Collection surrogate processing device and program therefor

Abstract

To output a receipt that satisfies requirements for a qualified invoice when a taxable bill occurs in a tax-free collection surrogate operation.SOLUTION: A collection surrogate processing device includes input means, checking means, and output means. The input means inputs data concerning payment for surrogate of collection. The checking means checks whether a taxable amount has occurred for the payment. When the taxable amount has not occurred, the output means outputs a first receipt having recorded thereon information about receipt of a paid bill. When the taxable amount has occurred, the output means outputs a second receipt on which information that satisfies requirements for a qualified invoice is recorded in the information about the receipt of the paid bill.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a collection agent processing device and a program therefor. [Background technology]

[0002] Many convenience stores and other establishments offer collection agency services, handling the collection of various payments, including utility bills, taxes, mail order payments, and insurance premiums. The POS (Point of Sales) terminals used in establishments offering collection agency services have a collection agency mode in addition to the normal registration mode for processing product sales data. When the collection agency mode is selected, the POS terminal functions as a collection agency processing device. Specifically, the POS terminal uses a scanner to read the barcode displayed on the payment slip, and identifies the amount to be collected on behalf of the customer based on the barcode data. Once the amount equivalent to the amount is received, the POS terminal prints a receipt. The receipt is given to the customer as a receipt for the collection agency service.

[0003] Meanwhile, in Japan, the qualified invoice storage system, also known as the invoice system, was introduced as a system for input tax credits on October 1, 2023. As a result, taxable retail businesses that have become qualified invoice issuers are required to provide customers with receipts that meet the requirements for qualified invoices, or invoices. However, since collection agency services are generally exempt from tax, there is no need to provide customers with receipts that meet the requirements for qualified invoices. However, for example, late fees may be incurred depending on the payment due date, and these late fees are subject to tax. Therefore, when taxable charges such as late fees are incurred, there are cases where a receipt that meets the requirements for qualified invoices must be provided as a collection agency receipt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-181637 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that an embodiment of the present invention aims to solve is to provide a collection agency processing device that can print a receipt that meets the requirements for a qualified invoice when a taxable amount is incurred in a tax-exempt collection agency business. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the collection agent processing device includes an input means, a confirmation means, and an output means. The input means inputs data related to the payment for which collection is to be performed. The confirmation means confirms whether a taxable amount has been incurred for the payment. If a taxable amount has not been incurred, the output means outputs a first receipt that records information related to the receipt of the paid amount. If a taxable amount has been incurred, the output means outputs a second receipt that records information related to the receipt of the paid amount that meets the requirements for a qualified invoice. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a collection agency processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a payment slip record. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration that the processor of the POS terminal performs in the collection agent mode. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a fee record. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a business operator record. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of operations between the POS terminal and the collection agency server. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the receipt agency receipt output process executed by the processor of the POS terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an example of an output receipt for a collection agency transaction when no taxable amount is generated in the collection agency transaction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an example of an output receipt for a collection agency transaction when a taxable amount is incurred in a collection agency transaction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of a collection agency processing device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a POS terminal used in a store such as a convenience store operated by a taxable business that has become a qualified invoice issuing business is used as an example of a collection agency processing device.

[0009] [Explanation of collection agency processing system] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a collection agency processing system 100. The collection agency processing system 100 includes a POS terminal 1 and a collection agency server 2. The collection agency processing system 100 connects the POS terminal 1 and the collection agency server 2 via a communication network 3. The communication network 3 is a wide area network such as the Internet or an intranet. A mobile communication network, a public communication network, etc. may also be used as part of the communication network 3.

[0010] The POS terminal 1 is used at the cash register (checkout area) of a store that provides a collection agency service. The POS terminal 1 has a collection agency mode as an operating mode in addition to a normal registration mode for processing product sales data. When a store clerk, who is the operator of the POS terminal 1, receives a collection request from a customer for various fees such as utility bills, taxes, mail order charges, and insurance premiums, the operating mode of the POS terminal 1 is switched from the registration mode to the collection agency mode. The store clerk then performs operations for collection agency on the POS terminal 1. In response to this operation, the POS terminal 1 executes processing related to the collection agency.

