JP7740320B2 - Program, processing method, and device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to automated teller machines, sales systems, terminal devices, processing methods, and programs.

There are cases where a remote third party, such as a child or an elderly person with a low income, needs to purchase a product and it becomes necessary to hand over money to that third party. In such cases, the person handing over the money has traditionally either handed it over to the recipient in person in advance, or transferred the money to the recipient's account, which the recipient then withdraws using an automated teller machine. Related technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1, which discloses technology for conducting cash transactions using an issued card.

JP 2009-176127 A

There is a need for technology that allows a third party, such as a child who is located far away and suddenly needs to purchase an item, to easily do so using an automated teller machine.

The present invention aims to provide an automated teller machine, sales system, terminal device, processing method, and program that solve the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an automated teller machine is characterized by comprising: an authentication unit that determines whether authentication is successful based on a match between biometric information of a second user recorded in association with a first user who opened a first account and biometric information read from the second user who instructed the purchase process; and an output unit that, if the authentication is successful, outputs a purchase permission medium that permits the purchase of the product that is the subject of the purchase process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a sales system is characterized in that an automated teller machine includes an authentication unit that determines whether authentication is successful based on a match between biometric information of a second user recorded in association with a first user who opened a first account and biometric information read from the second user who instructed the purchase process, and an output unit that outputs a purchase permission medium that permits the purchase of the product that is the subject of the purchase process if the authentication is successful, and a sales terminal that includes a determination unit that determines whether the product can be sold based on product attribute information included in the purchase permission medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the terminal device is characterized by comprising: an authentication unit that determines whether authentication is successful based on a match between biometric information of a second user recorded in association with a first user who opened a first account and biometric information read from the second user who instructed the purchase process; and an output unit that, if the authentication is successful, outputs a purchase permission medium that permits the purchase of the product that is the subject of the purchase process.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the processing method determines whether authentication is successful based on a match between biometric information of a second user recorded in association with a first user who opened a first account and biometric information read from the second user who instructed the purchase process, and, if the authentication is successful, outputs a purchase permission medium that permits the purchase of the product that is the subject of the purchase process.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the program causes a computer of an automated teller machine to function as authentication means for determining whether authentication is successful based on a match between biometric information of a second user recorded in association with a first user who opened a first account and biometric information read from the second user who instructed the purchase process, and output means for outputting a purchase permission medium that permits the purchase of the product that is the subject of the purchase process if the authentication is successful.

The present invention provides an automated teller machine that allows a third party, such as a child who is located far away and suddenly needs to purchase an item, to easily use the machine to purchase the item.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ATM system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of an interface of an ATM according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an ATM control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of a control device and a sales terminal of an ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a user management table stored in the server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an ATM according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the sales terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an ATM according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an ATM according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a sales terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the minimum configuration of an ATM according to the minimum configuration of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an ATM with a minimum configuration according to the present invention.

An ATM system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ATM system.
The ATM system 100 according to this embodiment is configured by connecting an ATM 1 (automated teller machine), a server device 2, and a sales terminal 4 via a communication network. The ATM 1 is installed, for example, in a store such as a convenience store or in a public facility such as a train station. The ATM 1 is a device that primarily accepts money transfer transactions, such as a user withdrawing cash from their own account, depositing cash into their own account, or transferring money from their own account to another user's account. Multiple ATMs 1 may be communicatively connected to the server device 2. The server device 2 may also be communicatively connected to a mobile terminal 3, such as that of a parent of a user (child) using the ATM 1. The sales terminal 4 is, for example, a point-of-sale system (POS) terminal, and is similarly installed in the store where the ATM 1 is installed. The sales terminal 4 performs payment processing, etc., used by users when purchasing products. The sales terminal 4 may be communicatively connected to the server device 2. For ease of explanation, only one ATM 1 and sales terminal 4 are illustrated in FIG. 1 . The ATM 1 is equipped with a camera 51 that captures the user's face and images of the user's surroundings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of an ATM interface.
2, the ATM 1 includes a main display 11, an NFC (Near Field Communication) antenna 12, a code reader 14, a coin outlet 16, a card slot 17, and a paper medium outlet 18. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the automated teller machine 1 also includes other hardware components such as a sub-display provided above the main display 11, a speaker, and a numeric keypad, but for the sake of convenience, detailed description of these components will be omitted.

An operation guide screen and the like are displayed on the main display 11. The main display 11 has a touch panel function, and detects the position where the user touches the screen, and executes the processing of the button corresponding to the detected position.
The NFC antenna 12 is built into a horizontal base 91 provided below the main display 11 .
The code reader 14 reads code information displayed on a paper medium placed on the base surface of the horizontal base 91 or on a user's mobile terminal. The code information may be a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like.
In this embodiment, the coin outlet 16 is an outlet through which banknotes are discharged.
The card slot 17 takes in credit cards, bank cash cards, and other IC cards, and ejects the cards after processing based on the information recorded on the cards is completed.
The paper medium outlet 18 discharges receipts on which the results of processing such as the amount transfer processing are printed, and product purchase tickets.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an ATM control device.
As shown in this diagram, the control device 10 built into the ATM 1 is a computer equipped with various pieces of hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10-1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10-2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10-3, an SSD (Solid State Drive) 10-4, and a communication module 10-5. The control device 10 controls the various pieces of hardware described above.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the ATM control device and sales terminal.
The control device 10 starts up when the ATM 1 is powered on and executes a control program stored in advance, thereby causing the control device 40 to perform the functions of a control unit 41, a UI unit 42, a photographing unit 43, an authentication unit 44, a medium output unit 45, an amount transfer unit 46, and an image transmission unit 47.

