Settlement device and program

Abstract

To enable the appropriate application of privileges to transactions in settlement by a particular settlement method.SOLUTION: A settlement device includes acquisition means and settlement method. The acquisition means acquires a settlement method for a transaction. The settlement means applies a privilege to the transaction if the settlement method is a specific settlement method. The settlement means processes the settlement of the transaction by the settlement method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Since most mass retailers sell the same products and services, the most pressing issue is how to impress consumers and get them to choose their company.

[0003] To address this issue, mass retailer systems issue their own membership cards and promote various membership benefits to give preferential treatment to members.

[0004] Consumers are informed of the discounts available when paying with their company's membership cards through flyers, POP displays in the store and near the cash registers, and Commercial Messages (CMs) printed on receipts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-84305 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the price discount operation is performed by the cashier, and therefore there are cases where the cashier misses or makes an error in the operation, which leads to consumers' distrust of mass retailers.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables a benefit to be appropriately applied to a transaction when making a payment using a specific payment method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one embodiment, a payment device includes an acquisition means and a payment means, the acquisition means acquiring a payment method for a transaction, the payment means applying a benefit to the transaction if the payment method is a specific payment method, and the payment means processing the payment of the transaction according to the payment method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a store system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a management process of target payment information by a processing circuit of the POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a payment process by the processing circuit of the POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a first receipt issued by the POS terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the scale of each part in each drawing used in the following description of the embodiments may be changed as appropriate. Also, for the sake of explanation, each drawing used in the following description of the embodiments may omit configurations.

[0011] In the following, a store that sells products will be described as an example. The store is assumed to be a physical store. Products include not only tangible products, but also non-tangible products such as services or tickets. Services are services provided to customers. The store may be a store that mainly sells tangible products, or a store that mainly sells the provision of services. For example, a store that mainly sells tangible products is, but is not limited to, a supermarket or a home improvement store. For example, a store that mainly sells the provision of services is, but is not limited to, a restaurant or a sports gym.

[0012] A transaction is a transfer of costs from a customer to a store in relation to the sale of a product by the store. From the store's perspective, the transaction includes the sale of a product. From the customer's perspective, the transaction includes the purchase of a product.

[0013] For example, a store is operated by an operator. The type of operator may be any. For example, an operator operates multiple stores. An operator includes not only the operator himself but also a group of operators. A group of operators is a group that operates stores that are recognized as a group. For example, a group of operators is a group that operates stores using the same name. A group of operators may include franchisees in which the operator is involved as a franchisor. An operator is an example of an organization.

[0014] (Configuration example) FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a store system S. Store system S is a system in store X.

[0015] The store system S includes a POS (Point of sales) terminal 1, a store server 2, a store terminal 3, and a router 4. The POS terminal 1, the store server 2, the store terminal 3, and the router 4 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate freely via a network NA. For example, the network NA is a LAN (Local Area Network). The network NA may include a wireless network or a wired network.

[0016] The store system S is communicatively connected to the head office server 5 via a network NB. The network NB is composed of one or more of various networks such as the Internet, a mobile communication network, and a LAN. The one or more networks may include a wireless network or a wired network.

[0017] The store system S may also refer to a system including at least two devices among the POS terminal 1, the store server 2, the store terminal 3, and the router 4. The device includes electronic devices.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows an example in which the store system S includes one POS terminal 1, but the store system S may include multiple POS terminals including the POS terminal 1. The configuration of the multiple POS terminals may be similar to the configuration of the POS terminal 1. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the store system S includes one store terminal 3, but the store system S may include multiple store terminals including the store terminal 3. The configuration of the multiple store terminals may be similar to the configuration of the store terminal 3.

[0019] The POS terminal 1 is a device that processes transactions in the store X. For example, the POS terminal 1 has a product registration function. The POS terminal 1 uses the product registration function to process the registration of one or more products that are the subject of a transaction. Hereinafter, product registration is also referred to as product registration. Products that are the subject of a transaction are also referred to as transaction target products. Product registration is to register a product as a transaction target product. For example, product registration includes adding data related to the transaction target product to data related to the transaction. The transaction target data may include data related to the transaction target product for each transaction target product. The data related to the transaction target product is data on details of the transaction target product. The data related to the transaction target product may include a product code of the transaction target product. The product code of the transaction target product is identification information that can uniquely identify the transaction target product. The data related to the transaction target product may include a price of the transaction target product. The price of the transaction target product is the price per unit of the transaction target product. The data related to the transaction target product may include a number of the transaction target product. The number of the transaction target product is the number of the transaction target products included in one transaction. For example, data on transactions is stored in a transaction management server that manages each transaction. The transaction management server may be the store server 2, the headquarters server 5, or a different server.

[0020] For example, the POS terminal 1 has a payment function. The POS terminal 1 uses the payment function to process payment for a transaction based on data related to the transaction. Payment is payment for a transaction. Payment includes the meaning of accounting. Completion of payment by the POS terminal 1 includes the meaning of the conclusion of the transaction. The POS terminal 1 is an example of a payment device with a payment function.

