Settlement terminal

Abstract

To provide a technique for suppressing the occurrence of malfunction caused by the activation of an antenna while maintaining a standby operation that activates both the antenna and specific reading means.SOLUTION: A settlement terminal includes: an enclosure; an antenna that is one of at least two different types of reading means, and is arranged on a front side of the enclosure; specific reading means that is different from the antenna out of the at least two types of reading means and is arranged on the front side; a touch screen that is arranged on the front side; and a control unit that controls the antenna, the specific reading means, and the touch screen. The control unit activates both the antenna and the specific reading means to initiate a standby operation to stand by reading of settlement information, and executes first reading processing using the specific reading means after the touch screen is activated when the specific reading means among the antenna and the specific reading means should be used in the standby operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a payment terminal that executes payment processing.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a payment terminal capable of executing a plurality of types of payment processing including magnetic card payment, contact IC card payment, and non-contact IC card payment. The payment terminal can operate in a three-sided waiting state where all of the above three types of payment processing are turned on.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, if an attempt is made to execute magnetic card payment while non-contact IC card payment is ON in three-sided waiting, the non-contact IC card may be erroneously detected, and there is a possibility that the magnetic card payment cannot be executed normally. In such a situation, it is assumed that non-contact IC card payment is turned off and magnetic card payment is executed. However, the three-sided waiting cannot be maintained.

[0005] This specification provides a technique for suppressing the occurrence of malfunction due to the activation of the antenna while maintaining a standby operation that activates both the antenna and specific reading means.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This specification discloses a payment terminal having at least two types of reading means. The payment terminal includes a housing, an antenna which is one of the at least two types of reading means and is disposed on the front side of the housing, a specific reading means which is different from the antenna among the at least two types of reading means and is disposed on the front side, a touch screen disposed on the front side, and a control unit for controlling the antenna, the specific reading means, and the touch screen. The control unit starts a standby operation of activating both the antenna and the specific reading means and waiting for reading of payment information. When it is necessary to use the specific reading means among the antenna and the specific reading means in the standby operation, after activating the touch screen, a first reading process of using the specific reading means is executed. When it is necessary to use the antenna among the antenna and the specific reading means in the standby operation, without activating the touch screen, a second reading process of using the antenna is executed. A payment process using the payment information read by either the first reading process or the second reading process is executed.

[0007] When the touch screen is activated in a state where the antenna is activated, the current flowing in the touch screen affects the magnetic field generated by the antenna. As a result, the range within which the antenna can read payment information becomes narrower. By narrowing this range, when it is necessary to use the specific reading means, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunction due to the antenna being activated while maintaining the standby operation.

[0008] The specific reading means is an image sensor capable of imaging an information code. When an image representing the information code is included in the image output by the image sensor, the control unit determines that the specific reading means should be used in the standby operation. When the control unit executes the first reading process, it may execute the payment process using the payment information read from the information code.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when it is necessary to read the payment information from the information code, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunction due to the activation of the antenna.

[0010] When the control unit determines that the specific reading means should be used in the standby operation, the touch screen may be activated with a brightness equal to or higher than a predetermined value to illuminate the information code.

[0011] According to the above configuration, compared with the configuration in which the information code is not illuminated by the touch screen, it is possible to make it easier to read the payment information from the information code.

[0012] The specific reading means is a means for reading the payment information from the magnetic stripe. When the control unit detects a predetermined movement of the card having the magnetic stripe, the control unit determines that the specific reading means should be used in the standby operation. When the control unit executes the first reading process, the control unit may execute the payment process using the payment information read from the magnetic stripe.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when it is necessary to read the payment information from the magnetic stripe, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunction due to the activation of the antenna.

[0014] The payment terminal further includes an image sensor disposed on the front side, and the control unit may analyze an image output by the image sensor to detect the predetermined movement.

[0015] According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine that a payment using a card having a magnetic stripe should be executed by using the image sensor.

[0016] After a wireless connection is established between the antenna and an external storage medium, when the wireless connection is disconnected, the payment terminal may determine that the predetermined movement has been detected.

