Settlement system, settlement device and settlement method

Abstract

To provide a settlement system, a settlement device, and a settlement method that can accommodate diversifications of cash settlements.SOLUTION: A system includes: a first a settlement device 32 which is installed at a first location X and settles cash received from customers for creating first settlement data; and a second settlement device 11 which is installed at a second location Y2 other than the first location X, settles cash received from customers for creating second settlement data, and outputs the second settlement data so as to be transmitted from the second location Y2 to the first location X. The first settlement device 32 is capable of inputting the second settlement data created by the second settlement device 11, and after inputting the second settlement data, creates consolidated settlement data consisting of the first settlement data and the second settlement data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement system, a settlement device, and a settlement method.

Background Art

[0002] In cash settlement operations, a collection company collects sales amounts and the like of a large number of customers, brings the collected sales amounts and the like to a cash processing center such as a business service company, and performs cash settlement of the sales amounts and the like brought in at the cash processing center, while creating transfer data for customers. Then, the transfer data is passed to a financial institution such as a bank with which the cash processing center has a contract, and the financial institution transfers the data to the customers' accounts (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a settlement system, it is desired to cope with the diversification of cash settlement.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a settlement system, a settlement device, and a settlement method that can cope with the diversification of cash settlement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the settlement system according to the present invention is provided at a first site, and includes a first settlement device that settles the cash received from a customer to create first settlement data, and is provided at a second site other than the first site. A second settlement device that settles the cash received from a customer to create second settlement data and outputs the second settlement data so as to be transmissible from the second site to the first site. The first settlement device can input the second settlement data created by the second settlement device, and after inputting the second settlement data, creates consolidated settlement data consisting of the first settlement data and the second settlement data.

[0007] One aspect of the settlement device according to the present invention is a settlement device provided at a first site that settles the cash received from a customer to create first settlement data, and can input second settlement data created by settling cash by another settlement device provided at a second site other than the first site. After inputting the second settlement data, consolidated settlement data consisting of the first settlement data and the second settlement data is created.

[0008] One aspect of the settlement method according to the present invention includes a step of creating first settlement data by settling the cash received from a customer by a first settlement device provided at a first site, and a second site other than the first site. A step of creating second settlement data by settling the cash received from a customer by a second settlement device provided at the second site, a step of outputting the second settlement data by the second settlement device so as to be transmissible from the second site to the first site, and a step of inputting the second settlement data created by the second settlement device to the first settlement device. And a step of creating consolidated settlement data consisting of the first settlement data and the second settlement data after inputting the second settlement data by the first settlement device.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a settlement system, a settlement device, and a settlement method that can cope with diversification of cash settlement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] The accounting system, accounting apparatus, and accounting method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows the flow of cash accounting including the accounting system 10 of the embodiment. In cash accounting, there are a plurality of customers who generate sales amounts, a plurality of security transport companies that collect cash from the plurality of customers at their respective bases, and a business service company that performs cash accounting at a cash processing center X (first base) where cash is brought in from at least some of the security transport companies and creates transfer data to each customer, and a financial institution that makes an account transfer of the amount of the collected sales amount to the account of each customer based on the transfer data sent from the cash processing center X.

[0013] At the bases of the plurality of security transport companies, there are a security transport base Y1 that collects cash from the plurality of customers at the base and collectively transports it to the cash processing center X, and an accounting base Y2 (second base) that collects cash from the plurality of customers at the base, performs cash accounting, outputs accounting data so as to be communicable to the cash processing center X, and transfers the amount of the collected cash to the cash processing center X. Note that, depending on the customer, there are also bases that perform both cash transport and cash accounting. Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, an example in which there are a security transport base Y1 and an accounting base Y2 will be described.

[0014] Cash processing center X settles the cash transported from the transportation base Y1. For this purpose, a settlement terminal 11 is installed in the cash processing center X. The settlement base Y2 also installs a similar settlement terminal 11 to settle the cash collected from customers.

[0015] The settlement terminal 11 is composed of a combination of a cash processing machine 12 and a terminal device 13 consisting of a personal computer connected to the cash processing machine 12. Appropriate numbers of such settlement terminals 11 are installed in the settlement base Y2 and the cash processing center X respectively, depending on the number of recovered cash transactions handled, the number of customers, etc.

