terminal  20 , in which the communication address is set as the destination, via the wide area network NW 1 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 12 , in ACT  125 , the processor  21  of the information terminal  20  displaying the accounting screen SC 4  waits for an accounting end command. If the accounting end command is received via the wireless device  24 , the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  125  and proceeds to ACT  126 . In ACT  126 , the processor  21  erases the accounting screen SC 4  displayed on the touch panel  25 . The processor  21  clears the cooperation ID stored in the main memory  22  or the auxiliary storage device  23 . The processor  21  ends the information processing conforming to the shopping supporting program. 
     The commodity sales processing system in this embodiment includes the cooperation server  10  functioning as a first server and the store server  30  and the virtual POS server  40  together functioning as a second server. The cooperation server  10  performs data communication with the information terminal  20  via the wide area network NW 1 , which is also referred to as a first network in some contexts. The store server  30  and the virtual POS server  40  performs data communication with the code reading apparatus owned by the store, that is, the scanner module  90  via the intra-store network NW 2  and the intra-store network NW 4 , which are collectively referred to as a second network in some contexts. 
     The processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  executes the processing in ACT  221  to ACT  225  in  FIG. 14  to thereby function as a correlating unit. That is, the processor  11  correlates a cooperation ID, which is also referred to as a first unique code, set for the information terminal  20  before the consumer begins shopping in the store and a scanner ID, which is a second peculiar code, set for the scanner module  90 . Specifically, the processor  11  correlates the cooperation ID and the scanner ID based on data transmitted to the store server  30  from the scanner module  90  that reads the code symbol CD 1  of the cooperation ID displayed on the display device (the touch panel  25 ) of the information terminal  20 . 
     The processor  31  of the store server  30  and the processor  41  of the virtual POS server  40  together execute the processing in ACT  311  to ACT  315  in  FIG. 18  and the processing in ACT  411  to ACT  414  in  FIG. 22  to thereby function as a processing unit. That is, the processor  31  and the processor  41  together process sales data of a commodity identified by the commodity code that has been read by the scanner module  90 . 
     The processor  31  of the store server  30  and the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  execute the processing in ACT  316  to ACT  318  in  FIG. 18  and the processing in ACT  231  to ACT  236  (excluding ACT  233 ) in  FIG. 15  to thereby function as a transmitting unit. That is, the processor  31  and the processor  11  transmit image data based on the sales data of the commodity processed by the processing unit to the information terminal  20  having a cooperation ID correlated with the scanner ID of the scanner module  90  that reads the commodity code. 
     The processor  31  of the store server  30  and the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  execute the processing in ACT  331  to ACT  334  in  FIG. 20  and the processing in ACT  261  to ACT  264  in  FIG. 17  to thereby function as a releasing unit. That is, the processor  31  and the processor  11  release the correlation of the cooperation ID and the scanner ID according to settlement of a transaction based on the sales data of the commodity processed by the processing unit. 
     With the commodity sales processing system having such a configuration, the consumer reads a barcode with the scanner module  90  provided in the cart C. The scanner module  90  is specifically designed to read a barcode of a commodity. Therefore, reading accuracy and speed can be high. Additionally, the consumer can hold a large commodity with both the hands and use the scanner module  90  to read a barcode. 
     On the other hand, a registration screen showing a commodity registration result is displayed on the touch panel  25  of the information terminal  20  owned by the consumer. In recent years, Internet shopping using the information terminal  20  such as a smartphone has been widely adopted. The information terminal  20  is thus considered suitable as a user interface by most consumers. In this embodiment, the information terminal  20  is used as a user interface for aspects other than barcode reading operations of a commodity. Therefore, the information terminal  20  is user-friendly for the consumer. Moreover, from the viewpoint of the store, since it is unnecessary to provide a display device in the cart C, there is an advantage that initial capital investment can be reduced. 
     According to this embodiment, since the consumer&#39;s own information terminal  20  is used, the check-in operation necessary at store entry time with a cart terminal system can be omitted. 
     The information terminal  20  performs communication with the cooperation server  10  via the wide area network NW 1 . Therefore, the information terminal  20  owned by the consumer is not directly connected to the intra-store network NW 2  and the intra-store network NW 4 . Therefore, since the consumer cannot illegally access the store server  30  or the like, security can be improved. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment is explained with reference to  FIG. 28 . 
