Payment device, program thereof, and payment method

Abstract

To reliably perform a process of providing services for transactions with customers who are eligible to receive services such as points.SOLUTION: A payment device acquires a data file that records data pertaining to the sale of items entered by a terminal operated by a customer at a sales floor. The payment device notifies the customer to confirm whether or not the customer has service identifying information to identify a service to be provided to the customer, and waits for the customer to input an indication as to whether or not the customer has the service identifying information. If the payment device receives an instruction input to the effect that the customer has the service identifying information in response to the notification, the payment device accepts the input of the service identifying information. The payment device processes the service identified by the service identifying information that has been accepted for input to provide the service to the customer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a payment device, a program for causing a computer to function as the payment device, and a payment method. [Background technology]

[0002] There are already known transaction processing systems in which customers operate a terminal such as a smartphone to input data related to the purchased products themselves in a sales floor where products are displayed, and then pay for the purchased products themselves by operating a dedicated payment device. By introducing this type of transaction processing system in retail stores such as supermarkets, there is no longer a need for customers to input data related to the purchased products into the payment device, which has the advantage of reducing the time required for payment.

[0003] Meanwhile, many retail stores have introduced point service systems for the purpose of sales promotion. This system calculates points based on the content of transactions with customers who have become members and awards those points to the customers. Customers can obtain various benefits by accumulating the awarded points. However, in order to receive points, it is necessary to input service-specific information, such as a membership number, into the payment device before making a payment, which identifies the customer as a member of the point service system. For this reason, in the case of the transaction processing system described above, because customers operate the payment device themselves, there are cases where they forget to input their membership number and are not awarded points.

[0004] Under these circumstances, there is a demand for a settlement device that can reliably execute processing to provide services such as points to customers who are eligible for such services in transactions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3204571 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a payment device, program, and payment method that can execute processing to reliably provide services in transactions with customers who are eligible for services such as points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the payment device includes an acquisition means, a notification means, a reception means, a provision means, and a payment means. The acquisition means acquires a data file recording data related to product sales entered into a terminal operated by a customer in the sales area. The notification means, on condition that the acquisition means has acquired the data file, issues a notification to confirm whether the customer has service specifying information for identifying a service to be provided to the customer and waits for an instruction input indicating whether or not the customer has the service specifying information. If the reception means receives an instruction input indicating that the customer has the service specifying information in response to the notification, it accepts the input of the service specifying information. The provision means performs processing to provide the customer with a service identified by the service specifying information accepted by the acceptance means. If the payment means receives an instruction input indicating that the customer does not have the service specifying information in response to the notification, or after the acceptance means accepts the input of the service specifying information, it executes payment processing based on the data in the data file acquired by the acquisition means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment including a transaction processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram used to explain the main functions of the shopping support terminal and the virtual POS server. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment machine. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the information processing procedure executed by the processor of the checkout machine in accordance with the payment program. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the information processing procedure executed by the processor of the checkout machine in accordance with the payment program. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the information processing procedure executed by the processor of the checkout machine in accordance with the payment program. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an example of a points confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel of the cashier machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an excerpt of a part of the information processing executed by the processor of the checkout machine in accordance with the payment program in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example of a transaction processing system is shown in which a customer operates a terminal in a sales floor where products are displayed, inputs data related to the products they have purchased, and then operates a dedicated payment device to make a settlement including the payment for the purchased products. The premise is that the store in which this transaction processing system is implemented will have a point service system. Point service systems include an in-house point service system and a shared point service system. An in-house point service system is a service that provides customers with points that can only be used at a specific store. A shared point service system is a service that provides customers with points that can be used at multiple stores or services. The store has implemented both the in-house point service system and the shared point service system.

[0010] Hereinafter, points under the company's point service system will be referred to as company points. Points under the common point service system will be referred to as common points. Customers who receive company points will have a company point card. The company's point card has a company point membership number recorded as service-specific information. Customers who receive common points will have a common point card. The common point card has a common point membership number recorded as service-specific information.

[0011] [Transaction processing system configuration explanation] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment including a transaction processing system 1. This embodiment includes the transaction processing system 1, a shopping support terminal 2, a company's point server 3, a common point server 4, and a communication network 5. The communication network 5 is a wide-area network that uses a public line or a dedicated line as a relay network and a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, a mobile communication network, a mobile phone communication network, or the like as an access network. The communication network 5 may also be a narrow-area network such as a wired or wireless LAN.

[0012] The company point server 3 is a computer specialized for company point management services. The company point server 3 has a database that stores information such as accumulated points in association with company point member numbers.

[0013] The common point server 4 is a computer specialized for common point management services, and has a database that stores information such as accumulated points in association with common point membership numbers.

[0014] The shopping support terminal 2 is a terminal used by customers to input data related to purchased items themselves. The shopping support terminal 2 is a portable terminal equipped with an input device, a display device, a wireless unit, and an imaging device required to read code symbols such as two-dimensional codes or barcodes. For example, a commercially available smartphone or tablet terminal equipped with a digital camera can be used as the shopping support terminal 2.

