User terminal, store terminal, transaction management system, transaction management method, and transaction management program

Abstract

To provide a flexible mechanism for purchasing products at service stations.SOLUTION: A user terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one processor. The at least one processor displays a setting screen for presetting setting information used for purchasing a product at a service station, and transmits the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal of the service station by short-range wireless communication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a user terminal, a store terminal, a transaction management system, a transaction management method, and a transaction management program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known mechanisms for supporting the purchase of products at service stations that sell energy sources. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which information required for a transaction is registered in advance in an IC tag, and payment for a fuel service is made by reading the IC tag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5857332 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the customer needs to visit a service station every time the information on the IC tag needs to be changed. Therefore, a flexible system for purchasing products at a service station is desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A user terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one processor that displays a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used for purchasing products at a service station, and transmits the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal at the service station via short-range wireless communication.

[0006] A store terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure is disposed in a service station and includes at least one processor that receives, via short-range wireless communication, setting information from a user terminal that has been preset on a setting screen of the user terminal, and executes processing related to the purchase of a product at the service station based on the setting information.

[0007] A transaction management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a user terminal and a store terminal at a service station. The user terminal displays a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used in purchasing products at the service station and transmits the setting information set on the setting screen to the store terminal via short-range wireless communication. The store terminal receives the setting information via short-range wireless communication and executes processing related to the purchase based on the setting information.

[0008] A transaction management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is executed by a user terminal having at least one processor, and includes the steps of displaying a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used in purchasing products at a service station, and transmitting the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal at the service station via short-range wireless communication.

[0009] A transaction management program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the steps of displaying a setting screen for pre-setting setting information to be used for purchasing products at a service station, and transmitting the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal at the service station via short-range wireless communication.

[0010] In this aspect, the setting information used for purchasing products at the service station is preset on the setting screen of the user terminal and transmitted to the store terminal via short-range wireless communication. Since the setting information can be set outside the service station, a flexible system for purchasing products at the service station can be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible system for purchasing products at a service station can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration including a transaction management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a transaction management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a general hardware configuration of a computer used in a transaction management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen. [Figure 5] A sequence diagram showing an example of transaction processing by the transaction management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] A sequence diagram showing an example of closing processing by a transaction management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] A sequence diagram showing another example of closing processing by the transaction management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] A sequence diagram showing another example of closing processing by the transaction management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] A sequence diagram showing another example of transaction processing by the transaction management system of the embodiment. [Figure 10] A sequence diagram showing another example of transaction processing by the transaction management system of the embodiment. [Figure 11] A sequence diagram showing another example of transaction processing by the transaction management system of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0014] [System Overview] A transaction management system according to an embodiment is a computer system that manages transactions of goods at a service station. A service station is a store that sells energy sources. An energy source is a resource used to power a power source, such as a vehicle, and is provided to power a vehicle. Examples of service stations include gas stations, hydrogen stations, and charging stations. Hereinafter, a service station will also be referred to simply as a "store." A "good" refers to any tangible or intangible object traded for or without payment, and is a concept that includes the provision of services. A "goods transaction" refers to the exchange of goods between two parties. Examples of transactions include buying and selling, lending, borrowing, and bartering. Payment methods involved in transactions are not limited. For example, payment methods may include cash, credit cards, debit cards, or deferred payment methods such as electronic money. Deferred payment methods refer to payments made to a store after a customer purchases a product. More specifically, the transaction management system according to this embodiment manages the buying and selling of goods using electronic money or deferred payment cards. A deferred payment card refers to a card used for deferred payment, a payment method in which a customer pays for a product after purchasing it. An example of a deferred payment card is a credit card, but the type of deferred payment card is not limited to this. There are no limitations on how the deferred payment card is implemented; for example, it may be provided to the customer as a tangible card like a general credit card, or it may be provided as a virtual card represented by electronic data. A customer is someone who purchases a product. A customer can be referred to as a consumer or a user.

[0015] In this disclosure, the phrase "transmitting" data or information from a first computer to a second computer refers to the transmission of the data or information for ultimate delivery to the second computer. Note that this phrase also includes cases where another computer or communication device relays the data or information in the transmission.

[0016] [System Configuration] An overview of the mechanism of the transaction management system 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration including the transaction management system 1.

[0017] In this embodiment, the customer 90 owns a user terminal 91. The user terminal 91 is a computer used by the customer 90. The type and configuration of the user terminal 91 are not limited. For example, the user terminal 91 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable terminal (e.g., a smart watch). The user terminal 91 has built-in hardware for performing near-field wireless communication. In one example, the user terminal 91 has built-in NFC (Near Field Communication) tag for communication according to a standard called NFC. The NFC tag includes an IC chip capable of reading and writing data and a wireless antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data. Electronic information in the IC chip can be read and written via wireless communication. The user terminal 91 may be a component of the transaction management system 1 or may be a component not included in the transaction management system 1.

[0018] The user terminal 91 accepts input of setting information used for purchasing products through operation by the customer 90. The setting information includes at least one of customer identification information, which is an identifier that uniquely identifies the customer 90, product information that indicates the product, and payment-related information used for payment. The payment-related information indicates at least one of a payment method, a coupon, and a point card. A coupon is electronic data used for discounting products. For example, a coupon includes information such as information identifying the product subject to the discount, the discount amount, the maximum usage limit, and the expiration date. A point card is a card used to manage points awarded to the customer 90 in response to a product transaction (specifically, a purchase). The customer 90 can accumulate these points and use them as at least part of the purchase price of the product. The user terminal 91 stores the setting information in an IC chip.