       FIG. 28  is a block diagram of a scanner module  90 A in the second embodiment. Portions common to the scanner module  90  in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 28 , the scanner module  90 A includes an antenna  96  for short range wireless communication in addition to the imaging unit  92 , the reading unit  93 , the storing unit  94 , and the wireless unit  95 . The antenna  96  is provided, for example, on the placing stand  200  of the cart C. That is, if an information terminal  20 A adapted to the short range wireless communication is placed on the placing stand  200 , the information terminal  20 A and the antenna  96  perform the short range wireless communication. In the second embodiment, data of a cooperation ID stored in the information terminal  20 A is transmitted to the scanner module  90 A by the short range wireless communication. The scanner module  90 A transmits data of a cooperation ID read by the reading unit  93  from a radio wave received by the antenna  96  to the store server  30  together with a scanner ID. The following operation is the same as the operation in the first embodiment. 
     In the second embodiment having such a configuration, the same action and effects as the action and effects in the first embodiment can be achieved. Moreover, a consumer only has to place the information terminal  20  on the placing stand  200 . The consumer does not need to hold the code symbol CD 1  of the cooperation ID displayed on the touch panel  25  over the reading window  91  of the scanner module  90 . Accordingly, operability is more satisfactory. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment is explained with reference to  FIGS. 29 to 31 . 
       FIG. 29  is a schematic explanatory diagram of the third embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 29 , in the third embodiment, a sticker  97  of a two-dimensional code is stuck to one surface of a scanner module  90 B attached to the cart C. The sticker  97  represents, with the two-dimensional code, a scanner ID allocated to the scanner module  90 B. In the third embodiment, before beginning shopping, a consumer images the sticker  97  with a camera  28  included in an information terminal  20 B. 
       FIG. 30  is a flowchart illustrating information processing executed by the processor  21  of the information terminal  20 B and is generally equivalent to the processing procedure in  FIG. 11  explained in the first embodiment.  FIG. 31  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of cooperation notification command reception processing executed by the processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  and is generally equivalent to the processing procedure in  FIG. 14  explained in the first embodiment. 
     In ACT  131 , the processor  21  of the information terminal  20 B starts the camera  28 . In ACT  132 , the processor  21  checks whether the sticker  97  is imaged by the camera  28 . If the sticker  97  is not imaged, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  132  and proceeds to ACT  133 . In ACT  133 , the processor  21  confirms whether an elapsed time from when the camera  28  is started exceeds a preset timeout time. The timeout time is, for example, 10 seconds. If the elapsed time does not yet exceed the timeout time, the processor  21  determines NO in ACT  133  and returns to ACT  132 . In ACT  132  and ACT  133 , the processor  21  waits for the sticker  97  to be imaged or waits for the timeout time to elapse. In this waiting state, if the timeout time elapses, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  133  and ends the processing. 
     If the sticker  97  is imaged by the camera  28  before the timeout time elapses, the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  132  and proceeds to ACT  134 . In ACT  134 , the processor  21  controls the wireless device  24  to transmit a cooperation notification command to the cooperation server  10 . According to this control, the cooperation notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device  24 . The cooperation notification command is received by the cooperation server  10  via the wide area network NW 1 . The cooperation notification command includes a communication address, for example, an IP address of the information terminal  20 . The cooperation notification command also includes a scanner ID read from an image of the sticker  97 . 
     The processor  11  of the cooperation server  10 , which receives the cooperation notification command via the second communication interface  15 , starts the information processing procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 31 . That is, in ACT  251 , the processor  11  acquires a cooperation ID from the cooperation notification command. In the following explanation, the cooperation ID is referred to as an acquired cooperation ID. In ACT  252 , the processor  11  searches through the terminal cooperation table  17  and checks whether an in-cooperation flag in the same row as the acquired cooperation ID is set to “1”. 
     If the in-cooperation flag is set to “1”, the processor  11  determines YES in ACT  252  and proceeds to ACT  253 . In ACT  253 , the processor  11  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit an error response command to the information terminal  20 B at a cooperation notification command transmission source. According to this control, the error response command is transmitted from the first communication interface  14 . The error response command is received by the information terminal  20 B via the wide area network NW 1 . 
