Information processing device, payment system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To prevent customers from accidentally purchasing commodities that should not be purchased.SOLUTION: An identification unit identifies a customer. A specification unit specifies a commodity that the customer is trying to purchase. An acquisition unit acquires a commodity list that prescribes whether the identified customer can purchase the commodity. An output unit outputs information indicating whether the customer can purchase the commodity based on the commodity list.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a payment system, an information processing method, and a program, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus, a payment system, an information processing method, and a program for managing payments related to the sale and purchase of goods.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a payment system that enables a user to use shared points (i.e., points shared by a plurality of users) as virtual currency. Patent Document 1 describes specifying how a user uses points and determining whether the user can use the shared points according to the specified use of the shared points.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the related technology described in Patent Document 1, since the administrator restricts the uses of the shared points, it is not possible to restrict the use of the shared points according to the specific circumstances (e.g., presence or absence of allergies) of the user who is the person being administered. As a result, the user (customer) may accidentally purchase a product that he or she should not purchase.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to prevent a customer from accidentally purchasing a product that he or she should not purchase.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an identification unit that identifies a customer, a specification unit that specifies a product that the customer intends to purchase, an acquisition unit that acquires a product list that defines whether the identified customer can purchase the product, and an output unit that outputs information indicating whether the customer can purchase the product based on the product list.

[0007] A settlement system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a customer information management server that stores customer information indicating the identity of a customer, and a POS terminal that executes settlement for a transaction when the customer intends to purchase a product. The POS terminal identifies the customer, specifies the product that the customer intends to purchase, acquires a product list that defines whether the identified customer can purchase the product, and outputs information indicating whether the customer can purchase the product based on the product list.

[0008] In an information processing method according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a computer executes a process of identifying a customer, a process of specifying a product that the customer intends to purchase, a process of acquiring a product list that defines whether the identified customer can purchase the product, and a process of outputting information indicating whether the customer can purchase the product based on the product list.

[0009] A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of identifying a customer, a process of specifying a product that the customer intends to purchase, a process of acquiring a product list that defines whether the identified customer can purchase the product, and a process of outputting information indicating whether the customer can purchase the product based on the product list.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a customer from accidentally purchasing a product that the customer is not allowed to purchase.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this Embodiment 1, an example of the configuration of the settlement system according to the present disclosure will be described.

[0014] (Settlement System 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a settlement system 1 according to this Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the settlement system 1 includes a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 100 (an example of an information processing apparatus), a settlement application 200, and a customer information management server 300. In FIG. 1, the settlement application 200 is schematically represented as a terminal (hardware) on which the settlement application 200 is installed.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the POS terminal 100, the payment application 200, and the customer information management server 300 are connected via an arbitrary communication network so as to be communicable.

[0016] The payment application 200 is used for payment. In one example, the payment application 200 is provided as a computer program installed on a smartphone.

[0017] The payment application 200 is, for example, a barcode payment application, a point payment application, or other cashless payment application. Here, "points" mean virtual currency given to the user when the user purchases goods (including services) or achieves certain conditions.

[0018] A user (hereinafter referred to as a customer) can purchase goods by cashless payment using the payment application 200. Alternatively, the customer may purchase goods with cash, a credit card, or the like. In this case, the payment application 200 is not required. Hereinafter, the case where the customer purchases goods by cashless payment will be described as an example.

[0019] Information about customers (for example, members of stores or point cards) is registered in the customer information management server 300. The information about the customer includes customer information indicating the identity of the customer (for example, the customer's name, address, phone number, age, gender, family, religion, allergies). The information about the customer also includes a registered face image (for example, data of a photo taken of the customer's face) saved together with the customer information. The customer information further includes a list of goods whose purchase by the customer is regulated.

[0020] In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the customer is in a physical store. In a modification example of the second embodiment described later, the case where the customer shops online will be described.

[0021] When the customer attempts to purchase a product using the payment application 200, the POS terminal 100 settles the transaction.

[0022] First, the POS terminal 100 identifies the customer. For example, the POS terminal 100 uses a scanner or the like to read an identifier (e.g., membership number) for identifying the customer from the two-dimensional barcode or barcode displayed on the terminal screen by the payment application 200. Alternatively, the store clerk can also input the identifier read using a scanner or the like into the POS terminal 100.

[0023] Next, the POS terminal 100 accesses the customer information management server 300 to obtain customer information indicating the identity of the customer associated with the identifier read from the two-dimensional barcode or barcode. Then, the POS terminal 100 identifies the customer using the customer information obtained from the customer information management server 300. Here, "identification" means collecting personal information such as the customer's name, address, phone number, age, and gender that can identify the customer as an individual.

[0024] Next, the POS terminal 100 identifies the product that the customer attempts to purchase. For example, the POS terminal 100 uses a scanner or the like to obtain information (e.g., product code) for identifying the product from the identifier (e.g., product barcode) attached to the product. Then, the POS terminal 100 identifies the product that the customer attempts to purchase using the information for identifying the product.

