Settlement device and program

Abstract

To provide a settlement device which allows a shop to offer a service suitable for a customer and a program.SOLUTION: The settlement device includes: acquisition means for acquiring information stored in a portable memory medium which is used for settlement of a customer; determination means for determining whether a plurality of pieces of information among the information acquired by the acquisition means satisfy criteria for offering a service at the time of settlement; and service offering means for executing processing to offer the service for the customer when the determination means determines that the plurality of pieces of information satisfy the criteria for offering the service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a payment device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to attract customers, stores such as supermarkets, department stores, and convenience stores may offer special services to customers who pay with their own credit cards and who meet certain conditions. For example, if a customer is 65 years old or older and makes a purchase with the store's own house card on a certain day of the week, the store may offer the customer a discount or a discount.

[0003] However, in the past, store clerks judged whether the conditions for providing the service were met, which led to the problem that store clerks made mistakes or misunderstandings, and stores were unable to provide appropriate services. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a payment device and a program that enable a store to provide appropriate services to customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The payment device of the embodiment includes an acquisition means for acquiring information stored in a portable storage medium used for a customer's payment, a judgment means for judging whether a plurality of pieces of information acquired by the acquisition means satisfy the conditions for providing a service at the time of payment, and a service provision means for executing a process for providing the service to the customer when the judgment means judges that the plurality of pieces of information satisfy the conditions for providing the service.

[0006] The program of the embodiment causes a computer to realize an acquisition means for acquiring information stored in a portable storage medium used for a customer's payment, a judgment means for judging whether a plurality of pieces of the information acquired by the acquisition means satisfy the conditions for providing a service at the time of payment, and a service provision means for executing a process for providing the service to the customer when the judgment means judges that the plurality of pieces of information satisfy the conditions for providing the service. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a settlement device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the payment device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a memory map showing a part of the memory of the payment device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the payment device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the settlement device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the payment control process for a credit card in the payment device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit that displays a message prompting the user to read a card. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit that displays confirmation of a discount. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the display unit after the discount has been confirmed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display unit after the credit card payment process is executed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a credit sales slip. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit that displays a multiple payment error. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit that displays an error message prohibiting double discounts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a POS terminal is used as a payment device.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a POS terminal 1 of an embodiment. The POS terminal 1 comprises a main body 2 and a money storage unit 3. The main body 2 has a built-in power supply unit and a circuit board (neither of which are shown). The main body 2 comprises an operation unit 4, a display unit for store clerks 5, a display unit for customers 6, a printing unit 7, a card reader 8, and a touch panel 10. The main body 2 also comprises a barcode reader 9 that reads barcodes affixed to products. The money storage unit 3 comprises a drawer, and stores money received from customers and change reserves.

[0010] The operation unit 4 is a keyboard that includes a subtotal key 41, a credit declaration key 42 (see FIG. 2 for both), as well as numeric input keys and various function keys.

[0011] The clerk display unit 5 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display. The clerk display unit 5 is installed facing the clerk. The clerk display unit 5 displays characters and images. A transparent touch panel 10 is provided on the surface of the clerk display unit 5. When the clerk touches the touch panel 10 of the key portion displayed on the clerk display unit 5, the clerk can operate the keys displayed on the clerk display unit 5.

[0012] The customer display unit 6 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display. The customer display unit 6 is installed facing the customers. The customer display unit 6 displays characters and images.

[0013] The printing unit 7 includes a thermal head, a storage unit for storing rolled receipt paper, and a transport unit (none of which are shown). The transport unit pulls out one end of the receipt paper from the storage unit and transports it, and the thermal head prints product information and payment information on the transported receipt paper. The POS terminal 1 further transports the receipt paper printed by the printing unit 7 to issue a receipt or credit sales slip. Product information includes the product name and product price, and payment information includes the total amount, discount amount, change amount, credit information, and the like. Credit information includes the name of the credit company, transaction amount, membership number, card expiration date, transaction date, and the like. In the following explanation, credit card will be abbreviated to simply card.

