Billing device

Abstract

We provide a billing device that allows for the simple and inexpensive implementation of code-based payment functionality. [Solution] The billing device of the present invention includes a code payment terminal that wirelessly communicates with an external payment gateway via a static MPM code containing identification information of the billing source, The system includes a billing control relay board that relays between the billing source and the code payment terminal, wherein the billing control relay board communicates serially with the programmable controller of the billing source, which controls the code payment terminal at a higher level, using a general-purpose communication protocol, and communicates serially with the code payment terminal using the JVMA communication protocol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging device, and more particularly to a charging device having a code settlement function via a static MPM code, a method for manufacturing the same, and a charging control relay board for the charging device.

Background Art

[0002] Just as cashless settlement-compatible cash registers and ticket vending machines are used for payments at various retail stores, restaurants, and public services, the settlement systems in modern society are rapidly advancing from cash settlement to cashless settlement. On the user side, there is no need to prepare cash, and there is no need for change return, so users can shop easily, the accounting time is shortened, and they can manage their finances based on the transaction history of cashless settlement. On the business operator side, it saves the trouble of cash collection and preparing change, contributes to labor saving, increases the customer turnover rate, and can manage sales based on the transaction history of cashless settlement.

[0003] Along with such a trend of the times, it is desirable for business operators to add cashless settlement to existing vending machines for cash and also add a cashless settlement function to unmanned vending machines and the like to be installed in the future.

[0004] Cashless settlement is roughly classified into electronic money settlement and code settlement. For electronic money settlement, there is a method of performing product settlement using electronic money (such as Felica) charged to an IC card or a mobile phone terminal, and information linked to a credit card / debit card.

[0005] For electronic money payments, payment terminal manufacturers wishing to implement them in their various payment terminals must undergo certification by JREM (JR East Mechatronics Co., Ltd.) for electronic money equipment. This certification fee is high, making it a burden for small-scale operations, and particularly high for small and medium-sized enterprises and sole proprietors, making the introduction of electronic money payments difficult. Credit card payments also present challenges such as the cost of installing credit card terminals (CAT terminals), contracts and annual fees with credit card companies, and high transaction fees. Furthermore, contactless IC cards and credit / debit cards carry the risk of fraudulent use if lost.

[0006] Code-based payment is a method of payment where a user reads a graphic code containing store or user identification information using a code-based payment app stored on their mobile phone or other device. Code-based payment has a lower barrier to entry than credit cards due to the lower installation costs of code reading equipment and the lower transaction fees. Furthermore, current mobile phones have features such as fingerprint / facial recognition and PIN code locking, and payments cannot be made without unlocking these devices, making it more secure than electronic money payments, which carry the risk of theft and information theft.

[0007] The above graphic codes are either one-dimensional codes (also called barcodes) consisting of a combination of multiple black vertical lines and spaces, or two-dimensional codes (also called QR codes®) consisting of a pattern of black and white pixels. These graphic codes can be easily created using Ms-Excel, Ms-Word, or free software (such as a QR code generator).

[0008] Code-based payment systems can be broadly classified into store-scan and user-scan methods, depending on the entity that reads the graphical code.

[0009] The store scan method, also known as Consumer-Presented Mode (CPM), involves displaying a graphic code representing user identification information on the payment app of the user's mobile phone or other device, and then having the store's optical reader or tablet scanner read the graphic code. This method is widely used in POS registers and self-checkout systems.

[0010] CPM codes allow users to complete payment simply by showing a graphic code, enabling a smooth payment process similar to paying with cash. However, CPM codes require the cost of implementing a POS register system that integrates with the code payment system.

[0011] The user-scan method, also known as Merchant-Presented Mode (MPM), typically involves the user scanning a graphic code provided by the store with the camera on their mobile phone or other device. The user then manually enters the payment amount into a payment app linked to the graphic code displayed on the mobile phone, and the payment is completed after confirmation by the store.

[0012] There are two types of 2D codes: static MPM codes, which have store-side identification information embedded in them, and dynamic MPM codes, which also have dynamic information such as the amount that is generated each time a transaction is made embedded in them.