[0011] Incidentally, public utility charges include electricity, water, telephone, gas, etc. Taxes include automobile tax, fixed asset tax, prefectural inhabitant tax, etc. Mail order payments are the price of products purchased online, via catalogs, etc. Insurance premiums include national pension insurance premiums, national health insurance premiums, etc.

[0012] The collection agency server 2 is a server computer managed by a collection agency. A collection agency is a company that collects payments on behalf of collection companies for utility bills, taxes, mail order charges, insurance premiums, etc. The collection agency collects payments for utility bills, taxes, mail order charges, insurance premiums, etc. paid by consumers at stores that provide collection agency services.

[0013] The collection agency server 2 has a payment slip database 200. The payment slip database 200 is a database that aggregates data related to payment slips for various charges such as utility bills, taxes, mail order charges, and insurance premiums. Payment slips are issued to consumers by companies that collect payments for utility bills, taxes, mail order charges, insurance premiums, etc., and are generally on paper. Payment slips may be displayed as electronic data on a smartphone or the like. Payment slips are also sometimes called payment handling slips.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, data related to payment slips includes payment code, company code, company name, invoice amount, issue date, due date, status, etc. Hereinafter, data related to payment slips will be referred to as payment slip data 41. The payment code is unique identification information assigned to each payment slip. The payment slip codes of payment slips issued by each collection company will not be duplicated. The company code is unique identification information assigned to each collection company that issued the payment slip. The company name is the name of the collection company to which the company code is assigned. The invoice amount is the amount that the collection company that issued the payment slip will invoice the consumer using that payment slip. The issue date is the date the payment slip was issued. The due date is the due date for payment using the payment slip. The consumer must pay the amount equivalent to the invoice amount before the due date. If the money is paid after the due date, a late fee may be incurred. The status represents the state of payment slip data 41. The state can be either unpaid or paid.

[0015] The collection agency server 2 may provide services in an on-premise environment, or may provide services in a cloud computing environment.

[0016] [POS terminal configuration explanation] 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal 1. The POS terminal 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a clock 14, a communication interface 15, a change dispenser interface 16, a payment terminal interface 17, a keyboard 18, a scanner 19, a touch panel 20, a customer display 21, a printer 22, and a system transmission path 23. The system transmission path 23 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission path 23 connects the processor 11 to each of the other components directly or via a signal input / output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0017] The POS terminal 1 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a clock 14, and a communication interface 15 via a system transmission path 23. The POS terminal 1 then connects to the computer, via the system transmission path 23, device interfaces such as a change dispenser interface 16 and a payment terminal interface 17, and devices such as a keyboard 18, a scanner 19, a touch panel 20, a customer display 21, and a printer 22.

[0018] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part in accordance with an operating system or an application program to realize various functions of the POS terminal 1. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0019] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may store data required for the processor 11 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 11 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0020] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, the auxiliary storage device 13 may be an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 11, etc. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store the application programs described above.

[0021] The clock 14 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 11 processes the date and time kept by the clock 14 as the current date and time.

[0022] The communication interface 15 is an interface for performing data communication with the receiving agent server 2 and the like connected via the communication network 3.

[0023] The change machine interface 16 is an interface for data communication with an automatic change machine. The automatic change machine has the functions of counting the cash (banknotes or coins) inserted through an insertion slot and storing them in a safe by denomination, and extracting cash equivalent to the change from the safe and dispensing it to a dispensing slot. Note that a drawer may be connected instead of the automatic change machine.

[0024] The payment terminal interface 17 is an interface for data communication with a payment terminal for cashless payments such as credit card payments, electronic money payments, etc. The payment terminal is a terminal that reads card data from a credit card, electronic money card, etc., communicates with a credit server, electronic money server, etc., and processes cashless payments for commercial transactions using credit cards or electronic money.

