Payment device and computer program

Abstract

The system provides a payment device that appropriately grants benefits to customers who use the store. [Solution] A payment device 1 comprising: a registration means 102 for registering products by a store employee; a display means 15 for store employees to display the registration results by the registration means; a payment means 106 for settling the product information registered by the registration means; and a display means 14 for customers to read before the payment is completed by the payment means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement device and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a service that gives incentives such as so-called in-store points to customers who visit a store and use the store, thereby motivating repeat visits.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, there is disclosed an information processing apparatus that permits execution of processing such as in-store point provision when it is determined that a birthday obtained from customer membership information matches a birthday input by the customer's operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, with the device described in Patent Document 1, incentives can only be given to customers who already have membership information in advance, leaving room for improvement. Also, if it is assumed that customers and store employees can obtain incentives as appropriate, there is a risk of fraud.

[0006] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a settlement device that appropriately gives incentives to customers who use a store.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the payment device according to the present invention comprises: a registration means for registering products by a store employee; a display means for store employees to display the registration results by the registration means; a payment means for settling the product information registered by the registration means; and a display means for customers to display special offer information to be read by the time the payment by the payment means is completed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the settlement device according to this embodiment, and the configuration of the settlement device connected to a network. [Figure 2] This figure shows the external appearance of a settlement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the settlement device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a subplan screen displayed on the settlement device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal that communicates with the settlement device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed after payment is completed in the payment device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of a settlement process performed by the settlement device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] ● Overview of Payment Device 1 Hereinafter, a settlement device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures.

[0010] Payment device 1 is a device for making payments necessary in connection with the use of the facility, and can be implemented, for example, by a POS terminal. This payment device 1 is installed, for example, near the exit of a facility and performs payment processing when a customer finishes using the facility and leaves. Alternatively, the payment device may be installed near the entrance of a facility and perform payment processing when a customer begins using the facility. The facility may be, for example, a restaurant, and may be a so-called pre-payment type restaurant where payment processing is done by payment device 1 after entering and before eating, or a so-called post-payment type restaurant where payment processing is done after eating and before leaving. Furthermore, the facility is not limited to restaurants, but may be an amusement facility or a store selling goods as appropriate.

[0011] The settlement device 1 may be connected to a higher-level device, such as a so-called server, and the server may be configured to store and manage various files. This settlement device 1 may be installed within the facility or it may be located on the cloud.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the payment device 1 is connected to, for example, the user terminal 3, the store information management device 4, and the customer information management device 5 via a network NW.

[0013] The user terminal 3 includes a display unit that displays information received from the payment device 1, and an input unit that receives input from the user. The display unit is composed of, for example, a display, and the input unit is composed of, for example, a touch panel or a keyboard. The user terminal 3 may be a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. Furthermore, the user terminal 3 can view or manage user account information associated with the user terminal 3 through an application or browsing.

[0014] Furthermore, user terminal 3 has a function to acquire appropriate reward information displayed on the payment device 1, etc. User terminal 3 has, for example, an imaging unit such as a camera and an appropriate configuration to realize a scanning function, and acquires reward information by imaging a 2D code or the like indicating the reward information. The acquired reward information is assigned to the user's account linked to user terminal 3. Furthermore, the user terminal 3 can browse or manage the privilege information acquired by the user via an application or an appropriate browser.

[0015] The store information management device 4 is a device that stores and manages various files related to the store. The store information management device 4 is a so-called server, which may be installed in the store or provided on the cloud. The store information management device 4 stores, for example, the identification information of the store and the information necessary for the settlement processing of the products provided in the store, such as the type, content, and unit price of the products. In addition, the store information management device 4 may store the layout of the GUI to be deployed on the customer-side touch panel 14 and the store employee-side touch panel 15, the information on the layout necessary for printing the receipt on the print medium, etc. Further, the store information management device 4 may store information regarding the privileges given to the customers. The details of the information regarding the privileges will be described in detail.

[0016] The customer information management device 5 is a device that stores and manages information related to the customers who use the store. The customer information management device 5 may also be a so-called server, which may be installed in the store or provided on the cloud. In addition, the customer information management device 5 may be configured by the same hardware as the store information management device 4 or may be separate. The customer information management device 5 stores, for example, information regarding the identification information of the customer, the customer's account and login password, etc., and information regarding the privileges acquired by the customer associated with the customer's account. Note that part or all of the information managed by the store information management device 4 or the customer information management device 5 may be managed inside the application of the user terminal 3 or may be managed in the settlement device 1.

