Patent Publication Number: US-2023162171-A1

Title: Commodity storage support device and program

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-188718, filed on Nov. 19, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a commodity storage support device and a program. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There has been known a technique for, if purchased commodities are stored in a register bag or a reusable shopping bag, supporting storage work by presenting a storage method for the commodities. Specifically, a calculated storage method is presented to a store clerk at a register. There has also been known an example in which a storage method is presented to a customer who is performing settlement in a self-service register. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a commodity storage support system according to a first embodiment; 
       FIG.  2    is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device included in the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  3    is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a POS terminal included in the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  4    is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a portable terminal included in the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  5    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server device; 
       FIG.  6    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the POS terminal; 
       FIG.  7    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the portable terminal; 
       FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a commodity master; 
       FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a register bag master; 
       FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a member master; 
       FIG.  11    is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a customer selects a storage body that the customer uses in a POS terminal; 
       FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating an example of information indicating storage order and a storage position of commodities displayed on the portable terminal; 
       FIG.  13    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a commodity storage support system according to a second embodiment; 
       FIG.  15    is an exterior view illustrating an example of a shopping cart included in the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  16    is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a cart terminal included in the shopping cart; 
       FIG.  17    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a virtual POS server included in the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  18    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a checkout machine included in the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  19    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the cart terminal; 
       FIG.  20    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the virtual POS server; 
       FIG.  21    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the checkout machine; 
       FIG.  22    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an electronic receipt server included in the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  23    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  24    is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a commodity storage support system according to a third embodiment; 
       FIG.  25    is a diagram for explaining a state in which a store clerk stores, in a basket, commodities registered in a POS terminal included in the commodity storage support system; 
       FIG.  26    is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a storage method for commodities; 
       FIG.  27    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the POS terminal; 
     and 
       FIG.  28    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the storage support in the related art, since the storage method for the commodities is presented in the register, the store clerk or the customer needs to store the commodities in the register. Therefore, customers waiting for their turns in the register are likely to stay in a queue. In view of such a situation, there has been demanded a method capable of presenting, to the customer, a storage method in a place away from the register, for example, in a sacker table. 
     An aspect of embodiments is to, in order to solve the problems described above, provide a commodity storage support device and a program that can present, to a customer who purchases commodities, in a place where the customer stores the commodities, a storage method for the commodities in a storage body. 
     A commodity storage support device according to an embodiment includes a commodity-information acquiring unit, a storage-body-information acquiring unit, a storage-method calculating unit, and an information presenting unit. The commodity-information acquiring unit acquires information relating to storage of registered commodities. The storage-body-information acquiring unit acquires information relating to a storage body for storing commodities purchased by a customer. The storage-method calculating unit calculates a storage method in storing the commodities in the storage body. The information presenting unit outputs, in a displayable manner, the storage method to a portable terminal carried by the customer. 
     First Embodiment 
     A commodity storage support system  1  according to a first embodiment is explained with reference to the drawings. 
     (System Configuration of the Commodity Storage Support System) 
     A system configuration of the commodity storage support system  1  is explained with reference to  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the commodity storage support system according to the first embodiment. 
     The commodity storage support system  1  presents a storage method to a customer if the customer stores commodities purchased in a store in a register bag or a reusable shopping bag. The commodity storage support system  1  includes a server device  20 , POS terminals  40  and a store server  46  set in the store, and portable terminals  80  carried by customers. It is assumed that the customers doing shopping are members of an electronic receipt system who can receive, with the portable terminals  80 , as a computerized receipt, settlement information relating to commodities for which settlement is completed. 
     The server device  20  generates electronic receipt information based on settlement information transmitted from the POS terminal  40 . The server device  20  outputs the generated electronic receipt information to the portable terminal  80  of a customer who did shopping relating to the settlement information. The server device  20  acquires storage body information of a storage body used for storage of commodities by the customer and calculates a method of storing purchased commodities in the storage body. The server device  20  outputs the calculated storage method to the portable terminal  80  of the customer. The server device  20  is an example of the commodity storage support device in the present disclosure. The generation of the electronic receipt information and the calculation of the storage method may be performed by different server devices. However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the generation of the electronic receipt information and the calculation of the storage method are performed by the same server device  20 . 
     The server device  20  performs communication with the POS terminal  40  and the portable terminals  80  via a network N. 
     The POS terminal  40  performs registration processing for registering commodities to be purchased by the customer and settlement processing for performing settlement relating to the registered commodities. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the POS terminal  40  configures a face-to-face type register. However, this embodiment can also be applied to a semi-self-service register with which the registration processing for commodities is performed face-to-face and a customer himself or herself performs the settlement processing or a self-service register with which the customer himself or herself performs all of the registration processing and the settlement processing for the commodities. 
     The store server  46  manages the operations of a plurality of POS terminals  40  set in the store. The store server  46  acquires the latest commodity master Mb (see  FIG.  8   ) from a not-illustrated host server and outputs the latest commodity master Mb to the POS terminals  40 . Further, the store server  46  aggregates settlement information generated by the POS terminals  40  to thereby store the settlement information as sales information of the store. 
     The portable terminal  80  is carried by the customer and stores member information of the electronic receipt system. The portable terminal  80  acquires the electronic receipt information and the storage method for the purchased commodities from the server device  20 . Further, the portable terminal  80  displays the acquired electronic receipt information and the acquired storage method for the commodities according to operation of the customer. Specifically, the portable terminal  80  is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. 
     The POS terminal  40  and the store server  46  are connected by an in-store network  47 . The portable terminal  80  performs communication with the server device  20  via an access point  34  connected to the in-store network  47 . 
     (Hardware Configuration of the Server Device) 
     A hardware configuration of the server device  20  is explained with reference to  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  2    is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server device included in the commodity storage support system according to the first embodiment. 
     The server device  20  includes a control unit  21  for controlling units of the server device  20 . The control unit  21  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  22 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  23 , and a RAM (Random Access Memory)  24 . The CPU  22  is connected to the ROM  23  and the RAM  24  via an internal bus Ba such as an address bus or a data bus. The CPU  22  loads, in the RAM  24 , various programs stored in the ROM  23  and a storing unit  25 . The CPU  22  operates according to the various programs loaded in the RAM  24  to control the server device  20 . That is, the control unit  21  has the configuration of the general computer. 
     The control unit  21  is connected to the storing unit  25 , a display device  31 , an operation device  32 , and a communication interface  33  via the internal bus Ba. 
     The storing unit  25  is a storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storing unit  25  may be a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory in which stored information is retained even if the server device  20  is turned off. The storing unit  25  stores a control program Pa, a member master Ma, and electronic receipt information Ea. 
     The control program Pa is a program for controlling the operation of the entire server device  20 . 
     The member master Ma stores attribute information such as member codes of a plurality of members capable of using the electronic receipt system, mail addresses of the portable terminals  80  carried by the members, and reusable shopping bag information used in shopping. These kinds of information are information registered by the members. The member master Ma is explained in detail below (see  FIG.  10   ). 
     The electronic receipt information Ea is electronic receipt information generated based on a result of the settlement processing performed by the POS terminal  40 . The electronic receipt information Ea includes commodity information of sold commodities, content of the settlement, and information concerning the store where the settlement is performed. 
     The display device  31  displays a screen generated according to an instruction of the control unit  21 . The display device  31  is configured by a device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. 
     The operation device  32  acquires input operation of an operator and transmits the input operation to the control unit  21 . The operation device  32  is configured by a device such as a touch panel or a keyboard. 
     The communication interface  33  is an interface for communicating with the POS terminal  40  and the portable terminal  80  via wireless communication by a wireless LAN or the like or wired communication by a wired LAN or the like. 
     (Hardware Configuration of the POS Terminal) 
     A hardware configuration of the POS terminal  40  is explained with reference to  FIG.  3   .  FIG.  3    is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the POS terminal included in the commodity storage support system according to the first embodiment. 
     The POS terminal  40  includes a control unit  41  for controlling units. The control unit  41  includes a CPU  42 , a ROM  43 , and a RAM  44 . The CPU  42  is connected to the ROM  43  and the RAM  44  via an internal bus Bb such as an address bus or a data bus. The CPU  42  loads, in the RAM  44 , various programs stored in the ROM  43  and a storing unit  45 . The CPU  42  operates according to the various programs loaded in the RAM  44  to control the POS terminal  40 . That is, the control unit  41  has the configuration of the general computer. 
     The control unit  41  is connected to the storing unit  45 , a store clerk display device  51 , a customer display device  52 , an operation device  53 , a scanner  54 , and a communication interface  55  via the internal bus Bb. 
     The storing unit  45  is a storage device such as a HDD or an SSD. The storing unit  45  may be a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory in which stored information is retained even if the POS terminal  40  is turned off. The storing unit  45  stores a control program Pb, a commodity master Mb, a register bag master Mc, and a settlement data file Sa. 
     The control program Pb is a program for controlling the operation of the entire POS terminal  40 . 
     The commodity master Mb is a master file in which commodity information of commodities sold in the store is stored. The commodity information includes commodity names of the commodities, information relating to settlement of prices and the like, and information relating to storage such as sizes and weights of the commodities. The commodity master Mb is explained in detail below (see  FIG.  8   ). Since content of the commodity master Mb is updated at any time, the POS terminal  40  acquires the latest commodity master Mb from, for example, the store server  46 . 
     The register bag master Mc is a master file in which information relating to sizes of register bags sold in the store is stored. The register bag master Mc is explained in detail below (see  FIG.  9   ). 
     The settlement data file Sa is a file indicating settlement content generated based on the settlement processing performed by the POS terminal  40 . The settlement data file Sa is stored as sales information of the store and transmitted to the store server  46  and accumulated at timing, for example, after a business end of the store. 
     The store clerk display device  51  displays, to a store clerk, a screen generated according to an instruction of the control unit  41 . The store clerk display device  51  is configured by a device such as an LCD or an organic EL display. 
     The customer display device  52  displays, to a customer, a screen generated according to an instruction of the control unit  41 . The customer display device  52  is configured by a device such as an LCD or an organic EL display. 
