Automatic payment machine system and payment method

Abstract

In accommodations where each guest room is equipped with an automated payment machine, this will allow for the simultaneous settlement of payments for multiple guest rooms. [Solution] The reception terminal transmits to the management server information regarding the parent automatic payment machine and the child automatic payment machines among the group of automatic payment machines installed in each guest room. The management server receives the automatic payment machine information and registers the received information in the automatic payment machine management table where the automatic payment machine information of each automatic payment machine is registered. The automatic payment machine accesses the management server, and if the accessed automatic payment machine is the parent automatic payment machine, the management server determines the total settlement amount based on the automatic payment machine management table, which is the sum of the settlement amounts for the guest rooms where each of the multiple automatic payment machines included in the group, including the parent automatic payment machine, is installed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic settlement system and a settlement method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the accommodation facility industry such as hotels and inns has been facing problems such as labor cost reduction and labor shortage. Therefore, in order to solve these problems at least a little, for example, as one of the measures towards unmanned front desks, an automatic settlement machine has been introduced into each guest room.

[0003] A system in which an automatic settlement machine is provided in each guest room so that a user can perform settlement in the guest room is described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an accommodation facility where an automatic settlement machine is provided in each guest room, settlement is generally performed for each guest room. Therefore, when a group guest (for example, a student group guest with many children) uses a plurality of guest rooms, the representative of the group guest (for example, the guardian of the children) cannot perform the settlement of the plurality of guest rooms in a lump sum, or even if it is possible, the procedure is troublesome.

[0006] In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic settlement system and a settlement method capable of performing settlement of a plurality of guest rooms in a lump sum in an accommodation facility where an automatic settlement machine is provided in each guest room.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One perspective of the system is an automated payment system including a reception terminal, automated payment machines installed in each guest room, and a management server, wherein the reception terminal includes a communication unit that transmits automated payment machine information relating to an automated payment machine designated as the master machine and automated payment machine information relating to an automated payment machine designated as a slave machine among a group of automated payment machines to the management server, the automated payment machine includes a communication unit that accesses the management server, and the management server includes a storage unit that stores an automated payment machine management table in which the automated payment machine information of each automated payment machine is registered, and the automated payment machine information transmitted by the reception terminal The system is characterized by comprising: a communication unit that receives reports and access from the automatic payment machine; a table update unit that registers the automatic payment machine information received by the communication unit into the automatic payment machine management table stored in the storage unit; and a settlement amount determination unit that, when the automatic payment machine that the communication unit has accessed is the master automatic payment machine, determines the total settlement amount of the rooms where each of the plurality of automatic payment machines included in the group including the master automatic payment machine is provided, based on the automatic payment machine management table stored in the storage unit.

[0008] One aspect of the method is a settlement method characterized in that the reception terminal transmits to the management server automatic payment machine information relating to the master automatic payment machine and automatic payment machine information relating to the slave automatic payment machines among a group of automatic payment machines installed in each guest room, the management server receives the automatic payment machine information and registers the received automatic payment machine information in the automatic payment machine management table where the automatic payment machine information of each automatic payment machine is registered, the automatic payment machine accesses the management server, and if the automatic payment machine that made the access is the master automatic payment machine, the management server determines the total settlement amount of the guest rooms in which each of the group of automatic payment machines including the master automatic payment machine is installed, based on the automatic payment machine management table. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, in an accommodation facility where an automatic payment machine is installed in each guest room, payment for multiple guest rooms can be processed at once. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the configuration of an automated payment machine system. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the functional configuration of an automated payment machine system. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the contents of the automatic payment machine management table stored in the management server's memory. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the hardware configuration of an automated payment machine. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating a computer's hardware configuration. [Figure 6] This flowchart illustrates the group creation process performed at the reception terminal and the management server. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates screen A of the reception terminal. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates screen B of the reception terminal. [Figure 9] This flowchart illustrates the group deletion process performed at the reception terminal and the management server. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates screen C of the reception terminal. [Figure 11] This flowchart illustrates the payment process performed by an automated payment machine (master unit) and a management server. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates screen D of an automated payment machine. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates screen E of an automated payment machine. [Figure 14] This flowchart illustrates the payment process performed by an automated payment machine (sub-unit) and a management server. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates screen F of an automated payment machine. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an automatic settlement machine system.