[0015] The transaction processing system 1 includes a store server 11, a communication server 12, a virtual POS (Point Of Sales) server 13, a payment machine 14, an access point 15, and an attendant terminal 16. The store server 11, the communication server 12, the virtual POS server 13, the payment machine 14, the access point 15, and the attendant terminal 16 are interconnected by a communication network 17. The communication network 17 is typically a wired or wireless LAN.

[0016] The store server 11 is a computer that supports all store operations. To support this, the store server 11 manages various databases, including a product database. The product database is a collection of product records that describe data on each product sold in the store. The product records describe product data such as product code, price, and product name. The product code is a unique identification code assigned to each product to identify it individually. Each product is usually affixed with a barcode that represents the product code.

[0017] The communication server 12 is a server for supporting data communication between the company's point server 3 or the common point server 4 connected via the communication network 5 .

[0018] The virtual POS server 13 is a computer that cooperates with the shopping support terminal 2 to provide support for making it appear as if a known POS terminal is operating. For example, the virtual POS server 13 has the following three functions. The first function is to register product sales data for products identified by product codes entered via the shopping support terminal 2 in a transaction file. The second function is to display a registration screen created based on the product sales data registered in the transaction file on the display device of the shopping support terminal 2. The third function is to display a transaction barcode on the display device of the shopping support terminal 2 in response to a transaction instruction from the shopping support terminal 2. The transaction barcode will be described later.

[0019] The payment machine 14 is a dedicated payment device that allows a customer who has input data about purchased items using the shopping support terminal 2 to make a payment for those purchased items themselves. Multiple payment machines 14 are connected to a communication network 17. The payment method is not particularly limited. Well-known payment methods such as cash payment, credit card payment, electronic money payment, points payment, and code payment (also called mobile payment or smartphone payment) can be used.

[0020] Access point 15 is a communication facility installed in a store as a relay point when each server of transaction processing system 1 (store server 11, communication server 12, virtual POS server 13, etc.) communicates data with shopping support terminal 2 via wireless LAN. The wireless LAN conforms to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, for example. Although FIG. 1 shows only one access point 15 in transaction processing system 10, the number of access points 15 is not limited. Multiple access points 15 may be connected to communication network 17 depending on the size of the store, etc.

[0021] The attendant terminal 16 is a terminal used by a store clerk called an attendant to monitor the status of the shopping support terminal 2 and the checkout machine 14.

[0022] The configuration of the transaction processing system is not limited to that shown in Figure 1. For example, the number of servers may be reduced by having a single server perform the functions of at least two of the store server 11, communication server 12, and virtual POS server 13. In addition to the payment machine 14, well-known POS terminals in which the store clerk performs the registration and settlement of purchased items, or semi-self-service registration and payment machines in which the registration and payment machines are separate, and the store clerk performs the registration of purchased items in the registration machine while the customer performs the settlement at the payment machine themselves, may also be connected to the communication network 17.

[0023] [Functional explanation of shopping support terminal and virtual POS server] Next, the main functions of the shopping support terminal 2 and the virtual POS server 13 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0024] First, a customer who wants to use a smartphone as the shopping support terminal 2 installs a shopping support application program for a store in which the transaction processing system 10 has been built, a so-called shopping app, on the smartphone. The customer can then use the smartphone as the shopping support terminal 2 by registering as a user. When registering as a user, the customer can also register service-specific information for identifying the store's own point service system, i.e., a company point membership number. Registration of a company point membership number is optional. The registered company point membership number is stored in the memory of the shopping support terminal 2.

[0025] Now, a customer carrying the shopping support terminal 2 launches the shopping app before entering a store. Then, as shown in function Pa, the camera of the shopping support terminal 2 is launched and reads the store entry code. The store entry code is store-related setting information coded using a predetermined two-dimensional code system, and is prepared, for example, at the entrance of the store. The setting information includes, for example, parameters necessary for the shopping support terminal 2 to communicate with the access point 15 using wireless LAN, or information related to operational restrictions of the shopping support terminal 2. The customer causes the camera of the shopping support terminal 2 to read the store entry code.

[0026] When the store entry code is read by the shopping support terminal 2, the shopping support terminal 2 connects to the access point 15 using wireless LAN, as indicated by function Pb. Then, once the shopping support terminal 2 is connected to the access point 15, the shopping support terminal 2 transmits a check-in request command COMa to the virtual POS server 13. The check-in request command COMa is transmitted from the access point 15 to the virtual POS server 13 via the communication network 17. The check-in request command COMa includes terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2. The terminal identification information is unique information that differs from shopping support terminals 2 used by other customers. For example, the program ID of a shopping app installed on the shopping support terminal 2 is used as the terminal identification information.

[0027] Upon receiving the check-in request command COMa, the virtual POS server 13 creates a transaction file as indicated by function Qa. The transaction file is a data file for storing product sales data for products identified by product codes input via the shopping support terminal 2. A transaction file is created for each shopping support terminal 2. The terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2 is associated with each transaction file.