     The operation device  53  acquires input operation of an operator and transmits the input operation to the control unit  41 . The operation device  53  is configured by a device such as a keyboard or a touch panel. The operation device  53  may be provided on both of the store clerk side and the customer side. 
     If the customer registers a commodity to be purchased, the scanner  54  reads code information (for example, a barcode) stuck to or printed on the commodity. The scanner  54  reads code information including member information displayed on the portable terminal  80  of the customer. 
     The communication interface  55  is an interface for communicating with the server device  20  and the store server  46  via wireless communication by a wireless LAN or the like or wired communication by a wired LAN or the like. 
     The store server  46  in this embodiment is only a repeater used if the server device  20  and the POS terminal  40  perform communication and an aggregator for the settlement data file Sa generated by the POS terminal  40 . Therefore, explanation of a hardware configuration of the store server  46  is omitted. 
     (Hardware Configuration of the Portable Terminal) 
     A hardware configuration of the portable terminal  80  is explained with reference to  FIG.  4   .  FIG.  4    is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the portable terminal included in the commodity storage support system according to the first embodiment. 
     The portable terminal  80  includes a control unit  81  for controlling units. The control unit  81  includes a CPU  82 , a ROM  83 , and a RAM  84 . The CPU  82  is connected to the ROM  83  and the RAM  84  via an internal bus Bc such as an address bus or a data bus. The CPU  82  loads, in the RAM  84 , various programs stored in the ROM  83  and a storing unit  85 . The CPU  82  operates according to the various programs loaded in the RAM  84  to control the portable terminal  80 . That is, the control unit  81  has the configuration of the general computer. 
     The control unit  81  is connected to the storing unit  85 , a display device  91 , an operation device  92 , and a communication interface  93  via the internal bus Bc. 
     The storing unit  85  is a storage device such as a HDD or an SSD. The storing unit  85  may be a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory in which stored information is retained even if the portable terminal  80  is turned off. The storing unit  85  stores a control program Pc, member information Md, and electronic receipt information Eb. 
     The control program Pc is a program for controlling the operation of the entire portable terminal  80 . 
     The member information Md is, for example, a member code necessary for using the electronic receipt system. 
     The electronic receipt information Eb is electronic receipt information indicating a result of settlement processing performed at the time when a user of the portable terminal  80  purchases commodities. The electronic receipt information Eb is transmitted from the server device  20  to the portable terminal  80  and stored. 
     The display device  91  displays a screen generated according to an instruction of the control unit  81 . The display device  91  is configured by a device such as an LCD or an organic EL display. 
     The operation device  92  acquires input operation of an operator and transmits the input operation to the control unit  81 . The operation device  92  is configured by a device such as a keyboard or a touch panel. 
     The communication interface  93  is an interface for communicating with the server device  20  via wireless communication by a wireless LAN or the like. 
     (Functional Configuration of the Server Device) 
     A functional configuration of the server device  20  is explained with reference to  FIG.  5   .  FIG.  5    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server device included in the commodity storage support system according to the first embodiment. 
     The control unit  21  of the server device  20  loads the control program Pa in the RAM  24  and causes the control program Pa to operate to thereby realize, as functional units, a member-information acquiring unit  11 , a commodity-information acquiring unit  12 , a storage-body-information acquiring unit  13 , a storage-method calculating unit  14 , a settlement-information acquiring unit  15 , an electronic-receipt-information generating unit  16 , a storage-method output unit  17 , and an electronic-receipt-information output unit  18  illustrated in  FIG.  5   . 
     The member-information acquiring unit  11  acquires, from the POS terminal  40 , member information (for example, a member code) of a customer who performed settlement. 
     Every time a commodity is registered, the commodity-information acquiring unit  12  acquires, from the POS terminal  40 , commodity information of the registered commodity. The commodity information to be acquired includes information relating to storage of the registered commodity. 
     The storage-body-information acquiring unit  13  acquires, from the POS terminal  40 , information relating to a storage body that is designated by the customer and in which purchased commodities are stored. Specifically, the storage-body-information acquiring unit  13  acquires information indicating whether the purchased commodities are stored in a reusable shopping bag or stored in a purchased register bag or both of the reusable shopping bag and the register bag are used. 
     The storage-method calculating unit  14  calculates a size of a register bag necessary for storing commodities, commodity information of which is acquired by the commodity-information acquiring unit  12  to that point, and a storage method for the commodities. The storage-method calculating unit  14  calculates a method of storing settled commodities in a storage body, storage body information of which is acquired by the storage-body-information acquiring unit  13 . 
     The settlement-information acquiring unit  15  acquires, from the POS terminal  40 , settlement information indicating content of the settlement. 
     The electronic-receipt-information generating unit  16  generates computerized receipt information, that is, electronic receipt information based on the settlement information acquired by the settlement-information acquiring unit  15 . The electronic-receipt-information generating unit  16  stores the generated electronic receipt information in the storing unit  25 . 
     Every time a commodity is registered, the storage-method output unit  17  outputs, in a displayable manner, to the POS terminal  40 , a storage method for storing commodities registered to that point. The storage-method output unit  17  outputs, in a displayable manner, to the portable terminal  80  of the customer, a method of storing settled commodities in a designated storage body (a reusable shopping bag of the customer, a purchased register bag, or both of the reusable shopping bag and the register bag). The storage-method output unit  17  is an example of the information presenting unit in the present disclosure. 
     The electronic-receipt-information output unit  18  outputs the electronic receipt information to the portable terminal  80  of the customer. 
     (Functional Configuration of the POS Terminal) 
     A functional configuration of the POS terminal  40  is explained with reference to  FIG.  6   .  FIG.  6    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the POS terminal included in the commodity storage support system according to the first embodiment. 
     The control unit  41  of the POS terminal  40  loads the control program Pb in the RAM  44  and causes the control program Pb to operate to thereby realize, as functional units, a member-information acquiring unit  60 , a member-information output unit  61 , a storage-body-information acquiring unit  62 , a storage-body-information output unit  63 , a commodity-registration processing unit  64 , a commodity-information output unit  65 , a storage-method acquiring unit  66 , a storage-method display unit  67 , a settlement processing unit  68 , a settlement-information output unit  69 , a display control unit  70 , and an operation control unit  71  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . 
     The member-information acquiring unit  60  receives the member information Md of the electronic receipt system from the portable terminal  80  of the customer. Specifically, the POS terminal  40  reads, with the scanner  54 , code information including the member information Md displayed on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80 . The member information Md may be transmitted and received by wireless communication between the portable terminal  80  and the POS terminal  40 . 
     The member-information output unit  61  outputs the acquired member information Md to the server device  20 . 
     The storage-body-information acquiring unit  62  acquires, according to operation of the store clerk based on an instruction of the customer, information relating to a storage body used by the customer. The information relating to the storage body used by the customer is information indicating whether the customer stores a commodity in a register bag or stores the commodity in a reusable shopping bag or uses both of the register bag and the reusable shopping bag. 
     The storage-body-information output unit  63  outputs the acquired storage body information to the server device  20 . 
     The commodity-registration processing unit  64  performs registration processing for reading, with the scanner  54 , code information of a barcode or the like attached to a commodity to be purchased by the customer to thereby register the commodity. 
     The commodity-information output unit  65  outputs commodity information of the commodity registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  64  to the server device  20 . 
     The storage-method acquiring unit  66  acquires, from the server device  20 , a size of a register bag necessary for storing commodities registered at that point in time and a storage method for the commodities in the register bag. 
     The storage-method display unit  67  displays, on the customer display device  52 , the storage method for commodities registered to that point, the storage method being acquired by the storage-method acquiring unit  66 . 
     The settlement processing unit  68  performs, on a total amount of the commodities registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  64 , settlement processing based on a payment method designated by the customer. The settlement processing unit  68  generates the settlement data file Sa indicating a result of the settlement and stores the settlement data file Sa in the storing unit  45 . 
     The settlement-information output unit  69  outputs settlement information indicating the result of the settlement by the settlement processing unit  68  to the server device  20 . 
     The display control unit  70  generates a display screen to be displayed on the store clerk display device  51  or the customer display device  52  of the POS terminal  40 . The display control unit  70  outputs the generated display screen to the store clerk display device  51  or the customer display device  52 . 
     The operation control unit  71  acquires operation information of operation performed by the operation device  53  of the POS terminal  40  and passes the operation information to the control unit  41 . The control unit  41  causes the POS terminal  40  to perform control corresponding to the acquired operation information. 
     (Functional Configuration of the Portable Terminal) 
     A functional configuration of the portable terminal  80  is explained with reference to  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  7    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the portable terminal included in the commodity storage support system according to the first embodiment. 
     The control unit  81  of the portable terminal  80  loads the control program Pc in the RAM  84  and causes the control program Pc to operate to thereby realize, as functional units, a member-information output unit  72 , an electronic-receipt-information acquiring unit  73 , a storage-method acquiring unit  74 , a display control unit  75 , and an operation control unit  76  illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
     The member-information output unit  72  transmits the member information Md relating to the use of the electronic receipt system to the POS terminal  40 . The member-information output unit  72  may display, on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80 , code information of a barcode or the like including the member information Md. The member-information output unit  72  may transmit the member information Md to the POS terminal  40  by wireless communication. 
     The electronic-receipt-information acquiring unit  73  acquires electronic receipt information from the server device  20 . 
     The storage-method acquiring unit  74  acquires a storage method for purchased commodities from the server device  20 . 
     The display control unit  75  generates a display screen to be displayed on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80 . The display control unit  75  outputs the generated display screen to the display device  91 . 
     The operation control unit  76  acquires operation information of operation performed by the operation device  92  of the portable terminal  80  and passes the operation information to the control unit  81 . The control unit  81  causes the portable terminal  80  to perform control corresponding to the acquired operation information. 
     (Data Structure of the Commodity Master) 
     A data structure of the commodity master Mb is explained with reference to  FIG.  8   .  FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the commodity master. 
     The commodity master Mb is a master file in which attribute information of all commodities sold in the store is recorded. The attribute information includes at least information relating to settlement and information relating to storage. 