[0013] Static MPM codes allow for the introduction of code payments simply by displaying a 2D code on paper or other materials. JPQR, a unified standard for QR code payments established by the Cashless Promotion Council, allows the use of a single QR code (registered trademark) that supports multiple QR code payment services, enabling smooth code payments even for users who subscribe to multiple payment services.

[0014] When a user makes a code payment via a static MPM code in person at a store, the store does not need any special tools other than the 2D code, so the burden on the store is very low compared to electronic money or CPM codes. However, when displaying a static MPM code in an unmanned store such as a vending machine, a mechanism is needed to verify the payment amount against the user's deposit amount on behalf of the store.

[0015] A dynamic MPM code is a store-provided graphic code that dynamically changes to include the payment amount, which the user scans with their mobile phone to complete the payment. Dynamic MPM codes are convenient because they eliminate the need for the user to enter the payment amount, thus preventing input errors. However, they require a means to create and display the dynamic MPM code (such as an LCD panel).

[0016] When adding functionality to an unmanned store that already has a cash payment system installed, using static MPM code is preferable to minimize the effort and cost of installation on the store's side.

[0017] Patent Document 1 proposes a payment service support system that enables the introduction of cashless payment to vending machines at a low cost by using static 2D codes printed on stickers or paper, while simultaneously resolving security issues associated with the use of static 2D codes. This system supports a transaction where a user selects desired products from a vending machine equipped with columns for storing multiple products using a communication terminal equipped with a 2D code reading function and makes a cashless purchase. The system configuration includes a transaction support application implemented on the communication terminal, a 2D code containing a vending machine ID that identifies the vending machine in the reading information, and a management cloud that monitors and manages the transaction session related to the transaction. However, this invention cannot be said to be simple and inexpensive because it requires a management cloud that monitors and manages the transaction session.

[0018] Patent Document 2 proposes a vending machine system in which a vending machine capable of selling products using graphic codes, a portable terminal carried by a user who purchases the products using the graphic codes and having a payment control unit that performs payment control using the graphic codes, and a payment server that performs payment processing using the graphic codes are communicated to each other, wherein the vending machine displays a printed graphic code containing vending machine identification information, the portable terminal reads the printed graphic code by the payment control unit and then notifies the vending machine of user information, the vending machine notifies the portable terminal of the transaction amount of the selected product, the portable terminal performs payment processing with the payment server using the vending machine identification information in the printed graphic code, the transaction amount, and the user information, and notifies the vending machine of the transaction result from the payment server along with the user information, and the vending machine, after confirming the transaction result and the user information, dispenses the selected product. This invention cannot be considered a smooth payment transaction because the mobile terminal needs to notify the vending machine of user information, and the vending machine needs to use short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® to notify the mobile terminal of the transaction amount for the goods. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0019] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 66833308 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7537167 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0020] The objective of this invention is to provide a billing device that enables the simple and inexpensive implementation of code-based payment functionality.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a charging device capable of introducing a code settlement function without changing the appearance of the charging device.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a charging control relay board used for the charging device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0023] As a result of intensive studies on the above problems, the present inventor has found that the above problems can be solved according to the following invention. That is, the present invention is a charging device including a code settlement terminal that communicates with an external payment gateway via a static MPM code including identification information of a charging source, and a charging control relay board that relays between the charging source and the code settlement terminal, wherein the charging control relay board performs serial communication with a programmable controller of the charging source that controls the code settlement terminal in a higher level by a general-purpose communication protocol, and performs serial communication with the code settlement terminal by a JVMA communication protocol, to provide the charging device.

[0024] Even if inventions of vending machines with a cashless settlement function added using a two-dimensional code as in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are publicly known, a charging device for code settlement comprising a combination of a code settlement terminal used for code settlement via a static MPM code, a programmable controller that controls the code settlement terminal in a higher level, and a charging control relay board that relays between the programmable controller and the code settlement terminal, as in the present invention, has not been known at all in the past.