[0019] The user terminal 91 transmits setting information to the store terminal 10 via short-range wireless communication. For example, a customer 90 visits a store with the user terminal 91 when purchasing a product. The customer 90 holds the user terminal 91 over the reader / writer 19. The reader / writer 19 is a device that can read information in an NFC tag in a contactless manner. The reader / writer 19 is connected to the store terminal 10. The reader / writer 19 transmits the setting information read from the NFC tag to the store terminal 10. In response to this operation, various processes related to the purchase of the product are executed in the store terminal 10.

[0020] The store terminal 10 is a computer located in a store that handles merchandise. The store terminal 10 executes processes related to the purchase of merchandise. In one example, the process related to the purchase of merchandise may include the selection or setting of the merchandise to be purchased, or may include payment processing. The configuration of the store terminal 10 is not limited. For example, the store terminal 10 may be a general cash register, may have a POS (point of sale) function, or may be another type of device with a cash register function or a POS function. While FIG. 1 shows only one store terminal 10, it is understood that the transaction management system 1 can manage transactions at multiple store terminals 10 in multiple stores. Each store terminal 10 may be a component of the transaction management system 1, or may be a component not included in the transaction management system 1.

[0021] The transaction management system 1 includes a transaction management server 20, which is a computer that manages individual transactions. The transaction management server 20 can be connected to at least one store terminal 10. The transaction management server 20 can also be connected to a database 30 that stores various information used in individual transactions and a payment management server 40 of a card company that manages payments. The store terminal 10 can also be connected to a first sales management server 50 and a second sales management server 60 that manage transactions at one or more stores. For example, the first sales management server 50 and the second sales management server 60 perform a closing process to finalize transactions (sales). The first sales management server 50 and the second sales management server 60 may be components of the transaction management system 1, or they may be components not included in the transaction management system 1.

[0022] The configuration and type of the communication network used for communication between computers are not limited and may be designed according to any policy. For example, the communication network may be constructed using the Internet, an intranet, or a combination thereof. The communication network may also be constructed using a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, an example of the processing flow for one transaction, i.e., one purchase procedure, will be described. A customer 90 intending to purchase a product at a store operates a user terminal 91 to input setting information. The customer 90 may input the setting information in advance before entering the store, or may input the setting information at the store. The setting information includes, for example, payment-related information indicating a deferred payment method. In one example, the payment-related information may be electronic money information, which is an identifier that uniquely identifies electronic money. The electronic money information may be a number issued by a card company in association with a credit card. The electronic money information is different from a credit card number. For example, the customer 90 can learn his or her own electronic money information by receiving a notification from the card company that the electronic money information has been issued.

[0024] When the customer 90 holds the user terminal 91 over the reader / writer 19, the setting information stored in the user terminal 91 is sent to the store terminal 10 via the reader / writer 19. The store terminal 10 sends the setting information to the transaction management server 20 (step S11). The transaction management server 20 sends payment-related information included in the setting information to the settlement management server 40, thereby requesting a credit inquiry (credit inquiry) from the settlement management server 40 (step S12). In response to the request, the settlement management server 40 performs a credit inquiry and sends the result (credit result) to the transaction management server 20 (step S13). The transaction management server 20 sends a response including the credit result to the store terminal 10 (step S14). If the credit result indicates approval of the transaction, the customer 90 can purchase the product at the store using deferred payment means.

[0025] The flow of the closing process will be explained with reference to Figure 1. The example in Figure 1 shows two types of closing processes corresponding to the existence of two types of sales management servers, a first sales management server 50 and a second sales management server 60. The store terminal 10 is connected to both the first sales management server 50 and the second sales management server 60 for communication.

[0026] The first closing process uses the first sales management server 50. In this case, the store terminal 10 sends transaction information indicating one or more transactions to the first sales management server 50 (step S21). The transaction information includes individual payment-related information corresponding to each transaction. The first sales management server 50 sends settlement information corresponding to the transaction information to the settlement management server 40 (step S22). The settlement information includes individual payment-related information corresponding to each transaction. The card company then executes the settlement.

[0027] The second sales management server 60 is used in the second closing process. In this case, the store terminal 10 sends transaction information indicating one or more transactions to the second sales management server 60 (step S23). The transaction information includes individual payment-related information corresponding to each transaction. The second sales management server 60 sends settlement information corresponding to the transaction information to the settlement management server 40 (step S24). The settlement information includes individual payment-related information corresponding to each transaction. The card company then executes the settlement.

[0028] There are no limitations on the products to which the transaction management system 1 is applicable. For example, the transaction management system 1 may be configured for trading energy sources (e.g., gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, electricity, etc.), other products, or services (e.g., gasoline vehicle refueling service, electric vehicle charging service, car wash, etc.) at a service station. That is, the product may be fuel oil, hydrogen, etc., and the store may be a gas station or hydrogen station. In this case, the store terminal 10 may be a gas pump or hydrogen dispenser equipped with a cash register function or a POS function.

[0029] The functional elements related to the transaction management system 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the transaction management system 1.

[0030] The user terminal 91 includes a display unit 92 and a setting unit 93 as functional elements. The display unit 92 is a functional element that displays a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used when purchasing products at a service station. The display unit 92 accepts input of setting information. The setting unit 93 is a functional element that stores the setting information set on the setting screen in a memory area. For example, the setting unit 93 stores the setting information in an IC chip.

[0031] The store terminal 10 has, as functional elements, a setting information acquisition unit 11 and a purchase processing unit 12. The setting information acquisition unit 11 is a functional element that acquires various information sent from the user terminal 91. The purchase processing unit 12 is a functional element that executes processing related to product transactions (specifically, purchases).

[0032] The transaction management server 20 comprises the following functional elements: a credit request unit 21, a data acquisition unit 22, and a payment information processing unit 23. The credit request unit 21 is a functional element that executes processing related to the confirmation of credit for deferred payment methods. The data acquisition unit 22 is a functional element that accesses the database 30 to acquire various information. The payment information processing unit 23 is a functional element that relays the transfer of payment information from the second sales management server 60 to the payment management server 40.