The control unit 41 controls the ATM 1 as part of its processing, as well as other functional units.
As part of its processing, the UI unit 42 controls the output of information to an output device such as the main display 11 of the ATM, and the input of information from an input device such as the code reader 14 .
As part of its processing, the photographing unit 43 photographs an image including the face of a user using the ATM 1 and the background.
As part of its processing, the authentication unit 44 performs biometric authentication of the user who uses the ATM 1. In this embodiment, the authentication unit 44 performs processing for authentication using a facial image of the user.

The medium output unit 45 outputs paper media such as receipts containing information such as usage history and balance to users who use the ATM 1, and product purchase tickets.
The amount transfer unit 46 performs, as part of its processing, amount transfer processes such as withdrawal processes, deposit processes, and transfer processes. Specifically, as an example, if the user using the ATM 1 is a child, and authentication is successful based on a match between the biometric information of the child (second user) linked to the child's parent (first user) and recorded in advance and the face image (biometric information) read from the user who instructed the amount transfer process using the ATM 1, the amount transfer unit 46 performs the amount transfer process related to the amount information recorded as the deposit limit of the child user linked to the parent's account.

As part of its processing, the image sending unit 47 sends an image of the user (child) taken when the user inputs an instruction for a product purchase process or an amount transfer process to a destination related to another user (parent) linked to that user. One example of the destination is the mobile device 3 owned by the other user (parent).

As shown in FIG. 4, the sales terminal 4 performs the functions of a control unit 401, a POS processing unit 402, and a determination unit 403.
The control unit 401 controls the sales terminal 4 .
The POS processing unit 402 allows the sales terminal 4 to function as a POS terminal.
The determination unit 403 determines whether or not the user can purchase the product.

By providing these functions, ATM1 accepts input of product attribute information for the product that is the target of the purchase process when authentication is successful based on a match between the biometric information of the child (second user) that is recorded in association with the parent (first user) who opened the first account and the biometric information read from the child who instructed the purchase process. Then, when authentication is successful, ATM1 outputs a purchase authorization medium that authorizes the purchase of the product that is the target of the purchase process. In the following embodiments, the purchase authorization medium is a purchase voucher or currency.

When the purchase authorization medium is a purchase voucher, the sales terminal 4 determines whether the target product can be sold based on the product attribute information recorded on the purchase voucher. This allows a child or other person who is far away and suddenly needs to purchase a product to easily use the ATM 1 to purchase the product.

FIG. 5 shows a user management table stored in the server device.
As shown in this figure, the server device 2 stores in a user management table at least the account number of the first user (hereinafter referred to as the first account number), the account number of the second user (hereinafter referred to as the second account number), the facial feature information of the second user, and the service provision conditions, in association with each other. The service provision conditions include information such as the identification information, classification, and maximum amount of purchasable products requested in advance by the parent. The service provision conditions may include information such as an emergency service permission flag, the maximum amount of money transfer, the service usage area, and the service usage time. Details of these service provision conditions will be described later.

The server device 2 also stores account information linked to the account number of the first user and account information linked to the account number of the second user. The account information includes information such as account holder information, deposit amount, destination address of the mobile terminal 3, address, and telephone number. This information recorded in the user management table is recorded based on information previously provided by the first user or second user to the financial institution that manages the ATM 1. The following explanation will be given using an example where the first user is the parent and the second user is the first user's child.

First Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the ATM according to the first embodiment.
When a child suddenly needs to purchase an item, the child heads to ATM 1 installed in a nearby convenience store or the like and stands in front of ATM 1. Under the control of the photographing unit 43 of ATM 1, the camera 51 captures images at intervals of a few milliseconds or the like (step S101). The photographing unit 43 sequentially acquires the images captured by the camera 51. The photographing unit 43 determines whether a human face is captured in the acquired image (step S102). If a human face is captured in the image, the photographing unit 43 outputs the image to the authentication unit 44. The authentication unit 44 temporarily records the image in a storage unit such as a memory. Furthermore, if a human face is captured in the image, the photographing unit 43 instructs the UI unit 42 to start processing.

The UI unit 42 outputs a main image to the main display 11 (step S103). The main image displays several icon buttons that the user can use to instruct operations. Among the icon buttons is an icon button that lists the name of a service that allows the user to purchase products even if they do not have cash or a medium for storing electronic money. As an example, the name of this service will be referred to as "emergency product purchase service." The user touches the icon button that corresponds to the emergency product purchase service.

The UI unit 42 detects that the user has touched the icon button corresponding to the emergency product purchase service (step S104). The UI unit 42 then instructs the authentication unit 44 to begin authentication. The UI unit 42 may also display a PIN entry screen on the main display 11 to prompt the user to enter a PIN. In this case, the UI unit 42 outputs the entered PIN to the authentication unit 44. As an alternative to this PIN, the NFC medium's unique ID or portable medium-recorded information in which a unique PIN has been previously output in the form of a two-dimensional code or the like (the portable medium-recorded information is information displayed on a terminal operated by the user, information printed on paper, etc.) may be read by the ATM 1's NFC antenna 12 or code reader 14, and the UI unit 42 may acquire this information and output it to the authentication unit 44.