[0014] The card reader 8 includes an operation unit for pulling the card toward the user and a reading unit for magnetically reading card information from the card (neither shown). The barcode reader 9 reads the barcode attached to the product and inputs the product code to the POS terminal.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1. The POS terminal 1 includes a control unit 100 for controlling each unit. As shown in Fig. 2, the control unit 100 is configured by connecting a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 that centrally controls each unit via a bus line 26 such as an address bus and a data bus. A controller 27 is also connected to the control unit 100 via the bus line 26. The control unit 100 executes a control process described later by the CPU 21 operating in accordance with a control program 241 stored in the memory unit 24 and loaded in the RAM 23.

[0016] The memory unit 24 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a non-volatile memory in which stored information is retained even when the power is turned off, and includes programs including a control program 241. The RAM 23 temporarily stores information input from the operation unit 4 and label information to be printed on a label read from the memory unit 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the RAM 23 includes a product information storage unit 231, a payment type storage unit 232, a discount amount storage unit 233, and a credit information storage unit 234.

[0017] The control unit 100 is also connected to a timer 25 via a bus line 26. The timer 25 includes a crystal oscillator and keeps track of the current date and time.

[0018] The controller 27 is also connected to the cash storage unit 3, operation unit 4, clerk display unit 5, customer display unit 6, printing unit 7, card reader 8, barcode reader 9, and touch panel 10. The controller 27 executes various controls based on commands from the control unit 100. The operation unit 4 includes a subtotal key 41 and a credit declaration key 42 as well as number keys and various function keys. The subtotal key 41 is a key for completing input of product information and executing payment processing. The credit declaration key 42 is a key for declaring the execution of credit payment.

[0019] The bus line 26 is also connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) I / F (Interface) 28. The LAN I / F 28 is connected to other POS terminals 1 and a higher-level server (neither of which are shown) via a LAN line 29.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a memory map showing the product information storage unit 231, the payment type storage unit 232, the discount amount storage unit 233, and the credit information storage unit 234 configured in the RAM 23. The product information storage unit 231 reads out product information corresponding to the product code input from the barcode reader 9 from a product master (not shown) stored in the memory unit 24 and stores it. The payment type storage unit 232 stores the type of payment processed in the transaction. The types of payment include cash payment, credit payment, gift certificate payment, etc. The discount amount storage unit 233 stores the amount processed by discount or reduction (hereinafter, "discount or reduction" will be collectively referred to as "discount") in the transaction. The discount includes coupon discount when a coupon is used, single item discount that discounts a specific product, and member discount that discounts a specific member. The credit information storage unit 234 stores information stored in the card when the card is operated.

[0021] Next, the control of the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 13. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the POS terminal 1. The POS terminal 1 realizes an acquisition means 101, a determination means 102, a service providing means 103, and an output means 104 by the control unit 100 operating in accordance with programs such as the control program 241 stored in the memory unit 24.

[0022] The acquiring means 101 has a function of acquiring information stored in a portable card used for customer settlement.

[0023] The determining means 102 has a function of determining whether or not a plurality of pieces of information among the pieces of information acquired by the acquiring means 101 satisfy the conditions for providing the service at the time of settlement.

[0024] The service providing means 103 has a function of executing a process for providing the service to the customer when the determining means 102 determines that the plurality of pieces of information satisfy the conditions for providing the service.

[0025] The output means 104 has a function of outputting (for example, displaying or printing) information on the service provided by the service providing means 103.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the flow of control processing of the POS terminal 1. In Fig. 5, the control unit 100 judges whether or not a product code has been input from the barcode reader 9 (step S11). If it is judged that a product code has been input (Yes in step S11), the control unit 100 reads out product information corresponding to the input product code from the product master in the memory unit 24, and displays it on the clerk display unit 5 and the customer display unit 6 (step S12). Then, the control unit 100 stores the read product information in the product information storage unit 231 (step S13). Then, the control unit 100 returns to step S11 and waits for the input of the next product code.

