Processing system

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables payment using a credit card even when an error is occurring in a payment process using a credit card.SOLUTION: There is provided a processing system including: a customer operation terminal configured to transmit card-related information, which is information associated with a credit card, on the basis of detecting an occurrence of an error in a payment using a credit card of the customer; an operator terminal configured to receive the card-related information, present the card-related information to an operator on the basis of the received information, and accept a password from the operator; and a payment server configured to perform a settlement process on the basis of a card number and a payment amount included in authentication information, in response to determination that authentication information including card information of the credit card and the password has been previously registered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the use of credit cards to pay for goods, services, etc. has been increasing. Paying with a credit card can bring about various benefits.

[0003] However, if an error occurs during a payment using a credit card, it is generally impossible to make the payment using the credit card. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a ticket vending machine that ejects the credit card when an error occurs during a payment using the credit card. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-147146 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In such a case where payment by credit card becomes impossible, payment must be made by cash instead of by credit card.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a technology that allows payments using a credit card to be made even when an error occurs during the payment using the credit card. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, a processing system is provided, comprising: a customer operation terminal that transmits card-related information, which is information related to a credit card, upon detecting an error in a payment using a customer's credit card; an operator terminal that receives the card-related information, presents it to an operator based on the card-related information, and accepts a password from the operator; and a payment server that performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount included in the authentication information upon determining that authentication information including the card information of the credit card and the password has been registered in advance.

[0008] The customer operation terminal may determine the payment amount to be a price corresponding to the product or service selected by the customer.

[0009] The processing system may include a provider affiliate server, which is a server of a provider affiliate related to the provision of the product or service, and the customer operation terminal may transmit the card-related information to the operator terminal via the provider affiliate server.

[0010] The customer operation terminal may transmit the card-related information to the provider affiliated company server based on detecting the occurrence of the error, and the provider affiliated company server may receive the card-related information, identify the card company that issued the credit card based on the card-related information or the card number contained in the card-related information, and transmit the card-related information to the operator terminal of the identified card company.

[0011] The processing system may include a communication control unit, which controls the telephone connection between the operator terminal of the card company identified by the provider affiliated company server and the customer operation terminal, thereby enabling telephone conversations between the customer and the operator.

[0012] The password may be received by the operator terminal from the operator after the telephone connection is made.

[0013] The customer operation terminal may transmit the card number and the payment amount to the payment server based on the determination that the authentication information has been pre-registered, and the payment server may perform the payment processing based on the card number and the payment amount.

[0014] The card-related information may be a card image obtained by capturing an image of part or all of the face of the credit card using an imaging unit, and the card information may be recognized from the card image or received from the operator.

[0015] The card-related information may be card information recognized from a card image obtained by capturing an image of part or all of the face of the credit card by an imaging unit.

[0016] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention to solve the above problem, a processing system is provided which includes a customer operation terminal that, upon detecting an error in a payment using a customer's credit card, acquires authentication information necessary to authenticate whether the customer is the cardholder of the credit card and transmits the authentication information, and a payment server that, upon determining that the authentication information has been pre-registered, performs payment processing based on the card number of the credit card and the payment amount.

[0017] The authentication information may be received from the customer by the customer operation terminal.

[0018] The authentication information may include card information recognized from a card image obtained by capturing an image of part or all of the face of the credit card using an imaging unit, and a password received from the customer by the customer operation terminal.

[0019] The card number may be included in the authentication information.

[0020] The processing system may include an online payment system that receives the authentication information from the customer operation terminal, identifies the card company that issued the credit card based on the card number contained in the authentication information, and transmits the authentication information to the payment server corresponding to the identified card company. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, the present invention provides a technique that enables a payment using a credit card to be made even if an error occurs during the payment using the credit card. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket vending machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a railway company server 22 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a railway company operator terminal 23 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a card company operator terminal 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a payment server 41 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reissued card information management server 42 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the processing system 1, focusing on the operation of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of the operation of S30 shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of the operation of S40 shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a call guidance screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a reading guidance screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an online payment system 70 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the processing system 2, focusing on the operation of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an authentication information input screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0024] (1. First embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0025] (1-1. Processing System Configuration) An example of the configuration of a processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the processing system 1 includes a ticket vending machine 10, a railway company call center system 20, a card company call center system 30, a card company system 40, and a smartphone 80.

[0026] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the ticket vending machine 10 and the railway company call center system 20 are each connected to a network 51 and are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the network 51. For example, the network 51 may include a closed network.

[0027] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the railway company call center system 20 and the card company call center system 30 are each connected to a network 52 and are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the network 52. For example, the network 52 may include a closed network.

[0028] The ticket vending machine 10, the card company call center system 30, the card company system 40, and the smartphone 80 are each connected to a network 53 and are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the network 53. For example, the network 53 may include the Internet.

[0029] (Ticket machine 10) The ticket vending machine 10 is a customer-operated terminal through which a customer pays the price of a service selected by the customer. In the first embodiment of the present invention, a customer can make a payment using a credit card by operating the ticket vending machine 10. This specification also assumes that a customer can also pay using cash or an IC (Integrated Circuit) ticket by operating the ticket vending machine 10. However, it is not necessary that payment methods other than credit cards are not accepted.

[0030] In this specification, the case where the service selected by the customer is a railway service provided by a railway company will be mainly described. However, the service selected by the customer may be a service other than a railway service (for example, a service for using a means of transportation other than a railway, or a food and drink service). Also, the customer may select a product instead of a service. In this case, instead of the ticket vending machine 10, a customer operation terminal (for example, a self-service checkout machine) may be used, through which the customer pays the price of the product selected by the customer as the payment amount.

[0031] (Railway company call center system 20) The railway company call center system 20 is a system related to a railway company call center. As shown in Fig. 1, the railway company call center system 20 includes a communication control unit 21, a railway company server 22, and a railway company operator terminal 23. Here, the communication control unit 21 controls whether the telephone connection destination for the ticket vending machine 10 is the railway company operator terminal 23 or the card company operator terminal 33. The functions of the railway company server 22 and the railway company operator terminal 23 will be described in detail later.

[0032] In this specification, it is mainly assumed that the communication control unit 21, the railway company server 22, and the railway company operator terminal 23 are installed inside a railway company call center. However, some or all of the communication control unit 21, the railway company server 22, and the railway company operator terminal 23 may be installed in a location away from the railway company call center. Also, although one railway company operator terminal 23 is installed in the example shown in Fig. 1, multiple railway company operator terminals 23 may be installed.

[0033] Note that a railway company is an example of a provider affiliated company that is involved in providing products or services to customers. Therefore, the processing system 1 may include a call center system of a provider affiliated company other than a railway company, instead of the railway company call center system 20. In this case, another provider affiliated company server may be used instead of the railway company server 22, and another provider affiliated company operator terminal may be used instead of the railway company operator terminal 23.