The authentication unit 44 reads the image temporarily stored in memory. The authentication unit 44 calculates facial feature information of the user appearing in the image. The authentication unit 44 transmits the facial feature information to the server device 2 (step S105). If the authentication unit 44 receives a PIN number, unique ID, or portable medium recording information, it transmits the PIN number, unique ID, and portable medium recording information to the server device 2 along with the facial feature information.

The server device 2 determines whether it stores feature information in its user management table that matches the facial feature information received from ATM1. If the server device 2 stores the feature information in its user management table, it reads the parent's first account number and the child's second account number currently using ATM1, which are registered in the user management table in association with the feature information. The server device 2 sends an authentication success signal including the first account number and the second account number to ATM1. When the server device 2 receives a PIN, unique ID, or portable medium recorded information, it further determines whether the PIN has been pre-stored in association with the facial feature information, or whether the unique ID or portable medium recorded information is correct. If the PIN has been stored in association with the facial feature information, or if the unique ID or portable medium recorded information is correct, it may send an authentication success signal to ATM1. If the server device 2 does not store facial feature information for the user using ATM1 in its user management table, it sends an authentication failure signal to ATM1.

The control unit 41 of ATM1 determines whether it has received an authentication success signal or an authentication failure signal (step S106). If it has received an authentication failure signal, the control unit 41 of ATM1 stops processing. For example, the control unit 41 of ATM1 outputs the authentication failure signal to the authentication unit 44. The authentication unit 44 outputs authentication failure to the UI unit 42. The UI unit 42 outputs information indicating that the emergency product purchase service is not available on the main display 11.

When the control unit 41 of ATM1 receives an authentication success signal, it outputs information about the authentication success signal to the authentication unit 44. The authentication unit 44 detects successful authentication based on the received authentication success signal. Upon detecting successful authentication, the authentication unit 44 outputs a signal to the UI unit 42 to start the emergency product purchase service. The authentication unit 44 also records the first account number and second account number included in the authentication success signal in memory, etc. The first account number and second account number are examples of information about the user receiving the emergency product purchase service. Instead of this information, the server device 2 may transmit to ATM1 only a management ID generated to be stored in the server device 2 in association with the first account number or second account number, or only the second account number, as long as the information can identify the user (child) currently using ATM1 receiving the emergency product purchase service, and ATM1 may record this information.

The UI unit 42 detects the start of the emergency product purchase service. The UI unit 42 then outputs an emergency product purchase service screen to the main display 11 (step S107). The emergency product purchase service screen displays, for example, a field for inputting product identification information, a field for selecting a product, a field for inputting the product purchase amount, a service start button, a contact button, and the like.

With the emergency product purchase service screen displayed, the user operates the ATM 1's numeric keypad or selection buttons displayed on the main display 11 to input product identification information, the product purchase amount, select a product, etc. The UI unit 42 displays the input or selected product identification information and the product purchase amount in a designated display field on the main display, and temporarily stores this information in association with the first account number and second account number. The product identification information may be contained in a barcode or two-dimensional code printed on the product, and the UI unit 42 of the ATM 1 may control the code reader 14 to read this two-dimensional code via the code reader 14. The user simply carries the purchased product from a designated shelf in the store to the ATM 1 installed in the store and has the ATM 1 read the identification information of the purchased product by having the code reader 14 read the two-dimensional code printed on the product.

Suppose the user presses the service start button while the emergency product purchase service screen is displayed. The UI unit 42 detects the pressing of the service start button (step S108). The UI unit 42 then outputs a purchase ticket ejection request to the media output unit 45, including the stored first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount. The first account number, second account number, and other information included in the purchase ticket ejection request are examples of information for identifying the user using ATM 1. The media output unit 45 generates a purchase permission request including the first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount, and sends it to the server device 2 (step S109).

The server device 2 receives the purchase permission request. The server device 2 reads the first account number and product identification information included in the purchase permission request. The server device 2 determines whether the first account number and product identification information are linked and recorded in a user management table stored in a database in advance. The parent, who is the first user, applies in advance to allow their child to use the emergency product purchase service. At this time, the parent applies for product identification information indicating the products that the child can purchase. As a result, the user management table already stores the first account number of the parent, who is the first user, linked to the product identification information indicating the purchasable products requested by the parent. If the first account number and product identification information included in the purchase permission request are linked and recorded in the user management table, the server device 2 determines to permit the user to purchase the product indicated by the product identification information and product name entered using ATM 1. The user management table may also already store the first account number of the parent, who is the first user, linked to the product identification information indicating the purchasable products requested by the parent. In this case, if the first account number and product identification information included in the purchase permission request are not recorded in association with each other in the user management table, the server device 2 may determine that the user is permitted to purchase the product indicated by the product identification information and product name entered using the ATM 1.

In addition, the server device 2 may use product classification information instead of product identification information, and if the first account number and product classification information included in the purchase permission request are recorded in the user management table, determine to permit the user to purchase a product classified in that product classification information.

If the server device 2 determines that the purchase should be permitted, it reads the destination address of the mobile device 3 carried by the first user (parent) from a user management table that stores the destination address linked to the first user's first account number. The server device 2 generates a purchase permission response that includes the parent's destination address and sends it to the ATM 1. If the server device 2 determines that the purchase should not be permitted, it generates a purchase denial response and sends it to the ATM 1.