[0025] It is preferable that only a cash charging module is additionally provided as a charging module in addition to the code settlement terminal in the charging device.

[0026] The code settlement terminal is particularly characterized in that it is detachably connected to the charging control relay board.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a billing apparatus comprising a code payment terminal that wirelessly communicates with an external payment gateway via a static MPM code containing identification information of a billing source, and a billing control relay board that relays between the billing source and the code payment terminal, The billing control relay board is characterized by causing serial communication with the programmable controller of the billing source, which controls the code payment terminal at a higher level, using a general-purpose communication protocol, and causing serial communication with the code payment terminal using the JVMA communication protocol, thereby providing a method for manufacturing the billing device.

[0028] In the manufacturing method described above, it is preferable that the charging device is equipped with only a cash charging module in addition to the code payment terminal as a charging module.

[0029] The manufacturing method is characterized in that the code payment terminal is installed in such a way that, apart from the display of the static MPM code, the appearance of the billing device and the billing source is not altered.

[0030] The manufacturing method is characterized in that the code payment terminal is detachably connected to the billing control relay board.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a billing control relay board for relaying between a billing source and a code payment terminal, for a billing apparatus that includes a code payment terminal that wirelessly communicates with an external payment gateway via a static MPM code containing identification information of a billing source, The billing control relay board is characterized by serially communicating with the programmable controller of the billing source that controls the code payment terminal using a general-purpose communication protocol, and serially communicating with the code payment terminal using the JVMA communication protocol.

[0032] Preferably, the aforementioned billing device is equipped with only a cash billing module in addition to the code payment terminal as a billing module.

[0033] The aforementioned code payment terminal is characterized in that it is detachably connected to the aforementioned billing control relay board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the billing device of the present invention, as shown in the overall diagram of the code payment system in Figure 1, code payment can be used simply by displaying a static 2D code on or near the billing device. In particular, the billing device of the present invention employs a static MPM code, yet users do not need to input the payment amount into their mobile phone terminal, and stores do not need to perform verification, enabling smooth cashless payments similar to CPM codes and dynamic MPM codes.

[0035] Two-dimensional codes are becoming more prevalent than one-dimensional codes in code-based payments. Furthermore, the environment for the global use of JPQR is being developed, and it is expected to be used by a wide range of people, including inbound tourists from Southeast Asia and other regions.

[0036] Conventional cash-only billing machines using low-denomination bill validators can accept up to four 1,000 yen bills, but amounts exceeding that must be paid in 500 yen or 100 yen coins. Recycled bill validators that can accept high-denomination bills are expensive, so there is little benefit in using them in conventional cash-only billing machines. Furthermore, the refund function of bill validators is subject to the following limitations in order to prevent the exchange of coins for bills: In bill validators with an escrow function, only the last inserted bill is returned, and bills inserted before that are refunded in coins from the coin mechanism. In bill validators without an escrow function, inserted bills are refunded in coins. Cash-only billing machines have the above problems, but the billing machine of the present invention eliminates the limitation on the amount of payment through cash settlement.

[0037] To introduce electronic money or credit card payments to existing cash-only charging devices, external installation of payment terminals, as shown in Figure 7, is required, necessitating a change in the appearance of the charging device. On the other hand, the manufacturing method of the charging device of the present invention allows for the simple and inexpensive addition of code payment functionality to existing cash-only charging devices such as automatic ticket vending machines, automatic payment machines, and unmanned vending machines without drilling holes or making other modifications to the casing. The fact that the manufacturing method of the present invention does not change the appearance of the charging device except for the display of a static MPM code is extremely beneficial for stores that want to add cash payment functionality but do not want to modify the charging source or the appearance of the charging device. Furthermore, payment terminals for electronic money and the like require prior certification by JREM, which was necessary for the introduction of electronic money payments, but the manufacturing method of the present invention does not require certification.