[0025] In one example, the POS terminal 100 identifies the name, price, raw materials (e.g., spices, additives, salt, alcohol), allergens (e.g., wheat, buckwheat, eggs), precautions (e.g., caution against accidental ingestion), and target age of the product (e.g., 3 years old and above, 18 years old and above).

[0026] Subsequently, the POS terminal 100 acquires a product list that defines whether it is possible or not to allow the identified customer to make a purchase. For example, the POS terminal 100 acquires customer information indicating the identity of the customer from the customer information management server 300, and extracts from the acquired customer information a product list that defines whether it is possible or not to allow the customer to make a purchase.

[0027] Note that the product list that defines whether it is possible or not to allow the customer to make a purchase is preset by the administrator of the customer information (for example, the customer's guardian, the representative of the point card, or the person in charge of the store) as to whether to permit or prohibit the customer from making a purchase.

[0028] Finally, the POS terminal 100 outputs information indicating whether it is possible or not to allow the customer to purchase the product based on the product list. For example, when the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (that is, the product list is a blacklist), the POS terminal 100 notifies, by means of a warning sound or display, that the customer cannot purchase the product. Alternatively, the POS terminal 100 may reject the settlement for the transaction.

[0029] On the other hand, when the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (that is, the product list is a white list), the POS terminal 100 executes the settlement for the transaction.

[0030] When the product list is a blacklist and the product does not belong to the same category as the products included in the product list, the POS terminal 100 executes the settlement for the transaction.

[0031] (Modification example) FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a settlement system 1a according to a modification example. As shown in FIG. 2, the settlement system 1a according to this modification example does not include the settlement application 200 (FIG. 1).

[0032] In this modified example, the POS terminal 100 uses a scanner or the like to read an identifier printed or stored on an identification card (for example, a membership card, a point card, an ID card) held by a customer.

[0033] The POS terminal 100 accesses the customer information management server 300 to obtain customer information indicating the customer's identity, which is associated with the two-dimensional barcode or the identifier read from the barcode. The subsequent processing is as described above.

[0034] In another modified example, the POS terminal 100 can also obtain biometric information from the customer and use the obtained biometric information to identify the customer. In this case, a security camera or the like installed in the store captures the customer's face to generate a face image of the customer.

[0035] The POS terminal 100 obtains a face image (an example of biometric information) of the customer from a security system (not shown) of the store. The POS terminal 100 uses a well-known biometric identification technology to search for a registered face image that matches the customer's face image from among the registered face images stored together with the customer information in the customer information management server 300. Then, the POS terminal 100 obtains customer information indicating the customer's identity, which is associated with the registered face image that matches the customer's face image.

[0036] Then, the POS terminal 100 uses the customer information obtained from the customer information management server 300 to identify the customer. The subsequent process is as described above.

[0037] Note that in Embodiments 2 to 4 described later, specific examples of the configuration and operation of the information processing function of the POS terminal 100 will be described.

[0038] (Effect of this Embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the payment system 1 includes a payment application 200 used for payment, and a POS terminal 100 that settles the purchase and sale of goods when a customer attempts to purchase goods using the payment application 200. When a customer attempts to purchase goods using the payment application 200, the POS terminal 100 identifies the customer and specifies the goods the customer intends to purchase. The POS terminal 100 obtains a product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the identified customer to purchase the product. Then, based on the product list, the POS terminal 100 outputs information indicating whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product.

[0039] The store can determine from the information output by the POS terminal 100 whether it can sell the product to the customer. Alternatively, the customer can confirm whether they are not accidentally attempting to purchase a product belonging to the same category as the product for which the purchase is prohibited.

[0040] This can prevent the customer from accidentally purchasing a product that they are not allowed to purchase.

[0041] 〔Embodiment 2〕 Referring to FIGS. 3 to 4, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. In this Embodiment 2, a specific example of the configuration and operation of the information processing function of the POS terminal 100 described in Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0042] In this Embodiment 2, regarding the components described in Embodiment 1, the description in Embodiment 1 is cited and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0043] In this Embodiment 1, it is assumed that the customer is in a physical store. In a modification example described later, the case where the customer shops online will be described.

[0044] (Configuration of the information processing device 10) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 10 includes an identification unit 11, a specification unit 12, an acquisition unit 13, and an output unit 14.

[0045] The identification unit 11 identifies a customer. The identification unit 11 is an example of an identification means.

[0046] For example, the identification unit 11 receives data of an identifier printed or stored on an identity card (e.g., membership card, point card, ID card) held by the customer from a scanner or the like provided in the POS terminal 100. The identification unit 11 acquires customer information indicating the identity of the customer, which is associated with the identifier (e.g., membership number) of the identity card, from the customer information management server 300 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Then, the identification unit 11 identifies the customer using the acquired customer information.

