Settlement terminal

Abstract

To provide a settlement terminal that enables customers to make code payments by holding up a payment tool displaying a code symbol toward a display panel.SOLUTION: A payment terminal according to the embodiment includes a display panel and an imaging unit. The display panel can be made transparent in at least some areas. The imaging unit is located behind the display panel and captures images of code symbols held toward the display panel through the transparent areas of the display panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a payment terminal.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various payment methods have increased, so the use of payment terminals compatible with multi-payment has increased. For example, a single payment terminal may be equipped with a contactless IC credit payment function, an electronic money payment function, and a code payment function by reading code symbols such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks).

[0003] In addition, such a payment terminal may have a display panel on the front. Conventionally, generally, the position where contactless IC credit and electronic money can be read in a payment terminal equipped with a display panel is different from the position where code symbols can be read. For example, when using the contactless IC credit payment function or the electronic money payment function, it is mainstream for customers to touch a payment tool such as a card or a smartphone on the central display panel of the payment terminal. On the other hand, when using the code payment function, customers are required to hold the payment tool in front of the imaging unit located at the end of the payment terminal. For this reason, customers may take time to find the reading position or feel inconvenient when making a code payment.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a payment terminal that enables a customer to hold a payment tool with a code symbol displayed towards the display panel and make a code payment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The settlement terminal according to the embodiment includes a display panel and an imaging unit. The display panel can make at least a part of the area in a transmissive state. The imaging unit is located on the back side of the display panel and images a code symbol held toward the display panel through the transmissive area of the display panel.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, the settlement terminal according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one embodiment of the settlement terminal and does not limit its configuration, specifications, etc. This embodiment is an application example to a settlement terminal for performing transaction settlements introduced in a retail store (store) such as a supermarket or a convenience store.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the settlement system S according to the present embodiment. The settlement system S is a system that sells products sold in stores and performs sales management and the like of the sold products, and is mainly installed in the store. As shown in FIG. 1, the settlement system S includes a POS (Point Of Sale) terminal 20 and a settlement terminal 10. The POS terminal 20 and the settlement terminal 10 are communicably connected by a cable 30. Note that the POS terminal 20 and the settlement terminal 10 may be wirelessly connected.

[0009] The POS terminal 20 is a device that executes sales registration processing and settlement processing for products. The POS terminal 20 performs settlement processing of transactions in conjunction with the settlement terminal 10. The POS terminal 20 may be a manned cash register or an unmanned cash register. A manned cash register is a cash register in which a store clerk intervenes in the registration or settlement of products purchased by a customer. For example, a normal POS cash register, a face-to-face POS cash register, and a semi-self-checkout register are examples of manned cash registers. A normal POS cash register is a cash register in which a store clerk facing the customer performs product registration and settlement. A face-to-face POS cash register is a cash register in which a store clerk facing the customer performs product registration and the customer performs settlement. A semi-self-checkout register is a form of cash register in which a store clerk facing the customer registers products with a registration machine, and the customer performs settlement (checkout) with a cashier machine configured separately from the registration machine. An unmanned cash register is a cash register in which the customer himself / herself performs the registration and settlement of products purchased by the customer. For example, a full self-checkout register is an example of an unmanned cash register.

[0010] The settlement terminal 10 is a multi-settlement terminal having a plurality of settlement functions. More specifically, the settlement terminal 10 shall have a settlement function by at least one non-contact reading means in addition to the code settlement function. In the present embodiment, the settlement terminal 10 has a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) credit settlement function, an electronic money settlement function, and a code settlement function by reading code symbols such as barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks) (two-dimensional codes). Note that the settlement terminal 10 may further have other settlement functions, for example, a magnetic or plug-in credit settlement function. The user of the settlement terminal 10 is the customer of the transaction to be settled.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the settlement terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the settlement terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a communication unit 14, a storage unit 15, a display panel 16, an imaging unit 17, a contactless IC credit card reader 18, and an electronic money reader / writer 19.

[0012] The CPU 11 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls each part of the settlement terminal 10. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 is a workspace for developing programs and various data.