[0038] Charging modules such as coin mechanisms, bill validators, and code payment terminals use special communication protocols designed for beverage vending machines, making it difficult for stores to modify or alter these modules. However, with the charging device of the present invention, higher-level devices such as Windows PCs, PLCs, and Android® terminals are connected to the coin mechanism, bill validator, and code payment terminal via a charging control relay board. This allows for secure and easy control of the above-mentioned charging modules by creating commands on the higher-level device. As a result, both cash and code payment methods can be used in a wide range of fields beyond beverage vending machines.

[0039] While coin mechanisms, bill validators, and code payment terminals require two power supplies, DC24V and DC8V, the billing control relay board of the present invention can provide both DC24V and DC8V from a single DC24V power supply. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0040] [Figure 1]This figure shows an overall diagram of a code payment system using a billing device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the billing device of the present invention performs code payments in cooperation with a billing source 200 (a ticket vending machine in Figure 1), a payment gateway server 300, and a user's mobile phone terminal 400. The billing device 100 is built into the billing source 200. [Figure 2] This figure shows the internal configuration of the billing device 100 and the billing source 200 that incorporates it. [Figure 3] This figure shows the configuration necessary for billing control of the code payment terminal 110 equipped with the billing device 100 shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This figure shows the configuration of the billing control relay board 130 included in the billing device 100 shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This figure shows the communication flow for code payment using the billing device 100 shown in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a flowchart of code payment between the billing device 100, the billing source 200 that incorporates it, the payment gateway server 300, and the user's mobile phone terminal 400. [Figure 7] This is an external view of a payment terminal used for conventional electronic money, credit cards, CPM codes, and dynamic MPM code payments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0041] As shown in the overall diagram of code payment in Figure 1, the billing device 100 of the present invention is a billing device that performs code payment via a static MPM code 140 at a payment gateway server 300 in order to settle the amount of payment for goods, etc., provided by a billing source 200 using a user's mobile phone terminal 400 owned by the user.

[0042] The billing source 200 in Figure 1 is an industrial machine that provides goods, services, etc., without human intervention and demands a predetermined amount of money as payment. Examples of such industrial machines include vending machines for beverages, food, tobacco, stamps / postcards, revenue stamps, newspapers, daily necessities / general merchandise, and other items, ticket vending machines (Figure 1), automatic payment machines, currency exchange machines, charging machines, ball / medal dispensing machines, photo booths, self-service printers, coin lockers, laundromats, coin parking lots, photocopiers / multifunction printers, arcade game machines, KIOSK terminals, etc.

[0043] The billing source 200 is equipped with a higher-level model that includes a programmable controller 210 for secure and easy customization of the billing device 100, rather than a dedicated circuit board used in beverage vending machines, to suit the above applications. This higher-level model may be a programmable logic controller (PLC) itself, a personal computer (Windows, Linux®, etc.), a mobile phone or tablet terminal (Android®, etc.), etc. These higher-level models are equipped with at least one of the general-purpose communication protocols such as USB, RS-232C, Ethernet, UART, Wi-Fi, CAN, or parallel I / F. By connecting the programmable logic controller 210 to the code payment terminal 110 via the billing control relay board 130 described later, cashless billing control can be easily and inexpensively introduced to various industrial equipment other than vending machines, such as photo booths, multifunction printers, automatic payment machines, and automatic ticket vending machines.

[0044] The means for selecting products, etc., for the aforementioned billing source 200 can be push-button type or touch panel type. In the ticket vending machine shown in Figure 1, a touch panel display 220 is used as the means for selecting tickets.

[0045] The means for dispensing goods, etc., from the aforementioned billing source 200 is a device or mechanism appropriate to the above-mentioned use. In Figure 1, a ticket printer 221 is shown as the means for dispensing tickets.

[0046] The programmable controller 210 holds a program that controls the billing module of the billing device 100 at a higher level. Examples of this include managing the identification information of the billing source 200, sending information (product name, amount, etc.) of the product (ticket) selected on the touch panel display 220 of the billing source 200 (ticket vending machine) and the identification information to the billing device 100, instructing the billing device 100 to send the identification information and the product information to the payment gateway server 300, acquiring and managing user identification information sent from the payment gateway server 300 to the code payment terminal 110, and managing product payment.