[0034] (Card company call center system 30) The card company call center system 30 is a system related to a card company call center. It is generally assumed that there are multiple card company call center systems 30, but it is not necessary that there are multiple card company call center systems 30; there may be only one. In this specification, the term "card company" may primarily mean a "credit card company." As shown in FIG. 1, the card company call center system 30 includes a card company operator terminal 33. The functions of the card company operator terminal 33 will be described in detail later.

[0035] In this specification, it is mainly assumed that the card company operator terminal 33 is installed inside the card company call center. However, some or all of the card company operator terminals 33 may be installed in a location away from the card company call center. Also, in the example shown in Figure 1, one card company operator terminal 33 is installed, but multiple card company operator terminals 33 may be installed.

[0036] (Card company system 40) Card company system 40 is a system related to a card company. For example, if there are multiple card company call center systems 30, there may be a card company system 40 paired with each of the multiple card company call center systems 30. Alternatively, if there is one card company call center system 30, there may be one card company system 40 paired with that one card company call center system 30. As shown in FIG. 1 , card company system 40 includes a payment server 41 and a reissued card information management server 42. The functions of payment server 41 and reissued card information management server 42 will be described in detail later.

[0037] (Smartphone 80) The smartphone 80 is realized by a computer and is a portable terminal carried by a customer. The smartphone 80 has functions such as communicating with the payment server 41 and the reissued card information management server 42 via the network 53. The smartphone 80 also has a function of reading a two-dimensional code, decoding the read two-dimensional code to obtain a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and accessing the location indicated by the obtained URL.

[0038] The configuration example of the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0039] (1-2. Configuration of ticket vending machine 10) An example of the configuration of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ticket vending machine 10 is realized by a computer, and as shown in Fig. 2, includes a card reader 110, an operation unit 120, a control unit 130, a communication unit 140, a memory unit 150, a handset communication unit 160, and a display unit 170.

[0040] (Card reader 110) The card reader 110 includes a reading unit 112 and an imaging unit 114. The reading unit 112 has a function of reading card information recorded on a credit card inserted through a card insertion slot. The card information read by the reading unit 112 is output to the control unit 130. For example, the card information may be recorded on an IC chip or magnetic stripe of the credit card. A failure of the reading unit 112 to read the credit card can be detected by the control unit 130 as a credit card reading error.

[0041] The imaging unit 114 has an image sensor, and captures an image (hereinafter also referred to as a "card image") of part or all of the face of a credit card inserted through the card insertion slot. The face may be either the front or back of the credit card, or both. The card image captured by the imaging unit 114 is output to the control unit 130.

[0042] (Operation unit 120) The operation unit 120 accepts input of operations by a customer. The operation unit 120 may include a touch panel. For example, the operation unit 120 includes buttons corresponding to services selectable by the customer, and when the operation unit 120 accepts a button press operation by the customer, it outputs information indicating the service corresponding to the pressed button to the control unit 130. For example, the customer may be able to select information indicating the destination station as a service. The operation unit 120 may also include a key input device that allows numbers to be entered.

[0043] (control unit 130) The control unit 130 controls the operation of the ticket vending machine 10. For example, the control unit 130 determines the price corresponding to the service as the payment amount based on information indicating the service output from the operation unit 120, and controls the payment processing of the payment amount. If the payment processing is completed normally, the control unit 130 issues a ticket corresponding to the service and ejects the issued ticket from the ticket ejection slot.

[0044] Furthermore, if the payment method is cash and the amount inserted by the customer into the cash insertion slot exceeds the payment amount, the control unit 130 causes the difference between the inserted amount and the payment amount to be subtracted and cash equivalent to the difference to be dispensed as change from the cash ejection slot. Alternatively, if the payment method is credit card, the control unit 130 ejects the credit card from the card insertion slot.

[0045] The control unit 130 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the calculation device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple hardware components. Data required for calculations by the calculation device is stored appropriately in the storage unit 150.

[0046] (Communication unit 140) The communication unit 140 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the railway company call center system 20 via the network 51. The communication unit 140 also communicates with the card company system 40 via the network 53.

[0047] (Storage unit 150) The storage unit 150 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 130. The storage unit 150 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 130. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0048] (Handset call unit 160) The handset communication unit 160 is equipped with a microphone, converts the voice input from the customer to the microphone into an electrical signal, and transmits the converted electrical signal to an operator terminal connected by telephone to the handset communication unit 160. The handset communication unit 160 is also equipped with a speaker, converts the electrical signal transmitted from an operator terminal connected by telephone to the handset communication unit 160 into voice, and outputs the converted voice from the speaker. This enables a conversation between the customer and the operator.

[0049] The operator terminal connected by telephone to the handset communication unit 160 may be a railway company operator terminal 23. At this time, a call is made between the customer and the railway company operator. Alternatively, the operator terminal connected by telephone to the handset communication unit 160 may be a card company operator terminal 33. At this time, a call is made between the customer and the card company operator.

[0050] (Display section 170) The display unit 170 has a function of displaying information under the control of the control unit 130. The content displayed by the display unit 170 can be visually recognized by a customer. Here, the form of the display unit 170 is not particularly limited. For example, the display unit 170 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) device, or a display device such as a lamp.

[0051] An example of the configuration of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0052] (1-3. Configuration of the railway company server 22) An example of the configuration of the railway company server 22 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the railway company server 22 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The railway company server 22 is realized by a computer, and includes a storage unit 221, a control unit 223, and a communication unit 225, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0053] (Storage unit 221) The storage unit 221 is a memory capable of storing programs and data (e.g., card company database 222) for operating the control unit 223. The storage unit 221 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 223. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0054] The card company database 222 is a database that stores card company data in which the identification information of the card company is associated with the contact information of the card company. The contact information of the card company may include the phone number of the card company. When a call is made to the phone number of the card company, an incoming call is made to the card company operator terminal 33 in response to the call. The contact information of the card company may also include the address of the payment server 41 and the URL of a website for requesting the reissue of a credit card.

[0055] (control unit 223) The control unit 223 controls the operation of the railway company server 22. For example, the control unit 223 includes a card company identification unit 224, which can identify the card company that issued the credit card based on the card-related information transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10 and received by the communication unit 225. Note that various methods can be applied as a method for the card company identification unit 224 to identify the card company.

[0056] For example, it is conceivable that the card-related information is card information recognized from a card image. In such a case, the card company identification unit 224 may identify the card company corresponding to a code that matches a predetermined digit of the card number included in the recognized card information as the card company that issued the credit card. Note that the process of recognizing the card number from the card image may be performed by the ticket vending machine 10 or by the railway company server 22.