[0017] According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether to execute a payment using a card having a magnetic stripe by using an antenna.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] (Configuration of Payment Terminal; FIGS. 1 and 2) The payment terminal 10 is a terminal that accepts an operation to pay for the price of a purchase target. The payment terminal 10 is installed, for example, in a store that sells the purchase target. Note that the payment terminal 10 may be a stationary type or a portable type.

[0020] The payment terminal 10 reads payment information, which is information used for payment, from various media. The payment information is, for example, a credit card number, an ID for identifying an individual, etc. The payment terminal 10 can execute four types of reading processes for reading the payment information. The four types of reading processes are a non-contact reading process, a contact reading process, a magnetic reading process, and a code reading process. The non-contact reading process is a process of reading payment information from a non-contact IC chip using predetermined wireless communication. The predetermined wireless communication is, for example, Near Field Communication (NFC). The contact reading process is a process of reading payment information from a contact IC chip using contact between electrodes. The magnetic reading process is a process of reading payment information from the magnetic stripe of a credit card. The code reading process is a process of decoding an information code (for example, a barcode, a two-dimensional code) that records payment information and reading the payment information.

[0021] The payment terminal 10 includes a housing 12, a contactless IC reader 20, a touch screen 22, an image sensor 24, a contact IC reader 26, a magnetic stripe reader 28, and a control unit 30. The housing 12 houses each of the units 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30. In FIG. 1, the illustration of the control unit 30 is omitted.

[0022] The contactless IC reader 20 is a device for contactless reading processing. The contactless IC reader 20 includes an antenna 20a for performing wireless communication with a contactless IC chip. The contactless IC chip is provided, for example, in a credit card or a mobile terminal. The antenna 20a is disposed on the front side of the housing 12. Here, the front side is the side of the housing 12 that is visible to a user who operates a credit card or the like. The antenna 20a is hidden inside the housing 12.

[0023] The touch screen 22 is a screen in which a sensor for sensing a user's operation (i.e., finger movement) is disposed on the surface of a display. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL. The method for sensing a user's operation is, for example, a resistive film method or a capacitance method. The touch screen 22 is disposed on the front side of the housing 12 and is exposed from the housing 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the touch screen 22 is disposed so as to be surrounded by the antenna 20a.

[0024] The image sensor 24 is a device for code reading processing. The image sensor 24 can image an information code. The information code is, for example, displayed on the screen of a mobile terminal. The image sensor 24 is disposed on the front side of the housing 12 and is exposed from the housing 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the image sensor 24 is disposed adjacent to the touch screen 22.

[0025] The contact IC reader 26 is a device for contact reading processing. The contact IC reader 26 includes electrodes that contact the contact IC chip of a credit card inserted through an insertion port 12a formed on the lower side surface of the housing 12 in the plane of the paper. The contact IC reader 26 is hidden inside the housing 12.

[0026] The magnetic stripe reader 28 is a device for magnetic reading processing. The magnetic stripe reader 28 is disposed within a slit 12b formed on the surface of the housing 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the slit 12b is disposed adjacent to the touch screen 22. When the magnetic stripe of a credit card slides within the slit 12b, the magnetic stripe reader 28 contacts the magnetic stripe and reads settlement information from the magnetic stripe.

[0027] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 40 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is, for example, a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.

[0028] (Processing of the payment terminal 10; FIG. 3) With reference to FIG. 3, the processes executed by the CPU 32 according to the program 40 will be described. The process in FIG. 3 is started, for example, triggered by a store employee inputting a predetermined instruction to the payment terminal 10.

[0029] In S10, the CPU 32 starts a plurality of standby operations. The plurality of standby operations is an operation of starting all four devices 20, 24, 26, and 28 corresponding to four types of reading processes and waiting for the reading of settlement information. At the start time of the plurality of standby operations, the touch screen 22 is not activated. In the figure, being activated is indicated as "ON", and not being activated is indicated as "OFF".

[0030] Subsequently, the CPU 32 monitors S20 and S30. In S20, the CPU 32 monitors for detecting the presence of an information code. For example, in a state where a plurality of standby operations are being executed, when the user brings a mobile terminal displaying the information code close to the image sensor 24, the output image (hereinafter referred to as the "output image") output by the image sensor 24 includes an image representing a feature unique to the information code (for example, a black-and-white pattern, a symbol mark of a two-dimensional code, etc.). The CPU 32 analyzes the output image and determines whether the output image includes an image representing a feature unique to the information code. When the CPU 32 determines that the output image includes an image representing a feature unique to the information code, it detects the presence of the information code. Detecting the presence of the information code means that the user has brought the mobile terminal displaying the information code close to the image sensor 24 and desires a settlement using the code reading process. When the CPU 32 detects the presence of the information code (YES in S20), it proceeds to S22.