[0017] ●External configuration of the settlement device 1 FIG. 2 shows an example of the external configuration of the settlement device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0018] The settlement device 1 includes a customer-side touch panel 14 at the upper part of the front side which is operated by the customer. A screen for the customer to perform a predetermined operation including settlement is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 14, and the customer performs settlement by touch operation. Below the customer-side touch panel 14, a bill insertion / payment outlet 11a, a coin insertion slot 11b, a coin payment outlet 11c, and a reject outlet 11d are provided. The reject outlet 11d is an outlet for discharging coins when a cancel operation is performed after depositing money. On the side of the customer-side touch panel 14, a CAT terminal 12a for performing settlement processing by credit cards (including magnetic type, contact IC type, and touch settlement) and electronic money is provided. The clerk-side touch panel 15 is arranged in a different orientation from the customer-side touch panel 14. For example, the clerk-side touch panel 15 is arranged on the back side of the customer-side touch panel 14. A screen for the clerk to perform a predetermined operation including settlement is displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 15, and the clerk performs settlement by touch operation. Note that regardless of the illustrated example, the settlement device 1 appropriately includes functional units or mechanisms for realizing the hardware configuration described later.

[0019] ● Hardware Configuration of the Settlement Device 1 The settlement device 1 is a device for performing settlement processing. As shown in FIG. 1, this settlement device 1 includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing information processing, and storage devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and is connected to the change and ticket dispenser 11, the non-cash settlement unit 12, the camera 13, the customer-side touch panel 14, the clerk-side touch panel 15, the issuing unit 16, and the communication unit 17 via an interface circuit.

[0020] The change dispenser 11 is a mechanism that enables cash payments. It accepts money from customers, counts the deposited money, and dispenses change according to the settlement amount. The banknote insertion / dispensing slot 11a, coin insertion slot 11b, coin dispensing slot 11c, and reject slot 11d constitute the change dispenser 11.

[0021] The non-cash payment unit 12 is a payment unit that handles non-cash payment processing, such as credit card payments, electronic money payments, and code payments. The CAT terminal 12a is an example of this non-cash payment unit 12. The settlement device 1 can be equipped with one or more payment methods as the non-cash payment unit 12 according to any specifications, and will be equipped with the necessary functions and mechanisms for each payment method as appropriate. For example, a scanner may be provided adjacent to the CAT terminal 12a as a reading means for reading two-dimensional codes for code payments.

[0022] Camera 13 is an example of a code reading means for reading a code printed on a slip. The code may be any suitable information medium from which information can be read, such as a two-dimensional barcode or a one-dimensional barcode. Furthermore, this camera 13 may also serve as a means for reading codes, etc., in code-based payment systems.

[0023] The customer-side touch panel 14 is an example of a display / operation unit that constitutes a display means for displaying various information and an operation receiving means for receiving various operations, and is made available for customer use. This customer-side touch panel 14 has the display unit and operation unit configured as an integrated unit, but regardless, the display / operation unit can also be realized by a display unit such as an LCD panel and an operation unit such as a mechanical key.

[0024] The employee-side touch panel 15 is an example of a display / operation unit that constitutes a display means for displaying various information and an operation receiving means for receiving various operations, and is provided for use by the employee. Like the customer-side touch panel 14, this employee-side touch panel 15 also has a display unit and an operation unit integrated into one unit, but regardless, the display / operation unit can also be realized by a display unit such as an LCD panel and an operation unit such as a mechanical key.

[0025] The issuing unit 16 prints predetermined information onto a printing medium in response to the settlement operation and ejects the printed receipt from a predetermined issuing slot.

[0026] The communication unit 17 is implemented by one or more communication means that enable connection with each terminal or device. For example, interconnection with the management device 4 is implemented by a wired or wireless LAN, or by a network NW such as a public communication network like the Internet or a dedicated line. The communication unit 17 may also send and receive information with user terminals 3 held by customers using the store via the network NW. User terminals 3 are, for example, portable terminals such as smartphones, and customers use the store while possessing user terminals 3.

[0027] Furthermore, the payment device 1 may also be equipped with other functional units such as a speaker or a sign lamp to notify customers or staff of processing errors or forgotten change.