ATM1 receives the purchase permission response (step S110). Alternatively, ATM1 receives a purchase denial response. If the control unit 41 of ATM1 receives the purchase denial response, it outputs the purchase denial response to the UI unit 42. If the UI unit 42 obtains the purchase denial response, it displays information indicating that the purchase is denial on the main display 11. This allows the child, who is the second user, to understand that the product is not specified by the parent and cannot be purchased. This causes the control unit 41 to stop processing the emergency product purchase service.

On the other hand, if the control unit 41 receives a purchase permission response, it outputs the purchase permission response to the medium output unit 45. The medium output unit 45 generates a two-dimensional code including the first account number, the second account number, the product identification information, and the product purchase amount. The medium output unit 45 ejects a purchase ticket with the generated two-dimensional code printed on it from the paper medium ejection port 18 (step S111). The user receives the ejected purchase ticket. The user then proceeds to the sales terminal 4 with the purchase ticket and the product.

By following the above process, if a user using ATM 1 suddenly needs to purchase a product but is short on cash, they can receive a purchase voucher to easily purchase the product using ATM 1.

The medium output unit 45 detects that the purchase ticket has been dispensed. The medium output unit 45 then outputs a dispense completion signal to the image transmission unit 47, including the destination address of the parent's mobile terminal 3, which was read from the purchase permission response. Upon receiving the dispense completion signal, the image transmission unit 47 reads the destination address of the parent's mobile terminal 3 from the dispense completion signal. Furthermore, upon receiving the dispense completion signal, the image transmission unit 47 acquires the image acquired by the photographing unit 43 from the camera 51. The image transmission unit 47 transmits the acquired image to the destination address of the parent's mobile terminal 3 (step S112). The photographing unit 43 may control the camera 51 to continuously capture multiple images of the background, including the user, from a predetermined photographing start time, such as the time when the user of the ATM 1 instructs the start of the emergency product purchase service, and acquire these images sequentially. The image transmission unit 47 may then output these multiple images to the image transmission unit 47. The image transmission unit 47 may transmit video images captured by the camera 51 to the parent's mobile terminal 3. This allows parents to view images of their child using the emergency product purchasing service and their surroundings.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the sales terminal according to the first embodiment.
The store clerk receives the product and the purchase ticket from the user. The store clerk operates the sales terminal 4, causing the sales terminal 4 to read the code information printed on the product using its own code reader. The sales terminal 4 then reads and temporarily stores the product identification information contained in the code information (step S201). The store clerk also uses the code reader installed in the sales terminal 4 to read the code information of the two-dimensional code printed on the purchase ticket. The sales terminal 4 then reads and temporarily stores the first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount contained in the two-dimensional code (step S202). The store clerk then operates the sales terminal 4 to issue a command to start a sales decision using the purchase ticket.

The determination unit 403 of the sales terminal 4 recognizes that it has read the first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount from the two-dimensional code, and thereby detects that sales permission has already been obtained at ATM 1 (step S203). The determination unit 403 also determines whether the product identification information read from the product matches the product identification information read from the purchase ticket (step S204). The determination unit 403 detects sales permission, and if the product identification information matches, determines that the product is permitted for sale.

The determination unit 403 outputs sales permission information to the POS processing unit 402. The POS processing unit 402 detects the sales permission and generates a POS processing signal including product identification information and the product purchase amount, and a payment request signal including the first account number, second account number, product identification information, and the product purchase amount. The POS processing unit 402 sends the POS processing signal to a specified POS server and performs POS processing (step S205). The POS processing includes processes such as decrementing the product inventory information by one. The POS processing unit 402 sends the payment request signal to the server device 2.

Server device 2 receives the payment request signal. Server device 2 performs payment processing using the first account number, second account number, and product purchase amount included in the payment request signal. For example, server device 2 performs payment processing by subtracting the product purchase amount from the deposit amount in the account information related to the second account number. As a result, the deposit amount indicated in the account information of the user (second user) using ATM 1 is updated to the deposit amount after payment processing.

When providing the emergency product purchase service, the server device 2 may perform a settlement process in which the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the second account number, which is the child's account, or may perform a settlement process in which the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the first account number, which is the parent's account. Alternatively, after receiving a settlement request signal, the server device 2 may transfer the amount indicated by the product purchase amount from the account information related to the first account number to the account information related to the second account number, and then perform a settlement process in which the amount indicated by the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the second account number.

Alternatively, the server device 2 may perform a settlement process in which the amount indicated by the product purchase amount is deducted from the deposit amount in a preset child-only savings limit in the account information for the first account number. Alternatively, the server device 2 may perform a settlement process in which the amount indicated by the product purchase amount is transferred from the deposit amount in a preset child-only savings limit in the account information for the first account number to the account information for the second account number, and then deducts the amount indicated by the product purchase amount in the account information for the second account number. The parent deposits money into these child-only savings limits in advance. In other words, the account indicated by the first account number, the account indicated by the second account number, or the savings limits set in the account for the first account number, which may be the source of payment when performing an emergency product purchase service, are all savings limits of the child second user.

