Settlement device and program thereof

Abstract

To prevent fraudulent transactions where a subject of the transaction leaves a store without making a payment.SOLUTION: A settlement device acquires identification information that identifies the transaction with a transaction subject upstream of a passage through which the transaction subject passes. Determination means determines whether or not the transaction identified by the identification information acquired by acquisition means has already been settled. The settlement device controls an operation in a first mode to report when a person passing through the passage is detected by a detector after the transaction has been settled and before the determination is made that the transaction with a next transaction target has been settled. The settlement device controls an operation in a second mode in which no report is made even when a person passing through the passage is detected by the detector until a predetermined time has elapsed after the transaction is determined to have been settled, or until a transaction subject whose transaction is determined to have been settled passes through the passage within the predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, mobile payment systems have been developed that allow transaction subjects, referred to as customers, consumers, purchasers, etc., to operate mobile terminals to register purchased items and make payments, and these systems are already in practical use in supermarkets and other locations. By introducing mobile payment systems, stores can alleviate congestion at the cash register. In addition, stores can reduce the number of cashiers, thereby reducing labor costs. However, since no store clerk is involved in the payment process, there is a concern that fraud is likely to occur in which transaction subjects leave the store without making a payment. These issues are also present in stores that have introduced self-service payment devices that allow transaction subjects to perform all processes at the cash register, from registering purchased items to making payments, by themselves. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-012677 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a payment device that can prevent a transaction target from leaving a store without making a payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one embodiment, the payment device includes a payment means, a receiving means, an acquisition means, a determination means, and a control means. The payment means settles a transaction with a transaction target upstream of a passage through which the transaction target passes. The receiving means receives a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage. The acquisition means acquires identification information for identifying a transaction with a transaction target upstream of the passage. The determination means determines whether or not a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition means has been settled. The control means controls an operation in a first mode in which a report is issued when a person passing through the passage is detected by the detector from when a transaction target whose transaction has been settled passes through the passage until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has been settled. The control means controls an operation in a second mode in which a report is not issued even if a person passing through the passage is detected by the detector until a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a transaction target whose transaction has been determined to have been settled within the predetermined time passes through the passage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a store system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing main data described in a transaction file. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the first POS terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a gate mechanism. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor of the first POS terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main information processing steps executed by the processor of the first POS terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main information processing steps executed by the processor of the first POS terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main information processing steps executed by the processor of the first POS terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an example of a no-entry image displayed on the touch panel and the display. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an example of a warning image displayed on the touch panel and the display. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows an example of a store clerk call image displayed on the touch panel and the display. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an example of a passage permission image displayed on the touch panel and the display. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the correspondence between the operation mode of the first POS terminal and information processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a payment device that can prevent a transaction subject, referred to as a customer, consumer, purchaser, or the like, from leaving a store without making a payment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a payment device is illustrated that is applied to a store that has introduced a mobile payment system in which a transaction target person uses a mobile terminal to register purchased items by himself / herself.

[0008] [Outline of store system (POS system)] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a store system 100 established in a store in which a mobile payment system 20 has been introduced. The store system 100 comprises a POS (Point Of Sales) system 10 and a mobile payment system 20.

[0009] The POS system 10 includes a plurality of POS terminals 11, a POS server 12, and an attendant terminal 13. The POS system 10 connects the plurality of POS terminals 11, the POS server 12, and the attendant terminal 13 via a communication network 14. The communication network 14 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). Although only one attendant terminal 13 is shown in FIG. 1, the POS system 10 may be configured by connecting two or more attendant terminals 13 to the communication network 14.

[0010] The POS terminals 11 include a first POS terminal 11-1 that is associated with the gate mechanism 40 on a one-to-one basis, and a second POS terminal 11-2 that is not associated with the gate mechanism 40. The gate mechanism 40 and the first POS terminal 11-1 will be described in detail later.

[0011] The second POS terminal 11-2 is a device for registering products to be traded between a store as a seller and a transaction target as a buyer, and for settling the transaction after the product registration. The second POS terminal 11-2 can be a well-known POS terminal also called a product registration device, accounting machine, settlement terminal, etc. That is, the second POS terminal 11-2 may be a face-to-face type in which an employee performs the process from product registration to transaction settlement, or a self-service type in which the transaction target performs the process from product registration to transaction settlement. Alternatively, the second POS terminal 11-2 may be a shared type in which an employee registers the product and the transaction target settles the transaction.

[0012] The second POS terminal 11-2 may be a payment machine dedicated to transaction processing. The second POS terminal 11-2 has a function of issuing a receipt on which transaction details such as a transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, and payment data are recorded each time a transaction is settled. A machine-readable code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code is printed on the receipt. The machine-readable code includes the transaction number recorded on the receipt. The machine-readable code is read by, for example, the fixed scanner 57 (see FIG. 3) of the gate mechanism 40. The machine-readable code may be displayed in the form of an electronic receipt on a mobile terminal held by the transaction target. In this case, the electronic receipt includes information on which transaction details such as a transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, and payment data are recorded, just like a printed receipt. The machine-readable code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code is displayed on the electronic receipt. In addition, a machine-readable code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code may be displayed in a readable manner on a mobile terminal held by the transaction target, without displaying information recording the details of the transaction.

[0013] The POS server 12 is a computer that provides services such as managing information such as store sales and inventory at the time of product sales by collecting and aggregating sales data of each product registered in each POS terminal 11 via the communication network 14.

[0014] The attendant terminal 13 is installed at an attendant counter where a store clerk called an attendant is always present. The attendant terminal 13 is equipped with a display device and is used by the attendant to monitor the input contents and the like for each POS terminal 11. Specifically, the attendant terminal 13 displays on the display device in real time the information being processed by each POS terminal 11 for each POS terminal 11. The information displayed on the display device includes information related to the products registered in the POS terminal 11, such as the product name, price, quantity, and the like. Information related to payment, such as the total amount of the transaction (payment amount), the payment amount by payment method, and the like, is also displayed on the display device. The attendant terminal 13 may be a handy terminal carried by the store clerk.

