Settlement device, program, server device program, and settlement method

Abstract

To promote settlement for each predetermined settlement type.SOLUTION: A settlement device 1 includes specific processing means that specifies a membership type of a customer from an information medium owned by the customer, reception processing means that receives designation for each settlement type desired by the customer, and detection processing means that detects the settlement type associated with the membership type specified by the specific processing means. The reception processing means changes an aspect between the settlement type detected by the detection processing means and the other settlement types when receiving the designation for each settlement type desired by the customer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for encouraging payment by a predetermined payment type when checking out a product. [Background technology]

[0002] Supermarkets and drug stores issue membership cards and point cards with credit card payment functions or prepaid cards to acquire members. In addition, some companies issue so-called house cards, which are cards with credit card payment functions that can only be used at stores or chain stores operated by the parent company. These stores and chain stores want to increase the use of non-cash payment methods such as credit cards, prepaid cards, and handover cards.

[0003] For example, a house card payment system is known that allows customers to make card payments at stores without presenting their cards (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 578173 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the system described in Patent Document 1 above cannot directly encourage customers to use non-cash payments.

[0006] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to encourage payment by a predetermined payment type. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the settlement device of the present invention comprises an identification processing means for identifying the membership type of a customer from an information medium carried by the customer, a reception processing means for accepting the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, and a detection processing means for detecting the payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing means, and is characterized in that when the reception processing means accepts the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, it changes its mode between the payment type detected by the detection processing means and other payment types. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a network configuration diagram showing a network configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanical key provided in a settlement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt issued by the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11]13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a registration device. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of a process executed by a POS terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of a process executed by a POS terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Functional configuration of product sales data processing device Hereinafter, a product sales data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The POS system shown in Fig. 1 includes three units, a first settlement device 1-1, a second settlement device 1-2, and a third settlement device 1-3, and a store controller SC (also called a store computer or management device), which are connected to each other via a LAN so as to be able to communicate with each other. In the following description, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the first settlement device 1-1, the second settlement device 1-2, and the third settlement device 1-3, they will be collectively referred to as the settlement device 1. The number of settlement devices 1 is not limited to three, and may be one or more.

[0010] The first settlement device 1-1, the second settlement device 1-2, and the third settlement device 1-3 are equipped with a payment terminal 2-1, a payment terminal 2-2, and a payment terminal 2-3, respectively. The first payment terminal 2-1, the second payment terminal 2-2, and the third payment terminal 2-3 are configured to be able to communicate with an external payment server 20 via a specified dedicated line or the like. The first payment terminal 2-1, the second payment terminal 2-2, and the third payment terminal 2-3 each acquire information necessary for payment processing from a payment medium such as a credit card, and when they acquire transaction information from the first settlement device 1-1, the second settlement device 1-2, and the third settlement device 1-3, they request the payment server 20 to perform payment processing based on this information and return the results of the payment processing to the first settlement device 1-1, the second settlement device 1-2, and the third settlement device 1-3. In the following description, the first payment terminal 2-1, the second payment terminal 2-2, and the third payment terminal 2-3 will be collectively referred to as payment terminal 2 unless a distinction is made between them.

[0011] Here, the POS system or the settlement device 1 constitutes the product sales data processing device according to the present invention. That is, the POS system is a product sales data processing device realized as a system in which functional units required for executing the functions of the product sales data processing device according to the present invention are distributed and held in the store controller SC and the settlement device 1, and the settlement device 1 is a product sales data processing device realized as a device that aggregates the functional units required for executing the functions of the product sales data processing device according to the present invention or the functions of the store controller SC.

[0012] In addition, when the POS system has a store controller SC, for example, the store controller SC is provided with a product information storage unit, and the settlement device 1 transmits sales data by referring to the product information storage unit of the store controller SC. The store controller SC also handles core operations such as inventory management and order management. The store controller SC may also be composed of multiple server devices according to each operation. In addition, when there is no store controller SC, for example, the first settlement device 1-1 is provided with the function of the store controller SC, and the first settlement device 1-1, which also functions as the store controller SC, manages product information and the like, and links data with the second settlement device 1-2 and the third settlement device 1-3. In another example, each settlement device 1 may manage product information individually.

[0013] In addition, the functions may be provided to a client terminal such as a tablet POS by a cloud service. This type of configuration is also called Web-Pos, and specifically, a server device executes some or all of the functions executed by a client terminal such as a tablet POS by a so-called thin client method or a web client method that webifies an application. In this case, the client terminal may be held by the customer, and a series of processes may be completed without the intervention of a store clerk or a store terminal.

[0014] The settlement device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a device that executes registration processing and settlement processing for products purchased by customers, and constitutes a product sales data processing device according to the present invention. This settlement device 1 has an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, and memory devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, and is connected to a store clerk input / output unit 11, a customer input / output unit 12, a product reading unit 13, a media reading unit 14, a change slip unit 15, a printing unit 16, and a payment terminal 2 via an interface circuit 104.

[0015] In addition, the settlement device 1 is configured as functional blocks consisting of at least a product information storage unit, a customer information storage unit, a registration processing unit, a identification processing unit, a detection processing unit, an extraction processing unit, a reception processing unit, a restriction processing unit, an alarm processing unit, a payment type recommendation processing unit, a point usage recommendation processing unit, a settlement processing unit, and an issuance processing unit, as software resources executed by the control unit 100. The computer program executed by the control unit 100 can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or can be provided by recording it on various computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM. In addition, this embodiment shows the functional configuration when the product sales data processing device of the present invention is realized as a settlement device 1, but when it is realized as a POS system, each functional unit is distributed and provided in multiple hardware resources that constitute the POS system.

[0016] The store clerk side input / output unit 11 is realized by a touch panel display, an LCD display, or a combination of a touch display and mechanical keys, etc., and constitutes an input means by which the store clerk inputs various information, and an output means by which various information is output to the store clerk.

[0017] The number of mechanical keys provided is about 80 to 90, or at least 20 to 40, similar to that of typical settlement devices. These keys allow intuitive operation and are designed to prevent delays even if the operator has difficulty operating the device. 3 shows an example of such a mechanical key, which includes numeric keys (1 key, 2 key, ..., 9 key, 0 key, 00 key), subtotal key, current total key, clear key, individual key, product registration key, function key, preset key, etc. The numeric keys may have a relatively small keytop area to reduce the possibility of pressing two keys at the same time, while the other function keys may have a relatively large keytop area to display text information such as function names on the keytops. The mechanical key may be configured to be detachable from the main body of the settlement device 1.