[0057] It is also possible that the card-related information is a card image. In such a case, the card company identification unit 224 may extract feature information from the card image and identify the card company that issued the credit card based on the extracted feature information and predetermined rules. Alternatively, the card company identification unit 224 may generate a model by machine learning using a combination of correct answer data of the card company that issued the credit card and a learning image as training data, and identify the card company that issued the credit card based on the generated model and the card image.

[0058] The control unit 223 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the arithmetic device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. At this time, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks may be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple hardware components. Data required for calculations by the arithmetic device is stored appropriately in the storage unit 221.

[0059] (Communications Department 225) The communication unit 225 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the ticket vending machine 10 via the communication control unit 21 and the network 51.

[0060] An example of the configuration of the railway company server 22 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0061] (1-4. Configuration of Railway Company Operator Terminal 23) An example of the configuration of the railway company operator terminal 23 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the railway company operator terminal 23 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, the railway company operator terminal 23 includes an operation unit 231, a control unit 232, a storage unit 233, a communication unit 234, a display unit 235, and a headset 236.

[0062] (Operation unit 231) The operation unit 231 accepts operation inputs from a railway company operator. In this specification, it is mainly assumed that the operation unit 231 is configured with a keyboard and a mouse. However, the operation unit 231 may be configured with an input device other than a keyboard and a mouse (for example, a touch panel).

[0063] (control unit 232) The control unit 232 controls the operation of the railway company operator terminal 23. For example, the control unit 232 executes a softphone to cause the railway company operator terminal 23 to function as a telephone. The control unit 232 transmits an electrical signal output from the headset 236 to the ticket vending machine 10 that is connected by telephone to the railway company operator terminal 23 via the communication unit 234. The control unit 232 also outputs to the headset 236 an electrical signal that is transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10 that is connected by telephone to the railway company operator terminal 23 and received by the communication unit 234.

[0064] The control unit 232 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the arithmetic unit expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. At this time, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple hardware components. Data required for calculations by the arithmetic unit is stored as appropriate in the storage unit 233.

[0065] (Storage unit 233) The storage unit 233 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 232. The storage unit 233 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 232. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0066] (Communication Department 234) The communication unit 234 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the ticket vending machine 10 via the communication control unit 21 and the network 51.

[0067] (Display section 235) The display unit 235 has a function of displaying information in accordance with the control of the control unit 232. The content displayed by the display unit 235 can be visually confirmed by a railway company operator. Here, the form of the display unit 235 is not particularly limited. For example, the display unit 235 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) device, or a display device such as a lamp.

[0068] (Headset 236) The headset 236 is equipped with a microphone, which converts the voice input to the microphone from the railway company operator into an electrical signal and outputs the converted electrical signal to the control unit 232. The headset 236 is also equipped with a speaker, which converts the electrical signal output from the control unit 232 into voice and outputs the converted voice, thereby enabling a conversation between the customer and the railway company operator.

[0069] An example of the configuration of the railway company operator terminal 23 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0070] (1-5. Configuration of Card Company Operator Terminal 33) An example of the configuration of the card company operator terminal 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the card company operator terminal 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 5, the card company operator terminal 33 includes an operation unit 331, a control unit 332, a storage unit 333, a communication unit 334, a display unit 335, and a headset 336.

[0071] (Operation unit 331) Operation unit 331 accepts operation inputs from a card company operator. In this specification, it is mainly assumed that operation unit 331 is configured with a keyboard and a mouse. However, operation unit 331 may also be configured with an input device other than a keyboard and a mouse (for example, a touch panel).

[0072] (control unit 332) The control unit 332 controls the operation of the card company operator terminal 33. For example, the control unit 332 executes a softphone to cause the card company operator terminal 33 to function as a telephone. The control unit 332 transmits an electrical signal output from the headset 336 to the ticket vending machine 10 that is connected by telephone to the card company operator terminal 33 via the communication unit 334. The control unit 332 also outputs to the headset 336 an electrical signal that is transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10 that is connected by telephone to the card company operator terminal 33 and received by the communication unit 334.

[0073] The control unit 332 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the arithmetic unit expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple pieces of hardware. Data required for calculations by the arithmetic unit is stored as appropriate in the storage unit 333.

[0074] (Storage unit 333) The storage unit 333 is a memory capable of storing programs and data for operating the control unit 332. The storage unit 333 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 332. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0075] (Communications Department 334) The communication unit 334 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the ticket vending machine 10 via the network 52, the communication control unit 21, and the network 51.

[0076] (Display section 335) Display unit 335 has a function of displaying information under the control of control unit 332. The content displayed by display unit 335 can be visually confirmed by a card company operator. Here, the form of display unit 335 is not particularly limited. For example, display unit 335 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) device, or a display device such as a lamp.

[0077] (Headset 336) The headset 336 is equipped with a microphone, which converts the voice input from the card company operator into an electrical signal and outputs the converted electrical signal to the control unit 332. The headset 336 is also equipped with a speaker, which converts the electrical signal output from the control unit 332 into voice and outputs the converted voice, thereby enabling a conversation between the customer and the card company operator.

[0078] An example of the configuration of the card company operator terminal 33 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0079] (1-6. Configuration of payment server 41) An example of the configuration of the payment server 41 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the payment server 41 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The payment server 41 is realized by a computer, and includes a storage unit 411, a control unit 413, and a communication unit 415, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0080] (Storage unit 411) Storage unit 411 is a memory capable of storing programs and data (e.g., payment data 412, authentication information 416, etc.) for operating control unit 413. Storage unit 411 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of control unit 413. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0081] The payment data 412 is configured by associating a card number with a payment amount. The card number in the payment data 412 is the number of the credit card used by the customer for payment. The payment amount in the payment data 412 is the amount paid by the customer using the credit card. The expression format of the payment amount does not need to be limited. For example, the payment amount may be divided into the prices of each product or service purchased by the customer.

[0082] The authentication information 416 is information required to authenticate whether the customer is the credit card holder. The authentication information 416 is configured by associating card information with a password. The card information includes information such as the card number, the cardholder's name, and the expiration date.

[0083] (Control unit 413) The control unit 413 controls the operation of the payment server 41. For example, when a payment request including a card number and a payment amount transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10 is received by the communication unit 415, the control unit 413 performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount included in the payment request. For example, the payment processing may be performed by adding payment data in which the card number included in the payment request and the payment amount are associated with each other to the payment data 412 and registering the payment data.

[0084] The control unit 413 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the arithmetic device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. At this time, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks may be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple hardware components. Data required for calculations by the arithmetic device is stored as appropriate in the storage unit 411.

[0085] (Communications Department 415) The communication unit 415 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the ticket vending machine 10 and the smartphone 80 via the network 53.

[0086] An example of the configuration of the payment server 41 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0087] (1-7. Configuration of reissued card information management server 42) An example of the configuration of the reissued card information management server 42 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the reissued card information management server 42 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The reissued card information management server 42 is realized by a computer, and as shown in Fig. 7, includes a storage unit 421, a control unit 423, and a communication unit 425.