[0028] ● Software configuration of payment device 1 As shown in Figure 3, the settlement device 1 includes, as software resources, an information storage unit 101, a registration processing unit 102, a calculation processing unit 103, a notification processing unit 105, a settlement processing unit 106, a change processing unit 108, a printing processing unit 109, a closing processing unit 110, a display / operation control unit 111, and a communication processing unit 112. In the embodiments described later, the settlement device 1 functions as a processing unit that executes the processing of the information output by each device. However, in other embodiments, the settlement device 1 may function as a so-called thin client specializing in input / output interfaces, etc. As an example, a cloud server (which may be the same as the management device 4 or a different cloud server) may hold and execute a program for controlling the operation of each device, and each device may display a screen using a browsing function, etc.

[0029] The information storage unit 101 is a storage unit that stores information necessary for outputting to the customer-side touch panel 14 and the employee-side touch panel 15. The information stored in this information storage unit 101 includes, for example, the type and contents of the product, the unit price of the product, the layout of the GUI displayed on the customer-side touch panel 14 and the employee-side touch panel 15, and layout information necessary for printing a receipt on a print medium. This information may be managed by the management device 4 and transmitted from the management device 4 to the payment device 1 at predetermined timings such as when the payment device 1 is started up or during maintenance, and updated accordingly. Notwithstanding this embodiment, the settlement device 1 may not retain this information, and instead acquire the necessary information from the management device 4 at the timing when the information is needed for processing in the settlement device 1.

[0030] The registration processing unit 102 is a functional unit that accepts the registration of product information for ordered items. For example, the registration processing unit 102 accepts the registration of product information by reading a code (also called a "slip code") that includes the contents and price of the ordered items printed on the slip. The registration processing unit 102 is an example of a means of receiving operations from a store employee. The payment device 1 decodes and obtains this information that has been coded by the registration processing unit 102 and refers to it during the payment process. The payment device 1 may also obtain information necessary for the payment process from the management device 4 based on the information it has obtained. In addition to reading the code, the registration processing unit 102 may also accept the registration of product information from the store employee's touch panel 15 or the like. Furthermore, since reading the slip code displays the sub-plan page, the act of reading the slip code is one example of a "settlement commencement means" within the scope of the patent claims.

[0031] The calculation processing unit 103 calculates the amount the customer should pay. For example, it calculates the charge based on the contents and unit price of the ordered items.

[0032] The notification processing unit 105 notifies the customer performing the payment operation of any information that needs to be communicated during the payment process. Notifications by the notification processing unit 105 can be made, for example, by displaying messages or icons on the customer-side touch panel 14 or the employee-side touch panel 15. Furthermore, the notification method is not limited to the format of a message; it may also be a flashing display of an icon, or it may be an appropriate method such as the illumination or flashing of a sign lamp provided separately on the payment device 1, or voice guidance from an audio output means such as a speaker.

[0033] The settlement processing unit 106 uses the charges calculated by the calculation processing unit 103 as the settlement amount and executes the settlement process according to the payment method specified by the customer, thereby completing the settlement process. If the customer wishes to pay in cash, the settlement process is performed by the change / change machine 11; if the customer wishes to pay using a cashless method, the settlement process is performed by the cashless settlement unit 12.

[0034] The change processing unit 108 switches the operating mode of the payment device 1. The payment device 1 can be switched between an employee-operated mode, where it is operated by a store employee, and a self-operated mode, where it is operated by the customer, according to the user's settings. In other words, the payment device 1, when operated in employee-operated mode, functions as a manned machine in that a store employee is there to assist the customer, while the payment device 1, when operated in self-operated mode, functions as an unmanned machine in that there is no store employee to assist the customer.

[0035] In the clerk operation mode, the clerk receives the receipt from the customer and registers the ordered items. Alternatively, the clerk scans the code printed on the receipt and performs the necessary operations according to the subplan screen displayed on the clerk's touch panel 15. At this time, the customer's touch panel 14 displays the settlement details, and if there is an expense to settle, the customer makes the payment using the change dispenser 11 or the non-cash payment unit 12.

[0036] In self-service mode, the customer scans a code printed on a receipt and performs predetermined operations according to the sub-plan screen displayed on the customer-side touch panel 14. At this time, the employee-side touch panel 15 does not need to display any information, or it may display the operations on the customer-side touch panel 14 so that the employee can confirm the customer's actions. In self-service mode, the customer selects the items to order using the customer-side touch panel 14 and then performs predetermined operations on the sub-plan screen that reflects the selected items.

[0037] The operation mode switching by the change processing unit 108 may be performed in response to a predetermined switching operation by a store employee, or it may be performed automatically triggered by the fulfillment of predetermined conditions (for example, a certain period of inactivity, a predetermined schedule, etc.). It may also be performed in response to a command from the management device 4.