[0025] The keyboard 18 is an input device that has a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values ​​as well as various function keys required for the POS terminal 1, such as a total key, a cancel key, a closing key, and a collection agency key 181. The collection agency key 181 is an operator for issuing a command to switch the operation mode from registration mode to collection agency mode. When the collection agency key 181 is pressed when the POS terminal 1 is in an idle state in which the operation mode is registration mode, the operation mode of the POS terminal 1 switches from registration mode to collection agency mode. Incidentally, the idle state is the state before the customer starts to register the products they wish to purchase.

[0026] Scanner 19 is an input device that scans and reads machine-readable codes such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes. Many products are affixed with barcodes or two-dimensional codes that represent product codes uniquely assigned to the products. POS terminal 1 identifies the product by the product code obtained by analyzing the barcode or two-dimensional code read by scanner 19, and registers the sales data of the product. Scanner 19 can also read barcodes or two-dimensional codes on payment slips. A machine-readable code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code representing a payment code is printed (displayed) on the payment slip.

[0027] The touch panel 20 is a device that combines a display device and an input device for the operator. The operator is a store clerk, or cashier, responsible for accounting for commercial transactions. The display device is a panel-type display such as an LCD display. The input device is a touch sensor disposed on the screen of the panel-type display. The touch panel 20 displays, for example, a list of product names and prices of a group of products registered as sales items for a single transaction, as well as the total amount of the transaction. The touch panel 20 can also display various software keys on the screen of the display device. When the touch panel 20 detects a touch on the screen through a touch sensor signal, it accepts input from the software key displayed at the touched position. Instead of the aforementioned payment agent key 181, a payment agent button using a software key may be placed on the screen of the display device. That is, the POS terminal 1 may be provided with a payment agent button as an operator for switching the operating mode from registration mode to payment agent mode.

[0028] The customer display 21 is a display device for displaying information to customers who are settling a transaction. The information includes the price of the product the customer is purchasing, the total amount of the transaction, etc. Consumers who use payment slips to pay for utilities, taxes, mail order payments, insurance premiums, and other charges are also included in the definition of customers.

[0029] The printer 22 is a receipt printer that prints on receipt paper, cuts it, and issues receipts. The printer 22 can issue not only purchase receipts that record details of commercial transactions, but also receipts that record information related to the receipt of payments made in the receipt agency mode.

[0030] In the POS terminal 1 having such a configuration, in the collection agency mode, the processor 11 has the functions of an input means 111, an inquiry means 112, a receipt means 113, a confirmation means 114, a first acquisition means 115, a second acquisition means 116, a first output means 117 and a second output means 118 shown in FIG. 4.

[0031] The input means 111 is a means for inputting data relating to the payment of various charges such as utility bills, taxes, mail order payments, insurance premiums, etc. The data relating to the payment is the payment code on the payment slip 5. The data relating to the payment may include data other than the payment code, such as a company code or the amount invoiced. The input means 111 analyzes the machine-readable code on the payment slip 5 scanned by the scanner 19 and inputs the payment code. The input means 111 may also input a code entered using the numeric keypad of the keyboard 18 as the payment code.

[0032] The inquiry means 112 is a means for inquiring of the receiving agency server 2 as to whether or not a payment can be made based on the data relating to the payment input via the input means 111. The inquiry means 112 sends an inquiry command to the receiving agency server 2 via the communication interface 15 to inquire as to whether or not a payment can be made. The inquiry command includes the data relating to the payment input via the input means 111.

[0033] The receipt means 113 is a means for receiving various payments such as utility charges, taxes, mail order charges, insurance premiums, etc. that are billed using payment slips 5 that have been accepted for payment. The receipt means 113 receives payments in cooperation with an automatic change machine connected to the change machine interface 16. The receipt means 113 may also receive payments in cooperation with a payment terminal connected to the payment terminal interface 17.

[0034] The confirmation means 114 is a means for confirming whether a taxable amount has been incurred for the payment for which collection is handled. The confirmation means 114 refers to the fee database 6. The fee database 6 is a collection of fee records 61 (see Figure 5) created for each fee that may be incurred in the collection agency business. The fee database 6 is created by the collection agency server 2 and downloaded to the auxiliary storage device 13.