[0088] (Storage unit 421) The storage unit 421 is a memory capable of storing programs and data (e.g., reissued card information 422) for operating the control unit 423. The storage unit 421 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 423. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0089] The reissued card information 422 includes a card number. The card number included in the reissued card information 422 is the number of the credit card to be reissued.

[0090] (Control unit 423) The control unit 423 controls the operation of the reissued card information management server 42. For example, based on the card number of the credit card to be reissued being transmitted from the smartphone 80 and received by the communication unit 425, the control unit 423 may add and register the card number of the credit card to be reissued to the reissued card information 422. This allows the card company staff to carry out the reissue work of the credit card corresponding to the card number registered in the reissued card information 422.

[0091] The control unit 423 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the calculation device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. At this time, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks may be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple hardware components. Data required for calculations by the calculation device is stored appropriately in the storage unit 421.

[0092] (Communications Department 425) The communication unit 425 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the ticket vending machine 10 and the smartphone 80 via the network 53.

[0093] An example of the configuration of the reissued card information management server 42 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0094] (1-8. Overview of Processing System 1) 1 to 7, an overview of the operation of the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In section (1-8. Overview of Operation of Processing System 1), the overview of the operation of the processing system 1 will be described assuming a case where it is not necessary to identify the card company that issued the credit card (for example, when there is only one card company or when the customer inputs an operation to select one card company). A case where it is necessary to identify the card company that issued the credit card (for example, when there are multiple card companies) will be described in the next section (1-9. Detailed Operation Example of Processing System 1). In the ticket vending machine 10, when the operation unit 120 receives a button press operation by the customer, it outputs information indicating a service corresponding to the pressed button to the control unit 130. Based on the information indicating the service output from the operation unit 120, the control unit 130 determines the price corresponding to the service as the payment amount.

[0095] The reading unit 112 attempts to read the card information recorded on the credit card inserted through the card insertion slot. If an error occurs in reading the card information, the control unit 130 detects the card information reading error. Note that the error detected by the control unit 130 may be an error in payment using a credit card other than an error in reading the card information.

[0096] When a card information reading error is detected, the imaging unit 114 captures a part or all of the face of the credit card to obtain a card image. The control unit 130 controls the communication unit 140 to transmit the card image obtained by the imaging unit 114 to the card company operator terminal 33. For example, the control unit 130 may control the communication unit 140 to transmit the card image to the card company operator terminal 33 via the network 51 and the communication control unit 21. Alternatively, the control unit 130 may control the communication unit 140 to transmit the card image to the card company operator terminal 33 via the network 53. Note that, when a customer inputs an operation to select one card company, the operation may be input when a card information reading error is detected. In other words, when a card information reading error is detected, the control unit 130 may cause the display unit 170 to display card company selection buttons corresponding to each of multiple card companies. The control unit 130 may also control the communication unit 140 so that when a customer inputs an operation to select one of the card company selection buttons into the operation unit 120, a card image is sent to the card company operator terminal 33 of the card company corresponding to the selected card company selection button.

[0097] In the card company operator terminal 33, the communication unit 334 receives the card image, and the display unit 335 displays the card image and presents it to the card company operator based on the card image. The card company operator visually recognizes the card number, cardholder name, and expiration date from the card image. The card image is an example of card-related information, which is information related to a credit card. Therefore, the display unit 335 may present other card-related information to the card company operator.

[0098] For example, the other card-related information may be card information. The card information may include a card number, a cardholder's name, and an expiration date. The card information may be recognized from a card image by the ticket vending machine 10 or the railway company server 22 and transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10 or the railway company server 22 to the card company operator terminal 33, or may be recognized from the card image by the card company operator terminal 33.

[0099] When the card information visually recognized from the card image is input to the operation unit 331 by the card company operator, the control unit 332 acquires the card information input to the operation unit 331 .

[0100] When the card information is recognized from the card image by the ticket vending machine 10, the railway company server 22, or the card company operator terminal 33, the recognized card information may be used instead of the card information input by the card company operator to the operation unit 331. Furthermore, the authentication information may be stored in a device external to the card company operator terminal 33, or may be acquired by the control unit 332 from the external device.

[0101] The card company operator terminal 33 and the ticket vending machine 10 are connected by telephone. Therefore, a conversation can be held between the customer and the card company operator by telephone, with the customer using the handset communication unit 160 and the card company operator using the headset 336. The card company operator asks the customer for a password during the call and enters the password answered by the customer into the operation unit 331. The control unit 332 acquires the password entered into the operation unit 331 and controls the communication unit 334 so that the acquired password and the already acquired card information are sent to the payment server 41 via the network 53 as authentication information.

[0102] In the payment server 41, the communication unit 415 receives authentication information from the card company operator terminal 33, and the control unit 413 determines whether the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has been pre-registered (i.e., whether it is included in the authentication information 416 stored in the memory unit 411).

[0103] When the control unit 413 determines that the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has been registered in advance, the control unit 413 controls the communication unit 415 so that a message indicating successful authentication is returned to the card company operator terminal 33. On the other hand, when the control unit 413 determines that the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has not been registered in advance, the control unit 413 controls the communication unit 415 so that a message indicating unsuccessful authentication is returned to the card company operator terminal 33.

[0104] In the card company operator terminal 33, when the communication unit 334 receives a message indicating successful authentication, the display unit 335 displays the message, and the card company operator notifies the customer of the successful authentication via telephone. On the other hand, in the card company operator terminal 33, when the communication unit 334 receives a message indicating unsuccessful authentication, the display unit 335 displays the message, and the card company operator notifies the customer of the unsuccessful authentication via telephone. At this time, the customer can also request a card reissue from the card company operator via telephone.

[0105] When communication unit 334 receives a successful authentication, it transmits the card number accepted by the card company operator to ticket vending machine 10 via network 52, communication control unit 21, and network 51. When communication unit 140 in ticket vending machine 10 receives the card number from card company operator terminal 33, it transmits a payment request including the card number and the payment amount to payment server 41.

[0106] It is also possible that the card information is recognized from the card image by the ticket vending machine 10 or the card company operator terminal 33. In such a case, the payment request may include the card number contained in the card information recognized from the card image by the ticket vending machine 10 or the card company operator terminal 33, instead of the card number accepted by the card company operator.

[0107] In the payment server 41, the control unit 413 performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount included in the payment request, based on the payment request received by the communication unit 415. With this configuration, payment using a credit card can be made even if a credit card reading error occurs.

[0108] More specifically, the card company operator terminal 33, to which the card-related information is sent, belongs to the card company that issued the credit card, and this card company can be identified by the railway company server 22. Below, we will explain a detailed example of the operation of the processing system 1 when the card company that issued the credit card is identified by the railway company server 22.