[0038] The printing processing unit 109 generates information to be printed on the receipt in accordance with the payment settlement, and the issuing unit 16 prints the generated information on a predetermined printing medium and provides it to the customer as a receipt. The receipt issued at this time will include details of the ordered items and the total amount paid.

[0039] The closing processing unit 110 performs closing procedures in response to requests from store employees. Closing procedures are a so-called reconciliation process performed in conjunction with the closing of the facility or the end of use of the settlement device 1, and include cash calculations and power off.

[0040] The display and operation control unit 111 comprises a display means for controlling the customer-side touch panel 14 and the employee-side touch panel 15 to display various information on the customer-side touch panel 14 and the employee-side touch panel 15, and an input means for receiving operations and information input from the customer-side touch panel 14 and the employee-side touch panel 15. In this embodiment, the customer-side touch panel 14 and the employee-side touch panel 15 display a sub-plan of the transaction, etc. The display and operation control unit 111 may also receive operations on physical keys appropriately provided by the payment device 1. For example, the display and operation control unit 111 receives a declaration from the employee-side touch panel 15 that the payment processing unit 106 will start the payment process. When the display and operation control unit 111 receives the declaration from the employee-side touch panel 15, it displays special offer information on the customer-side touch panel 14. The display and operation control unit 111 is another example of the payment initiation means in the claims.

[0041] The display and operation control unit 111 displays special offer information on the customer's touch panel 14 before the settlement processing unit 106 completes the settlement. Reward information is information that includes rewards given to customers in response to their visits to the store, and is managed in conjunction with the customer's customer information. Customer information is not limited to information that can identify the customer, i.e., the user, such as name, telephone number, and email address, but may also include a unique number assigned to an application downloadable to the user terminal 3, such as an app number. Reward information is coded and displayed on an appropriate information medium that can be read by the customer's user terminal 3, for example, using a code such as a two-dimensional barcode. Customers can obtain rewards by reading the reward information via the user terminal 3. Specifically, in response to the reading of reward information by the user terminal 3, the reward related to the read reward information is stored in the customer information linked to the user terminal 3.

[0042] Figure 4 shows a subplan screen G1 as an example of a screen displayed on the customer's touch panel 14 during the payment process in the payment device 1. In this example, the subplan screen G1 displays a payment information display area G11, which includes the total amount, along with a two-dimensional code G12 (hereinafter also referred to as "reward code G12") as reward information. A message prompting the customer to scan the reward code G12 is also displayed.

[0043] The timing for displaying the subtotal screen G1 is, for example, after the completion of product registration. The completion of product registration may be, for example, after product registration has been performed and a predetermined action has been accepted by the store clerk. The predetermined action is, for example, pressing the subtotal button to declare that product registration is complete and the customer is moving on to checkout. In particular, in stores with a pre-payment system, it is preferable to display the subtotal screen G1 at this point. In stores with a pre-payment system, customers must focus their attention on product registration while it is in progress, so even if special offer information is displayed during product registration, they will not have the time to perform the code reading operation. Also, in stores with a pre-payment system, it is possible that the procedure may be canceled during product registration, so if special offer information is displayed during product registration, there is a risk that customers who are not using the store may also have the opportunity to receive special offers. In this respect, after the completion of product registration, customers only need to prepare for payment, so the burden of reading the special offer code G12 is relatively small.

[0044] Furthermore, customers often make payments at the user terminal 3 using methods such as QR code payments, where they have the payment device 1 read electronic money or credit cards registered in the user terminal 3, or a two-dimensional code displayed on the user terminal 3, or the user terminal 3 reads the two-dimensional code. With a configuration that allows the user terminal 3 to read the reward code G12 at the time of payment preparation, the payment and the reading of the reward code G12 can be completed at the same time, which is efficient. Moreover, since there is a high probability that customers will make a payment after product registration is complete, rewards can be given to store customers with a relatively high degree of certainty.

[0045] Furthermore, the completion of product registration may be defined as the point at which the code on the slip is read by the payment device 1. This configuration can be adopted, for example, in a post-payment type store. In addition, even in a post-payment type store, the subplanning screen G1 may be displayed after product registration is completed and a predetermined action by the store clerk is received. This configuration is suitable, for example, in a post-payment type store where a readable code is not printed on the slip and the store clerk performs the registration operation for each product.