[0018] As an example of the operation when the settlement process is executed by the mechanical keys, in the case of a cash payment, the [subtotal key] is pressed to calculate the total amount, the deposit amount is entered, and then the [current total] key is pressed. Then, the change amount is calculated and the change is dispensed, and a receipt is issued by the printing unit 16. When the cash settlement is performed by the change and slip unit 15 as in this embodiment, the [current total key] becomes valid if the total amount exceeds the total amount after inserting bills or coins, and an error occurs if the total amount is not reached. In the case of a drawer, when the deposit amount is entered and the [current total key] is pressed, the drawer is opened, and the store clerk manually returns the change. The receipt is issued at the same time as the drawer is opened, or thereafter.

[0019] Up to 30 [Accounting Keys], labeled Accounting 1, Accounting 2, Accounting 3, can be set up, and these are used for non-cash payments. For example, [Accounting 1 Key] is used for credit card payments, and [Accounting 2 Key] is used for electronic money payments. In this embodiment, a button for requesting non-cash payment is required, but the configuration of such a button is not particularly limited, and in one example, a pop-up is displayed on the touch panel display in response to the deposit amount being entered using the numeric keys after the [subtotal key] is pressed. In another example, a [credit key] is provided on the mechanical keys.

[0020] The customer-side input / output unit 12 is a touch panel display or the like, and constitutes an input means for the customer to input various information, and an output means for outputting various information to the customer. Note that in this embodiment, the customer-side input / output unit 12 may be constituted only as an output means for outputting information to the customer.

[0021] The product reading unit 13 is realized by a stationary or handheld scanner that reads bar codes or two-dimensional codes attached to products, and can obtain coded product information.

[0022] The medium reading unit 14 reads the information medium of the customer. Here, the information medium is a medium that holds information that can identify a member customer, and in this example is composed of a membership card, a point card, a membership card with a non-cash payment function that has been given a credit payment function or a prepaid card function or other function that enables non-cash payment processing, or a portable information terminal. A point card is an information medium for managing a member's points, and while it contains information that can identify the member, it does not contain any information related to payment. Note that points are a valuable value that can be used in place of money when paying for products. The membership card with non-cash payment function may be a house card that also serves as a point card. A house card is a credit card that can only be used at stores or chain stores operated by the issuing company or group.

[0023] If this information medium is a membership card or a point card, it may be provided with a magnetic stripe that stores information that can identify the member, or a membership number that can identify the member may be printed on it. The corresponding medium reading unit 14 is realized by a magnetic card reader, and reads the information that can identify the member from the magnetic stripe. Furthermore, if the information medium is a smart device such as a portable information terminal, the medium reading unit 14 is realized by a communication means capable of data communication with the smart device, and obtains information capable of identifying the member from the smart device, for example, by wireless communication according to the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard. In addition, if identification information is printed as a barcode on a membership code or point card, or if a two-dimensional code capable of identifying a member is displayed on a smart device screen, it can be read by the product reading unit 13. Specifically, if the barcode system can be distinguished from the product, there is no need to switch by operating a button. Of course, the information to be read may be declared.

[0024] The change slip unit 15 is a functional unit that enables the settlement of merchandise payments by cash payment. This change slip unit 15 is equipped with a coin insertion slot, a coin dispensing outlet, a bill insertion slot, a bill dispensing outlet, etc. as physical mechanisms, and accepts money deposits, counts the deposited money, and dispenses change according to the bill amount.

[0025] The printing unit 16 is a functional unit that prints receipts after the customer has paid for products and prints coupons that can be used for specified products. This printing unit 16 is realized by a receipt printer or the like, and in this case, prints the transaction details and coupon information on a specified paper medium such as thermal paper, and ejects it from the receipt issuing slot. The receipt and coupon may be printed by a plurality of printing units 16 provided as physically separate units, or the receipt and coupon may be printed integrally by a single printing unit 16.

[0026] The payment terminal 2 is a functional unit that enables payment using a predetermined payment medium. The payment terminal 2 independently performs a credit inquiry with the payment server 20, and when the credit inquiry is performed and authentication is completed, the payment terminal 2 receives information on the payment amount from the settlement device 1 and requests the payment server 20 to make a payment. Then, when the payment terminal 2 receives a processing result from the payment server 20, the payment terminal 2 returns the processing result to the settlement device 1. Here, the payment medium is, for example, a credit card, an electronic money card, a debit card, etc., and the payment is made using the predetermined payment medium by appropriately executing a credit inquiry process with the external payment server 20. The payment terminal 2 may also have a function for reading a membership code. In this embodiment, the payment terminal 2 is provided as a separate terminal connected to the settlement device 1 so that information can be sent and received; however, regardless of this, it may also be provided as a terminal that constitutes part of the settlement device 1.

[0027] The product information storage unit is a storage unit that stores information about products sold in a store. The information about the product includes, for example, information about the product name, price, discount, point award rate, and the like.

[0028] The customer information storage unit is a storage unit that stores information on member customers and the like. This customer information storage unit associates the customer with identification information that can identify the customer and stores information such as the customer's name, the customer's membership type, the payment type corresponding to the membership type, and the balance of points issued to the customer in response to the purchase of goods, etc. The information relating to the membership type is information that makes it possible to discern whether the member is a member who holds a point card or a member who holds a membership card with a non-cash payment function. A payment type according to membership type is a payment type recommended according to the type of member, such as a member who holds a point card or a member who holds a membership card with a non-cash payment function. For example, payment types are associated with each membership type, such as non-cash payment for members who hold cards with a non-cash payment function, credit and cash for credit members, prepaid and cash for prepaid members, and all for cash members and general customers.

[0029] The registration processing unit registers the product purchased by the customer as a product subject to payment processing. When the registration processing unit reads information about a product to be purchased using the product reading unit 13 or receives information about the product from the store clerk input / output unit 11, it refers to the product information storage unit to extract information such as the product name and price, and registers this information together with information such as discounts set for the product. Information about all products to be paid for in one transaction is registered data and becomes reference data for payment processing.

[0030] The identification processing unit identifies the membership type of a customer who holds an information medium based on the information stored in the customer's information medium. That is, the medium reading unit 14 obtains information capable of identifying the customer stored in the customer's information medium, and then identifies the membership type of the customer by referring to the membership type stored in the customer information storage unit. It should be noted that, without using the medium reading unit 14, the member number printed on the information medium can be input by the store clerk through the store clerk side input / output unit 11, thereby obtaining information that can identify the customer.

[0031] The detection processing unit detects a payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing unit.

[0032] The extraction processing unit extracts various types of information from the product information storage unit and the customer information storage unit. For example, the extraction processing unit refers to the customer information storage unit and extracts point information related to the point balance held by the customer.

[0033] The reception processing unit displays operators, etc. on the clerk side input / output unit 11 and the customer side input / output unit 12 for accepting the designation of a specific payment type from a plurality of payment types when paying for a product registered as a purchased product by the clerk side input / output unit 11, and accepts the designation of the payment type via the operators. Payment types include, for example, cash, points, gift certificates (vouchers), and credit cards. Of these, when points can be used in combination with cash or credit card payments, a specified number of points can be deducted from the payment amount. When the purchase price of a gift certificate (voucher) is less than the value of the gift certificate, some can pay out the surplus (so-called change) and some cannot, and it can be applied to the payment amount depending on the conditions. It should be noted that the use of other payments in combination with credit cards may or may not be possible depending on the conditions for point awarding, etc.

