Information reading apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide an information reading device and a program capable of reading information of a card medium by a reading means intended by an operator.SOLUTION: A settlement terminal (information reading device) includes an operation prediction part for predicting which reading means of a plurality of reading means including a non-contact reading means for reading information registered in a credit card by bringing the credit card (card medium) owned by a customer (operator) close to the settlement terminal, a reading means standby state acquisition part (standby state acquisition part) for acquiring information indicating which reading means is in a standby state capable of operating, and a reading means operation control part for canceling the standby state of the reading means other than the reading means predicted by the operation prediction part when the plurality of reading means are in the standby state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information reading device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Payment terminals equipped with multiple reading means for reading card media such as credit cards held by users (hereinafter referred to as multi-payment terminals) are known. For example, there is a known example in which a single payment terminal is equipped with both a magnetic stripe reading function using a magnetic card reader and a contactless reading function using near-field wireless communication (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, card media reading means also include an IC chip reading function using an IC card reader. Furthermore, card media held by customers may also have multiple functions, such as an IC chip, magnetic stripe, and near-field wireless communication function.

[0003] When a customer makes a payment using such a multi-payment terminal equipped with multiple reading functions, there is a problem that an unintended reading function may be activated while the terminal is in standby mode and any of the multiple reading functions are operational. Specifically, when a customer brings their magnetic card close to the magnetic slit of the payment terminal to have it read, the card may come into proximity with the contactless reading area of ​​the payment terminal, activating the near-field wireless communication function and reading the card information. When a reading function is activated unintended by the customer, this can cause confusion for the customer. Furthermore, for example, when making a credit card payment, depending on the reading function that is activated, points corresponding to the purchase amount may or may not be awarded, so it is necessary to activate the appropriate reading function. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information reading device and a program that can read information from a card medium using a reading means intended by an operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information reading device according to an embodiment includes an operation prediction unit, a standby state acquisition unit, and a reading means operation control unit. The operation prediction unit predicts which of a plurality of reading means, including a contactless reading means for reading information registered on a card medium held by an operator, is to be used to read the card medium when the operator brings the card medium close to the information reading device. The standby state acquisition unit acquires information indicating which reading means the information reading device has set to an operable standby state. When a plurality of reading means are in a standby state, the reading means operation control unit cancels the standby state of the reading means other than the reading means predicted by the operation prediction unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a product sales data processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of a payment terminal included in the product sales data processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the payment terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an example of an external view of a credit card as seen from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the names of the parts when the payment terminal is installed vertically. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the names of the parts when the payment terminal is installed horizontally. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the payment terminal structure master. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a motion prediction model. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the payment terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing performed by the payment terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0008] Hereinafter, the payment terminal 30 provided in the product sales data processing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Outline of product sales data processing system) A schematic configuration of a merchandise sales data processing system 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a merchandise sales data processing system according to an embodiment.

[0010] The product sales data processing system 10 is a system that manages product sales in a store and revenue from the sold products, and is primarily installed within the store. The product sales data processing system 10 includes a point-of-sale (POS) terminal 20, a payment terminal 30, and a store server 40. Note that multiple POS terminals 20 and payment terminals 30 are typically installed, constituting a so-called fully self-service product sales data processing system that allows customers to perform all processes from product registration to payment themselves. The store server 40 and the POS terminal 20 are connected via a network 12. The network 12 is, for example, a local area network (LAN). Note that the product sales data processing system 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 . The POS terminal 20 may be a terminal device on which a store clerk registers products, and the payment terminal 30 may be a terminal device on which customers themselves perform payment processing based on product registration information. In this case, the payment terminal 30 in FIG. 1 is directly connected to the network 12, and the product sales data processing system 10 constitutes a so-called semi-self-service product sales data processing system.

[0011] The POS terminal 20 is operated by the customer himself / herself to perform a product registration process for registering the products he / she intends to purchase. The POS terminal 20 may also be operated by a store clerk to perform a product registration process for registering the products he / she intends to purchase.

[0012] The payment terminal 30 is operated by the customer himself / herself to perform a cashless payment process in which the price of the product for which the product registration process has been performed is paid. The cashless payment process is performed, for example, by credit card payment using the customer's credit card. Note that the payment terminal 30 may also perform payment processes other than credit card payment, such as electronic money payment and code payment.