[0016] In the cash processing center X and the settlement base Y2, the settlement terminal 11 performs cash settlement for each recovered cash. As a result of the cash settlement, settlement data (one record per item) is created for the number of recovered cash.

[0017] In a large-scale commercial facility with multiple sales floors or multiple tenants, there is recovered cash for each sales floor or each tenant. However, when individually settling these or separating and settling them by sales floor type or tenant, the number of recovered cash and the number of settlement data may be different. Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the description will continue on the assumption that settlement data (one record per item) is created for the number of recovered cash.

[0018] For each recovered cash, a slip is created with the customer number information, which is the customer's identification information, and the sales amount information, which is the counting result of the cash as the sales amount by the customer. Alternatively, the customer number information and the sales amount information are recorded on a recording medium provided on the cash storage bag for storing the cash.

[0019] Here, for customer number information, for each customer, if necessary, when it is necessary to separately settle and confirm multiple collected cash amounts for that customer, for example, in a large store with multiple sales floors and when it is desired to confirm the sales for each sales floor, etc., for each customer or for each sales floor of the customer, a number is pre-assigned. When the customer packs the collected cash, etc., the customer number information is also entered on the slip on which the amount of sales amount, etc., confirmed by the customer is entered.

[0020] The sales amount information includes detailed amount information by currency type and total deposit amount information. Note that as long as there is only total deposit amount information, it can be considered as sales amount information. Here, the case where the sales amount information includes detailed amount information by currency type and total deposit amount information will be taken as an example for explanation.

[0021] When performing cash settlement using the settlement terminal 11, for each collected cash, when the customer number information of the above-mentioned slip and the sales amount information are input into the terminal device 13 by manual input by the person in charge or reading from the recording part by a reader, the cash processor 12 performs a settlement process of counting the inserted cash. Then, the terminal device 13 checks the match or mismatch between the sales amount information of the sales amount and the deposit amount information which is the cash count information counted by the cash processor 12, and performs a cash settlement to create settlement result information for one collected cash. Note that the settlement result information includes the sales amount information, the deposit amount information which is the counted cash count information, and confirmation information indicating the match or mismatch between these. Here, the explanation will continue limited to the case where the sales amount information and the deposit amount information match.

[0022] And such an operation is performed for all the collected cash.

[0023] Then, the terminal device 13 creates and stores settlement data based on the settlement processing result of the cash processor 12. This settlement data stores, for each piece of collected cash, the customer number information described in the attached slip, the sales amount information, and the cash amount that is the settlement result of the collected cash processed by the cash processor 12. More specifically, the deposited amount information consisting of the detailed amount information by denomination and the total deposited amount information is stored. Note that only the total deposited amount information may be stored as the cash amount. Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the case where the deposited amount information of the settlement data includes the detailed amount information by denomination and the total deposited amount information will be taken as an example for explanation.

[0024] In addition, in the settlement data, for the cash settlement of the collected cash, at least the settlement date information which is the date of the settlement date when the settlement was performed, the settlement location information indicating the settlement location, the processing serial number information which is a series of processing numbers at the settlement location, and the confirmation information are generated as settlement result information at the time of cash settlement.

[0025] Here, the processing serial number information is unique information assigned to each piece of collected cash that is cash-settled by the settlement terminal 11 composed of the cash processor 12 and the terminal device 13. For example, it may be numerical information specified by the settlement date information and a serial number.

[0026] Also, since the settlement location information is information indicating the location where the settlement processing was performed, it is unique information indicating the settlement location where the settlement terminal 11 composed of the cash processor 12 and the terminal device 13 is provided. Note that the settlement location information is not necessarily essential, and a series of numbers where the processing serial number information does not overlap may be assigned. Also, for example, n digits at the beginning of the N-digit processing serial number information may be set to indicate the settlement location and the settlement terminal 11.

[0027] An example of the settlement data is shown in FIG. 2. In the settlement data of FIG. 2, the data stored in the front stage are the settlement date information 21, the process serial number information 22 including the settlement location information, and the customer number information 23. In the settlement data of FIG. 2, the data stored in the “customer deposit slip area” 24 in the middle stage is the area where the sales amount information described in the slip is stored, and the data stored in the “machine-counted amount area” 25 in the back stage is the area where the deposit amount information machine-counted by the cash processor 12 is stored. Since there may be damaged bills, damaged goods, and even gift certificates that cannot be machine-counted by the cash processor 12, more specifically, it is common to provide storage areas for them as well.