[0015] [Outline of store system (mobile payment system)] The mobile payment system 20 includes a plurality of mobile terminals 21 and a mobile server 22. The mobile payment system 20 wirelessly connects the plurality of mobile terminals 21 and the mobile server 22 via an access point 24 of a communication network 23.

[0016] The mobile terminal 21 is a portable information terminal equipped with input / output devices such as a touch panel and a camera, and a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with the access point 24. For example, the mobile terminal 21 can be a smartphone owned by the transaction target, a handheld terminal rented out by a store, a tablet terminal attached to a shopping cart, etc. For example, in the case of a smartphone, application software for supporting the transaction target's shopping at a store where the mobile payment system 20 is installed, a so-called shopping app, is installed to turn the smartphone into the mobile terminal 21.

[0017] The mobile terminal 21 is operated by the transaction target who moves around the sales floor and collects products to be purchased. Each time the transaction target acquires a product, the transaction target operates the mobile terminal 21 to input data related to the purchased product. For example, the transaction target inputs the product code of the purchased product by scanning the barcode of the purchased product with the camera of the mobile terminal 21. For example, the transaction target inputs the product code, purchase quantity, etc. of the purchased product by operating the touch panel of the mobile terminal 21. The data related to the purchased product input to the mobile terminal 21 is wirelessly transmitted and received by the mobile server 22 via the access point 24.

[0018] After completing their shopping, the transaction target performs an operation on the mobile terminal 21 to instruct the transaction to proceed to payment. By performing the operation to instruct the transaction, a machine-readable code for the transaction is displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 21. The machine-readable code is, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code. In this embodiment, the machine-readable code for the transaction is a barcode. The transaction target can make a payment at the POS terminal 11 by having the scanner of the POS terminal 11 read the barcode for the transaction. Payment at the POS terminal 11 may be a cashless payment such as electronic money payment, credit card payment, or code payment, or may be payment by cash or a voucher such as a gift certificate.

[0019] Furthermore, if application software for cashless payment, a so-called payment app, is installed in the mobile terminal 21, payment can be made using the mobile terminal 21. Payment can be made using cashless payment such as electronic money payment, credit card payment, or code payment. When the transaction target operates the mobile terminal 21 for cashless payment, payment data is wirelessly transmitted from the mobile terminal 21. The payment data includes a payment type indicating the payment method and a payment amount. For example, when a consumer makes a cashless payment using electronic money, payment data including information on the payment type indicating the electronic money and the payment amount using the electronic money is wirelessly transmitted. The wirelessly transmitted payment data is received by the mobile server 22 via the access point 24.

[0020] The mobile server 22 is a computer for supporting transactions with transaction targets who register products for purchase using the mobile terminal 21. The mobile server 22 has a memory area for storing multiple transaction files 26. The transaction files 26 are data files created for each transaction using the mobile terminal 21.

[0021] 2 is a schematic diagram showing main data described in the transaction file 26. As shown in the figure, the transaction file 26 describes the transaction number, transaction date and time, one or more product sales data, total data, payment data, settlement completion flag Fa, etc.

[0022] The transaction number is a unique number that is issued to individually identify a transaction using the mobile terminal 21. For example, the transaction number is a sequential number that is incremented by "1" each time a transaction using the mobile terminal 21 is initiated. The transaction number may also be a sequential number that is incremented by "1" each time a transaction using the mobile terminal 21 is instructed to be paid for. The transaction number may also be a unique number based on other algorithms. A barcode for payment is data including a transaction number represented in the form of a barcode.

[0023] The transaction date and time is the date and time when the transaction was made. The time may be the time when the transaction was initiated or the time when the transaction was instructed to be paid for.

[0024] The product sales data is created based on data related to purchased items input to the mobile terminal 21. The product sales data includes the product code, price, purchase points, purchase amount, etc. of the purchased item. The product code is an identification code of the purchased item input to the mobile terminal 21. The price is a price acquired from a PLU (Price Look Up) file in which the price of each item is set in association with the product code of the item. The purchase points is the number of points if a purchase point has been input to the mobile terminal 21, and is "1" if no purchase point has been input. The purchase amount is an amount calculated by multiplying the price by the purchase points.

[0025] The total data is composed of data on the total number of items and the total price. The total number of items is the total of the purchased items of the product sales data included in the transaction file 26. The total price is the total of the purchased prices of the product sales data included in the transaction file 26.

[0026] The payment data includes a payment type for identifying the payment method and the payment amount according to that payment method. If the transaction identified by the transaction number is paid using a mobile terminal 21, the payment data is stored based on data from the mobile terminal 21. If the transaction is paid using a POS terminal 11, the payment data is stored based on data from the POS terminal 11.

[0027] The payment completion flag Fa is 1-bit data for identifying whether or not the payment of the transaction managed in the transaction file 26 has been completed. In this embodiment, the payment completion flag Fa indicating that the payment has not been completed is set to "0", and the payment completion flag Fa indicating that the payment has been completed is set to "1". When the payment of the transaction identified by the transaction number is made using the mobile terminal 21, the payment completion flag Fa changes from "0" to "1". When the payment of the same transaction is made at the POS terminal 11, the payment completion flag Fa also changes from "0" to "1".

[0028] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1. The POS system 10 connects a communication server 31 to the communication network 14. The mobile payment system 20 connects a communication server 32 to the communication network 23. Both communication servers 31 and 32 provide data communication services via the inter-server network 30. This connection enables data to be transmitted and received between each POS terminal 11 and POS server 12 in the POS system 10 and each mobile terminal 21 and mobile server 22 in the mobile payment system 20. Through this data communication, transaction data processed in the mobile payment system 20 is imported into the POS system 10.