[0028] The virtual POS server 13 that created the transaction file sends a check-in completion command COMb to the shopping support terminal 2 that sent the check-in request command COMa. The check-in completion command COMb is sent from the access point 15 to the shopping support terminal 2 via the communication network 17.

[0029] Upon receiving the check-in completion command COMb, the shopping support terminal 2 sets the display device screen to a registration screen, as indicated by the function Pc. The registration screen is a screen for displaying the product name, price, etc. of the product identified by the product code entered via the shopping support terminal 2. A product registration button is displayed on the registration screen.

[0030] A customer places the shopping support terminal 2 in a shopping cart or carries it with them as they walk around the sales floor where products are displayed. When they find a product they want to purchase, they press the product registration button. When the product registration button is pressed, the shopping support terminal 2 inputs data about the purchased product as indicated by function Pd. For example, the shopping support terminal 2 enters a standby state for reading a barcode. The customer has the camera read the barcode attached to the purchased product. When the camera reads the product's barcode, the shopping support terminal 2 inputs the product code represented by the barcode as data about the purchased product.

[0031] The registration screen also displays a "No barcode" button. If the product to be purchased does not have a barcode attached, the customer presses the "No barcode" button. When the "No barcode" button is pressed, a list of products without barcodes is displayed on the display device. The customer selects the product to be purchased from the list. When the product to be purchased is selected, the shopping support terminal 2 inputs the product code of the selected product as the data for the product to be purchased.

[0032] When the data of the purchased item is entered, the shopping support terminal 2 transmits a product registration command COMc to the virtual POS server 13. The product registration command COMc is transmitted from the access point 15 to the virtual POS server 13 via the communication network 17. The product registration command COMc includes the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2 and the data of the purchased item.

[0033] Upon receiving the product registration command COMc, the virtual POS server 13 adds product sales data to the transaction file associated with the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2 that sent the product registration command COMc, as shown in function Qb. The product sales data includes the product code, product name, price, number of items sold, sales amount, etc. of the purchased product. The sales amount is the price multiplied by the number of items sold.

[0034] After adding the product sales data to the transaction file, the virtual POS server 13 sends a registration completion command COMd ​​to the shopping support terminal 2 that sent the product registration command COMc. The registration completion command COMd ​​is sent from the access point 15 to the shopping support terminal 2 via the communication network 17.

[0035] Upon receiving the registration completion command COMd, the shopping support terminal 2 updates the registration screen as indicated by function Pe. That is, the shopping support terminal 2 updates the registration screen so that the product name, price, etc. of the product sales data added to the transaction file are displayed. The updated registration screen displays a checkout button along with the product registration button, etc. After updating the registration screen, the shopping support terminal 2 waits for the data of the purchased product to be entered as indicated by function Pf, or for the checkout button to be pressed as indicated by function Pg.

[0036] When the customer finds the next item to purchase, he or she presses the product registration button. When the product registration button is pressed, the shopping support terminal 2 inputs the data of the purchased item. The shopping support terminal 2 then sends a product registration command COMc to the virtual POS server 13. The subsequent functions of the shopping support terminal 2 and virtual POS server 13 are the same as those described above.

[0037] When a customer has finished shopping in the sales area, they press the checkout button. When the checkout button is pressed, the shopping support terminal 2 sends a checkout request command COMe to the virtual POS server 13. The checkout request command COMe is sent from the access point 15 to the virtual POS server 13 via the communication network 17. The checkout request command COMe includes the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2. Furthermore, if a company point membership number is stored in the memory of the shopping support terminal 2, the company point membership number is also included in the checkout request command COMe.

[0038] If the accounting request command COMe includes the company's point membership number, the virtual POS server 13 that receives the accounting request command COMe adds the company's point membership number, i.e., service-specific information, to the transaction file associated with the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2 that sent the accounting request command COMe, as shown in function Qc. If the accounting request command COMe does not include the company's point membership number, the virtual POS server 13 does not execute function Qc.

[0039] The virtual POS server 13 then creates a unique accounting barcode, as indicated by function Qd. For example, the virtual POS server 13 creates an accounting barcode by barcoding the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2 that sent the accounting request command COMe using a specified barcode system. After creating the accounting barcode, the virtual POS server 13 sends an accounting authorization command COMf to the shopping support terminal 2 that sent the accounting request command COMe. The accounting authorization command COMf is sent from the access point 15 to the shopping support terminal 2 via the communication network 17. The accounting authorization command COMf includes the accounting barcode data.

[0040] Upon receiving the payment authorization command COMf, the shopping support terminal 2 displays an image of the payment barcode on the display device, as indicated by function Ph. This payment barcode is used for payment at the payment machine 14. Next, the payment machine 14 will be described.