[0013] The store server 40 acquires and stores the history of product registration processing performed by the POS terminal 20 and the history of cashless payment processing performed by the payment terminal 30. The store server 40 also monitors whether the POS terminal 20 and the payment terminal 30 are operating normally.

[0014] (Outline of payment terminal configuration) The schematic configuration of the payment terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of a payment terminal included in the product sales data processing system according to the embodiment.

[0015] The payment terminal 30 is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped housing 301 and has a display panel 302 on its front surface (the positive side of the X axis in FIG. 2). Information related to the operating status of the payment terminal 30 is displayed on the display panel 302. The display panel 302 is, for example, an LCD monitor or an organic EL monitor. The display panel 302 may also have the function of an operation panel that accepts customer operations using various operation buttons displayed on the display panel 302. The operation panel function is realized by a touch panel layered on the display panel 302.

[0016] The settlement terminal 30 is provided with a plurality of reading means for reading information registered on a credit card 90 held by a customer.

[0017] The payment terminal 30 shown in FIG. 2 includes an IC card reader 303, a magnetic card reader 304, and an antenna 305 as reading means.

[0018] IC card reader 303 comes into contact with IC chip 91 (see FIG. 4) mounted on credit card 90, thereby reading information registered in IC chip 91. Specifically, IC card reader 303 comes into contact with IC chip 91 of credit card 90 inserted into IC card insertion slot 307 in the direction of arrow A, thereby reading information registered in IC chip 91. IC card reader 303 is an example of a contact-type IC card reading means in the present disclosure.

[0019] 2, IC card insertion slot 307 is formed on the top end surface of housing 301. However, the position where IC card insertion slot 307 is formed is not limited to the top end surface of housing 301.

[0020] The magnetic card reader 304 comes into contact with the magnetic stripe 92 (see FIG. 4) of the credit card 90 to read the information registered on the magnetic stripe 92. Specifically, the magnetic card reader 304 reads the registered information from the magnetic stripe 92 of the credit card 90 that has been inserted into the scan slot 308 and scanned in the direction of arrow B. The magnetic card reader 304 is an example of a magnetic card reading means in the present disclosure.

[0021] 2, scan groove 308 is formed on the right end surface of housing 301. However, the position where scan groove 308 is formed is not limited to the right end surface of housing 301.

[0022] Antenna 305 reads information registered in contactless IC chip 93 (see FIG. 4 ) mounted on credit card 90 by performing short-range wireless communication (e.g., NFC (Near Field Communication) communication) with contactless IC chip 93. Specifically, antenna 305 reads information registered in contactless IC chip 93 by performing short-range wireless communication with contactless IC chip 93 that is close to display panel 302 of payment terminal 30. Antenna 305 is an example of a contactless IC card reading means in the present disclosure.

[0023] Payment terminal 30 further includes camera 306 installed facing the display panel 302. Camera 306 captures at least the upper body, including the face, of a customer operating payment terminal 30. Camera 306 is an example of a capturing means in the present disclosure. Note that camera 306 does not necessarily have to be built into payment terminal 30. For example, camera 306 may be installed above the customer's head and capture an image of the customer operating payment terminal 30.

[0024] Although not shown in FIG. 2, the payment terminal 30 may further include a numeric keypad for inputting a personal identification number or the like.

[0025] (Payment terminal hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of payment terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the payment terminal.

[0026] The payment terminal 30 has a configuration in which a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a peripheral device controller 34, and a communication controller 35 are connected to one another via an internal bus 33.

[0027] The control unit 31 controls the overall operation of the payment terminal 30. The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 312, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 313. The CPU 311 is connected to the ROM 312 and the RAM 313 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 311 loads various programs stored in the ROM 312 and the storage unit 32 into the RAM 313. The CPU 311 controls the operation of the payment terminal 30 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 313. In other words, the control unit 31 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0028] The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 32 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 32 stores a control program 321, a payment terminal structure master 322, and an operation prediction model 323.