[0027] On the other hand, if it is determined that the input is not a product code (No in step S11), the control unit 100 determines whether the subtotal key 41 has been operated (step S21). If it is determined that the subtotal key 41 has not been operated (No in step S21), the control unit 100 returns to step S11 and waits. If it is determined that the subtotal key 41 has been operated (Yes in step S21), the control unit 100 executes a payment information generation process to generate payment information such as the total amount and the payment amount based on the product information stored in the product information storage unit 231 (step S22). Then, the control unit 100 determines whether the credit declaration key 42 has been operated by the store clerk during the payment information generation process (step S23).

[0028] If it is determined that the credit declaration key 42 has been operated (Yes in step S23), the control unit 100 executes the credit card payment process shown in Fig. 6 (step S24). On the other hand, if it is determined that the credit declaration key 42 has not been operated (No in step S23), the control unit 100 executes a payment process other than the credit card payment process (step S25). Then, the type of payment processed is stored in the payment type storage unit 232 (step S26).

[0029] Then, the control unit 100 judges whether or not a discount process has been executed at the time of the payment (step S27). If it is judged that a discount process has been executed (Yes in step S27), the control unit 100 stores the executed discount amount as discount information in the discount amount storage unit 233 (step S28). Then, the control unit 100 judges whether or not the payment process has been completed (step S29).

[0030] The determination in step S29 as to whether or not the payment is complete is based on whether or not there is an unsettled amount among the payment amounts generated in step S22. If the unsettled amount is "0 yen", the control unit 100 determines that the payment is complete, and if the unsettled amount is not "0 yen", it determines that the payment is not complete. If it is determined that the payment process is complete (Yes in step S29), the control unit 100 ends the process as is. If it is determined that the payment process is not complete (No in step S29), the control unit 100 returns to step S23 and waits. Note that if it is determined that the discount process has not been executed (No in step S27), the control unit 100 determines step S29 without executing step S28.

[0031] Next, the flow of the credit card payment process in step S24 will be shown with reference to Fig. 6. When the credit declaration key 42 is operated in step S23 of Fig. 5, the control unit 100 displays a message on the store clerk display unit 5 prompting the user to operate the card (step S41).

[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the message displayed by control unit 100 in step S41 on store clerk display unit 5. In FIG. 7, control unit 100 displays the total amount (1500 yen) for the purchase of the products in area 51. Control unit 100 also displays the discount amount stored in discount amount storage unit 233 in step S28 in area 52. In the example of FIG. 7, the discount amount is 0 yen. Control unit 100 also displays pop-up 53 that prompts the store clerk to insert the card into card reader 8 and operate it. Upon seeing this display, the store clerk receives the card from the customer, inserts it into card reader 8, and pulls it towards himself.

[0033] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 6, the control unit 100 judges whether or not the store clerk has operated the card (step S42). The control unit 100 waits until an operation has been performed (No in step S42), and if it is determined that an operation has been performed (Yes in step S42), the control unit 100 (acquisition means 101) magnetically reads the credit information stored in the operated card by a reading unit (not shown) provided in the card reader 8 (step S43). The control unit 100 then stores the read credit information in the credit information storage unit 234 of the RAM 23 (step S44).

[0034] The credit information storage unit 234 stores information on a specific credit company, information on a specific type of card, and information on those over a certain age. This information is necessary for credit processing, and is not information for providing services.

[0035] Next, the control unit 100 judges whether the card is a valid card or not based on the information on the expiration date of the card among the credit information stored in the credit information storage unit 234 (step S45). If the control unit 100 judges that the card is not valid (No in step S45), the control unit 100 ends the process as it is. If the control unit 100 judges that the card is valid (Yes in step S45), the control unit 100 judges whether the card is a card of a specific credit company that is eligible for a discount based on the stored credit information (step S46). If the control unit 100 judges that the card is a card of a specific credit company (Yes in step S46), the control unit 100 (judgment means 102) judges whether the card is a specific type of card that is eligible for a discount based on the stored credit information (step S47). In the embodiment, the house card issued by the store is regarded as the specific type of card. Note that any type of card may be regarded as the specific type of card as long as it can be distinguished from other general cards.

[0036] If the control unit 100 determines that the card is a specific type (Yes in step S47), then the control unit 100 calculates the customer's age from the customer's date and month of birth information in the stored credit information and the current date and time information measured by the timer 25 (step S48).