[0047] In another example, the identification unit 11 acquires biometric information (e.g., a face image of the customer) from the customer. The identification unit 11 uses the acquired biometric information to search the customer information management server 300 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for a registered face image that matches the face image of the customer.

[0048] Then, the identification unit 11 acquires customer information (e.g., the customer's name, address, phone number, age, gender, family, religion, allergy) associated with the registered face image that matches the face image of the customer from the customer information management server 300. The identification unit 11 identifies the customer using the acquired customer information.

[0049] The identification unit 11 outputs information for identifying the customer to the acquisition unit 13.

[0050] The specification unit 12 specifies the product that the customer intends to purchase. The specification unit 12 is an example of a specification means.

[0051] For example, the specifying unit 12 acquires information (e.g., product code) for specifying a product from an identifier (e.g., barcode) attached to the product. Then, the specifying unit 12 specifies the product that the customer intends to purchase using the information for specifying the product. Here, "specifying" means specifying the category (attribute) to which the product belongs, such as the name, price, raw materials (e.g., spices, additives, salt, alcohol), allergens (e.g., wheat, buckwheat, eggs), precautions (e.g., caution against accidental ingestion), and target age of the product (e.g., 3 years old or above, 18 years old or above).

[0052] In one example, the specifying unit 12 acquires information indicating the category related to the product that the customer intends to purchase from a pre-constructed product database using the information for specifying the product.

[0053] The specifying unit 12 outputs the information for specifying the product to the output unit 14.

[0054] The acquisition unit 13 acquires a product list that defines whether it is possible for the customer identified by the identification unit 11 to purchase. The acquisition unit 13 is an example of an acquisition means.

[0055] For example, the acquisition unit 13 receives information for identifying a customer from the identification unit 11.

[0056] The acquisition unit 13 accesses the customer information management server 300 and extracts from the customer's customer information a product list that defines whether it is possible for the identified customer to purchase using the information for identifying the customer.

[0057] The acquisition unit 13 outputs the product list to the output unit 14.

[0058] The output unit 14 outputs information indicating whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product based on the product list. The output unit 14 is an example of an output means.

[0059] For example, the output unit 14 receives information for identifying the product that the customer intends to purchase from the identification unit 12. Further, the output unit 14 receives a product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product from the acquisition unit 13.

[0060] If the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (i.e., the product list is a blacklist), the output unit 14 notifies that the customer cannot purchase the product.

[0061] On the other hand, if the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (i.e., the product list is a white list), the output unit 14 notifies that the customer can purchase the product. Alternatively, in this case, the output unit 14 may not notify anything.

[0062] Note that if the product list is a blacklist and the product does not belong to the same category as the products included in the product list, the output unit 14 does not notify anything. The case where it is unknown whether the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list will be described in Embodiment 3 described later.

[0063] (Operation of the information processing apparatus 10) With reference to FIG. 4, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the identification unit 11 identifies the customer using customer information indicating the identity of the customer or biometric information of the customer (S101). The identification unit 11 outputs information for identifying the customer to the acquisition unit 13.

[0065] The identification unit 12 identifies the product that the customer intends to purchase by the identifier attached to the product (S102). The identification unit 12 outputs information for identifying the product to the output unit 14.

[0066] The acquisition unit 13 refers to the customer information management server 300 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and acquires a product list that defines whether it is possible or not to have the identified customer make a purchase (S103). The acquisition unit 13 outputs the product list to the output unit 14.

[0067] The output unit 14 outputs information indicating whether it is possible or not to have the customer purchase the product based on the product list (S104).

[0068] In step S104, in one example, the output unit 14 receives information for specifying the product that the customer intends to purchase from the specifying unit 12. Further, the output unit 14 receives a product list that defines whether it is possible or not to have the customer make a purchase from the acquisition unit 13.

[0069] The output unit 14 determines whether the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list based on the information for specifying the product. Further, based on the product list, the output unit 14 determines whether, if the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list, purchasing of the product by the customer is permitted or prohibited.

[0070] If the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and purchasing of the products included in the product list by the customer is prohibited (i.e., the product list is a blacklist), the output unit 14 notifies that the customer cannot purchase the product.

[0071] On the other hand, if the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and purchasing of the products included in the product list by the customer is permitted (i.e., the product list is a whitelist), the output unit 14 notifies that the customer can purchase the product. Alternatively, in this case, the output unit 14 may not notify anything.

[0072] Thus, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment ends.

[0073] (Modification example) In one modification example, it is assumed that the customer conducts online shopping.

[0074] In this modification example, the specifying unit 12 specifies the product by analyzing at least one of document data and image data in a web page on which an explanation about the product is posted.

[0075] For example, when the customer adds a product to the cart or when the customer performs procedures for settlement, the specifying unit 12 refers to the web page on which an explanation about the product is posted. The specifying unit 12 extracts document data from the HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data constituting the corresponding web page by a well-known document analysis technique.