     Specifically, the commodity master Mb records the information relating to settlement and the information relating to storage together with serial numbers aa given to the commodities. 
     As the information relating to settlement, for example, a commodity code ab, a commodity name ac, and a unit price ad illustrated in  FIG.  8    are recorded. The commodity code ab is an identification code such as a JAN code for uniquely specifying a commodity. The commodity name ac is a name given to the commodity. The unit price ad is a price per one commodity. The information relating to settlement is not limited to the foregoing. Besides, for example, a classification name of the commodity may be recorded. The information relating to settlement recorded in the commodity master Mb is used if the POS terminal  40  performs registration processing and settlement processing. 
     As the information relating to storage, for example, a size ae, a shape af, a weight ag, a material ah, and a storage temperature ai illustrated in  FIG.  8    are recorded. The size ae is information for specifying a volume occupied by a commodity. The size ae is represented by, for example, a size of length x width x depth. The shape af is information representing an external shape of the commodity. The shape af is represented by a name such as column, square column, or rectangular parallelepiped. The weight ag is information for specifying the weight of the commodity. The material ah is information for specifying the material of the commodity. The material ah is represented by a name such as thick paper, PET bottle, or plastic. The storage temperature ai is information for specifying a desired storage temperature for the commodity. The storage temperature ai is represented by a name such as normal temperature, low temperature, or high temperature. The information relating to storage is not limited to the foregoing. Besides, a storage posture (sideways toppling unallowable or the like), loading information (stacking prohibited), and the like may be recorded. The information relating to storage recorded in the commodity master Mb is used if the server device  20  calculates a storage method for commodities. 
     (Data Structure of the Register Bag Master) 
     A data structure of the register bag master Mc is explained with reference to  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the register bag master. 
     The register bag master Mc is a master file in which specifications of register bags that can be purchased in the store are recorded. Specifically, the register bag master Mc records a bag size ba, a size bb, a withstanding load bc. 
     The bag size ba is information for specifying a size of a register bag. The bag size ba is represented by, for example, signs of S, M, and L. The size bb is information for specifying a dimension of the register bag. The size bb is represented by, for example, a size of height X width X gore. The withstanding load bc is information for specifying a withstanding load of the register bag. The withstanding load bc is represented by a numerical value representing the withstanding load. The information recorded in the register bag master Mc is used if the server device  20  calculates a storage method for commodities. 
     (Data Structure of the Member Master) 
     A data structure of the member master Ma is explained with reference to  FIG.  10   .  FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the member master. 
     The member master Ma is a master file in which member information of the electronic receipt system is recorded. Specifically, the member master Ma records a member code ca, a mail address cb, and reusable shopping bag information cc. 
     The member code ca is an identification number for uniquely specifying a member of the electronic receipt system. 
     The mail address cb is, for example, a mail address for transmitting guidance information relating to shopping to a member. Usually, a mail address of the portable terminal  80  carried by the member is registered as the mail address cb. A member of the electronic receipt system operates a dedicated application such as an electronic receipt application installed in the portable terminal  80  of the member to thereby browse electronic receipt information created by the server device  20 . 
     The reusable shopping bag information cc is information that records the size of a reusable shopping bag used in shopping by the member. The reusable shopping bag information cc includes a size cd and a withstanding load ce. The size cd is information for specifying the dimension of the reusable shopping bag. The size cd is represented by, for example, a size of height x width x gore. The withstanding load ce is information for specifying a withstanding load of the reusable shopping bag. The withstanding load ce is represented by a numerical value representing the withstanding load. The member himself or herself can register the size cd and the withstanding load ce by, for example, causing a member information registration application operating on the portable terminal  80  to operate. The information recorded in the member master Ma is used, for example, if the server device  20  outputs generated electronic receipt information or calculates a storage method for commodities or if the POS terminal  40  performs the checkout processing and the settlement processing. 
     Information recorded in the member master Ma is not limited to the information illustrated in  FIG.  10   . For example, attribute information such as age and sex and transmission possibility information concerning a guidance mail may be recorded. 
     (Method of Designating a Storage Body to be Used) 
     A method of designating a storage body for storing commodities is explained with reference to  FIG.  11   .  FIG.  11    is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a storage body used by a customer in the POS terminal. 
       FIG.  11    is a screen illustrating selection information for a storage body, the screen being displayed on the store clerk display device  51  of the POS terminal  40 . A button da, a button db, and a button dc are displayed on the store clerk display device  51 . The button da is a button for selecting use of only a purchased register bag. The button db is a button for selecting use of both of the purchased register bag and a reusable shopping bag. The button dc is a button for selecting use of only the reusable shopping bag. 
     All of the button da, the button db, and the button do are operation buttons of a touch panel stacked on a display surface of the store clerk display device  51 . The store clerk asks the customer about a type of a storage body to be used and presses a button corresponding to the type of the storage body. Consequently, the type of the storage body to be used by the customer is selected. 
     If the customer is a member of the electronic receipt system, information concerning a reusable shopping bag used by the customer is recorded in the member master Ma in advance. Therefore, the server device  20  that receives an instruction from the POS terminal  40  can acquire reusable shopping bag information from the member master Ma of a customer corresponding to the instruction. 
     If the customer selects use of the purchased register bag, the server device  20  that receives an instruction from the POS terminal  40  can acquire specifications of the register bag to be used by the customer by collating a type of a register bag purchased in the POS terminal  40  with information recorded in the register bag master Mc. 
     In the example explained above, the store clerk asks the customer about the type of the storage body to be used and selects the storage body on the store clerk display device  51 . However, a method of selecting a storage body is not limited to this. For example, the same screen as the screen illustrated in  FIG.  11    may be output to the customer display device  52 . The customer himself or herself may select a storage body. 
     (Method of Calculating a Storage Method) 
     A method of calculating a storage method for commodities performed by the server device  20  is explained. The server device  20  causes the control program Pa (see FIG.  2 ) to operate to thereby calculate a storage method for commodities in the storage body (only the purchased register bag is used, both of the purchased register bag and the reusable shopping bag are used, or only the reusable shopping bag is used) selected by the customer, the storage body information of the storage body being output by the POS terminal  40 . The storage method for commodities includes storage order and a storage position. 
     The server device  20  acquires information relating to the storage body from the reusable shopping bag information registered in the member master Ma and the information for specifying the register bag purchased by the customer, the information being output from the POS terminal  40  to the server device  20 . If the register bag is included in settlement information, the POS terminal  40  refers to the register bag master Mc (see  FIG.  9   ) and outputs information (a size and a withstanding load) relating to the purchased register bag to the server device  20  together with the settlement information. 
     The server device  20  acquires, based on the settlement information output from the POS terminal  40  to the server device  20 , information relating to a commodity that should be stored. The POS terminal  40  refers to the commodity master Mb (see  FIG.  9   ) and outputs information relating to storage (a size, a shape, a weight, a material, and a storage temperature) relating to storage to the server device  20  together with the settlement information. 
     The storing unit  25  of the server device  20  may store the commodity master Mb and the register bag master Mc in advance. In this case, the POS terminal  40  only has to output the information relating to the storage body selected by the customer and the settlement information relating to the settlement of the commodity to the server device  20  and does not need to output the information relating to the register bag and the information concerning the storage of the commodity to the server device  20 . 
     The server device  20  performs an AI analysis to thereby calculate storage order and a storage position of commodities. Specifically, the server device  20  calculates a storage method for the commodities referring to a knowledge database in which a plurality of kinds of knowledge relating to storage are recorded. As the knowledge database relating to storage, for example, knowledge, that is, desirable storage conditions described below are used.
     (1) Store a heavier commodity in a lower part of the storage body.   (2) Store a harder commodity in a lower part of the storage body.   (3) Store a softer commodity in an upper part of the storage body.   (4) Store commodities without gaps as much as possible.   (5) Store commodities having the same storage temperature close to one another.   (6) Store commodities having different storage temperatures away from one another.   (7) Set a total of weights of commodities stored in the storage body within a range of a withstanding load of the storage body.   (8) Set a size covering the commodities stored in the storage body within a range of a size of the storage body.   

     The knowledge database may be expanded according to the information relating to storage recorded in the commodity master Mb. For example, if information indicating possibility of sideways-toppled storage of a commodity is recorded in the commodity master Mb, a knowledge database indicating that “a commodity that can be toppled sideways may be toppled sideways and stored” is additionally applied. 
     If given commodities are stored in the storage body, a publicly-known packing algorithm only has to be applied about a specific method of calculating optimum storage order and a storage position. Therefore, detailed explanation of the specific method is omitted. 
     (Display Method for a Storage Method) 
     A display example of a storage method for commodities is explained with reference to  FIG.  12   .  FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating an example of information indicating storage order and a storage position of commodities displayed on a portable terminal. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , a storage method for commodities acquired from the server device  20  is displayed on the portable terminal  80  of the customer. Specifically, a type fa of a storage body, storage order fb, and a storage position fc are displayed. 
     The type fa of the storage body is information indicating a type of a storage body selected by the customer. The example illustrated in  FIG.  12    indicates a case in which a register bag of a size M is selected. 
     The storage order fb is information indicating storage order of purchased commodities. The customer only has to perform storage in order from a first commodity. 
     The storage position fc is information indicating a state in which all commodities are stored in the register bag of the size M. In the storage position fc, a positional relation among bagged commodities is illustrated. Commodity names are given to the commodities to help storage of the commodities. The customer performs storage of the commodities on, for example, a sacker table (a work table) while viewing the storage order fb and the storage position fc displayed on the portable terminal  80  of the customer. 
     In  FIG.  12   , only the register bag is selected as the storage body. However, if use of both of a reusable shopping bag and the register bag as the storage body is selected, the storage order fb and the storage position fc are displayed for each of the reusable shopping bag and the register bag. 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Commodity Storage Support System) 
     A flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system  1  is explained separately for the portable terminal  80 , the POS terminal  40 , and the server device  20  with reference to  FIG.  13   .  FIG.  13    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system according to the first embodiment. 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Portable Terminal) 
     The member-information output unit  72  outputs member information Md of the electronic receipt system to the POS terminal  40  (Act  11 ). As the output of the member information Md, an encoded member code may be displayed on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80  or the member information Md may be transmitted from the portable terminal  80  to the POS terminal  40  by wireless communication. 