[0029] Control program 321 is a program that controls the overall operation of payment terminal 30. Control program 321 may be provided in a state stored in storage unit 32, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. Control program 321 may also be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, control program 321 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0030] Payment terminal structure master 322 is a master file that stores the installation status of payment terminal 30, the implementation status of the reading means, and the installation positions of various ancillary devices related to the reading means, in association with an identification number that uniquely identifies payment terminal 30. The installation status of payment terminal 30 indicates whether payment terminal 30 is installed upright or lying down (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The installation positions of various ancillary devices related to the reading means are master files that store, for example, the installation position of IC card slot 307 when payment terminal 30 is equipped with IC card reader 303, the installation position of antenna 305 when payment terminal 30 is equipped with antenna 305, and the installation position of scan groove 308 when payment terminal 30 is equipped with magnetic card reader 304. The structure of payment terminal structure master 322 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 7).

[0031] The payment terminal structure master 322 may be stored, for example, by the store server 40, and the payment terminal 30 may store only its own identification number. When necessary, the payment terminal 30 may read the payment terminal structure master 322 corresponding to its own identification number from the store server 40.

[0032] The movement prediction model 323 is a model for predicting the movement of a customer when making a payment at the payment terminal 30. The movement prediction model 323 stores the movement prediction model of a customer in association with an identification number that uniquely identifies the payment terminal 30 and the installation state of the payment terminal 30. The structure of the movement prediction model 323 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 8).

[0033] The operation prediction model 323 may be stored in, for example, the store server 40, and the payment terminal 30 may store only its own identification number and its own installation state. Then, the payment terminal 30 may read out the operation prediction model 323 corresponding to its own identification number and its own installation state from the store server 40 when necessary.

[0034] The control unit 31 is connected to various input / output devices, such as a display panel 302, an IC card reader 303, a magnetic card reader 304, an antenna 305, and a camera 306, via a peripheral device controller 34. The outline of each input / output device has been described above, so a repeated description will be omitted.

[0035] The control unit 31 also inputs and outputs various types of information to and from the store server 40 and the POS terminal 20 via the communication controller 35.

[0036] For example, the control unit 31 outputs the result of the payment process to the store server 40 via the communication controller 35.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit 31 acquires product registration information from the POS terminal 20 via the communication controller 35.

[0038] (Outline of credit card structure) The general configuration of a credit card 90 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an example of an external view of a credit card as seen from the front.

[0039] The credit card 90 is a card held by a customer, and various information related to payment (such as the customer's name, card number, and account number from which the payment amount is debited) is registered on the credit card 90. The credit card 90 is an example of a card medium in the present disclosure.

[0040] An IC chip 91 is embedded on the surface of credit card 90. Electrodes are exposed on the surface of IC chip 91, and when credit card 90 is inserted into IC card insertion slot 307 (see FIG. 2) of payment terminal 30, the electrodes of IC chip 91 come into contact with IC card reader 303 (see FIG. 2), thereby reading out various pieces of payment-related information registered in IC chip 91. A credit card equipped with such an IC chip 91 is sometimes called a contact IC card.

[0041] A magnetic stripe 92 is provided on the back of the credit card 90 along the long side of the credit card 90. When the magnetic stripe 92 is scanned along the scan groove 308 (see FIG. 2) of the payment terminal 30, a magnetic card reader 304 (see FIG. 2) reads out various pieces of payment-related information recorded on the magnetic stripe 92. A credit card equipped with such a magnetic stripe 92 is sometimes called a magnetic card.

[0042] Furthermore, a contactless IC chip 93 is embedded inside credit card 90. When antenna 305 (see FIG. 2) of payment terminal 30 comes close to contactless IC chip 93, it reads various information related to payment from contactless IC chip 93. A credit card equipped with such a contactless IC chip 93 is sometimes called a contactless IC card. Note that the above-mentioned IC chip 91 may also function as contactless IC chip 93.

[0043] (Payment terminal placement) The arrangement of payment terminal 30 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the names of each part when the payment terminal is installed vertically. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the names of each part when the payment terminal is installed horizontally.

[0044] The payment terminal 30 described in FIG. 2 is installed in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 5, or in a horizontal position as shown in FIG.