[0031] In S22, the CPU 32 activates the touch screen 22 with a brightness equal to or higher than a predetermined value. As a result, the information code is illuminated by the touch screen 22. The brightness of the touch screen 22 can be adjusted using the display within the touch screen 22. For example, when the display is a liquid crystal display, the brightness of the touch screen 22 can be adjusted by adjusting the brightness of the backlight of the liquid crystal display. According to such a configuration, compared with a configuration in which the information code is not illuminated by the touch screen 22, it is possible to make it easier to read settlement information from the information code.

[0032] In S24, the CPU 32 extracts a code image representing an information code from the output image of the image sensor 24. Then, the CPU 32 executes a code reading process for decoding the extracted code image. As a result, the CPU 32 reads the settlement information from the information code. In subsequent S50, the CPU 32 executes a settlement process using the settlement information read in S24. The settlement process includes, for example, a process of transmitting the settlement information to the POS terminal. When S50 ends, the CPU 32 ends the process of FIG. 3.

[0033] Also, in S30, the CPU 32 monitors to detect a magnetic reading operation which is an operation for reading a magnetic stripe. The magnetic reading operation includes an operation of inserting a credit card into the slit 12b. As shown in FIG. 1, the slit 12b is arranged on the front side of the housing 12, similarly to the image sensor 24. For this reason, when the magnetic reading operation is performed, the output image of the image sensor 24 includes an image representing a predetermined movement in which the credit card is inserted into the slit 12b. In the present embodiment, the CPU 32 analyzes the output image and determines whether or not the output image includes an image representing a predetermined movement. When the CPU 32 determines that the output image includes an image representing a predetermined movement, the CPU 32 detects the magnetic reading operation. The detection of the magnetic reading operation means that the user desires a settlement using the magnetic reading process. When the CPU 32 detects the magnetic reading operation (YES in S30), the CPU 32 proceeds to S32.

[0034] In S32, the CPU 32 activates the touch screen 22. Here, in S32, the brightness of the display in the touch screen 22 may be less than the predetermined value in S22. This is because when it is determined as YES in S30, it is not necessary to illuminate the information code.

[0035] In S34, the CPU 32 executes a magnetic reading process for reading settlement information from the magnetic stripe using the magnetic stripe reader 28. When S34 ends, the CPU 32 proceeds to S50. In S50 executed via S34, the settlement information read in S34 is used.

[0036] Also, when the CPU 32 does not detect the presence of the information code and does not detect the magnetic reading operation (NO in S20 and NO in S30), in S40, without activating the touch screen 22, it executes the contact reading process or the non-contact reading process. Specifically, when the contact IC reader 26 detects contact with the contact IC chip, the CPU 32 executes the contact reading process, and when a wireless connection is established between the non-contact IC reader 20 and the non-contact IC chip, the CPU 32 executes the non-contact reading process. When S40 ends, the CPU 32 proceeds to S50. In S50 executed after S40, the settlement information read in S40 is used.

[0037] (Effect of this embodiment; FIGS. 4 and 5) In this embodiment, when the settlement terminal 10 should execute the code reading process or the magnetic reading process, while activating the touch screen 22 (S22 and S32 in FIG. 3), when it should execute the non-contact reading process, it does not activate the touch screen 22.

[0038] FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing how the range within which the antenna 20a can perform wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as the "communication range") changes before and after activating the touch screen 22. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the settlement terminal 10, and FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the settlement terminal 10.

[0039] The communication range AR1 indicates the communication range before activating the touch screen 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication range AR1 before activating the touch screen 22 overlaps with the imaging range CR within which the image sensor 24 can image the information code. When the user brings the mobile terminal displaying the information code close to the imaging range CR, the non-contact IC chip of the mobile terminal may enter the communication range AR1. In the multiple standby operations, not only the image sensor 24 but also the non-contact IC reader 20 is activated. For this reason, there is a possibility that the settlement terminal 10 may erroneously detect the non-contact IC chip of the mobile terminal and the code reading process may not be executed normally.