[0109] The outline of the operation of the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0110] (1-9. Detailed operation example of processing system 1) Next, a detailed operation example of the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13 (and also with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 as appropriate).

[0111] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the processing system 1, focusing on the operation of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the operation of S30 shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the operation of S40 shown in Fig. 8.

[0112] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the ticket vending machine 10 is connected by telephone to the railway company operator terminal 23 via the network 51 and the communication control unit 21. Therefore, a customer can make a call to the railway company operator terminal 23 using the handset communication unit 160, and once the railway company operator answers the call, the customer can ask questions about the ticket vending machine 10 through the call with the railway company operator.

[0113] When the operation unit 120 receives a button press operation by the customer, it outputs information indicating the service corresponding to the pressed button to the control unit 130. Based on the information indicating the service output from the operation unit 120, the control unit 130 determines the price corresponding to the service as the payment amount (S12).

[0114] Display unit 170 displays a payment method selection screen for selecting a payment method. The payment method selection screen includes a credit card selection button for selecting a credit card as a payment method. The payment method selection screen also includes selection buttons for selecting other payment methods. Here, it is assumed that the payment method selection screen includes a cash selection button.

[0115] When the operation unit 120 receives an operation from the customer to press the cash selection button ("Cash" in S14), and when the amount inserted by the customer into the cash slot exceeds the payment amount, the control unit 130 causes cash equivalent to the difference between the amount inserted and the payment amount to be dispensed as change from the cash outlet (S16).

[0116] On the other hand, when the reading unit 112 receives an operation from the customer to press the credit card selection button ("Credit card" in S14), it attempts to read the card information recorded on the credit card inserted through the card insertion slot.

[0117] If the card information is read normally and no card information reading error is detected ("NO" in S18), the control unit 130 controls the communication unit 140 to send a payment request including the card number contained in the read card information and the determined payment amount to the payment server 41 (S20).

[0118] In the payment server 41, the control unit 413 performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount included in the payment request, based on the payment request received by the communication unit 415. The payment processing can be performed by adding and registering payment data in which the card number included in the payment request and the payment amount are associated with each other to the payment data 412. If the payment processing is completed successfully, the operation proceeds to S70.

[0119] On the other hand, if a card information read error occurs and the control unit 130 detects a card information read error (YES in S18), the control unit 130 controls the display of the menu screen by the display unit 170 (S22).

[0120] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, the menu screen G10 includes a payment method reselection button B11 for reselecting a payment method. The menu screen G10 also includes a card company inquiry button B12 for making an inquiry to the card company. The menu screen G10 also includes a smartphone reissue request button B13 for requesting a credit card reissue using a smartphone. The menu screen G10 also includes a cancel button B14 for closing the menu selection screen G10.

[0121] When the operation unit 120 receives an instruction from the customer to press the payment method reselection button B11 ("reselect" in S24), the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, when the operation unit 120 receives an instruction from the customer to press the card company inquiry button B12 ("inquiry" in S24), the inquiry sequence S30 is executed.

[0122] The inquiry sequence S30 will be described with reference to Figure 9. In the ticket vending machine 10, the imaging unit 114 captures a part or all of the face of a credit card to obtain a card image. The control unit 130 controls the communication unit 140 so that the card image obtained by the imaging unit 114 is transmitted to the railway company server 22 via the network 51 and the communication control unit 21 (S302).

[0123] In the railway company server 22, the communication unit 225 receives the card image (S304), and the card company identification unit 224 identifies the card company that issued the credit card based on the card image using the method described above (S306).

[0124] If the card number is recognized from the card image by the ticket vending machine 10 or the railway company server 22, the card company identification unit 224 may identify the card company that issued the credit card based on the card number, as already explained. The control unit 223 acquires from the card company database 222 the telephone number of the card company that issued the credit card, which is associated with the identification information of the card company.

[0125] The control unit 223 sends a connection request including the acquired card company telephone number to the communication control unit 21 (S308). When the communication control unit 21 receives the connection request (S310), it controls a telephone connection between the card company operator terminal 33 and the ticket vending machine 10 based on the card company telephone number included in the connection request and the telephone number of the ticket vending machine 10 (S312). This enables a conversation between the customer and the card company operator via telephone. For example, under the control of the communication control unit 21, the card company operator terminal 33 and the ticket vending machine 10 can be connected by telephone via the communication control unit 21. When the telephone connection is made, the display unit 170 displays a call prompting screen to prompt the customer to make a call with the card company operator.

[0126] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a call guidance screen. Referring to Fig. 12, a call guidance screen G20 is shown. The call guidance screen G20 includes a message urging the customer to pick up the handset communication unit 160 to talk to a card company operator, and a cancel button B21 for closing the call guidance screen G20. Note that the call guidance screen G20 may be automatically closed when a call between the customer and the card company operator has started.

[0127] 9, the explanation will be continued. The customer uses the handset communication unit 160 to make a call to the card company operator terminal 33, and when the call is answered by the card company operator, a call with the card company operator begins (S314). In the railway company server 22, the communication unit 225 transmits the card image to the card company operator terminal 33 via the communication control unit 21 and the network 52 (S316).

[0128] In the card company operator terminal 33, the communication unit 334 receives the card image (S318), and the display unit 335 displays the card image (S320), and presents it to the card company operator based on the card image. The card company operator visually recognizes the card number, cardholder name, and expiration date from the card image. As described above, recognition of card information does not have to be limited to visual recognition by the card company operator.

[0129] The card company operator asks the customer for a password over the phone, acquires the password answered by the customer over the phone, and controls the communication unit 334 so that the acquired password and the already acquired card information are sent to the settlement server 41 via the network 53 as authentication information.

[0130] In the settlement server 41, the communication unit 415 receives authentication information from the card company operator terminal 33, and the control unit 413 determines whether the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has been registered in advance (i.e., whether the authentication information is included in the authentication information 416 stored in the storage unit 411). Here, it is assumed that the authentication is successful. In such a case, the control unit 413 controls the communication unit 415 so that a message indicating successful authentication is returned to the card company operator terminal 33.

[0131] In the card company operator terminal 33, the communication unit 334 receives the authentication success, the display unit 335 displays the authentication success (S322), and the card company operator notifies the customer of the authentication success by telephone.

[0132] The communication unit 334 transmits the card number accepted by the card company operator and the address of the payment server 41 corresponding to the card company to the ticket vending machine 10 via the network 52, the communication control unit 21, and the network 51 (S324). In the ticket vending machine 10, the communication unit 140 receives the card number and the address of the payment server 41 from the card company operator terminal 33 (S326). As described above, the card number sent from the card company operator terminal 33 to the ticket vending machine 10 does not have to be limited to the card number accepted by the card company operator.

