JP2006285805A - Card processing terminal and computer program for merchandise sales data processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the occupied space of equipment for executing merchandise sales data processing while enabling card settlement, and easily carry the merchandise to various places to execute merchandise sales data processing.
A processor for executing various processes and an information reading unit 4 for reading card information from a credit card or the like are provided, and based on the read card information, the processor executes a settlement process. An interface (for example, USB) for connecting an external device that enables simultaneous connection of a plurality of product sales data processing peripheral devices 101, 201, 301 that execute product sales data processing based on the input product code In addition, by storing and saving a computer program for processing product sales data in the storage unit, the product sales data processing is executed while using the peripheral devices 101, 201, 301 connected via the interface as necessary. I was able to do it.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a card processing terminal for executing payment processing by reading card information necessary for payment from a card that can be settled such as a credit card or a debit card, and a product sales data processing computer installed in the card processing terminal. Regarding the program.

  Conventionally, ECR and POS terminals are widely used as devices for reading a product code of a product to be purchased by a customer and executing product sales data processing based on the read product code. Such ECR and POS terminals are generally installed and used on a drawer or an automatic change machine, and depending on the model, the device itself is somewhat large and occupies a large space. For this reason, there is a problem that an installation space cannot be taken in a narrow store or the effective space is narrowed. Further, in stores where the space design in the store is important, it is not uncommon for merchandise sales data processing devices such as ECR and POS terminals to not be integrated into the store's space design even if there is an installation space. .

  On the other hand, product sales data processing devices, particularly POS terminals, are often configured by installing product sales data processing software that operates on a general-purpose operating system. Therefore, in a device called a distributed POS terminal, a POS terminal is constructed by connecting a POS peripheral device such as a barcode scanner or drawer to a general personal computer (patent). Reference 1). According to such a distributed POS terminal, since each part is individually distributed, the degree of freedom in layout is high, and it is widely used in stores where a large installation space cannot be secured or stores where space design is important. Is accepted.

JP 02-217999 A

  Even a distributed POS terminal requires an installation space for the personal computer main body, and it is impossible to obtain a complete layout freedom due to the connection of a display, a keyboard, and the like.

  In addition, in order to enable payment with credit cards that have been widely used in the past and debit cards that have started to spread rapidly in recent years, it is possible to make payments with credit cards and debit cards as POS peripheral devices. Card processing terminals are often prepared. It may be desirable for such a card processing terminal to perform a card reading operation in front of the customer, and is arranged in the vicinity of the customer such as a checkout counter. For this reason, the POS terminal that needs to be connected to the card processing terminal is inevitably installed in the vicinity of the card processing terminal. Therefore, when a card processing terminal is used, even if it is a distributed POS terminal, for example, restrictions on the layout become more severe.

  Further, merchandise sales data processing devices such as ECR and POS terminals are generally installed in a settlement corner such as a checkout counter, and settlement is generally performed at the settlement corner. On the other hand, when an event for sales promotion is performed in a place other than a normal settlement corner, such as a special venue or outdoors, it is convenient if the settlement can be performed at the place where the event is performed. Since conventional merchandise sales data processing devices such as ECR and POS terminals are not configured to be easily carried, it is almost impossible to carry and use them in places other than the settlement corner.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the occupied space of equipment for executing merchandise sales data processing while enabling card settlement.

  An object of the present invention is to easily carry a device for executing merchandise sales data processing to various places so that merchandise sales data processing can be executed at the carried places.