[0021] Payment methods for settling a transaction include offline payment and online payment. Offline payment is a payment that does not require the POS terminal 1 to cooperate with other devices via the network NB. For example, offline payment is payment by cash, gift certificates, etc. Online payment is a payment that the POS terminal 1 executes in cooperation with other devices via the network NB. For example, online payment is credit card payment, electronic money payment, debit card payment, code payment, etc.

[0022] The store server 2 is a device capable of communicating with the POS terminal 1 via the network NA. When the store system S includes multiple POS terminals, the store server 2 is a device capable of communicating with the multiple POS terminals including the POS terminal 1 via the network NA. The store server 2 is an example of a device different from the POS terminal 1.

[0023] The store server 2 is a device that stores information required for transactions at store X. For example, the store server 2 stores target payment information. The store server 2 can acquire the target payment information set in the store terminal 3 from the store terminal 3 via the network NA. The store server 2 may store the target payment information acquired from the store terminal 3. The store server 2 can acquire the target payment information stored in the headquarters server 5 from the headquarters server 5 via the network NB. The store server 2 may store the target payment information acquired from the headquarters server 5.

[0024] The target payment information is information about a target payment method. For example, the target payment information is composed of a DLL (Dynamic Linking Library). The target payment method is a payment method to which a benefit is applied to a transaction when the payment method for the transaction is the target payment method. "Apply" includes meanings such as giving or using. The target payment method is an example of a specific payment method.

[0025] Benefits are based on the payment method for the transaction. The payment method for the transaction is the payment method for the transaction by the customer. The payment method for the transaction by the customer is the payment method for the transaction selected by the customer. If the payment method is an eligible payment method, the benefit based on the payment method for the transaction is applied to the transaction. If the payment method is not an eligible payment method, the benefit based on the payment method for the transaction is not applied to the transaction.

[0026] A reward is a beneficial event given to a customer. For example, a reward will be described as a discount on a transaction, but is not limited thereto. A customer is also referred to as a user.

[0027] A discount is a reduction in the payment for a transaction. For example, reducing the payment for a transaction means subtracting a discount amount from the total amount of the transaction. The total amount of a transaction is the amount calculated by adding up the amounts of each of the items included in the transaction. The amount of the items is calculated by multiplying the price of the items and the number of items. The total amount of a transaction is an example of the amount of a transaction. The discount amount is the amount subtracted from the total amount of a transaction. The discount amount may be an amount based on the discount amount or may be an amount based on the discount rate. Discount includes the meaning of a reduction in price or a discount.

[0028] The discount amount is an amount for reducing the payment for the transaction. For example, the discount amount is 500 yen, but is not limited to this. The amount based on the discount amount may be an amount corresponding to the discount amount.

[0029] The discount rate is a percentage for reducing the payment for a transaction. For example, the discount amount is 10%, but is not limited to this. The amount based on the discount rate may be an amount calculated by multiplying the discounted amount by the discount rate. The discounted amount is the amount to which a discount is applied. The discounted amount is an example of a special offer amount, which is the amount to which a special offer is applied.

[0030] Here, a transaction may include one or more non-discounted items. Non-discounted items are items that are not eligible for discounts. Non-discounted items include items that are not eligible for discounts due to laws and regulations, such as tobacco, stamps, or gift certificates. Non-discounted items may include items that are not eligible for discounts due to the business's settings. If a transaction does not include one or more non-discounted items, the discounted amount corresponds to the total amount of the transaction. In this case, the discount rate is applied to the amount corresponding to the total amount of the transaction. If a transaction includes one or more non-discounted items, the discounted amount is the amount obtained by subtracting the sum of the amounts of each non-discounted item from the total amount of the transaction. In this case, the discount rate is applied to the amount obtained by subtracting the sum of the amounts of each non-discounted item from the total amount of the transaction.

[0031] If the incentive is a discount, applying the discount to the transaction includes charging a lower amount than the total amount of the transaction. The charged amount is the amount charged to the customer for the transaction.

[0032] The target payment information may include information indicating a target payment method. The information indicating the target payment method may be identification information capable of uniquely identifying the target payment method. The target payment information may include information indicating details of a discount. The details of the discount are details of a discount to be applied to a transaction. For example, the details of the discount are a discount amount or a discount rate.

[0033] The content of the discount applied to a transaction may differ depending on the rank of the customer. The rank may vary according to the total amount paid by the customer for each transaction. The discount amount or discount rate may increase as the rank increases. This allows the business operator to provide appropriate discounts to each customer.

[0034] The target payment method may be determined for each store or each business. The target payment method is a specific online payment method, but is not limited to this. For example, the specific online payment method is an online payment method that can be used by a member of the business of Store X. A member is a customer who has registered with the business of Store X. The online payment method that can be used by a member is an online payment method that becomes available based on a request from the member.