[0013] The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are connected via a bus or the like to constitute a control unit 100 of a computer configuration. In the control unit 100, the CPU 11 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 12 or the storage unit 15 and developed in the RAM 13, thereby executing various processes. The control unit 100 can switch the transparent or non-transparent state of the display panel 16. Further, the control unit 100 controls the display panel 16 to display various messages and images.

[0014] The communication unit 14 is a communication interface capable of communicating with the POS terminal 20 via the cable 30.

[0015] The storage unit 15 has a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, and is a non-volatile storage device that maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 15 stores a program 151 that can be executed by the CPU 11 and various setting information.

[0016] The display panel 16 is a display capable of displaying various types of information and can make at least a part of its area in a transmissive state. The transmissive area of the display panel 16 does not have to be completely transparent, as long as the imaging unit 17 described later can read the code symbol through the transmissive area. Also, the entire surface of the display panel 16 may be made transmissive. The means for providing a transmissive area in the display panel 16 is not particularly limited, and known techniques can be applied. Specifically, the display panel 16 can be a transmissive organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, a transmissive inorganic EL display, or a transmissive LCD (liquid crystal) display, etc. Also, a method in which an image is projected from outside the display of the display panel 16 may be adopted. Also, a technique in which transparency / opacity is switched according to the presence or absence of power supply may be adopted for the display panel 16. The display panel 16 may be called a transparent display, a see-through panel, or a transparent screen, etc. The display panel 16 displays various types of information under the control of the control unit 100.

[0017] The imaging unit 17 is, for example, a digital camera having an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging unit 17 executes reading (imaging) of code symbols such as barcodes or QR codes displayed on, for example, a smartphone during code settlement processing under the control of the control unit 100. Also, the imaging unit 17 may be a scanner specialized for reading code symbols.

[0018] The contactless IC credit card reader 18 reads a contactless IC credit card with an IC chip built in and executes so-called touchless payment.

[0019] The electronic money reader / writer 19 reads and writes prepaid electronic money registered in a card or a portable electronic device.

[0020] The payment terminal 10 does not necessarily have to be equipped with both a contactless IC credit card reader 18 and an electronic money reader / writer 19, but it shall be equipped with at least one of them.

[0021] In this embodiment, when collectively referring to cards, smartphones, etc. that are held or touched against the payment terminal 10 for payment processing, they are referred to as payment tools. The payment tool only needs to be a tool capable of contactless payment means, and furthermore, a smartwatch or the like may be included.

[0022] Note that the hardware configuration of the payment terminal 10 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2, and the payment terminal 10 may further have other configurations. For example, the payment terminal 10 may be equipped with a magnetic card reader / writer, a plug-in type credit card reader, a printer that issues a payment result as a paper receipt, and a speaker capable of outputting sound.

[0023] Next, the external configuration of the payment terminal 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the payment terminal 10 according to this embodiment. At the end of the payment terminal 10, a cable 30 for connecting to the POS terminal 20 is provided.

[0024] In this embodiment, the end of the payment terminal 10 on the side where the cable 30 is provided is referred to as the back side, and the side opposite to the side where the cable 30 is provided is referred to as the front side. The front side of the payment terminal 10 faces the customer who uses the payment terminal 10.

[0025] The housing 101 of the payment terminal 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the direction (Y direction) from the front side to the back side is the longitudinal direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, in the payment terminal 10 of this embodiment, a display panel 16 is provided on one surface of the rectangular parallelepiped housing 101. More specifically, the display panel 16 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 101 as shown in FIG. 3, for example, and has a rectangular shape with the Y direction as the longitudinal direction and the X direction intersecting the Y direction as the short side direction. In other words, the payment terminal 10 has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the display panel 16 has a vertically long rectangular shape.

[0027] It is indicated that the surface of the display panel 16, that is, the surface facing the outside of the housing 101, is the display surface. The imaging unit 17 is provided on the back side of the display panel 16, that is, inside the housing 101.

[0028] More specifically, the imaging unit 17 is provided on the back side of the display panel 16 inside the housing 101 in a direction with the display panel 16 side as the imaging direction. The imaging unit 17 images a code symbol held over the display panel 16 through a transmissive area of the display panel 16.

[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the imaging unit 17 is located on the back side of the center of the display panel 16. In this case, the imaging unit 17 can read a code symbol held over the center of the display panel 16. Note that the "center" in this specification includes not only the exact center but also approximately the center.

