JP5433592B2 - Payment device, payment system, program, and server device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a settlement apparatus, a settlement system, a program, and a server apparatus.

  In stores and the like, payment by a plurality of payment methods such as cash, cash vouchers (such as gift certificates and prepaid cards) and credit cards is often permitted. There are many types of cash vouchers and credit cards, and there are a wide variety of settlement methods considering the difference between these types.

JP 2006-301688 A

  Depending on the customer, it may be required to use a plurality of settlement methods in combination, and it is difficult to confirm whether such settlement is permitted.

  Under such circumstances, it has been desired to easily and accurately confirm whether or not the payment method requested by the customer is permitted for payment.

  The settlement apparatus according to the embodiment includes a storage device, a selection unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The storage device stores combination information related to a combination that is permitted in a payment that is a combination of a plurality of payment methods that can be applied to a payment for a commercial transaction. The selection means selects at least one payment method to be used for payment from the plurality of payment methods according to an instruction from the operator. The determination unit stores, in the storage device, whether or not settlement by a combination of the plurality of settlement methods selected by the selection unit is permitted in response to selection of a plurality of settlement methods by the selection unit. The determination is made based on the combination information. The notification means executes a notification operation for notifying the operator of the fact that the determination means determines that payment by a combination of a plurality of payment methods selected by the selection means is not permitted.

The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the POS terminal device which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of a goods list area typically. The figure which shows an example of a PLU file typically. The figure which shows an example of combination information typically. The flowchart of the process of CPU in FIG. 1 when the registration mode is set. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the display for operators in the state which is displaying the list image. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the display for operators in the state which is displaying the error image. The figure which shows the structure of the payment system using a cloud system.

  An example of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a POS (point-of-sale) terminal device will be described as an example of a payment device.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a POS terminal device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The POS terminal device 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a read-only memory (ROM) 2, a random-access memory (RAM) 3, an auxiliary storage unit 4, a clock unit 5, a mode switch 6, and a drawer opening unit 7. , Input / output port (I / O) 8, scanner 9, scanner controller 10, touch sensor 11, touch sensor controller 12, operator display 13, display controller 14, customer display 15, display controller 16, card reader 17 A card reader controller 18, a printer 19, a printer controller 20, and a communication device 21. Each of these units is connected to the system bus 22.

  The CPU 1 controls each unit to implement various operations as the POS terminal device 100 based on the operating system, middleware, and application program stored in the ROM 2 and the RAM 3.

  The ROM 2 stores the above operating system. The ROM 2 may store the above middleware and application programs. The ROM 2 may store data that is referred to when the CPU 1 performs various processes.

  The RAM 3 stores data to be referred to when the CPU 1 performs various processes. Further, the RAM 3 is used as a so-called work area in which data temporarily used when the CPU 1 performs various processes is stored. A part of the storage area of the RAM 3 is used as a product list area. The RAM 3 may store the above middleware and application programs.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the structure of the product list area.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the product list area is provided with a plurality of data fields for storing information relating to price look-up (PLU) codes, departments, product names, prices, and quantities in association with each other. Thus, at least information on department, product name, price, and quantity can be stored in the product list area in correspondence with the PLU code.

  The auxiliary storage unit 4 is, for example, a hard disk drive or an SSD (solid state drive), and stores data used when the CPU 1 performs various processes and data generated by the processes in the CPU 1. The data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 4 includes a PLU file and combination information. The PLU file describes information about products (goods or services) sold or provided at a store where the POS terminal device 100 is used. The combination information describes a combination of payment methods allowed for payment. In addition, payment by cash, payment by cash voucher (gift certificate, prepaid card, etc.) and payment by credit card are not only separate payment methods, but also each payment by different types of cash vouchers and different types. Each payment by credit card is a separate payment method. However, how the settlement methods here are classified may be arbitrary. The application program stored in the ROM 2, RAM 3, or auxiliary storage unit 4 includes a sales registration program described regarding sales registration processing including processing for settlement described later. When this sales registration program is stored in the RAM 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 4, the transfer of the POS terminal device 100 is generally performed in a state where the sales registration program is stored in the RAM 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 4. However, the POS terminal device 100 is transferred in a state where the sales registration program is not stored in the RAM 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 4, and is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the sales registration program may be transferred via a network, and the sales registration program may be written in the RAM 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 4 of the separately transferred POS terminal device 100.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the PLU file.