[0076] Then, the specifying unit 12 extracts descriptions related to keywords (for example, "product name", "raw material", "allergen", "caution", etc.) for specifying the product from the document data. The specifying unit 12 specifies the product based on the descriptions extracted from the document data.

[0077] In another example, the specifying unit 12 extracts image data (for example, JPEG data) constituting the corresponding web page. Then, the specifying unit 12 uses the image data extracted from the web page to specify the product by a well-known image analysis technique.

[0078] (Effects of the present embodiment) According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the identification unit 11 identifies the customer, the specifying unit 12 specifies the product that the customer intends to purchase, the acquisition unit 13 acquires a product list that defines whether it is possible for the identified customer to purchase the product, and the output unit 14 outputs information indicating whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product based on the product list.

[0079] The store can determine from the output information whether it can sell the product to the customer. Alternatively, the customer can confirm whether they are not accidentally trying to purchase a product belonging to the same category as the product for which purchase is prohibited. This can prevent the customer from accidentally purchasing a product that they are not allowed to purchase.

[0080] [Embodiment 3] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 6, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. In Embodiment 3, when it is unclear whether the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the product included in the product list that defines whether the customer can purchase it, a configuration for executing an inquiry to the administrator of the customer information will be described.

[0081] In Embodiment 3, with respect to the components described in Embodiments 1-2, the descriptions in Embodiments 1-2 are cited and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0082] (Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 20) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus 20 according to Embodiment 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 20 includes an identification unit 11, a specification unit 12, an acquisition unit 13, and an output unit 14. The information processing apparatus 20 further includes an inquiry unit 25.

[0083] The inquiry unit 25 executes an inquiry to the administrator of the customer information. The inquiry unit 25 is an example of an inquiry means.

[0084] The inquiry unit 25 receives information for specifying the product that the customer intends to purchase from the specification unit 12. The inquiry unit 25 also receives a product list that defines whether the customer can purchase it from the acquisition unit 13.

[0085] For example, when it is unclear whether the product the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list, the inquiry unit 25 extracts information indicating the inquiry destination of the administrator of the customer information from the customer information. Then, the inquiry unit 25 sends an inquiry regarding whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product to the destination (e.g., phone number, email address) specified by the information indicating the administrator's inquiry destination.

[0086] After that, the inquiry unit 25 receives a reply regarding whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product from the inquiry destination. Then, the inquiry unit 25 outputs information indicating whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product to the output unit 14.

[0087] The output unit 14 receives information indicating whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product from the inquiry unit 25.

[0088] If it is prohibited to allow the customer to purchase the product, the output unit 14 notifies that the customer cannot purchase the product.

[0089] On the other hand, if it is permitted to allow the customer to purchase the product, the output unit 14 notifies that the customer can purchase the product. Alternatively, in this case, the output unit 14 may not notify anything.

[0090] (Operation of the information processing apparatus 20) Referring to FIG. 6, the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 6, the identification unit 11 identifies the customer using customer information indicating the customer's identity or the customer's biometric information (S201). The identification unit 11 outputs information for identifying the customer to the acquisition unit 13.

[0092] The specifying unit 12 specifies the product that the customer intends to purchase based on the identifier attached to the product (S202). The specifying unit 12 outputs information for specifying the product to the output unit 14 and the inquiry unit 25.

[0093] The acquisition unit 13 refers to the customer information management server 300 (Figs. 1 and 2) and acquires a prescribed product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the identified customer to make a purchase (S203). The acquisition unit 13 outputs the product list to the output unit 14 and the inquiry unit 25.

[0094] Based on the information for specifying the product, the output unit 14 determines whether the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list. Also, when the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list, the output unit 14 determines whether it is permitted or prohibited for the customer to purchase the product based on the type of the product list (blacklist or whitelist).

[0095] Furthermore, the output unit 14 determines whether it is clear whether the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list (S204). If it is clear whether the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list (Yes in step S204), the flow proceeds to step S205A described below.

[0096] On the other hand, when it is not clear whether the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list (No in S204), the inquiry unit 25 sends an inquiry regarding whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product to the destination specified by the information indicating the inquiry destination of the administrator from the customer information (S205B).

[0097] After step S205B, the inquiry unit 25 receives a response regarding whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product from the inquiry destination. Then, the inquiry unit 25 outputs information indicating whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product to the output unit 14.

[0098] The output unit 14 outputs information indicating whether it is possible for a customer to purchase a product based on the product list (S205A).

[0099] If the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited for the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (i.e., the product list is a blacklist), the output unit 14 notifies that the customer cannot purchase the product.

[0100] On the other hand, if the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted for the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (i.e., the product list is a whitelist), the output unit 14 notifies that the customer can purchase the product. Alternatively, in this case, the output unit 14 may not notify anything.