     If settlement ends, the electronic-receipt-information acquiring unit  73  acquires electronic receipt information from the server device  20  (Act  12 ). Specifically, the electronic-receipt-information acquiring unit  73  operates the dedicated application such as the electronic receipt application installed in the portable terminal  80  to thereby acquire the electronic receipt information from the server device  20  based on an identification code and a member code of the application. 
     Subsequently, the storage-method acquiring unit  74  acquires a storage method for commodities from the server device  20  (Act  13 ). The storage method for commodities may be simultaneously acquired when the electronic receipt information is acquired in Act  12 . If the storage method for commodities is transmitted from the server device  20  to the portable terminal  80 , the storage method for commodities may be attached to a mail or a link destination of the storage method for commodities stored in the server device  20  may be transmitted. 
     The operation control unit  76  determines whether a display request for an electronic receipt is performed by the operation device  92  of the portable terminal  80  (Act  14 ). If it is determined that the display request for the electronic receipt is performed (Yes in Act  14 ), the processing proceeds to Act  15 . On the other hand, if it is not determined that the display request for the electronic receipt is performed (No in Act  14 ), the processing proceeds to Act  16 . 
     If it is determined in Act  14  that the display request for the electronic receipt is performed, the display control unit  75  displays the electronic receipt information on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80  (Act  15 ). 
     If it is not determined in Act  14  that the display request for the electronic receipt is performed or subsequent to Act  15 , the operation control unit  76  determines whether a display request for a storage method is performed by the operation device  92  of the portable terminal  80  (Act  16 ). If it is determined that the display request for the storage method is performed (Yes in Act  16 ), the processing proceeds to Act  17 . On the other hand, if it is not determined that the display request for the storage method is performed (No in Act  16 ), the portable terminal  80  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  13   . 
     If it is determined in Act  16  that the display request for the storage method is performed, the display control unit  75  displays a storage method for purchased commodities on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80  (Act  17 ). The storage method for the commodities may be browsed by the dedicated application installed in the portable terminal  80 . Thereafter, the portable terminal  80  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  13   . 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the POS Terminal) 
     The member-information acquiring unit  60  acquires the member information Md of the customer from the portable terminal  80  (Act  21 ). 
     The member-information output unit  61  outputs the member information Md of the customer to the server device  20  (Act  22 ). 
     The commodity-registration processing unit  64  performs commodity registration processing for reading, with the scanner  54 , code information of a barcode or the like attached to a commodity to be purchased by the customer and registering the commodity corresponding to the read code information (Act  23 ). 
     The commodity-information output unit  65  outputs commodity information of the commodity registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  64  to the server device  20  (Act  24 ). 
     The storage-method acquiring unit  66  acquires, from the server device  20 , a size of a register bag necessary for storing commodities registered at that point in time and a storage method for the commodities in the register bag (Act  25 ). 
     The storage-method display unit  67  displays, on the customer display device  52 , the size of the register bag necessary for storing the commodities registered at that point in time and the storage method for the commodities in the register bag (Act  26 ). By calculating and displaying the storage method every time a commodity is registered, if the customer purchases a register bag and stores commodities in the register bag, at a point in time when registration of the commodities to be purchased is completed, it is possible to grasp a size and the number of register bags capable of storing all the commodities. Therefore, by purchasing necessary register bags last, the customer can perform settlement processing for the commodities and the register bags at a time. 
     The operation control unit  71  determines whether the store clerk performs operation for requesting display of a selection screen for a storage body (see  FIG.  11   ) on the store clerk display device  51  (Act  27 ). If it is determined that the operation for requesting the display of the selection screen for the storage body is performed (Yes in Act  27 ), the processing proceeds to Act  28 . On the other hand, if it is not determined that the operation for requesting the display of the selection screen for the storage body is performed (No in Act  27 ), the processing returns to Act  23 . 
     If it is determined in Act  27  that the operation for requesting the display of the selection screen for the storage body is performed, the storage-body-information acquiring unit  62  acquires storage body information of a storage body selected based on an instruction of the customer on the selection screen for the storage body (Act  28 ). 
     The storage-body-information output unit  63  outputs the acquired storage body information to the server device  20  (Act  29 ). 
     The settlement processing unit  68  performs, on a total amount of the commodities registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  64 , settlement processing based on a payment method designated by the customer (Act  30 ). The settlement processing unit  68  generates the settlement data file Sa indicating a result of the settlement and stores the settlement data file Sa in the storing unit  45 . 
     The settlement-information output unit  69  outputs settlement information indicating the result of the settlement to the server device  20  (Act  31 ). Thereafter, the POS terminal  40  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  13   . 
     If the reusable shopping bag information cc (see  FIG.  10   ) is registered in the member information Md, after the member information Md is output to the server device  20  in Act  22 , every time a commodity is registered, the POS terminal  40  may acquire and display a storage method in a reusable shopping bag calculated by the server device  20 . 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Server Device) 
     The member-information acquiring unit  11  acquires the member information Md of the customer from the POS terminal  40  (Act  41 ). 
     The commodity-information acquiring unit  12  acquires commodity information of the registered commodities from the POS terminal  40  (Act  42 ). 
     The storage-method calculating unit  14  calculates a size of a register bag necessary for storing commodities, commodity information of which is acquired by the commodity-information acquiring unit  12  to that point, and a storage method for commodities (Act  43 ). 
     The storage-method output unit  17  outputs, in a displayable manner, the size of the register bag and the storage method for commodities calculated in Act  43  to the POS terminal  40  (Act  44 ). 
     The storage-body-information acquiring unit  13  acquires storage body information from the POS terminal  40  (Act  45 ). 
     The storage-method calculating unit  14  calculates a method of storing all of the registered commodities in a storage body, the storage body information of which is acquired by the storage-body-information acquiring unit  13  (Act  46 ). 
     The settlement-information acquiring unit  15  acquires settlement information from the POS terminal  40  (Act  47 ). 
     The electronic-receipt-information generating unit  16  generates electronic receipt information based on the settlement information acquired in Act  47  (Act  48 ). The electronic-receipt-information generating unit  16  stores the generated electronic receipt information in the storing unit  25 . 
     The electronic-receipt-information output unit  18  outputs the generated electronic receipt information to the portable terminal  80  of the customer (Act  49 ). 
     The storage-method output unit  17  outputs, in a displayable manner, the storage method calculated in Act  46  to the portable terminal  80  (Act  50 ). Thereafter, the server device  20  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  13   . The electronic receipt information and the storage method are separately output to the portable terminal  80 . However, the electronic receipt information and the storage method may be collected in one file and output. 
     (Action Effects of the First Embodiment) 
     As explained above, the server device  20  (the commodity storage support device) in the first embodiment includes the commodity-information acquiring unit  12  that acquires information relating to storage of registered commodities, the storage-body-information acquiring unit  13  that acquires information relating to a storage body for storing commodities purchased by a customer, the storage-method calculating unit  14  that calculates a storage method for storing the commodities in the storage body, and the storage-method output unit  17  (the information presenting unit) that outputs, in a displayable manner, the storage method to the portable terminal  80  carried by the customer. Therefore, the customer can store the commodities while checking the presented storage method. Consequently, it is possible to reduce congestion around a register and a sacker table. 
     In the server device  20  (the commodity storage support device) in the first embodiment, the storage method calculated by the storage-method calculating unit  14  includes the storage order and the storage position for storing commodities in the storage body. Therefore, it is possible to clearly present the storage method for the commodities. 
     In the server device  20  (the commodity storage support device) in the first embodiment, the storage-method output unit  17  (the information presenting unit) outputs the storage method and information indicating a settlement result of the commodities. Therefore, the customer can store the commodities at the customer&#39;s own pace while checking the information indicating the storage method, for example, on the sacker table. 
     In the server device  20  (the commodity storage support device) in the first embodiment, the storage body is a storage bag purchased by the customer or a reusable shopping bag carried by the customer. Therefore, the server device  20  can present a storage method corresponding to the storage body used by the customer. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A commodity storage support system  2  according to a second embodiment is explained with reference to the drawings. 
     (System Configuration of the Commodity Storage Support System) 
     A system configuration of the commodity storage support system  2  is explained with reference to  FIG.  14   .  FIG.  14    is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     The commodity storage support system  2  presents a storage method for purchased commodities to a customer who uses a so-called cart POS or smartphone POS with which the customer himself or herself is capable of performing registration processing and settlement processing for commodities purchased in a store. The commodity storage support system  2  includes an electronic receipt server  35 , a virtual POS server  36 , a store server  46 , and a checkout machine  37  set in the store, the portable terminals  80  carried by customers, and shopping carts  86  pushed and moved by the customers in the store. The shopping carts  86  include cart terminals  87 . It is assumed that a customer doing shopping is a member of an electronic receipt system who can receive, with the portable terminal  80 , as computerized receipt, settlement information relating to a commodity for which settlement is completed. 
     The electronic receipt server  35  generates electronic receipt information based on settlement information transmitted from the checkout machine  37 , the portable terminal  80 , and the cart terminal  87 . The electronic receipt server  35  outputs the generated electronic receipt information to the portable terminal  80  of a customer who did shopping relating to the settlement information. 
     The electronic receipt server  35  performs communication with the virtual POS server  36 , the checkout machine  37 , the portable terminal  80 , and the cart terminal  87  via the network N. 
     The virtual POS server  36  acquires storage body information of a storage body used by the customer to store commodities and calculates a method of storing the commodities in the storage body. The virtual POS server  36  outputs the calculated storage method to the portable terminal  80  of the customer or the cart terminal  87 . The virtual POS server  36  is an example of the commodity storage support device in the present disclosure. The virtual POS server  36  acquires settlement information indicating a result of settlement processing performed in the checkout machine  37 , the portable terminal  80 , and the cart terminal  87  and stores the settlement information as sales information of the store. 