  The PLU file shown in FIG. 3 includes at least department, product name, and price information corresponding to the PLU code. The PLU code is a code assigned to each product so that they can be uniquely identified. The department is the name or code of the department to which the product identified by the associated PLU code belongs. The product name is the name of the product identified by the associated PLU code. The price is the price of the product identified by the associated PLU code. The PLU file may include other arbitrary information.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of combination information.

  The combination information includes at least one data record in which a plurality of settlement methods are associated with each other. A combination of a plurality of settlement methods (method 1, method 2, method 3,...) Included in one data record represents a combination applicable to settlement. That is, a combination of a plurality of settlement methods described in the same line in FIG. 4 is a combination that can be applied to formation. More specifically, in FIG. A combination of 1 represents that a combination of a XXX gift card and a XXX gift card can be applied to settlement. The data record included in the combination information is typically generated by the CPU 1 in accordance with an operator instruction. However, the combination information generated outside the POS terminal device 100 may be written in the RAM 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 4. Note that there are various combinations of payment methods applicable to payment depending on the circumstances of the user of the POS terminal device 100. Therefore, as the combination information, information corresponding to the needs of the user may be appropriately generated and written to the RAM 3 or the auxiliary storage unit 4.

  The clock unit 5 constantly performs a timekeeping operation, and generates date / time information representing the date and time.

  The mode switch 6 detects the direction of the keyhole that can be rotated by a specific key, and outputs the detection result as a mode signal. A business mode is assigned to each direction of the keyhole, and the mode signal is a signal indicating which of these operation modes is selected. The business mode includes each mode such as registration, inspection, and checkout. Incidentally, in the registration mode, when a PLU code is input by the scanner 9 or the touch sensor 11, data processing related to sales or provision of a product identified by the PLU code is performed. In the inspection mode, sales summary data obtained from the merchandise sales data generated by the processing in the registration mode is output as a report. In the checkout mode, the sales summary data is cleared after outputting the sales summary data in the same manner as in the inspection mode.

  The drawer opening unit 7 automatically opens the drawer.

  The input / output port 8 converts a mode signal output from the mode switch 6 into mode data and writes it into the RAM 3 or a drive signal for driving the drawer opening unit 7 in response to an instruction to open the drawer from the CPU 1. Output to the drawer opening unit 7.

  The scanner 9 reads a barcode printed on a product. The scanner 9 can include either a fixed type or a handy type, or both.

  The scanner controller 10 controls the operation of the scanner 9 under the control of the CPU 1 and writes the scan data generated by the scanner 9 into the RAM 3.

  The touch sensor 11 is stacked on the display surface of the operator display 13. The touch sensor 11 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the touch position when the user touches the display screen of the operator display 13. The touch sensor controller 12 obtains coordinate information representing the touch position based on the detection signal output from the touch sensor 11 and writes the coordinate information in the RAM 3.

  The operator display 13 is an LCD (liquid crystal display), for example, and can display an arbitrary image under the control of the CPU 1. The operator display 13 is used to display an image representing various information to be presented to the operator.

  The display controller 14 controls the operation of the operator display 13 under the control of the CPU 1.

  The customer display 15 is an LCD or a fluorescent display device, for example, and can display an arbitrary image under the control of the CPU 1. The customer display 15 is used to display an image representing various information to be presented to the customer.

  The display controller 16 controls the operation of the customer display 15 under the control of the CPU 1.