[0045] When payment terminal 30 is installed in a vertical position, IC card insertion slot 307 (see FIG. 2) is provided on any one of top end surface 42, bottom end surface 43, left end surface 44, and right end surface 45 shown in FIG. 5. Scan groove 308 (see FIG. 2) is provided on any one of top end surface 42, bottom end surface 43, left end surface 44, and right end surface 45 shown in FIG. 5. Antenna 305 (see FIG. 2) is provided at the back of front surface 41 shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] On the other hand, when payment terminal 30 is installed in a horizontal position, IC card insertion slot 307 (see FIG. 2) is provided on any one of rear end face 52, front end face 53, left end face 54, and right end face 55 shown in FIG. 6. Scan groove 308 (see FIG. 2) is provided on any one of rear end face 52, front end face 53, left end face 54, and right end face 55 shown in FIG. 6. Antenna 305 (see FIG. 2) is provided at the back of top face 51 shown in FIG. 6.

[0047] Whether the payment terminal 30 is installed vertically or horizontally, and on which side of the payment terminal 30 the IC card insertion slot 307 and scan groove 308 are installed, are associated with an identification number that uniquely identifies the payment terminal 30 and registered in the aforementioned payment terminal structure master 322 (see Figure 3).

[0048] (Data structure of payment terminal structure master) The data structure of payment terminal structure master 322 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of payment terminal structure master.

[0049] The payment terminal structure master 322 stores the installation status of the payment terminal 30, the implementation status of the reading means, the installation position of the IC card insertion slot 307, the installation position of the antenna 305, and the installation position of the scan groove 308, each associated with an identification number that uniquely identifies the payment terminal 30.

[0050] The installation state of the payment terminal 30 is information indicating whether the payment terminal 30 is installed vertically as shown in FIG. 5 or horizontally as shown in FIG.

[0051] The implementation status of the reading means is information indicating whether the payment terminal 30 is equipped with a reading means for contact IC cards, i.e., IC card reader 303, a reading means for non-contact IC cards, i.e., antenna 305, or a reading means for magnetic cards, i.e., magnetic card reader 304.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows that payment terminal 30 with payment terminal identification number Ia is equipped with IC card reader 303, antenna 305, and magnetic card reader 304.

[0053] The installation position of IC card insertion slot 307 is information indicating on which surface of payment terminal 30 IC card insertion slot 307 is formed, when payment terminal 30 is equipped with IC card reader 303.

[0054] 7 shows that when payment terminal 30 with payment terminal identification number Ia is installed vertically, IC card insertion slot 307 is formed on top end surface 42. Also, when payment terminal 30 with payment terminal identification number Ia is installed horizontally, IC card insertion slot 307 is formed on rear end surface 52.

[0055] The installation position of scan groove 308 is information indicating on which surface of payment terminal 30 IC card insertion slot 307 is formed when payment terminal 30 is equipped with IC card reader 303.

[0056] 7 shows that when payment terminal 30 with payment terminal identification number Ia is installed vertically, antenna 305 is built into front surface 41. Also, when payment terminal 30 with payment terminal identification number Ia is installed horizontally, antenna 305 is built into top surface 51.

[0057] The installation position of IC card insertion slot 307 is information indicating on which surface of payment terminal 30 scan groove 308 is formed when payment terminal 30 is equipped with magnetic card reader 304.

[0058] 7 shows that when payment terminal 30 with payment terminal identification number Ia is installed vertically, scan groove 308 is formed on right end face 45. Also, when payment terminal 30 with payment terminal identification number Ia is installed horizontally, scan groove 308 is formed on right end face 55.

[0059] In this way, if the identification number and installation state (portrait or landscape) of the payment terminal 30 are known, by referring to the payment terminal structure master 322, it is possible to identify the type of reading means equipped in the payment terminal 30 and the installation locations of the IC card insertion slot 307, antenna 305, and scan groove 308 required to operate each reading means.

[0060] (Data structure of the behavior prediction model) The data structure of the movement prediction model 323 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the movement prediction model.

[0061] The movement prediction model 323 stores the customer movement models Maa and Mab in association with an identification number that uniquely identifies the payment terminal 30 and the installation state of the payment terminal 30 (for example, whether it is placed vertically or horizontally).