[0035] In this example, the target payment method may be a specific credit card payment using a credit card that can be issued by a member of the business operator of store X. A credit card that can be issued by a member of the business operator of store X is also called the company's credit card of the business operator of store X. When a customer uses a credit card payment, the credit card payment used by the customer may be a specific online payment or may not be a specific online payment. The target payment method may be a specific electronic money payment using an electronic money card that can be issued by a member of the business operator of store X. An electronic money card that can be issued by a member of the business operator of store X is also called the company's electronic money card of the business operator of store X. When a customer uses an electronic money payment, the electronic money payment used by the customer may be a specific online payment or may not be a specific online payment. The target payment method may be a specific debit card payment using a debit card that can be issued by a member of the business operator of store X. A debit card that can be issued by a member of the business operator of store X is also called the company's debit card of the business operator of store X. When a customer uses a debit card payment, the debit card payment used by the customer may be a specific online payment or may not be a specific online payment. The target payment method may be a specific code payment available to members of the business operator of store X. Code payment available to members of the business operator of store X is also called the business operator of store X's own code payment. When a customer uses code payment, the code payment used by the customer may or may not be a specific online payment.

[0036] The store terminal 3 is a device used by a clerk at store X. The store terminal 3 includes an input device capable of inputting information. The store terminal 3 includes a display device capable of displaying images. The store terminal 3 includes a communication interface that communicatively connects the store terminal 3 to other devices via the network NA. The store terminal 3 is a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a PC (Personal Computer), etc., but may also be a dedicated device. The clerk at store X can set the target payment information using the store terminal 3 in order to store the target payment information in the store server 2. The setting of the target payment information by the clerk at store X includes not only new setting of the target payment information, but also setting for updating the target payment information.

[0037] The router 4 is a device that enables the store system S to communicate with other devices via the network NB. For example, the router 4 enables the store system S to communicate with the head office server 5 via the network NB.

[0038] The headquarters server 5 is a server of the operator of store X. The headquarters server 5 is a device capable of communicating with the store system S via the network NB. When an operator operates multiple stores including store X, the headquarters server 5 is a device capable of communicating with multiple store systems including the store system S via the network NB.

[0039] The headquarters server 5 is a device that stores various information. For example, the headquarters server 5 can store target payment information set by the business operator of store X. The setting of the target payment information by the business operator of store X includes not only new setting of the target payment information but also setting for updating the target payment information.

[0040] An example of the configuration of the POS terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG.

[0041] The POS terminal 1 includes a processing circuit 10, a main memory 11, an auxiliary storage device 12, a change machine interface 13, a communication interface 14, a scanner 15, an input device 16, a first display device 17-1, a second display device 17-2, a printing device 18, a reader 19, and an audio output device 20. The main memory 11, the auxiliary storage device 12, the change machine interface 13, the communication interface 14, the scanner 15, the input device 16, the first display device 17-1, the second display device 17-2, the printing device 18, the reader 19, and the audio output device 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to input and output signals. In FIG. 2, the interface is written as "I / F".

[0042] The processing circuit 10 corresponds to the central part of the POS terminal 1. The processing circuit 10 is an element that constitutes the computer of the POS terminal 1. The processing circuit 10 includes one or more circuits that execute multiple processes by multiple functions. For example, the circuit is a processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. For example, the processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), but is not limited thereto. The processing circuit 10 loads a program that is pre-stored in the main memory 11 or the auxiliary storage device 12 into the main memory 11. The program is a program that can cause the processing circuit 10 to execute processes by each means described later. The processing circuit 10 executes the program loaded into the main memory 11, thereby enabling various processes to be executed.

[0043] The main memory 11 includes elements corresponding to the main storage portion of the POS terminal 1. The main memory 11 is an element that constitutes the computer of the POS terminal 1. The main memory 11 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 11 stores an operating system or a program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 11 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processing circuit 10. For example, the main memory 11 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) as the non-volatile memory area. For example, the main memory 11 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) as the volatile memory area.

[0044] The auxiliary storage device 12 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the POS terminal 1. The auxiliary storage device 12 includes one or more storage devices. The storage devices are, but are not limited to, EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disc Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc. The auxiliary storage device 12 stores the above-mentioned programs, data used by the processing circuit 10 in performing various processes, and data generated by the processing in the processing circuit 10.

[0045] The auxiliary storage device 12 includes a target payment information storage area 121. The target payment information storage area 121 stores target payment information. The target payment information storage area 121 can store target payment information for one or more target payment methods. The data in the target payment information storage area 121 is updated by adding, updating, deleting, or the like, the target payment information. The target payment information storage area 121 is an example of a storage unit of the POS terminal 1.

[0046] The change machine interface 13 inputs and outputs data signals to and from the automatic change machine. For example, the change machine interface 13 receives inserted amount data from the automatic change machine. The change machine interface 13 outputs change amount data to the automatic change machine. The automatic change machine dispenses bills or coins equivalent to the change amount according to the change amount data.

[0047] The communication interface 14 includes various interfaces that communicably connect the POS terminal 1 to other devices via the network NA in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.

[0048] The scanner 15 is a device that reads various code symbols and acquires information from the code symbols. For example, the code symbols are barcode symbols or two-dimensional code symbols. The code symbols may include a code symbol of a product having a product code recorded thereon. The product's code symbol is an image attached to the product. The code symbols may include a code symbol having a membership code recorded thereon. The membership code is identification information that can uniquely identify a member. The code symbol having a membership code recorded thereon may be an image attached to a card or an image that can be displayed on a customer's terminal. The code symbols may include a code symbol for code payment.