[0047] The above-mentioned payment gateway server 300, also known as a payment center, is a payment server for users (also called customers) to make code payments using static MPM codes 140. The store that owns the billing source 200 needs to enter into a contract with the payment gateway server 300 before installing the billing device 100 of the present invention.

[0048] The methods by which users can make code payments at the Payment Gateway Server 300 vary depending on the environment provided by the Payment Gateway Server 300, and include: (1) a pre-charge method where the user sets a balance in advance on the payment app side and charges it using a financial institution account, credit card, or cash at a convenience store ATM, and then makes payments within that balance; an instant payment method where the payment is deducted from a pre-set credit card or bank account at the same time as the code payment procedure; and a post-payment method where the code payment amount is billed later in a lump sum, similar to credit card payments.

[0049] The user's mobile phone terminal 400 is necessary for the user to make a code payment for the amount (hereinafter referred to as the payment amount) that the user will pay as consideration when they desire goods, etc. from the billing source 200. In order to make a code payment, the user's mobile phone terminal 400 must be equipped with the payment application provided by the payment gateway server 300. The user's mobile phone terminal 400 communicates wirelessly with the payment gateway server 300 using a communication method such as 4G (LTE) or 5G.

[0050] The billing device 100 of the present invention may be built into the billing source 200 as shown in Figure 1, or it may be installed as a standalone unit near the billing source 200.

[0051] For a user to process a code payment using the billing device 100 of the present invention, the store must display a static MPM code 140 in or near the billing device 100 in advance. The static MPM code 140 may be either a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code (QR code®), but a two-dimensional code is preferred. The method of displaying it may be a paper or plastic sticker, an LCD display, etc., but a simple and inexpensive sticker is preferred.

[0052] The configuration of the billing device 100 of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 2. The code payment terminal 110 is composed of a microcontroller (Figure 3) having a control function unit 111, a code payment function unit 112, and a wireless communication function unit 113, a mobile SIM, I / O, memory (program and data), etc., in order to execute code payment commands instructed to the billing device 100 from the higher-level programmable controller 210.

[0053] The control function unit 111 has the function of controlling the commands necessary for code payment via the static MPM code 140 displayed on the billing device 100. Specifically, the control function unit 111 manages the device identification information embedded in the static MPM code 140, puts the billing source 200 into a waiting state for code payment processing when a product is selected on the touch panel display 220, manages user information and the start of code payment from the payment gateway server 300, and manages the dispensing of products based on the completion of code payment.

[0054] The code payment function unit 112 has the function of executing payment of the requested amount using the static MPM code 140. Specifically, as shown in S6 to S8 of the flowchart in Figure 6, the code payment function unit 112 controls the sequential transmission of the payment amount generated at the billing source 200 to the billing control relay board 100, the code payment terminal 110, the payment gateway server 300, and the user's mobile phone terminal 400. This function is very convenient for the user because they only need to make the payment without having to input the payment amount, which was previously required for payments using static MPM codes. The code payment function unit 112 also manages the completion of the payment, as shown in S10 of Figure 6.

[0055] The wireless communication function unit 113 has the function of allowing the code payment terminal 110 to communicate wirelessly with the payment gateway server 300. The wireless communication standard is 4G (LTE), 5G, etc.

[0056] The billing device 100 of the present invention may include a cash billing module 120 in addition to the code payment terminal 110 as a billing module. Examples of the cash billing module 120 are a coin mechanism 121 and a bill validator 124. The coin mechanism 121, also called a coin mechanism, is a coin processing device that combines a coin verification device and a change storage and dispensing device as separate units. The bill validator 124, also called a bill validator, is a banknote processing device that combines a banknote identification device and a banknote storage device as separate units. The cash billing module is connected to an external device via a serial bus line, and serial communication between them is conducted using the JVMA communication protocol.

[0057] The code payment terminal 110 and the cash charging module are connected to external devices via a serial bus line, and serial communication between them is conducted using a special communication protocol called the JVMA method, which is standardized for beverage vending machines. Specifically, the serial communication specifications are DC24V serial transmission (half-duplex) with a transmission speed of 4800bps, and include a transmit signal, a receive signal, and a command synchronization signal. In addition to DC24V, DC8V is required for the power supply.