[0029] [First POS terminal configuration explanation] 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the first POS terminal 11-1. The first POS terminal 11-1 includes a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a clock 54, a communication interface 55, a touch panel 56, a fixed scanner 57, a printer 58, a scanner interface 59, a card reader interface 60, a change machine interface 61, a gate mechanism interface 62, and a system transmission path 63. The system transmission path 63 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission path 63 connects the processor 51 to each of the other parts, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0030] The first POS terminal 11-1 constitutes a computer by connecting the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, the clock 54, and the communication interface 55 through a system transmission line 63. Input / output devices such as a touch panel 56, a fixed scanner 57, and a printer 58, and device interfaces such as a scanner interface 59, a card reader interface 60, a change machine interface 61, and a gate mechanism interface 62 are connected to the system transmission line 63 and controlled by a computer to realize the function of the first POS terminal 11-1. Note that the input / output devices or device interfaces connected to the system transmission line 63 are not limited to those described above. For example, other input / output devices such as a keyboard may be connected, or an interface of a cashless payment terminal may be connected.

[0031] The processor 51 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 51 controls each part to realize various functions of the first POS terminal 11-1 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 51 is preferably a multi-core processor that includes multiple processor cores and is capable of executing multiple processes in parallel.

[0032] The main memory 52 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 52 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 52 stores an operating system or an application program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 52 may store data required for the processor 51 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 52 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 51. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0033] The auxiliary storage device 53 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 53. The auxiliary storage device 53 stores data used by the processor 51 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 51, etc. The auxiliary storage device 53 may also store the above application programs.

[0034] The clock 54 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 51 processes the date and time kept by the clock 54 as the current date and time.

[0035] The communication interface 55 is an interface for performing data communication with the POS server 12, the attendant terminal 13, and the like connected to the communication network .

[0036] The touch panel 56 includes a display that functions as a display device of the first POS terminal 11-1 and a touch sensor that functions as an input device. The touch panel 56 displays various information on the display for the transaction target or store clerk, who is the user of the first POS terminal 11-1. The touch panel 56 detects a touch operation on the display screen with the touch sensor and accepts an input according to the touch position.

[0037] Fixed scanner 57 is an input device that scans and reads machine-readable codes such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes. Fixed scanner 57 can read machine-readable codes displayed on the display of mobile terminal 21, for example. Fixed scanner 57 can also read machine-readable codes printed on ID cards carried by store clerks. ID cards carried by store clerks have a machine-readable code printed on them that indicates the store clerk's unique identification code, a so-called employee code.

[0038] Printer 58 is a printing device for printing and issuing receipts. A receipt is a paper medium on which transaction details such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, payment data, etc. are recorded.

[0039] The scanner interface 59 is an interface capable of performing data communication with a handheld scanner 71 (see FIG. 4). The handheld scanner 71 is a portable scanner, and is an input device that scans and reads machine-readable codes in the same manner as a fixed scanner.

[0040] The card reader interface 60 is an interface capable of performing data communication with a card reader. The card reader is an input device that reads data recorded on a card medium such as a credit card, an electronic money card, or a point card. The card reader may be an IC card reader that reads data from an IC card, or a magnetic card reader that reads data from a magnetic card. The IC card reader may be a contact type IC card reader, or a non-contact type IC card reader.

[0041] The change machine interface 61 is an interface capable of performing data communication with an automatic change machine that can receive deposits and dispense change.

[0042] The gate mechanism interface 62 is an interface capable of performing data communication with each of the devices included in the gate mechanism 40, such as the human sensor 41, the patrol lamp 42, the LED 43, the speaker 44, the display 45, and the like.

[0043] [Gate mechanism configuration explanation] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the gate mechanism 40 that is associated one-to-one with the first POS terminal 11-1. The gate mechanism 40 has a housing 400 that is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape. The housing 400 is arranged along an aisle PA along which the transaction target moves in the direction of the illustrated arrow. The aisle PA has an entrance on the side where the transaction target moving in the direction of the illustrated arrow enters, and an exit on the side where the transaction target exits. The transaction target who enters from the entrance can exit, for example, from inside the store to outside the store by passing through the aisle PA and exiting from the exit. Alternatively, the transaction target can move from one location in the store to another.

[0044] Of the four faces of the housing 400 extending upward from the four sides of the face in contact with the floor surface of the aisle PA, the face arranged along the aisle PA is called a side face 401, the face arranged facing the inside of the store is called a front face 402, and the face opposite to the face in contact with the floor surface of the aisle PA is called a top face 403. The joint between the front face 402 and the top face 403 is called a folder 404 of the first POS terminal 11-1.

[0045] The folder 404 holds the printer 58, the fixed scanner 57, and the touch panel 56 of the first POS terminal 11-1. Specifically, the folder 404 holds the printer 58 so that the receipt issuing port 581 faces the front 402. The folder 404 holds the fixed scanner 57 above the printer 58 so that the reading window 571 faces the front 402. The folder 404 holds the touch panel 56 above the fixed scanner 57 so that the screen 561 faces the front 402. With this arrangement, a transaction target standing in front of the gate mechanism 40 can easily receive a receipt issued from the issuing port 581, for example. In addition, the transaction target can easily hold a machine-readable code displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 21, for example, over the reading window 571 of the fixed scanner 57. In addition, the transaction target can see an image displayed on the touch panel 56 and perform a touch operation.

[0046] A handheld scanner, a so-called handheld scanner 71, connected to a scanner interface 59 is attached to the side surface of folder 404 opposite side surface 401. Although not shown, a card reader connected to a card reader interface 60, an automatic change machine connected to a change machine interface 61, and the like are also arranged near housing 400. For example, the card reader may be arranged on top surface 403 of housing 400.

[0047] A patrol lamp 42 and a display 45 are attached to the top surface 403 of the housing 400. The patrol lamp 42 is provided at the top of a pole 421 attached to the top surface 403 on the side opposite to the front surface 402 of the housing 400, i.e., the side closer to the back surface. A display 45 is disposed in front of the pole 421 with a screen 451 facing the front surface 402. The display 45 may be a display device having a screen smaller than that of the touch panel 56.