[0049] The input device 16 is a device capable of inputting information to the POS terminal 1. For example, the input device 16 may include a keyboard. The input device 16 may form a touch screen together with the first display device 17-1.

[0050] The first display device 17-1 is a device capable of displaying various images under the control of the processing circuit 10. The first display device 17-1 is a display device for a store clerk to view mainly. For example, the first display device 17-1 is a liquid crystal display or an EL (Electroluminescence) display. The first display device 17-1 is an example of a display unit.

[0051] The second display device 17-2 is a device capable of displaying various images under the control of the processing circuit 10. The second display device 17-2 is a display device for customers to view mainly. For example, the second display device 17-2 is a liquid crystal display or an EL display. The second display device 17-2 is an example of a display unit.

[0052] The printing device 18 is a device for issuing transaction details by printing on a medium. For example, the medium is paper. For example, the printing device 18 is a thermal printer or an inkjet printer. The transaction details is a medium showing the details of the transaction. The transaction details will be described as a receipt, but it may also be a receipt with a space for writing the recipient's name.

[0053] For example, the transaction details include information about the store where the transaction took place, information about the date and time of the transaction, and all or part of the information about the transaction. The transaction details may include information other than these pieces of information. For example, the information about the store where the transaction took place includes the name of the store. The information about the store where the transaction took place may include information other than this information. For example, the information about the date and time of the transaction includes the date and time of the transaction. The information about the date and time of the transaction may include information other than this information.

[0054] For example, the information on the transaction includes, for each product, information on the product. The information on the product includes all or a part of the product code, the name, the price, the number of items, and the amount of the product. The information on the product may include information other than the above information.

[0055] The information about the transaction may include a total amount of the transaction. The information about the transaction may include an amount to which a discount is applied. The information about the transaction may include a discount amount. The information about the transaction may include a billing amount. Here, if the payment method for the transaction is the target payment method, a discount based on the payment method is applied to the transaction. Therefore, the billing amount is an amount obtained by subtracting the discount amount from the total amount of the transaction. Hereinafter, the amount obtained by subtracting the discount amount from the total amount of the transaction is also referred to as a first billing amount. The first billing amount is a billing amount obtained by applying a discount to the total amount of the transaction. The first billing amount is an example of an amount after applying a discount to the total amount of the transaction. Applying a discount to the total amount of the transaction is an example of applying a discount to the transaction. On the other hand, if the payment method for the transaction is not the target payment method, a discount based on the payment method is not applied to the transaction. Therefore, the billing amount is the total amount of the transaction. Hereinafter, a billing amount equal to the total amount of the transaction is also referred to as a second billing amount. The second billing amount is a billing amount obtained by not applying a discount to the total amount of the transaction. The information about the transaction may include a payment amount, which is the amount of payment for the transaction paid by the customer's selected payment method. The payment amount is equal to the billed amount.

[0056] The reader 19 is a device that reads card data recorded on a card medium. The reader 19 may include a contact reader that reads card data recorded on a magnetic stripe of the card medium. The reader 19 may include a non-contact reader that reads card data recorded on an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag of the card medium. The IC tag includes an IC chip and an antenna.

[0057] The audio output device 20 is a device capable of outputting various sounds under the control of the processing circuit 10. For example, the audio output device 20 is a speaker.

[0058] The hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and the POS terminal 1 allows the omission or modification of the above-mentioned components and the addition of new components as appropriate.

[0059] Each unit realized by the processing circuit 10 will be described. The processing circuit 10 realizes a management means 101, a registration means 102, an acquisition means 103, a determination means 104, a settlement means 105, a notification means 106, and an issuance means 107. Each means realized by the processing circuit 10 can also be called each unit or each function. Each means realized by the processing circuit 10 can also be called a control unit including the processing circuit 10 and the main memory 11.

[0060] The management means 101 manages the target payment information in the POS terminal 1. The registration means 102 handles the registration of one or more traded items. The acquiring means 103 acquires a payment method for the transaction. The determination means 104 determines whether or not the payment method is a target payment method based on the target payment information stored in the target payment information storage area 121. The payment mechanism 105 processes the payment of the transaction. The notification means 106 notifies information based on the application of a discount to a transaction. For example, the information based on the application of a discount to a transaction is information based on the fact that a discount has been applied to the transaction. Hereinafter, the information based on the application of a discount to a transaction is also referred to as discount application information. The discount application information may include information indicating that a discount has been applied to the transaction. In this example, the discount application information may be a message such as "A discount has been applied." The discount application information may include information indicating that the billing amount is lower than the total amount of the transaction. In this example, the discount application information may include information indicating the discount amount. The discount application information may be a message such as "A discount of xx yen has been applied." The discount application information may include information indicating a payment method corresponding to the target payment method used by the customer. In this example, the discount application information may be a message such as "A discount of xx yen has been applied for payment by payment method A." The issuing means 107 issues a receipt.