[0037] Then, the control unit 100 (judgment means 102) judges whether the customer's age is equal to or greater than a predetermined age for which the discount is applied (step S49). In the embodiment, as an example, 65 years or older is set as the predetermined age. If the control unit 100 judges that the customer's age is equal to or greater than the predetermined age (Yes in step S49), the control unit 100 then judges whether or not today is a specific day of the week on which the discount is applied, based on the current date and time information measured by the timer 25 (step S50). In the embodiment, as an example, Sunday is set as the specific day of the week. Note that the judgment in step S50 may be a judgment of whether or not it is a specific date on which the discount is applied, instead of a judgment of whether it is a specific day of the week. Also, the specific day of the week or the specific date may be multiple days of the week or multiple dates.

[0038] If it is determined that today is a specific day of the week (Yes in step S50), the control unit 100 then determines whether or not a payment process other than a credit payment has already been performed for the payment for the customer (step S51). In this embodiment, in order to apply a discount to the total amount of the product purchases, the condition for executing the discount process is that a credit payment process has been performed for the total amount of the product purchases. Therefore, in this embodiment, the existence of other payments is a condition for prohibiting discounts. Therefore, the determination in step S51 is executed. The control unit 100 determines in step S51 based on whether or not other payment type information is stored in the payment type storage unit 232. If other payment type information is stored in the payment type storage unit 232, the control unit 100 determines that the condition for prohibiting discounts is met.

[0039] If it is determined that no payment processing other than credit card payment has been performed (No in step S51), the control unit 100 then determines whether or not another discount processing has already been performed (step S52). If another discount processing has already been performed, executing this discount in addition will result in a double discount, which will increase the burden on the store. For this reason, in this embodiment, double discount processing is prohibited, and the control unit 100 executes the determination in step S52. The control unit 100 determines in step S52 based on whether or not other discount information is stored in the discount amount storage unit 233. If other discount information is stored in the discount amount storage unit 233, the control unit 100 determines that the conditions for prohibiting discounts are met.

[0040] If it is determined that no other discount processing has been performed (No in step S52), the control unit 100 determines that the conditions for discounting the payment by credit card are met and calculates the discount amount (step S53). The discount amount is calculated by multiplying the total amount of the product purchases by a fixed rate (5% in this embodiment). The control unit 100 multiplies the total amount of 1,500 yen by the rate of 5% to calculate the discount amount of 75 yen. The control unit 100 then displays the calculated discount amount in a pop-up on the store clerk display unit 5 (step S54). A similar display is also displayed on the customer display unit 6.

[0041] FIG. 8 is an example of a discount amount displayed on the store clerk display unit 5. In FIG. 8, the control unit 100 displays the total amount of the product purchase (1,500 yen) in area 63. The control unit 100 also displays a pop-up 61 showing the credit company and age information, and the calculated discount amount (75 yen). The customer looks at the discount amount displayed on the customer display unit 6 and confirms it. The store clerk looks at the pop-up 61 and confirms the displayed information. The store clerk then operates the confirmation key 62 in accordance with the display. Specifically, the store clerk touches the touch panel 10 corresponding to the position of the confirmation key 62 displayed on the store clerk display unit 5.

[0042] The control unit 100 judges whether the confirmation key 62 has been operated (step S55). It waits until it is operated (No in step S55), and if it is determined that it has been operated (Yes in step S55), the control unit 100 (service providing means 103) executes the specific discount process (step S56) based on the confirmed discount amount, assuming that the conditions for the specific discount have been met, and calculates the total amount after the discount. The control unit 100 then displays the display screen showing the confirmed discount amount on the clerk display unit 5 and the customer display unit 6 (step S57).

[0043] 9 is an example of a display screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 5 after the specific discount process has been executed. The control unit 100 displays the confirmed discount amount (75 yen) in area 71. The control unit 100 also displays the total amount (1425 yen) obtained by subtracting the discount amount (75 yen) from the total amount of the product purchases (1500 yen) in area 72. The control unit 100 also displays the total amount after the specific discount process (1425 yen) on the customer display unit 6.