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a fee record 61. The fee record 61 includes a fee category, fee name, tax flag, tax rate, etc. The fee category is unique identification information assigned to each type of fee. Fees include a payment fee and a late payment fee. A payment fee is a fee incurred when paying a price using a payment slip 5 at a store that provides a collection agency service. Whether or not a payment fee is incurred is usually determined by the collection agency. For example, a payment fee is not charged for payments of utility bills, but may be charged for payments of mail-order products. A late payment fee is a fee incurred when a payment is made after the payment slip's due date. Whether or not a late payment fee is incurred is usually determined by the collection company. For example, a late payment fee is not charged for payments of products purchased online or through a catalog, but late payment fees may be charged for utility bills, taxes, etc.

[0036] The fee name is the name of the fee identified by the corresponding fee category. For example, for the fee category of payment fees, "payment fees" is set as the fee name in the fee record 61. For example, for the fee category of late payment fees, "late payment fees" is set as the fee name in the fee record 61.

[0037] The tax flag is one-bit data that identifies whether the fee identified by the corresponding fee category is subject to consumption tax. In this embodiment, the tax flag indicating that the fee is subject to consumption tax is set to "1", and the tax flag indicating that the fee is not subject to tax is set to "0".

[0038] The tax rate is the consumption tax rate levied on the fee. The tax rate is usually the standard tax rate. In other words, for fee records 61 of fee categories that impose a fee, the standard tax rate, for example 10%, is set as the tax rate. In contrast, for fee records 61 of fee categories that do not impose a fee, the tax rate is set to "0".

[0039] The confirmation means 114 refers to the fee database 6, and when a fee of a fee category included in a fee record 61 with a tax flag of "1" is incurred, it recognizes that a taxable amount has been incurred for the payment of that fee.

[0040] The first acquisition means 115 is a means for dividing the taxable amount by tax rate and acquiring the total amount. The taxable amount is a fee. The tax rate for the fee is usually the standard tax rate. Therefore, if two or more fees of the fee category included in the fee record 61 with the tax flag set to "1" are incurred for one customer, the first acquisition means 115 acquires the total amount of each fee. Incidentally, if only one fee is incurred, the first acquisition means 115 acquires the amount of that fee. Note that if the tax rates imposed on the fees are different, the first acquisition means 115 adds up the amount of the fee for each tax rate.

[0041] The second acquisition means 116 is a means for acquiring the name and registration number of the qualified invoice issuing business that will collect the amount paid by the payment slip 5. The second acquisition means 116 references the business database 7. The business database 7 is a collection of business records 71 ​​(see Figure 6) created for each collection company that has requested collection agency services and is registered as a qualified invoice issuing business. The business database 7 is created by the collection agency server 2 and downloaded to the auxiliary storage device 13.

[0042] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the business record 71. The business record 71 includes a company code, a company name, and a registration number. As mentioned above, the company code is unique identification information assigned to each collection company that issues a payment slip 5. The company name is the name of the collection company identified by the corresponding company code. The name may also include the address. The registration number is a unique number assigned when the collection company identified by the corresponding company code registers as a qualified invoice issuing business. The registration number can be referred to as the business number.

[0043] The second obtaining means 116 refers to the business record 71 and obtains the company name and registration number of the receiving company that receives the taxable amount.

[0044] The first output means 117 is a means for outputting a first receipt 8 that records information related to the receipt of the paid amount when no taxable amount is incurred for the payment of the amount using the payment slip 5. The information related to the receipt of the amount is, for example, the name of the collecting company and the amount invoiced. In other words, when no taxable amount is incurred in the collection agency business, the first output means 117 outputs a first receipt 8 that records the name of the collecting company, the amount invoiced, etc., a so-called collection agency receipt 8 that does not support invoices. The collection agency receipt 8 is issued by printing it on receipt paper using the printer 22, for example. The collection agency receipt 8 may also be output as an electronic receipt.