[0033] Database 30 is a device that stores various information used in individual transactions. For example, database 30 may store data related to product information, coupon information, and point card information for each customer 90. Database 30 may also store card data related to deferred payment cards. Database 30 may be a component of transaction management system 1, or may be a component not included in transaction management system 1. In this embodiment, database 30 is a device separate from transaction management server 20, but may also be a component of transaction management server 20.

[0034] In one example, the transaction management system 1 uses two types of card numbers—a formal card number and a tokenized card number—as identifiers to uniquely identify a deferred payment card. The formal card number is a number assigned by a card company when issuing a deferred payment card. The formal card number is notified to the customer 90 when the deferred payment card is issued, allowing the customer 90 to know his or her formal card number. On the other hand, the tokenized card number is a card number obtained by replacing at least a portion of the formal card number with a different character string through tokenization. Tokenization refers to the process of replacing an original character string with a different character string that has no mathematical relationship to the original character string. Tokenization can be achieved, for example, by generating the different character string using random numbers. The original character string (the character string before replacement) and the different character string (the character string after replacement) are related one-to-one. Because there is no mathematical relationship between these two character strings, the original character string cannot be identified from the different character string through mathematical processing. To obtain the original character string, the one-to-one correspondence must be known. Tokenization differs from encryption in that there is no mathematical relationship between the data before and after replacement. Since encryption is a process of converting original data into encrypted data using an encryption algorithm and an encryption key, there is a mathematical relationship between the original data and the encrypted data due to the encryption algorithm and the encryption key.

[0035] In one example, each record of the card data includes customer identification information and a set of the official card number (card information) of the deferred payment card and the tokenized card number. That is, this card data associates the customer identification information, the official card number, and the tokenized card number. The card data is generated based on credit card information provided by the customer 90 and stored in the database 30. Each record of the card data may be encrypted to improve security. The details of the procedure for registering the card data are not limited, and the flow of the procedure may be determined arbitrarily. In any case, when the card data is generated and stored, the official card number of the deferred payment card is tokenized to generate the tokenized card number.

[0036] The payment management server 40 comprises functional elements of a credit inquiry unit 41 and a settlement unit 42. The credit inquiry unit 41 is a functional element that executes credit inquiries for individual transactions (payments). The settlement unit 42 is a functional element that executes processing related to payments.

[0037] The first sales management server 50 has, as functional elements, a detoken unit 51 and a transaction / settlement management unit 52. The detoken unit 51 is a functional element that acquires the official card number from the transaction management server 20. The transaction / settlement management unit 52 is a functional element that acquires transaction information from the store terminal 10 and transmits the settlement information to the settlement management server 40.

[0038] The second sales management server 60 includes a transaction / settlement management unit 61 as a functional element. The transaction / settlement management unit 61 is a functional element that acquires transaction information from the store terminal 10 and transmits the settlement information to the transaction management server 20 or the settlement management server 40.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a typical hardware configuration of a computer 100 that can function as a server or terminal associated with the transaction management system 1. For example, the computer 100 includes a processor 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary memory 103, a communication control unit 104, an input device 105, and an output device 106. The processor 101 executes an operating system and application programs. The main memory 102 is composed of, for example, ROM and RAM. The auxiliary memory 103 is composed of, for example, a hard disk or flash memory, and generally stores larger amounts of data than the main memory 102. The auxiliary memory 103 stores a program 110 for causing at least one computer to function as a server or terminal. The communication control unit 104 is composed of, for example, a network card or a wireless communication module. The input device 105 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The output device 106 is composed of, for example, a monitor and speakers.

[0040] Each functional element of each device is realized by loading a program 110 onto the processor 101 or the main memory 102 and executing the program. The program 110 includes code for realizing each functional element of the corresponding server or terminal. The processor 101 operates the communication control unit 104, the input device 105, or the output device 106 in accordance with the program 110, and reads and writes data from and to the main memory 102 or the auxiliary memory 103. This processing realizes each functional element of the corresponding server or terminal. Data or a database required for processing may be stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary memory 103.

[0041] Each server may be configured with one or more computers. When multiple computers are used, these computers are connected to each other via a communication network to logically configure one server.

[0042] The program 110 may correspond to a transaction management program. The program 110 may be provided by being permanently recorded on a tangible recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the program 110 may be provided via a communications network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen. The setting screen is a screen for setting setting information. The setting screen may be provided to the user terminal 91 as, for example, a screen of an installed application or a screen of a web application. The user terminal 91 displays the setting screen and accepts input of setting information from the customer 90. The setting screen includes ID setting 911, product setting 912, and payment-related setting 913.

[0044] ID setting 911 is a screen element for setting customer identification information. For example, the transaction management system 1 may issue customer identification information to a customer 90 registered as a user and transmit the customer identification information to a user terminal 91. The user terminal 91 may automatically set the customer identification information in ID setting 911.

[0045] Product settings 912 are screen elements for setting product information. The product information may be default values ​​for products that the customer 90 normally or frequently purchases. The product information includes, for example, the type of fuel and the amount of fuel to be filled. Examples of fuel types include premium gasoline, regular gasoline, and diesel. Examples of fuel amounts include quantity (e.g., 3L to 100L) or price (e.g., 300 yen to 14,999 yen). By combining the type of fuel and the amount of fuel to be filled, the product information is set, for example, as "30L of premium gasoline."