[0041] [Explanation of accounting machine configuration] 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the payment machine 14. The payment machine 14 comprises a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a clock 64, a communication interface 65, a change dispenser interface 66, a scanner 67, a touch panel 68, a printer 69, a reader / writer 70, and a system transmission path 71. The system transmission path 71 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines. The system transmission path 71 connects the processor 61 to each of the other components directly or via a signal input / output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0042] The accounting machine 14 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a clock 64, and a communication interface 65 via a system transmission path 71. The accounting machine 14 also connects device interfaces or devices such as a change dispenser interface 66, a scanner 67, a touch panel 68, a printer 69, and a reader / writer 70 to the computer via the system transmission path 71.

[0043] The processor 61 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 61 controls each part to realize various functions of the accounting machine 14 in accordance with an operating system or application programs. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0044] The main memory 62 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 62 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 62 may store data required for the processor 61 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 62 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 61 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0045] The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 63. The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used by the processor 61 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 61, etc. The auxiliary storage device 63 may also store the above-mentioned application programs.

[0046] The clock 64 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 61 processes the date and time kept by the clock 64 as the current date and time.

[0047] The communication interface 65 performs data communication with the store server 11, communication server 12, payment machine 14, access point 15, attendant terminal 16, etc., which are connected via the communication network 17.

[0048] The change machine interface 66 constitutes an interface with an automatic change machine (not shown). The change machine interface 66 inputs amount data of coins inserted into the automatic change machine from the automatic change machine. The change machine interface 66 outputs change data from the accounting machine 14 to the automatic change machine. Having input the change data, the automatic change machine automatically dispenses coins equivalent to the change data as change.

[0049] The scanner 67 is an example of a reading device that reads code symbols such as barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc. The scanner 67 may be a type that reads code symbols by scanning with laser light, or a type that reads code symbols from images captured by an imaging device.

[0050] The touch panel 68 is a device that combines an input device and a display device. The touch panel 68 displays information to the customer who is the operator of the payment machine 14, and accepts operational inputs from the customer.

[0051] The printer 69 issues receipts by printing various characters or images on receipt paper. This type of printer 69 may be, for example, a thermal printer or a dot-matrix printer.

[0052] The reader / writer 70 has the function of reading data recorded on a medium such as a card or smartphone, and the function of writing data to the medium. Cards may include payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards, as well as point cards such as company point cards and shared point cards. The reader / writer 70 may be a magnetic, contact, or contactless device, or may include multiple types of devices.

[0053] In the payment machine 14 configured as above, the processor 61 has the functions of a detection means 611 , an acquisition means 612 , a confirmation means 613 , a notification means 614 , a reception means 615 , a provision means 616 and a settlement means 617 .

[0054] The detection means 611 is a function that detects a code associated with a transaction file from the shopping support terminal 2. As described above, the transaction file is associated with the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2. When the checkout button is pressed on the shopping support terminal 2, a checkout barcode, which is a barcode of this terminal identification information converted using a predetermined barcode system, is displayed on the display device of the shopping support terminal 2. In other words, the detection means 611 is a function that detects the checkout barcode displayed on the display device of the shopping support terminal 2.

[0055] The acquiring means 612 is a function to acquire a transaction file that records data related to the sale of a commodity inputted into the shopping support terminal 2 operated by a customer in the sales area. Specifically, the acquiring means 612 is a function to acquire a transaction file associated with the code detected by the detecting means 611 from the virtual POS server 13.

[0056] The confirmation means 613 is a function that confirms whether the transaction file acquired by the acquisition means 612 contains service specification information for specifying the service to be provided to the customer, that is, the company's own point member number or common point member number.

[0057] The notification means 614 is a function that makes a notification to confirm whether or not the customer has the above-mentioned service-specific information, and waits for an instruction input as to whether or not the customer has the information, on the condition that the transaction file has been acquired by the acquisition means 612. The notification means 614 makes the above-mentioned notification when the company's point member number or common point number is not included in the transaction file.

[0058] The receiving means 615 has a function of receiving input of the service specific information when an instruction input indicating that the service specific information is held is received in response to the notification by the notification means 614. Specifically, the receiving means has a function of receiving input of the company's point member number or the common point number.

[0059] The providing means 616 is a function that performs processing to provide a customer with a service identified by the service identification information received by the receiving means 615. Specifically, when the receiving means 615 receives input of a company point member number, the providing means 616 executes processing to provide company points to the customer identified by the company point member number. When the receiving means 615 receives input of a common point member number, the providing means 616 executes processing to provide common points to the customer identified by the common point member number.

[0060] The settlement means 617 is a function that executes settlement processing based on the data of the transaction file acquired by the acquisition means 612. The settlement means 617 executes settlement processing when it receives an instruction input indicating that the service specifying information is not held in response to the notification by the notification means 614. The settlement means 617 executes settlement processing when it receives input of the service specifying information by the reception means 615.