[0034] This reception processing unit also functions as a display processing unit that changes the display mode between a predetermined payment type and other payment types, and when accepting the designation of a payment type desired by a customer, changes the display mode between the payment type detected by the detection processing unit and other payment types. For example, for an operator for accepting the designation of a predetermined payment type from multiple payment types, an operator for accepting the designation of the payment type detected by the detection processing unit and an operator for accepting the designation of other payment types can be displayed in different modes on the clerk side input / output unit 11 and the customer side input / output unit 12. This makes it possible to clearly inform customers and store clerks of the payment type detected by the detection processing unit, and to recommend payment using that payment type. It should be noted that the payment type, such as company credit or company prepaid, may not be displayed until the member is specified.

[0035] The payment type recommendation processing unit is a processing unit that recommends payment by a payment type that is detected by the detection processing unit from among a plurality of payment types and is recommended according to the membership type of the customer. For example, if a customer who holds a specified information medium is a member who holds a membership card with a non-cash payment function, and the payment type recommended to the member is non-cash payment, non-cash payment is recommended as the payment type. In addition, this payment type recommendation processing unit can also recommend payment using the payment type detected by the detection processing unit during a period in which points are preferentially awarded when making payment using the payment type detected by the detection processing unit, or when the conditions for preferential point award are met, such as by setting a high multiplier for point award according to the payment amount. In this embodiment, the payment type recommendation by the payment type recommendation processing unit may only allow the designation of a selectable payment type among multiple payment types, and may reject the designation of other payment types or payment operations. Also, when a specific payment type is designated or a specific payment operation is performed, the designation or operation may be permitted only when the specific payment type is a selectable payment type or when the specific payment operation is performed.

[0036] In addition, the recommendation of the predetermined payment type by the payment type recommendation processing unit may be to recommend not using payment types other than the predetermined payment type, or to limit the designation of the payment type to only the designation of the payment type. Also, for example, when the predetermined payment type is payment by credit card, it may be to limit the use of the same with other payment types. Also, like the prohibition processing unit in another example described later, it may be to prohibit payment by payment types other than the predetermined payment type.

[0037] The notification processing section is a functional section for notifying store clerks and the like of a predetermined situation, such as the execution of a predetermined data processing operation or the occurrence of an error. In this example, when a payment type other than the payment type recommended by the payment type recommendation processing unit is specified, the notification processing unit notifies the user of that fact. For example, when non-cash payment is recommended and a payment type other than non-cash payment is specified, the notification processing unit notifies the user of that fact on the clerk-side input / output unit 11 or the customer-side input / output unit 12. In addition, when payment types other than a predetermined payment type are restricted and payment by the predetermined payment type is recommended, the notification processing unit can notify the user of that fact on the clerk-side input / output unit 11 or the customer-side input / output unit 12.

[0038] The point usage recommendation processing unit recommends point usage according to conditions such as the customer's point balance and the point allocation rate. For example, during periods when the point grant rate is the usual, when the points are nearing their expiration date, or when the purchase amount exceeds a certain amount and a certain number of points, specifically 20 points, is granted, etc., depending on conditions such as preferential treatment (purchase of a specific product, visiting the store on a specific day, etc.), the store clerk input / output unit 11 and the customer input / output unit 12 display the customer's point balance and a message recommending use of points to encourage the use of points. Note that the present is not limited to points, and benefits such as coupons and gifts may also be used.

[0039] The settlement processing unit calculates the total price of registered products and the bill amount including tax based on the registration data generated by the registration processing unit, and executes the settlement process. The settlement process is executed by the change unit 15 in the case of cash, or by the payment terminal 2 in the case of credit cards including membership cards with non-cash payment functions, electronic money, and prepaid cards, depending on the designated payment type. In addition, the settlement processing unit subtracts points held by the customer from the billing amount as necessary, calculates the number of points to be awarded to the customer, and awards the calculated number of points to the customer.

[0040] The issuing processing unit causes the printing unit 16 to issue receipts, coupons that can be used when purchasing products, and the like, at the time of payment for the products. 4 shows an example of a receipt issued in this embodiment. On the receipt, details of the purchased item, the purchase amount, the points awarded, and other messages are printed. Regarding points, if a customer is a member of a membership card with a non-cash payment function (on the receipt, this is written as "house card" in the case of a house card membership, for example), and payment with the membership card with a cash payment function is the recommended payment type, the applicable multiplier and the amount of points applied will be printed if the payment was made with the recommended payment type. The message printed on the card encourages the use of a membership card with a non-cash payment function. In the example in Figure 4, the card states that the payment was made in cash, and therefore the higher point multiplier that would have been applied if the card had been used with a non-cash payment function was not applied, and that it is recommended that the card be used with a non-cash payment function in order to receive the higher point multiplier.

[0041] In addition to these functional units, the settlement device 1 is appropriately equipped with functional units for product registration processing, settlement processing, and management of these processes, such as a clerk information memory unit that stores clerk information such as clerk identification information, and a history memory unit that stores processing history. Furthermore, these functional units may be provided externally or in a higher-level server, etc., and the settlement device 1 may be configured to refer to and display the data and processing results stored in these functional units.

[0042] ● Processing flow by settlement device 1 Next, the flow of processing executed by the settlement device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, when a store clerk at the payment terminal 1 reads the barcodes of the products to be purchased one by one with the product reading unit 13, the registration processing unit registers the products as required and generates registration data (S101, S102). When the registration of all products to be purchased is completed, the total amount of the registered products is calculated as the payment amount (S103).

[0044] 6, if the customer is a member, the store clerk receives a membership card from the customer and reads the membership card using media reading unit 14 in parallel with the product registration process (S201, S202). The membership card may be read before or during product registration, or at the time of payment, and information that can identify the member may be obtained from information printed on the membership card. When the membership card is read, the identification processing section refers to the customer information storage section and identifies the membership type of the member based on the information stored on the membership card that can identify the member (S203). When the settlement device 1 acquires the member customer information, it appropriately displays the member customer information and point balance on the store clerk input / output unit 11 and the customer input / output unit 12. In addition, since the customer is identified as a member, a special sales price for member customers is applied, and if there is an eligible product that has already been registered, a notification such as "The member special price has been applied" is issued.