  The card processing terminal of the present invention includes a housing for storing and holding each part, an input device (for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc.) for inputting information, a processor (for example, a CPU) for executing various processes, and a card necessary for settlement. An information reading unit for reading the card information from a card for recording information; means for causing the processor to execute a settlement process based on the card information read by the information reading unit; and a product sales data process based on the input product code Product sales data processing peripheral devices (for example, drawers, data code scanners, displays, etc.) to support the execution of external devices, an interface for connecting external devices (for example, USB) that enables simultaneous connection, and product sales A storage unit for storing and storing a computer program for data processing (for example, flash RO ), And the computer program uses the peripheral device connected via the interface as necessary, and terminates one transaction according to the input function of the product code and the operation of the input device. A product sales data processing function including a declaration function for declaring, a payment amount calculation function based on an input product code, and a payment function for paying a payment amount calculated in accordance with an end declaration of one transaction. To run.

  According to the present invention, since the card processing terminal is small, it is possible to reduce the occupied space of equipment for executing merchandise sales data processing that enables card payment as a payment method. Is lightweight, so it can be easily carried to various places and product sales data processing can be executed at the place.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The card processing terminal of the present embodiment is used for payment with a card that functions as a substitute for cash, such as a credit card or a cash card used as a debit card, and enables card payment. For this purpose, the card processing terminal of the present embodiment can be connected to a settlement institution computer of a financial institution as a settlement institution via a communication line. This is the basic function of the card processing terminal of the present embodiment. In addition to such basic functions, the card processing terminal of the present embodiment also executes merchandise sales data processing.

  The cards used in the card processing terminal of this embodiment are a credit card and a debit card, both of which are magnetic cards. These cards have card information necessary for settlement recorded in a magnetic stripe. As the card information, in the case of a credit card, there are a card number which is unique information of the card, and in the case of a cash card, there are a card number which is unique information of the card and a predetermined password.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a card processing terminal 1 and one usage mode thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the card processing terminal 1 is positioned on the right side when viewed from the operator side of the housing 2, and a magnetic stripe of a card (not shown) can be inserted and pulled out to the operator side. An information reading unit 4 having a slit-like reading groove 3 is provided. The information reading unit 4 incorporates a magnetic card reader 5 (see FIG. 4) for reading data recorded on the magnetic stripe of the card.

  On the upper surface of the housing 2, there are a keyboard 6, a slip issuing port 7, and a touch panel-equipped display 8 from the operator side (downstream side in the card withdrawal direction) to the back side (upstream side in the card withdrawal direction) of the card processing terminal 1. They are arranged in order. The keyboard 6 functions as an input device and has an external structure in which various keys such as numeric keys 6a and function keys 6b ranging from “0” to “9” are arranged for each block. The touch panel-equipped display 8 has a thin flat shape in which a touch panel 8b is arranged on the upper surface of a display 8a made of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display 8a displays transaction contents, operation guidance, and the like. Data input by 8b is enabled. Therefore, the touch panel 8b functions as an input device, like the keyboard 6. Such a display 8 with a touch panel can be freely opened and closed with respect to the housing 2. The housing 2 includes a paper storage unit (not shown) at an open position of the display 8 with a touch panel, and the paper storage unit stores slip sheets wound in a roll shape. The slip issuing port 7 is an issuing port for issuing a slip (not shown) which is printed on a slip sheet by a printer 9 (see FIG. 4) built in the housing 2, and is cut and issued.

  A power switch 10 for turning on / off the power of the card processing terminal 1 is provided on the side of the housing 2. When the power switch 10 is turned on, power is supplied to each part of the card processing terminal 1.

  The card processing terminal 1 is used by being connected to a drawer 101, for example, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the card processing terminal 1 and another usage mode thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the card processing terminal 1 is used by being connected to a barcode scanner 201 as a data code scanner that optically reads a product code, for example.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the card processing terminal 1 and still another usage mode thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the card processing terminal 1 includes, for example, a drawer 101, a barcode scanner 201, and a display 301 that displays and outputs information to be provided to a customer when processing product sales data. It is connected and used via 401.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of each unit included in the card processing terminal 1 and peripheral devices connected to the card USB. The card processing terminal 1 has a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 12 mounted on a control board 11. The microcomputer 12 drives and controls each part of the magnetic card reader 5, the keyboard 6, the touch panel display 8, the printer 9, and the like described above via the bus line 13 and various control circuits (not shown). Such a microcomputer 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15 that stores fixed data such as a computer program (startup program or control program) via a bus line 13 in a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14 that is a processor. And a RAM (Random Access Memory) 16 that stores various variable data in a rewritable manner to provide a work area, and a flash ROM 17 as a storage unit.