[0062] The behavior models Maa and Mab are machine learning models that learn the relationship between the behavior of a customer holding a credit card 90 relative to the payment terminal 30 and the reading means operated by the payment terminal 30. The behavior models Maa and Mab are described, for example, by a known neural network. The input to the behavior models Maa and Mab is a video of the behavior of a customer holding a credit card 90, and the output of the behavior models Maa and Mab is the reading means operated by the payment terminal 30.

[0063] The behavior model Maa is a recognition model generated by having multiple panelists hold credit cards 90 and have a payment terminal 30 with a known identification number, installed vertically, read the credit cards 90 with a reading means that the panelists instructed to read. More specifically, the behavior model Maa is a model that learns the relationship between the panelists' actions and the behavior of the credit cards 90 and the reading means operated by the payment terminal 30 by recording with the camera 306 the actions of the panelists when the credit cards 90 are read with the instructed reading means.

[0064] The behavior model Mab is a recognition model generated by having multiple panelists hold credit cards 90 and then having a payment terminal 30 with a known identification number, placed horizontally, read the credit cards 90 with a reading means that the panelists instructed to read. More specifically, the behavior model Mab is a model that learns the relationship between the panelists' actions and the behavior of the credit cards 90 and the reading means operated by the payment terminal 30 by recording with the camera 306 the actions of the panelists when the credit cards 90 are read with the instructed reading means.

[0065] The product sales data processing system 10 performs similar learning for multiple payment terminals 30 each having a different installation position of each reading means (position of IC card insertion slot 307, position of antenna 305, scan groove 308), and thereby generates in advance an operation prediction model 323 shown in Figure 8 for each installation state of the payment terminal 30 and structure of the reading means.

[0066] The behavior models Maa and Mab are generated, for example, by well-known deep learning. Specifically, the behavior models Maa and Mab describe, for example, by a multilayer neural network, the relationship between the panelist's behavior characteristics extracted from a video recording of the panelist, changes in the orientation of the credit card 90 held by the panelist, and the reading means operated by the payment terminal 30 at that time.

[0067] The payment terminal 30 reads out the behavior models Maa and Mab corresponding to the identification number that identifies itself from the behavior prediction model 323, and predicts which reading means the customer is trying to use to read the credit card 90 by analyzing the behavior of the customer holding the credit card 90 and the orientation of the credit card 90, which are actually photographed by the camera 306.

[0068] (Payment terminal functional configuration) The functional configuration of payment terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the payment terminal according to the embodiment.

[0069] The control unit 31 of the payment terminal 30 loads and operates the control program 321 in RAM 313, thereby realizing as functional units a payment method acquisition unit 61, a reading means standby state acquisition unit 62, an imaging control unit 63, an operation model generation unit 64, an operation prediction unit 65, a reading means operation control unit 66, and a payment processing unit 67, all of which are shown in Fig. 9. Note that all or part of these functional units may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0070] The payment method acquisition unit 61 acquires the payment method selected by the customer. Specifically, the payment method acquisition unit 61 acquires the payment method selected by the customer from among a plurality of payment method options displayed on the display panel 302, for example.

[0071] The reading means standby state acquisition unit 62 acquires information indicating which reading means of the payment terminal 30 is in an operable standby state. Specifically, the reading means standby state acquisition unit 62 determines that the reading means corresponding to the payment method acquired by the payment method acquisition unit 61 is in a standby state by referring to a table (not shown) created in advance. The reading means standby state acquisition unit 62 is an example of a standby state acquisition unit in the present disclosure.

[0072] The photography control unit 63 causes the camera 306 to record an image of the customer using the payment terminal 30.

[0073] The behavioral model generation unit 64 generates behavioral models Maa and Mab by having multiple panelists hold credit cards 90 and having a payment terminal 30, whose identification number is known, read the credit cards 90 using a reading means that has been instructed to do so.

[0074] The operation prediction unit 65 predicts which reading means, among a plurality of reading means including a contactless reading means for reading information registered on the credit card 90, the customer is going to use to read the credit card 90 when the credit card 90 held by the customer is brought close to at least the settlement terminal 30.

[0075] When a plurality of reading means are in a standby state, the reading means operation control section 66 causes the reading means other than the reading means predicted by the operation prediction section 65 to be released from the standby state.