[0046] The payment-related settings 913 are screen elements for setting payment-related information. For example, the payment-related settings 913 include a payment method setting 913a for setting a payment method, a coupon setting 913b for setting a coupon, and a point card setting 913c for setting a point card. The payment method setting 913a may, for example, accept input of information related to a deferred payment method (e.g., electronic money information). The coupon setting 913b may accept selection of a coupon previously distributed to the user terminal 91. The coupon may, for example, be distributed to the user terminal 91 from the transaction management system 1 or from another server or the like. The point card setting 913c may, for example, accept input of a point card number that uniquely identifies a point card. In this embodiment, the payment-related settings 913 can individually set the payment method setting 913a, the coupon setting 913b, and the point card setting 913c, but any restrictions may be imposed on the settings. For example, a restriction may be imposed that requires setting the payment method setting 913a before inputting the point card setting 913c.

[0047] At least one of customer identification information, product information, and payment-related information is set on the setting screen. For example, the customer 90 inputs setting information by operating at least one of ID setting 911, product setting 912, and payment-related setting 913. There are various combinations of setting information depending on whether or not the ID setting 911, product setting 912, and payment-related setting 913 are set. The user terminal 91 stores at least one of the customer identification information, product information, and payment-related information set on the setting screen as setting information in a memory area (i.e., an IC chip). The user terminal 91 may transmit the setting information to the transaction management server 20. The transaction management server 20 may store the setting information in the database 30. If a deferred payment card has been set (the database 30 stores card data), the user terminal 91 may or may not display the official card number on the setting screen. If a deferred payment card has been set, the user terminal 91 does not store the official card number in its memory area.

[0048] [System Operation] The operation of the transaction management system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6, as well as the transaction management method according to this embodiment. Figures 5 and 6 are both sequence diagrams showing an example of the operation of the transaction management system 1. More specifically, Figure 5 shows the processing for one transaction (one purchase procedure), and Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the closing process. Figures 5 and 6 also show the correspondence with the steps shown in Figure 1. Figures 5 and 6 also show an example in which postpaid electronic money is used as a payment method.

[0049] First, the processing for one transaction will be described as processing flow S1 with reference to Fig. 5. In step S101, the display unit 92 of the user terminal 91 displays a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used for purchasing products at a service station. For example, the display unit 92 displays a setting screen as shown in Fig. 4 and accepts input of setting information from the customer 90.

[0050] In step S102, the setting unit 93 of the user terminal 91 stores the setting information set on the setting screen in a memory area. The setting information includes at least one of customer identification information, product information, and payment-related information. For example, the setting information includes customer identification information, product information, and electronic money information as payment-related information. In this example, the setting information corresponds to a pattern in which all of the customer identification information, product information, and payment-related information are set.

[0051] In step S103, the user terminal 91 transmits the setting information to the store terminal 10 by short-range wireless communication. For example, the customer 90 holds the user terminal 91 over the reader / writer 19. This starts short-range wireless communication between the user terminal 91 and the reader / writer 19.

[0052] In step S104, the setting information acquisition unit 11 of the store terminal 10 acquires the setting information set in the memory area of ​​the user terminal 91. In response to the customer 90 holding the user terminal 91 over the reader / writer 19, the reader / writer 19 receives information from the user terminal 91. The reader / writer 19 transmits the read information to the store terminal 10. As a result, the store terminal 10 acquires the setting information and stores the acquired setting information.

[0053] In step S105, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 sends a credit inquiry to the transaction management server 20. The credit inquiry is a data signal for checking the credit status of the electronic money. The credit inquiry includes, for example, the current date and time, a store ID which is an identifier for uniquely identifying the store where the store terminal 10 is located, customer identification information, electronic money information, and a provisional purchase amount. The provisional purchase amount is a purchase amount temporarily set to execute a credit inquiry for the electronic money, and is not the purchase amount of the product. An extremely low amount is set as the provisional purchase amount. For example, the minimum possible value for the transaction (for example, 1 yen in Japanese yen) may be set as the provisional purchase amount. The transaction management server 20 receives the credit inquiry.

[0054] In step S106, the data acquisition unit 22 of the transaction management server 20 accesses the database 30 to acquire coupon information and point information corresponding to the customer identification information indicated in the credit inquiry. The coupon information is information indicating coupons that have been distributed in advance to the user terminal 91. The point information is information indicating the point balance corresponding to the point card held by the customer 90. When the setting information is set in the user terminal 91, the correspondence between the coupon information and the customer identification information, and the correspondence between the point information and the customer identification information may be stored in the database 30 in advance.

[0055] In step S107, the credit request unit 21 of the transaction management server 20 sends a credit inquiry request to the payment management server 40. The credit inquiry request is a data signal that causes the payment management server 40 to execute a credit inquiry for electronic money. For example, the credit inquiry request includes the current date and time, electronic money information, and the provisional purchase amount indicated by the credit inquiry. The payment management server 40 receives the credit inquiry request.

[0056] In step S108, the credit inquiry unit 41 of the payment management server 40 performs a credit inquiry on the electronic money indicated in the credit inquiry request and sends the result to the transaction management server 20 as a credit result. The credit inquiry unit 41 determines whether the electronic money can be used for a transaction at the store by referring to data indicating the electronic money's status, usage limit, etc. Because the provisional purchase amount is extremely low (for example, the minimum amount possible for the transaction), the credit inquiry unit 41 approves the use of the electronic money unless there are special circumstances such as the electronic money being suspended or the usage limit having already been exceeded. The credit inquiry unit 41 sends the result of the credit inquiry to the transaction management server 20 as a credit result. The transaction management server 20 receives the credit result.

[0057] In step S109, the credit request unit 21 of the transaction management server 20 sends a response to the store terminal 10. The response is a data signal indicating a response to the credit inquiry. For example, the response may include the credit result, coupon information, and point information. The store terminal 10 receives the response.