[0013] The automatic settlement machine system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a reception terminal 2, an automatic settlement machine 4 provided in each guest room 3 of a lodging facility such as a hotel or a ryokan, a management server 5, and a settlement server 6. The reception terminal 2, the automatic settlement machine 4, and the management server 5 are connected to a first communication network 7 by wire or wirelessly. For example, the reception terminal 2 and the management server 5, and the automatic settlement machine 4 and the management server 5 can communicate via the first communication network 7. Further, the management server 5 and the settlement server 6 are connected to a second communication network 8 by wire or wirelessly and can communicate via the second communication network 8.

[0014] The reception terminal 2 is a terminal used by a reception staff member 2a who is an employee of the lodging facility, and is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer). The reception staff member 2a performs reception of hotel reservations and the like. The automatic settlement machine 4 is a terminal used when a user of the guest room 3 makes a payment (settlement) for the accommodation fee. The management server 5 is a server that manages the automatic settlement machine 4. The settlement server 6 is a server that performs settlement by credit card, electronic money, or the like.

[0015] The first communication network 7 includes a wired and / or wireless communication network, and includes, for example, one or more of a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the Internet. The second communication network 8 includes a wired and / or wireless communication network, and includes, for example, a dedicated communication network.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the automatic settlement machine system. In FIG. 2, only one automatic settlement machine 4 is shown as the automatic settlement machine 4. Further, the functional configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 shows only the functional configuration mainly related to the case of collectively performing the settlement of a plurality of guest rooms 3.

[0017] In the automated payment machine system 1 illustrated in Figure 2, the reception terminal 2 includes a communication unit 21. The communication unit 21 transmits to the management server 5 information regarding the automated payment machine 4 designated as the master machine and the automated payment machine 4 designated as slave machines among a group of automated payment machines 4. The group of automated payment machines 4 refers to the automated payment machines 4 installed in each of the multiple guest rooms 3 when settling the bills for multiple guest rooms 3 at once. The communication unit 21 also transmits a grouping cancellation instruction signal to the management server 5 to instruct the cancellation of the grouping of the multiple automated payment machines 4.

[0018] The automatic payment machine 4 includes a communication unit 41 and a display unit 42. The communication unit 41 accesses the management server 5. The communication unit 41 also receives payment-free notifications from the management server 5. Based on the payment-free notification received by the communication unit 41, the display unit 42 displays that payment is not required.

[0019] The management server 5 includes a storage unit 51, a communication unit 52, a table update unit 53, and a settlement amount determination unit 54. The storage unit 51 stores an automatic payment machine management table in which the automatic payment machine information of each automatic payment machine 4 is registered. The communication unit 52 receives automatic payment machine information transmitted by the reception terminal 2 and access from the automatic payment machines 4. The table update unit 53 registers the automatic payment machine information received by the communication unit 52 into the automatic payment machine management table stored in the storage unit 51. If the automatic payment machine 4 that the communication unit 52 has accessed is the master automatic payment machine 4, the settlement amount determination unit 54 determines the total settlement amount for the rooms 3 in which each of the multiple automatic payment machines 4 included in the group that includes the master automatic payment machine 4 is installed, based on the automatic payment machine management table stored in the storage unit 51.

[0020] Furthermore, in the management server 5, the communication unit 52 sends a settlement instruction signal to the settlement server 6 instructing settlement at the settlement amount determined by the settlement amount determination unit 54.

[0021] Furthermore, in the management server 5, if the communication unit 52 receives an access request from an automatic payment machine 4 that is a slave machine 4, it sends a notification that payment is not required to that slave machine 4.

[0022] Furthermore, in the management server 5, the communication unit 52 receives a group ungrouping instruction signal transmitted by the reception terminal 2. In response to the group ungrouping instruction signal received by the communication unit 52, the table update unit 53 updates the automatic payment machine management table stored in the storage unit 51 so that the grouping of the multiple automatic payment machines 4 is ungrouped.

[0023] The settlement server 6 includes a communication unit 61 and a settlement processing unit 62. The communication unit 61 receives settlement instruction signals transmitted by the management server 5. The settlement processing unit 62 performs settlement processing according to the settlement instruction signals received by the communication unit 61.

[0024] Figure 3 is an example of the contents of the automatic payment machine management table stored in the memory of the management server.

[0025] The automated payment machine management table illustrated in Figure 3 registers the information of each automated payment machine 4. The automated payment machine information includes the name of the automated payment machine 4, connection information, room number, group name, parent / child identification, accommodation fee, and payment information.