[0045] The second output means 118 is a means for outputting a second receipt 9 that records information related to the receipt of the paid amount, in addition to information that satisfies the requirements for a qualified invoice, i.e., an invoice, when a taxable amount is incurred in relation to the payment of the price using the payment slip 5. The information that satisfies the requirements for a qualified invoice is the amount for each tax rate acquired by the first acquisition means 115 and the company name and registration number acquired by the second acquisition means 116. In other words, when a taxable amount is incurred in the collection agency business, the second output means 118 outputs a second receipt 9, a so-called invoice-compatible collection agency receipt 9, that records the amount for each tax rate acquired by the first acquisition means 115 and the company name and registration number acquired by the second acquisition means 116, along with the name of the collecting company and the invoice amount. The collection agency receipt 9 is issued, for example, by being printed on receipt paper using the printer 22. The collection agency receipt 9 may also be output as an electronic receipt. The first output means 117 and the second output means 118 can be collectively referred to as output means.

[0046] The functions of the input means 111, inquiry means 112, receipt means 113, confirmation means 114, first acquisition means 115, second acquisition means 116, first output means 117, and second output means 118 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 11 in accordance with a predetermined program. Hereinafter, this program will be referred to as a collection agency program. The collection agency program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. There are no particular limitations on the method for installing the collection agency program in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. The collection agency program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or can be distributed via communication over a network and installed in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it can store the program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

[0047] [POS terminal operation explanation] Next, the main operations of the POS terminal 1 when the receipt agent mode is selected will be described. 7 is a sequence diagram of the operation between the POS terminal 1 and the collection agency server 2. When a customer presents a payment slip 5 for utility bills, taxes, mail order payments, insurance premiums, etc., the store clerk operates the collection agency key 181. This operation switches the operation mode of the POS terminal 1 to collection agency mode, and the store clerk operates the scanner 19 to scan the barcode displayed on the payment slip 5. If the customer presents two or more payment slips 5, the barcodes on each payment slip 5 are scanned in sequence.

[0048] When the operating mode of the processor 11 of the POS terminal 1 switches to the collection agent mode as ACT11 in Fig. 7, the processor 11 waits for the input of a payment code as ACT12. When the barcode on the payment slip 5 is scanned by the scanner 19, the processor 11 inputs the payment code from that barcode by functioning as the input means 111. When two or more barcodes are scanned consecutively, the processor 11 inputs two or more payment codes from each barcode.

[0049] When the payment code is entered, the processor 11 controls the transmission of an inquiry event by functioning as the inquiry means 112 as ACT13. By this control, an inquiry event signal Sa is transmitted to the collection agent server 2 via the communication network 3. The inquiry event includes the payment code entered in ACT11.

[0050] When the collection agency server 2 receives the inquiry event signal Sa as ACT21 in Figure 7, it searches the payment slip database 4 as ACT22. The collection agency server 2 obtains payment slip data 41 including the payment code included in the inquiry event from the payment slip database 4. The collection agency server 2 checks whether a fee will be incurred as ACT23. For example, if the payment slip 5 is for a collection company that incurs a late fee and the due date of the payment slip data 41 has already passed, a late fee will be incurred. The collection agency server 2 obtains the fee category and fee for the late fee as ACT24. For example, if the payment slip 5 is for a collection company that incurs a payment fee, a payment fee will be incurred. The collection agency server 2 obtains the fee category and fee for the payment fee as ACT24. Note that if no fee has been incurred, the collection agency server 2 skips the processing of ACT24.

[0051] If the fee category and fee have been acquired in ACT24, or if processing of ACT24 is skipped, the collection agency server 2 edits a response event in ACT25. The response event includes the company name and invoice amount of the payment slip data 41 acquired in ACT22. If two or more payment slip data have been acquired in ACT22, the response event includes each company name and invoice amount. Furthermore, if the fee category and fee have been acquired in ACT24, the response event also includes that fee category and late fee. If two or more fee categories and fees have been acquired in ACT24, the response event includes each fee category and fee. The collection agency server 2 controls the sending of the response event in ACT26. This control causes the response event signal Sb to be sent via the communications network 3 to the POS terminal 1 that sent the inquiry event.