When the server device 2 completes the payment process, it sends a payment completion signal to the sales terminal 4. The POS processing unit 402 of the sales terminal 4 receives the payment completion signal (step S206). The POS processing unit 402 then outputs information indicating the completion of payment on the screen (step S207). This allows the store clerk to hand over the product to the user.

With the above process, if a user such as a child suddenly needs to purchase a product but is short of money, they can use ATM 1, even if they do not have a bank cash card or currency, to receive a purchase voucher for the product type specified by the person paying, such as a parent, and easily purchase the product.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an ATM according to the second embodiment.
When the ATM 1 dispenses a purchase ticket, the ATM 1 may also dispense currency corresponding to the purchase amount required by the user to purchase the product. In this case, after the purchase ticket is dispensed from the paper medium dispenser 18 in step S111, the control unit 41 then reads the first account number, the second account number, and the purchase amount from the storage unit and outputs an emergency withdrawal request including this information to the amount transfer unit 46. In the second embodiment, only currency may be dispensed without dispensing a purchase ticket. While the purchase ticket serves as a substitute for money, by dispensing currency, the user may purchase a product with the currency dispensed from the ATM 1 without showing the purchase ticket to a store clerk. If a purchase ticket is not dispensed, upon receiving the purchase permission response in step S110, the amount transfer unit 46 may perform the following process without the medium output unit 45 performing the process for dispensing a purchase ticket. The amount transfer unit 46 is one aspect of an output unit that outputs a medium (currency) that permits the purchase process for the target product.

The amount transfer unit 46 receives the emergency withdrawal request. The amount transfer unit 46 generates an emergency withdrawal control signal that includes the first account number, the second account number, and the product purchase amount. The amount transfer unit 46 transmits the emergency withdrawal control signal to the server device 2 (step S301).

The server device 2 receives the emergency withdrawal control signal. The server device 2 reads the first account number, second account number, and product purchase amount contained in the emergency withdrawal control signal. The server device 2 reads the service provision conditions recorded in the user management table in association with the first account number and the second account number. The server device 2 determines whether the emergency service permission flag is ON from the information contained in the service provision conditions. This determination is one aspect of the process of determining whether to permit the withdrawal process within the amount transfer process. The emergency service permission flag is set ON by the financial institution managing ATM1 based on a prior application from the parent, who is the first user. In other words, if the parent wants their child to receive the emergency product purchase service, they apply for the service in advance to the financial institution managing ATM1 so that the child can immediately withdraw money from a nearby ATM1.

If the emergency service permission flag is ON, the server device 2 determines that the emergency product purchase service should be permitted for the user using ATM1. If the server device 2 determines that the emergency product purchase service should be permitted, it reads the destination address of the mobile device 3 carried by the parent (first user) which is recorded in the user management table in association with the first account number and the second account number. The server device 2 sends an emergency withdrawal permission signal to ATM1 which includes the product purchase amount and the destination address of the parent's mobile device 3. The server device 2 also performs a withdrawal process in which the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the second account number. As a result, the deposited amount indicated in the account information of the user (second user) using ATM1 is updated to the deposited amount after the withdrawal process.

When providing the emergency product purchase service, the server device 2 may perform a withdrawal process in which the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the second account number, which is the child's account, or may perform a withdrawal process in which the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the first account number, which is the parent's account. Alternatively, in order to provide the emergency product purchase service, the server device 2 may, after receiving an emergency withdrawal control signal, transfer the amount indicated by the product purchase amount from the account information related to the first account number to the account information related to the second account number, and then perform a withdrawal process in which the amount indicated by the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the second account number. Alternatively, the server device 2 may perform a withdrawal process in which the amount indicated by the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the predetermined child-only savings limit in the account information related to the first account number. Alternatively, the server device 2 may transfer the amount indicated by the product purchase amount from the deposit amount in the child's preset savings limit in the account information for the first account number to the account information for the second account number, and then perform a withdrawal process to subtract the amount indicated by the product purchase amount in the account information for the second account number. Deposits into these child savings limits are made in advance by the parent. In other words, the account indicated by the first account number, the account indicated by the second account number, or the savings limits set in the account for the first account number, which can be used as the source of withdrawals when performing an emergency product purchase service, are all savings limits of the child second user.

ATM1 receives the emergency withdrawal permission signal (step S302). The control unit 41 outputs the emergency withdrawal permission signal to the amount transfer unit 46. Based on the emergency withdrawal permission signal, the amount transfer unit 46 detects that a withdrawal process, which is one form of amount transfer processing, has been permitted. The amount transfer unit 46 identifies the product purchase amount contained in the emergency withdrawal permission signal. The amount transfer unit 46 controls the discharge of coins equivalent to the product purchase amount from the coins stored in ATM1 (step S303). Coins are one form of purchase permission media. As a result, ATM1 discharges coins equivalent to the product purchase amount from the coin discharge outlet 16. The user can then remove the dispensed coins. The user then receives the purchase ticket dispensed in step S111 and the coins dispensed by the control of step S303. The user proceeds to the sales terminal 4 with the purchase ticket, coins, and product. The user can then take the purchase ticket and the product to sales terminal 4 and present it to a store clerk to receive the product. If the purchase ticket is not dispensed, the user can instead take the coins dispensed from ATM 1 and the product to sales terminal 4 and purchase the product.

By using the above process, if a user using ATM1 suddenly needs to purchase a product when they are short of money, they can receive money to purchase a product of the type specified by ATM1 or the person paying, such as a parent, even if they do not have a bank cash card or currency.