[0058] In step S110, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 executes settings related to the purchase of a product. The purchase processing unit 12 executes the settings based on product information acquired from the user terminal 91. The specific method of setting the product purchase is not limited. For example, if the product is a fuel oil such as gasoline or diesel, the product information may indicate pre-set default values ​​related to refueling (e.g., the type of fuel and the amount of fuel to be refueled). The store terminal 10 displays the product information (default values) on a monitor and asks the customer 90 whether or not to purchase the product according to the information. The customer 90 can operate the store terminal 10 to determine the details of the product to be purchased. For example, the customer 90 can operate a fuel pump, which is an example of the store terminal 10, to select refueling based on the default values, or request refueling after changing the type of fuel or the amount of fuel to be refueled from the default values. As described above, the type of product is not limited, and correspondingly, the content of the product information is not limited.

[0059] In step S111, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 executes a purchase process (payment process) to finalize the transaction. The purchase processing unit 12 executes payment using electronic money only if the credit result indicates that deferred payment electronic money is available. If a floor limit is set for purchases using electronic money, the purchase processing unit 12 only accepts transactions up to a predetermined upper limit. The floor limit refers to a certain amount that requires a credit inquiry. If the purchase amount exceeds the floor limit, approval from the card company is required. If the purchase amount is equal to or less than the floor limit, no credit inquiry is performed. For example, if the floor limit is 15,000 yen, the purchase processing unit 12 will only accept purchases and payments using electronic money if the purchase amount is 15,000 yen or less. At this point, a credit inquiry using an extremely low amount (e.g., the minimum possible value for the transaction) has been completed, so payment subject to the floor limit is possible. For example, if the store terminal 10 is a fuel dispenser at a gas station, the fuel dispenser controls fuel dispensing so that the purchase amount does not exceed a floor limit.

[0060] If there is an available coupon, the purchase processing unit 12 may display the coupon on the monitor and ask the customer 90 whether or not to use at least a portion of the coupon to purchase the product. The purchase processing unit 12 may calculate a discounted amount from the purchase amount based on the customer 90's selection and the purchase amount. When the customer 90 uses a coupon to make a purchase, the purchase processing unit 12 may accept the transaction if the purchase amount is equal to or less than the sum of the floor limit and the discount amount.

[0061] If the customer 90 has a point balance on the point card, the purchase processing unit 12 may display the point balance on the monitor and ask the customer 90 whether or not to use at least some of the points to purchase a product. The purchase processing unit 12 may add or subtract points from the point card based on the customer 90's selection and the purchase amount. If the customer 90 uses points to make a purchase, the purchase processing unit 12 may accept the transaction if the purchase amount is equal to or less than the total of the floor limit and the used points.

[0062] When the purchase process is complete, the purchase processing unit 12 issues a receipt and creates a transaction information record indicating the transaction and stores the record in a specified storage unit. One transaction information record indicates, for example, the transaction date and time, store ID, electronic money information, and product information. The product information indicates, for example, the name, unit price, quantity, and purchase amount (= unit price x quantity) for each of one or more products.

[0063] At each store terminal 10, processing flow S1 is executed for each transaction (payment), and transaction information is thereby accumulated at each store terminal 10. The accumulated transaction information is sent to the first sales management server 50 or the second sales management server 60 by a closing process.

[0064] In the above-described process flow S1, payment using electronic money as a deferred payment method has been described. However, the payment method may also be a deferred payment card. In one example, in step S106, the data acquisition unit 22 may access the database 30 to acquire two types of card numbers corresponding to the customer identification information, i.e., the official card number and the tokenized card number. In step S107, the credit request unit 21 may send a credit inquiry request including the official card number to the payment management server 40. In step S108, the credit inquiry unit 41 may perform a credit inquiry on the deferred payment card corresponding to the official card number indicated in the credit inquiry request and send the result to the transaction management server 20 as a credit result. In step S109, the credit request unit 21 may send a response to the store terminal 10 including the credit result and the tokenized card number. This response does not include the official card number. In other words, the credit request unit 21 sends the tokenized card number to the store terminal 10 without sending the official card number to the store terminal 10. Because the store terminal 10 does not obtain the official card number, the store clerk does not recognize the official card number of the customer 90's deferred payment card during the transaction. In relation to step S111, the purchase processing unit 12 may execute payment using the deferred payment card only if the credit result indicates that the deferred payment card can be used. When the purchase process is completed, the purchase processing unit 12 stores one record of transaction information indicating, for example, the transaction date and time, store ID, tokenized card number, and product information in a predetermined storage unit. According to this process, the store terminal 10 receives a response including the tokenized card number and executes payment for the product based on that response. In other words, the store terminal 10 executes payment for the product without obtaining the official card number.

[0065] Next, referring to FIG. 6, the closing process via the first sales management server 50 or the second sales management server 60 will be described as process flow S2. Process flow S2 is a closing process for transaction information where the payment method is electronic money. This closing process may be performed daily or at any other timing. FIG. 6 shows the first closing process (steps S201 and S202) by the first sales management server 50 and the second closing process (steps S203 and S204) by the second sales management server 60. In one example, each store terminal 10 executes either the first closing process or the second closing process.

[0066] In step S201, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 transmits transaction information indicating one or more transactions (more specifically, one or more transactions that have occurred since the previous first closing process) to the first sales management server 50. The first sales management server 50 receives the transaction information.

[0067] In step S202, the transaction / settlement management unit 52 of the first sales management server 50 transmits payment information corresponding to the transaction information to the payment management server 40. Specifically, the transaction / settlement management unit 52 generates payment information including one or more pieces of electronic money information indicated by the transaction information. The transaction / settlement management unit 52 transmits this payment information to the payment management server 40. The payment management server 40 receives the payment information, and the settlement unit 42 executes the payment based on the payment information. The transmission of the payment information by the first sales management server 50 (step S202) may or may not correspond to the transmission of the transaction information by the store terminal 10 (step S201). For example, the transmission of both the transaction information and the payment information may be processed daily. Alternatively, the transmission of the transaction information may be processed daily, and the transmission of the payment information may be processed monthly or bimonthly.