[0052] The processor 11 of the POS terminal 1 that controlled the transmission of the inquiry event waits for a response event. When the processor 11 receives the response event signal Sb via the communication interface 15 as ACT14, it displays the billing amount and the like on the touch panel 20 and the customer display 21 as ACT15. The billing amount is the total amount of the billing amount and the handling fee included in the response event.

[0053] After confirming the amount, the store clerk receives payment from the customer. For example, if payment is received in cash, the store clerk inserts the cash into an automatic change dispenser.

[0054] The processor 11 of the POS terminal 1 that has displayed the billing amount, etc., receives the billing amount by functioning as the receipt means 113 as ACT16. For example, when cash equivalent to the billing amount is inserted into the automatic change dispenser, the processor 11 determines that the billing amount has been received. After receiving the billing amount, the processor 11 controls the sending of a collection event as ACT17. This control causes a collection event signal Sc to be sent to the collection agent server 2 via the communication network 3. The collection event includes the payment code of the payment slip 5 from which the payment was received.

[0055] The collection agency server 2, which has controlled the transmission of the response event, waits for a collection event. When the collection event signal Sc is received via the communication network 3 as ACT27, the collection agency server 2 updates the payment slip database 4 as ACT28. That is, the collection agency server 2 changes the status of the payment slip data including the payment code included in the collection event from "payment uncollected" to "payment collected."

[0056] Meanwhile, the processor 11 of the POS terminal 1 that controlled the sending of the collection event executes a collection agency receipt output process using the functions of the confirmation means 114, first acquisition means 115, second acquisition means 116, first output means 117, and second output means 118 as ACT 18. This output process outputs a collection agency receipt 8 that is not invoice-compliant, which is the first receipt, or a collection agency receipt 9 that is invoice-compliant, which is the second receipt. For example, the collection agency receipt 8 or collection agency receipt 9 is printed on receipt paper and issued by the printer 22, and the store clerk hands the collection agency receipt 8 or collection agency receipt 9 to the customer.

[0057] After outputting the collection agency receipt 8 or 9, the processor 11 returns the operation mode of the POS terminal 1 to the registration mode in ACT 19. Therefore, the store clerk can operate the POS terminal 1 to register the sales data of the products purchased by the customer without being aware that the operation mode has been switched from the collection agency mode to the registration mode.

[0058] 8 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the output process described as ACT 18. When the output process begins, the processor 11 acquires the transaction date and time in ACT 31. The transaction date and time is the current date and time kept by the clock 14. The transaction date and time may be, for example, the date and time of the clock 14 when the payment code is entered in ACT 12. Alternatively, the transaction date and time may be the date and time when the response event signal Sb is received in ACT 14.

[0059] After acquiring the transaction date and time, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 32. In ACT 32, the processor 11 acquires the register number set for the POS terminal 1. A unique register number is set for each POS terminal 1 and is stored in, for example, the auxiliary storage device 13.

[0060] After acquiring the register number, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 33. The processor 11 acquires responsible person information in ACT 33. The responsible person information is information about the cashier who has signed in to the POS terminal 1.

[0061] After acquiring the responsible person information, processor 11 proceeds to ACT 34. Processor 11 acquires collection agency detail information in ACT 34. The collection agency detail information is the company name, invoice amount, etc. of the payment slip data 41 included in the response event. If the response event includes a fee category and a fee, the fee category and fee are also included in the collection agency detail information.

[0062] The processor 11 checks whether the fee category and fee are included in the collection agency detail information in ACT 35. If the fee category and fee are not included in the collection agency detail information, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 41. The processing from ACT 41 onwards will be described later.

[0063] If the collection agency detail information includes a fee category and a fee, processor 11, in ACT36, searches fee database 6 using its function as confirmation means 114 to confirm whether or not a taxable fee is included. If the collection agency detail information does not include a single fee category with a tax flag of "1", processor 11 determines that no taxable fees are included. If no taxable fees are included, processor 11 proceeds to ACT41. The processing from ACT41 onwards will be described later.