In addition, when ATM 1 providing the emergency product purchase service dispenses both a purchase ticket and coins, sales terminal 4 may read the two-dimensional code printed on the purchase ticket, and when the payment process is completed using the coins, send information indicating payment completion to the parent's mobile device 3 based on the information contained in the two-dimensional code. At this time, sales terminal 4 sends an address transmission request including the first account number and second account number contained in the two-dimensional code on the purchase ticket to server device 2. Server device 2 detects the destination address of the parent's mobile device 3 based on the first account number and second account number and sends it to sales terminal 4. Sales terminal 4 sends information indicating payment completion to the parent's destination address obtained from server device 2. This allows the parent to confirm that the payment for the product has been made using the coins received by the child from ATM 1.

Third Embodiment
The above-described process shows an example in which the control device 10 of the ATM 1 inquires of the server device whether a first user linked to a second user using the ATM 1 and product identification information indicating the product the second user wishes to purchase are recorded in the user management table, and dispenses a purchase ticket after obtaining a purchase permission determination from the server device 2. On the other hand, the sales terminal 4 may inquire of the server device or the ATM 1 whether a first user (parent) linked to a second user (child) who wishes to purchase a product and product identification information indicating the product the second user (child) wishes to purchase are recorded in the user management table, and obtain a purchase permission determination from the server device 2 or the ATM 1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an ATM according to the third embodiment.
As the processing of the third embodiment, the ATM 1 performs the processing of steps S401 to S408, which correspond to the processing of steps S101 to S108 of the first embodiment. When the UI unit 42 detects the pressing of the service start button in step S408, the UI unit 42 outputs a purchase ticket ejection request to the medium output unit 45, including the stored first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount. The medium output unit 45 generates a two-dimensional code including the first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount. The medium output unit 45 ejects the purchase ticket, on which the generated two-dimensional code is printed, from the paper medium ejection port 18 (step S409). The user receives the ejected purchase ticket. The user proceeds to the sales terminal 4 with the purchase ticket and the product.

By following the above process, if a user using ATM 1 suddenly needs to purchase a product when they are short of cash, they can use ATM 1 to easily receive a purchase voucher to purchase a product of the type specified by the person paying, such as a parent.

The medium output unit 45 detects that the dispensing of the purchase ticket is complete. The medium output unit 45 then outputs a dispensing completion signal to the image transmission unit 47. Upon receiving the dispensing completion signal, the image transmission unit 47 transmits an address request including the first account number and the second account number to the server device 2. The server device 2 transmits to the ATM 1 an address response including the destination address of the parent's mobile terminal 3, which is linked to the first account number and the second account number and recorded in the user management table.

The image sending unit 47 receives the address response. The image sending unit 47 then reads the destination address of the parent's mobile terminal 3 from the address response. Upon receiving the discharge completion signal, the image sending unit 47 also receives the image captured by the photographing unit 43 from the camera 51. The image sending unit 47 transmits the captured image to the destination address of the parent's mobile terminal 3 (step S410). The photographing unit 43 may control the camera 51 to capture multiple images of the background, including the user, continuously from a predetermined capture start time, such as when the user of the ATM 1 instructs the start of the emergency product purchase service, and acquire these images sequentially. The image sending unit 47 may then output these multiple images to the image sending unit 47. The image sending unit 47 may transmit the video captured by the camera 51 to the parent's mobile terminal 3. This allows the parent to check the child who has used the emergency product purchase service and their surroundings by viewing the images.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a sales terminal according to the third embodiment.
The store clerk receives the product and the purchase ticket from the user. The store clerk operates the sales terminal 4, causing its code reader to read the code information printed on the product. The sales terminal 4 then reads and temporarily stores the product identification information contained in the code information (step S501). The store clerk also uses the code reader installed in the sales terminal 4 to read the code information of the two-dimensional code printed on the purchase ticket. The sales terminal 4 then reads and temporarily stores the first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount contained in the two-dimensional code (step S502). The store clerk then operates the sales terminal 4 to issue a command to start a sales decision using the purchase ticket.

The determination unit 403 of the sales terminal 4 determines whether the product identification information read from the product matches the product identification information read from the purchase ticket (step S503). If the product identification information matches, the determination unit 403 generates a purchase permission request including the stored first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount, and sends it to the server device 2 (step S504).

The server device 2 receives the purchase permission request. The server device 2 reads the first account number and product identification information included in the purchase permission request. The server device 2 determines whether the first account number and product identification information are linked and recorded in a user management table stored in advance in a database. The parent, who is the first user, applies in advance to allow their child to use the emergency product purchase service. At this time, the parent applies for product identification information indicating the products that the child can purchase. As a result, the user management table already stores the first account number of the parent, who is the first user, linked to the product identification information indicating the products requested by the parent. If the first account number and product identification information are linked and recorded in the user management table, the server device 2 determines to permit the purchase by the user who received the purchase ticket from ATM 1.

In addition, the server device 2 may use product classification information instead of product identification information, and if the first account number and product classification information included in the purchase permission request are recorded in the user management table, determine to permit the user to purchase a product classified in that product classification information.