  The card reader 17 reads card information recorded on the payment card. The payment card is a card for making payment without using cash, and may include a credit card, a debit card, a prepaid card, a UnionPay card, and the like.

  The card reader controller 18 controls the operation of the card reader 17 under the control of the CPU 1 and writes the card information output from the card reader 17 into the RAM 3.

  The printer 19 is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and prints a receipt.

  The printer controller 20 controls the operation of the printer 19 under the control of the CPU 1.

  The communication device 21 communicates with the server 102 via a communication network 101 such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet.

  The server 102 is a so-called store server provided in the same store where the POS terminal device 100 is installed, or a headquarters that generalizes a plurality of stores including the same store where the POS terminal device 100 is installed. It is a so-called headquarter server provided. The server 102 aggregates product sales data generated by the POS terminal device 100 and other POS terminal devices (not shown), and manages data used by each POS terminal device. The server 102 holds a PLU file and rate information for distribution to the POS terminal device 100 and other POS terminal devices.

  Next, the operation of the POS terminal device 100 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the CPU 1 when the registration mode is set. When the mode switch 6 detects that the business mode is set to the registration mode with the key, the CPU 1 starts the process shown in FIG.

  If the barcode of the product is read by the scanner 9 or an operation for inputting a PLU code is performed by the touch sensor 11, the input PLU code is read by the scanner controller 10 or the touch sensor controller 12. It is written in the RAM 3. Therefore, in step Sa1, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the PLU code is input by checking whether or not the PLU code written as described above is written in the RAM 3, for example. If it cannot be confirmed that the PLU code has been input, the CPU 1 repeats step Sa1. If it is confirmed that the PLU code has been input, the CPU 1 proceeds from step Sa1 to step Sa2.

  In step Sa2, the CPU 1 acquires the PLU code written in the RAM 3 as described above and the information associated therewith from the PLU file stored in the auxiliary storage unit 4. Then, the CPU 1 additionally stores the acquired PLU code, department, product name, and price information in the product list area of the RAM 2. At this time, the CPU 1 stores “1” as the quantity of the same data record.

  In steps Sa3 to Sa5, the CPU 1 waits for a user operation. Specifically, the CPU 1 determines whether or not a new PLU code is input in step Sa3, whether or not a quantity related to the previously input PLU code is specified in step Sa4, and whether or not the touch sensor 11 subtotals in step Sa5j. It is determined whether or not an operation for pressing a key has been performed. And when all of step Sa3 thru | or step Sa5 are NO, CPU1 repeats step Sa3 thru | or step Sa5.

  If a new PLU code is input here, the CPU 1 proceeds from step Sa3 to step Sa2, and the newly input PLU code and the associated department, product name and price information are stored in the product in the RAM 2. Add and save in the list area. However, if the same PLU code is already stored in the product list area, the quantity associated with the PLU code is increased by one. After that, the CPU 1 returns to the standby state of steps Sa3 to Sa5.

  By the way, in order to register a plurality of products for which a PLU code has already been input, when the operator designates a quantity by operating the numeric input key or the like using the touch sensor 11, the CPU 1 moves from step Sa4 to step Sa6 accordingly. The quantity associated with the PLU code input immediately before is changed according to the designated quantity. Specifically, the quantity associated with the PLU code input immediately before is changed to a value obtained by adding a value obtained by subtracting one from the designated quantity. Thereafter, the CPU 1 returns to the standby state of steps Sa3 to Sa5.

  If the operation of pressing the subtotal key is performed, the CPU 1 proceeds from step Sa5 to step Sa7. In step Sa7, the CPU 1 calculates the purchase amount. Specifically, the CPU 1 calculates the amount of money for each product by multiplying each of the PLU codes stored in the product list area by the price and quantity associated with the PLU code, and further determines in this way. The purchase price is calculated as the sum of the price for each product. The CPU 1 stores the purchase amount in the RAM 3.