[0068] In step S203, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 transmits transaction information indicating one or more transactions (more specifically, one or more transactions that occurred after the previous second closing process) to the second sales management server 60. The second sales management server 60 receives the transaction information.

[0069] In step S204, the transaction / settlement management unit 61 of the second sales management server 60 transmits payment information corresponding to the transaction information to the payment management server 40. Specifically, the transaction / settlement management unit 61 generates payment information including one or more pieces of electronic money information indicated by the transaction information. The transaction / settlement management unit 61 transmits this payment information to the payment management server 40. The payment management server 40 receives the payment information, and the payment unit 42 executes the payment based on the payment information. The transmission of the payment information by the second sales management server 60 (step S204) may or may not correspond to the transmission of the transaction information by the store terminal 10 (step S203). For example, the transmission of both the transaction information and the payment information may be processed daily. Alternatively, the transmission of the transaction information may be processed daily, and the transmission of the payment information may be processed monthly or bimonthly.

[0070] Next, referring to Figure 7, another example of the closing process via the first sales management server 50 will be described as process flow S210. Process flow S210 is a closing process for transaction information where the payment method is a deferred payment card. This closing process is generally performed daily, but the execution timing of process flow S210 is not limited to this and may be performed at any time.

[0071] In step S211, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 transmits transaction information indicating one or more transactions (more specifically, one or more transactions that have occurred since the previous closing process) to the first sales management server 50. The first sales management server 50 receives the transaction information.

[0072] In step S212, the de-token unit 51 of the first sales management server 50 sends a de-token request to the transaction management server 20. The de-token request is a data signal for obtaining the official card number of the deferred payment card, and includes one or more tokenized card numbers indicated in the transaction information. The transaction management server 20 receives the de-token request.

[0073] In step S213, the data acquisition unit 22 of the transaction management server 20 accesses the database 30 to acquire one or more official card numbers corresponding to the one or more tokenized card numbers indicated in the de-token request. Since there is a one-to-one correspondence between official card numbers and tokenized card numbers, the data acquisition unit 22 can obtain the official card number for each of the one or more tokenized card numbers.

[0074] In step S214, the data acquisition unit 22 sends a de-token response to the first sales management server 50. The de-token response is a data signal indicating a response to the de-token request, and includes one or more pairs of a formal card number and a tokenized card number. The first sales management server 50 receives the de-token response.

[0075] In step S215, the transaction / settlement management unit 52 of the first sales management server 50 transmits payment information corresponding to the transaction information to the payment management server 40. Specifically, the transaction / settlement management unit 52 generates payment information by replacing each of one or more tokenized card numbers indicated in the transaction information with a valid card number. This replacement is called detokenization. The transaction / settlement management unit 52 transmits this payment information to the payment management server 40. The payment management server 40 receives the payment information, and the settlement unit 42 executes the payment based on the payment information. The transmission of the payment information by the first sales management server 50 (step S215) may or may not correspond to the transmission of the transaction information by the store terminal 10 (step S211). For example, the transmission of both the transaction information and the payment information may be processed daily. Alternatively, the transmission of the transaction information may be processed daily, and the transmission of the payment information may be processed monthly or bimonthly.

[0076] Next, referring to Figure 8, another example of the closing process via the second sales management server 60 will be described as process flow S220. Process flow S220 is a closing process for transaction information where the payment method is a deferred payment card. As with process flow S210, this closing process may be performed daily or at any other timing.

[0077] In step S221, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 transmits transaction information indicating one or more transactions (more specifically, one or more transactions that have occurred since the previous closing process) to the second sales management server 60. The second sales management server 60 receives the transaction information.

[0078] In step S222, the transaction / settlement management unit 61 of the second sales management server 60 transmits the transaction information as payment information to the transaction management server 20. Unlike the first sales management server 50, the second sales management server 60 (transaction / settlement management unit 61) does not execute detokenization. The transaction management server 20 receives the payment information. The transmission of the payment information by the second sales management server 60 (step S222) may or may not correspond to the transmission of the transaction information by the store terminal 10 (step S221). For example, both the transmission of the transaction information and the transmission of the payment information may be processed daily. Alternatively, the transmission of the transaction information may be processed daily, and the transmission of the payment information may be processed monthly or bimonthly.

[0079] In step S223, the data acquisition unit 22 and payment information processing unit 23 of the transaction management server 20 cooperate to replace the tokenized card numbers in the payment information with official card numbers. The data acquisition unit 22 accesses the database 30 to acquire one or more official card numbers corresponding to the one or more tokenized card numbers indicated in the payment information. The payment information processing unit 23 replaces each of the one or more tokenized card numbers indicated in the payment information with an official card number. In other words, the payment information processing unit 23 performs detokenization.

[0080] In step S224, the payment information processing unit 23 transmits the processed payment information to the payment management server 40. The payment management server 40 receives the payment information, and the payment unit 42 executes the payment based on the payment information.

[0081] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing another example of transaction processing by the transaction management system 1 according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 9, the processing for one transaction will be referred to as process flow S3, and differences from process flow S1 will be mainly described. Process flow S3 is based on the premise that the database 30 stores product information corresponding to customer identification information. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the store terminal 10 queries the transaction management server 20 for product information.

[0082] In step S301, the display unit 92 of the user terminal 91 displays a setting screen. The process of step S301 is the same as the process of step S101.

[0083] In step S302, the setting unit 93 of the user terminal 91 stores the setting information set on the setting screen in a memory area. For example, the setting information includes customer identification information and electronic money information as payment-related information. In this example, the setting information corresponds to a pattern in which customer identification information and payment-related information are set, but product information is not set.