If the server device 2 determines that the purchase is permitted, it generates a purchase permission response and sends it to the sales terminal 4. If the server device 2 determines that the purchase is not permitted, it generates a purchase denial response and sends it to the sales terminal 4. The sales terminal 4 receives the purchase permission response (step S505). Alternatively, the sales terminal 4 receives a purchase denial response. The judgment unit 403 of the sales terminal 4 detects that the purchase is permitted when it receives a purchase permission response. Furthermore, the judgment unit 403 of the sales terminal 4 detects that the purchase is denial when it receives a purchase denial response.

In step S504, the sales terminal 4 may send a purchase permission request to the ATM 1, which may then receive the purchase permission request, determine whether to permit or deny the purchase, and send a purchase permission response or purchase denial response to the sales terminal 4. In this case, the control device 10 of the ATM 1 may independently obtain the information recorded in the user management table obtained from the server device 2 and determine whether to permit or deny the purchase. Alternatively, the control device 10 of the ATM 1 and the server device 2 may work together to determine whether to permit or deny the purchase.

If the determination unit 403 receives a purchase denial response, it displays information indicating that the purchase is denial on the display. This allows the store clerk to understand that the parent of the user attempting to purchase the product has refused the purchase, and the store clerk cancels the delivery of the product to the user (child). On the other hand, if the determination unit 403 receives a purchase permission response, it displays information indicating that the purchase is permitted on the display. This allows the store clerk to understand that the parent of the user attempting to purchase the product has given permission.

When the determination unit 403 obtains a sales permission response, it outputs sales permission information to the POS processing unit 402. The POS processing unit 402 detects the sales permission and generates a POS processing signal including temporarily stored product identification information and the product purchase amount, and a payment request signal including the first account number, second account number, product identification information, and product purchase amount. The POS processing unit 402 sends the POS processing signal to a specified POS server and performs POS processing (step S506). The POS processing includes processes such as decrementing the product inventory information by one. The POS processing unit 402 sends the payment request signal to the server device 2.

Server device 2 receives the payment request signal. Server device 2 performs payment processing using the first account number, second account number, and product purchase amount included in the payment request signal. For example, server device 2 performs payment processing by subtracting the product purchase amount from the deposit amount in the account information related to the second account number. As a result, the deposit amount indicated in the account information of the user (second user) using ATM 1 is updated to the deposit amount after payment processing.

When providing the emergency product purchase service, the server device 2 may perform a settlement process in which the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the second account number, which is the child's account, or may perform a settlement process in which the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the first account number, which is the parent's account. Alternatively, after receiving a settlement request signal, the server device 2 may transfer the amount indicated by the product purchase amount from the account information related to the first account number to the account information related to the second account number, and then perform a settlement process in which the amount indicated by the product purchase amount is subtracted from the deposited amount in the account information related to the second account number.

Alternatively, the server device 2 may perform a settlement process in which the amount indicated by the product purchase amount is deducted from the deposit amount in a preset child-only savings limit in the account information for the first account number. Alternatively, the server device 2 may perform a settlement process in which the amount indicated by the product purchase amount is transferred from the deposit amount in a preset child-only savings limit in the account information for the first account number to the account information for the second account number, and then deducts the amount indicated by the product purchase amount in the account information for the second account number. The parent deposits money into these child-only savings limits in advance. In other words, the account indicated by the first account number, the account indicated by the second account number, or the savings limits set in the account for the first account number, which may be the source of payment when performing an emergency product purchase service, are all savings limits of the child second user.

When the server device 2 completes the payment process, it sends a payment completion signal to the sales terminal 4. The POS processing unit 402 of the sales terminal 4 receives the payment completion signal (step S507). The POS processing unit 402 then outputs information indicating the completion of payment on the screen (step S508). The store clerk then hands over the product to the user.

With the above process, if a user such as a child suddenly needs to purchase a product but is short of money, they can use ATM 1, even without a bank cash card or currency, to receive a purchase voucher for the product type specified by the person paying, such as a parent, and easily purchase the product.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the above-described embodiment, a purchase ticket or coins are dispensed, but the ATM 1 may generate purchase ticket data instead of a purchase ticket and send the purchase ticket data to a terminal carried by the user, or may send electronic money to a terminal carried by the user instead of outputting coins. This allows the user to purchase goods by presenting the purchase ticket data or electronic money received at the terminal at the sales terminal 4.

When ATM1 outputs purchase ticket data, instead of controlling the ejection of the purchase ticket in step S111 in the first embodiment or step S409 in the third embodiment, ATM1's medium output unit 45 generates purchase ticket data and outputs a purchase ticket data transmission start signal to the UI unit 42. The UI unit 42 outputs a purchase ticket data transmission notification image to the main display 11, which displays a message on the main display 11 notifying the user that purchase ticket data transmission has started and a message instructing the user to hold the recording medium containing the purchase ticket data over the NFC antenna 12.

The user visually views the purchase ticket data transmission notification image displayed on the main display 11. The user holds the terminal, which is a purchase ticket data recording medium, over the NFC antenna 12. The medium output unit 45 controls the NFC antenna 12 to establish a communication connection with the terminal and instructs it to send a purchase ticket data transmission signal. Based on the control of the medium output unit 45, the NFC antenna 12 communicates with the terminal and transmits a purchase ticket data transmission signal. The terminal receives the purchase ticket data transmission signal. The terminal stores the purchase ticket data transmission signal. The purchase ticket data is, for example, two-dimensional code data. The terminal can display the two-dimensional code on its display. The user takes the terminal and the product and moves to the sales terminal 4. The user presents the two-dimensional code displayed on the terminal's display to the clerk at sales terminal 4. Then, in response to the clerk's operation, sales terminal 4 reads the two-dimensional code (code information) displayed on the user's terminal's display using its own code reader. The subsequent processing is the same as that from step S201 described in the first embodiment above (see Figure 7).