[0040] On the one hand, the communication range AR2 indicates the communication range after the touch screen 22 is activated. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication range AR2 after the activation of the touch screen 22 is narrower than the communication range AR1 before the activation of the touch screen 22. This is because when the touch screen 22 is activated with the antenna 20a activated, the current flowing in the touch screen 22 affects the magnetic field generated by the antenna 20a, narrowing the communication range of the antenna 20a. Since the activation of the touch screen 22 narrows the communication range of the antenna 20a, even if the user brings the mobile terminal close to the imaging range CR, it is difficult for the non-contact IC chip of the mobile terminal to enter the communication range AR2. As a result, it is possible to suppress the settlement terminal 10 from erroneously detecting the non-contact IC chip of the mobile terminal.

[0041] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, even in the plan view of the settlement terminal 10, activating the touch screen 22 narrows the communication range of the antenna 20a. Before the touch screen 22 is activated, the communication range AR1 reaches the magnetic stripe reader 28. When the user brings the credit card close to the slit 12b of the magnetic stripe reader 28, the non-contact IC chip of the credit card may enter the communication range AR1. For this reason, there is a possibility that the settlement terminals 10 in the multiple standby operations may erroneously detect the non-contact IC chip of the credit card, and the magnetic reading process may not be executed normally.

[0042] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, after the touch screen 22 is activated, the communication range AR2 does not reach the magnetic stripe reader 28. Even if the user brings the credit card close to the slit 12b, it is difficult for the non-contact IC chip of the credit card to enter the communication range AR1. As a result, it is possible to suppress the settlement terminal 10 from erroneously detecting the non-contact IC chip of the credit card.

[0043] As described above, by executing the process of S22 in FIG. 3, when the code reading process is to be executed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunction due to the activation of the antenna 20a while maintaining a plurality of standby operations. Further, by executing the process of S32 in FIG. 3, when the magnetic reading process is to be executed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunction due to the activation of the antenna 20a while maintaining a plurality of standby operations.

[0044] (Corresponding relationship) The payment terminal 10 and the housing 12 are, respectively, examples of a "payment terminal" and a "housing". The antenna 20a, the touch screen 22, and the image sensor 24 are, respectively, examples of an "antenna", a "touch screen", and an "image sensor". Either the image sensor 24 or the magnetic stripe reader 28 is an example of a "specific reading means". The control unit 30 is an example of a "control unit". The plurality of standby operations in S10 of FIG. 3 is an example of a "standby operation". Either S24 or S34 is an example of a "first reading process". The contactless reading process in S40 is an example of a "second reading process". S50 is an example of a "payment process".

[0045] The specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. For example, the following modification examples may be adopted.

[0046] (Modification Example 1) FIG. 1 is merely an example of the positional relationship of each part 20, 22, 24, 28. Generally speaking, each part 20, 22, 24, 28 may be arranged on the front side of the housing 12.

[0047] (Modification Example 2) The method of detecting the magnetic reading operation in S30 of FIG. 3 is not limited to the method of analyzing the output image. For example, in the magnetic reading operation, after the user inserts the credit card into the slit 12b, the user slides the credit card along the slit 12b. That is, the position of the credit card is not fixed in the magnetic reading operation. Therefore, even if a wireless connection is established between the non-contact IC chip of the credit card and the non-contact IC reader 20, the wireless connection will be disconnected due to the movement of the credit card. In other words, since the once-established wireless connection is disconnected in a short period, it can be estimated that the credit card is moving. The payment terminal 10 may determine that the magnetic reading operation has been detected when the wireless connection is disconnected after the wireless connection is established between the antenna 20a and the external non-contact IC chip. In this modification example, the external non-contact IC chip is an example of the "external storage medium".

[0048] (Modification Example 3) The determination of whether to execute the processes of S22 and S24 in FIG. 3 is not limited to the determination of S20. For example, in the imaging of the information code, the user fixes the position of the mobile terminal that displays the information code. On the other hand, in the reading of the non-contact IC chip, the user brings the medium having the non-contact IC chip closer to the payment terminal 10. Therefore, when the code reading process should be executed, the size of a specific image in the output image of the image sensor 24 does not change, but when the non-contact reading process should be executed, the size of the specific image becomes larger. The payment terminal 10 may execute the processes of S22 and S24 when it determines that the size of a specific image in the output image does not change.