[0045] The detection processing unit detects a recommended payment type based on the identified membership type (S204). When product registration is complete (S205), if the point award rate is different from normal on that day (S206), the payment type recommendation processor recommends the detected payment type and waits to accept the selection of the payment type (S301), as shown in FIG. The recommendation of a payment type is performed, for example, by displaying a message indicating that a specific payment type is recommended from among a plurality of payment types. In the process of S206 in this embodiment, the day on which the point grant rate is different from the normal rate means a day on which the point grant rate is higher than normal when a member of a membership card with a non-cash payment function makes a non-cash payment using the membership card with a non-cash payment function. The different grant rate is determined by setting conditions such as a specified period or day of the week, or the 5th, 15th, or 25th of each month, and by referring to a specified table or the like that holds information related to the condition setting.

[0046] When a store clerk selects a specific payment type from multiple payment types (S302), if the selected payment type is a recommended payment type, the reception processing unit accepts the selection, and the settlement processing unit executes the payment based on the selected payment type (S306). If it is a non-cash payment, the payment terminal 2 acquires information stored in a membership card with a non-cash payment function or the like and information for executing code payment, and transmits information related to the payment amount provided by the settlement device 1 to the payment server 20. When the non-cash payment is executed by the payment server 20, the processing result is returned to the settlement device 1 via the payment terminal 2. If payment is made in cash, the change section 15 deposits cash and gives out change tags.

[0047] On the other hand, if a payment type that is not recommended is specified in the processing of S302, the settlement device 1 notifies the store clerk by displaying a message on the store clerk side input / output unit 11 via the notification processing unit, indicating that the payment type is not a recommended payment type (S303).

[0048] In this embodiment, a non-recommended payment type is notified, and a specified request operation is executed, so that a change to the specifiable payment type is accepted. When an operation to change to another payment type is accepted by the store clerk, the payment type is changed (S305), and the payment process is carried out according to the changed payment type (S306). If the payment type is not changed, for example if the store clerk mistakenly specifies a payment type different from the recommended payment type that he or she intended to specify, the specified payment type will be accepted again.

[0049] On the other hand, in the processing of S206, if the point award rate is for a normal day, the extraction processing unit extracts information related to the point balance from the customer information storage unit, and the point usage recommendation processing unit displays the customer's point balance on the store clerk side input / output unit 11 to recommend the use of points (S207).

[0050] After grasping the information related to the point balance, the store clerk encourages the customer to use the points appropriately and asks the customer for the payment method. On the store clerk side input / output unit 11, multiple payment methods are displayed so that they can be specified, and when the store clerk specifies the payment method according to the customer's request, the reception processing unit accepts the specification of the payment method (S209). Then, the payment process is executed based on the specified payment method (S210). In addition, after using points, payment using the payment type associated with the membership type may be recommended.

[0051] If the customer is not a member in S201, once product registration is completed (S208), the customer's desired payment method is accepted (S209), and payment processing is carried out based on the specified payment method (S210).

[0052] Regarding the details of the payment process in S210, in the case of non-cash payment using a membership card with a non-cash payment function or payment based on other credit cards, the payment terminal 2 executes a credit inquiry to the payment server 20. If the credit inquiry is authorized, the payment terminal 2 requests payment from the payment server 20 based on information related to the payment amount obtained from the settlement device 1. When the payment is executed by the payment server 20, the processing result is returned to the settlement device 1 via the payment terminal 2. This completes the payment process, and points are awarded, a receipt is issued, and so on. Regarding non-cash payments, for code payments, only the "key" for reading the barcode with the scanner of the settlement device 1, not the payment terminal 2, is valid.

[0053] In addition, in the case of a payment based on a credit card, the payment terminal 2 executes processes associated with known credit card payments, such as checking whether or not there is an affiliated store contract, and also executes processes according to security standards compliant with the PCIDSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), such as encrypting the credit card number with a predetermined rule as appropriate depending on the type of credit card. If it is not necessary to comply with the PCIDSS standard, the payment process can be completed without going through the external payment server 20 by acquiring the member customer's information. In other words, if a step such as PIN input can be omitted depending on the amount or type of transaction, once the information medium is read and the member customer's information is acquired, there is no need to read the information medium again. However, if another payment type is selected with the house card, a message such as "Please insert your card" will be displayed again, and the payment process at the payment terminal 2 will be resumed.

[0054] In the case of cash settlement, the cash is accepted by the change slip section 15, and the change is returned according to the settlement amount, thereby executing the cash settlement.

[0055] When points are used, the amount equivalent to the specified points is deducted from the payment amount, and payment is made based on the payment amount after the points are used. Points can be used in any appropriate amount, such as all points, a certain number of points such as 500 points, or points that are about to expire.

[0056] When the payment process is completed as described above, the issuing processing unit causes the printing unit 16 to issue a receipt, a sales slip for credit card payment, a coupon, etc. Note that electronic data such as an electronic receipt may be generated and output instead of a paper medium. ●Screen example

[0057] Next, an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk side input / output unit 11 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 shows the screen when product registration is completed. In the example of Fig. 8, the store clerk side input / output unit 11 is configured with a touch panel display and mechanical keys. The same applies to Fig. 9.

[0058] On the screen G101, there are provided a product details G11 which displays a list of products registered by the registration processing unit, a purchase points display field G12 which displays the points of the registered products, a subtotal display field G13 of the registered products, and a total display field G14, which display information related to the product registration. Also, there is provided a customer information display field G15, which displays information related to the member number and the points held based on the information stored in the customer master. The product details G11 displays information such as the name and price of each product based on information stored in the product information storage unit.

[0059] In addition, there are provided a subtotal key G21 that displays the total amount, a credit button G221 that specifies credit card payment as an operator for specifying a payment type, a bill button G222 that specifies settlement with a bill, a charge button G223 that charges a prepaid card, a bill key G23, and a current total key G24 that specifies cash payment. In this example, there are three bill keys G23, a bill 1 key, a bill 2 key, and a bill 3 key, each of which is assigned a payment type such as credit card payment, payment with electronic money, and code payment. By pressing any of the operators, the payment type assigned to the operator can be specified. In the following description, when the three bill 1 key, bill 2 key, and bill 3 key are to be distinguished from one another, they will be referred to as the bill 1 key G23-1, the bill 2 key G23-2, and the bill 3 key G23-3, respectively. The credit button G221, the bill button G222, and the charge button G223 on the store clerk input / output unit 11 may be made to blink, etc., to attract the attention of the store clerk when the recommended payment type is selected. Also, if a button corresponding to a mechanical key is provided, for example, if a bill key G23 for specifying credit payment is provided on the mechanical key, the credit button G22 does not need to be provided on the store clerk input / output unit 11. The keys on the touch screen can be set as desired, and their size and position can be changed. The key arrangement area can also be switched by subtotal operation. Keys similar to those on a numeric keypad can also be arranged.