  The computer program stored in the ROM 15 causes the card processing terminal 1 to execute a settlement process based on the card information read by the magnetic card reader 5 to the CPU 14 as a processor. That is, the computer program causes the card processing terminal 1 to execute an essential process. In this embodiment, the ROM 15 is selected as a medium for storing such a computer program, and the computer program has a so-called firmware configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Here, settlement processing, as an example, settlement processing in the case of credit settlement will be described. Credit data (inquiry data) is created based on the card information (card number) read from the magnetic stripe of the card and the input transaction amount data, and the created credit data is transmitted to the settlement institution computer 501. The settlement institution computer 501 transmits the inquiry result data to the card processing terminal 1 after performing a credit inquiry process such as a credit check and an amount approval on the transmitted credit data. If the inquiry result indicates that the payment is approved, the card processing terminal 1 transmits print data to the printer 9 according to the inquiry result data, and causes the printer 9 to issue a credit slip. The clerk causes the customer's signature to be written on the issued credit slip.

  On the other hand, the flash ROM 17 stores and saves a computer program for merchandise sales data processing. Product sales data processing executed by this computer program will be described later.

  A memory card slot 18, a communication I / F 19, a network card 20, an I / O 21, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 22 are connected to the microcomputer 12 via a bus line 13.

  The memory card slot 18 allows the memory card 18a (see FIG. 6) to be inserted and removed, and inputs data recorded on the memory card 18a.

  The communication I / F 19 is a settlement institution computer provided in a credit company, a bank, or the like via an external communication network 1001 including a public line network as a communication line, a relay center such as a CAFIS (Credit And Finance Information Switching System), and the like. The card processing terminal 1 is connected to 501 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and data communication with the settlement institution computer 501 is enabled.

  The network card 20 connects the card processing terminal 1 to a network 2001 such as a LAN. For example, a host device 601 such as a store controller or various servers is connected to the network 2001, and the card processing terminal 1 can communicate with the host device 601 via the network 2001.

  A pin pad 23 is connected to the I / O 21. The pin pad 23 is used when the customer who is the owner of the debit card inputs the password when reading the debit card with the magnetic card reader 5 and executing the debit payment.

  The USB 22 provides the card processing terminal 1 with connections to various peripheral devices. Connections to the drawer 101, the barcode scanner 201, and the display 301 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 are all realized using the USB 22. The drawer 101, the barcode scanner 201, and the display 301 connected using the USB 22 will be described.

  The drawer 101 has a drawer 102 that can be freely opened and closed. The drawer 102 is biased in the pulling direction by a compression coil spring (not shown), and the movement in the pulling direction due to the biasing is latched by a latch mechanism (not shown). The latch mechanism has a solenoid 103 (see FIG. 4), and opens the latch of the drawer 102 in accordance with the operation of the solenoid 103. Such a drawer 101 includes a USB 104 as an interface and a control unit 105 that controls the solenoid 103. Then, an opening signal is received from the card processing terminal 1 via the USB 104, and in response to this, the control unit 105 drives the solenoid 103 to open the latch of the drawer 102.

  The barcode scanner 201 receives the reflected light of the light irradiated to the barcode (not shown) by the light emission of the light emitting unit 202 (see FIG. 4) by the CCD 203 (see FIG. 4), and the barcode is included based on the output of the CCD 203. The product code is analyzed by the decoder 204 (see FIG. 4). Such control of each unit is controlled by the control unit 205. The barcode scanner 201 also includes a USB 206 as an interface, and transmits the product code analyzed by the decoder 204 to the card processing terminal 1 via the USB 206.