[0028] Then, the total amount of the slip amount including them, that is, the total deposit amount, and the total amount of the amount including the machine count, that is, the total deposit amount, are compared, and the match / mismatch information 26, which is the reconciliation result, is recorded. Here, the determination of match / mismatch may not consider the difference in the individual amounts by currency type and may be determined only by the match / mismatch of the total amounts. Furthermore, the breakdown by currency type in the customer deposit slip area including the slip is not necessarily required, and it is sufficient to record the total amount, that is, the total deposit amount. Also, instead of the match / mismatch information 26 of the reconciliation result, the excess / deficiency amount information between the two may be recorded.

[0029] As described above, regardless of whether it is cash settlement using the settlement terminal 11 (the second settlement device) at the settlement base Y2 or cash settlement using the settlement terminal 11 at the cash settlement center X, the cash settlement process itself does not change. The settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2 and the settlement terminal 11 provided at the cash settlement center X other than the settlement base Y2 both settle the cash received from the customer and create settlement data.

[0030] Here, at the settlement terminal 11 of the single settlement base Y2, the result of the cash settlement performed as described above is retained in a manner that enables output as a series of settlement data as shown in FIG. 2, either electronically or as a printed matter on paper media or the like, and is transmitted or sent to the cash processing center X at the necessary timing. Therefore, the settlement terminal 11 provided at the single settlement base Y2 outputs the settlement data in a manner that enables transmission from the single settlement base Y2 to the cash processing center X.

[0031] In addition, since the cash related to the series of settlement data transmitted or sent from the single settlement base Y2 to the cash processing center X remains at the single settlement base Y2, an amount corresponding to the cash portion of these series of settlement data (in this case, the total amount is sufficient) needs to be transferred from the account of the single settlement base Y2 to the company account of the cash processing center X and is transferred.

[0032] Also, when there are multiple such single settlement bases Y2, there will be multiple series of settlement data, such as A1, A2, ···.

[0033] Note that at the single settlement base Y2, the person in charge of performing the cash settlement of the collected cash brought in and the person in charge of enabling the output of the series of settlement data of the cash settlement result can be separately arranged. Also, at the single settlement base Y2, by dividing and giving authorities to the persons in charge, it is also possible to have three types of persons: a person in charge of performing only cash settlement, a person in charge of enabling the output of a series of settlement data, and an administrator who can do both.

[0034] On the other hand, at the cash processing center X, as described above, for the cash collected from any of the delivery bases Y1, cash settlement is performed in the same manner as above using the settlement terminal 11, which is a combination of the cash processing machine 12 and the terminal device 13 connected to the cash processing machine 12, to create settlement data.

[0035] The settlement terminal 11 of the settlement base Y2 and the settlement terminal 11 of the cash processing center X constitute the settlement system 10.

[0036] And the result of the cash settlement at the settlement terminal 11 of the cash processing center X is created as part of a series of settlement data generated at the cash processing center X, and is transmitted to the terminal device 13 of the settlement terminal 11 or the settlement terminal server 31 to which the terminal devices 13 of a plurality of settlement terminals 11 are connected. The settlement terminal server 31 constitutes the settlement system 10, and stores the transmitted settlement data in a storage unit (not shown) on the same day, that is, merges it as a series of settlement data on the settlement processing date as shown in FIG. 2. Here, when the settlement terminal server 31 is provided, the settlement terminal server 31 is connected to the settlement terminal 11 provided in the cash processing center X and constitutes the in-center settlement device 32 (the first settlement device, the settlement device) within the same center. The in-center settlement device 32 also constitutes the settlement system 10.

[0037] The above is the internal data registration process of the deposit process.

[0038] Here, in the settlement system 10, at one or any plurality of settlement terminals 11 of the settlement terminal 11 of the cash processing center X, and further, at the consolidation terminal 33 composed of a personal computer that is prepared outside these settlement terminals 11 and can communicate data with these settlement terminals 11 and to which the cash processor 12 is not connected, an external data registration process is executed for a series of settlement data transmitted from outside the cash processing center X as data or sent as a printed matter. Here, when the consolidation terminal 33 is provided, the consolidation terminal 33 is communicably connected to the settlement terminal 11 provided in the cash processing center X, and when the settlement terminal server 31 is provided, it is communicably connected to the settlement terminal server 31 and constitutes the in-center settlement device 32.