[0060] When all the products to be purchased have been registered, the store clerk presses the subtotal key G21 to calculate the total amount, informs the customer of the total amount, and presses the operator corresponding to a predetermined payment type to specify the predetermined payment type. When the subtotal key G21 is pressed, if the payment types that can be specified are limited, information related to the payment types that can be specified may be displayed on the screen. In addition, when multiple payment types can be specified, a specific payment type that is recommended to be specified may be displayed in a different manner from other payment types. For example, the credit card payment specification button for a membership card with a non-cash payment function may be made more noticeable, color-coded, or displayed larger so that it is easier to see or specify, compared to the specification buttons for electronic money or code payment, or payment types other than the credit card payment specification button for a membership card with a non-cash payment function may be hidden. These may be controlled according to the payment type of the membership card with a non-cash payment function. In addition, information such as the advantages and disadvantages of each payment type, for example, the difference in points due to point preferential treatment, and benefits from campaigns, may be displayed for each payment type.

[0061] Cash payments are usually made without the need to specify a payment type. That is, in the case of a cash drawer, processing is performed by inputting numbers using the "numeric keypad" and then pressing the "current total key." Therefore, even though payment using a membership card with a non-cash payment function is recommended, pressing the "numeric keypad" may result in an error. Also, in the case of a change dispenser 15 as in this example, when deposit information is received from the change dispenser 15, the deposited coins may be automatically dispensed as an error processing method, or the deposited coins may be returned in response to a discharge operation such as pressing a discharge button.

[0062] Regardless of whether a specific payment type is recommended, when a cash payment is made, if the settlement device 1 is equipped with a change tag section 15 as in this embodiment, the store clerk inserts the money received from the customer into the change tag section 15 and hands over the change that is paid out to the customer. If the settlement device 1 is equipped with a drawer instead of the change bill section 15, as shown in FIG. 9, when the store clerk inputs the deposit amount using the numeric keypad and presses the current total key G24, the deposit amount and change amount are displayed in the deposit display field G31 and change display field G32, respectively, the drawer opens, and the store clerk hands the change to the customer.

[0063] For non-cash payments, the clerk presses the credit button G22 or the billing key G23 to specify a credit payment, depending on the payment type to be specified. Figure 10 shows an example of the screen that appears when the billing 1 key G23-1 is pressed and a payment is made using the payment type assigned to that billing 1 key, and the specified payment type is displayed together with the payment amount in the payment type display field G33.

[0064] In addition, when there are a large number of payment types that can be specified, in order to clearly display the payment types that can be specified, operators for each payment type that can be specified may be displayed on the screen at the timing of pressing the numeric keypad, etc. An example of such a screen is shown in Fig. 11. In the example of Fig. 11, a payment type designation field G25 is provided that displays a list of operators for selectable payment types, and this payment type designation field G25 is provided with a credit button G251, a code payment button G252, an electronic money button G253, a prepaid button G254, a points payment button G255, and a voucher payment button G256. Pressing any of the buttons will transition to payment processing for the corresponding payment type. Here too, the recommended credit button G251 is displayed larger and more noticeable than the other payment types.

[0065] FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen on the store clerk input / output unit 11 notifying the user that a payment type different from the recommended payment types has been specified in the process of S303 described with reference to FIG. Here, the recommended payment type is non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function, and when the credit button G22 or the payment 2 key or the payment 3 key other than the payment 1 key G23-1, to which non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function is assigned, or the current total key G24 is pressed on the screen shown in the example of Fig. 8, a payment type other than non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function is specified. In response to this, the settlement device 1 displays the screen shown in Fig. 12 on the store clerk side input / output unit 11 as a pop-up display or the like. Note that, without being limited to the example of Fig. 12, a message indicating that a payment type other than the recommended payment type cannot be specified may also be displayed.

[0066] The screen has a membership type display field G41 indicating that the customer is a member who has a membership card with a non-cash payment function (displayed as "house card member" in the figure), a credit payment designation button G42 for redesignating the designated payment type to a membership card with a non-cash payment function recommended according to the membership type and executing the payment, and a payment type change button G43 for changing the payment type from non-cash payment using the recommended membership card with a non-cash payment function to another payment type. Instead of "house card", "credit card member", "prepaid member", "electronic money member", etc. may be displayed.

[0067] The credit payment designation button G42 displays that this is a period in which the point award rate is higher than on normal days, and the store clerk, aware of this, can encourage the customer to make non-cash payments using the recommended membership card with a non-cash payment function, by offering the customer the points with the higher award rate as an incentive. In addition, the credit card payment selection button G42 is larger than the payment type change button G43 for changing to another payment type and making the payment, and is displayed in an easily understandable manner in the center so as to attract the attention of the store clerk. The change payment type button G43 may be replaced with a button for each specific payment type. Even in this case, it is preferable that each button is displayed in a different manner from the credit card payment designation button G42.

[0068] In this embodiment, when a payment type other than the payment type recommended by the payment type recommendation processing unit according to the membership type is specified, it can be changed to the non-recommended payment type in accordance with a specified operation. However, in other embodiments, the specification of a payment type other than the recommended payment type may be restricted or prohibited. Regardless of this, if a payment type other than the recommended one is specified, it is possible to transition to payment using the other payment type without going through any screens or operations required to change from the recommended payment type to the other payment type.

[0069] Moreover, if a payment type other than the recommended payment types is specified by the store clerk, the screen shown in FIG. The screen displays a membership type display field G41 indicating that the customer is a member who holds a membership card with non-cash payment function, along with a message stating that non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function is the recommended payment type and that points will not be awarded for other payment types. When the store clerk confirms this message, he or she presses the confirmation button G51 to proceed to non-cash payment using the recommended membership card with non-cash payment function.

[0070] FIG. 14 shows an example of the process of S207 described with reference to FIG. 6, that is, a screen on the store clerk side input / output unit 11 which displays the point balance and recommends the use of points. On the screen, the point balance is displayed in the point balance display field G61, and a message encouraging the user to use points is displayed. When the store clerk checks the points balance, he or she suggests to the customer that they use their points. When the customer presses the Confirm button G62, the screen closes and the customer proceeds to the payment process.

[0071] In the above embodiment, for customers who own a membership card with a non-cash payment function, during periods when the point award multiplier is different from normal, the recommended payment type is limited to the membership card with a non-cash payment function. However, regardless of the point award multiplier, for customers who own a membership card with a non-cash payment function, the payment types that can be specified can also be limited to only non-cash payments using a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0072] In addition, on days when the point award rate is higher than usual, the recommended payment type is recommended without recommending the use of points, but other conditions may be set appropriately regardless of this. For example, when the expiration date of points is approaching, the use of points may be recommended regardless of the award rate.

[0073] In addition, recommended payment types, recommended messages for using points, etc. may be displayed on the customer-side input / output unit 12. Such information may be displayed in a partial area of ​​the small screen or in a pop-up format. Also, the customer may be able to specify the payment type through the customer-side input / output unit 12. In this case, the customer specifies the payment type through the customer-side input / output unit 12 in the above-described process.

[0074] In addition, by accumulating transaction history data including information such as whether the payment type recommended by the payment type recommendation processing unit was specified or changed, it is possible to analyze the utilization rate of each payment type, customer trends, etc.