[0048] The motion sensor 41, the LED 43, and the speaker 44 are built into a housing 400. The housing 400 has a slit 405 for the motion sensor 41 and a slit 406 for the LED 43 formed on a side surface 401 along the passage PA. The motion sensor 41 is an infrared sensor that detects the movement or heat of a person passing through the position of the slit 405. The motion sensor 41 may detect a person passing through the position of the slit 405 by a method other than infrared. The LED 43 lights up or goes out in a predetermined color and pattern so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide the transaction target to proceed along the passage PA in the direction of the arrow.

[0049] In the following, the entrance side of the passage PA where the transaction subject enters, i.e., the side where the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, etc. are provided, is referred to as the upstream side, and the opposite exit side, i.e., the side where the display 45, patrol lamp 42, etc. are provided, is referred to as the downstream side.

[0050] The first POS terminal 11-1 provided in the housing 400 in one-to-one correspondence with the gate mechanism 40 having such a configuration is an example of a payment device capable of settling a transaction with a transaction target upstream of the passage PA along which the transaction target moves in the direction of the illustrated arrow. The positional relationship of the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, printer 58, etc. constituting the first POS terminal 11-1 with respect to the housing 400 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 4. In short, it is sufficient that the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, printer 58, etc. are arranged in positions that are easy to operate for the transaction target located upstream of the passage PA. [First POS terminal function description] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor 51 of the first POS terminal 11-1. As shown in the figure, the processor 51 has the functions of a payment means 511, a receiving means 512, an acquisition means 513, a determination means 514, a control means 515, a notification means 516, and a display means 517.

[0051] The payment means 511 is a function for settling a transaction with a transaction target upstream of the passage PA through which the transaction target passes. When a machine-readable code for code payment is read by the fixed scanner 57, the payment means 511 executes a code payment process to pay the transaction price with the balance for code payment. When an electronic money card is read by a card reader, the payment means 511 executes an electronic money payment process to pay the transaction price with electronic money. When a credit card is read by a card reader, the payment means 511 executes a credit card payment process to pay the transaction price with the balance of an account. When cash is inserted into an automatic change machine, the payment means 511 executes a cash payment process to pay the transaction price with the inserted amount. These payment processes are all well known, so detailed explanations will be omitted here.

[0052] The receiving means 512 has a function of receiving a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage PA. The detector is the human presence sensor 41. The human presence sensor 41 outputs an ON signal when it detects a person passing through the passage PA. The receiving means 512 receives the ON signal output from the human presence sensor 41 via the gate mechanism interface 62.

[0053] The acquiring means 513 is a function of acquiring identification information for identifying a transaction with a transaction target at an entrance to the passage PA. For example, a unique transaction number issued in a transaction with a transaction target becomes the identification information for identifying the transaction with the transaction target. The transaction number is displayed in the form of a machine-readable code on a display device of the mobile terminal 21. When a transaction is settled at the second POS terminal 11-2, a machine-readable code indicating the transaction number may be printed on a receipt issued from the second POS terminal 11-2. The acquiring means 513 analyzes the machine-readable code read by the fixed scanner 57 to acquire the transaction number, that is, the identification information for identifying the transaction with the transaction target.

[0054] The determination means 514 is a function that determines whether or not a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition means 513 has been settled. As explained using FIG. 2, when a transaction with a transaction target is settled, the settlement completion flag Fa of the transaction file 26 that contains the transaction number, which is the identification information of the transaction, becomes "1". The determination means 514 checks the settlement completion flag Fa of the transaction file 26 that contains the identification information acquired by the acquisition means 513, i.e., the transaction number. Then, if the settlement completion flag Fa is "1", the determination means 514 determines that the transaction has been settled. If the settlement completion flag Fa is "0", the determination means 514 determines that the transaction has not been settled.

[0055] The control means 515 has a function of controlling the operation of the first mode Ma and the operation of the second mode Mb. The first mode Ma is a mode in which a report is issued when the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA. The second mode Mb is a mode in which a report is not issued even if the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA. The control means 515 controls the operation of the first mode Ma from when a transaction target whose transaction has already been settled passes through the passage PA until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has already been settled. The control means 515 controls the operation of the second mode Mb in which a report is not issued even if a person passing through the passage is detected by the human sensor 41 until a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has already been settled, or until a transaction target whose transaction has been determined to have already been settled within the predetermined time passes through the passage.

[0056] The notification means 516 is a function of notifying a transaction target, whose transaction has been determined to have been settled by the determination means 514, of the remaining time of a predetermined period during operation of the second mode Mb. For example, the notification means 516 notifies the remaining time by displaying the remaining time on the screen 451 of the display 45 at all times.

[0057] The display means 517 has a function of displaying a message that passage through the passage PA is blocked during operation in the first mode Ma, and displaying a message that encourages passage through the passage PA during operation in the second mode Mb. For example, the display means 517 displays an image or text on the screen 451 of the display 45 to inform the transaction target that passage through the passage PA is blocked during operation in the first mode Ma. During operation in the second mode Mb, the display means 517 displays an image or text on the screen 451 of the display 45 to inform the transaction target that passage through the passage PA is possible. The display destination of the image or text informing the transaction target that passage through the passage PA is blocked or possible may be the screen 561 of the touch panel 56.

[0058] The above functions as the payment means 511, the receiving means 512, the acquiring means 513, the determining means 514, the control means 515, the notifying means 516 and the display means 517 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 51 according to a predetermined program. Hereinafter, this program is referred to as a payment device program. The payment device program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53. The method of installing the payment device program in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53 is not particularly limited. The payment device program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed by communication via a network, and installed in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device.

[0059] [Operational explanation of the first POS terminal] 6 to 8 are flow charts showing the procedure of main information processing executed by the processor 51 of the first POS terminal 11-1 according to the payment device program. Also, FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 are examples of images displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45 during the information processing. Below, the main operation of the first POS terminal 11-1 will be explained using each figure. Note that the procedure of information processing shown in the flow charts of FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 is an example. The procedure can be changed as appropriate as long as it can achieve the same effect as this embodiment. Also, the images shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 are an example. The contents of the images can be changed as appropriate as long as it can achieve the same effect as this embodiment.