[0061] (Example of operation) The process of the POS terminal 1 will now be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for managing target payment information by the processing circuit 10 of the POS terminal 1. The processing circuit 10 can execute the process illustrated in FIG. 3 every time the target payment information stored in the store server 2 is updated.

[0062] The processing circuit 10 acquires target payment information (ACT1). ACT1 may be a process performed by the management means 101. In ACT1, for example, the processing circuit 10 acquires target payment information for one or more target payments from the store server 2 via the network NA.

[0063] The processing circuit 10 can keep the target payment information managed by the POS terminal 1 up to date by acquiring the target payment information from the store server 2. The processing circuit 10 can acquire the target payment information from the store server 2 that can communicate with multiple POS terminals including the POS terminal 1. This allows the processing circuit 10 to manage in the POS terminal 1 the same information as the target payment information managed by another POS terminal among the multiple POS terminals. Therefore, regardless of which POS terminal among the multiple POS terminals a customer uses, if the payment method for the transaction is the target payment method, the customer can appropriately receive a discount on the transaction.

[0064] The processing circuit 10 stores the target payment information in the target payment information storage area 121 (ACT2). ACT2 may be processing by the management means 101. In ACT2, for example, the processing circuit 10 stores the acquired target payment information for one or more target payments in the target payment information storage area 121 based on the acquisition of target payment information for one or more target payments.

[0065] The processing circuit 10 can manage the target payment information in the POS terminal 1 by storing the target payment information in the target payment information storage area 121. Therefore, the processing circuit 10 can appropriately apply a discount to a transaction by referring to the target payment information managed in the POS terminal 1.

[0066] In ACT1, the processing circuit 10 acquires the target payment information from the store server 2, but is not limited to this. The processing circuit 10 may acquire the target payment information for one or more target payments from the headquarters server 5 via the network NB. In this example, the processing circuit 10 can execute the process illustrated in FIG. 3 every time the target payment information stored in the headquarters server 5 is updated. The headquarters server 5 may be a device capable of communicating with multiple POS terminals including the POS terminal 1. The headquarters server 5 is an example of a device different from the POS terminal 1.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a payment process performed by the processing circuit 10 of the POS terminal 1. The processing circuit 10 can execute the process illustrated in FIG. 4 for each transaction. In this example, payment method A is a target payment method, and payment method B is not a target payment method.

[0068] The processing circuit 10 processes product registration for one or more products to be traded (ACT11). ACT11 may be processing by the registration means 102. In ACT11, for example, the processing circuit 10 acquires a product code of the product to be traded based on reading a code symbol of the product to be traded by the scanner 15. The processing circuit 10 may acquire a product code of the product to be traded based on selection of the product to be traded using the input device 16. The processing circuit 10 outputs a registration request including the product code of the product to be traded to the transaction management server. The registration request is a request for causing the transaction management server to execute product registration for the product to be traded. The transaction management server adds data regarding the product to the transaction data based on the product code of the product to be traded included in the registration request. The transaction management server may refer to the data of the product master. The data of the product master is data including various information regarding the product, such as a product code, a price, and a product name, for each product. Outputting a registration request including the product code of the product to be traded to the transaction management server is an example of processing product registration for the product to be traded.

[0069] The processing circuit 10 detects the end of the product registration (ACT12). ACT12 may be a process performed by a registration unit. In ACT12, for example, the processing circuit 10 detects the end of the product registration based on the selection of a button for starting a payment using the input device 16.

[0070] The processing circuit 10 acquires a payment method for the transaction (ACT13). ACT13 may be processing by an acquisition means. In ACT13, for example, the processing circuit 10 acquires information indicating the payment method for the transaction. The information indicating the payment method may be identification information capable of uniquely identifying the payment method. Acquiring information indicating the payment method is an example of acquiring a payment method for the transaction.

[0071] A case where the payment method for the transaction is credit card payment will be described. The processing circuit 10 acquires information necessary for credit card payment from a credit card via the reader 19. The information necessary for credit card payment may include information indicating the payment method for credit card payment. The information indicating the payment method differs depending on the type of credit card, even in the case of credit card payment. A case where the payment method for the transaction is electronic money payment will be described. The processing circuit 10 acquires information necessary for electronic money payment from an electronic money card via the reader 19. The information necessary for electronic money payment may include information indicating the payment method for electronic money payment. The information indicating the payment method differs depending on the type of electronic money, even in the case of electronic money payment. A case where the payment method for the transaction is debit card payment will be described. The processing circuit 10 acquires information necessary for debit card payment from a debit card via the reader 19. The information necessary for debit card payment may include information indicating the payment method for debit card payment. The information indicating the payment method differs depending on the type of debit card, even in the case of debit card payment. A case where the payment method for the transaction is code payment will be described. The processing circuit 10 acquires information necessary for code payment from a code symbol for code payment via the scanner 15. The information required for code payment may include information indicating the payment method for the code payment. The information indicating the payment method differs depending on the type of code payment, even if the code payment is used.