[0101] Thus, the operation of the information processing apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment ends.

[0102] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the identification unit 11 identifies the customer, the specification unit 12 specifies the product that the customer intends to purchase, the acquisition unit 13 acquires a product list that defines whether it is possible for the identified customer to purchase, and the output unit 14 outputs information indicating whether it is possible for the customer to purchase a product based on the product list.

[0103] The store can determine from the output information whether it is possible to sell a product to the customer. Alternatively, the customer can confirm whether they are not accidentally trying to purchase a product belonging to the same category as the products whose purchase is prohibited. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the customer from accidentally purchasing a product that they should not purchase.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the inquiry unit 25 makes an inquiry to the administrator of the customer information. When it is unknown whether the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list, the inquiry unit 25 extracts information indicating the inquiry destination of the administrator of the customer information from the customer information, and sends an inquiry regarding the possibility of allowing the customer to purchase the product to the inquiry destination specified by the information indicating the inquiry destination. From the response to the inquiry, it becomes clear whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product, so the output unit 14 outputs information indicating whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the customer from accidentally purchasing a product that the customer should not purchase.

[0105] 〔Embodiment 4〕 Referring to FIGS. 7 to 8, Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described. In Embodiment 4, a configuration for determining the availability of settlement for a transaction will be described according to whether it is permitted or prohibited to allow a customer to purchase a product.

[0106] In Embodiment 4, with respect to the components described in Embodiments 1-3, the descriptions in Embodiments 1-3 are cited and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0107] (Configuration of the information processing apparatus 30) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 30 according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing apparatus 30 includes an identification unit 11, a specification unit 12, an acquisition unit 13, and an output unit 14. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 30 includes a settlement unit 35.

[0108] The settlement unit 35 executes settlement for a transaction. The settlement unit 35 is an example of a settlement means.

[0109] For example, the settlement unit 35 receives information for specifying the product that the customer intends to purchase from the specification unit 12. In addition, the settlement unit 35 receives a product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase from the acquisition unit 13.

[0110] The settlement unit 35 determines, using the information for specifying the product and the product list, whether the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase.

[0111] If the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (that is, the product list is a white list), the settlement unit 35 executes the settlement for the transaction.

[0112] On the other hand, if the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (that is, the product list is a black list), the settlement unit 35 rejects the settlement for the transaction. In one example, the settlement unit 35 is the settlement function of the POS terminal 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2) described in the first embodiment.

[0113] If the product does not belong to the same category as the products included in the product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase, the settlement unit 35 refers to the customer information and acquires information indicating the inquiry destination of the administrator of the customer information. Then, the settlement unit 35 may send an inquiry about whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product to the destination specified by the information indicating the inquiry destination of the administrator.

[0114] (Operation of the information processing apparatus 30) With reference to FIG. 8, the operation of the information processing apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 8, the identification unit 11 identifies the customer using the customer information indicating the identity of the customer or the biometric information of the customer (S301). The identification unit 11 outputs the information for identifying the customer to the acquisition unit 13.

[0116] The specifying unit 12 specifies the product that the customer intends to purchase based on the identifier attached to the product (S302). The specifying unit 12 outputs information for specifying the product to the output unit 14 and the settlement unit 35.

[0117] The acquisition unit 13 refers to the customer information management server 300 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and acquires a product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the identified customer to make a purchase (S303). The acquisition unit 13 outputs the product list to the output unit 14 and the settlement unit 35.

[0118] The output unit 14 outputs information indicating whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product based on the product list (S304).

[0119] In step S304, in one example, the output unit 14 receives information for specifying the product that the customer intends to purchase from the specifying unit 12. Further, the output unit 14 receives a product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the customer to make a purchase from the acquisition unit 13.

[0120] The output unit 14 determines whether the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list based on the information for specifying the product. Further, when the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list, the output unit 14 determines whether it is permitted or prohibited for the customer to purchase the product.

[0121] When the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (that is, the product list is a blacklist), the output unit 14 notifies that the customer cannot purchase the product.

[0122] On the other hand, when the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (that is, the product list is a white list), the output unit 14 notifies that the customer can purchase the product. Alternatively, in this case, the output unit 14 may not notify anything.

[0123] Subsequently, the settlement unit 35 determines whether the product the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list prohibited from being purchased by the customer, using the information for identifying the product and the product list (S305).

[0124] If the product the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list (Yes in S305), the settlement unit 35 rejects the settlement for the transaction (S306A).

[0125] On the other hand, if the product the customer intends to purchase does not belong to the same category as the products included in the product list prohibited from being purchased by the customer (No in S305), the settlement unit 35 executes the settlement for the transaction (S306B).

[0126] Thus, the operation of the information processing apparatus 30 according to the fourth embodiment ends.

[0127] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the identification unit 11 identifies the customer, the specification unit 12 specifies the product the customer intends to purchase, the acquisition unit 13 acquires the product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the identified customer to purchase, and the output unit 14 outputs information indicating whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product based on the product list.