Furthermore, when ATM1 dispenses electronic money instead of currency, the amount transfer unit 46 of ATM1 transmits the electronic money to the user's terminal instead of controlling the discharge of currency in step S303 in the second embodiment. Specifically, ATM1's amount transfer unit 46 generates an electronic money transmission signal indicating an amount equivalent to the purchase price of the product. The amount transfer unit 46 outputs an electronic money transmission start signal to the UI unit 42. The UI unit 42 outputs an electronic money transmission notification image to the main display 11, which displays a message on the main display 11 notifying the user that electronic money transmission has begun and a message instructing the user to hold the electronic money recording medium over the NFC antenna 12.

The user visually recognizes the electronic money transmission notification image. The user holds the terminal, which is an electronic money recording medium, over the NFC antenna 12. The amount transfer unit 46 controls the NFC antenna 12 to establish a communication connection with the terminal and instructs it to send an electronic money transmission signal. The NFC antenna 12 communicates with the terminal and transmits the electronic money transmission signal based on the control of the amount transfer unit 46. The terminal receives the electronic money transmission signal. The terminal reads the product purchase amount information from the electronic money transmission signal, adds up the amount information (balance) recorded in memory and the product purchase amount, and updates the amount information recorded in memory with the newly total amount information. The user then takes the terminal and the product to the sales terminal 4. The user can purchase the product using the electronic money recorded in the terminal.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention. The above process allows a child or other person who is far away and suddenly needs to purchase an item to easily do so using ATM 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the minimum configuration of an ATM.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the processing flow of an ATM with a minimum configuration.
The ATM 1 is required to include at least an authentication unit 1001 and an output unit 1002 .
The authentication unit 1001 determines whether authentication was successful based on the matching state between the biometric information of the second user (child) recorded in association with the first user (parent) who opened the first account and the biometric information read from the second user (child) who instructed the purchase process (step S1111).
If the authentication is successful, the output unit 1002 outputs a purchase permission medium that permits the purchase of the product that is the target of the purchase process (step S1112). If the purchase permission medium is a purchase ticket, the ATM 1 outputs a purchase ticket that includes product identification information for the product entered by the user and user identification information. If the purchase permission medium is currency, the ATM 1 outputs currency for the product purchase amount for the product entered by the user. The purchase permission medium may also be data.

In the processing of each of the above-described embodiments, the first user is the parent and the second user is the child. However, the relationship between the first user and the second user does not have to be that of parent and child, but may be that of one user and another user who are relatives. For example, the first user may be an adult child and the second user may be an elderly parent. Alternatively, the relationship between the first user and the second user may be that between users who are not relatives.

In the processes of the above-described embodiments, the cases where each process is performed between the ATM 1 and the server device 2 have been described, but a terminal device other than the ATM 1 may perform the same processes as the ATM 1 described above. Furthermore, some or all of the processes performed by the server device 2 described above may be performed by the ATM 1. Alternatively, some of the processes performed by the ATM 1 described above may be performed by the server device 2.

Each of the above-mentioned devices has an internal computer system. The steps of each of the above-mentioned processes are stored in the form of a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer reads and executes this program to perform the above-mentioned processes. Here, computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the program may execute the program.

The above program may be one that realizes some of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded on the computer system.

1...ATM (automated teller machine)
2...Server device 3...Mobile terminal 4...Sales terminal 11...Main display 12...NFC antenna 14...Code reader 16...Cash outlet 17...Card slot 18...Paper medium outlet 91...Horizontal base 10...Control device 41...Control unit 42...UI unit 43...Photographing unit 44...Authentication unit 45...Medium output unit 46...Amount transfer unit 47...Image transmission unit 401...Control unit 402...POS processing unit 403...Determination unit

Claims (7)

A process of obtaining the product purchase amount;
a process of subtracting the purchase amount of the product from the deposit amount in an account indicated by the information identifying the account through which the person will make payment, in response to reading a paper on which information identifying the account through which the person will make payment is printed and output by an output device when the person is successfully authenticated ;
A program that causes one or more computers to execute the above. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the information for identifying the account for the person to make payment is information corresponding to biometric information of the person. The program according to claim 2 , wherein the account belongs to a person different from the person indicated by the biometric information. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the paper includes information for identifying the type of product available for purchase. 5. The program according to claim 4, wherein if the product desired to be purchased is included in the type of product available for purchase, the program causes a process to be performed in which the purchase amount of the product is deducted from the deposit amount in an account used by the person to pay the price. The computer
Get the product purchase amount,
A processing method in which, upon reading a piece of paper on which information specifying an account through which a person will make payment is printed and output by an output device when authentication of the person is successful , the amount of the purchase of the product is deducted from the deposit amount in the account indicated by the information specifying the account through which the person will make payment. Get the product purchase amount,
A device that subtracts the purchase amount of the product from the deposit amount in the account indicated by the information identifying the account through which the person will make the payment, in response to reading the paper printed by an output device when the person is successfully authenticated .