[0060] When the payment device program is started, the processor 51 of the first POS terminal 11-1 starts information processing of the procedure shown in the flowcharts of Figures 6 to 8. First, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT1 in Figure 6. In ACT1, the processor 51 energizes the human sensor 41 to turn it on. The human sensor 41 that has been turned on starts an operation for detecting a person passing through the passage PA, such as emitting infrared light.

[0061] After turning on the human sensor 41, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT2. In ACT2, the processor 51 controls the display of a no-passage image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. This control causes the no-passage image shown in FIG. 9 to be displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45. That is, on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56, text is displayed instructing the transaction target person who has come to the entrance side of the passage PA to scan the barcode for transaction with the fixed scanner 57. Together with the text, for example, an illustration of a person holding a barcode over the fixed scanner 57 may be displayed. On the screen 451 of the display 45, text indicating that passage through the passage PA is not permitted and an image of a flashing "x" mark are displayed.

[0062] Following these indications, most transaction targets will execute the payment process by scanning the transaction barcode with the fixed scanner 57 before entering the passage PA. The transaction barcode is displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 21. Alternatively, for transaction targets who have completed payment at the second POS terminal 11-2, the transaction barcode may be printed on the receipt.

[0063] After controlling the display of the no-passage image, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT3. The processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma in ACT3. That is, the processor 51 sets the mode to a mode in which a report is issued when a person passing through the passage PA is detected by the human sensor 41. Then, the processor 51 checks whether a person passing through the passage PA is detected by the human sensor 41 in ACT4. If the signal of the human sensor 41 is an off signal and no person is detected, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT5. The processor 51 checks whether a transaction start is instructed in ACT5. If the fixed scanner 57 scans the barcode for transaction, the processor 51 determines that a transaction start is instructed. If the barcode for transaction is not scanned, that is, if a transaction start is not instructed, the processor 51 returns to ACT4. The processor 51, having set the operation mode to the first mode Ma in this way, waits in ACT4 and ACT5 for a person passing through the passage PA to be detected or for a transaction start to be instructed.

[0064] In the standby state of ACT4 and ACT5, when the signal of the human sensor 41 becomes an ON signal before the start of the transaction is instructed, the processor 51 determines that a person passing through the passage PA has been detected. The processor 51 proceeds to ACT6. The processor 51 executes a notification process as ACT6. The notification process is a process of sending a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 13. The notification process also controls the display of a warning image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the warning image shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, on the screen 451 of the display 45, the blinking image of the "x" mark is turned on. On the screen 561 of the touch panel 56, text or an illustration indicating that the transaction is not completed is displayed. Furthermore, the notification process also emits an alarm sound from the speaker 44 and turns on the patrol lamp 42, for example, in red.

[0065] The attendant terminal 13 that has received the store clerk call signal notifies the attendant that there is a call. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant goes to the location of the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit in red and a warning sound is being emitted, and takes action against the illegal passage, etc. The attendant also causes the handy scanner 71 to read the employee code printed in the form of a machine-readable code on the ID card. When the employee code is read, the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 is temporarily switched to the employee mode. By switching to the employee mode, the first POS terminal 11-1 is able to cancel the reporting process, so the attendant operates, for example, the touch panel 56 to cancel the reporting process. When the reporting process is canceled, the warning sound stops, the patrol lamp 42 is turned off, and the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 returns to the first mode Ma.

[0066] After performing the notification process in ACT6, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT7. The processor 51 waits for the notification process to be released in ACT7. When the notification process is released, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT5. The processor 51 returns to the standby state of ACT4 and ACT5.

[0067] When the transaction barcode is scanned by fixed scanner 57 in the standby state of ACT4 and ACT5, processor 51 determines that an instruction to start a transaction has been issued. Processor 51 proceeds to ACT8. Processor 51 obtains a transaction number from the transaction barcode in ACT8. As described above, the transaction barcode may be one displayed on the display device of mobile terminal 21, or may be one printed on a receipt.

[0068] Having acquired the transaction number, processor 51 proceeds to ACT9. Processor 51 acquires transaction file 26 in ACT9. That is, processor 51 outputs a request command to mobile server 22 requesting transaction file 26. The request command includes the transaction number acquired in ACT8. Upon receiving the request command, mobile server 22 detects transaction file 26 in which the transaction number included in the command is written, and transmits it to first POS terminal 11-1, which is the source of the request command. In this way, processor 51 can acquire transaction file 26.

[0069] After acquiring the transaction file 26, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT10. In ACT10, the processor 51 analyzes the transaction file 26 and checks the product sales data. The processor 51 checks whether the product sales data of a product that requires a call from a store clerk is described. A product that requires a call from a store clerk is, for example, a product that requires age verification, such as alcoholic beverages or tobacco. A product that requires a call from a store clerk may be a product other than a product that requires age verification.

[0070] If the transaction file 26 does not contain any product sales data for a product that requires a salesperson to be called, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 14. The processing of ACT 14 will be described later.

[0071] On the other hand, if the transaction file 26 describes the product sales data of the product that requires a call of a store clerk, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT12. The processor 51 executes a store clerk call process as ACT12. The store clerk call process is a process of transmitting a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 13, similar to the notification process. The store clerk call process also controls the display of a store clerk call image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the store clerk call image shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, on the screen 451 of the display 45, the blinking image of the "x" mark becomes lit. On the screen 561 of the touch panel 56, text or an illustration indicating that a store clerk is being called is displayed. The store clerk call process also emits an attention-calling sound from the speaker 44 and turns on the patrol lamp 42, for example, in green. The attention-calling sound may be the same as the alarm sound, or may be different. For example, an alarm sound is a continuous "beep" sound, while an attention-calling sound may be an intermittent "beep, beep" sound.