[0128] The store can determine from the output information whether it can sell the product to the customer. Alternatively, the customer can confirm whether they are not accidentally trying to purchase a product belonging to the same category as the products prohibited from being purchased. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the customer from accidentally purchasing a product that they are not allowed to purchase.

[0129] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the settlement unit 35 executes settlement for transactions. When the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to let the customer purchase the products included in the product list, the settlement unit 35 rejects the settlement for the transaction. When the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to let the customer purchase the products included in the product list, since the settlement for the sale and purchase of the product is not executed, it is possible to prevent the customer from mistakenly purchasing a product that the customer should not purchase.

[0130] (Hardware Configuration) Each component of the information processing apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 described in the above Embodiments 2-4 indicates a block of a functional unit. Some or all of these components are realized by, for example, an information processing apparatus as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 9, the computer 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a main memory 112, a storage device 113, an input interface 114, a display controller 115, a data reader / writer 116, and a communication interface 117. These units are connected to each other via a bus 121 so as to be capable of data communication with each other. Note that the computer 110 may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) in addition to or instead of the CPU 111.

[0132] The CPU 111 expands the program (code) in the present embodiment stored in the storage device 113 into the main memory 112 and executes these in a predetermined order, thereby performing various operations. The main memory 112 is typically a volatile storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). Further, the program in the present embodiment is provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium 120. Note that the program in the present embodiment may be distributed on the Internet connected via the communication interface 117.

[0133] Further, specific examples of the storage device 113 include a hard disk drive and a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory. The input interface 114 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and an input device 118 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display controller 115 is connected to the display device 119 and controls the display on the display device 119.

[0134] The data reader / writer 116 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and the recording medium 120, and executes reading of a program from the recording medium 120 and writing of the processing result in the computer 110 to the recording medium 120. The communication interface 117 mediates data transmission between the CPU 111 and another computer.

[0135] Further, specific examples of the recording medium 120 include general-purpose semiconductor memory devices such as CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) and SD (Secure Digital), magnetic recording media such as a flexible disk, or optical recording media such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory).

[0136] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited thereto.

[0137] (Supplementary Note 1) An identification means for identifying a customer, A specifying means for specifying the product that the customer intends to purchase, An acquisition means for acquiring a product list that defines whether it is possible to have the identified customer make a purchase, An output means for outputting information indicating whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product based on the product list, An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

[0138] (Appendix 2) The identification means acquires customer information associated with an identifier of an identity card indicating the identity of the customer, and uses the customer information to identify the customer The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1, characterized in that.

[0139] (Appendix 3) The specifying means acquires information for specifying the product from an identifier attached to the product, and uses the information for specifying the product to specify the product that the customer intends to purchase The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1, characterized in that.

[0140] (Appendix 4) The acquisition means acquires customer information associated with an identifier of an identity card indicating the identity of the customer, and extracts the product list that defines whether it is possible to have the customer make a purchase from the customer information The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1, characterized in that.

[0141] (Appendix 5) When the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to have the customer purchase the products included in the product list, the output means notifies that the customer cannot purchase the product The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1, characterized in that.

[0142] (Appendix 6) further comprising inquiry means for executing an inquiry to the administrator of the customer information, when it is unknown whether the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list, the inquiry means extracts information indicating the inquiry destination of the administrator associated with the customer from the customer information, and sends an inquiry regarding whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product to the destination specified by the information indicating the inquiry destination The information processing apparatus according to supplementary note 4, characterized in that.

[0143] (Supplementary note 7) further comprising settlement means for executing settlement for the transaction, when the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list, the settlement means rejects the settlement for the transaction The information processing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 5, characterized in that.

[0144] (Supplementary note 8) The identification means acquires biometric information from the customer and identifies the customer using the acquired biometric information The information processing apparatus according to supplementary note 1, characterized in that.

[0145] (Supplementary note 9) The specifying means specifies the product by analyzing at least one of document data and image data in a web page on which an explanation about the product is posted The information processing apparatus according to supplementary note 1, characterized in that.

[0146] (Supplementary note 10) The settlement means when the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted to allow the customer to purchase the products included in the product list, executes settlement for the transaction The information processing apparatus according to appended note 7, characterized by the above.

[0147] (Appended note 11) A customer information management server that stores customer information indicating the identity of a customer, When the customer attempts to purchase a product, a POS terminal that executes settlement for the transaction, comprising: The POS terminal: Identifies the customer, Identifies the product that the customer attempts to purchase, Obtains a product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the identified customer to purchase the product, Based on the product list, outputs information indicating whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product A settlement system.