  The display 301 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), that is, a liquid crystal display panel 302, and displays information necessary for the liquid crystal display panel 302, here, information to be provided to a customer when processing product sales data. The liquid crystal display panel 302 is driven by a driver circuit 304 controlled by the control unit 303, and displays necessary information. Such a display 301 also includes a USB 305 as an interface, and receives display data from the card processing terminal 1. The control unit 303 controls the driver circuit 304 based on the display data transmitted from the card processing terminal 1.

  As described above, the flash ROM 17 stores and saves, that is, installs a computer program for processing merchandise sales data. This computer program can be stored and saved in the flash ROM 17 by downloading (see FIG. 5) or reading the memory card 18a (see FIG. 6).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating data processing when a computer program for processing product sales data is downloaded and installed in the flash ROM 17. A host machine 601 such as a server holds a computer program for causing the card processing terminal 1 to execute merchandise sales data processing. The computer program can be downloaded to the card processing terminal 1 via the network 2001. The downloaded computer program can be installed in the flash ROM 17 via the bus line 13 by the network card 20.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating data processing when a computer program for processing product sales data is installed in the flash ROM 17 by reading the memory card 18a. The memory card 18a stores a computer program for causing the card processing terminal 1 to execute merchandise sales data processing. Therefore, by inserting the memory card 18 a into the memory card slot 18, the CPU 14 can take in the computer program for merchandise sales data processing stored in the memory card 18 a and install it in the flash ROM 17 via the bus line 13. It is.

  The processing executed by the CPU 14 in accordance with the computer program for processing product sales data installed in the flash ROM 17 will be described next. The computer program for product sales data processing causes the CPU 14 to execute a product sales data processing function. In other words, the computer program uses a peripheral device connected via the USB 22, such as a drawer 101, a barcode scanner 201, a display 301, etc. as necessary, and a product code input function and an input device (keyboard). 6 or a declaration function for declaring the end of one transaction in accordance with the operation of the touch panel 8b), a settlement amount calculation function based on the input product code, and a settlement amount calculated according to the end declaration of one transaction The CPU 14 executes the settlement function.

  The product code input function is performed based on, for example, a press input of the numeric key 6a of the keyboard 6 or a touch input of the touch panel 8b. In this case, the numeric key 6a inputs the product code itself. The input of the product code by the touch panel 8b can be executed by various methods. For example, a ten key is displayed on the display 8a of the display 8 with a touch panel and the product code itself is touch-inputted on the touch panel 8b. Alternatively, the product name or the department name is displayed on the display 8a and the product name or A method of touch-inputting the department name on the touch panel 8b may be used. In any case, the product sales data processing computer program synchronizes the display on the display 8a and the touch input on the touch panel 8b. The product code input function is executed by the barcode scanner 201 as another example. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, it is assumed that the barcode scanner 201 is USB-connected to the card processing terminal 1.

  As an example, the declaration function for declaring the end of one transaction is performed based on pressing input of the function key 6b of the keyboard 6 or touch input of the touch panel 8b. Declaring the end of one transaction involves specifying that one transaction should be terminated and the settlement method. Therefore, when executing a transaction end declaration by pressing the function key 6b, the computer program for processing product sales data assigns one of the function keys 6b as a closing key. Different function keys 6b are assigned to the case of settlement using cash, the case of settlement using a credit card, and the case of settlement using a debit card. Further, when executing the declaration of the end of one transaction by touch input on the touch panel 8b, the computer program for product sales data processing displays a lock key on the display 8a, and such display on the display 8a and touch input on the touch panel 8b. Synchronize with. Also in this case, different lock keys are displayed depending on whether payment is made with cash, payment with a credit card, or payment with a debit card, and each lock key is selected by touch input on the touch panel 8b. It becomes possible.