     The checkout machine  37  is a terminal device that a customer using a cart POS or a smartphone POS uses, for example, in performing cash settlement. The checkout machine  37  includes a function of depositing and dispensing bills and coins relating to the cash settlement and a function of dispensing a paper receipt. 
     The store server  46  includes a function of a monitoring server that monitors operation states of a plurality of cart terminals  87  and the checkout machine  37  present in the store, the virtual POS server  36 , and the like. The store server  46  acquires the latest commodity master Mb (see  FIG.  8   ) from a not-illustrated host server and outputs the latest commodity master Mb to the cart terminals  87 . 
     The virtual POS server  36 , the store server  46 , and the checkout machine  37  are connected by the in-store network  47 . The portable terminal  80  and the cart terminal  87  perform communication with the electronic receipt server  35  and the virtual POS server  36  via the access point  34  connected to the in-store network  47 . 
     In the commodity storage support system  2 , a flow of processing performed by the cart POS including the cart terminal  87  and a flow of processing performed by the smartphone POS including the portable terminal  80  are the same. Therefore, an example is explained in which the commodity storage support system  2  is operated by the cart POS including the cart terminal  87 . 
     (Configuration of the Cart Terminal) 
     The configuration of the cart terminal  87  is explained with reference to  FIG.  15   .  FIG.  15    is an exterior view illustrating an example of a shopping cart included in the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  15   , the entire skeleton of the shopping cart  86  is configured by frames. The shopping cart  86  includes casters for movement and a handle gripped by a customer. Net sections are formed among the frames to form a storage section in which commodities to be purchased are stored. 
     The cart terminal  87  facing the side of the customer gripping the handle is attached near the handle via a holding section (not illustrated). The cart terminal  87  includes a display device  78 , an operation device  79 , a scanner  88 , and a card reader  89 . 
     The display device  78  is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display and displays a screen generated according to an instruction of the control unit  56 . 
     The operation device  79  is, for example, a touch panel stacked on a display surface of the display device  78 . The operation device  79  acquires input operation of an operator and transmits the input operation to the control unit  56 . 
     The scanner  88  reads code information (a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like) including a commodity code attached to a commodity. 
     If member information of the customer is registered not in the portable terminal  80  but in a member card, the card reader  89  reads registered content of the member card in which the member information is registered. If the customer performs credit card settlement, the card reader  89  reads credit card information 
     (Hardware Configuration of the Cart Terminal) 
     A hardware configuration of the cart terminal  87  is explained with reference to  FIG.  16   .  FIG.  16    is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the cart terminal included in the shopping cart. 
     The cart terminal  87  includes a control unit  56  for controlling units. The control unit  56  includes a CPU  57 , a ROM  58 , and a RAM  59 . The CPU  57  is connected to the ROM  58  and the RAM  59  via an internal bus Bd such as an address bus or a data bus. The CPU  57  loads, in the RAM  59 , various programs stored in the ROM  58  and a storing unit  77 . The CPU  57  operates according to the various programs loaded in the RAM  59  to control the cart terminal  87 . That is, the control unit  56  has the configuration of the general computer. 
     The control unit  56  is connected to the storing unit  77 , the display device  78 , the operation device  79 , the scanner  88 , the card reader  89 , and a communication interface  90  via the internal bus Bd. 
     The storing unit  77  is a storage device such as a HDD or an SSD. The storing unit  77  may be a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory in which stored information is retained even if the cart terminal  87  is turned off. The storing unit  77  stores a control program Pd, the commodity master Mb, and a commodity registration file Sc. 
     The control program Pd is a program for controlling the operation of the entire cart terminal  87 . 
     The commodity master Mb is as explained above (see  FIG.  8   ). Since content of the commodity master Mb is updated at any time, the cart terminal  87  acquires the latest commodity master Mb, for example, from the store server  46 . 
     The commodity registration file Sc is a file in which commodity information of commodities registered by the customer is recorded for each transaction. 
     The functions of the display device  78 , the operation device  79 , the scanner  88 , and the card reader  89  are as explained above. 
     The communication interface  90  is an interface for communicating with the electronic receipt server  35  and the virtual POS server  36  via wireless communication by a wireless LAN or the like or wired communication via a wired LAN or the like. 
     (Hardware Configuration of the Virtual POS Server) 
     A hardware configuration of the virtual POS server  36  is explained with reference to  FIG.  17   .  FIG.  17    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the virtual POS server included in the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     The virtual POS server  36  includes a control unit  101  for controlling units. The control unit  101  includes a CPU  102 , a ROM  103 , and a RAM  104 . The CPU  102  is connected to the ROM  103  and the RAM  104  via an internal bus Be such as an address bus or a data bus. The CPU  102  loads, in the RAM  104 , various programs stored in the ROM  103  and a storing unit  105 . The CPU  102  operates according to the various programs loaded in the RAM  104  to control the virtual POS server  36 . That is, the control unit  101  has the configuration of the general computer. 
     The control unit  101  is connected to the storing unit  105 , a display device  107 , an operation device  108 , and a communication interface  109  via the internal bus Be. 
     The storing unit  105  is a storage device such as a HDD or an SSD. The storing unit  105  may be a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory in which stored information is retained even if the virtual POS server  36  is turned off. The storing unit  105  stores a control program Pe, the register bag master Mc, and a settlement data file Sb. 
     The control program Pe is a program for controlling the operation of the entire virtual POS server  36 . 
     The register bag master Mc is as explained above (see  FIG.  9   ). 
     The settlement data file Sb is a file indicating settlement content generated based on settlement processing performed by the cart terminal  87 , the portable terminal  80 , and the checkout machine  37 . The settlement data file Sb is stored as sales information of the store. 
     The display device  107  displays, to an administrator and an operator of the virtual POS server  36 , screen information generated by the control unit  101 . 
     The operation device  108  acquires operation information of operation performed by the administrator and the operator of the virtual POS server  36  and outputs the operation information to the control unit  101 . 
     The communication interface  109  is an interface for communicating with the cart terminal  87  and the checkout machine  37  via wireless communication by a wireless LAN or the like or wired communication by a wired LAN or the like. 
     (Hardware Configuration of the Checkout Machine) 
     A hardware configuration of the checkout machine  37  is explained with reference to  FIG.  18   .  FIG.  18    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the checkout machine included in the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     The checkout machine  37  includes a control unit  111  for controlling units. The control unit  111  includes a CPU  112 , a ROM  113 , and a RAM  114 . The CPU  112  is connected to the ROM  113  and the RAM  114  via an internal bus Bf such as an address bus or a data bus. The CPU  112  loads, in the RAM  114 , various programs stored in the ROM  113  and a storing unit  115 . The CPU  112  operates according to the various programs loaded in the RAM  114  to control the checkout machine  37 . That is, the control unit  111  has the configuration of the general computer. 
     The control unit  111  is connected to the storing unit  115 , a display device  117 , an operation device  118 , a card reader  120 , a change machine  121 , a receipt printer  122 , and a communication interface  123  via the internal bus Bf. 
     The storing unit  115  is a storage device such as a HDD or an SSD. The storing unit  115  may be a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory in which stored information is retained even if the checkout machine  37  is turned off. The storing unit  115  stores a control program Pf and the settlement data file Sa. 
     The control program Pf is a program for controlling the operation of the entire checkout machine  37 . 
     The settlement data file Sa is information indicating settlement content generated based on settlement processing performed by the checkout machine  37 . 
     The display device  117  displays, to the customer, screen information generated by the control unit  111 . 
     The operation device  118  acquires operation information of operation performed by the customer and outputs the operation information to the control unit  111 . 
     The card reader  120  reads, for example, registered content of a member card of the customer. The card reader  120  reads credit card information if the customer performs credit card settlement. 
     The change machine  121  counts deposited bills or coins if the customer performs cash settlement. If dispensing of change is necessary, the change machine  121  dispenses the change. 
     If dispensing of a paper receipt is necessary, the receipt printer  122  prints and dispenses the paper receipt. 
     The communication interface  123  is an interface for communicating with the electronic receipt server  35  and the virtual POS server  36  via wireless communication by a wireless LAN or the like or wired communication by a wired LAN or the like. 
     A hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server  35  is the same as the hardware configuration of the server device  20  (see  FIG.  2   ) explained in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation of the hardware configuration is omitted. 
     (Functional Configuration of the Cart Terminal) 
     A functional configuration of the cart terminal  87  is explained with reference to  FIG.  19   .  FIG.  19    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the cart terminal included in the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     The control unit  56  of the cart terminal  87  loads the control program Pd in the RAM  59  and causes the control program Pd to operate to thereby realize, as functional units, a member-information acquiring unit  130 , a member-information output unit  131 , a storage-body-information acquiring unit  132 , a storage-body-information output unit  133 , a commodity-registration processing unit  134 , a commodity-information output unit  135 , a storage-method acquiring unit  136 , a storage-method display unit  137 , a settlement-method selecting unit  138 , a settlement processing unit  139 , a settlement-information output unit  140 , a display control unit  141 , and an operation control unit  142  illustrated in  FIG.  19   . 
     The member-information acquiring unit  130  receives the member information Md of the electronic receipt system from the portable terminal  80  of the customer. Specifically, the cart terminal  87  reads, with the scanner  88 , code information including the member information Md displayed on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80 . The member information Md may be transmitted and received by wireless communication between the portable terminal  80  and the cart terminal  87 . 
     The member-information output unit  131  outputs the acquired member information Md to the virtual POS server  36 . 
     The storage-body-information acquiring unit  132  acquires, based on selection operation of the customer, information relating to a storage body for storing purchased commodities. More specifically, the storage-body-information acquiring unit  132  acquires information indicating whether the purchased commodities are stored in a reusable shopping bag or stored in a purchased register bag or both of the reusable shopping bag and the register bag are used. 
     The storage-body-information output unit  133  outputs, to the virtual POS server  36 , the information relating to the storage body acquired by the storage-body-information acquiring unit  132 . 
     The commodity-registration processing unit  134  performs registration processing for reading, with the scanner  88 , code information of a barcode or the like attached to a commodity to be purchased by the customer to thereby register the commodity. 