[0058] The programmable controller 210 communicates serially with external devices using a general-purpose communication protocol, while the code payment terminal 110 and the cash charging module communicate serially with external devices using the JVMA protocol. In order to connect the charging control commands sent from the programmable controller 210 to the code payment terminal 110 and the cash charging module 120, the charging device 100 of the present invention includes a charging control relay board 130, as shown in Figure 4, which relays between the code payment terminal 110 and the cash charging module 120 and the programmable controller 210.

[0059] The billing control relay board 130 includes a microcontroller on which a CPU, memory (program and data), a simple module, and an I / O control unit are mounted, a DC / DC converter, and I / O. The simple module is a simple control library DLL for generating and issuing JVMA-style commands from commands created by the higher-level programmable controller 210. The I / O includes a general-purpose communication interface, a JVMA interface, and a DC 8V conversion switching regulator.

[0060] The code payment terminal 110 and the cash charging module 120 communicate serially with the charging control relay board 130 using the JVMA communication protocol, and the charging control relay board 130 communicates serially with the programmable controller 210 using a general-purpose communication protocol. In other words, the code payment terminal 110 and the cash charging module 120 are controlled by the charging control relay board 130, and the programmable controller 210 on a higher level controls the charging control relay board 130.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4, the aforementioned billing control relay board 130 requires a DC24V power supply, but the circuit of the billing control relay board 130 generates a DC8V power supply. Since this DC8V power supply is supplied to the code payment terminal 110 and the cash billing module, there is no need to prepare a new DC8V power supply.

[0062] Figure 5 shows the data communication flow with the environment surrounding the billing device 100 of the present invention. As can be seen in Figure 5, the billing device 100 of the present invention communicates serially with the billing source 200, and wirelessly communicates only with the payment gateway server 300 from the code payment terminal 110. On the other hand, the user's mobile phone terminal 400 obtains a static MMP code 14 from the billing device 100, and wirelessly communicates only with the payment gateway server 300. In other words, there is no short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® between the billing device 100 of the present invention and the user's mobile phone terminal 400. This brings the benefit of smooth code payment flow to both the store and the user.

[0063] Next, the manufacturing method of the billing device 100 of the present invention will be described. The billing device 100 of the present invention is composed of a code payment terminal 110 that wirelessly communicates with an external payment gateway server 300 via a static MPM code 140 containing identification information of the billing source 200, and a billing control relay board 130 that relays between the billing source 200 and the code payment terminal 110. The billing control relay board 130 then communicates serially with the programmable controller 210 of the billing source, which controls the code payment terminal 110 at a higher level, using a general-purpose communication protocol, and also communicates serially with the code payment terminal 110 using the JVMA communication protocol.

[0064] In the manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable to attach only a cash payment module 120 to the billing device 100 as a billing module, in addition to the code payment terminal 110. For example, by introducing the code payment function of the billing device 100 of the present invention to an existing billing source equipped only with a cash payment module, code payments can be made easily and inexpensively with the existing cash payment device.

[0065] The manufacturing method of the present invention makes it possible to install the code payment terminal 110 in such a way that the appearance of the billing device 100 is not altered except for the display of the static MPM code 140. For example, if it is desired to introduce code payment to an existing billing source 200 equipped only with a cash billing module 120, the billing device 100 of the present invention, which incorporates the code payment terminal 110, can be installed inside the billing source 200, and the cash billing module 120 and the higher-level programmable controller 210 of the billing source 200 can be connected to the billing control relay board 130, thereby enabling code payment without altering the appearance of the billing device 100 except for the display of the static MPM code 140.

[0066] The manufacturing method of the present invention allows for the mounting of the code payment terminal 110 on the billing control relay board 130, or for the detachable connection of a portable code payment terminal 110. The detachable connection of the portable code payment terminal 110 is extremely beneficial for stores that wish to easily and inexpensively add code payment functionality to an existing billing source 200 equipped with a cash billing module 120.