[0026] The connection information indicates the communication address (e.g., IP (Internet Protocol) address) of the automatic payment machine 4. The room number is the room number of the room 3 in which the automatic payment machine 4 is installed. The group name is the name of the group to which the automatic payment machine 4 belongs, and is represented by a positive integer, for example. If the automatic payment machine 4 does not belong to any group, its group name is represented by "0". The parent / child identification information indicates whether the automatic payment machine 4 is designated as a parent or child unit within any group, and is represented by "2" if it is a parent unit and "1" if it is a child unit. Only one unit can be designated as a parent unit within a group; the others are child units. If the automatic payment machine 4 does not belong to any group, its parent / child identification information is represented by "0". The accommodation fee is the accommodation fee for the room 3 in which the automatic payment machine 4 is installed. The payment information indicates the payment method; for example, if the payment method is a credit card, it is represented by "1", and if the payment method is electronic money, it is represented by "2". Since no payment is made at the automatic payment machine 4, which is designated as a sub-unit, the payment information for the automatic payment machine 4 is represented as "0".

[0027] According to the automated payment machine management table illustrated in Figure 3, as shown by the dashed box, the 10 automated payment machines 4, "Payment Machine #1" to "Payment Machine #10," installed in guest rooms 3 "101" to "110," belong to the group named "1," with "Payment Machine #1" being the master machine and the other automated payment machines 4 being slave machines. In addition, the two automated payment machines 4, "Payment Machine #11" and "Payment Machine #12," installed in guest rooms 3 "201" and "202," do not belong to any group.

[0028] Figure 4 illustrates the hardware configuration of an automated payment machine.

[0029] The automatic payment machine 4 illustrated in Figure 4 comprises a control unit 410, a display input unit 420, and a media reading unit 430.

[0030] The control unit 410 includes a processor 411, memory 412, communication interface 413, graphics processing unit 414, storage device 415, and input / output interface 416, which are interconnected by a bus 417.

[0031] The processor 411 may be a single processor, a multi-processor, or a multi-core processor. The processor 411 performs various processes (for example, the processes performed by the automated payment machine 4 as illustrated in Figures 11 and 14 below) by executing various programs such as the OS (Operating System) and applications.

[0032] Memory 412 includes RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). RAM is used as a working memory area for the processor 411. ROM stores programs executed by the processor 411 and data necessary for program execution.

[0033] The communication interface 413 is connected to a communication network (e.g., a first communication network 7) by wire or wireless connection and communicates with an external device (e.g., a management server 5) via the communication network. The communication interface 413 provides, for example, the functions of the communication unit 41 described above.

[0034] The graphics processing unit 414 is connected to the display device 421 of the display input unit 420 and displays various screens on the display device 421 according to control signals from the processor 411.

[0035] The storage device 415 may be, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 415 may store programs executed by the processor 411, data necessary for program execution, and so on.

[0036] The input / output interface 416 is connected to the touch panel 422 of the display input unit 420 and the media reading unit 430. The input / output interface 416 performs signal input and output between, for example, the touch panel 422 and the media reading unit 430 and the processor 411. The input / output interface 416 may also be further connected to a portable storage medium interface that enables writing and reading information to and from a portable storage medium.

[0037] The display input unit 420 is a touch panel display comprising a display device 421 and a touch panel 422 positioned on the display device 421. The display device 421 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various screens (for example, automatic payment machine screens D, E, and F as illustrated in Figures 12, 13, and 15 described later). The display device 421 provides, for example, the functions of the display unit 42 described above. The touch panel 422 detects input operations to the touch panel 422 and outputs a signal to the processor 411 according to the detection result.

[0038] The media reading unit 430 reads data necessary for payment from contactless media, contact media, or code media. Contactless media include, for example, credit cards, cash cards, contactless IC cards such as transportation IC cards, and mobile terminals such as smartphones. Contact media include, for example, contact IC cards such as credit cards and cash cards, and magnetic cards such as credit cards and cash cards. Code media include, for example, barcodes or QR codes (registered trademarks) displayed on mobile terminals.

[0039] Each of the reception terminal 2, management server 5, and payment server 6 can be implemented, for example, by a computer 900 as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0040] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a computer hardware configuration.

[0041] The computer 900 illustrated in Figure 5 includes a processor 901, memory 902, input device 903, output device 904, storage device 905, portable storage medium drive device 906, and communication interface 907, which are interconnected by a bus 908.