[0133] Returning to Figure 8, the explanation will continue. In ticket vending machine 10, when communication unit 140 receives a message indicating successful authentication, control unit 130 controls communication unit 140 to send a payment request including the card number received by communication unit 140 and the determined payment amount to payment server 41, based on the address of payment server 41 (S50). Ticket vending machine 10 ejects the credit card from the card insertion slot and returns it to the customer.

[0134] In the payment server 41, the control unit 413 performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount included in the payment request, based on the payment request received by the communication unit 415. The payment processing can be performed as described above. If the payment processing is completed normally, the ticket vending machine 10 issues a ticket corresponding to the service and ejects the issued ticket from the ticket ejection slot (S70).

[0135] Returning to the explanation of S24, when the operation unit 120 receives an operation from the customer to press the reissue request button B13 ("reissue" in S24), a reissue sequence S40 using the smartphone 80 is executed.

[0136] The reissue sequence S40 using smartphone 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. S402 to S406 can be executed in the same manner as S302 to S306 shown in Fig. 9. Control unit 223 acquires from card company database 222 the URL of a credit card reissue request site associated with the identification information of the card company that issued the credit card.

[0137] In the railway company server 22, the control unit 223 generates a two-dimensional code by encoding the URL of the reissue request site, and controls the communication unit 225 to transmit the generated two-dimensional code to the ticket vending machine 10 (S408). In the ticket vending machine 10, the communication unit 140 receives the two-dimensional code (S410), and the display unit 170 displays a reading guidance screen including the two-dimensional code (S412). The ticket vending machine 10 ejects the credit card from the card insertion slot and returns it to the customer.

[0138] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reading prompt screen. Referring to Fig. 13, the reading prompt screen G30 includes a message prompting the user to read the two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code, and a cancel button B31 for closing the reading prompt screen G30.

[0139] Continuing the explanation, returning to Figure 10, when the customer holds smartphone 80 over the two-dimensional code included in reading guidance screen G30, smartphone 80 reads the two-dimensional code (S414), decodes the read two-dimensional code to obtain the URL of a site for requesting reissue of a credit card, and transmits a request to access the location indicated by the obtained URL to reissue card information management server 42 (S416).

[0140] In the reissue card information management server 42, when the communication unit 425 receives the access request (S418), it transmits the web page of the credit card reissue request site as a reissue request page to the smartphone 80 (S420). The smartphone 80 receives the reissue request page (S422) and displays the received reissue request page (S424).

[0141] The smartphone 80 receives the card number of the credit card to be reissued from the customer on the reissue request page (S426), and when the confirmation button is pressed, transmits the card number to the reissue card information management server 42 (S428).

[0142] In the reissued card information management server 42, the communication unit 425 receives the card number (S430), and the control unit 423 adds and registers the card number received by the communication unit 425 to the reissued card information 422 stored in the storage unit 421. This allows the card company staff to carry out the reissue work of the credit card corresponding to the card number registered in the reissued card information 422.

[0143] (1-10. Effects of the First Embodiment) As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to make a payment using a credit card even if a credit card reading error occurs. Furthermore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when a credit card reading error occurs, it is possible to quickly request a card company to reissue a card using a smartphone.

[0144] (2. Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 18. In the following, a description of common parts between the second embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted, and only parts of the second embodiment of the present invention that are different from the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0145] (2-1. Processing system configuration) An example of the configuration of a processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the card company call center system 30 is connected to a network 52, but in the processing system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the card company call center system 30 is connected to a network 53.

[0146] Furthermore, in the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the online payment system 70 does not need to be present, but in the processing system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the online payment system 70 is present and connected to the network 53. Furthermore, in the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the railway company call center system 20 is connected to the network 51, and the railway company call center system 20 includes the communication control unit 21 and the railway company server 22, but in the processing system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the railway company call center system 60 is connected to the network 51, and the railway company call center system 60 does not need to include the communication control unit 21 and the railway company server 22.

[0147] In the second embodiment of the present invention, examples of the configuration of the ticket vending machine 10, railway company operator terminal 23, card company operator terminal 33, payment server 41, and reissued card information management server 42 will also be described using Figures 2, 4 to 7.

[0148] (2-2. Configuration of online payment system 70) An example of the configuration of online payment system 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of online payment system 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Online payment system 70 is realized by a computer, and as shown in Fig. 15, includes a storage unit 710, a control unit 720, and a communication unit 730.

[0149] (Storage unit 710) The storage unit 710 is a memory capable of storing programs and data (e.g., card company database 722) for operating the control unit 720. The storage unit 710 can also temporarily store various data required in the course of operation of the control unit 720. For example, the storage device may be a non-volatile memory.

[0150] The card company database 722 has the same configuration as the card company database 222 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0151] (Control unit 720) The control unit 720 controls the operation of the online payment system 70. For example, the control unit 720 includes a card company identification unit 724, which can identify the card company that issued the credit card based on the card number included in the authentication information transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10 and received by the communication unit 730. Note that various methods can be used for the card company identification unit 724 to identify the card company.

[0152] For example, the card company identification unit 724, like the card company identification unit 224 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, may identify the card company corresponding to a code that matches a predetermined number of digits of the card number included in the authentication information as the card company that issued the credit card.

[0153] The control unit 720 includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its functions can be realized by the calculation device expanding a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executing it. In this case, a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded can also be provided. Alternatively, these blocks can be configured with dedicated hardware or a combination of multiple hardware components. Data required for calculations by the calculation device is stored appropriately in the storage unit 710.

[0154] (Communication unit 730) The communication unit 730 is configured by a communication interface, and communicates with the ticket vending machine 10 and the smartphone 80 via the network 53.

[0155] An example of the configuration of the online payment system 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0156] (2-3. Overview of Processing System 2) Next, an overview of the operation of the processing system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, a case where an error occurs in reading the card information is assumed. In this case, the control unit 130 detects the error in reading the card information.

[0157] The control unit 130 acquires the authentication information input to the operation unit 120 by the customer based on the detection of an error in reading the card information.

[0158] When a card image is obtained by imaging unit 114 and card information is recognized from the card image by ticket vending machine 10 or online payment system 70, the recognized card information and a password received from the customer by operation unit 120 may be used as authentication information instead of the authentication information input by the customer. Also, the authentication information may be stored in a device external to online payment system 70, or may be obtained by control unit 720 from the external device.

[0159] The control unit 130 controls the communication unit 140 so that the authentication information is sent to the online payment system 70 via the network 53. In the online payment system 70, the communication unit 730 receives the authentication information. The control unit 720 controls the communication unit 730 so that the authentication information is sent to the payment server 41 via the network 53.

[0160] In the payment server 41, the communication unit 415 receives authentication information from the card company operator terminal 33, and the control unit 413 determines whether the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has been pre-registered (i.e., whether it is included in the authentication information 416 stored in the memory unit 411).