[0148] (Appended note 12) A settlement application used for payment, The settlement application: Receives, from the information processing apparatus, the information regarding whether the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list, Determines whether the product list permits or prohibits the customer from purchasing the product, If the product that the customer attempts to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted for the customer to purchase the products included in the product list, permits payment for the purchase of the product, while If the product that the customer attempts to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited for the customer to purchase the products included in the product list, rejects payment for the purchase of the product The settlement system according to appended note 11.

[0149] (Appended note 13) The customer information is associated with the product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the customer to purchase the product, The POS terminal obtains the product list from the customer information management server. The payment system according to Supplementary Note 11.

[0150] (Supplementary Note 14) It further includes a customer information management server that stores customer information indicating the identity of the customer. The customer information is associated with information indicating the amount of virtual currency that the customer can use. The payment application obtains the information indicating the amount of virtual currency that the customer can use from the customer information management server, and executes processing for paying the price of the product with virtual currency. The payment system according to Supplementary Note 11.

[0151] (Supplementary Note 15) A computer executes processing for identifying a customer, processing for specifying the product that the customer intends to purchase, processing for obtaining a product list that defines whether it is possible to allow the identified customer to make a purchase, and processing for outputting information indicating whether it is possible for the customer to purchase the product based on the product list. An information processing method for performing the above.

[0152] (Supplementary Note 16) The computer obtains customer information associated with an identifier of an identity card indicating the identity of the customer, and uses the customer information to identify the customer. The information processing method according to Supplementary Note 15, characterized in that.

[0153] (Supplementary Note 17) The computer obtains information for specifying the product from the identifier attached to the product, and uses the information for specifying the product to specify the product that the customer intends to purchase. The information processing method according to Supplementary Note 15, characterized in that.

[0154] (Supplementary Note 18) The computer obtains customer information associated with an identifier of an identity card indicating the identity of the customer, and extracts the product list in which the permissibility of having the customer purchase is defined from the customer information. The information processing method according to appended note 15, characterized in that.

[0155] (Appended note 19) When the product belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to have the customer purchase the products included in the product list, the computer notifies that the customer cannot purchase the product. The information processing method according to appended note 15, characterized in that.

[0156] (Appended note 20) The computer further performs a process of making an inquiry to the administrator of the customer information. When it is unknown whether the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list, the computer extracts information indicating the inquiry destination of the administrator associated with the customer from the customer information, and sends an inquiry about the permissibility of having the customer purchase the product to the destination specified by the information indicating the inquiry destination. The information processing method according to appended note 18, characterized in that.

[0157] (Appended note 21) The computer further performs a process of executing a settlement for the transaction. When the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to have the customer purchase the products included in the product list, the computer rejects the settlement for the transaction. The information processing method according to any one of appended notes 15 to 20, characterized in that.

[0158] (Appended note 22) The computer obtains biometric information from the customer and uses the obtained biometric information to identify the customer The information processing method according to Supplementary Note 15, characterized by the above

[0159] (Supplementary Note 23) The computer identifies the product by analyzing at least one of document data and image data in a web page on which an explanation about the product is posted The information processing method according to Supplementary Note 15, characterized by the above

[0160] (Supplementary Note 24) The computer When the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted to let the customer purchase the products included in the product list, execute settlement for the transaction The information processing method according to Supplementary Note 21, characterized by the above

[0161] (Supplementary Note 25) A process of identifying a customer, A process of identifying the product that the customer intends to purchase, A process of obtaining a product list that defines whether it is possible to let the identified customer purchase, A process of outputting information indicating whether it is possible to let the customer purchase the product based on the product list A program for causing a computer to execute the above

[0162] (Supplementary Note 26) Obtain customer information associated with an identifier of an identity card indicating the identity of the customer, and use the customer information to identify the customer The program according to Supplementary Note 25, characterized by causing the computer to execute the process above

[0163] (Supplementary Note 27) Acquire information for identifying the product from the identifier attached to the product, and use the information for identifying the product to identify the product that the customer intends to purchase. The program according to appended note 25, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute the process.

[0164] (Appended note 28) Acquire customer information associated with the identifier of the identity card indicating the identity of the customer, and extract the product list that defines whether the customer can purchase the product from the customer information. The program according to appended note 25, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute the process.

[0165] (Appended note 29) If the product belongs to the same category as the product included in the product list and it is prohibited for the customer to purchase the product included in the product list, notify that the customer cannot purchase the product. The program according to appended note 25, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute the process.

[0166] (Appended note 30) Further cause the computer to execute a process of making an inquiry to the administrator of the customer information. If it is unknown whether the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the product included in the product list, extract information indicating the inquiry destination of the administrator associated with the customer from the customer information, and send an inquiry about whether the customer can purchase the product to the destination specified by the information indicating the inquiry destination. The program according to appended note 28, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute the process.

[0167] (Appended note 31) Further cause the computer to execute a process of performing settlement for the transaction. If the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is prohibited to let the customer purchase the products included in the product list, reject the settlement for the transaction. The program according to any one of Appendices 25 to 30, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute the process.