[0042] The processor 901 may be a single processor, a multi-processor, or a multi-core processor. The processor 901 performs various processes by executing various programs such as the OS and applications. For example, the processor 901 of the computer 900 that implements the reception terminal 2 performs the processes that the reception terminal 2 is exemplified in Figures 6 and 9 below, the processor 901 of the computer 900 that implements the management server 5 performs the processes that the management server 5 is exemplified in Figures 6, 9, 11 and 14 below, and the processor 901 of the computer 900 that implements the settlement server 6 performs the processes that the settlement server 6 is exemplified in

[0043] Memory 902 includes RAM and ROM. RAM is used as a working memory area for the processor 901. ROM stores programs executed by the processor 901 and data necessary for program execution.

[0044] The input device 903 is a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc. The output device 904 is an LCD, etc. The output device 904 of the computer 900 that implements the reception terminal 2 displays, for example, reception terminal screens A, B, and C as illustrated in Figures 7, 8, and 10, which will be described later.

[0045] The storage device 905 is an HDD, SSD, etc. The storage device 905 of the computer 900 that implements the management server 5 provides, for example, the functions of the storage unit 51. The portable storage medium drive device 906 drives the portable storage medium 906a and accesses its stored contents. The portable storage medium 906a is a memory device, flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, etc., and also includes CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), Blu-ray disc, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc.

[0046] The communication interface 907 is connected to a communication network (for example, a first communication network 7 and / or a second communication network 8) by wire or wireless connection, and communicates with external devices (for example, a reception terminal 2, a management server 5, or a settlement server 6) via the communication network. For example, the communication interface 907 of the computer 900 that implements the reception terminal 2 provides the functions of the communication unit 21, the communication interface 907 of the computer 900 that implements the management server 5 provides the functions of the communication unit 52, and the communication interface 907 of the computer 900 that implements the settlement server 6 provides the functions of the communication unit 61.

[0047] In the computer 900, the programs executed by the processor 901 and the data necessary for executing those programs are not limited to the ROM of the memory 902, but may also be stored in the storage device 905 or the portable storage medium 906a, or two or more of the ROM of the memory 902, the storage device 905, and the portable storage medium 906a may be stored. Furthermore, the programs executed by the processor 901 and the data necessary for executing those programs may be stored in either or both of the storage device 905 and the portable storage medium 906a via a communication network or communication interface 907 from an external device.

[0048] The computer 900 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 5; it may be configured with multiple of the elements illustrated in Figure 5, or with some elements omitted. For example, the computer 900 that implements the management server 5 or the settlement server 6 does not need to have an output device 904.

[0049] Furthermore, the computer 900 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). For example, the processor 901 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0050] Next, we will explain the processes performed by the automated payment machine system 1.

[0051] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the group creation process performed on the reception terminal and the management server. Figure 7 is an example of reception terminal screen A. Figure 8 is an example of reception terminal screen B.

[0052] The group creation process illustrated in Figure 6 is performed when receptionist 2a receives a lodging reservation from a group of guests. The details of the lodging reservation at this time include the fact that multiple rooms will be used, that a specific payment method (e.g., credit card) is desired, and that group settings are requested. Group settings mean that the settlement of each of the multiple rooms used can be made all at once at one room. More specifically, by grouping the automatic payment machines 4 installed in each of the multiple rooms 3 used, the settlement of each of the automatic payment machines 4 installed in each of the multiple rooms 3 can be made all at once at the automatic payment machine 4 installed in one room 3.

[0053] In the group creation process illustrated in Figure 6, the reception terminal 2 first accesses a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the management server 5 in response to a predetermined input operation by the reception staff member 2a (S101). The predetermined URL of the management server 5 is obtained from a configuration file when the reception terminal 2 is started. The configuration file is pre-stored, for example, in the storage device 905 of the computer 900 that implements the reception terminal 2.

[0054] In response to an access from reception terminal 2 of S101, management server 5 distributes (sends) reception terminal screen A to reception terminal 2 (S102), and reception terminal 2 receives and displays the distributed reception terminal screen A.

[0055] As illustrated in Figure 7, the reception terminal screen A has a "New" button 201 to instruct the start of group creation and a "Delete" button 202 to instruct the start of deleting (cancel) a created group. Here, since a group is to be created, let's assume that reception staff member 2a presses the "New" button 201.