[0067] Next, the billing control relay board 130 of the present invention will be described. The billing control relay board 130 of the present invention has the function of relaying between the billing source 200 and the code payment terminal 110 so that the billing device 100 equipped with a code payment terminal 110 can wirelessly communicate with an external payment gateway 300 via a static MPM code 140 containing identification information of the billing source 200.

[0068] The billing control relay board 130 is characterized by communicating serially with the higher-level programmable controller 210 of the billing source 200, which controls the code payment terminal 110, using a general-purpose communication protocol, and also communicating serially with the code payment terminal 110 using the JVMA communication protocol.

[0069] Preferably, the charging device 100 is equipped with only a cash charging module 120 in addition to the code payment terminal 110 as a charging module. As described above, electronic money payment requires the installation and inspection of electronic money equipment. The charging device 100 of the present invention enables code payment with the same convenience as electronic money payment even without an electronic money payment module.

[0070] The billing control relay board 130 can be fitted with the code payment terminal 110, or a portable code payment terminal 110 can be detachably connected to it. The detachable connection of a portable terminal is very beneficial for stores that want to easily and inexpensively add code payment functionality to the billing device 100.

[0071] The present invention also includes a code payment terminal that wirelessly communicates with an external payment gateway via a static MPM code containing identification information of the billing source, A method for using a billing device comprising a billing control relay board that relays between the billing source and the code payment terminal, The billing control relay board provides a method for using the billing device, characterized in that it serially communicates with the programmable controller of the billing source, which controls the code payment terminal at a higher level, using a general-purpose communication protocol, and serially communicates with the code payment terminal using the JVMA communication protocol.

[0072] According to the method of using the billing device 100 of the present invention, cashless payments with high convenience comparable to CPM codes, dynamic MPM codes, electronic money, and credit cards become possible while utilizing static MPM codes 140. Each step of the code payment flowchart shown in Figure 6 is described below.

[0073] (S0) The billing source 200 (ticket vending machine) displays a static MMP code 140, which includes the information of the payment gateway server 300 contracted by the code payment terminal 110 of the billing device 100, and the device identification information of the billing source 200, on or near the billing device 100. (S1) The user verifies the payment gateway server 300, which is the recipient of the static MMP code 140, against the payment gateway server 300 of the payment application stored on the user's mobile phone terminal 400. (S2) When the user presses the selection button for the desired product or service (ticket in Figure 1, hereinafter simply referred to as "product") within the billing source 200, the information is transmitted to the control function unit 111 of the code payment terminal 110 via the billing control relay board 130, and the control function unit 111 moves to a state of waiting for code payment processing. (S3) The user launches the payment application on their mobile phone terminal 400, reads the static MMP code 140 displayed on the billing device 100, and sends device identification information, user information, and a request to start the code payment process to the payment gateway server 300. (S4) The payment gateway server 300, having received device identification information, user information, and a request to start payment processing from the user's mobile phone terminal 400, transmits the device identification information, user information, and the request to start code payment processing to the wireless communication function unit 113 of the code payment terminal 110. (S5) The code payment terminal 110, having received device identification information, user information, and a request to start code payment processing from the payment gateway server 300, transmits the device identification information, user information, and the request to start code payment processing to the higher-level programmable controller 210 of the billing source 200 via the billing control relay board 130 of the billing device 100 through the control function unit 111. (S6) Upon receiving notification from the code payment terminal 110 of device identification information, user information, and a request to start code payment processing, the higher-level programmable controller 210 transmits the device identification information, user information, and the payment amount, which is the price of the selected goods, to the wireless communication function unit 113 of the code payment terminal 110 via the billing control relay board 130 of the billing device 100. (S7) The code payment terminal 110, having received device identification information, user information, and payment amount from the higher-level programmable controller 210, instructs the code payment function unit 112 to perform a code payment process consisting of the combination of device identification information, user information, and payment amount. The code payment function unit 112, upon receiving this instruction, transmits the device identification information, user information, and payment amount to the payment gateway server 300 via the wireless communication function unit 113. (S8) The payment gateway server 300, having received device identification information, user information, and payment amount from the code payment terminal 110, sends the payment amount to the payment application on the user's mobile phone terminal 400 and displays it within the payment application. (S9) The user confirms the payment amount displayed on the payment app on the user's mobile phone terminal 400 and makes the payment (sends the payment command from the payment app to the payment gateway server 300). (S10) After payment, the payment gateway server 300 transmits device identification information, user information, and code payment completion information to the code payment terminal 110 of the billing device 100. (S11) The control function unit 111 of the code payment terminal 110, which has received device identification information, user information, and code payment completion from the payment gateway server 300, transmits the user information, payment completion, and product delivery instruction to the higher-level programmable controller 210 of the billing source 200 via the billing control relay board 130 of the billing device 100. (S12) The higher-level programmable controller 210, having received user information, payment completion, and product delivery instructions from the code payment terminal 110, instructs the product dispensing mechanism to dispense the product, and the product dispensing mechanism, upon receiving the instruction, dispenses the product.