[0072] The processing circuit 10 determines whether the payment method for the transaction is the target payment method based on the target payment information stored in the target payment information storage area 121 (ACT14). ACT14 may be processing by the determination means 104. In ACT14, for example, the processing circuit 10 compares the acquired information indicating the payment method with information indicating the target payment method included in the target payment information for one or more target payments. If the information indicating the payment method matches the information indicating the target payment method, the processing circuit 10 can determine that the payment method for the transaction is the target payment method. For example, if the payment method for the transaction is payment method A, the payment method for the transaction is the target payment method. On the other hand, if the information indicating the payment method does not match the information indicating the target payment method, the processing circuit 10 can determine that the payment method for the transaction is not the target payment method. For example, if the payment method for the transaction is payment method B, the payment method for the transaction is not the target payment method.

[0073] The processing circuit 10 changes whether or not to apply a discount to the transaction depending on whether the payment method for the transaction is a target payment method. If the payment method for the transaction is a target payment method (ACT14, YES), the processing transitions from ACT14 to ACT15. In this case, the processing circuit 10 applies a discount to the transaction. If the payment method for the transaction is not a target payment method (ACT14, NO), the processing transitions from ACT14 to ACT19. In this case, the processing circuit 10 does not apply a discount to the transaction.

[0074] The processing circuit 10 can automatically determine whether or not to apply a discount to a transaction by determining whether or not the payment method for the transaction is a target payment method. Therefore, the processing circuit 10 can prevent the failure or mistake of applying a discount to a transaction due to an operation failure or operation error by a store clerk.

[0075] The processing circuit 10 applies a discount to the transaction (ACT15). ACT15 may be processing by the payment means 105. In ACT15, for example, the processing circuit 10 calculates a discount amount based on information indicating the content of the discount included in the target payment information. If the content of the discount is a discount amount, the processing circuit 10 can calculate a discount amount corresponding to the discount amount. If the content of the discount is a discount rate, the processing circuit 10 can calculate the discount amount based on the amount to which the discount is applied and the discount rate. The processing circuit 10 calculates a first billing amount based on the total amount of the transaction and the discount amount. The processing circuit 10 can make the billing amount cheaper than the total amount of the transaction by using the first billing amount.

[0076] The processing circuit 10 can automatically apply a discount to the total amount of the transaction by applying a discount to the transaction based on the target payment information. Therefore, the processing circuit 10 can prevent a store clerk from failing to apply or applying an incorrect discount to a transaction due to an operation error or an operation mistake. The processing circuit 10 can apply a discount to the entire transaction, rather than a discount set for a specific product or a specific product category.

[0077] The processing circuit 10 processes the payment of the transaction by the payment method for the transaction (ACT16). ACT16 may be processing by the payment means 105. Here, the payment of the transaction is the payment for the first billing amount. Processing the payment of the transaction includes completing the payment of the transaction. Completing the payment of the transaction includes completing the payment for the billing amount. In ACT16, for example, the processing circuit 10 processes the payment of the transaction by the payment method that is the target payment method. A description will be given assuming that the payment method for the transaction is payment method A. The processing circuit 10 processes the payment for the first billing amount by payment method A. If payment method A is a specific credit card payment, the processing circuit 10 processes the payment for the first billing amount by the specific credit card payment. If payment method A is a specific electronic money payment, the processing circuit 10 processes the payment for the first billing amount by the specific electronic money payment. If payment method A is a specific debit card payment, the processing circuit 10 processes the payment for the first billing amount by the specific debit card payment. If payment method A is a specific code payment, the processing circuit 10 processes the payment for the first billing amount by the specific code payment.

[0078] The processing circuit 10 processes the payment of the transaction using the payment method for the transaction, and can process the payment for the amount after applying the discount to the transaction using the payment method selected by the customer. Therefore, the processing circuit 10 can prevent the failure or mistake of applying the discount to the transaction due to an operation failure or operation error by the store clerk.

[0079] The processing circuit 10 notifies the discount application information (ACT17). ACT17 may be processing by the notification means 106. Notifying the discount application information includes notifying the discount application information by display. Notifying the discount application information includes notifying the discount application information by audio output. In ACT17, for example, the processing circuit 10 notifies the discount application information based on processing of payment of the transaction using the payment method that is the target payment method.

[0080] The processing circuit 10 can notify the discount application information by displaying the discount application information on the first display device 17-1. In this way, the processing circuit 10 can notify the store clerk by displaying that the discount has been applied reliably. By notifying the store clerk by displaying, the processing circuit 10 can notify the store clerk that the discount has been applied normally to the transaction.

[0081] The processing circuit 10 can notify the customer of the discount application information by displaying the discount application information on the second display device 17-2. This allows the processing circuit 10 to notify the customer by displaying that the discount has been applied. By notifying the customer by displaying, the processing circuit 10 can give the customer a sense of security and excitement. If the customer becomes a repeat customer, the business operator can retain the customer.

[0082] The processing circuit 10 can notify the customer of the discount application information by outputting the discount application information by voice from the voice output device 20. This allows the processing circuit 10 to notify the customer by voice that the discount has been applied without fail. By notifying the customer by voice, the processing circuit 10 can give the customer a sense of security and excitement. By turning the customer into a repeat customer, the business operator can retain the customer.