  In step Sa8, the CPU 1 instructs the display controller 14 to display a list of settlement methods. Upon receiving this instruction, the display controller 14 controls the operator display 13 so as to display a list image showing a list of settlement methods.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the operator display 13 in a state where the list image 51 is displayed.

  A list image 51 shown in FIG. 6 is a graphical user interface image and includes buttons B1, B2, B3, B4. Includes B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11.

  The button B1 is a button for instructing payment by cash.

  Buttons B <b> 2 to B <b> 6 are buttons for instructing the settlement using a cash voucher (gift card, gift certificate, prepaid card, etc.) and at the same time instructing the type of cash voucher used for the settlement. That is, the buttons B2 to B6 are buttons for associating the types of cash vouchers used for settlement with each other and instructing the settlement with the associated types of cash vouchers.

  The buttons B7 to B10 are buttons for instructing the type of credit card used for the settlement at the same time as instructing the settlement with the credit card. That is, the buttons B7 to B10 are buttons that are associated with the types of credit cards used for settlement, and for instructing settlement with the associated types of credit cards.

  The button B11 is a button for instructing execution of settlement.

  In addition, if the image showing the appearance of various cash vouchers and credit cards is used as the buttons B <b> 2 to B <b> 10, the operator can easily and more accurately find the cash voucher and credit card presented by the customer from the list image 51. Is possible. Of course, the buttons B2 to B10 may be any buttons as long as the operator can recognize various settlement methods.

  The list image 51 is prepared in advance corresponding to the type of cash voucher or credit card that can be applied to settlement, and image data representing the list image 51 is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 4, for example.

  In a state where the list image 51 is displayed on the operator display 13, the CPU 1 waits for a user operation in step Sa9 and step Sa10. Specifically, the CPU 1 determines whether or not an instruction for a settlement method has been issued in step Sa9, and whether or not an execution of settlement has been instructed in step Sa10. And CPU1 repeats step Sa9 and step Sa10, when both step Sa9 and step Sa10 are NO.

  Here, if any of the buttons B1 to B10 is touched, the CPU 1 proceeds from step Sa9 to step Sa11. In step Sa11, if the settlement method associated with the touched button is not a candidate method, the CPU 1 adds this to the candidate method. Further, if the settlement method associated with the touched button is a candidate method, the CPU 1 excludes this from the candidate method. Thus, if any of the buttons B1 to B10 is touched, the settlement method associated with the button is selected as a candidate method, but if the same button is touched again, the selection is canceled.

  Thereafter, the CPU 1 returns to the standby state of steps Sa9 and Sa10. Thus, the operator can select a plurality of settlement methods as candidate methods by the sequential touch operation of the buttons B1 to B10.

  On the other hand, if the operator touches the button B11 to instruct execution of the settlement, the CPU 1 proceeds from step Sa10 to step Sa12. In step Sa12, the CPU 1 confirms whether there are a plurality of candidate methods. If there are a plurality of candidate methods, the CPU 1 proceeds from step Sa12 to step Sa13. In step Sa13, the CPU 1 checks whether or not the application of the combination of the plurality of candidate methods is permitted by searching the combination information for data records in which the plurality of candidate methods are associated with each other.

  If a data record in which a plurality of candidate methods are associated with each other is not found, the CPU 1 determines that application of a combination of a plurality of candidate methods is not permitted, and proceeds from step Sa13 to step Sa14. In step Sa14, the CPU 1 instructs the display controller 14 to display an error for notifying the operator that the application of the specified combination of the plurality of settlement methods is not allowed. Upon receiving this instruction, the display controller 14 controls the operator display 13 so as to display an error image for error display.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the operator display 13 in a state where the error image 52 is displayed.

  On the display screen shown in FIG. 7, the error image 52 is displayed in a pop-up manner in a state where it is superimposed on the list image 51.