[0074] In steps S6 to S9 above, the code payment function unit 112 controls the sequential sending of the payment amount generated by the billing source 200 to the billing control relay board 100, the code payment terminal 110, the payment gateway server 300, and the user's mobile phone terminal 400. Therefore, in step S9, the user terminal 400 only needs to make the payment without having to input the payment amount, which was previously required for payments using static MPM codes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 100 billing devices 110 Code Payment Terminal 111 Control Function Unit 112 Code Payment Function Department 113 Wireless Communication Function Unit 120 Cash Charge Modules 121 Coin Mech 122 coin slots 123 Coin return slot 124 Bill Barrier 125 bill slot 130 Billing Control Relay Board 140 Static MPM Codes (QR Code (Registered Trademark)) 200 sources of billing 210 Programmable Controllers 220 touch panel displays 221 Ticket Printer Ticket Exit 222 300 Payment Gateway Servers 400 users' mobile phone terminals

Claims

1. A code payment terminal that communicates with an external payment gateway via a static MPM code containing identification information of the billing source, A billing device comprising a billing control relay board that relays between the billing source and the code payment terminal, The billing control relay board is characterized by serially communicating with the programmable controller of the billing source that controls the code payment terminal using a general-purpose communication protocol, and serially communicating with the code payment terminal using the JVMA communication protocol, the billing device.

2. The billing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in addition to the code payment terminal, only a cash billing module is attached as a billing module.

3. The billing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the code payment terminal is detachably connected to the billing control relay board.

4. A code payment terminal that communicates wirelessly with an external payment gateway via a static MPM code containing the identification information of the billing source, A method for manufacturing a billing device comprising a billing control relay board that relays between the billing source and the code payment terminal, A method for manufacturing the billing device, characterized in that the billing control relay board enables serial communication with the programmable controller of the billing source that controls the code payment terminal at a higher level using a general-purpose communication protocol, and enables serial communication with the code payment terminal using the JVMA communication protocol.

5. The method for manufacturing a billing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, in addition to the code payment terminal, only a cash billing module is attached to the billing device as a billing module.

6. The method for manufacturing a billing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the code payment terminal is installed in such a way that the appearance of the billing device is not altered except for the display of the static MPM code.

7. A method for manufacturing a billing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the code payment terminal is detachably connected to the billing control relay board.

8. A billing device equipped with a code payment terminal that wirelessly communicates with an external payment gateway via a static MPM code containing identification information of the billing source, comprising a billing control relay board that relays between the billing source and the code payment terminal, The billing control relay board is characterized by communicating serially with a programmable controller of the billing source that controls the code payment terminal at a higher level using a general-purpose communication protocol, and communicating serially with the code payment terminal using the JVMA communication protocol.

9. The billing control relay board according to claim 8, characterized in that the billing device is equipped with only a cash billing module in addition to the code payment terminal as a billing module.

10. The billing control relay board according to claim 8, characterized in that the code payment terminal is detachably connected to the billing control relay board.

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