[0083] The processing circuit 10 issues a receipt (ACT18). ACT18 may be processing by the issuing means 107. In ACT18, for example, the processing circuit 10 issues a receipt based on processing of the settlement of the transaction using the payment method that is the target payment method. Hereinafter, a receipt issued based on processing of the settlement of the transaction using the payment method that is the target payment method is also referred to as a first receipt.

[0084] The first receipt may indicate information about the store where the transaction took place. The first receipt may indicate information about the date and time of the transaction. The first receipt may indicate information about the transaction. The information about the transaction may include information about the items involved in the transaction for each item involved in the transaction. The information about the transaction may include a total amount of the transaction. The information about the transaction may include an amount to which a discount is applied. The information about the transaction may include a discount amount. The information about the transaction may include a first billed amount. The information about the transaction may include a payment amount.

[0085] The first receipt indicates the discount amount, thereby notifying the customer that the discount has definitely been applied. The customer can confirm that the discount has definitely been applied, even after leaving store X, by using the first receipt.

[0086] The first receipt may show a message regarding the discount. The message regarding the discount is a message for advertising the discount. The message regarding the discount may include a target payment method. The message regarding the discount may include the content of the discount. The first receipt can display a discount message to inform the customer that a discount will be applied to the transaction by using the target payment method.

[0087] The processing circuit 10 processes the payment of the transaction using the payment method for the transaction (ACT19). ACT19 may be processing by the payment means 105. Here, the payment of the transaction is a payment for the second billing amount. In ACT19, for example, the processing circuit 10 processes the payment of the transaction using a payment method that is not the target payment method. A description will be given assuming that the payment method for the transaction is payment method B. The processing circuit 10 processes the payment for the second billing amount using payment method B. Payment method B may be payment by cash or payment by gift certificate. Payment method B may be credit card payment different from a specific credit card payment. Payment method B may be electronic money payment different from a specific electronic money payment. Payment method B may be debit card payment different from a specific debit card payment. Payment method B may be code payment different from a specific code payment.

[0088] The processing circuit 10 issues a receipt (ACT20). ACT20 may be processing by the issuing means 107. In ACT20, for example, the processing circuit 10 issues a receipt based on processing of the payment of a transaction using a payment method that is not a target payment method. Hereinafter, a receipt issued based on processing of the payment of a transaction using a payment method that is not a target payment method is also referred to as a second receipt.

[0089] The second receipt may show information about the store where the transaction took place. The second receipt may show information about the date and time of the transaction. The second receipt may show information about the transaction. The information about the transaction may include information about the products involved in the transaction for each product involved in the transaction. The information about the transaction may include a total amount of the transaction. The information about the transaction may include a second billing amount. The information about the transaction may include an amount paid. The second receipt may show a message about a discount, like the first receipt. This allows the business to motivate customers to issue their own credit card, etc.

[0090] (Display example) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows discount application information displayed on the second display device 17-2. The second display device 17-2 displays the message "A discount of xx yen was applied when paying with payment method A" as the discount application information. In this example, the discount application information includes information indicating that a discount has been applied to the transaction, information indicating the discount amount, and information indicating the payment method corresponding to the target payment method used by the customer.

[0091] (Example of receipt) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a first receipt R issued by the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG. The first receipt R includes a first area RA and a second area RB.

[0092] The first area RA is an area showing a message about a discount. The first receipt R shows a message about a discount in the first area RA, such as "Get 10% off when paying with payment method A!" In this example, the message about the discount includes the applicable payment method and the details of the discount.

[0093] The second area RB is an area showing transaction details. In the second area RB, the first receipt R shows "product a" and "￥aaa", "product b" and "￥bbb", and "product c" and "￥ccc" as information on the products subject to the transaction. In the second area RB, the first receipt R shows "￥ddd" in association with "subtotal" as the total amount of the transaction. In the second area RB, the first receipt R shows "￥ddd" in association with "payment method A target" as the amount subject to the discount. In the second area RB, the first receipt R shows "-￥eee" in association with "payment method A discount" as the discount amount. In the second area RB, the first receipt R shows "￥fff" in association with "total" as the first billing amount. In the second area RB, the first receipt R shows "￥fff" in association with "payment method A payment" as the payment amount.

[0094] (Modification) A variation of the above description will now be described.

[0095] In the above description, a transaction in a real store has been taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment can also be applied to a transaction in an EC (Electronic Commerce) site such as an online shop or an online supermarket. In this example, the "store" in the above description includes a virtual store.

[0096] In the above description, the POS terminal 1 issues receipts by printing on a medium such as paper, but this is not limiting. The POS terminal 1 may also perform processing to issue electronic receipts.