[0075] In the above embodiment, we have described a settlement device 1 in which a store clerk handles everything from product registration to payment. However, regardless of this, the present invention can be applied to any POS terminal, such as a fully self-service type in which the customer registers products and pays for them themselves, or a semi-self-service type in which the store clerk registers products on a registration machine and the customer pays for them on a payment machine.

[0076] That is, in the case of a fully self-service system, the customer registers products on the POS terminal screen, and when registration begins, provides membership information by scanning a membership card or reading a magnetic card. Once registration of all products is complete, a button for specifying the payment type is displayed. At this time, it is advisable to change the appearance of the button so that it is easy to specify a selectable payment type as the recommended payment type.

[0077] In the case of a semi-self-service POS terminal, the POS terminal is composed of a register and a settlement machine that can communicate with each other. Here, for payments at semi-self-service POS terminals, cash payments are made using the change section 15 provided on the settlement machine side. On the other hand, for non-cash payments, the process differs depending on the configuration of the registration machine and settlement machine, as described below.

[0078] First, an example of a screen of the registration device will be described with reference to FIG. The screen G102 of the registration device is provided with a subtotal key G21 which displays the total amount, a receipt issue button G225 which issues a receipt for settlement, settlement device designation buttons G226, G227 which designate the settlement device to which the registration data is to be sent, change balance buttons G228, G229 which check the change balance of the settlement device, an accounting key G23, and a current total key G24 which designates cash settlement. In this example, the keys on the touch screen can be set as desired, and their size and position can be changed. Additionally, keys similar to a numeric keypad can be arranged.

[0079] <When the payment terminal 2 is connected to the registration machine and the printing unit 16 is also connected> In this case, if the store clerk specifies the payment type on the registration machine and executes non-cash payment, the customer does not need to go to the payment machine.

[0080] <When the payment terminal 2 is connected to the registration device but the printing unit 16 is not present> In this case, the store clerk designates the payment type on the registration machine and executes non-cash payment, and the customer goes to the settlement machine only to receive a receipt.

[0081] <When payment terminal 2 is connected to the settlement machine> In this case, there are two patterns in which the payment type is specified at the registration machine and at the settlement machine. That is, in the former case, when the customer goes to the settlement machine and specifies the payment type, the payment terminal 2 executes the payment process accordingly. In the latter case, the store clerk specifies the payment type at the registration machine, and when the settlement machine receives the product registration data together with the information related to the specified payment type, the payment terminal 2 connected to the settlement machine executes the payment process accordingly.

[0082] In the case of cash payment, as described above, the payment is made at the change section 15 provided on the settlement machine. However, in the case of payment of points or gift certificates, if cash is not handled, the customer does not need to go to the settlement machine. The customer needs to go to the settlement machine only when additional payment is required or when change is required. Furthermore, the payment terminal 2 is connected to either a registration machine or a settlement machine, and the payment terminal 2 receives information related to the payment amount from the connected registration machine or settlement machine, and requests the payment server 20 to process the payment.

[0083] Here, examples of screens displayed when accepting a customer's designation of a payment type in a settlement machine constituting a full-self-service POS terminal or a semi-self-service POS terminal are shown in Figs. 16 to 18. In Figs. FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen when a specific payment type is not recommended, in which a cash designation button G71, a credit card designation button G72, a transportation IC designation button G73, and a points payment designation button G74 for designating various payment types are provided in the same manner, and the customer or store clerk designates the desired payment type. In addition, in FIG. 16, the display column for the receipt is displayed when the receipt is used, and is not displayed in other cases.

[0084] 17 shows a case where the payment type recommendation processing unit recommends payment by a membership card (credit card) with a non-cash payment function as the recommended payment type, and shows a case where the display manner of the operator for specifying the recommended payment type and the operator for specifying other payment types is changed. In this example, the credit card specification button G72 for specifying payment by credit card is displayed larger and more conspicuously than the other cash specification button G71, the transportation IC button G72, and the point payment button G73. In addition, in the example of FIG. 17, a message is displayed informing the customer that preferential points will be earned by making payment with a recommended membership card with a non-cash payment function, encouraging the customer to make payment with the membership card with the non-cash payment function.

[0085] 18 shows a case where a member card with a non-cash payment function (credit card) is recommended as the payment type, and the user is guided to make a payment by the credit card. On this screen, payment by a payment type other than a credit card can be made by pressing a change button G75 that requests a change of the payment type. In addition, in the example of Figure 18, a message is displayed to the effect that points will not be awarded for payments made with any card other than a membership card with a non-cash payment function, encouraging the customer to make payments with the membership card with a non-cash payment function. Regardless of the examples shown in Figures 17 and 18, it is also possible to provide only a button requesting payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function, or to omit the step of specifying the payment type and transition to a screen for making payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function.

[0086] In addition, with regard to the settlement device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the software resources can be distributed or consolidated into any of the hardware resources by appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as physically integrated devices or separate devices. This allows, for example, a centralized upper device or system to perform centralized processing. Also, the settlement device 1 can be configured as separate devices, namely a registration device and a settlement device, which are connected via a specified communication network and work together.

[0087] In implementing the present invention, as long as the member information is managed in association with the payment type, the member card may be an information medium in which the member card and payment method are integrated, such as a member card with a non-cash function, or the member may be identified and the payment method may be a different medium or app. For example, in the case of code payment, the process is executed as follows. That is, when the settlement device 1 reads the member barcode displayed on the customer terminal, it displays "XX (code payment) is advantageous" on the customer-side input / output unit 12 to inform the customer, and the store clerk-side input / output unit 11 displays "XX (code payment)" in a different display mode from other payment types on the screen for specifying the payment type, allowing the store clerk to easily understand and select. Note that the customer-side input / output unit 12 may also similarly change the display mode to display "XX (code payment)" so that the customer can specify the payment type. When code payment is specified, the customer launches a separate code payment app on the customer terminal to display the payment code, and the settlement device 1 reads the payment code to make the payment. Note that the payment may also be made by reading a two-dimensional code for payment displayed on the settlement device 1 side or printed on a sticker or the like with the camera of the customer's customer terminal. When the payment is completed, the settlement device 1 is notified of the completion of the payment, and in response, the settlement device 1 issues a receipt and completes the operation. The customer terminal is also notified by email or the like of the store where the payment was made, the transaction amount, etc. In this way, the present invention can be applied even when the member is identified and the payment method are different media or apps.

[0088] In addition, in the above embodiment, the payment type associated with the membership type is recommended, but in other embodiments, instead of the above-mentioned payment type recommendation processing unit, a restriction processing unit that restricts the selection of only a predetermined payment type can be provided, and the use of the predetermined payment type can be promoted. An example of the process executed by a POS terminal equipped with such a restriction processing unit will be described below. In the following example, payment by a membership card with a non-cash payment function is specified as a payment type. The process flow for registering products is the same as that in the above embodiment.