[0030] Next, the display of the display panel 16 will be described. The control unit 100 makes the display mode of the display panel 16 different between code settlement and other settlement methods. More specifically, when performing code settlement, the control unit 100 makes at least a part of the area of the display panel 16 in a transmissive state, and enables the imaging unit 17 to read a code symbol through the transmissive area. In addition, when a settlement method other than code settlement is used, the control unit 100 displays a message or an image on the entire screen of the display panel 16.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the display panel 16 during code settlement according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, during code settlement, the control unit 100 provides a first area 160 in a transmissive state on the display panel 16. No characters or images are displayed in the first area 160. In the present embodiment, the first area 160 is located at the center of the display panel 16, and the imaging unit 17 is located on the back side of the first area 160. A second area 161 surrounding the first area 160 is an area where messages and images can be displayed. Note that the second area 161 may be in a semi-transparent state where the back side is visible, or in an opaque state where the back side is not visible.

[0032] Also, generally, when a customer holds a smartphone over the payment terminal 10, it is assumed that the longitudinal directions of the smartphone and the payment terminal 10 are aligned so as to correspond to the outer perimeters of the smartphone and the payment terminal 10. For this reason, the position of the first region 160 is such that when the customer holds a smartphone with a vertically long display of a general size with the longitudinal direction of the smartphone along the longitudinal direction of the display panel 16 and the payment terminal 10, the imaging unit 17 can read the code symbol displayed at the center of the smartphone display. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the first region 160 is located at the center of the display panel 16, it becomes easier to align the positions when the customer holds the smartphone.

[0033] Also, at the time of code settlement, the control unit 100 causes a message or an image for guiding so as to hold the code symbol over the transparent region to be displayed at a position sandwiching at least vertically or horizontally the first region 160 in a transparent state on the display panel 16.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 100 displays two arrow-shaped first guidance images 41 at positions sandwiching the first region 160 left and right in the second region 161.

[0035] The first guiding image 41 is an image indicating the position on the display panel 16 where the code symbol is to be held up. The first guiding image 41 guides the customer to the position where the code symbol is to be held up. The position where the code symbol is to be held up is, namely, the position where the imaging unit 17 can read, specifically, the position where the first region 160 in a transmissive state is provided. The form of the first guiding image 41 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4. For example, the "position that sandwiches from at least above and below or left and right" also includes the case of surrounding the entire periphery of the first region 160. For this reason, the control unit 100 may display the first guiding image 41 in a shape that surrounds the entire periphery of the first guiding image 41. The first guiding image 41 may be linear, for example, it may be a circle that surrounds the entire periphery of the first guiding image 41. Further, the control unit 100 may perform dynamic display such as blinking the first guiding image 41. Note that the first guiding image 41 may be simply referred to as a guiding image.

[0036] In the present embodiment, since the reading position of the imaging unit 17 is included in the display panel 16, it becomes possible to arrange the first guiding image 41 at a position that sandwiches the reading position from above and below or left and right on the display panel 16. As a comparative example, when the reading position of the imaging unit 17 is provided outside the display panel 16, in the display on the display panel 16, it is not possible to sandwich the reading position from above and below or left and right.

[0037] Further, the control unit 100 displays, within a second region 161 that surrounds the first region 160, a message 50 that guides the customer, who is a user, to hold up the code symbol toward the first region 160, and the amount to be settled. In FIG. 4, the control unit 100 displays the first guiding image 41 at a position that sandwiches the first region 160, but the message 50 and the first guiding image 41 may be displayed so as to sandwich the first region 160. Alternatively, the control unit 100 may display a plurality of messages 50 so as to sandwich the first region 160.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display on the display panel 16 during contactless IC credit settlement. During contactless IC credit settlement, since reading by the imaging unit 17 is not performed, the first region 160 in a transmissive state does not need to be provided. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 100 displays the second guidance image 42, the message 51, and the amount to be settled on the entire screen of the display panel 16. In this case, the entire screen of the display panel 16 may be in a translucent state where the back side is visible, or in an opaque state where the back side is not visible.

[0039] The content of the message 51 displayed on the display panel 16 during contactless IC credit settlement is, for example, to guide the customer to touch the contactless IC credit on the display panel 16.