[0039] The in-center settlement device 32 can be configured in the following four cases: only by the settlement terminal 11; by the settlement terminal 11 and the settlement terminal server 31; by the settlement terminal 11 and the consolidation terminal 33; or by the settlement terminal 11, the settlement terminal server 31, and the consolidation terminal 33. This in-center settlement device 32 also settles the cash received from customers and creates settlement data. Here, the case where the in-center settlement device 32 is composed of the settlement terminal 11, the settlement terminal server 31, and the consolidation terminal 33 will be taken as an example for explanation.

[0040] The external data registration process refers to a series of settlement data A (A1, A2,... the same hereinafter) for which cash settlement is not performed at the cash settlement center X. In other words, it is the registration process of a series of settlement data A for which cash settlement has been performed at the settlement base Y2 outside the cash settlement center X into the storage unit of the settlement terminal server 31 of the in-center settlement device 32.

[0041] That is, the external data registration process is the merge process (registration process) of a series of settlement data for which cash settlement has been performed at the settlement base Y2 outside the cash settlement center X with respect to a series of settlement data generated by the settlement terminal 11 of the in-center settlement device 32 of the cash settlement center X and stored in the storage unit of the settlement terminal server 31. The settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 can input a series of settlement data created by the settlement terminal 11 of the settlement base Y2. Then, after inputting a series of settlement data created by the settlement terminal 11 of the settlement base Y2, the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 creates consolidated settlement data by combining a series of settlement data at the settlement terminal 11 of the in-center settlement device 32 and a series of settlement data at the settlement terminal 11 of the settlement base Y2, and stores it in the storage unit of the settlement terminal server 31.

[0042] In the cash processing center X, the person in charge of the internal data registration process including the cash settlement of the collected cash brought in can be distinguished from the person in charge of the external data registration process which is the deposit process for the settlement data sent or transmitted from outside the cash processing center X, and they can be arranged separately. Also, in the cash processing center X, by granting and dividing authority to the persons in charge, it is also possible to have three types of persons in charge: the person in charge who only performs the internal data registration process including cash settlement, the person in charge who performs the external data registration process which is the deposit process, and the person in charge who can perform both the internal data registration process and the external data registration process.

[0043] Here, the settlement base Y2 outside the cash processing center X and the cash settlement procedure (processing procedure at the settlement terminal 11) of the internal data registration process in the cash processing center X will be described.

[0044] First, on the terminal device 13 of a settlement terminal 11, "Deposit process" is selected from the menu screen.

[0045] Next, on the terminal device 13 of this settlement terminal 11, the customer number and the sales amount information are input and the start operation is input. Then, the cash processor 12 of this settlement terminal 11 counts the inserted cash.

[0046] Next, on this settlement terminal 11, after the counting of banknotes and coins by the cash processor 12 and the manual input of data to the terminal device 13 are completed, when the completion key of the terminal device 13 is operated, one transaction ends and the terminal device 13 generates the settlement data for the case.

[0047] By performing the above for each customer number on this settlement terminal 11, a series of settlement data A is generated and stored in the storage unit of the settlement terminal server 31.

[0048] After completion, in the internal data registration process in the cash processing center X, if necessary, it proceeds to the transfer data creation process for creating transfer data to the customer including the customer number information and the deposit amount total information.

[0049] Here, in the terminal device 13 of the settlement terminal 11 at the settlement base Y2 other than the cash processing center X, a series of settlement data is output as a printed matter on an electronic or paper medium or the like at an appropriate timing.

[0050] The processing procedure of the external data registration process to the storage unit of the settlement terminal server 31 of the in-center settlement device 32 in the cash processing center X for a series of settlement data B for which cash settlement has been performed at the settlement base Y2 other than the cash processing center X will be described. Here, the external data registration process is performed by the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the settlement terminal 11 of the in-center settlement device 32. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which the result of cash settlement at one settlement base Y2 is output as a printed matter on a paper medium or the like as a series of settlement data, sent to the cash processing center X, and the in-center settlement device 32 of the cash processing center X performs the external data registration process based on this printed matter. The external data registration process does not use the cash processor 12.

[0051] First, on either the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32, "transfer data deposit" is selected from the menu screen. Next, on this one of the terminal device 13 and the consolidation terminal 33, the customer number is manually input based on a series of settlement data output as a printed matter on a paper medium or the like. Next, after the deposit amount information and the like of each of the series of settlement data output as a printed matter on a paper medium or the like are manually input on this one of the terminal device 13 and the consolidation terminal 33, when the completion key is operated, one transaction ends.