     The commodity-information output unit  135  outputs commodity information of the commodity registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  134  to the virtual POS server  36  every time the commodity is registered. If settlement processing in the checkout machine  37  is necessary, the commodity-information output unit  135  outputs the commodity information of the registered commodity to the checkout machine  37 , for example, by wireless communication. 
     The storage-method acquiring unit  136  acquires, from the virtual POS server  36 , a size of a register bag necessary for storing commodities registered at that point in time and a storage method for the commodities in the register bag. 
     The storage-method display unit  137  displays, on the display device  78 , a storage method for storing commodities registered to that point, the storage method being acquired by the storage-method acquiring unit  136 . 
     The settlement-method selecting unit  138  selects a settlement method such as credit card settlement, electronic money settlement, or cash settlement based on an operation instruction of the customer. 
     If the settlement method selected by the settlement-method selecting unit  138  is a settlement method executable in the cart terminal  87 , the settlement processing unit  139  performs settlement processing for a total amount of the commodities registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  134 . The settlement processing unit  139  outputs the settlement method to the checkout machine  37 , for example, by wireless communication. 
     The settlement-information output unit  140  outputs settlement information indicating a result of settlement by the settlement processing unit  139  to the virtual POS server  36  and the electronic receipt server  35 . 
     The display control unit  141  displays screen information generated by the control unit  56  to the customer. 
     The operation control unit  142  acquires operation information of operation performed by the customer and outputs the operation information to the control unit  56 . 
     The functional configuration of the portable terminal  80  is the same as the functional configuration (see  FIG.  7   ) explained in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation of the functional configuration is omitted. 
     (Functional Configuration of the Virtual POS Server) 
     A functional configuration of the virtual POS server  36  is explained with reference to  FIG.  20   .  FIG.  20    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the virtual POS server included in the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     The control unit  101  of the virtual POS server  36  loads the control program Pe in the RAM  104  and causes the control program Pe to operate to thereby realize, as functional units, a member-information acquiring unit  143 , a storage-body-information acquiring unit  144 , a commodity-information acquiring unit  145 , a storage-method calculating unit  146 , a storage-method output unit  147 , and a settlement-information acquiring unit  148  illustrated in  FIG.  20   . 
     The member-information acquiring unit  143  acquires the member information Md of the customer from the cart terminal  87 . 
     The storage-body-information acquiring unit  144  acquires, from the cart terminal  87 , information relating to a storage body in which the customer stores purchased commodities. 
     Every time a commodity is registered in the cart terminal  87 , the commodity-information acquiring unit  145  acquires commodity information from the cart terminal  87 . 
     The storage-method calculating unit  146  calculates a size of a register bag necessary for storing commodities, commodity information of which is acquired by the commodity-information acquiring unit  145  to that point, and a storage method for the commodities. The storage-method calculating unit  146  calculates a method of storing settled commodities in a storage body, storage body information of which is acquired by the storage-body-information acquiring unit  144 . 
     Every time a commodity is registered, the storage-method output unit  147  outputs, to the cart terminal  87 , in a displayable manner, a storage method for storing commodities registered to that point. The storage-method output unit  147  outputs, to the cart terminal  87 , in a displayable manner, a method for storing settled commodities in a designated storage body (a reusable shopping bag of the customer, a purchased register bag, or both of the reusable shopping bag and the register bag). The storage-method output unit  147  is an example of the information presenting unit in the present disclosure. 
     The settlement-information acquiring unit  148  acquires settlement information indicating a result of settlement from the cart terminal  87  or the checkout machine  37 . 
     (Functional Configuration of the Checkout Machine) 
     A functional configuration of the checkout machine  37  is explained with reference to  FIG.  21   .  FIG.  21    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the checkout machine included in the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     The control unit  111  of the checkout machine  37  loads the control program Pf in the RAM  114  and causes the control program Pf to operate to thereby realize, as functional units, a member-information acquiring unit  151 , a commodity-registration-information acquiring unit  152 , a settlement-method acquiring unit  153 , a settlement processing unit  154 , a settlement-information output unit  155 , a paper-receipt issuing unit  156 , a display control unit  157 , and an operation control unit  158  illustrated in  FIG.  21   . 
     The member-information acquiring unit  151  acquires, from the cart terminal  87 , member information (for example, a member code) of a customer who performs settlement. 
     The commodity-registration-information acquiring unit  152  acquires, from the cart terminal  87 , the commodity registration file Sc indicating a result of performing commodity registration. The commodity-registration-information acquiring unit  152  acquires the commodity registration file Sc from the cart terminal  87 , for example, using wireless communication. The commodity-registration-information acquiring unit  152  may read, using a scanner not illustrated in  FIG.  18   , code information for specifying the commodity registration file Sc displayed on the display device  78  of the cart terminal  87  to thereby acquire the commodity registration file Sc from the cart terminal  87 . 
     The settlement-method acquiring unit  153  acquires, from the cart terminal  87 , a settlement method selected by the customer. The settlement-method acquiring unit  153  acquires the settlement method from the cart terminal  87 , for example, by wireless communication. 
     The settlement processing unit  154  executes settlement processing with the designated settlement method. The settlement processing unit  154  generates the settlement data file Sa indicating a result of the settlement. 
     The settlement-information output unit  155  outputs the settlement data file Sa to the virtual POS server  36 . For example, if the customer is a member of the electronic receipt system and it is necessary to generate an electronic receipt, the settlement-information output unit  155  outputs the settlement data file Sa to the electronic receipt server  35 . 
     If the customer is not a member of the electronic receipt system, the paper-receipt issuing unit  156  issues a paper receipt indicating the settlement result. 
     The display control unit  157  displays screen information generated by the control unit  111  to the customer. 
     The operation control unit  158  acquires operation information of operation performed by the customer and outputs the operation information to the control unit  111 . 
     (Functional Configuration of the Electronic Receipt Server) 
     A functional configuration of the electronic receipt server  35  is explained with reference to  FIG.  22   .  FIG.  22    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the electronic receipt server included in the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     A control unit of the electronic receipt server  35  loads a control program in a RAM and causes the control program to operate to thereby realize, as functional units, a member-information acquiring unit  161 , a settlement-information acquiring unit  162 , an electronic-receipt-information generating unit  163 , and an electronic-receipt-information output unit  164  illustrated in  FIG.  22   . 
     The member-information acquiring unit  161  acquires, from the cart terminal  87 , member information (for example, a member code) of a customer who performed settlement. 
     The settlement-information acquiring unit  162  acquires, from the cart terminal  87  or the checkout machine  37 , settlement information indicating content of the settlement. 
     The electronic-receipt-information generating unit  163  generates computerized receipt information, that is, electronic receipt information based on the settlement information acquired by the settlement-information acquiring unit  162 . The electronic-receipt-information generating unit  163  stores the generated electronic receipt information in the storing unit  25 . 
     The electronic-receipt-information output unit  164  outputs the electronic receipt information to the portable terminal  80  of the customer. 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Commodity Storage Support System) 
     A flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system  2  is explained separately for the cart terminal  87 , the virtual POS server  36 , the checkout machine  37 , and the electronic receipt server  35 .  FIG.  23    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system according to the second embodiment. 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Cart Terminal) 
     For example, the member-information acquiring unit  130  reads, with the scanner  88 , code information including the member information Md displayed on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80  to thereby acquire the member information Md of the customer (Act  51 ). The member-information acquiring unit  130  may read, with the card reader  89 , a member card carried by the customer and acquire the member information Md of the customer. 
     The member-information output unit  131  outputs the acquired member information Md to the virtual POS server  36  and the electronic receipt server  35  (Act  52 ). 
     The commodity registration processing unit  134  performs registration processing for reading, with the scanner  88 , code information of a barcode or the like attached to a commodity to be purchased by the customer to thereby register the commodity (Act  53 ). 
     The commodity-information output unit  135  outputs commodity information of the commodity registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  134  to the virtual POS server  36  every time a commodity is registered (Act  54 ). 
     The storage-method acquiring unit  136  acquires, from the virtual POS server  36 , a size of a register bag necessary for storing commodities registered at that point in time and a storage method for the commodities in the register bag (Act  55 ). 
     The storage-method display unit  137  displays, on the display device  78 , a storage method for storing commodities registered to that point, the storage method being acquired by the storage-method acquiring unit  136  (Act  56 ). 
     The operation control unit  142  determines whether the customer performs operation for requesting display of a selection screen for a storage body (see  FIG.  11   ) on the display device  78  (Act  57 ). If it is determined that the customer performs the operation for requesting the display of the election screen for the storage body (Yes in Act  57 ), the processing proceeds to Act  58 . On the other hand, if it is not determined that the customer performs the operation for requesting the display of the selection screen for the storage body (No in Act  57 ), the processing returns to Act  53 . 
     If it is determined in Act  57  that the customer performs the operation for requesting the display of the selection screen for the storage body, the storage-body-information acquiring unit  132  acquires storage body information selected based on an instruction of the customer on the selection screen for the storage body (Act  58 ). 
     The storage-body-information output unit  133  outputs the acquired storage body information to the virtual POS server  36  (Act  59 ). 
     The settlement-method selecting unit  138  selects, based on an operation instruction of the customer, a settlement method such as credit card settlement, electronic money settlement, or cash settlement (Act  60 ). 
     In order to perform settlement selected by the settlement-method selecting unit  138 , the settlement processing unit  139  determines whether it is necessary to perform the settlement in the checkout machine  37  (Act  61 ). If it is determined that it is necessary to perform the settlement in the checkout machine  37  (Yes in Act  61 ), the processing proceeds to Act  62 . On the other hand, if it is not determined that it is necessary to perform the settlement in the checkout machine  37  (No in Act  61 ), the processing proceeds to Act  64 . 
     If it is determined in Act  61  that it is necessary to perform the settlement in the checkout machine  37 , the settlement processing unit  139  outputs a settlement method to the checkout machine  37  (Act  62 ). 
     Subsequently, the commodity-information output unit  135  outputs the commodity information of the registered commodity to the checkout machine  37  (Act  63 ). Thereafter, the processing proceeds to Act  66 . 