[0040] The second guidance image 42 is an image that guides the position where the customer, who is the user, touches the contactless IC credit card. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the second guidance image 42 is provided at the center of the display panel 16.

[0041] Although the screen display of the display panel 16 during electronic money settlement is not shown, similar to contactless IC credit settlement, since reading by the imaging unit 17 is not performed, the first region 160 in a transmissive state does not need to be provided. For example, during electronic money settlement, the control unit 100 may display on the display panel 16 a guidance image that guides the position where the customer, who is the user, touches the electronic money card or smartphone, a message that guides the customer to touch the card or smartphone, and the amount. The guidance image during electronic money settlement is also provided at the center of the display panel 16, similar to the second guidance image 42 shown in FIG. 5.

[0042] If the position on the payment terminal 10 where the customer holds the payment tool when using the code payment function is the same as the position on the payment terminal 10 where the customer holds or touches the payment tool when using other contactless payment functions, the customer does not need to change the position of the payment tool for each payment method. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, both the position where the customer holds a smartphone or the like during code payment and the position where the customer touches a card or smartphone during contactless IC credit payment and electronic money payment are at the center of the display panel 16. Therefore, the customer can perform the payment operation by holding or touching the payment tool at the center of the display panel 16 for any payment method.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the contactless IC credit card reader 18 and the electronic money reader / writer 19 are provided at positions where they can read the payment tool touched at the position of the second guidance image 42 provided at the center of the display panel 16.

[0044] Next, the flow of processing executed by the payment terminal 10 configured as described above will be described.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing of the payment terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. The processing shown in FIG. 6 is included in a part of the payment processing in the payment system S. Before the processing shown in FIG. 6, product registration processing and payment method selection processing are executed at the POS terminal 20.

[0046] First, the communication unit 14 of the payment terminal 10 receives a notification of the payment method from the POS terminal 20 (S1). Then, when the payment method is code payment, the control unit 100 of the payment terminal 10 performs a transmissive display of the central region (i.e., the first region 160) of the display panel 16 and displays the message 50 and the first guidance image 41 in the peripheral region (i.e., the second region 161) as shown in FIG. 4 (S2).

[0047] In addition, when the payment method is other than code settlement, for example, electronic money settlement or contactless IC credit settlement, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 100 of the settlement terminal 10 makes the entire display panel 16 opaque and displays a second guidance image 42 and a message 51 for guiding electronic money settlement or contactless IC credit settlement (S3).

[0048] Then, the control unit 100 of the settlement terminal 10 executes settlement processing according to each payment method (S4). After the completion of the settlement processing, the communication unit 14 of the settlement terminal 10 notifies the POS terminal 20 of the settlement completion (S5). Here, the processing of this sequence diagram ends.

[0049] Note that the settlement processing by a payment method not supported by the settlement terminal 10, such as cash settlement, is omitted in the sequence diagram of FIG. 6.

[0050] As described above, the settlement terminal 10 of the present embodiment includes a display panel 16 capable of making at least a part of the area in a transmissive state, and an imaging unit 17 located on the back side of the display panel 16 and imaging a code symbol held in front of the display panel 16 through the transmissive area of the display panel 16. Therefore, according to the settlement terminal 10 of the present embodiment, a customer can perform code settlement by holding a settlement tool with a code symbol in front of the display panel 16.

[0051] In addition, the settlement terminal 10 of the present embodiment displays a message or an image for guiding the code symbol to be held in the transmissive area at a position sandwiching the first area 160 in the transmissive state in the display panel 16 at least from above and below or from left and right. Therefore, according to the settlement terminal 10 of the present embodiment, a customer can easily grasp the position where the code symbol is to be held.

[0052] In addition, the display panel 16 of the payment terminal 10 of the present embodiment is in a vertically long rectangular shape. Further, the area in the transparent state is located at the center of the display panel 16. Therefore, according to the payment terminal 10 of the present embodiment, when a customer holds a smartphone with a code symbol displayed over the display panel 16, it is easy to align the smartphone with the code symbol reading position.

[0053] In addition, the payment terminal 10 of the present embodiment can switch between the transparent and non-transparent states of the display panel 16. Therefore, according to the payment terminal 10 of the present embodiment, when performing a payment process other than the code payment function, it is possible to display using the entire screen in the same manner as a normal display.