[0052] By performing the above for each customer number, a series of settlement data B is generated on this one of the terminal device 13 and the consolidation terminal 33 and stored in the storage unit of the settlement terminal server 31.

[0053] After completion, if necessary, the process proceeds to a transfer data creation process for creating transfer data to the customer including the customer number information and the determined deposit amount total information (the reconciliation results match).

[0054] In the in-center settlement device 32 of the cash processing center X, the above two internal data registration processes and external data registration processes can be processed in parallel. That is, the in-center settlement device 32 operates the cash processing machine 12 for the internal data registration process, but does not operate the cash processing machine 12 in the external data registration process. Therefore, the internal data registration process of settling the cash received from the customer and creating settlement data at one settlement terminal 11, and the external data registration process of inputting the settlement data created at the settlement terminal 11 of another settlement base Y2 at the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 can be processed in parallel. In particular, if the external data registration process is performed at the consolidation terminal 33, parallel processing with the internal data registration process at the settlement terminal 11 becomes easier. If there is no consolidation terminal 33, parallel processing becomes easier if the internal data registration process is performed at one settlement terminal 11 and the external data registration process is performed at another settlement terminal 11.

[0055] Here, the settlement data A is, as an example, data as shown in FIG. 2, and an example of the settlement data B is data as shown in FIG. 3. The settlement data B has the same configuration as the settlement data A which is the result of cash processing performed by the terminal device 13 of the cash processing center X. These settlement data A and settlement data B are consolidated into consolidated settlement data C.

[0056] Then, the in-center settlement device 32 of the cash processing center X can transmit, as transfer data, the consolidated settlement data C obtained by consolidating the two series of settlement data A and B created as described above by the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 to the affiliated financial institution in electronic data and transmits it.

[0057] Here, the electronic data transmission from the cash processing center X to the partnering financial institutions is as follows. The in-center settlement device 32 of the cash processing center X, at the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33, combines two sets of settlement data A and two sets of settlement data B into one consolidated settlement data C by the operation of a specific authorized person (such as an administrator), and transmits it as transfer data to a predetermined destination of the partnering financial institution. Note that at the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32, the two sets of settlement data A and two sets of settlement data B can also be separately transmitted as transfer data to a predetermined destination of the partnering financial institution by the operation of a specific authorized person. Also, at the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32, the two sets of settlement data A and two sets of settlement data B can be simultaneously transmitted as transfer data by the operation of a specific authorized person.

[0058] At the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 of the cash processing center X, at an appropriate and proper timing, manually, in a so-called closing operation manner, transmits transfer data including customer number information and the confirmed (matching reconciliation result) deposit amount total information.

[0059] The partnering financial institution transfers the amount corresponding to the deposit amount total information to the customer account corresponding to the customer number information based on the received transfer data of the electronic data.

[0060] Note that each settlement base Y2 or the cash processing center X shares the information of the contracted customers. Naturally, the customer information contracted by one security transport company is not shared by other security transport companies, and only the cash processing center X shares it. Therefore, the cash processing center X shares the customer information contracted by all security transport companies. As a result, the cash processing center X can transmit the necessary information to the financial institution to which the cash processing center X requests a transfer.

[0061] Therefore, when transmitting electronic data to a partnering financial institution, instead of the above series of transfer data itself, only customer information (such as the financial institution, branch, account type, and account number of the transfer destination) that can identify the transfer destination enabling at least transfers to customers and the confirmed (matching reconciliation result) deposit amount summary information need to be transmitted.

[0062] The settlement method using the settlement system 10 described above includes a step of creating settlement data by settling the cash received from customers by the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X, a step of creating settlement data by settling the cash received from customers by the settlement terminal 11 provided in the settlement site Y2 other than the cash processing center X, a step of outputting the settlement data from the settlement site Y2 to be communicable to the cash processing center X by the settlement terminal 11 provided in the settlement site Y2, a step of inputting the settlement data created by the settlement terminal 11 provided in the settlement site Y2 to the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X, and a step of creating consolidated settlement data consisting of the settlement data created by the settlement terminal 11 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X and the settlement data created by the settlement terminal 11 provided in the settlement site Y2 after inputting the settlement data created by the settlement terminal 11 provided in the settlement site Y2 by the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X.