[0072] The attendant terminal 13 that has received the store clerk call signal notifies the attendant that there is a call. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant goes to the location of the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit in green and the attention-calling sound is being emitted, and performs procedures such as age verification. The attendant also causes the handy scanner 71 to read the employee code printed in the form of a machine-readable code on the ID card. When the employee code is read, the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 is temporarily switched to the employee mode. By switching to the employee mode, the first POS terminal 11-1 is able to cancel the store clerk call process, so the attendant operates, for example, the touch panel 56 to cancel the store clerk call process. When the store clerk call process is canceled, the attention-calling sound stops, the patrol lamp 42 is turned off, and the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 returns to the first mode Ma.

[0073] After performing the store clerk call process in ACT 12, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 13. The processor 51 waits for the store clerk call process to be released in ACT 13. When the store clerk call process is released, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 14.

[0074] In this way, as a result of analyzing the transaction file 26, the product sales data of the product that requires the call of a clerk is not included, or the product sales data of the product that requires the call of a clerk is included, so the clerk call process is executed, and when the clerk call process is released, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT14. The processor 51 checks whether the payment is completed in ACT14. That is, the processor 51 checks the payment completion flag Fa described in the transaction file 26. The payment completion flag Fa is "1" when the payment of the transaction managed in the transaction file 26 is completed using the payment means of the mobile terminal 21 or the second POS terminal 11-2, which is another payment means, and is "0" when the payment is not completed. The processor 51 determines that the payment is not completed when the payment completion flag Fa is "0". The processor 51 determines that the payment is completed when the payment completion flag Fa is "1".

[0075] <Action for the second transaction target who has completed payment by another payment method> If it is determined in ACT14 that the payment is completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT21 in FIG. 7. The processor 51 sets the time counter T to a time Tm, which is a first initial value, in ACT21. The time counter T is a subtraction counter that subtracts "1" from the count value every time one second passes. The time Tm is a time assumed to be required for a transaction target who has completed payment using a terminal other than the first POS terminal 11-1 to pass through the passage PA. In other words, it is a predetermined time assumed to be required for a transaction target who has completed payment using a payment application installed in the mobile terminal 21 or a transaction target who has completed payment using the second POS terminal 11-2 to pass through the passage PA. The time Tm is arbitrary. In this embodiment, the time Tm is set to 10 seconds.

[0076] After setting the time counter T to the time Tm, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT22. In ACT22, the processor 51 controls the display of a passage permission image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the passage permission image shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45. That is, on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56, text or illustrations indicating that the passage may be passed are displayed. On the screen 451 of the display 45, a number indicating the count value of the time counter T and text urging the transaction target to pass through the passage before the number becomes "0" are displayed. Furthermore, the LED 43 emits light so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide the transaction target to proceed along the passage PA in the arrow direction.

[0077] According to these indications, a transaction subject completing a transaction will pass through the passage PA before the count value of the time counter T reaches "0".

[0078] The processor 51, which has controlled the display of the passage permission image, proceeds to ACT23. The processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the second mode Mb in ACT23. That is, the processor 51 sets the mode in which no report is made even if the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA. Then, the processor 51 checks whether the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA in ACT24. If the signal of the human sensor 41 is an OFF signal and no person is detected, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT25. The processor 51 checks whether the time measured by the clock 54 has passed one second in ACT25. If one second has not passed, the processor 51 returns to ACT24. On the other hand, if one second has passed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT26. The processor 51 subtracts "1" from the time counter T in ACT26. Then, the processor 51 checks whether the time counter T has become "0" in ACT27. If the time counter T is greater than "0", the processor 51 returns to ACT24.

[0079] In this way, the processor 51, whose operation mode is set to the second mode Mb, waits in ACT24 to ACT27 until the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA or the time counter T becomes "0." During this time, the processor 51 subtracts the number displayed on the screen 451 of the display 45 according to the time counter T.

[0080] In the standby state of ACT24 to ACT27, when the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT28. In ACT28, the processor 51 controls the display of a no-passage image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the no-passage image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. In addition, the LED 43 is turned off. After that, the processor 51 returns to ACT3 in FIG. 6. The processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma, and enters a standby state of ACT4 and ACT5.

[0081] On the other hand, if the time counter T becomes "0" without detecting a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 29. In ACT 29, the processor 51 controls the touch panel 56 and the display 45 to display a no-passage image. With this control, the no-passage image shown in Fig. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. In addition, the LED 43 is turned off.

[0082] When the time counter T reaches "0" without detecting a person passing through the passage PA, it is considered that some kind of trouble has occurred to the transaction target person who was permitted to pass through the passage PA, and an event has occurred in which the person cannot pass through the passage PA. Therefore, the processor 51 that controlled the display of the no-passage image proceeds to ACT30. The processor 51 executes a store clerk call process in ACT30. This store clerk call process transmits a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 13. In addition, the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45 each display a store clerk call image as shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 44, and the patrol lamp 42 lights up in green.

[0083] The attendant terminal 13 that receives the store clerk call signal notifies the attendant that there is a call. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant goes to the location of the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit green and the attention sound is being emitted, and deals with the event that the transaction target person could not pass through the passage PA within the specified time. After completing the action, the attendant switches the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the employee mode and performs an operation to cancel the call.

[0084] After performing the store clerk call process, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT31. In ACT31, the processor 51 waits for the store clerk call process to be released. When the store clerk call process is released, the processor 51 returns to ACT3 in Fig. 6. The processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma and enters a standby state for ACT4 and ACT5.

[0085] <Action for the first transaction target who has not completed payment by other payment means> If it is determined in ACT14 that the payment has not been completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT41 in Fig. 8. The processor 51 performs payment processing in ACT41. The payment processing includes, for example, the above-mentioned code payment processing, electronic money payment processing, or cashless payment such as credit card payment processing. Cashless payment is preferable in this embodiment because it requires less time for payment processing compared to cash payment. Note that the payment processing may be cash payment processing in which the price of the transaction is paid with the deposited amount.