[0046] The display and operation control unit 111 may display or not display the special offer information on the subplanning surface G1 depending on whether or not customer information has been read and the type of information it has been read. Customer information may be obtained by appropriately reading the screen of the customer's user terminal 3, or by reading a physical membership card, such as a paper or plastic one, held by the member. The display and operation control unit 111 may display the special offer information on the subplanning surface G1 when customer information has been read, and not display the special offer information when customer information has not been read. In addition, the display and operation control unit 111 may display the special offer information on the subplanning surface G1 when the read customer information meets predetermined conditions. For example, the special offer information may be displayed when the frequency of visits or the amount spent included in the customer information exceeds predetermined conditions.

[0047] The display and operation control unit 111 may vary the content of the reward information displayed on the subplanning screen G1 according to the customer information read. For example, the more frequent the visit or the more money spent, the more reward information of higher value may be displayed.

[0048] Furthermore, if the payment device 1 reads customer information, the payment device 1 may perform a process to link the reward information to the customer information via the network, and the display and operation control unit 111 may display the information regarding the granted reward as reward information.

[0049] Furthermore, the display and operation control unit 111 may be configured to display the subplanning screen G1 regardless of whether the settlement process has started or not.

[0050] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the privileges granted to the customer can be viewed by the customer, for example, through a dedicated app or browser on the terminal. FIG. 5 is an example of a privilege display screen G2 obtained by the customer, which is displayed on the customer's user terminal 3. In the example of this figure, the display screen of the stamp card for each store and the display screen of the group-common stamp card can be switched. Also, on the privilege display screen G2, a "Get Stamp" button is displayed. When this button is selected, the camera of the user terminal 3 is activated, and the privilege code G12 can be read.

[0051] The privilege may itself exhibit a predetermined valuable value, or it may exhibit a valuable value by acquiring a plurality of privileges such as stamps stored on the stamp card. The valuable value is, for example, something that can receive discounts on food and beverages or goods in the store, or something that can obtain food, beverages, or goods for free. The granted privilege may be displayed, for example, in a manner where a virtual stamp is imprinted on the stamp card displayed on the terminal screen. This stamp is a so-called store visit stamp. The user terminal 3 is logged in to an account associated with the customer information, and the stamp card is associated with the customer's customer information and stored in the information storage unit 101 of the settlement device 1 or an appropriate storage device capable of communicating with the settlement device 1.

[0052] The privilege information may include, for example, information indicating the type of privilege, information indicating the details of the privilege, device information, company information, store information, or store employee information, etc. The information indicating the type of privilege is, for example, information indicating whether it is a discount on food, drinks, or items in the store, or a so-called in-store stamp that exhibits value by obtaining multiple privileges. The information indicating the details of the privilege is, for example, the number information of the in-store stamps granted by reading. The device information is information indicating the type and identification information of the settlement device 1 that displays the privilege code. The company information is, for example, information identifying the operating company of the store that displays the code. The store information is, for example, information identifying the identification information of the store that displays the privilege code. The store employee information is, for example, the identification information of the store employee logged in to the settlement device 1 that displays the code. Further, when multiple stamp cards such as a stamp card for each store or a group-common stamp card are stored in the customer information in the privilege information, the privilege information may include information specifying which stamp card the in-store stamp is to be granted to. Note that the privilege may be one that grants in-store stamps to multiple stamp cards.

[0053] According to such a configuration, when the store employee operates the settlement device 1, the privilege information can be presented to the customer facing the store employee.

[0054] Conventionally, for example, when the privilege code is always posted in the store, there is a risk of fraud such as reading the privilege code multiple times or taking a photo of the privilege code G12 and later obtaining the privilege without visiting the store by reading this photo. Also, even if restrictions on position information are set regarding the reading position of the privilege code G12, fraud of reading outside the store and near the store cannot be prevented. If a time interval limit is set for the privilege code from the last acquisition to the next acquisition, the privilege cannot be appropriately granted to customers who visit the store multiple times in a short period.

[0055] Furthermore, if the reward code is printed on the receipt, there is a risk of fraud where a store employee reads a receipt that has been discarded in the store without being read by the customer. Also, even if a restriction is placed on the reward code that allows the reward to be granted only once per customer, there is a risk that a customer who comes to the store alone may distribute the reward to people who are not present. If a uniform one-time reading limit is placed on the reward code, it becomes impossible to grant the reward to each customer who comes in a group, which is inconvenient.

[0056] In this regard, the configuration of the present invention prevents fraud because the customer must read the reward code G12 in front of the store clerk. Furthermore, the configuration in which the payment device 1 displays the reward code G12 from the start to the completion of payment prevents fraudulent attempts to obtain rewards without making a payment. Such a configuration can also prevent fraud by store clerks.