     On the other hand, if it is not determined in Act  61  that it is necessary to perform the settlement in the checkout machine  37 , the settlement processing unit  139  performs settlement processing in the cart terminal  87  (Act  64 ). 
     Subsequently, the settlement-information output unit  140  outputs settlement information indicating a result of the settlement by the settlement processing unit  139  to the virtual POS server  36  and the electronic receipt server  35  (Act  65 ). Thereafter, the processing proceeds to Act  66 . 
     The storage-method acquiring unit  136  acquires, from the virtual POS server  36 , a storage method for storing all of registered commodities (Act  66 ). 
     The operation control unit  142  determines whether a display request for the storage method is performed by the operation device  79  of the cart terminal  87  (Act  67 ). If it is determined that the display request for the storage method is performed (Yes in Act  67 ), the processing proceeds to Act  68 . On the other hand, it is not determined that the display request for the storage method is performed (No in Act  67 ), the cart terminal  87  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  23   . 
     If it is determined in Act  67  that the display request for the storage method is performed, the display control unit  141  displays a storage method for purchased commodities on the display device  78  of the cart terminal  87  (Act  68 ). Thereafter, the cart terminal  87  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  23   . 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Virtual POS Server) 
     The member-information acquiring unit  143  acquires the member information Md of the customer from the cart terminal  87  (Act  71 ). 
     Every time a commodity is registered in the cart terminal  87 , the commodity-information acquiring unit  145  acquires commodity information from the cart terminal  87  (Act  72 ). 
     The storage-method calculating unit  146  calculates a size of a register bag necessary for storing commodities acquired by the commodity-information acquiring unit  145  to that point and a storage method for the commodities (Act  73 ). 
     The storage-method output unit  147  outputs, in a displayable manner, the storage method calculated in Act  73  to the cart terminal  87  (Act  74 ). 
     The storage-body-information acquiring unit  144  acquires storage body information from the cart terminal  87  (Act  75 ). 
     The storage-method calculating unit  146  calculates a method of storing all of registered commodities in a storage body, the storage body information of which is acquired in Act  75  (Act  76 ). 
     The settlement-information acquiring unit  148  acquires settlement information from the cart terminal  87  (Act  77 ). 
     The storage-method output unit  147  outputs, in a displayable manner, the storage method calculated in Act  76  to the cart terminal  87  (Act  78 ). Thereafter, the virtual POS server  36  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  23   . 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Checkout Machine) 
     The settlement-method acquiring unit  153  acquires, from the cart terminal  87 , a settlement method selected by the customer (Act  81 ). 
     The commodity-registration-information acquiring unit  152  acquires, from the cart terminal  87 , the commodity registration file Sc indicating a result of performing commodity registration (Act  82 ). 
     The settlement processing unit  154  executes settlement processing with the designated settlement method (Act  83 ). 
     Subsequently, the settlement-information output unit  155  outputs settlement information to the electronic receipt server  35  and the virtual POS server  36  (Act  84 ). Thereafter, the checkout machine  37  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  23   . 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Electronic Receipt Server) 
     The member-information acquiring unit  161  acquires member information from the cart terminal  87  (Act  91 ). 
     The settlement-information acquiring unit  162  acquires settlement information from the cart terminal  87  or the checkout machine  37  (Act  92 ). 
     The electronic-receipt-information generating unit  163  generates electronic receipt information based on the settlement information acquired in Act  92  (Act  93 ). 
     The electronic-receipt-information output unit  164  outputs the electronic receipt information generated by the electronic-receipt-information generating unit  163  to the portable terminal  80  of the customer (Act  94 ). Thereafter, the electronic receipt server  35  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  23   . 
     In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the customer is the member of the electronic receipt system. 
     However, if the customer is not a member of the electronic receipt system, the checkout machine  37  is caused to perform the settlement processing on condition that the cart terminal  87  cannot acquire member information. The paper-receipt issuing unit  156  of the checkout machine  37  issues a paper receipt indicating a settlement result. 
     (Action Effects of the Second Embodiment) 
     As explained above, in the commodity storage support system  2 , it is possible to cause the cart terminal  87  (or the portable terminal  80 ) used by the customer, who is using the cart POS (or the smartphone POS), to present a storage method for commodities purchased by the user to the user. Therefore, the customer can store the commodities at the user&#39;s own pace while checking the presented storage method. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A commodity storage support system  3  according to a third embodiment is explained with reference to the drawings. 
     (System Configuration of the Commodity Storage Support System) 
     A system configuration of the commodity storage support system  3  is explained with reference to  FIG.  24   .  FIG.  24    is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the commodity storage support system according to the third embodiment. 
     The commodity storage support system  3  is a system that presents a storage method for purchased commodities to the portable terminal  80  carried by a customer in a store including a face-to-face type register with which a store clerk performs commodity registration and settlement processing or a semi-self-service register with which the store clerk performs the commodity registration and the customer performs the settlement operation. 
     The commodity storage support system  3  includes the electronic receipt server  35 , POS terminals  48  and the store server  46  set in the store, and the portable terminals  80  carried by customers. It is assumed that a customer doing shopping is a member of the electronic receipt system who can receive, as a computerized receipt, with the portable terminal  80 , settlement information relating to a commodity for which settlement is completed. 
     The electronic receipt server  35  generates electronic receipt information based on the settlement information transmitted from the POS terminal  48 . The electronic receipt server  35  outputs the generated electronic receipt information to the portable terminal  80  of the customer who did shopping relating to the settlement information. 
     The POS terminal  48  performs registration processing for registering a commodity to be purchased by the customer and settlement processing for performing settlement relating to the registered commodity. As explained above, the commodity storage support system  3  may include, instead of the POS terminal  48 , a registration machine with which the store clerk performs commodity registration and a checkout machine with which the customer performs settlement operation based on a registration result by the registration machine. 
     A plurality of POS terminals  48  are set in the store. A camera  95  is connected to each of the POS terminals  48 . The camera  95  images, from above the POS terminal  48 , a state in which, after the store clerk who performs registration operation takes out a commodity from a basket carried in by the customer and registers the commodity, the store clerk stores the commodity in another basket. The POS terminal  48  calculates a storage method for commodities based on a video captured by the camera  95 . The POS terminal  48  is an example of the commodity storage support device in the present disclosure. 
     The store server  46  manages the operations of the plurality of POS terminals  48  set in the store. The store server  46  acquires the latest commodity master Mb (see  FIG.  8   ) from a not-illustrated host server and outputs the latest commodity master Mb (see  FIG.  8   ) to the POS terminals  48 . Further, the store server  46  aggregates settlement information generated by the POS terminals  48  to thereby store the settlement information as sales information of the store. 
     The portable terminal  80  is carried by the customer and stores member information of the electronic receipt system. The portable terminal  80  acquires the electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server  35 . The portable terminal  80  acquires a storage method for purchased commodities from the POS terminal  48 . Further, the portable terminal  80  displays, according to operation of the customer, the acquired electronic receipt information and the acquired storage method for commodities. Specifically, the portable terminal  80  is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. 
     The POS terminal  48  and the store server  46  are connected by the in-store network  47 . The portable terminal  80  performs communication with the POS terminal  48  and the electronic receipt server  35  via the access point  34  connected to the in-store network  47 . 
     A hardware configuration of the electronic receipt server  35  is the same as the hardware configuration of the server device  20  (see  FIG.  2   ) explained in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation of the hardware configuration is omitted. A hardware configuration of the POS terminal  48  is a configuration obtained by adding only the camera  95 , which is peripheral equipment, to the hardware configuration of the POS terminal  40  (see  FIG.  3   ) explained in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation of the hardware configuration is omitted. 
     (Calculation Method for a Storage Method) 
     A calculation method for a storage method for commodities in this embodiment is explained with reference to  FIGS.  25  and  26   .  FIG.  25    is a diagram for explaining a state in which a store clerk stores, in a basket, commodities registered in a POS terminal.  FIG.  26    is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a storage method for commodities. 
     In the POS terminal  48 , a store clerk  29  takes out, one by one, commodities  96  stored in a basket  27  carried in by a customer and performs commodity registration. The store clerk  29  stores the commodities  96  for which the registration is completed in another basket  28 . At this time, the store clerk  29  performs the storage while considering not to damage the commodities  96  as much as possible. That is, for example, the store clerk  29  stores heavy commodities earlier and stores light commodities later. Therefore, since a part of the commodities  96  taken out from the basket  27  and registered is stored later, the part of the commodities  96  is temporarily placed on a register table  26  (a commodity  97  illustrated in  FIG.  25   ). 
     The customer carries the basket  28  storing the commodities  96  to a sacker table and stores the commodities  96  in a reusable shopping bag or a register bag. 
     At this time, the commodities  96  stored in the basket  28  are considered to satisfy the desirable storage conditions explained in the first embodiment. Therefore, if the customer performs storage, it is desirable to perform storage while simulating a storage state of the basket  28 . 
     The camera  95  set above the POS terminal  48  images, as a moving image, a state in which the store clerk  29  is storing the commodities  96  and  97  in the basket  28 . The POS terminal  48  outputs the captured moving image to the portable terminal  80  of the customer to be reproduceable. The customer stores the commodities taken out from the basket  28  in the reusable shopping bag or the register bag while viewing the reproduced moving image. Consequently, it is possible to easily simulate a storage method that is considered to be desirable. 
     Various variations are conceivable as a method of presenting information to the customer. The moving image captured by the camera  95  may be output to the portable terminal  80  in a displayable manner and reproduced in the portable terminal  80 . In order to reduce a data amount, images segmented at a preset time interval from the moving image may be output to the portable terminal  80  in a displayable manner and reproduced in the portable terminal  80 . 
     Since commodities stored in the basket  28  are registered in advance, by referring to the commodity master Mb, it is possible to acquire sizes and shapes of the commodities stored in the basket  28 . Therefore, by analyzing an image captured by the camera  95 , the POS terminal  48  can calculate which commodity is stored in which position of the basket  28 . Consequently, the POS terminal  48  can create, for example, three views illustrated in  FIG.  26   . 