[0061] The functions of the detection means 611, acquisition means 612, confirmation means 613, notification means 614, acceptance means 615, provision means 616, and payment means 617 are all realized by information processing executed by the processor 61 in accordance with a payment program. The payment program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63. There are no particular limitations on the method for installing the payment program in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63. The payment program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed via communication over a network and installed in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it can store a program and is readable by a device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

[0062] [Explanation of how the accounting machine works] Figures 4 to 6 are flow charts showing the information processing procedures executed by the processor 61 in accordance with the payment program. Figure 7 is an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel 68, which is the display device of the payment machine 14. Below, the main operations of the payment machine 14 will be explained using each figure. Note that the operations explained below are just examples. The procedures or processing contents can be changed as appropriate as long as similar effects can be achieved.

[0063] As ACT1 in Fig. 4, processor 61 displays the checkout waiting screen on touch panel 68. The checkout waiting screen is a screen that displays guidance to a customer who has registered items for purchase using shopping support terminal 2, for example, to have scanner 67 read the checkout barcode displayed on the display device of shopping support terminal 2. As ACT2, processor 61 waits for the checkout barcode to be entered.

[0064] After completing their shopping at the sales floor and pressing the checkout button, the customer confirms that a checkout barcode has been displayed on the display device of the shopping support terminal 2, and then proceeds to the location of the checkout machine 14. Then, the customer holds the checkout barcode over the scanner 67 of the checkout machine 14, which displays the checkout waiting screen. When the checkout barcode is held over the scanner 67, it is read by the scanner 67.

[0065] When the transaction barcode is read by the scanner 67, the processor 61 determines YES in ACT2 and proceeds to ACT3. In ACT3, the processor 61 requests a transaction file from the virtual POS server 13. As described above, the transaction barcode is a barcoded version of the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2. Meanwhile, the transaction file stored in the virtual POS server 13 is associated with the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2. Therefore, the processor 61 requests a transaction file associated with the terminal identification information obtained from the transaction barcode. Upon receiving this request, the virtual POS server 13 sends the transaction file associated with the terminal identification information to the payment machine 14.

[0066] The processor 61 acquires the transaction file transmitted from the virtual POS server 13 in ACT4. The processor 61 executes product registration processing in ACT5. That is, the processor 61 registers the sales data of the purchased products in the sales total memory based on the product sales data stored in the transaction file. This registration processing calculates the total amount of the transaction. The sales total memory is formed in the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 62.

[0067] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of detecting means 611 by the processing of ACT2. The processor 61 also realizes the function of acquiring means 612 by the processing of ACT3 and ACT4.

[0068] When the product registration process is completed, the processor 61 resets the company point flag Fa and the common point flag Fb to "0" as ACT6. The company point flag Fa and the common point flag Fb are both 1-bit data stored in the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 62. The company point flag Fa is a flag for identifying whether or not company points will be awarded, and in this embodiment, it is set to "0" if not awarded and "1" if awarded. The common point flag Fb is a flag for identifying whether or not common points will be awarded, and in this embodiment, it is set to "0" if not awarded and "1" if awarded.

[0069] In ACT7, the processor 61 checks whether the transaction file contains service-specific information, i.e., the company's point membership number. If the company's point membership number is included, the processor 61 determines YES in ACT7 and proceeds to ACT8. In ACT8, the processor 61 stores the company's point membership number in the membership number memory. The membership number memory is formed in the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 62. In ACT9, the processor 61 sets the company's point flag Fa to "1". After that, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT21 of Figure 6.

[0070] On the other hand, if the transaction file does not include the company point member number, the processor 61 determines NO in ACT7 and proceeds to ACT11 in Fig. 5. In ACT11, the processor 61 displays the points confirmation screen 80 (see Fig. 7) on the screen of the touch panel 68.

[0071] FIG. 7 is an example of a display of a points confirmation screen 80. As shown in the figure, the points confirmation screen 80 is a screen on which a company points button 81, a common points button 82, and a none button 83 are arranged as operators. The company points button 81 is an operator that is touched by a customer who is to receive company points. The common points button 82 is an operator that is touched by a customer who is to receive common points. The none button 83 is an operator that is touched by a customer who is not to receive company points or common points. In other words, the points confirmation screen 80 is a screen that notifies a customer to confirm whether or not the customer has service-specific information for identifying a service to be provided to the customer, and waits for an instruction input as to whether or not the customer has the information.

[0072] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of confirmation means 613 by the processing of ACT7. Also, the processor 61 realizes the function of notification means 614 by the processing of ACT11.

[0073] A customer who is a company point member and has a company point card touches the company point button 81. A customer who is a common point member and has a common point card touches the common point button 82. A customer who does not have any point card touches the none button 83.

[0074] The processor 61, which controlled the display of the points confirmation screen 80, waits for the None button 83 to be input in ACT 12, the company points button 81 to be input in ACT 13, or the common points button 82 to be input in ACT 14. If the None button 83 is input in this standby state, the processor 61 determines YES in ACT 12 and proceeds to ACT 21 in FIG.

[0075] In contrast, if the company point button 81 is pressed, the processor 61 determines YES in ACT 13 and proceeds to ACT 15. The processor 61 sets the company point flag Fa to "1" in ACT 15. Similarly, if the common point button 82 is pressed, the processor 61 determines YES in ACT 14 and proceeds to ACT 16. The processor 61 sets the common point flag Fb to "1" in ACT 16.