[0057] The payment device 1 may also refer to customer information via the network and detect when a reward has been granted using the displayed reward code G12. Furthermore, the payment device 1 may limit the number of times the displayed reward code G12 can be read in a single transaction, and if the number of reads exceeds this limit, the reward may not be granted to the user terminal 3 that performed the read. Additionally, when the display / operation control unit 111 detects that the reward code G12 has been read the set number of times, it may clear the display of the reward information. The limit on the number of reads may be set, for example, through the payment device 1 for each payment process. The limit on the number of reads can be determined, for example, by the number of customers paying together, entered by a store employee. This configuration allows for the granting of rewards to each customer even when multiple people pay together, while preventing the granting of excessive rewards exceeding the number of customers.

[0058] When subplan screen G1 is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 14, the display / operation control unit 111 accepts operations by the store clerk on the store clerk-side touch panel 15, i.e., store clerk operations. When subplan screen G1 is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 14, the store clerk-side touch panel 15 may display a message indicating that the customer-side touch panel 14 is displaying special offer information. This message may be, for example, "Special offer information is being displayed." The store clerk-side touch panel 15 may also display guidance information to ensure that the store clerk can reliably guide the customer to access special offer information. This guidance information may be displayed as, for example, text, video, or image. The guidance information may be displayed in order to show the steps, along with a message such as "Please tell the customer to read the special offer using the following procedure," and may include text such as "1. Launch the app. 2. Press the camera activation button in the app. 3. Read the QR code (2D code) with the camera. 4. The stamp screen will be displayed, and the customer should confirm that the number of stamps has increased." Furthermore, while sub-plan screen G1 is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 14, the employee-side touch panel 15 may display information indicating the timing of when the reward information will be deleted from the customer-side touch panel 14 and the actions that trigger its deletion. With this configuration, employees can understand the timing of when the reward information will be displayed, how to obtain the reward, and when the reward information will be deleted on their own operation screen, enabling them to respond quickly to customers. In addition, it is possible to prevent mistakes by employees such as leaving the reward information displayed or accidentally deleting the display of the reward information.

[0059] The display and operation control unit 111 receives, for example, an appropriate operation from the employee-side touch panel 15 that triggers the deletion of the special offer information display on the customer-side touch panel 14, i.e., an operation related to the termination of a transaction. The display and operation control unit 111 is an example of the receiving means in the claims. The employee operation received by the display and operation control unit 111, i.e., the employee operation, is, for example, pressing the clear button to delete the display of special offer information, or pressing an appropriate transaction termination button or so-called total button. The employee operation may also be obtaining the next customer's product information, in particular, reading the next customer's slip, etc. Furthermore, the employee operation may be pressing the receipt issuance button to command the printing processing unit 109 to issue a receipt. When the display and operation control unit 111 receives a predetermined employee operation as described above, the customer-side touch panel 14 deletes the display of special offer information.

[0060] When the sub-plan screen G1 is displayed, and the store clerk operation described above is received, the display on the customer-side touch panel 14 transitions to the payment completion screen G3. The payment completion screen G3 may also be displayed in accordance with the appropriate execution of the payment device 1 which operates in response to the store clerk operation. For example, the payment completion screen G3 may be displayed in accordance with the issuance of a receipt, which is performed when the receipt issuance button is pressed. Alternatively, the sub-plan screen G1 may transition to the payment completion screen G3 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the payment is completed. In this case, an appropriate configuration that accepts an operation when the payment is completed is another example of the acceptance means. In this configuration, for example, if a cash drawer is connected to the payment device 1, when an operation to open the drawer is received, the drawer may be an example of the acceptance means, and the operation to open the drawer may be an operation that triggers the deletion of the reward information display. That is, in this case, in response to the operation to open the drawer, the reward information display is deleted and the system transitions to the payment completion screen G3. Furthermore, in the automatic change dispenser, when the sensors at the banknote input / dispensing port 11a from which change is dispensed or the coin dispensing port 11c from which change is dispensed detect that a customer has received change or change bills, the system transitions to the settlement completion screen G3.

[0061] Furthermore, the operation that triggers the removal of the reward information display may be performed by the customer. For example, if an automatic change dispenser is connected to the payment device 1 and the automatic change dispenser is facing the customer, the customer may perform the payment execution operation in addition to depositing money and receiving change. In this configuration, the customer can perform operations such as depositing money and receiving change at the time they intend. Even in this configuration, the reward information may be removed by the store clerk pressing a clear button to remove the display of the reward information after the customer has completed the payment.