  As a settlement amount calculation function based on the input product code, a process of searching a PLU file (not shown) based on the input product code and obtaining the unit price of the product specified by the product code is executed. The The PLU file may be stored and saved in the flash ROM 17 together with the computer program for merchandise sales data processing, or may be stored and saved in an external storage device (not shown) accessible via the network 2001, The host device 601 accessible via the network 2001 or an external storage device accessible by the host device 601 may be stored. The CPU 14 of the card processing terminal 1 accesses the PLU file according to the computer program for processing the product sales data, acquires the unit price of the product corresponding to the input product code, and obtains the purchase price for one transaction as a necessary consumption tax. And so on. When a transaction end declaration is made in cash prior to a transaction end declaration, a deposit amount input process and a change amount calculation process are also executed. The deposit amount input process is performed based on a pressing input of the numeric key 6a of the keyboard 6 or a touch input of the touch panel 8b. In this case, the numeric key 6a inputs the deposit amount itself. The product code is input by the touch panel 8b by a method in which a numeric keypad is displayed on the display 8a of the display 8 with a touch panel and the deposit amount itself is touch-input by the touch panel 8b.

  The settlement function for settlement of the settlement amount calculated according to the end declaration of one transaction executes different processes depending on whether settlement is made with cash, settlement with a credit card, and settlement with a debit card. On the other hand, as a common process regardless of the settlement method, the computer program for merchandise sales data processing causes the CPU 14 to execute a process of temporarily storing sales data in, for example, the RAM 16. The temporarily stored sales data is transmitted to the host device 601 having the sales file at the timing of the end of the day.

  When credit settlement or debit card settlement is selected at the end of one transaction, the merchandise sales data processing computer program executes processing according to the settlement processing computer program stored in the ROM 15 in the CPU 14. Let As shown in FIG. 2, when the drawer 101 is not connected to the card processing terminal 1 by USB, it is desirable to exclusively use credit settlement or debit card settlement. Therefore, the computer program for merchandise sales data processing causes the CPU 14 to determine whether or not the drawer 101 is connected to the card processing terminal 1 via USB, and if it is not connected via USB, declares the end of one transaction. As a function, only credit payment or debit card payment can be selected, and cash payment may not be selected.

  When cash settlement is selected at the end of one transaction, the computer program for merchandise sales data processing causes the CPU 14 to execute a function of outputting an opening signal to the drawer 101. Thus, in the drawer 101 that has received the opening signal, the control unit 105 drives the solenoid 103 to open the latch of the drawer 102. Thereby, the drawer 102 is pulled out. This process is based on the premise that the drawer 101 is connected to the card processing terminal 1 by USB as shown in FIGS.

  In addition, the card processing terminal 1 of the present embodiment can connect the display 301 to the USB as shown in FIG. In view of this, it is possible to display information to be provided to the customer at the time of product sales data processing, for example, information such as the product name, unit price, purchase price, and consumption tax of the product for which the product code is input.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the card processing terminal 1 can have a POS terminal function. Therefore, taking advantage of the card processing terminal 1 that is small and light, it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the device for executing the merchandise sales data processing. For this reason, the utility value in a small store etc. is very high. Alternatively, even in a store where the space design in the store is important, it is possible to reduce the feeling of pressure compared to the case where a POS terminal is installed, and it is easy to accept without resistance.

  The light weight which is another characteristic of the card processing terminal 1 relaxes the restriction on the execution place of the merchandise sales data processing. That is, since the card processing terminal 1 is lightweight, the card processing terminal 1 can be easily carried to various places, and the merchandise sales data processing can be executed at the carried places. As an example, assuming a case where an event for sales promotion is performed at a special venue or outdoors, the card processing terminal 1 which is small and light can be easily carried to such an event venue. Can execute merchandise sales data processing. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a device with extremely high mobility as a device for executing the merchandise sales data processing.