[0076] After completing the processing of ACT15 or ACT16, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT17. In ACT17, the processor 61 sets the screen of the touch panel 68 to a membership number input screen. The membership number input screen is a screen that accepts input of the company's point membership number or common point membership number. The membership number input screen has numeric keypad buttons and the like that are required to input the membership number.

[0077] A customer who touches the company point button 81 has their company point card read by the reader / writer 70. Alternatively, the customer operates the numeric keypad to input the company point member number displayed on their company point card. A customer who touches the common point button 82 has their common point card read by the reader / writer 70. Alternatively, the customer operates the numeric keypad to input the common point member number displayed on their common point card.

[0078] After controlling the display of the card input screen, the processor 61 waits for the member number to be input in ACT18. When the reader / writer 70 reads the company's point card or common point card, or when the company's point member number or common point member number is input by operating the numeric keypad, the processor 61 determines YES in ACT18 and proceeds to ACT19. The processor 61 stores the member number in the member number memory in ACT19. That is, when the reader / writer 70 reads the company's point card, the processor 61 stores the company's point member number recorded on the company's point card in the member number memory. When the reader / writer 70 reads the common point card, the processor 61 stores the common point member number recorded on the common point card in the member number memory. When the company's point member number or common point member number is input by operating the numeric keypad, the processor 61 stores the company's point member number or common point member number in the member number memory.

[0079] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of the reception means 615 by the processing of ACT17 to ACT19.

[0080] Thereafter, processor 61 proceeds to ACT21 in Fig. 6. In this way, processor 61 proceeds to ACT21 in Fig. 6 when it completes the processing of ACT9 in Fig. 4, when it touches the "none" button 83 on point confirmation screen 80, or when it completes the processing of ACT19 in Fig. 5.

[0081] As ACT21, the processor 61 sets the screen of the touch panel 68 to a payment method selection screen. The payment method selection screen is a screen on which payment method selection buttons such as a cash button, a credit button, and an electronic money button are arranged as operators. The cash button is touched by a customer who selects cash as the payment method. The credit button is touched by a customer who selects credit card as the payment method. The electronic money button is touched by a customer who selects electronic money as the payment method. Note that the payment methods are not limited to cash, credit card, and electronic money. Any two of these methods may be used, or a different payment method may be selectable. Also, only one payment method may be used. In this case, instead of the payment method selection buttons, an operator for instructing the start of payment, such as a start payment button, may be displayed on the payment method selection screen.

[0082] The processor 61 waits for a payment method to be selected in ACT22. If a payment method is selected by operating the payment method selection screen, the processor 61 determines YES in ACT22 and proceeds to ACT23. The processor 61 executes the settlement process in ACT23. For example, if cash is selected as the payment method, the processor 61 subtracts the total amount from the amount inserted into the automatic change dispenser, calculates the change, and dispenses it from the automatic change dispenser. For example, if a credit card is selected as the payment method, the processor 61 authenticates the credit card read by the reader / writer 70, and, if approved, determines the total amount as the credit card settlement amount. For example, if electronic money is selected as the payment method, the processor 61 subtracts the total amount from the balance of the electronic money medium read by the reader / writer 70.

[0083] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of the payment means 617 by the processing of ACT21 to ACT23.

[0084] Upon completing the settlement process, the processor 61 checks the company point flag Fa in ACT 24. If the company point flag Fa is set to "1," the processor 61 determines YES in ACT 24 and proceeds to ACT 25. The processor 61 calculates the company points in ACT 25. For example, the processor 61 divides the total amount of the product sales data stored in the transaction file by a predetermined point reference amount, and multiplies the quotient integer by a predetermined point multiplier to calculate the company points. The point reference amount and point multiplier are set by the company point server 3. For example, if the company point service is a service that awards 1 point for every 100 yen in the total amount, the company point server 3 sets 100 yen as the point reference amount and 1x as the point multiplier. Furthermore, if it is a special sale period at a store and twice the usual amount of company points are awarded, the company point server 3 sets 100 yen as the point reference amount and 2x as the point multiplier.

[0085] After the calculation of the company points has been completed, the processor 61 executes the company point update process in ACT 26. The company point update process is a process of sending the company points calculated in the process of ACT 25 together with the member number stored in the member number memory, i.e., the company point member number, to the company point server 3 to notify the update. Upon receiving this notification, the company point server 3 executes a process of adding the current company points to the accumulated points stored in the database in association with the company point member number.

[0086] In ACT24, if the company point flag Fa is not set to "1", or after completing the processing of ACT26, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT27. The processor 61 checks the common point flag Fb in ACT27. If the common point flag Fb is set to "1", the processor 61 determines YES in ACT27 and proceeds to ACT28. The processor 61 calculates the common points in ACT28. For example, the processor 61 divides the total amount of the product sales data stored in the transaction file by a predetermined point reference amount, and multiplies the quotient integer by a predetermined point multiplier to calculate the common points. The point reference amount and point multiplier are set by the common point server 4. For example, assuming that the common point service is a service that awards 1 point for every 200 yen in total amount, the common point server 4 sets 200 yen as the point reference amount and 1x as the point multiplier. Also, for example, if it is a campaign period of a common point management company and common points are awarded five times more than usual, the common point server 4 sets the point base amount to 200 yen and the point multiplier to 5 times.