[0062] Figure 6 shows the payment completion screen G3 as an example of a screen displayed when an operation is received by a store employee from the customer's touch panel 14. In the payment completion screen G3, the payment information display area G31 displays the total amount, the amount received, and the change.

[0063] Furthermore, the payment completion screen G3 displays a message prompting the customer to receive their change and receipt, instead of the reward code G12. In other words, on the payment completion screen G3, the reward code G12 that was displayed on the customer's touch panel 14 on the sub-planning screen G1 is erased, and the customer cannot obtain the reward on that screen G3.

[0064] Furthermore, there may be a configuration in which the reward information is displayed after the settlement is completed. For example, the reward information may be displayed on the customer's touch panel 14 after the store clerk presses the so-called "total" button. With such a configuration, the customer can perform the reward acquisition operation after completing all transactions, thus allowing the customer to concentrate on acquiring the reward. In this case as well, the store clerk's touch panel 15 may display a message indicating that the reward information is displayed on the customer's touch panel 14. In addition, the store clerk's touch panel 15 may also display instructions regarding the procedure for reading and deleting the reward information, similar to the configuration described above. The conditions for displaying the reward information after the settlement is completed are not limited to the configuration triggered by the store clerk's operation as described above, but may also be when any appropriate operation related to the completion of the transaction is performed as described above. In other words, for example, in an automatic change dispenser, the sensor of the banknote input / dispensing port 11a from which change is dispensed or the coin dispensing port 11c from which change is dispensed may detect when a customer receives change or change bills, when it is determined that a credit card, electronic money, or so-called QR payment has been properly made, or when it is detected that a receipt has been issued or that a receipt has been removed from the designated dispensing port.

[0065] The display and operation control unit 111 may switch the display of the reward code G12 depending on the usage mode of the payment device 1 set by the change processing unit 108. For example, the customer-side touch panel 14 may not display the reward code G12 when the usage mode does not accept product registration from the store clerk by the registration processing unit 102.

[0066] For example, the display and operation control unit 111 may display the reward code G12 on the subplan screen G1 when the usage mode is the aforementioned employee operation mode in which the registration processing unit 102 performs product registration by an employee, while prohibiting the display of the reward code G12 when the usage mode is the aforementioned self-operation mode. In other words, in this case, the reward code G12 is not displayed on the subplan screen G1. Alternatively, an appropriate screen may be displayed that only shows payment information and does not display the reward code G12. In self-operation mode, the customer registers the product and makes the payment, and there may not be an employee nearby, which increases the risk of fraudulent activity such as taking a picture of the reward code G12. With this configuration, such fraud can be prevented.

[0067] Furthermore, the display and operation control unit 111 may prohibit the display of the reward code G12 on the subplan screen G1 when the usage mode of the payment device 1 is the so-called training mode. The training mode is a usage mode in which only provisional registration of products is made, and therefore product registration by store staff is not accepted. In this case as well, the reward code G12 is not displayed on the subplan screen G1, or an appropriate screen is displayed that does not display the reward code G12 and only shows information related to payment. In the case of training mode, store staff can freely switch to this mode, so if the reward code G12 could be displayed as appropriate, store staff could fraudulently obtain it. In this respect, by configuring the system so that the reward code G12 is not displayed in training mode, fraud by store staff can be prevented.

[0068] The communication processing unit 112 is a functional unit that performs data transmission and reception with appropriate devices such as the management device 4 via the communication unit 17, and realizes data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The settlement device 1 transmits or outputs settlement information to the management device 4 via the communication processing unit 112. At this time, the settlement device 1 may also transmit its own identification information to the management device 4 along with the settlement information. The communication processing unit 112 may also transmit and receive data with the user terminal 3, and may obtain information from the user terminal 3 that a benefit has been acquired, link the benefit with the customer information, and store it in the information storage unit 101.

[0069] Furthermore, the software resources of the payment device 1 described above can be distributed or consolidated across any hardware resources through appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as a physically integrated device or separate devices. Alternatively, the software resources provided by the payment device 1 may be stored on a cloud server or management device 4, and the data processing may be handled by the cloud server or management device 4, while the payment device 1 is configured to only perform code reading by the camera 13, data input / output by the customer-side touch panel 14 and the employee-side touch panel 15, and receipt issuance by the issuing unit 16.

[0070] ●Processing flow Figure 7 shows the process flow when payment is made using the payment device 1 in store clerk operation mode, and a code for granting benefits is displayed. The payment device 1 accepts product registration via the registration processing unit 102 (S101). The store clerk repeats this until product registration is complete. When an appropriate termination operation is entered to end product registration (Y in step S102), the process moves to step S103, and the subplan page G1 including the special offer code G12 is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 14.