[0084] In step S303, the user terminal 91 transmits the setting information by short-range wireless communication to the store terminal 10. The process in step S303 is the same as the process in step S103.

[0085] In step S304, the setting information acquisition unit 11 of the store terminal 10 acquires the setting information set in the memory area of ​​the user terminal 91. The process of step S304 is the same as the process of step S104.

[0086] In step S305, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 sends a credit inquiry and a product information inquiry to the transaction management server 20. The product information inquiry is a data signal for requesting acquisition of product information. The product information inquiry may be part of the credit inquiry or may be a separate data signal.

[0087] In step S306, the data acquisition unit 22 of the transaction management server 20 accesses the database 30 to acquire product information, coupon information, and point information corresponding to the customer identification information indicated in the credit inquiry or product information inquiry.

[0088] In step S307, the credit request unit 21 of the transaction management server 20 sends a credit inquiry request to the settlement management server 40. The process of step S307 is the same as the process of step S107.

[0089] In step S308, the credit inquiry unit 41 of the payment management server 40 performs a credit inquiry on the electronic money indicated by the credit inquiry request and transmits the result as a credit result to the transaction management server 20. The processing in step S308 is the same as the processing in step S108.

[0090] In step S309, the credit request unit 21 of the transaction management server 20 sends a response to the store terminal 10. The response includes the credit result, product information, coupon information, and point information. The store terminal 10 receives the response.

[0091] In step S310, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 executes settings related to the purchase of a product. The purchase processing unit 12 executes the settings based on the product information acquired from the transaction management server 20. The processing in step S310 is the same as the processing in step S110, except that the route of acquisition of the product information is different.

[0092] In step S311, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 executes a purchase process (payment process) to confirm the transaction. The process of step S311 is the same as the process of step S111.

[0093] After the process flow S3 is executed, the process flow S2 shown in FIG. 6 may be executed.

[0094] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing another example of transaction processing by the transaction management system 1 according to the embodiment. With reference to Figure 10, the processing for one transaction is defined as process flow S4, and differences from process flow S1 will be mainly described. Figure 10 shows an example in which payment-related information is not set by the customer 90.

[0095] In step S401, the display unit 92 of the user terminal 91 displays a setting screen. The process of step S401 is similar to the process of step S101.

[0096] In step S402, the setting unit 93 of the user terminal 91 stores the setting information set on the setting screen in a memory area. For example, the setting information includes product information. In this example, the setting information corresponds to a pattern in which product information is set but customer identification information and payment-related information are not set.

[0097] In step S403, the user terminal 91 transmits the setting information by short-range wireless communication to the store terminal 10. The process in step S403 is the same as the process in step S103.

[0098] In step S404, the setting information acquisition unit 11 of the store terminal 10 acquires the setting information set in the memory area of ​​the user terminal 91. The process of step S404 is the same as the process of step S104.

[0099] In step S405, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 executes settings related to the purchase of the product. The process in step S405 is the same as that in step S110.

[0100] In step S406, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 executes a purchase process (payment process) to finalize the transaction. The purchase processing unit 12 may accept a selection of payment means from the customer 90. For example, the purchase processing unit 12 may accept payment by cash, deferred payment means, or advance payment means (e.g., a prepaid card).

[0101] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing another example of transaction processing by the transaction management system 1 according to the embodiment. With reference to FIG. 11, the processing for one transaction will be referred to as process flow S5, and differences from process flow S1 will be mainly described. Process flow S5 is based on the premise that the database 30 stores product information corresponding to customer identification information. FIG. 11 shows an example in which payment-related information has not been set by the customer 90, and the store terminal 10 inquires about product information from the transaction management server 20.

[0102] In step S501, the display unit 92 of the user terminal 91 displays a setting screen. The process of step S501 is the same as the process of step S101.

[0103] In step S502, the setting unit 93 of the user terminal 91 stores the setting information set on the setting screen in a memory area. For example, the setting information includes customer identification information. In this example, the setting information corresponds to a pattern in which customer identification information is set and product information and payment-related information are not set.

[0104] In step S503, the user terminal 91 transmits the setting information by short-range wireless communication to the store terminal 10. The process in step S503 is the same as the process in step S103.

[0105] In step S504, the setting information acquisition unit 11 of the store terminal 10 acquires the setting information set in the memory area of ​​the user terminal 91. The process of step S504 is the same as the process of step S104.

[0106] In step S505, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 sends a product information inquiry to the transaction management server 20. This inquiry includes customer identification information. The transaction management server 20 receives the product information inquiry.

[0107] In step S506, the data acquisition unit 22 of the transaction management server 20 accesses the database 30 to acquire the product information corresponding to the customer identification information indicated by the product information inquiry.

[0108] In step S507, the credit request unit 21 of the transaction management server 20 sends a response to the store terminal 10. The response includes product information. The store terminal 10 receives the response.

[0109] In step S508, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 executes settings related to the purchase of the product. The process of step S508 is the same as the process of step S310.

[0110] In step S509, the purchase processing unit 12 of the store terminal 10 executes a purchase process (payment process) to confirm the transaction. The process in step S509 is the same as the process in step S406.

[0111] [effect] As described above, a user terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one processor that displays a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used for purchasing products at a service station, and transmits the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal at the service station via short-range wireless communication.

[0112] A store terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure is disposed in a service station and includes at least one processor that receives, via short-range wireless communication, setting information from a user terminal that has been preset on a setting screen of the user terminal, and executes processing related to the purchase of a product at the service station based on the setting information.

[0113] A transaction management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a user terminal and a store terminal at a service station. The user terminal displays a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used in purchasing products at the service station and transmits the setting information set on the setting screen to the store terminal via short-range wireless communication. The store terminal receives the setting information via short-range wireless communication and executes processing related to the purchase based on the setting information.