[0161] When the control unit 413 determines that the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has been registered in advance, the control unit 413 controls the communication unit 415 so that a message indicating successful authentication is returned to the online payment system 70. On the other hand, when the control unit 413 determines that the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has not been registered in advance, the control unit 413 controls the communication unit 415 so that a message indicating unsuccessful authentication is returned to the online payment system 70.

[0162] In the online payment system 70, when the communication unit 730 receives a notification of authentication failure, it transmits the notification of authentication failure to the ticket vending machine 10 via the network 53. In the ticket vending machine 10, when the communication unit 140 receives a notification of authentication failure from the online payment system 70, it does not transmit a payment request to the payment server 41.

[0163] Meanwhile, in online payment system 70, when communication unit 730 receives a message of successful authentication, it transmits the message to ticket vending machine 10 via network 53. In ticket vending machine 10, when communication unit 140 receives a message of successful authentication from online payment system 70, it transmits a payment request including the card number and payment amount to payment server 41.

[0164] It is also possible that the card information is recognized from the card image by the ticket vending machine 10 or the online payment system 70. In such a case, the payment request may include the card number contained in the card information recognized from the card image by the ticket vending machine 10 or the online payment system 70, instead of the card number accepted from the customer.

[0165] In the payment server 41, the control unit 413 performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount included in the payment request, based on the payment request received by the communication unit 415. With this configuration, payment using a credit card can be made even if a credit card reading error occurs.

[0166] More specifically, the payment server 41 to which the payment request is sent is a server corresponding to the card company that issued the credit card, and this card company can be identified by the online payment system 70. Below, we will explain a detailed example of the operation of the processing system 2 when the card company that issued the credit card is identified by the online payment system 70.

[0167] The outline of the operation of the processing system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0168] (2-4. Detailed operation example of processing system 2) Next, a detailed operation example of the processing system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18 (and also with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 7 as appropriate).

[0169] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the processing system 2, focusing on the operation of the ticket vending machine 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0170] In the second embodiment of the present invention, the ticket vending machine 10 is connected by telephone to the railway company operator terminal 23 via the network 51. Therefore, a customer can use the handset communication unit 160 to make a call to the railway company operator terminal 23, and once the railway company operator answers the call, the customer can ask questions about the ticket vending machine 10 through the call with the railway company operator.

[0171] S12 to S18 shown in Fig. 16 may be executed in the same manner as S12 to S18 shown in Fig. 8. When a card information read error occurs and the control unit 130 detects the card information read error ("YES" in S18), the control unit 130 controls the display of the menu screen by the display unit 170 (S82).

[0172] Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 17, the menu screen G40 includes a payment method reselection button B41 for reselecting the payment method. The menu screen G40 also includes an online payment use button B42 for using online payment.

[0173] The menu screen G40 also includes a smartphone reissue request button B43 for requesting a credit card reissue using a smartphone. The menu screen G40 also includes a card company inquiry button B44 for making an inquiry to the card company. The menu screen G40 also includes a cancel button B45 for closing the menu screen G40.

[0174] If the operation unit 120 receives an instruction from the customer to press the payment method reselection button B41 ("reselect" in S84), the operation proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if the operation unit 120 receives an instruction from the customer to press the online payment use button B42 ("online payment" in S84), the ticket vending machine 10 connects to the online payment system 70 via the network 53 (S86).

[0175] In the online payment system 70, when the online payment system 70 and the ticket vending machine 10 are connected, the communication unit 730 transmits an authentication information input screen to the ticket vending machine 10, and in the ticket vending machine 10, the communication unit 140 receives the authentication information input screen, and the display unit 170 displays the authentication information input screen.

[0176] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an authentication information input screen. Referring to Fig. 18, the authentication information input screen G50 includes a card number input field C51, a cardholder's last name input field C52, a cardholder's first name input field C53, an expiration date month input field C54, an expiration date year input field C55, and a password input field C56. The authentication information input screen G50 also includes a send button B50 for sending the input details and a cancel button B51 for closing the authentication information input screen G50.

[0177] For example, if the operation unit 120 is equipped with a key input device capable of inputting numbers, the customer can enter the card number in the card number input field C51, the expiration month in the expiration month input field C54, the expiration year in the expiration year input field C55, and the password in the password input field C56 by inputting numbers from the key input device.

[0178] In addition, if the display unit 170 displays a software keyboard that can be used to input pseudonyms and the operation unit 120 is capable of accepting key input on the software keyboard, the customer can enter the holder's last name in the holder's last name input field C52 and the holder's first name in the holder's first name input field C53 by inputting pseudonyms from the software keyboard.

[0179] The contents entered in C51 to C56 may be displayed in C51 to C56. However, to prevent the contents entered in C51 to C56 from being known to other customers, some or all of the contents entered in C51 to C56 may be displayed with specific symbols such as "***".

[0180] Operation unit 120 accepts the details entered by the customer in fields C51 to C56 as authentication information (S88). When operation unit 120 accepts the customer's operation of pressing send button B50, communication unit 140 transmits the authentication information to online payment system 70. In online payment system 70, communication unit 730 receives the authentication information.

[0181] The card company identification unit 724 identifies the card company that issued the credit card using a method similar to the method used by the card company identification unit 224 according to the first embodiment of the present invention to identify the card company, based on the card number included in the authentication information received by the communication unit 730. The control unit 720 controls the communication unit 730 so that the authentication information is sent via the network 53 to the payment server 41 corresponding to the card company.

[0182] In the payment server 41, the communication unit 415 receives authentication information from the card company operator terminal 33, and the control unit 413 determines whether the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has been pre-registered (i.e., whether it is included in the authentication information 416 stored in the memory unit 411).

[0183] If the control unit 413 determines that the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has been registered in advance, the control unit 413 controls the communication unit 415 so that a message indicating successful authentication and the address of the payment server 41 corresponding to the card company are returned to the online payment system 70. On the other hand, if the control unit 413 determines that the authentication information received by the communication unit 415 has not been registered in advance, the control unit 413 controls the communication unit 415 so that a message indicating unsuccessful authentication is returned to the online payment system 70.

[0184] As described above, the card information included in the authentication information may be recognized from a card image by the ticket vending machine 10 or the online payment system 70. The authentication information may also be stored in a device external to the online payment system 70.

[0185] If it is determined that the authentication information received by the communication unit 730 has been registered in advance, the communication unit 730 transmits a message indicating successful authentication and the address of the payment server 41 corresponding to the card company to the ticket vending machine 10 via the network 53. In the ticket vending machine 10, the communication unit 140 receives the message indicating successful authentication and the address of the payment server 41 from the online payment system 70.

[0186] In ticket vending machine 10, when communication unit 140 receives successful authentication and the address of payment server 41, control unit 130 controls communication unit 140 to send a payment request including the card number and the determined payment amount to payment server 41 based on the address of payment server 41 (S50). Ticket vending machine 10 ejects the credit card from the card insertion slot and returns it to the customer.