       FIG.  26    illustrates three views of the basket  28 , in which the commodities  96  are stored, viewed from different three directions. Patterns simulating the commodities  96  are drawn in storage positions of the respective commodities  96 . The POS terminal  48  outputs the three views to the portable terminal  80  in a displayable manner. The customer simulates a storage state of the commodities  96  and stores the commodities  96  in the reusable shopping bag and the register bag while viewing the three views in the portable terminal  80  of the customer. 
     The POS terminal  48  includes the function of calculating the storage method of the server device  20  explained in the first embodiment. Therefore, if not all of the commodities  96  stored in the basket  28  can be stored in one kind of a storage body, it is possible to perform an analysis for storing, in the reusable shopping bag, the commodities  96  stored in a lower part of the basket  28  and store, in the register bag, the commodities  96  stored in an upper part of the basket  28  as illustrated in  FIG.  26   . 
     (Functional Configuration of the POS Terminal) 
     A functional configuration of the POS terminal  48  is explained with reference to  FIG.  27   .  FIG.  27    is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the POS terminal included in the commodity storage support system according to the third embodiment. 
     The control unit  41  of the POS terminal  48  loads a control program in a RAM and causes the control program to operate to thereby realize, as functional units, a member-information acquiring unit  171 , a member-information output unit  172 , a storage-body-information acquiring unit  173 , a commodity-registration processing unit  174 , a settlement processing unit  175 , a settlement-information output unit  176 , a camera control unit  177 , a storage-method calculating unit  178 , a storage-method output unit  179 , a display control unit  180 , and an operation control unit  181  illustrated in  FIG.  27   . 
     The member-information acquiring unit  171  receives the member information Md of the electronic receipt system from the portable terminal  80  of the customer. 
     The member-information output unit  172  outputs the acquired member information Md to the electronic receipt server  35 . 
     The storage-body-information acquiring unit  173  acquires, according to operation of the store clerk based on an instruction of the customer, information relating to a storage body used by the customer. The information relating to the storage body used by the customer is information indicating whether the customer stores a commodity in a register bag or stores the commodity in a reusable shopping bag or uses both of the register bag and the reusable shopping bag. 
     The commodity-registration processing unit  174  performs registration processing for reading, with the scanner  54 , code information of a barcode or the like attached to a commodity to be purchased by the customer to thereby register the commodity. 
     The settlement processing unit  175  performs, on a total amount of commodities registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  174 , settlement processing based on a payment method designated by the customer. The settlement processing unit  175  generates the settlement data file Sa indicating a result of the settlement and stores the settlement data file Sa in the storing unit  45 . 
     The settlement-information output unit  176  outputs settlement information indicating the result of the settlement by the settlement processing unit  175  to the electronic receipt server  35 . 
     The camera control unit  177  controls a recording operation of the camera  95 . 
     The storage-method calculating unit  178  recognizes in which position of the basket  28  the store clerk stores which commodity. The storage-method calculating unit  178  calculates, based on the positions of commodities stored in the basket  28  and storage body information used by the customer, a method of storing, in a storage body, the commodities stored in the basket  28 . 
     The storage-method output unit  179  outputs, in a displayable manner, the storage method calculated by the storage-method calculating unit  178  to the portable terminal  80 . The storage-method output unit  179  outputs, in a displayable manner, a moving image recorded by the camera  95  to the portable terminal  80 . It is determined in the POS terminal  48  based on an instruction of the store clerk or the customer what kind of information the storage-method output unit  179  outputs to the portable terminal  80 . 
     The display control unit  180  generates a display screen to be displayed on the store clerk display device  51  or the customer display device  52  of the POS terminal  48 . The display control unit  180  outputs the generated display screen to the store clerk display device  51  or the customer display device  52 . 
     The operation control unit  181  acquires operation information of operation performed by the operation device  53  of the POS terminal  48  and passes the operation information to the control unit  41 . The control unit  41  causes the POS terminal  48  to perform control corresponding to the acquired operation information. 
     The functional configuration of the electronic receipt server  35  is as explained in the second embodiment (see  FIG.  22   ). The functional configuration of the portable terminal  80  is as explained in the first embodiment (see  FIG.  7   ). 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Commodity Storage Support System) 
     A flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system  3  is explained separately for the portable terminal  80 , the POS terminal  48 , and the electronic receipt server  35  with reference to  FIG.  28   .  FIG.  28    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the commodity storage support system according to the third embodiment. 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Portable Terminal) 
     The member-information output unit  72  outputs the member information Md of the electronic receipt system to the POS terminal  48  (Act  101 ). As the output of the member information Md, an encoded member code may be displayed on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80  or the member information Md may be transmitted from the portable terminal  80  to the POS terminal  48  by wireless communication or the like. 
     If settlement ends, the electronic-receipt-information acquiring unit  73  acquires electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server  35  (Act  102 ). Specifically, the electronic-receipt-information acquiring unit  73  operates a dedicated application such as an electronic receipt application installed in the portable terminal  80  to thereby acquire the electronic receipt information from the electronic receipt server  35  based on an identification code or a member code of the application. 
     Subsequently, the storage-method acquiring unit  74  acquires a storage method for commodities from the POS terminal  48  (Act  103 ). 
     The operation control unit  76  determines whether a display request for an electronic receipt is performed by the operation device  92  of the portable terminal  80  (Act  104 ). If it is determined that the display request for the electronic receipt is performed (Yes in Act  104 ), the processing proceeds to Act  105 . On the other hand, if it is not determined that the display request for the electronic receipt is performed (No in Act  104 ), the processing proceeds to Act  106 . 
     If it is determined in Act  104  that the display request for the electronic receipt is performed, the display control unit  75  displays the electronic receipt information on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80  (Act  105 ). 
     If it is not determined in Act  104  that the display request for the electronic receipt is performed or subsequent to Act  105 , the operation control unit  76  determines whether a display request for a storage method is performed by the operation device  92  of the portable terminal  80  (Act  106 ). If it is determined that the display request for the storage method is performed (Yes in Act  106 ), the processing proceeds to Act  107 . On the other hand, if it is not determined that the display request for the storage method is performed (No in Act  106 ), the portable terminal  80  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  28   . 
     If it is determined in Act  106  that the display request for the storage method is performed, the display control unit  75  displays a storage method for purchased commodities on the display device  91  of the portable terminal  80  (Act  107 ). The storage method for the commodities may be browsed by a dedicated application installed in the portable terminal  80 . Thereafter, the portable terminal  80  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  28   . 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the POS Terminal) 
     The member-information acquiring unit  171  acquires the member information Md of the customer from the portable terminal  80  (Act  111 ). 
     The member-information output unit  172  outputs the member information Md of the customer to the electronic receipt server  35  (Act  112 ). 
     The camera control unit  177  starts recording by the camera  95  (Act  113 ). 
     The commodity-registration processing unit  174  performs commodity registration processing for reading, with the scanner  54 , code information of a barcode or the like attached to a commodity to be purchased by the customer and registering the commodity corresponding to the read code information (Act  114 ). 
     The operation control unit  181  determines whether the store clerk performs operation for requesting display of a selection screen for a storage body (see  FIG.  11   ) on the store clerk display device  51  (Act  115 ). If it is determined that the store clerk performs the operation for requesting the display of the selection screen for the storage body (Yes in Act  115 ), the processing proceeds to Act  116 . On the other hand, it is not determined that the store clerk performs the operation for requesting the display of the selection screen for the storage body (No in Act  115 ), the processing returns to Act  114 . 
     If it is determined in Act  115  that the store clerk performs the operation for requesting the display of the selection screen for the storage body, the camera control unit  177  ends the recording by the camera  95  (Act  116 ). 
     The storage-body-information acquiring unit  173  acquires storage body information selected based on an instruction of the customer on the selection screen for the storage body (Act  117 ). 
     The storage-method calculating unit  178  specifies the positions of commodities stored in the basket  28  to thereby calculate a storage state of the commodities. The storage-method calculating unit  178  creates, based on the calculated storage method and the storage body information, for example, the three views illustrated in  FIG.  26    (Act  118 ). 
     The settlement processing unit  175  performs, on a total amount of commodities registered by the commodity-registration processing unit  174 , settlement processing based on the payment method designated by the customer (Act  119 ). The settlement processing unit  175  generates the settlement data file Sa indicating a result of the settlement and stores the settlement data file Sa in the storing unit  45 . 
     The settlement-information output unit  176  outputs settlement information indicating the result of the settlement to the electronic receipt server  35  (Act  120 ). 
     The storage-method output unit  179  outputs the storage method calculated by the storage-method calculating unit  178  to the portable terminal  80  (Act  121 ). The storage-method calculating unit  178  may output a moving image captured by the camera  95  to the portable terminal  80 . Thereafter, the POS terminal  48  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  28   . 
     (Flow of Processing Performed by the Electronic Receipt Server) 
     The member-information acquiring unit  161  acquires member information from the POS terminal  48  (Act  131 ). 
     The settlement-information acquiring unit  162  acquires settlement information from the POS terminal  48  (Act  132 ). 
     The electronic-receipt-information generating unit  163  generates electronic receipt information based on the settlement information acquired in Act  132  (Act  133 ). 
     The electronic-receipt-information output unit  164  outputs the electronic receipt information generated by the electronic-receipt-information generating unit  163  to the portable terminal  80  of the customer (Act  134 ). Thereafter, the electronic receipt server  35  ends the processing illustrated in  FIG.  28   . 
     (Action Effects of the Third Embodiment) 
     As explained above, in the POS terminal  48  (the commodity storage support device) in the third embodiment, if the store clerk registers commodities purchased by the customer, the storage-method calculating unit  178  calculates a storage method for the commodities based on an image obtained by the store clerk imaging the basket  28  storing the registered commodities. Therefore, since a storage method in the storage body is calculated with reference to a storage state of the basket  28 , it is possible to simplify the processing performed by the storage-method calculating unit  178  compared with the other embodiments. 
     The embodiments are explained above. However, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of invention. The new embodiments can be carried out 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.