[0049] (Modification Example 4) In S22 of FIG. 3, the brightness of the touch screen 22 may be less than a predetermined value. That is, it is not necessary to illuminate the information code with the touch screen 22. Also, the brightness of the touch screen 22 in S22 may be the same as the brightness of the touch screen 22 in S32.

[0050] (Modification Example 5) The processes of S20 to S24 in FIG. 3 may not be executed. In this modification example, the magnetic stripe reader 28 is an example of the "specific reading means". Also, in other modification examples, the processes of S30 to S34 in FIG. 3 may not be executed. In this modification example, the image sensor 24 is an example of the "specific reading means".

[0051] (Modification Example 6) The insertion port 12a may be arranged on the front side of the housing 12. In this modification example, when inserting a credit card into the insertion port 12a, there is a possibility that the payment terminal 10 may erroneously detect the contactless IC chip of the credit card. To address this problem, when the payment terminal 10 detects an insertion operation of inserting a credit card into the insertion port 12a, after executing the same process as S32, it may execute a contact reading process. Detection of the insertion operation may be performed, for example, by analyzing the output image of the image sensor 24. In this modification example, the contact IC reader 26 is an example of the "specific reading means".

[0052] (Modification Example 7) The payment terminal 10 only needs to be capable of executing at least two types of reading processes including contactless reading processes. For example, if the payment terminal 10 is capable of executing a contactless reading process and a code reading process, it does not necessarily need to be equipped with the magnetic stripe reader 28. Also, in other modification examples, if the payment terminal 10 is capable of executing a contactless reading process and a magnetic reading process, it does not necessarily need to be equipped with the image sensor 24.

[0053] The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Also, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves multiple purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of those purposes itself has technical utility.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 10: Payment terminal 12: Housing 12a: Insertion port 12b: Slit 20: Non-contact IC reader 20a: Antenna 22: Touch screen 24: Image sensor 26: Contact IC reader 28: Magnetic stripe reader 30: Control unit 32: CPU 34: Memory 40: Program AR1: Communication range AR2: Communication range CR: Imaging range

Claims

1. A payment terminal having at least two types of reading means, a housing, one of the at least two types of reading means, an antenna disposed on the front side of the housing, among the at least two types of reading means, a specific reading means different from the antenna and disposed on the front side, a touch screen disposed on the front side, a control unit for controlling the antenna, the specific reading means, and the touch screen, and comprising: the control unit, starts a standby operation of activating both the antenna and the specific reading means and waiting for reading of payment information, when it is necessary to use the specific reading means among the antenna and the specific reading means in the standby operation, after activating the touch screen, executes a first reading process using the specific reading means, when it is necessary to use the antenna among the antenna and the specific reading means in the standby operation, executes a second reading process using the antenna without activating the touch screen, and executes a payment process using the payment information read by either the first reading process or the second reading process. A payment terminal.

2. The specific reading means is an image sensor capable of imaging an information code, the control unit determines that it is necessary to use the specific reading means in the standby operation when an image representing the information code is included in the image output by the image sensor, the control unit, when executing the first reading process, executes the payment process using the payment information read from the information code. The payment terminal according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, when determining that it is necessary to use the specific reading means in the standby operation, activates the touch screen with a brightness equal to or higher than a predetermined value to illuminate the information code. The payment terminal according to claim 2.

4. The specific reading means is a means for reading the payment information from a magnetic stripe, the control unit determines that it is necessary to use the specific reading means in the standby operation when detecting a predetermined movement of a card having the magnetic stripe, the control unit, when executing the first reading process, executes the payment process using the payment information read from the magnetic stripe. The payment terminal according to claim 1.

5. The payment terminal further includes an image sensor disposed on the front side. The control unit analyzes an image output by the image sensor to detect the predetermined movement. The payment terminal according to claim 4. **Claim 6** The payment terminal according to claim 4, wherein when the wireless connection between the antenna and an external storage medium is disconnected after the wireless connection is established, it is determined that the predetermined movement has been detected.

Images