[0087] After the calculation of the common points has been completed, the processor 61 executes a common point update process in ACT 29. The common point update process is a process of sending the common points calculated in the process of ACT 28 together with the member number stored in the member number memory, i.e., the common point member number, to the common point server 4 to notify the update. Upon receiving this notification, the common point server 4 executes a process of adding the current common points to the accumulated points stored in the database in association with the common point member number.

[0088] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of the providing means 616 by the processing of ACT24 to ACT29.

[0089] If the common point flag Fb is not set to "1" in ACT 27, or after completing the processing of ACT 29, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 30. In ACT 30, the processor 61 controls the printer 69 to issue a receipt. Transaction detail data such as the product name, price, number of items sold, sales amount, total number of items, total amount, and payment amount of the purchased item are printed on the receipt. In addition, for transactions in which company points or common points are awarded, the awarded points are printed. After controlling the issuance of the receipt, the processor 61 completes the information processing procedure shown in FIGS.

[0090] [Effects of the accounting machine] As described above in detail, the payment device 14, which is one aspect of the payment device, executes the company point update process along with the payment process when the company point number data is included in the transaction file data obtained from the virtual POS server 13. In this way, the payment device 14 always executes the process of granting company points at the time of payment when making a transaction with a customer who has previously registered their company point membership number in the shopping support terminal 2.

[0091] Therefore, a customer who has registered his / her company's point membership number in the shopping support terminal 2 in advance can reliably obtain company points according to the content of the transaction by using the shopping support terminal 2 to register the purchased item and then settling the transaction at the cash register 14.

[0092] On the other hand, if the transaction file data does not include data on the company's point number, the payment device 14 will display the point confirmation screen 80 before the payment method selection screen. In this way, when transacting with a customer who has not previously registered their company's point membership number, the payment device 14 displays the point confirmation screen 80 before payment to confirm with the customer whether or not they wish to receive the company's point service or the common point service.

[0093] Here, if the customer touches the company point button 81 and then enters the company point number, the payment machine 14 will process the payment and update the company points. If the customer touches the common point button 82 and then enters the common point number, the payment machine 14 will process the payment and update the common points. If the customer touches the none button 83, the payment machine 14 will process the payment and will not execute the company point update process or the common point update process.

[0094] Therefore, even if a customer has not registered his / her company's point membership number in advance, by using the shopping support terminal 2 to register the purchased item and then settling the transaction at the cash register 14, the customer can be sure to obtain company points or common points according to the content of the transaction.

[0095] Customers who use both their own company's point card and a common point card can choose whether to receive their own company's points or common points for each transaction. For example, customers can easily choose to receive their own company's points, which usually have a small base point amount, but receive common points during periods when the common point multiplier is high.

[0096] [Other embodiments] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an excerpt of the information processing executed by the processor 61 of the payment device 14 in accordance with the payment program in another embodiment. That is, after performing the same processing as in the above embodiment in ACT1 through ACT6, the processor 61 proceeds to processing in ACT11 of Figure 5 without performing processing in ACT7. That is, regardless of whether the transaction file contains service-specific information, the processor 61 displays the points confirmation screen 80 on the touch panel 68 in ACT11. Thereafter, similar to the above embodiment, the processor 61 performs processing in ACT11 through ACT19 and ACT21 through ACT30.

[0097] This embodiment also provides a checkout machine 14 that can reliably provide services, such as points, to transactions with customers eligible for such services. This embodiment is effective when the shopping support terminal 2 does not have the functionality to pre-register service-specific information, such as the company's point membership number. For example, some transaction processing systems use a mobile device provided by the store or a tablet device attached to a shopping cart as the shopping support terminal 2, rather than a customer's own smartphone. In such systems, many customers are reluctant to enter service-specific information, such as point numbers, into a mobile device or tablet device used by an unspecified number of customers. This embodiment eliminates the need to enter service-specific information into the shopping support terminal 2, making it extremely effective from a security perspective. In this embodiment, the processor 61 of the checkout machine 14 can omit the function of the confirmation means 613.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the transaction processing system 1 is illustrated as being constructed in a store that introduces both a company's own point service system and a common point service system. However, the transaction processing system 1 can also be applied to a store that introduces either a company's own point service system or a common point service system. In this case, either a company's point button 81 or a common point button 82 will be placed on the point confirmation screen 80.

[0099] The transaction processing system 10 can also be applied to a store that introduces two or more types of common point service systems. In that case, the point confirmation screen 80 is displayed on which a common point button 82 is arranged for each type of common point.