[0054] In addition to the imaging unit 17 capable of reading a code symbol, the payment terminal 10 of the present embodiment further includes at least one of a contactless IC credit card reader 18 and an electronic money reader / writer 19. The contactless IC credit card reader 18 and the electronic money reader / writer 19 can read a contactless IC credit card or electronic money held over the display surface side of the display panel 16. Therefore, according to the payment terminal 10 of the present embodiment, in a plurality of payment methods, the positions for holding or touching the payment tool are commonly on the display panel 16. For this reason, a customer can make a payment by holding or touching the payment tool over the display panel 16 even with different payment methods, reducing the complexity of the operation.

[0055] (Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first area 160 of the display panel 16 can be changed to both the transparent state and the non-transparent state, but the first area 160 may always be in the transparent state.

[0056] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the entire display panel 16 can be changed to both the transparent state and the non-transparent state, but it is sufficient that the area required for imaging by the imaging unit 17 is transparent, and the other areas do not have to be transparent. That is, the area corresponding to the second area 161 shown in FIG. 4 may always be in the non-transparent state.

[0057] (Modification Example 2) In the above-described embodiment, when performing code settlement, both the first region 160 in a transmissive state and the second region 161 in an opaque state are provided on the display panel 16. However, when performing code settlement, the entire surface of the display panel 16 may be in a transmissive state.

[0058] (Modification Example 3) In the above-described embodiment, the imaging unit 17 is provided on the back side of the center of the display panel 16. However, the position of the imaging unit 17 is not limited to this. For example, the settlement terminal 10 may be provided with a mirror or the like on the back side of the center of the display panel 16 that projects a code symbol held toward the center of the display panel 16 toward the imaging unit 17. In this case, since the imaging unit 17 reads the code symbol through the mirror, it may be provided at a position deviated from the back side of the center of the display panel 16.

[0059] (Modification Example 4) In the above-described embodiment, the settlement terminal 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an example where the display panel 16 is horizontal with respect to the floor has been described. However, the shape of the settlement terminal 10 is not limited to this. For example, the display panel 16 may be provided perpendicular or obliquely to the floor.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the settlement terminal 10 has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the direction extending from the front to the back is the longitudinal direction. However, it may have a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the direction extending from the front to the back is the short direction. In this case, the display panel 16 also has a horizontally long rectangular shape in which the direction extending from the front to the back is the short direction.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the settlement terminal 10 is separated from the POS terminal 20. However, the housing 101 of the settlement terminal 10 may be coupled to the housing of the POS terminal 20.

[0062] (Modification Example 5) In the above-described embodiment, the payment process has been described as an example. However, the payment terminal 10 may also be used for reading a point card or a point application on a smartphone. In this case, the imaging unit 17 executes reading (imaging) of code symbols such as barcodes and QR codes displayed on, for example, the screen of a point card or a point application on a smartphone.

[0063] 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, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0064] 10 Payment terminal 14 Communication unit 15 Storage unit 16 Display panel 17 Imaging unit 18 Contactless IC credit card reader 19 Electronic money reader / writer 20 POS terminal 30 Cable 41 First guidance image 42 Second guidance image 50, 51 Message 100 Control unit 101 Housing 151 Program 160 First region 161 Second region S Payment system

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0065]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. a display panel capable of causing at least a portion of the display panel to be in a transparent state; an imaging unit located behind the display panel, which images a code symbol held up to the display panel through a transparent region of the display panel; A payment terminal comprising:

2. a control unit that displays a message or an image at positions on the display panel at least above, below, or to the left and right of the transparent region, the message or image instructing the user to hold the code symbol over the transparent region; The payment terminal of claim 1 .

3. The display panel has a vertically long rectangular shape, the transmissive region is located at the center of the display panel; The payment terminal of claim 1 .

4. Further comprising a control unit capable of switching the display panel between a transparent state and a non-transparent state. The payment terminal of claim 1 .

5. The display panel further includes at least one of a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) credit card reader capable of reading a non-contact IC credit card held over the display surface side of the display panel, and an electronic money reader / writer capable of reading and writing electronic money held over the display surface side of the display panel. The payment terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images