     On the other hand, if the in-cooperation flag is set to “0”, the processor  11  determines NO in ACT  252  and proceeds to ACT  254 . In ACT  254 , the processor  11  acquires a communication address of the information terminal  20  from the cooperation notification command. In ACT  255 , the processor  11  generates a unique cooperation ID. 
     In ACT  256 , the processor  11  saves the cooperation ID generated in ACT  255 , the communication address acquired in ACT  254 , and the scanner ID acquired in ACT  251  in the same row in the terminal cooperation table  17 . The processor  11  sets an in-cooperation flag in the same row to “0”. 
     In ACT  257 , the processor  11  controls the second communication interface  15  to transmit an approval response command to the store server  30 . According to this control, the approval response command is transmitted from the second communication interface  15 . The approval response command is received by the router  80  via the communication network NW 3  and further received by the store server  30  via the intra-store network NW 2 . The approval response command includes a scanner ID. The scanner ID is the scanner ID acquired in the processing in ACT  251 . 
     The processor  31  of the store server  30  receiving the approval response command executes the processing in ACT  307  to ACT  310  in  FIG. 18  explained in the first embodiment. 
     In ACT  258 , the processor  11  controls the first communication interface  14  to transmit a permission notification command with the communication address acquired in the processing in ACT  254  set as a destination. According to this control, the permission notification command is wirelessly transmitted from the first communication interface  14 . The permission notification command is received by the wireless device  24  of the information terminal  20 B, in which the communication address is set as the destination, via the wide area network NW 1 . The permission notification command includes data of the cooperation ID generated in the processing in ACT  255 . The processor  11  of the cooperation server  10  ends this reception processing for the cooperation notification command. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 30 , in ACT  135 , the processor  21  of the information terminal  20 B, which controls the transmission of the cooperation notification command, waits for the permission notification command. If the permission notification command is received via the wireless device  24 , the processor  21  determines YES in ACT  135  and proceeds to ACT  136 . In ACT  136 , the processor  21  acquires the data of the cooperation ID from the permission notification command. In ACT  137 , the processor  21  stores the data of the cooperation ID. A storage destination of the data may be the volatile memory region of the main memory  22  or may be the auxiliary storage device  23 . 
     In ACT  138 , the processor  21  causes the touch panel  25  to display the shopping start screen SC 2 . Thereafter, the processor  21  executes the processing in ACT  109  to ACT  112  in the first embodiment as ACT  139  to ACT  142  in the same manner. 
     In the third embodiment having such a configuration, the same action and effects as the action and effects in the first embodiment can be achieved. Moreover, according to the third embodiment, the consumer starting the shopping supporting program  27  of the information terminal  20  is capable of doing shopping simply by imaging the sticker  97  of the scanner module  90 B with the camera  28 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce a time until the consumer becomes capable of doing shopping compared with the first embodiment in which, after starting the shopping supporting program  27 , the consumer operates the shopping start button and, waiting for the code symbol CD 1  of the cooperation ID to be displayed on the touch panel  25 , causes the scanner module  90  to read the code symbol CD 1 . 
     The embodiments of the commodity sales system that has satisfactory operability in registration of purchased commodities by a consumer himself or herself and can reduce equipment cost of a store is explained above. However, such embodiments are not limited to this. 
     For example, in the embodiments, the commodity sales processing system including the self-service accounting machine  50  and the manned accounting machine  60  is illustrated. For example, by performing code settlement using a smartphone, it is possible to omit the self-service accounting machine  50  and the manned accounting machine  60 . 
     In the case illustrated in the embodiments, the cooperation ID is automatically generated in the cooperation server  10 . For example, by directly using the communication address set in the information terminal  20  as the cooperation ID, it is possible to omit the generation processing for the cooperation ID. 
     In the embodiments, the dedicated server that executes the virtual POS application, that is, the virtual POS server  40  is provided in the store ST 1 . As another embodiment, a virtual POS server may be a cloud computing server. Consequently, a plurality of stores can share the virtual POS server. 
     The various screens SC 1  to SC 4  displayed on the touch panel  25  of the information terminal  20  are not limited to the illustrated screens and contents of messages displayed on the screens are not limited to the illustrated contents of the messages. In short, the screens SC 1  to SC 4  only have to be able to communicate information necessary for the consumer, who is an operator. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.