[0100] Furthermore, the service-specific information registered in the shopping support terminal 2 is not limited to the company's point membership number. Even in an operation in which a common point membership number can be registered in advance in the shopping support terminal 2, the transaction processing system 1 can be applied by setting the common point flag Fb to "1" in the processing of ACT9 in Fig. 4.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the transaction barcode is a barcode that represents the terminal identification information of the shopping support terminal 2 using a predetermined barcode system. However, the transaction barcode is not limited to this. The transaction barcode may be any code that is unique to the transaction file.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the payment machine 14 detects a payment barcode from the shopping support terminal 2 and obtains the transaction file associated with that payment barcode from the virtual POS server 13. The method for obtaining the transaction file is not limited to this. For example, a payment machine code consisting of a barcode or two-dimensional code system is prepared near the payment machine 14. The payment machine code is a coded payment machine ID set in the payment machine 14. When a customer finishes shopping and moves in front of the payment machine 14, the camera of the shopping support terminal 2 reads the payment machine code. The shopping support terminal 2 then transmits the terminal identification information and payment machine code to the virtual POS server 13. The virtual POS server 13 then transmits the transaction file associated with the terminal identification information to the payment machine 14 identified by the payment machine code. In this way, the payment machine 14 can obtain the transaction file. In this case, the processor 61 of the payment machine 14 can omit the detection means 611.

[0103] The services provided to customers are not limited to points. For example, the accounting device 14 can be applied to a service that provides an electronic stamp for each transaction, simply by changing the point calculation process to an electronic stamp issuing process and the point update process to an electronic stamp book update process.

[0104] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1...transaction processing system, 2...shopping support terminal, 3...company point server, 4...common point server, 5...communication network, 11...store server, 12...communication server, 13...virtual POS server, 14...accounting machine, 15...access point, 16...attendant terminal, 17...communication network, 61...processor, 62...main memory, 63...auxiliary storage device, 64...clock, 65...communication interface, 66...change machine interface, 67...scanner, 68...touch panel, 69...printer, 70...reader / writer, 71...system transmission path, 80...point confirmation screen, 81...company point button, 82...common point button, 83...none button, 611...detection means, 612...acquisition means, 613...confirmation means, 614...notification means, 615...reception means, 616...provision means, 617...payment means.

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring a data file recording data relating to the sale of merchandise inputted into a terminal operated by a customer at the sales floor; a notification means for making a notification to confirm whether or not the customer has service specification information for specifying a service to be provided to the customer, on condition that the data file has been acquired by the acquisition means, and waiting for an instruction input as to whether or not the customer has the service specification information; a receiving means for receiving an input of the service specifying information when an instruction input indicating that the service specifying information is provided is received in response to the notification; providing means for performing processing to provide the customer with the service specified by the service specifying information received by the receiving means; a payment means for executing a payment process based on the data in the data file acquired by the acquisition means when an instruction input indicating that the service specifying information is not held in response to the notification is received or after the acceptance means has accepted the input of the service specifying information; A payment device comprising:

2. detection means for detecting a code associated with the data file from the terminal; Further comprising: The settlement device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquiring means acquires the data file associated with the code detected by the detecting means from a server.

3. a confirmation means for confirming whether the service-specific information is included in the data file acquired by the acquisition means; Further comprising:

3. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein the notification means issues the notification when the service-specific information is not included in the data file.

4. A payment device as described in claim 3, wherein if the data file contains the service specific information, the provision means performs processing to provide the customer with the service specified by the service specific information without making a notification using the notification means.

5. A payment device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification by the notification means is a notification to confirm whether the customer has service specific information for identifying at least one service for each different type of service.

6. The computer of the payment device, an acquisition means for acquiring a data file recording data relating to the sale of merchandise inputted into a terminal operated by a customer at the sales floor; a notification means for making a notification to confirm whether or not the customer has service specification information for identifying a service to be provided to the customer, on condition that the data file has been acquired by the acquisition means, and waiting for an instruction input as to whether or not the customer has the service specification information; a receiving means for receiving input of the service specifying information when receiving an instruction input indicating that the service specifying information is included in response to the notification; providing means for performing processing to provide the customer with the service specified by the service specifying information received by the receiving means; and a payment means for executing payment processing based on the data in the data file acquired by the acquisition means when receiving an instruction input indicating that the service specifying information is not held in response to the notification or after the acceptance means has accepted the input of the service specifying information; A program to function as a

7. A payment device that acquires a data file that records data related to the sale of products inputted into a terminal operated by a customer at a sales floor, Acquire a data file that records data relating to product sales entered into a terminal operated by a customer at the sales floor; On condition that the data file has been acquired, a notification is made to confirm whether or not the customer has service-specific information for identifying the service provided to the customer, and an instruction input as to whether or not the customer has the information is awaited; When an instruction input indicating that service specification information is provided is received in response to the notification, the service specification information is accepted and a process for providing the service specified by the input service specification information to the customer is performed; A payment method in which, when an instruction input is received indicating that the service specific information is not available in response to the notification, or after the input of the service specific information is accepted, payment processing is performed based on the data in the acquired data file.

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