[0063] In the settlement system 10 of the above-described embodiment, the settlement terminal 11 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X settles the cash received from the customer to create settlement data. Further, in the settlement system 10, the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2 other than the cash processing center X settles the cash received from the customer to create settlement data, and outputs this settlement data so as to be communicable from the settlement base Y2 to the cash processing center X. The settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X, after inputting the settlement data created by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2, creates consolidated settlement data C composed of settlement data A created by the settlement terminal 11 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X and settlement data B created by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2. Thereby, the settlement system 10 can cope with the diversification of cash settlement. That is, for example, in the settlement system 10, a single security transportation company does not need to bring the cash collected from all customers into the cash processing center X, and this security transportation company itself can perform cash settlement and pass the settlement data of the cash settlement to the cash processing center X. Further, in the settlement system 10, a single security transportation company can perform the above correspondence for the sales amount, etc. of some customers, and for the sales amount, etc. of other customers, bring it into the cash processing center X as cash. Furthermore, in the settlement system 10, a single security transportation company can also bring the sales amount, etc. of all customers into the cash processing center X as cash.

[0064] Also, in the settlement system 10, the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X can perform in parallel the process of settling the cash received from the customer by the settlement terminal 11 to create settlement data A and the process of inputting the settlement data B created by the settlement terminal 11 at the settlement base Y2 by the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33. Therefore, the settlement system 10 can improve the processing efficiency.

[0065] In addition, in the settlement system 10, the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X can transmit the consolidated settlement data to the partnering financial institutions. Therefore, the settlement system 10 can improve the processing efficiency at the financial institutions.

[0066] In the in-center settlement device 32 of the embodiment, at the cash processing center X, the settlement terminal 11 settles the cash received from the customer and creates settlement data. Further, the in-center settlement device 32 can input the settlement data B created by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2. After the input of this settlement data B, it creates consolidated settlement data C consisting of the created settlement data A and the settlement data B created by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2. Thereby, the in-center settlement device 32 can respond to the diversification of cash settlement.

[0067] The settlement method of the embodiment creates settlement data by settling the cash received from the customer by the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X. Further, this settlement method creates settlement data by settling the cash received from the customer by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2 other than the cash processing center X. Furthermore, this settlement method outputs the settlement data from the settlement base Y2 to be communicable to the cash processing center X by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2. In addition, this settlement method inputs the settlement data created by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2 to the settlement terminal 11 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X. Furthermore, this settlement method creates consolidated settlement data C consisting of the settlement data A created by the settlement terminal 11 of the in-center settlement device 32 provided in the cash processing center X and the settlement data B created by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2 after the input of the settlement data B created by the settlement terminal 11 provided at the settlement base Y2. Thereby, this settlement method can respond to the diversification of cash settlement.

[0068] It is also possible to modify the settlement system 10 of the above-described embodiment as in the following modification examples.

[0069] <Modification Example 1> Instead of manually inputting a series of settlement data involving transfers from one settlement base Y2 into the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32, an electronic data file is created by the settlement terminal 11 of the settlement base Y2 and stored in a storage medium, and then read in batch from this storage medium, or the electronic data file is created by the settlement terminal 11 of the settlement base Y2 and transmitted to the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32. If this is possible, there will be no misinput due to manual input, and the input operation can be completed instantaneously.

[0070] For example, in the case where the result of cash settlement at the settlement terminal 11 of one settlement base Y2 is output as electronic data as a series of settlement data B and transmitted to the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the cash processing center X, it is as follows.

[0071] First, at either the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32, "Transfer Data Deposit" is selected from the menu screen. Next, at this one of the terminal device 13 and the consolidation terminal 33, the calling and display of electronic data are selected. Next, at this one of the terminal device 13 and the consolidation terminal 33, the customer numbers displayed are confirmed and input one record at a time. This completes one transaction.

[0072] By performing the above for each customer number, a series of settlement data B is generated at this one of the terminal device 13 and the consolidation terminal 33 and stored in the storage unit of the settlement terminal server 31.

[0073] After completion, if necessary, the process proceeds to a transfer data creation process for creating transfer data to the customer, which includes customer number information and the confirmed deposit amount total information.