[0064] If the collection agency detail information includes one or more fee categories with a tax flag of "1", that is, if it includes taxable fees, processor 11 proceeds to ACT 37. In ACT 37, processor 11 obtains the tax rate imposed on the taxable fees from the fee database 6. Then, in ACT 38, processor 11 calculates the taxable amount for each tax rate by functioning as first obtaining means 115. The taxable amount is the total of tax-inclusive fees with the same tax rate.

[0065] After calculating the taxable amount by tax rate, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 39. The processor 11 calculates the tax amount by tax rate in ACT 39. The tax amount R is calculated by the following formula (1), where P is the taxable amount and Q is the tax rate.

[0066] R=P-{P / (1+Q)} …(1) For example, if the taxable amount P is 110 yen and the tax rate Q is 10% (=0.1), the taxable amount R is calculated as 10 yen using the above formula (1).

[0067] After calculating the tax amount by tax rate, processor 11 proceeds to ACT40. In ACT40, processor 11 acquires business information by referring to business database 7 using its function as second acquisition means 116. That is, processor 11 acquires the business name and registration number of the receiving company that incurred the taxable fee from business database 7. After that, processor 11 proceeds to ACT41.

[0068] In this way, if there is no fee in the collection agency details information acquired from the collection agency server 2, or if there is a fee but it is not taxable, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 41 without executing the processes of ACT 37 to ACT 40. On the other hand, if there is a taxable fee in the collection agency details information acquired from the collection agency server 2, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 41 after executing the processes of ACT 37 to ACT 40.

[0069] The processor 11 acquires payment information in ACT 41. The payment information is information obtained when the billing amount is received in ACT 16 of Fig. 7. For example, if the billing amount is received by inserting cash equivalent to the billing amount into an automatic change dispenser, the processor 11 acquires the payment medium "cash," the inserted amount, and the change amount as payment information.

[0070] After acquiring the payment information, processor 11 proceeds to ACT42. In ACT42, processor 11 creates receipt data for first receipt 8 or second receipt 9 by functioning as first output means 117 or second output means 118. That is, if no taxable amount has been incurred for the payment of the price using payment slip 5 and the processes of ACT37 to ACT40 have not been executed, processor 11 creates receipt data for collection agency receipt 8 that does not correspond to invoices. If a taxable amount has been incurred for the payment of the price using payment slip 5 and the processes of ACT37 to ACT40 have been executed, processor 11 creates receipt data for collection agency receipt 9 that corresponds to invoices.

[0071] After creating the receipt data, processor 11 proceeds to ACT 43. In ACT 43, processor 11 outputs the receipt data for the first receipt 8 or second receipt 9 to printer 22 and controls receipt printing. This control results in the issuance of the first receipt 8, i.e., the non-invoice-compliant collection agency receipt 8, or the second receipt 9, i.e., the invoice-compliant collection agency receipt 9.

[0072] Figure 9 is an example of a collection agency receipt 8 that does not correspond to an invoice, that is, an output example of a collection agency receipt 8 when no taxable charges have been incurred in the collection agency business. Specifically, this is a collection agency receipt 8 issued to a customer who paid a total of 18,000 yen, which was invoiced by a gas company payment slip 5 and a water company payment slip 5, in cash by the due date of each payment slip 5. Gas charges invoiced by the gas company and water charges invoiced by the water company are tax-exempt. Therefore, collection agency receipt 8 does not correspond to an invoice, but that is not a problem.

[0073] Figure 10 is an example of an invoice-compatible collection agency receipt 9, that is, an output example of a collection agency receipt 9 when a taxable amount is incurred in collection agency work. Specifically, it is a collection agency receipt 8 issued to a customer who paid a total of 18,000 yen in cash, which was invoiced using a gas company payment slip 5 and a water company payment slip 5, after the due dates of each payment slip 5 had passed. The gas company and water company will incur a late fee of 100 yen if the due date has passed. The late fee of 100 yen is subject to tax at the standard tax rate of 10%, so the late fee including tax is 110 yen.