[0076] The payment processing unit 67 executes the payment process using the specified payment method.

[0077] (Processing flow performed by payment terminal) The flow of processing performed by payment terminal 30 will be described using Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the payment terminal according to the embodiment. It is assumed that payment terminal 30 has already stored therein behavior prediction model 323 including behavior models Maa and Mab generated by behavior model generation unit 64.

[0078] The payment method acquisition unit 61 acquires the payment method selected by the customer's operation (step S11).

[0079] The reading means standby status acquisition unit 62 determines whether the payment terminal 30 has multiple reading means, including the reading means for the contactless IC chip 93, on standby (step S12). If it is determined that the payment terminal 30 has multiple reading means, including the reading means for the contactless IC chip 93, on standby (step S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the payment terminal 30 has multiple reading means, including the reading means for the contactless IC chip 93, on standby (step S12: No), the process proceeds to step S18.

[0080] In step S12, if it is determined that the payment terminal 30 has multiple reading means, including a reading means for the contactless IC chip 93, on standby, the photography control unit 63 causes the camera 306 to start recording video of the customer using the payment terminal 30 (step S13).

[0081] The movement prediction unit 65 determines whether the customer's movement has been predicted (step S14). If it is determined that the customer's movement has been predicted (step S14: Yes), the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the customer's movement has been predicted (step S14: No), step S14 is repeated.

[0082] If it is determined in step S14 that the customer's movement has been predicted, the photography control unit 63 ends the recording of the customer's video (step S15).

[0083] The operation prediction unit 65 determines whether it predicted that the customer would use the reading means of the magnetic stripe 92 or the IC chip 91 (step S16). If it is determined that it predicted that the customer would use the reading means of the magnetic stripe 92 or the IC chip 91 (step S16: Yes), the process proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if it is not determined that it predicted that the customer would use the reading means of the magnetic stripe 92 or the IC chip 91 (step S16: No), the process proceeds to step S18.

[0084] If it is determined in step S16 that the customer predicts that they will use the reading means for the magnetic stripe 92 or IC chip 91, the reading means operation control unit 66 releases the standby state of the reading means for the contactless IC chip 93 (step S17).

[0085] The payment processing unit 67 reads the information registered in the credit card 90 (step S18).

[0086] The payment processing unit 67 performs the payment process using the specified method (step S19), after which the payment terminal 30 ends the process.

[0087] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the payment terminal 30 (information reading device) of the embodiment includes an operation prediction unit 65 that predicts which of multiple reading units, including a contactless reading unit that reads information registered on a credit card 90, will be used to read the credit card 90 (card media) held by a customer (operator) when the credit card 90 is brought close to the payment terminal 30, a reading unit standby state acquisition unit 62 (standby state acquisition unit) that acquires information indicating which reading units the payment terminal 30 has in an operable standby state, and a reading unit operation control unit 66 that, when multiple reading units are in a standby state, cancels the standby state of reading units other than the reading unit predicted by the operation prediction unit 65. Therefore, the payment terminal 30 can read information on the credit card 90 using the reading unit intended by the operator. More specifically, if the operation prediction unit 65 predicts that the customer is about to have the information on the credit card 90 read by a reading means other than the contactless reading means, the reading means operation control unit 66 will cancel the standby state of the contactless reading means, so that the payment terminal 30 can read the information on the credit card 90 by the reading means intended by the customer. This makes it possible to prevent problems such as not receiving points for purchases due to the credit card 90 being read by an unintended reading means.

[0088] Furthermore, the payment terminal 30 (information reading device) of the embodiment further includes, as reading means, an IC card reader 303 (contact type IC card reading means) that reads information registered on an IC chip 91 that a customer (operator) has inserted into an IC card insertion slot 307 of the payment terminal 30, and a magnetic card reader 304 (magnetic card reading means) that reads information registered on a magnetic stripe 92 that the customer has scanned into the scan groove 308 of the payment terminal 30. Therefore, even in a multi-payment terminal that includes multiple reading means, the information on the credit card 90 can be read using the reading means intended by the customer.