[0114] A transaction management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is executed by a user terminal having at least one processor, and includes the steps of displaying a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used in purchasing products at a service station, and transmitting the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal at the service station via short-range wireless communication.

[0115] A transaction management program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the steps of displaying a setting screen for pre-setting setting information to be used for purchasing products at a service station, and transmitting the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal at the service station via short-range wireless communication.

[0116] In this aspect, the setting information used for purchasing products at the service station is preset on the setting screen of the user terminal and transmitted to the store terminal via short-range wireless communication. Since the setting information can be set outside the service station, a flexible system for purchasing products at the service station can be provided.

[0117] In a store terminal according to another aspect, the setting information may include product information indicating a product. At least one processor may execute a process related to a purchase based on the product information. In this case, the store terminal executes a process related to a purchase based on the pre-set product information. This simplifies or eliminates the need to specify product information at the store, thereby improving the convenience of product transactions.

[0118] In another aspect of the store terminal, the setting information may include customer identification information that uniquely identifies a customer at the service station. At least one processor may acquire product information indicating a product from a transaction management server based on the customer identification information, and execute a purchase-related process based on the product information. In this case, the transaction management server manages pre-set product information, and the store terminal executes a purchase-related process based on the product information. This simplifies or eliminates the need to specify product information at the store, thereby improving the convenience of product transactions.

[0119] [Variations] The present disclosure has been described in detail above based on the embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications of the present disclosure are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0120] In the embodiment, the user terminal 91 displays a setting screen and accepts input of setting information. However, the setting information may be copied to the user terminal 91 from a different medium. For example, the customer 90 may own an NFC tag (hereinafter referred to as an "another tag") separate from the user terminal 91. The other tag may have setting information desired by the customer 90 stored in advance. The database 30 may store a correspondence between the identifier of the other tag and the setting information. The transaction management system 1 may also provide the user terminal 91 with a transfer screen for copying setting information. For example, the customer 90 may input the identifier of the other tag he or she owns into the transfer screen. The transaction management system 1 may read setting information corresponding to the input identifier of the other tag from the database 30 and transmit the setting information to the user terminal 91. The user terminal 91 may store the received setting information in a memory area. In this manner, setting information may be copied from the other tag to the user terminal 91. Alternatively, a copy device (e.g., a reader / writer) may be installed in the store to read the setting information from the separate tag and write the setting information to the user terminal 91. The setting information may be copied from the separate tag to the user terminal 91 by operating the copy device.

[0121] In the embodiment, the point information is described as being stored in the database 30, but it may also be managed by an external server that manages points (hereinafter referred to as the "point management server"). The store terminal 10 may send the point card number to the external point management server. The point management server may determine whether the point card number is valid, identify the point balance corresponding to the point card number, and send the point balance to the store terminal 10. If the point card number is valid, the customer 90 can acquire points corresponding to the purchase of the product or use at least a portion of the point balance as at least a portion of the purchase price. Alternatively, the transaction management server 20 may send the point card number to the external point management server and acquire the point balance.

[0122] In this disclosure, the expression "at least one processor executes a first process, executes a second process, ... executes an nth process" or a corresponding expression indicates a concept including a case where the entity executing the n processes from the first process to the nth process (i.e., the processor) changes midway through. In other words, this expression indicates a concept including both a case where all n processes are executed by the same processor and a case where the processor changes among the n processes according to an arbitrary policy.

[0123] The processing procedure of the method executed by at least one processor is not limited to the examples in the embodiments. For example, some of the steps (processing) described above may be omitted, or the steps may be executed in a different order. Furthermore, any two or more of the steps described above may be combined, or some of the steps may be modified or deleted. Alternatively, other steps may be executed in addition to the steps described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1...transaction management system, 10...store terminal, 11...setting information acquisition unit, 12...purchase processing unit, 19...reader / writer, 20...transaction management server, 21...credit request unit, 22...data acquisition unit, 30...database, 40...payment management server, 41...credit inquiry unit, 42...payment unit, 50...first sales management server, 51...detoken unit, 52...transaction / payment management unit, 60...second sales management server, 61...transaction / payment management unit, 90...customer, 91...user terminal, 92...display unit, 93...setting unit, 911...ID setting, 912...product setting, 913...payment-related setting.

Claims

1. at least one processor; the at least one processor: displaying a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used for purchasing products at the service station; transmitting the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal of the service station by short-range wireless communication; User terminal.

2. A store terminal located at a service station, at least one processor; the at least one processor: receiving, via short-range wireless communication, setting information preset on a setting screen of the user terminal from the user terminal; Executing a process related to the purchase of a product at the service station based on the setting information. Store terminal.

3. the setting information includes product information indicating the product, the at least one processor executes a process related to the purchase based on the product information; The store terminal according to claim 2.

4. the setting information includes customer identification information that uniquely identifies a customer at the service station; the at least one processor: acquiring product information indicating the product from a transaction management server based on the customer identification information; Execute a process related to the purchase based on the product information. The store terminal according to claim 2.

5. A transaction management system including a user terminal and a store terminal of a service station, The user terminal, displaying a setting screen for presetting setting information to be used for purchasing products at the service station; transmitting the setting information set on the setting screen to the store terminal by short-range wireless communication; The store terminal, receiving the setting information via the short-range wireless communication; Execute a process related to the purchase based on the setting information. Transaction management system.

6. 1. A method of managing transactions executed by a user terminal having at least one processor, comprising: displaying a setting screen for presetting setting information used for purchasing products at the service station; transmitting the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal of the service station by short-range wireless communication; A transaction management method including:

7. displaying a setting screen for presetting setting information used for purchasing products at the service station; transmitting the setting information set on the setting screen to a store terminal of the service station by short-range wireless communication; A transaction management program that causes a computer to execute the above.

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