[0089] 19, if the customer is a member, in parallel with the product registration process, the store clerk receives a membership card from the customer and reads the membership card using medium reading unit 14 (S401, S402). Note that the membership card may be read before product registration, during registration, or at the time of payment, and information that can identify the member may be obtained from information printed on the membership card. When the membership card is read, the identification processing unit identifies the medium type of the membership card by referring to the customer information storage unit based on the information stored on the membership card that can identify the member (S403). When the POS terminal 1 acquires the member customer information, it appropriately displays the member customer information and point balance on the store clerk input / output unit 11 and the customer input / output unit 12. In addition, since the customer is identified as a member, a special sales price for member customers is applied, and if there is a target product that has already been registered, a notification such as "The member special price has been applied" is issued.

[0090] If the membership card is a membership card with a non-cash payment function, the payment amount is calculated and then the process for payment begins (S404, S405). If the point award rate for that day is different from normal (S406), as shown in FIG. 20, the restriction processing unit determines that only non-cash payments using a membership card with non-cash payment function can be specified as the payment type, and waits until only non-cash payments using that membership card with non-cash payment function can be specified (S501). In the process of S406 in this embodiment, the day on which the point grant rate is different from the normal rate means a day on which the point grant rate is higher than normal when a member of a membership card with a non-cash payment function makes a non-cash payment using the membership card with a non-cash payment function. The different grant rate is determined by setting conditions such as a specified period or day of the week, or the 5th, 15th, or 25th of each month, and by referring to a specified table or the like that holds information related to the condition setting.

[0091] When a store clerk selects a specific payment type from multiple payment types (S502), if the selected payment type is a non-cash payment using a membership card with a non-cash payment function, the selection is accepted by the reception processing unit, and the accounting processing unit executes the non-cash payment using the membership card with a non-cash payment function (S506). The payment terminal 2 acquires the information stored in the membership card with a non-cash payment function, and transmits information related to the payment amount provided by the POS terminal 1 to the payment server 20. When the non-cash payment is executed by the payment server 20, the processing result is returned to the POS terminal 1 via the payment terminal 2. If a cash payment or code payment, which cannot be processed by the payment terminal 2, is specified, the payment terminal 2 will stop the process and display a message such as "Please remove your card."

[0092] On the other hand, if a payment type other than one of the available payment types is specified in the processing of S502, the POS terminal 1 will reject the payment using the specified payment type, and the notification processing unit will display a message on the store clerk input / output unit 11 to the effect that the payment type is not one of the available payment types, thereby notifying an error (S503).

[0093] In this embodiment, while an error is being notified, a specified request operation is executed, so that a change in the specifiable payment type is accepted. When a store clerk accepts an operation to change the payment type from a specifiable payment type to another payment type, in this embodiment, when an operation to change from non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function to cash payment is accepted, the payment type is changed (S505) and payment processing is executed using the changed payment type (S506). If the payment type is not changed, for example if the store clerk mistakenly specifies a payment type different from the one intended, the payment type specification is accepted again.

[0094] On the other hand, in the processing of S506, if the point award rate is for a normal day, the extraction processing unit extracts information related to the point balance from the customer information storage unit, and the point usage recommendation processing unit displays the customer's point balance on the store clerk side input / output unit 11 to recommend the use of points (S507).

[0095] After grasping the information related to the point balance, the store clerk encourages the customer to use the points appropriately and asks the customer for the payment method. On the store clerk side input / output unit 11, multiple payment methods are displayed so that they can be specified, and when the store clerk specifies the payment method according to the customer's request, the reception processing unit accepts the specification of the payment method (S409). Then, the payment process is executed based on the specified payment method (S410).

[0096] If the customer is not a member in S401, once product registration is completed (S408), the customer's desired payment type is accepted (S409), and payment processing is carried out based on the specified payment type (S410).

[0097] <Additional Notes> A product sales data processing device according to one aspect of the present invention has an identification processing means for identifying the media type of a customer's information medium based on information stored in the information medium, an acceptance processing means for accepting designation of a specific payment type from a plurality of payment types, and a restriction processing means for restricting the payment types that can be designated when the media type is a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0098] The device may further include a notification processing means for notifying that a payment type other than non-cash payment cannot be specified as the payment type, and the restriction processing means may restrict the specification of payment types other than non-cash payment when the medium type is a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0099] The restriction processing means may further restrict the designation of payment types other than non-cash payments during a specified period in which a high multiplier for points awarded according to the amount of payment made by non-cash payments is set.

[0100] The system may also include an extraction processing means for extracting information relating to the point balance held by the customer by referring to a specified information storage unit, and a recommendation processing means for recommending the use of points based on the point balance.

[0101] The device may also include a first display processing means for displaying an operator for accepting the designation of a specific payment type from a plurality of payment types, and a second display processing means for displaying, in different ways, payment types for which designation is restricted and types for which designation is not restricted.

[0102] The system may also have an identification processing means for identifying the media type of the customer's information medium based on information stored in the information medium, an acceptance processing means for accepting designation of a predetermined payment type from a plurality of payment types, and a prohibition processing means for prohibiting designation of cash payment as the predetermined payment type when the media type is a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0103] The card may further include a first payment amount information transmitting means that is connected to a payment terminal that executes payment using the membership card with non-cash payment function and transmits information regarding the payment amount to the payment terminal when payment is executed using the membership card with cash payment function.

[0104] The system may also be composed of a registration machine for registering products and a settlement machine for settling the registered products, and the registration machine may have a second payment amount information transmitting means for transmitting information relating to the selectable payment type together with information relating to the payment amount to the settlement machine.

[0105] Furthermore, a computer program relating to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer functioning as a product sales data processing device to execute an identification processing means for identifying the media type of a customer's information medium based on information stored on the information medium, an acceptance process for accepting designation of a specific payment type from a plurality of payment types, and a restriction process for restricting the payment types that can be designated when the media type is a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0106] Summary of the implementation form The present invention relates to a technique for encouraging payment by a predetermined payment type when checking out a product.

[0107] Supermarkets and drug stores issue membership cards and point cards with credit payment functions or prepaid cards to acquire members. In some cases, they also issue so-called house cards, cards with credit payment functions that can only be used at stores or chain stores run by their parent company. There is a tendency for stores to want to reduce the amount of cash handling work, such as change reserves and balance management of change dispensers, and they would like to encourage customers who use membership cards with non-cash payment functions to make non-cash payments as much as possible. These stores and chain stores want to increase the use of non-cash payments such as credit carts, prepaid cards, and house cards.