[0187] In the payment server 41, the control unit 413 performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount included in the payment request, based on the payment request received by the communication unit 415. The payment processing can be performed as described above. If the payment processing is completed normally, the ticket vending machine 10 issues a ticket corresponding to the service and ejects the issued ticket from the ticket ejection slot (S70).

[0188] Returning to the explanation of S84, when the operation unit 120 receives an operation from the customer to press the reissue request button B43 ("reissue" in S84), a reissue sequence S89 using the smartphone 80 is executed.

[0189] The reissue sequence S89 using the smartphone 80 may be performed in much the same way as S40 shown in Fig. 10, but instead of S402, the ticket vending machine 10 may send authentication information, instead of S404, the online payment system 70 may receive authentication information, and instead of S408, the card company may be identified by the card company identification unit 724. The sending of authentication information by the ticket vending machine 10, the reception of authentication information by the online payment system 70, and the identification of the card company by the card company identification unit 724 may be performed in the same way as when the card company inquiry button B43 is pressed.

[0190] Returning to FIG. 16, when the operation unit 120 receives an instruction from the customer to press the card company inquiry button B44 ("Inquiry" in S84), the ticket vending machine 10 connects to the online payment system 70 via the network 53 (S90).

[0191] In the online payment system 70, when the online payment system 70 and the ticket vending machine 10 are connected, the communication unit 730 transmits an authentication information input screen G50 to the ticket vending machine 10, and in the ticket vending machine 10, the communication unit 140 receives the authentication information input screen G50, and the display unit 170 displays the authentication information input screen G50.

[0192] Operation unit 120 accepts the details entered by the customer in fields C51 to C56 as authentication information (S92). When operation unit 120 accepts the customer's operation of pressing send button B50, communication unit 140 transmits the authentication information to online payment system 70. In online payment system 70, communication unit 730 receives the authentication information.

[0193] The card company identification unit 724 identifies the card company that issued the credit card using a method similar to the method used by the card company identification unit 224 according to the first embodiment of the present invention to identify a card company, based on the card number included in the authentication information received by the communication unit 730. The control unit 720 obtains from the card company database 722 the telephone number of the card company that issued the credit card, which is associated with the identification information of the card company that issued the credit card.

[0194] The control unit 720 controls the telephone connection between the card company operator terminal 33 and the ticket vending machine 10 based on the telephone number of the card company and the telephone number of the ticket vending machine 10 (S94). This enables the customer to communicate with the card company operator over the telephone. Once the telephone connection is established, the display unit 170 displays a call prompting screen G20 to prompt the customer to speak to the card company operator.

[0195] When the customer uses the handset communication unit 160 to make a call to the card company operator terminal 33 and the card company operator answers the call, a call with the card company operator begins. The customer can make various inquiries to the card company operator over the call. For example, the customer can request a card reissue over the call.

[0196] (2-5. Effects of the Second Embodiment) As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to make a payment using a credit card even if a credit card reading error occurs. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, if a credit card reading error occurs, it is possible to quickly request a card reissue from the card company using a smartphone. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, if a credit card reading error occurs, the customer can also make various inquiries to the card company operator.

[0197] (3. Supplementary Information) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0198] For example, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a case has been described in which a password answered by a customer over the phone is entered into operation unit 331. However, the customer may also be able to enter the password into operation unit 120 provided in ticket vending machine 10. For example, the password may be entered into a key input device capable of entering numbers included in operation unit 120. In this case, control unit 130 controls communication unit 140 to transmit the password accepted by operation unit 120 via network 51, communication control unit 21, and network 52 (or via network 53). In the card company operator terminal 33, communication unit 334 may receive the password, and display unit 335 may display the password. This allows the card company operator to visually check the displayed password and enter it into operation unit 331. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 1, 2 Processing System 10 Ticket Machine 21 Communication control unit 22 Railway company server 23 Railway operator terminal 33 Card company operator terminal 41 Payment Server 42 Reissued card information management server 70 Online payment system

Claims

1. a customer operation terminal that transmits card-related information related to the credit card upon detecting an error in a payment using the customer's credit card; an operator terminal that receives the card-related information, presents the card-related information to an operator, and accepts a password from the operator; a payment server that performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount included in the authentication information, based on the determination that the card information of the credit card and authentication information including the password have been registered in advance; A processing system comprising:

2. The customer operation terminal determines the price corresponding to the product or service selected by the customer as the payment amount. The processing system of claim 1 .

3. the processing system includes a provider affiliate server that is a server of a provider affiliate related to the provision of the product or the service; the customer operation terminal transmits the card-related information to the operator terminal via the provider affiliated company server; The processing system of claim 2 .

4. the customer operation terminal, upon detecting the occurrence of the error, transmits the card-related information to the provider affiliated company server; the providing affiliated company server receives the card-related information, identifies the card company that issued the credit card based on the card-related information or the card number included in the card-related information, and transmits the card-related information to the operator terminal of the identified card company; The processing system of claim 3 .

5. the processing system includes a communication control unit; the communication control unit controls a telephone connection between the operator terminal of the card company identified by the provider affiliated company server and the customer operation terminal, thereby enabling a telephone conversation between the customer and the operator. The processing system of claim 4 .

6. the password is received by the operator terminal from the operator after the telephone connection is made; The processing system of claim 5 .

7. the customer operation terminal transmits the card number and the payment amount to the payment server based on the determination that the authentication information has been registered in advance; the payment server performs the payment process based on the card number and the payment amount. The processing system of claim 1 .

8. the card-related information is a card image obtained by capturing an image of a part or all of the face of the credit card by an imaging unit, The card information is recognized from the card image or received from the operator. The processing system of claim 1 .

9. The card-related information is card information recognized from a card image obtained by capturing an image of a part or all of the face of the credit card by an imaging unit. The processing system of claim 1 .

10. a customer operation terminal that, upon detecting an error in a payment using a customer's credit card, acquires authentication information necessary to authenticate whether the customer is the cardholder of the credit card and transmits the authentication information; a payment server that performs payment processing based on the card number and payment amount of the credit card based on the determination that the authentication information has been registered in advance; A processing system comprising:

11. the authentication information is received from the customer by the customer operation terminal; The processing system of claim 10.

12. the authentication information includes card information recognized from a card image obtained by capturing an image of a part or all of the face of the credit card by an imaging unit, and a password received from the customer by the customer operation terminal; The processing system of claim 10.

13. The card number is included in the authentication information. The processing system of claim 10.

14. The processing system includes: an online payment system that receives the authentication information from the customer operation terminal, identifies the card company that issued the credit card based on the card number included in the authentication information, and transmits the authentication information to the payment server corresponding to the identified card company; The processing system of claim 10.

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