[0071] When an appropriate operation is entered that triggers the deletion of the special offer information (Y in step S104), the subplan page G10 and special offer code G12 displayed on the customer's touch panel 14 are deleted (step S105), and the payment completion screen G3 is displayed on the customer's touch panel 14 (step S106).

[0072] According to the payment device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a payment device that appropriately grants benefits to customers who use the store.

[0073] ●Summary of Embodiments

[0074] This invention relates to a payment processing device and a computer program.

[0075] A well-known service involves providing customers who visit a store and use its services with benefits such as loyalty points, thereby incentivizing them to return.

[0076] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-094476 discloses an information processing device that, when it is determined that the birthday obtained from the customer's membership information matches the birthday entered by the customer, allows the execution of processes such as awarding store visit points.

[0077] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 can only grant benefits to customers who already have membership information, and there is room for improvement. Furthermore, if benefits can be obtained at any time by customers or store employees, there is a risk of fraud.

[0078] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide a payment device that appropriately grants benefits to customers who use a store.

[0079] To achieve the above objective, the payment device according to the present invention comprises: a registration means for registering products by a store employee; a display means for store employees to display the registration results by the registration means; a payment means for settling the product information registered by the registration means; and a display means for customers to display special offer information to be read by the time the payment by the payment means is completed.

[0080] The employee display means may display a reception means for receiving an operation related to the completion of a transaction by the employee, and the customer display means may erase the display of the special offer information when the operation is received.

[0081] The system may further include a settlement commencement means for receiving a declaration that the settlement commencement means is to commence settlement, and the customer display means may display the benefit information when the settlement commencement means receives the declaration.

[0082] The payment device may be provided with a mode changing means that changes the usage mode from at least a first usage mode in which product registration from the store clerk is accepted by the registration means to a second usage mode in which product registration from the store clerk is not accepted, and the customer display means may not display the special offer information when the second usage mode is set as the usage mode by the mode changing means.

[0083] To achieve the above objective, a computer program according to another embodiment of the present invention is a computer program for controlling a payment device comprising a customer display means and a store clerk display means, which causes the computer to execute a registration process for accepting product registration by a store clerk, a store clerk display process for displaying the registration results from the registration process on the store clerk display means, a payment process for settling the product information registered by the registration process, and a customer display process for displaying special offer information to be read by the time the payment process is completed on the customer display means.

[0084] Furthermore, the computer program that causes the payment device to perform the prescribed processing can be provided via download over a network such as the Internet, or by recording it on various computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROMs.

[0085] The payment device according to this embodiment described above can provide a payment device that appropriately grants benefits to customers who use the store. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1:Payment device 14: Customer-side touch panel (customer display means) 15: Touch panel for staff (display device for staff) 101: Information storage section 102: Registration Processing Unit (Registration Means) 104: Calculation Processing Unit 105: Notification Processing Unit 106: Settlement Processing Unit (Settlement Method) 108: Modification processing unit (mode change means) 109: Printing Processing Unit 110: Closing Department 111: Display / Operation Control Unit 112: Communication Processing Unit 4: Store Information Management Device 5:Customer information management device NW: Network

Claims

1. A registration method in which store staff register products, A display means for store staff to display the registration results obtained by the aforementioned registration means, A settlement means for settling the product information registered by the registration means, A customer display means for displaying special offer information to be read by the time the settlement is completed by the settlement means, A payment device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned display means for store employees displays a reception means for receiving operations related to the completion of a transaction by the store employee. When the customer display means receives the operation, it erases the display of the special offer information. The settlement device according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a settlement commencement means for receiving a declaration that settlement will commence using the aforementioned settlement means, The customer display means displays the special offer information when the payment initiation means receives the declaration. The settlement device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The payment device is equipped with a mode changing means for changing the usage mode of the payment device from at least a first usage mode in which product registration from the store clerk is accepted by the registration means to a second usage mode in which product registration from the store clerk is not accepted. The customer display means does not display the special offer information when the second usage mode is set as the usage mode by the mode changing means. The settlement device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A computer program for controlling a payment device that includes a customer display means and a store employee display means, The registration process involves accepting product registrations from store staff, A staff display process that displays the registration result obtained by the registration process on the staff display means, A settlement process for settling the product information registered through the aforementioned registration process, A customer display process that displays special offer information to be read by the time the settlement process is completed on the customer display means, Make the computer execute it. Computer program.

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