[0108] For example, a house card payment system that allows customers to make card payments without presenting a card at a store is known (Patent Publication No. 578173), in which a credit card company's system and an affiliated store terminal are connected via a network, the credit card company's system has a means for sending a house card to the affiliated store based on a house card issuance request from a customer introduced by the affiliated store, and the affiliated store terminal has a regular customer visit notification means for receiving confirmation of the customer's visit from a predetermined visit confirmation means and notifying the store, and a payment means for requesting payment from the customer using the house card that was sent and stored at the affiliated store, on the condition that the customer's visit has been notified by the regular customer visit notification means.

[0109] However, the system described in the above patent document cannot directly encourage customers to use cards with a non-cash payment function.

[0110] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to encourage payment by a predetermined payment type.

[0111] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a settlement device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an identification processing means for identifying a customer's membership type from an information medium carried by the customer, a reception processing means for accepting a designation of a payment type desired by the customer, and a detection processing means for detecting a payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing means, wherein when the reception processing means accepts a designation of a payment type desired by the customer, it changes its mode between the payment type detected by the detection processing means and other payment types.

[0112] The device may further include a first payment type recommendation means for recommending settlement with the payment type detected by the detection processing means when the acceptance processing means accepts designation of the other payment type.

[0113] In addition, the device may further include a second payment type recommendation means for recommending settlement using the detected payment type when the period in which points are preferentially awarded is one in which settlement using the payment type detected by the detection processing means is performed.

[0114] The system may further include an extraction processing means for extracting information relating to the points balance held by the customer by referring to a specified information storage unit, and a point usage recommendation means for recommending the use of points in accordance with the points balance when the reception processing means accepts designation of a specified payment type.

[0115] The reception processing means may display an operator for accepting the designation of the payment type detected by the detection processing means and an operator for accepting the designation of the other payment type in different forms.

[0116] In addition, a settlement device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises an identification processing means for identifying a customer's membership type from an information medium carried by the customer, a reception processing means for accepting a designation of a payment type desired by the customer, and a detection processing means for detecting a payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing means, wherein the reception processing means, when accepting a designation of a payment type desired by the customer, prohibits the acceptance of payment types other than the payment type detected by the detection processing means.

[0117] Furthermore, a program relating to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer functioning as a settlement device to execute an identification process for identifying a customer's membership type from an information medium carried by the customer, an acceptance process for accepting a designation of a payment type desired by the customer, and a detection process for detecting a payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification process, and when the acceptance process accepts a designation of a payment type desired by the customer, it changes its mode depending on whether the payment type detected in the detection process is another payment type.

[0118] Furthermore, a program for a server device according to another aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a server device which causes some or all of the functions to be executed on a specific terminal configured to be connectable, and in response to access from the specific terminal, the server device causes the specific terminal to execute an identification process for identifying a membership type from information obtained from an information medium reading device, and a detection process for detecting a payment type associated with the membership type identified in the identification process, and when the reception process accepts the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, the reception process changes its form depending on whether the payment type detected in the detection process is a different payment type than another payment type.

[0119] Furthermore, a settlement method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method executed by a server device which executes some or all of its functions on a specified terminal configured to be connectable, in which the server device executes, in response to access from the specified terminal, an identification process which identifies a membership type from information obtained from an information medium reading device, and a detection process which detects a payment type associated with the membership type identified in the identification process, and the reception process, when accepting the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, changes its form depending on whether the payment type detected in the detection process is a different payment type than another payment type.

[0120] According to the present invention, it is possible to encourage payments by a predetermined payment type, and therefore it is possible to increase the utilization rate of non-cash payments using a membership card with a non-cash payment function. As a result, members who hold a membership card with a non-cash payment function can enjoy shopping at a discount, and it is possible to attract customers. Furthermore, for the store, an increase in the utilization rate of non-cash payments can reduce the burden of cash management within the store, and a reduction in cash payments at product sales data processing devices can be expected to increase the overall pass rate and suppress the occurrence of waiting lines at the cash register. In addition, even if a customer has a membership card with a non-cash payment function, if it is a day when the point award rate is normal, which is a suitable time to use points, the customer can be encouraged to use points appropriately. Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented in various retail stores such as supermarkets, drug stores, and convenience stores. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1:Payment device 11: Clerk side input / output unit 12: Customer side input / output unit 13: Product reading unit 14: Media reading unit 15: Change section 16:Printing Department 100: Control unit 104: Interface circuit 2: Payment terminal 20: Payment server

Claims

1. an identification processing means for identifying a membership type of a customer from an information medium possessed by the customer; A reception processing means for receiving a designation of a payment type desired by the customer; a detection processing means for detecting a payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing means, the reception processing means, when receiving the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, changes its mode depending on whether the payment type detected by the detection processing means is a different payment type from another payment type; A settlement device characterized by:

2. and a first payment type recommendation means for recommending settlement with the payment type detected by the detection processing means when the reception processing means accepts the designation of the other payment type.

2. The settlement device according to claim 1 .

3. The system further includes a second payment type recommendation means for recommending the settlement of the detected payment type when the settlement of the payment type detected by the detection processing means is in a period in which points are preferentially awarded.

3. The settlement device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. an extraction processing means for extracting information relating to a point balance held by the customer by referring to a predetermined information storage unit; and a point usage recommendation unit that recommends the use of points according to the point balance when the reception processing unit accepts the designation of a predetermined payment type.

4. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the settlement device is a payment device.

5. the reception processing means displays an operator for receiving the designation of the payment type detected by the detection processing means and an operator for receiving the designation of the other payment type in different modes.

7. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the settlement device is a payment device.

6. an identification processing means for identifying a membership type of a customer from an information medium possessed by the customer; A reception processing means for receiving a designation of a payment type desired by the customer; a detection processing means for detecting a payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing means, the acceptance processing means, when accepting the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, prohibits the acceptance of payment types other than the payment type detected by the detection processing means; A settlement device characterized by:

7. For a computer that functions as a settlement device, An identification process for identifying a membership type of a customer from an information medium possessed by the customer; A reception process for receiving a designation of a payment type desired by the customer; a detection process for detecting a payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification process; the reception process, when receiving the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, changes its mode depending on whether the payment type detected in the detection process is a different payment type from another payment type; program.

8. A program executed by a server device that executes some or all of the functions of a specific terminal that is configured to be connectable, The server device, for the predetermined terminal, In response to access from the specified terminal, A process of identifying a membership type from information acquired from a reader of an information medium; a detection process for detecting a payment type associated with the membership type identified in the identification process; the reception process, when receiving the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, changes its mode depending on whether the payment type detected in the detection process is a different payment type from another payment type; A program for server devices.

9. A method executed by a server device that executes some or all of the functions of a specific terminal that is connectable to the server device, The server device, In response to access from the specified terminal, A process of identifying a membership type from information acquired from a reader of an information medium; A detection process is executed to detect a payment type associated with the membership type identified in the identification process; the reception process, when receiving the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, changes its mode depending on whether the payment type detected in the detection process is a different payment type from another payment type; A settlement method characterized by:

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