[0044] Next, the control unit 100 executes the credit card payment process (step S58). FIG. 10 is an example of the display on the store clerk display unit 5 after the credit card payment process has been executed. In FIG. 10, the control unit 100 displays the total amount of the product purchases (1,500 yen) in area 81. The control unit 100 also displays the calculated discount amount (75 yen) in area 82. The control unit 100 also displays the credit card payment processing amount (1,425 yen) obtained based on the total amount (1,425 yen) in area 83.

[0045] After the credit payment process, the control unit 100 (output means 104) prints and issues a credit sales slip with the transaction details printed on it by the printing unit 7 (step S59). Figure 11 shows an example of an issued credit sales slip 91. In Figure 11, the credit sales slip 91 is printed with the total price 92 of the target products, the discount amount 93, the total price after discount 94, credit information 95 such as the credit company name and member information, the credit payment processing amount 96, etc.

[0046] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that a payment process other than credit payment is being performed (Yes in step S51), the control unit 100 displays an error message prohibiting multiple payments on the clerk display unit 5 and the customer display unit 6 (step S63). FIG. 12 is an example of an error message displayed on the clerk display unit 5. In FIG. 12, the total amount (1500 yen) of the target products is displayed in area 111. Also, the amount (1000 yen) for which credit payment processing is to be performed is displayed in area 112. Also, a pop-up 113 indicating that credit payment is not possible is displayed. In the example of FIG. 12, since another payment process has already been performed for 500 yen (1500 yen - 1000 yen), the control unit 100 determines that this is a multiple payment and displays the pop-up 113 indicating that credit payment is not possible. Then, the control unit 100 executes the process of step S58.

[0047] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S52 that another discount process is being executed (Yes in step S52), the control unit 100 displays an error message on the clerk display unit 5 and the customer display unit 6 to prohibit a double discount, since this would result in a double discount (step S61). FIG. 13 is an example of an error message displayed on the clerk display unit 5. In FIG. 13, the discount amount (150 yen) is displayed in area 121. Also, the amount for which the credit card payment process is to be executed (1350 yen) is displayed in area 122. Also, a pop-up 123 is displayed to indicate that a double discount is not allowed. The example in FIG. 13 indicates that a 150 yen discount process has already been executed, and the control unit 100 displays a pop-up 123 to prohibit further discount processes.

[0048] The control unit 100 then determines whether or not an operation has been performed to cancel another discount process that is already being executed (step S62). If it is determined that a cancellation operation has not been performed (No in step S62), the control unit 100 executes the process of step S58. On the other hand, if it is determined that a cancellation operation has been performed (Yes in step S62), the control unit 100 executes a cancellation process to cancel the discount that is already being executed (step S64). The control unit 100 then returns to step S23 and executes the credit card payment process from the beginning.

[0049] If the control unit 100 determines that the card is not of a specific credit company (No in step S46), that the card is not of a specific type (No in step S47), that the customer's age is not a specified age or older (No in step S49), or that today is not a specific day of the week on which the discount is applied (No in step S50), the conditions for executing the specific discount are not met, and the control unit 100 proceeds to step S58 without executing the discount process.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, if multiple pieces of information stored on the card and obtained from the card satisfy the conditions for providing a service, a specific discount is given to the customer, so that appropriate services can be reliably provided to the customer without relying on the judgment of the store clerk.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the store clerk does not need to determine whether or not the conditions for providing the service are met.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the customer's age is calculated from the date of birth stored on the card, and whether this age is above a specified age is set as a condition for providing the service, so that the service can be provided to customers above a specified age.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the type of card is a condition for providing the service, so that the service can be provided to customers who carry a specific card (e.g., a house card) even if the card is from the same credit company.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, when a payment process other than credit card payment is executed, the control unit 100 does not execute the discount process, so that the discount process can be executed on the total amount of all purchased products.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, when another discount process is being executed, the control unit 100 does not execute the discount process, so that double discounts can be prevented, and the burden on the store can be reduced.

[0056] In addition, according to the embodiment, the control unit 100 displays the discount information on the clerk display unit 5 and the customer display unit 6, or prints it on the credit sales slip, so that the clerk and customer can check the discount amount.