[0168] (Appendix 32) Acquire biometric information from the customer and identify the customer using the acquired biometric information. The program according to Appendix 25, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute the process.

[0169] (Appendix 33) Identify the product by analyzing at least one of the document data and image data in the web page on which the description of the product is posted. The program according to Appendix 25, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute the process.

[0170] (Appendix 34) If the product that the customer intends to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the product list and it is permitted to let the customer purchase the products included in the product list, execute the settlement for the transaction. The program according to Appendix 31, characterized in that the computer is caused to execute the process.

[0171] The present disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. In addition, various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

[0172] The present disclosure can be used, for example, in a settlement system including a POS terminal.

Description of Symbols

[0173] 1 Payment system 10 Information processing device 11 Identification unit 12 Specifying unit 13 Acquisition unit 14 Output unit 20 Information processing device 25 Inquiry unit 30 Information processing device 35 Payment unit 100 POS terminal 200 Payment application 300 Customer information management server

Claims

1. an identification means for identifying a customer; A means for identifying a product that the customer wishes to purchase; An acquisition means for acquiring a list of products that specifies whether or not the identified customer can purchase the products; an output means for outputting information indicating whether or not the customer should purchase the product based on the product list; Equipped with the acquiring means extracts, as the product list, a first list of products that the customer is allowed to purchase and a second list of products that the customer is not allowed to purchase from customer information corresponding to the customer; The output means determines whether the product that the customer is to purchase is permitted or prohibited to be purchased by the customer based on whether the product that the customer is to purchase is included in the first product list or the second product list, and outputs the determination result. Information processing device.

2. The identification means acquires the customer information linked to an identifier of an identification card indicating the identity of the customer, and identifies the customer using the customer information.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The identification means acquires information for identifying the product from an identifier attached to the product, and identifies the product that the customer wishes to purchase by using the information for identifying the product.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

4. The acquiring means acquires the customer information linked to an identifier of an identification card indicating the identity of the customer, and extracts from the customer information the first product list and the second product list, which specify whether or not the customer is allowed to purchase the product.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

5. When the product belongs to the same category as a product included in the second product list and the customer is prohibited from purchasing the product included in the second product list, the output means notifies the customer that the product cannot be purchased.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

6. further comprising an inquiry means for making an inquiry to a manager of the customer information; When it is unclear whether the product that the customer wishes to purchase belongs to the same category as the products included in the first product list or the second product list, the inquiry means extracts information indicating the contact information of the manager associated with the customer from the customer information, and transmits an inquiry regarding whether the customer can purchase the product to an address specified by the information indicating the contact information.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

7. Further comprising a payment means for effecting payment for the transaction; If the product that the customer wishes to purchase belongs to the same category as a product included in the second product list, and the customer is prohibited from purchasing the product included in the second product list, the payment means rejects payment for the transaction.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

8. a customer information management server that stores customer information indicating the identity of a customer; a POS terminal for executing a payment for a transaction when the customer wishes to purchase a product; The POS terminal includes: Identifying the customer; Identifying the product that the customer wishes to purchase; Obtain a list of products that are specified as being available for purchase by the identified customer; outputting information indicating whether or not the customer should purchase the product based on the product list; The POS terminal includes: extracting, as the product list, a first product list that the customer is allowed to purchase and a second product list that the customer is not allowed to purchase from customer information corresponding to the customer; Based on whether the product that the customer wishes to purchase is included in the first product list or the second product list, it is determined whether the customer is permitted to purchase the product that the customer wishes to purchase or is prohibited from purchasing the product, and the determination result is output. Payment system.

9. The computer A process for identifying a customer; Identifying a product that the customer wishes to purchase; A process of acquiring a list of products that are specified as to whether or not the identified customer can purchase the products; A process of outputting information indicating whether or not the customer should purchase the product based on the product list; Run extracting, as the product list, a first product list that the customer is allowed to purchase and a second product list that the customer is not allowed to purchase from customer information corresponding to the customer; Based on whether the product that the customer wishes to purchase is included in the first product list or the second product list, it is determined whether the customer is permitted to purchase the product that the customer wishes to purchase or is prohibited from purchasing the product, and the determination result is output. Information processing methods.

10. A process for identifying a customer; Identifying a product that the customer wishes to purchase; A process of acquiring a list of products that are specified as to whether or not the identified customer can purchase the products; A process of outputting information indicating whether or not the customer should purchase the product based on the product list; A program for causing a computer to execute the above, The program is extracting, as the product list, a first product list that the customer is allowed to purchase and a second product list that the customer is not allowed to purchase from customer information corresponding to the customer; Based on whether the product that the customer wishes to purchase is included in the first product list or the second product list, it is determined whether the customer is permitted to purchase the product that the customer wishes to purchase or is prohibited from purchasing the product, and the determination result is output. A program that causes the computer to execute a process.

Images