[0086] The processor 51 waits for the payment process to be completed in ACT42. When the payment process is completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT43. The processor 51 sets the time counter T to a second initial value, time Tn, in ACT43. The time Tn is the time assumed to be required for a transaction target who has completed payment at the first POS terminal 11-1 to pass through the passage PA. That is, it is a predetermined time assumed to be required for a transaction target who has completed payment at the first POS terminal 11-1 to pass through the passage PA. It is assumed that a transaction target who has completed payment will enter the passage PA after putting, for example, a smartphone, a credit card, a wallet, etc. in a bag. For this reason, the time Tn is arbitrary like the time Tm, but is preferably longer than the time Tm. In this embodiment, the time Tn is 15 seconds.

[0087] After setting the time counter T to the time Tn, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT44. In ACT44, the processor 51 controls the display of a passage permission image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. With this control, the passage permission image shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. Furthermore, the LED 43 emits light so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide the transaction target to proceed along the passage PA in the direction of the arrow.

[0088] Following these indications, the transaction target person who has completed the transaction and puts the smartphone, credit card, wallet, etc. back into his / her bag will likely pass through the passage PA before the count value of the time counter T reaches "0."

[0089] After controlling the display of the passage permission image, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT45. In ACT45, the processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the second mode Mb. That is, the processor 51 sets the mode in which no report is issued even if the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA. Thereafter, in ACT46 to ACT53, the processor 51 executes the same processes as ACT24 to ACT31 in FIG. 7. That is, the processor 51 waits until the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA or the time counter T becomes "0". During that time, the processor 51 subtracts the number displayed on the screen 451 of the display 45 according to the time counter T.

[0090] When the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 controls a no-entry display. Then, the processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma, and the first POS terminal 11-1 enters a standby state for ACT4 and ACT5.

[0091] On the other hand, when the time counter T reaches "0" without detecting a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 controls a no-entry display. The processor 51 also executes a store clerk call process. When the store clerk call process is released, the processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma, and enters a standby state for ACT4 and ACT5.

[0092] Here, the processor 51 realizes the function of a payment means 511 by executing the process of ACT41. The processor 51 realizes the function of a receiving means by executing the processes of ACT4, ACT24, and ACT46 in cooperation with the gate mechanism interface 62. The processor 51 realizes the function of an acquiring means 513 by executing the processes of ACT5 and ACT6 in cooperation with the fixed scanner 57. The scanner may be a handy scanner 71 instead of the fixed scanner 57. The processor 51 realizes the function of a determination means 514 by executing the process of ACT14. The processor 51 realizes the function of a control means 515 by executing the processes of ACT3 and ACT23. The processor 51 realizes the function of a notification means 516 by executing the processes of ACT22 and ACT26 and the processes of ACT44 and ACT48 in cooperation with the display 45. The processor 51 cooperates with the display 45 and the touch panel 56 to execute the processes of ACT2, ACT22, ACT28, ACT29, ACT44, ACT50 and ACT51, thereby realizing the function of a display means 517.

[0093] [Effects of the first POS terminal] Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the correspondence between the operation modes of the first POS terminal 11-1 and the main information processing. The same reference numerals are used to denote parts common to the information processing described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. The effect of the first POS terminal 11-1 in one-to-one correspondence with the gate mechanism 40 will be described below with reference to Fig. 13.

[0094] In the first POS terminal 11-1, in an idle state where the start of a transaction has not been instructed, the first mode Ma is selected as an operation mode. In the first mode Ma, for example, a no-passage image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel 56 and the display 45 (ACT2). At this time, when the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage Pa (YES in ACT4), a notification process is executed in the first POS terminal 11-1 (ACT6). By this notification process, a store clerk call signal is transmitted to the attendant terminal 13. Also, for example, a warning image shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. Furthermore, an alarm sound is generated from the speaker 44, and the patrol lamp 42 is lit, for example, in red. In this way, when a person tries to pass through the passage Pa illegally, the notification process is executed, so that the illegal passage of the person can be prevented in advance.

[0095] When a transaction target person who has come to the entrance side of the passage holds up a bar code for transaction to the reading window 571 of the fixed scanner 57, an instruction to start a transaction is issued to the first POS terminal 11-1 (YES in ACT5). In response to this instruction to start a transaction, the first POS terminal 11-1 acquires the transaction file 26 of the transaction target person from the mobile server 22 (ACT9). At this time, if the transaction file 26 describes product sales data of a product that requires a store clerk to be called, a store clerk call process is executed. This store clerk call process transmits a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 13. In addition, a store clerk call image, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, is displayed on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. Furthermore, an attention-calling sound is generated from the speaker 44, and the patrol lamp 42 lights up in green. This store clerk call process ensures that the attendant can take necessary measures, such as confirming the age of the transaction target person who has purchased a product that requires a store clerk to be confirmed.

[0096] Incidentally, if the transaction target person attempts to pass through the aisle PA before the attendant has finished processing, a notification process is executed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a transaction target person who has purchased a product that requires confirmation by a store clerk from leaving the store without being confirmed by the attendant.

[0097] Incidentally, some of the transaction targets have completed payment using, for example, a payment app installed on the mobile terminal 21 before coming to the entrance of the passage PA. Alternatively, some transaction targets have completed payment at the second POS terminal 11-2. In this way, a transaction target who has completed payment using another payment method is called a second transaction target. In contrast, a transaction target who has not yet completed payment is called a first transaction target. The payment completion flag Fa described in the transaction file 26 of the second transaction target is "1". The payment completion flag Fa described in the transaction file 26 of the first transaction target is "0". The first transaction target settles the transaction at the first POS terminal 11-1. When the payment is completed, the payment completion flag Fa becomes "1".

[0098] Thus, when the transactions of not only the second transaction target but also the first transaction target are settled (YES in ACT14), the operation mode is switched from the first mode Ma to the second mode Mb. Then, a passage permission image shown in FIG. 12, for example, is displayed on the touch panel 56 and the display 45 (ACT22 or ACT44).

[0099] Therefore, the transaction subject who has completed the transaction can go through the passage PA, for example, to the outside of the store. At this time, the human presence sensor 41 detects the transaction subject passing through the passage PA (YES in ACT24 or ACT46), but the notification process is not executed. Instead, the operation mode switches from the second mode Mb to the first mode Ma. Therefore, if another person tries to illegally pass through the passage PA following the transaction subject who has completed the transaction, the notification process is executed. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the illegal act of another person passing through the passage PA following the transaction subject who has completed the transaction.