[0097] In the above explanation, a discount has been used as an example of a benefit, but this is not limiting. A benefit may be the granting of points or a coupon for a transaction. Points may have monetary value. A coupon may be a coupon that can be exchanged for a product or a discount on a price. If the benefit is the granting of points for a transaction, the content of the benefit applied to the transaction may be the amount of points or a percentage of points. If the benefit is the granting of a coupon for a transaction, the content of the benefit applied to the transaction may be the subject of the coupon. The subject of the coupon may be a product that can be redeemed for the coupon. The subject of the coupon may be a discount on a specific product or an unspecified product.

[0098] In the above description, the POS terminal 1 having a product registration function and a payment function and in which a store clerk is involved in product registration and payment has been described as an example of a payment device, but the present invention is not limited to this. The payment device may be a POS terminal having a product registration function and a payment function, in which a customer can complete the process from product registration to payment without the intervention of a store clerk. The payment device may be a POS terminal having a payment function, in which a customer can make a payment without the intervention of a store clerk. In this example, product registration may be performed by a store clerk using a registration device. Product registration may be performed by a customer using a shopping cart system having a product registration function. Product registration may be performed by a customer using a mobile terminal owned by the customer. Product registration may be performed by a customer using a mobile terminal prepared in advance by a store or the like.

[0099] According to the embodiment, the POS terminal 1 can apply a discount to a transaction when the payment method for the transaction is a target payment method. This allows the processing circuit 10 to appropriately apply a discount to a transaction when the payment is made using the target payment method. Furthermore, the processing circuit 10 can prevent a discount from being applied incorrectly or not applied correctly to a transaction due to an operation error or an operation error by a store clerk.

[0100] [Other embodiments] The settlement device may be realized by one device as explained by taking the POS terminal 1 as an example, or may be realized by a plurality of devices with distributed functions.

[0101] The above-described embodiment may be applied to a method executed by the device. The above-described embodiment may be applied to a program capable of causing a computer of the device to execute each function. The above-described embodiment may be applied to a recording medium storing the program.

[0102] Each of the one or more circuits constituting the processing circuit executes one or more processes among the multiple processes. When the processing circuit is composed of a single circuit, the single circuit executes all of the multiple processes. When the processing circuit is composed of multiple circuits, each of the multiple circuits executes a part of the multiple processes. The part of the multiple processes may be one of the multiple processes, or two or more of the multiple processes. When the processing circuit is composed of multiple circuits, the multiple circuits may be included in one device, or may be distributed across multiple devices.

[0103] The program may be transferred in a state where it is stored in the device according to the embodiment, or in a state where it is not stored in the device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network, or in a state where it is recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The recording medium is a computer-readable medium. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, as long as it is capable of storing the program and is readable by a computer.

[0104] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these 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.

[0105] The above embodiment may be expressed as follows. (1) an acquiring instrument for acquiring a payment method for the transaction; a payment means for applying a benefit to the transaction if the payment method is a specific payment method and processing the payment of the transaction according to the payment method; A payment device comprising: (2) a management means for storing information regarding the specific payment method in a storage unit; a determination means for determining whether the payment method is the specific payment method based on information about the specific payment method stored in the storage unit; The payment device according to (1) further comprises: (3) The payment device according to (2), wherein the management means obtains information regarding the specific payment method from a device other than the payment device. (4) The payment device according to (3), wherein the device different from the payment device is a device capable of communicating with multiple payment devices including the payment device. (5) A payment device according to any one of (1) to (3), further comprising a notification means for notifying information based on the application of the benefit to the transaction. (6) the benefit is a discount on the transaction; The settlement of the transaction is the amount after applying the discount to the amount of the transaction. A payment device according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) To the computer: The ability to obtain a payment method for the transaction; applying a reward to the transaction if the payment method is a specific payment method; processing payment of said transaction according to said payment method; A program that can execute the following. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1...POS terminal, 2...store server, 3...store terminal, 4...router, 5...headquarters server, 10...processing circuit, 11...main memory, 12...auxiliary storage device, 13...change machine interface, 14...communications interface, 15...scanner, 16...input device, 17-1...first display device, 17-2...second display device, 18...printing device, 19...reader, 20...audio output device, 101...management means, 102...registration means, 103...acquisition means, 104...determination means, 105...payment means, 106...notification means, 107...issuance means, 121...target payment information storage area, NA...network, NB...network, R...first receipt, RA...first area, RB...second area, S...store system, X...store.

Claims

1. an acquiring means for acquiring a payment method for the transaction; a payment means for applying a benefit to the transaction if the payment method is a specific payment method and processing the payment of the transaction according to the payment method; A payment device comprising:

2. a management means for storing information about the specific payment method in a storage unit; a determination means for determining whether the payment method is the specific payment method based on information about the specific payment method stored in the storage unit; The payment device of claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The payment device according to claim 2 , wherein the management means acquires information regarding the specific payment method from a device different from the payment device.

4. The payment device according to claim 3 , wherein the device different from the payment device is a device capable of communicating with a plurality of payment devices including the payment device.

5. The settlement device according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification means for notifying information based on application of the benefit to the transaction.

6. On the computer, The ability to obtain a payment method for the transaction; applying a reward to the transaction if the payment method is a specific payment method; processing payment of said transaction according to said payment method; A program that can execute the following.

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