[0057] According to the embodiment, the control unit 100 judges whether the conditions for providing the service are met based on the birth date and the card type stored in the card. Therefore, the control unit 100 can judge whether the conditions are met without acquiring information from an external device.

[0058] It should be noted that the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0059] For example, in the embodiment, the customer's age and the type of card are set as conditions for card discounts, but other information stored on the card may be used as conditions.

[0060] Furthermore, in the embodiment, a credit card is used as the storage medium, but the storage medium may be other than a card, such as an IC card, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card, or a mobile terminal.

[0061] In the embodiment, the age is calculated based on the customer's birth month, but the age may be calculated based on the customer's birth month and year.

[0062] Furthermore, in the embodiment, being above a certain age is one of the conditions for providing a service, but being below a certain age or within a certain age range may also be one of the conditions.

[0063] In addition, in the embodiment, a service of discounting the total price of products is provided, but other services such as providing a gift or giving points may be provided.

[0064] In addition, in the embodiment, the service is not provided when other payment processing is being executed, but the service may be provided for the amount of the credit card payment when other payment processing is being executed.

[0065] In addition, in the embodiment, the payment device is the POS terminal 1, but it may be any information processing device that executes payment processing.

[0066] The program executed by the payment device of the embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0067] The program executed by the payment device of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by the payment device of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0068] Furthermore, the program executed by the settlement device of the embodiment may be configured to be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 POS terminal 100 Control section 101 Acquisition method 102 Judgment means 103 Means of service provision 104 Output Method [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0070] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-163587 A

Claims

1. A display unit for a store clerk; A customer display unit for customers; A storage means for storing information indicating that a discount has already been applied; A payment declaration means for declaring that payment will be made by credit card; a card determination means for determining whether the credit card is eligible for a discount based on the read credit card information when the payment declaration means declares that the payment is to be made by credit card; a service providing means for providing a discount on payment made with the credit card, on condition that the card determination means has determined that the credit card is eligible for a discount and that the storage means has not stored information indicating that a discount has been applied, and for not providing a discount on payment made with the credit card, on condition that the card determination means has determined that the credit card is eligible for a discount and that the storage means has stored information indicating that a discount has been applied; a display control means for displaying an error message on the store clerk display unit and the customer display unit indicating that a discount is prohibited for payment with the credit card, on the condition that the card determination means has determined that the credit card is one for which a discount is available and that the storage means has stored information indicating that a discount has been applied, and for displaying on the store clerk display unit the discount amount as information indicating that a discount has already been applied; A payment device comprising:

2. A payment device as described in Claim 1, wherein the display control means displays the error message and the discount amount on the store clerk display unit, as well as the amount to be paid with the credit card.

3. A payment device as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cancellation means which, when an operation is performed to cancel the discount for which the error message is displayed, cancels the discount and returns the state to the state before the payment declaration means made the declaration.

4. A payment device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display control means displays the error message and the discount amount on the store clerk display unit, and also displays a method for returning to the state before the payment declaration means made the declaration.

5. A computer of a payment device having a clerk display unit for a clerk and a customer display unit for a customer, A storage means for storing information indicating that a discount has already been applied; A payment declaration means for declaring that payment will be made by credit card; a card determination means for determining whether the credit card is eligible for a discount based on the read credit card information when the payment declaration means declares that the payment is to be made by credit card; a service providing means for providing a discount on payment made with the credit card, on condition that the card determination means has determined that the credit card is eligible for a discount and that the storage means has not stored information indicating that a discount has been applied, and for not providing a discount on payment made with the credit card, on condition that the card determination means has determined that the credit card is eligible for a discount and that the storage means has stored information indicating that a discount has been applied; a display control means for displaying an error message on the store clerk display unit and the customer display unit indicating that a discount is prohibited for payment with the credit card, on the condition that the card determination means has determined that the credit card is one for which a discount is available and that the storage means has stored information indicating that a discount has been applied, and for displaying on the store clerk display unit the discount amount as information indicating that a discount has already been applied; A program to make it function as such.