[0074] <Modification Example 2> In the above embodiment, at the terminal device 13 or the consolidated terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 of the cash processing center X, when the input of the settlement data A for the cash settlement and the settlement data B received from some of the settlement bases Y2 is completed, at an appropriate and proper timing, so-called closing work is performed manually. Although it has been described that the consolidated settlement data C, which is transfer data, is transmitted, it is not limited to this. When it is time to transmit the transfer data to the partner financial institution, the terminal device 13 or the consolidated terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 may automatically transmit the transfer data.

[0075] In the case of this automatic transmission, at the terminal device 13 or the consolidated terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32, when it is time to transmit, after confirming the preparation of the transfer data, it is desirable to execute a data preparation confirmation step of confirming that the consolidated settlement data C is the predetermined settlement data A and B that are complete.

[0076] At the terminal device 13 or the consolidated terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32, when the data preparation confirmation step is set, if a schedule for receiving the settlement data B is predetermined, it is desirable to execute the data preparation confirmation step based on the information of the scheduled receipt (schedule) of the settlement data B and the received data of the settlement data B according to the schedule.

[0077] That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when it is time to transmit (step S1: YES), if there is a scheduled receipt of the settlement data B (step S2: YES) and there is the settlement data B (step S3: YES), the terminal device 13 or the consolidated terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 determines that there is the consolidated settlement data C in which the predetermined settlement data A and B are complete and transmits the settlement data C, which is transfer data (step S4). Also, if there is no scheduled receipt of the settlement data B (step S2: NO), the terminal device 13 or the consolidated terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 determines that there is the predetermined settlement data A and transmits the settlement data A, which is transfer data.

[0078] On the other hand, when the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 is scheduled to receive the settlement data B in the data preparation confirmation step (step S2: YES) but there is no settlement data B (step S3: NO), that is, when the predetermined data is not complete, a data confirmation alarm is output (step S5).

[0079] In the above modification 2, when the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 transmits the consolidated settlement data C to the partner financial institution, it can confirm that the settlement data A and the settlement data B are complete. Thus, according to modification 2, it is possible to prevent transmitting only the settlement data A without the settlement data B when the consolidated settlement data C in which the settlement data A and the settlement data B are complete should be transmitted.

[0080] Also, in modification 2, since the terminal device 13 or the consolidation terminal 33 of the in-center settlement device 32 can output an alarm when the settlement data A and the settlement data B are not complete, it is possible to notify the staff that the settlement data A and the settlement data B are not complete.

Explanation of Signs

[0081] 10... Settlement system, 11... Settlement terminal (second settlement device), 32... In-center settlement device (first settlement device, settlement device), X... Cash processing center (first base), Y2... Settlement base (second base).

Claims

1. A first settlement device provided at a first base, which settles the cash received from a customer and creates first settlement data; A second settlement device provided at a second base other than the first base, which settles the cash received from a customer and creates second settlement data, and outputs the second settlement data so as to be transmissible from the second base to the first base; and The first settlement device can input the second settlement data created by the second settlement device, and after inputting the second settlement data, creates consolidated settlement data composed of the first settlement data and the second settlement data. A settlement system.

2. The first settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the process of settling the cash received from a customer to create first settlement data and the process of inputting the second settlement data created by the second settlement device can be processed in parallel. Settlement system.

3. The first settlement device can further transmit the consolidated settlement data to a partnering financial institution. The settlement system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When transmitting the consolidated settlement data transmitted to the partnering financial institution, the first settlement device can confirm that the first settlement data and the second settlement data are complete. The settlement system according to claim 3.

5. The first settlement device can output an alarm when the first settlement data and the second settlement data are not complete. The settlement system according to claim 4.

6. A settlement device provided at a first base, which settles the cash received from a customer and creates first settlement data, It can input the second settlement data created by settling the cash by another settlement device provided at a second base other than the first base, and after inputting the second settlement data, the first settlement data and the second settlement data are used. A settlement device that creates consolidated settlement data.

7. A step of creating first settlement data by settling the cash received from a customer by a first settlement device provided at a first base; A step of creating second settlement data by settling the cash received from a customer by a second settlement device provided at a second base other than the first base; A step of outputting the second settlement data by the second settlement device so as to be transmissible from the second base to the first base; A step of inputting the second settlement data created by the second settlement device into the first settlement device; A step of creating consolidated settlement data composed of the first settlement data and the second settlement data after inputting the second settlement data by the first settlement device; A settlement method including the above steps.

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