[0100] Incidentally, even if a predetermined time Tm or Tn has elapsed without the transaction subject being detected by the human sensor 41 after the passage permission image is displayed (YES in ACT27 or ACT49), the operation mode is switched from the second mode Mb to the first mode Ma. Therefore, if some trouble occurs to the transaction subject who is permitted to pass through the passage PA and an event occurs in which the transaction subject cannot pass through the passage PA, the passage is prohibited after the predetermined time Tm or Tn has elapsed. The predetermined time Tm or Tn is the time that is expected to be required for the transaction subject who has completed the settlement to pass through the passage PA, and is, for example, about 10 to 15 seconds. Therefore, the state in which passage through the passage PA is permitted does not continue indefinitely, so that it is possible to prevent another person from illegally passing through the passage PA in place of the transaction subject who is permitted to pass through the passage PA.

[0101] Furthermore, the remaining time until the predetermined time Tm or Tn has elapsed is displayed as a passage permission image on the display 45. Therefore, the transaction target person can easily know the time by which he or she should pass through the passage PA.

[0102] Incidentally, the predetermined time from when the passage permission image is displayed until the operation mode is switched from the second mode Mb to the first mode Ma is set to be longer for the first transaction target person than for the second transaction target person, Tn. In the case of the first transaction target person, after completing the payment at the first POS terminal 11-1, for example, the first transaction target person may put a smartphone, credit card, wallet, etc. in a bag before entering the passage PA. In that case, if the time Tm for the second transaction target person is used as is, there is a possibility that the mode will be switched to the second mode before passing through the passage PA. In this embodiment, such a problem is prevented in advance by setting the time Tn for the first transaction target person longer than the time Tm for the second transaction target person.

[0103] While an embodiment of a payment device capable of preventing a transaction subject from leaving a store without making a payment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0104] For example, the identification information for identifying a transaction with a transaction target is not limited to the transaction number. If membership registration is required when using the mobile terminal 21, a unique membership number assigned to the transaction target by the membership registration may be used as the identification information for identifying a transaction with the transaction target.

[0105] In the above embodiment, two payment means are exemplified as the other payment means, that is, the payment means of the mobile terminal on which the payment app is installed and the payment means of the second POS terminal 11-2. The other payment means may be either one of the above two payment means. Alternatively, transactions with all transaction targets may be settled by the payment means of the first POS terminal 11-1.

[0106] In the above embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or when a transaction target determined that the transaction has been settled within the predetermined time passes through the passage PA, the operation mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode. In another embodiment, the operation mode may be changed from the second mode to the first mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, regardless of whether the transaction target has passed through the passage PA within the predetermined time. By setting the predetermined time as short as possible, it becomes difficult for another person to illegally pass through the passage PA after a transaction target determined that the transaction has been settled has passed through the passage PA. In such a case, the effect of preventing illegal passage can be achieved even if the above other embodiments are adopted.

[0107] Although several other 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 within the scope of the invention and the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10...POS system, 11...POS terminal, 11-1...first POS terminal, 11-2...second POS terminal, 12...POS server, 13...attendant terminal, 20...mobile payment system, 21...mobile terminal, 22...mobile server, 24...access point, 26...transaction file, 30...inter-server network, 31, 32...communication servers, 40...gate mechanism, 41...human presence sensor 41...patrol lamp, 43...LED, 44...speaker, 45...display, 51...processor, 56...touch panel, 57...fixed scanner, 58...printer, 100...store system, 511...payment means, 512...receiving means, 513...acquisition means, 514...determination means, 515...control means, 516...alert means, 517...display means.

Claims

1. a settlement means for settling a transaction with a transaction target, the settlement means being disposed upstream of a passage through which the transaction target passes; a receiving means for receiving a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage; an acquisition means for acquiring identification information for identifying a transaction with the transaction target, the acquisition means being disposed upstream of the passage; a determination means for determining whether or not a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition means has been settled; a control means for controlling an operation in a first mode in which a report is issued when the detector detects a person passing through the passage, from when a transaction target with which the transaction has already been settled passes through the passage, until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has been settled, and for controlling an operation in a second mode in which a report is not issued even if the detector detects a person passing through the passage, until a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a transaction target with which the transaction has been determined to have been settled within the predetermined time has passed through the passage; A payment device comprising:

2. a notification means for notifying a transaction target person, whose transaction has been determined to have been settled by the determination means, of the remaining time of the predetermined period during the operation in the second mode; The payment device of claim 1 further comprising:

3. a display means for displaying a display preventing passage through the passage during operation in the first mode and displaying a display encouraging passage through the passage during operation in the second mode; The payment device of claim 1 further comprising:

4. The determination means further determines whether the person is a first transaction target who has completed payment using the payment means of the payment device, or a second transaction target who has completed payment using another payment means; The payment device according to claim 1, wherein the control means varies the specified time when operating in the second mode depending on whether the transaction subject for which the determination means has determined that the transaction has been settled is the first transaction subject or the second transaction subject.

5. The payment device according to claim 1, wherein the determination means, when confirmation by a store clerk is required for a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition means, determines whether the transaction has been settled after receiving a confirmation operation input by the store clerk.

6. A computer of a payment device installed upstream of a passage through which transaction subjects pass, A settlement means for settling a transaction with the transaction target party; a receiving means for receiving a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage; an acquisition means for acquiring, upstream of the passage, identification information for identifying a transaction with the transaction target; a determination means for determining whether or not a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition means has been settled; a control means for controlling an operation in a first mode in which a report is issued when the detector detects a person passing through the passage, from when a transaction target with which the transaction has already been settled passes through the passage, until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has been settled, and for controlling an operation in a second mode in which a report is not issued even if the detector detects a person passing through the passage, until a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a transaction target with which the transaction has been determined to have been settled within the predetermined time has passed through the passage; A program to function as a

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