  Thereafter, the CPU 1 returns to the standby state of steps Sa9 and Sa10. Thus, the operator can reinstruct the settlement method. The error display may be canceled in accordance with a predetermined trigger such as the elapse of a fixed time or an instruction from the operator.

  When a data record in which a plurality of designated candidate methods are associated with each other is found, the CPU 1 determines that application of a combination of a plurality of settlement methods is allowed, and proceeds from step Sa13 to step Sa15. If there is only one candidate method, the CPU 1 passes from step Sa12 to step Sa13 and proceeds to step Sa15.

  In step Sa15, the CPU 1 executes a settlement process for settlement of the purchase amount calculated in step Sa7 using one or more designated settlement methods. When this settlement process is completed, the CPU 1 returns to the standby state in step Sa1.

  As described above, according to the POS terminal device 100, when an operator instructs a plurality of payment methods, and application of a combination of the plurality of payment methods is not permitted, an error for notifying the operator of that fact. The display is performed on the operator display 13. Therefore, the operator can easily and accurately recognize that the combination of a plurality of payment methods to be applied for payment cannot be applied.

  This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

  The technical idea of the above-described embodiment can be applied to another type of settlement apparatus such as a cash register.

  When application of a combination of a plurality of settlement methods is allowed, a display for notifying the operator of that fact may be performed.

  The operator can be notified of whether or not a combination of a plurality of settlement methods can be applied by various operations such as lighting of a lamp, ringing, or reproduction of a voice message.

  The above technical idea can be applied to a payment system including a terminal device and a server device. In this case, one server device may perform processing for settlement in one or a plurality of terminal devices, or a plurality of server devices share processing for settlement in one or a plurality of terminal devices. You can go.

  Cloud computing can be used to realize such a payment system. More specifically, a software provision form called software as a service (SaaS) is suitable.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a payment system 200 using a cloud system.

  The payment system 200 includes a cloud 31, a plurality of terminal devices 32, and a plurality of communication networks 33. Note that only one terminal device 32 and one communication network 33 may be used.

  The cloud 31 further includes a plurality of server devices 31a. The plurality of server devices 31a are configured to be able to communicate with each other. However, there may be only one server device 31a.

  The terminal device 32 can communicate with the cloud 31 via the communication network 33. As the terminal device 32, various computers such as a desktop type and a notebook type, a mobile phone device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, and the like can be used as appropriate. As the communication network 33, the Internet, a private network, a next generation network (NGN), a mobile network, or the like can be used as appropriate.

  The payment system 200 executes step Sa8 and step Sa14 in each process shown in FIG. 5 at the terminal device 32, but the other steps may be executed by either the cloud 31 or the terminal device 32. . However, any operation by the operator is executed by the terminal device 32, and the content of the operation is notified from the terminal device 32 to the cloud 31 as necessary.

  When a plurality of processes among steps Sa1 to Sa7, step Sa9 to step Sa13, and step Sa15 are executed in the cloud 31, these processes may be executed in a single server device 31a, or a plurality of server devices Distributed processing may be performed in 31a.

  When at least one of the processes of steps Sa1 to Sa7, steps Sa9 to Sa13, and step Sa15 is executed by the terminal device 32, a program for causing the computer of the terminal device 32 to execute the process is previously stored in the terminal device 32. The program may be stored in a storage unit included in the cloud 31, or may be stored in the storage unit included in the cloud 31 and provided from the cloud 31 to the terminal device 32 as necessary. When the program is given from the cloud 31 to the terminal device 32, at least one of the server devices 31a has a function of transmitting the program to the terminal device 32.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  1 ... CPU, 2 ... ROM, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... auxiliary storage unit, 5 ... clock unit, 6 ... mode switch, 7 ... drawer opening unit, 8 ... input / output port, 9 ... scanner, 10 ... scanner controller, 11 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Touch sensor, 12 ... Touch sensor controller, 13 ... Display for operator, 14 ... Display controller, 15 ... Customer display, 16 ... Display controller, 17 ... Card reader, 18 ... Card reader controller, 19 ... Printer, 20 ... Printer controller, 21 ... Communication device, 22 ... System bus, 31 ... Cloud, 31a ... Server device, 32 ... Terminal device, 33 ... Communication network, 100 ... Terminal device, 101 ... Communication network, 102 ... Server, 200 ... Payment system.