[0074] The collection agency receipt 9 outputs a transaction date 91, collection agency detail information 92, taxable amount by tax rate 93, taxable amount by tax rate 94, and the name and registration number of the qualified invoice issuer 95. In other words, the collection agency receipt 9 corresponds to a qualified invoice, or in other words, an invoice.

[0075] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, when a taxable amount such as a fee is incurred in a tax-exempt collection agency business, a POS terminal 1 can be provided that can output a qualified invoice, that is, a collection agency receipt 9 that meets the requirements for an invoice.

[0076] Moreover, since the receipt 9 is automatically issued, the store clerk does not need to worry about whether or not a taxable fee has been incurred. Also, since the requirements for an invoice are automatically printed, there is no risk of omissions or mistakes in filling out the information. This reduces the burden on the store clerk.

[0077] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the information that meets the requirements for a qualified invoice is exemplified by the amount for each tax rate acquired by the first acquisition means 115 and the company name and registration number acquired by the second acquisition means 116. However, the information that meets the requirements for a qualified invoice is not limited to this. If the requirements for a qualified invoice are changed, the second output means 118 simply outputs a second receipt 9 that records information that meets the changed requirements for a qualified invoice.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the name and registration number of the qualified invoice issuing business that is output on the invoice-compatible collection agency receipt 9 are the company name and registration number of the collection company. In this regard, the company name and registration number of the collection agency may also be output on the invoice-compatible collection agency receipt 9.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the company name and registration number of the collecting company were not printed on the non-invoice-compatible collecting agency receipt 8. In this regard, the company name and registration number of the collecting company may be printed on the non-invoice-compatible collecting agency receipt 8.

[0080] The receiving agent processing device is not limited to a product sales data processing device such as a POS terminal 1 having a registration mode. The receiving agent processing device may be a terminal device dedicated to receiving agent business. In the case of a terminal device, it may also include the function of the receiving agent server 2.

[0081] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...POS terminal, 2...collection agency server, 3...communication network, 4...payment slip database, 5...payment slip, 6...fee database, 7...business operator database, 8...collection agency receipt, 9...collection agency receipt, 11...processor, 12...main memory, 13...auxiliary storage device, 14...clock, 15...communication interface, 16...change machine interface, 17...payment terminal interface, 18...keyboard, 19...scanner, 20...touch panel, 21...customer display, 22...printer, 23...system transmission path, 100...collection agency processing system, 111...input means, 112...inquiry means, 113...receipt means, 114...confirmation means, 115...first acquisition means, 116...second acquisition means, 117...first output means, 118...second output means, 181...collection agency key.

Claims

1. an input means for inputting data relating to payments to be collected on behalf of the customer; a confirmation means for confirming whether a taxable amount has been incurred with respect to the payment; an output means for outputting a first receipt recording information relating to the receipt of the paid amount if the taxable amount has not been incurred, and for outputting a second receipt recording information relating to the receipt of the paid amount that satisfies the requirements for a qualified invoice if the taxable amount has been incurred; A collection agent processing device comprising:

2. a first acquisition means for acquiring a total amount obtained by dividing the taxable amount by tax rate; Further comprising: The collection agency processing device according to claim 1, wherein the output means includes the amount acquired by the first acquisition means in the information that satisfies the requirements for a qualified invoice.

3. a second acquiring means for acquiring the name and registration number of the qualified bill issuing business that receives the paid amount; Further comprising:

2. The collection agency processing device according to claim 1, wherein said output means includes the name and registration number acquired by said second acquisition means in the information that satisfies the requirements for a qualified invoice.

4. 4. A collection agent processing device according to claim 1, wherein said confirmation means recognizes that a taxable amount has been incurred when a late fee has been incurred for said payment.

5. a computer of a receiving agent processing device having an input means for inputting data relating to payments to be received on behalf of the receiving agent; a means for verifying whether the payment has resulted in a taxable amount; and an output means for outputting a first receipt recording information relating to the receipt of the paid amount when the taxable amount has not been incurred, and for outputting a second receipt recording information relating to the receipt of the paid amount that satisfies the requirements for a qualified invoice when the taxable amount has been incurred; A program to function as a

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