  Moreover, since the card processing terminal 1 is equipped with a high security function as standard, such as having tamper resistance, it is possible to maintain high security even when processing merchandise sales data.

  Further, the card processing terminal 1 according to the present embodiment uses the touch panel 8b as an input device, so that the keyboard 6 as the input device is mainly composed of the numeric keys 6a, so that the number of input items to be selected is limited. Even in the case of the card processing terminal 1, the input items can be made abundant when inputting the product code and various functions.

  In addition, the card processing terminal 1 according to the present embodiment includes an interface for connecting an external device that enables simultaneous connection of a plurality of peripheral devices for product sales data processing, and a USB in the present embodiment. 101, the barcode scanner 201, the display 301, etc. are connected, and when executing the merchandise sales data processing function, those peripheral devices can be used as necessary. That is, the expandability and flexibility are extremely high, and a system configuration suitable for each store can be easily realized.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows a card processing terminal and its one use aspect. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows a card processing terminal and its another usage condition. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows a card processing terminal and its another usage condition. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of each part with which a card processing terminal and peripheral devices connected by USB are provided. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the data processing which downloads the computer program for merchandise sales data processing, and installs it in a memory | storage part (flash ROM). It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the data processing which installs the computer program for merchandise sales data processing in a memory | storage part (flash ROM) by reading a memory card.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Housing, 4 ... Information reading part, 6 ... Input device (keyboard), 8 ... Display with a touch panel, 8b ... Input device (touch panel), 14 ... Processor (CPU), 17 ... Memory | storage part (flash ROM), 22 ... Interface, USB, 101 ... peripheral device, drawer, 201 ... peripheral device, data code scanner (barcode scanner), 301 ... peripheral device, display

Claims (6)

A housing for storing and holding each part;
An input device for inputting information;
A processor for executing various processes;
An information reading unit that reads the card information from a card that records card information necessary for payment;
Means for causing the processor to execute a settlement process based on the card information read by the information reading unit;
An interface for external device connection that enables simultaneous connection of multiple peripheral devices for product sales data processing to support execution of product sales data processing based on the input product code;
A storage unit for storing and storing a computer program for processing product sales data;
The computer program uses the peripheral device connected through the interface as necessary, and declares the end of one transaction according to the input function of the product code and the operation of the input device. Causing the processor to execute a merchandise sales data processing function including a declaration function, a settlement amount calculation function based on an input product code, and a settlement function that settles a settlement amount calculated according to an end declaration of one transaction. ,
Card processing terminal. The housing includes a display with a touch panel as the input device,
The computer program causes the processor to execute an input display function of the display with the touch panel for information necessary for merchandise sales data processing.
The card processing terminal according to claim 1.   The card processing terminal according to claim 1, wherein the computer program causes the processor to execute an input function of the product code based on a product code obtained from a data code scanner connected through the interface.   4. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the computer program causes the processor to execute a function of outputting a release signal in response to a transaction end declaration toward a drawer connected via the interface. 5. Card processing terminal.   5. The card processing according to claim 1, wherein the computer program causes the processor to display and output information to be provided to a customer when processing merchandise sales data, toward a display connected via the interface. Terminal. A housing for storing and holding each part;
An input device for inputting information;
A processor for executing various processes;
An information reading unit that reads the card information from a card that records card information necessary for payment;
Means for causing the processor to execute a settlement process based on the card information read by the information reading unit;
An interface for external device connection that enables simultaneous connection of multiple peripheral devices for product sales data processing to support execution of product sales data processing based on the input product code;
A storage unit for storing and storing a computer program for processing product sales data;
The peripheral device is installed in the storage unit of the card processing terminal including the processor and connected to the processor via the interface as necessary.
Product code input function,
A declaration function for declaring the end of one transaction in accordance with the operation of the input device;
A function to calculate the payment amount based on the entered product code,
A settlement function that settles the settlement amount calculated according to the end declaration of one transaction;
A computer program for processing product sales data.

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