[0089] In addition, in the payment terminal 30 (information reading device) of the embodiment, the operation prediction unit 65 predicts which reading means the customer is going to use to read the credit card 90 (card media) by analyzing the video captured by the camera 306 (imaging means) that captures the customer (operator). Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably predict the reading means the customer is going to use.

[0090] Furthermore, in the payment terminal 30 (information reading device) of the embodiment, the operation prediction unit 65 predicts which of the reading means the customer (operator) intends to use to read the credit card 90 (card media) based on the operation models Maa and Mab generated by learning a video of the customer (operator) operating the payment terminal 30. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably predict the reading means the customer intends to use. Furthermore, because the operation models Maa and Mab are generated by learning, the accuracy of the prediction can be improved by continuing the learning.

[0091] Furthermore, in the payment terminal 30 (information reading device) of the embodiment, the behavior models Maa and Mab are generated in association with reading means implementation information indicating which of the multiple reading means is implemented in the payment terminal 30 operated by the customer (operator), the installation position of IC card insertion slot 307 in payment terminal 30, the installation position of scan groove 308, and the installation position of antenna 305, which is the receiving unit of the contactless reading means. Therefore, regardless of the installation state or structure of payment terminal 30, it is possible to predict the behavior of a customer based on appropriate behavior models Maa and Mab.

[0092] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment 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 and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10. Product sales data processing system 12 Network 20 POS terminals 30 Payment terminal (information reader) 301 Case 302 Display Panel 303 IC card reader (contact type IC card reading means) 304 Magnetic card reader (magnetic card reading means) 305 Antenna (contactless IC card reading means) 306 Camera (photography means) 307 IC card slot 308 Scan Groove 322 Payment Terminal Structure Master 323 Motion Prediction Model 40 Store Server 41 Front 42 Upper end surface 43 Lower end surface 44 Left end surface 45 Right end surface 51 Top side 52 Rear end surface 53 Front end surface 54 Left end surface 55 Right end surface 61 Payment Method Acquisition Department 62 Reading means standby state acquisition unit (standby state acquisition unit) 63 Shooting control unit 64 Behavioral model generation unit 65 Motion Prediction Unit 66 Reading means operation control section 67 Payment Processing Unit 90 Credit Cards (Card Media) 91 IC chip 92 Magnetic Stripe 93 Contactless IC chip Maa,Mab operation model [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0094] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-80782

Claims

1. an operation prediction unit that predicts which of a plurality of reading means, including a non-contact reading means that reads information registered on a card medium, the operator intends to use to read the information by bringing the card medium held by the operator close to an information reading device; a standby state acquisition unit that acquires information indicating which reading means of the information reading device is in an operable standby state; a reading means operation control unit that, when a plurality of reading means are in a standby state, cancels the standby state of reading means other than the reading means predicted by the operation prediction unit; Information reading device.

2. The information reading device further includes, as the reading means, a contact IC card reading means for reading information registered in an IC chip inserted into an IC card insertion port of the information reading device by the operator; and a magnetic card reader for reading information registered on a magnetic stripe that the operator has caused to scan the card into the scanning groove of the information reader.

2. The information reading device according to claim 1.

3. The operation prediction unit predicting which of the reading means the operator is going to have read the card medium by analyzing an image captured by a photographing means for photographing the operator; 3. The information reading device according to claim 2.

4. The operation prediction unit predicting which of the reading means the operator is going to have read the card medium based on an operation model generated by learning a video of the operator operating the information reading device; 4. The information reading device according to claim 3.

5. The operation model is generated by associating reading means installation information indicating which of the plurality of reading means is installed in the information reading device operated by the operator with the installation position of the IC card insertion slot in the information reading device, the installation position of the scan groove, and the installation position of an antenna which is a receiving unit of the non-contact reading means.

5. The information reading device according to claim 4.

6. A computer that operates the information reading device, an operation prediction unit that predicts which of a plurality of reading means, including a non-contact reading means that reads information registered on a card medium, the operator intends to use to read the card medium when the operator brings the card medium into close proximity with an information reading device; a standby state acquisition unit that acquires information indicating which reading means of the information reading device is in an operable standby state; When a plurality of reading means are in a standby state, the operation prediction unit operates as a reading means operation control unit that cancels the standby state of reading means other than the reading means predicted by the operation prediction unit. program.

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