Claims (7)

A storage device that stores combination information relating to a combination that is allowed in a combination of a plurality of payment methods that can be applied to a transaction settlement;
Selecting means for selecting at least one payment method to be used for payment from among the plurality of payment methods according to an operator's instruction;
The combination information stored in the storage device indicates whether or not payment by a combination of the plurality of payment methods selected by the selection unit is permitted in response to selection of a plurality of payment methods by the selection unit. Determining means for determining based on;
Notification means for executing a notification operation for notifying the operator of the fact that the determination means determines that payment by a combination of a plurality of payment methods selected by the selection means is not permitted. Payment device.   And a means for executing a notification operation for notifying the operator of the fact that the determination is permitted by the combination of the plurality of payment methods selected by the selection means. The settlement apparatus according to claim 1.   Means for making a payment by a combination of a plurality of payment methods selected by the selection means in response to a determination made by the determination means that a payment by a combination of a plurality of payment methods selected by the selection means is allowed; The settlement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The settlement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for displaying an image representing each of a plurality of settlement methods applicable to settlement of a commercial transaction. A computer included in a settlement apparatus including a storage device that stores combination information regarding a combination permitted in a combination of a plurality of settlement methods applicable to settlement of a commercial transaction.
Selecting means for selecting at least one payment method to be used for payment from among the plurality of payment methods according to an operator's instruction;
The combination information stored in the storage device indicates whether or not payment by a combination of the plurality of payment methods selected by the selection unit is permitted in response to selection of a plurality of payment methods by the selection unit. Determining means for determining based on;
Acting as control means for controlling a notification operation for notifying the operator of the fact that the determination means determines that payment by a combination of a plurality of payment methods selected by the selection means is not allowed program. A storage device that stores combination information relating to a combination that is allowed in a combination of a plurality of payment methods that can be applied to a transaction settlement;
A terminal device;
A payment system comprising a server device,
An input means for inputting an instruction of an operator for designating a settlement method to be used for settlement among the plurality of settlement methods;
Selecting means for selecting at least one payment method to be used for payment from among the plurality of payment methods according to the instruction input by the input means;
The combination information stored in the storage device indicates whether or not payment by a combination of the plurality of payment methods selected by the selection unit is permitted in response to selection of a plurality of payment methods by the selection unit. Determining means for determining based on;
Notification means for executing a notification operation for notifying the operator of the fact that the determination means determines that payment by a combination of a plurality of payment methods selected by the selection means is not permitted. Equipped,
The server device includes at least one of the selection unit and the determination unit,
A payment system in which the terminal device includes the selection unit and the determination unit that are not provided in the server device, and the input unit and the notification unit. A server device that constitutes a payment system together with a storage device that stores combination information relating to a combination that is permitted in a payment that is a combination of a plurality of payment methods that can be applied to a payment for a commercial transaction, and a terminal device that includes a computer. And
Selecting means for selecting at least one payment method to be used for payment from among the plurality of payment methods according to an operator's instruction;
The combination information stored in the storage device indicates whether or not payment by a combination of the plurality of payment methods selected by the selection unit is permitted in response to selection of a plurality of payment methods by the selection unit. And at least one of determination means for determining based on,
Of the selection means and the determination means, those not provided in the server device;
Input means for inputting instructions of the operator;
The computer as a control unit for controlling a notification operation for notifying the operator of the fact that the determination unit determines that payment by a combination of a plurality of payment methods selected by the selection unit is not allowed A server device comprising means for transmitting a program that causes the terminal to function to the terminal device.

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