[0056] When the "New" button 201 is pressed, the reception terminal 2 sends a group creation start instruction signal to the management server 5 to instruct the start of group creation (S103).

[0057] When the management server 5 receives a group creation start instruction signal sent by the reception terminal 2, it distributes the reception terminal screen B to the reception terminal 2 (S104), and the reception terminal 2 receives and displays the distributed reception terminal screen B.

[0058] The reception terminal screen B has input fields for the reception staff 2a to input information about the automatic payment machine 4, which is installed in each of the multiple guest rooms 3 used by the group guests, based on the details of the accommodation reservation. More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 8, the reception terminal screen B has a name input field 203, a room number input field 204, a group name input field 205, a parent / child identification input field 206, an accommodation fee input field 207, and a payment input field 208. In these input fields, the accommodation fee input field 207 is an input field where input is made by entering a numerical value, while the other input fields are input fields where input is made by selecting from a pre-registered dropdown list. The reception terminal screen B also has a "Register" button 209 to instruct the registration of the entered automatic payment machine information and an "End" button 210 to instruct the end.

[0059] On this reception terminal screen B, when reception staff 2a enters information about one of the automatic payment machines 4 installed in each of the multiple guest rooms 3 used by the group (name, room number, group name, parent / child identification, accommodation fee, and payment information) and presses the "Register" button 209, the reception terminal 2 sends the entered automatic payment machine information to the management server 5 (S105).

[0060] When the management server 5 receives the automatic payment machine information transmitted by the reception terminal 2, it registers it in the automatic payment machine management table (S106). Then, if the process in S106 is completed successfully, the management server 5 sends a success notification to the reception terminal 2 to inform them of this (S107).

[0061] When the reception terminal 2 receives the normal processing notification sent by the management server 5, it determines whether or not the reception staff member 2a has pressed the "Finish" button 210 (S108).

[0062] If the result of the S108 judgment is NO, the process returns to S105, where the reception staff 2a inputs the information of one of the remaining automatic payment machines 4 and presses the "Register" button 209, and the entered automatic payment machine information is sent to the management server 5.

[0063] In this way, the processes S105 to S108 are repeated until the registration of automatic payment machine information for all of the automatic payment machines 4 installed in each of the multiple guest rooms 3 used by the group is completed, and when the receptionist 2a presses the "Finish" button 210, the result of S108 becomes YES, and the group creation process illustrated in Figure 6 is completed.

[0064] In this group creation process, receptionist 2a enters the same group name in the group name input field 205 so that the automatic payment machines 4 installed in each of the multiple guest rooms 3 used by the group are included in the same group. In addition, receptionist 2a enters the parent-child identification input field 206 so that one automatic payment machine 4 (the automatic payment machine 4 installed in the guest room 3 used by the person making the payment (e.g., the representative of the group)) is designated as the parent machine, and the other automatic payment machines 4 are designated as child machines. As a result, for example, as shown by the dashed box in Figure 3, in the automatic payment machines 4 installed in each of the guest rooms 3 "101" to "110" used by group guests, the automatic payment machine 4 installed in guest room 3 "101" is designated as the master machine ("2"), and the automatic payment machines 4 installed in the other guest rooms 3 are designated as slave machines ("1"), and the 10 automatic payment machines 4 are registered as belonging to the group with the group name "1".

[0065] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the group deletion process performed at the reception terminal and the management server. Figure 10 is an example of reception terminal screen C.

[0066] The group deletion process illustrated in Figure 9 is performed when a group created through the group creation process illustrated in Figure 6 becomes unnecessary, such as after the group guests who made the aforementioned accommodation reservation have stayed at the hotel or when the aforementioned accommodation reservation is canceled.

[0067] In the group deletion process illustrated in Figure 9, first, the reception terminal 2 accesses a predetermined URL on the management server 5 in response to a predetermined input operation by the reception staff member 2a, similar to S101 (S201).

[0068] In response to an access from reception terminal 2 of S201, management server 5 distributes reception terminal screen A to reception terminal 2 (S202), similar to S102, and reception terminal 2 receives and displays the distributed reception terminal screen A (see Figure 7).

[0069] In this case, since the group is to be deleted, let's assume that receptionist 2a presses the "Delete" button 202 on reception terminal screen A.

[0070] When the "Delete" button 202 is pressed, the receiving terminal 2 sends a group deletion start instruction signal to the management server 5 to instruct the start of group deletion (S203).

[0071] When the management server 5 receives a group deletion start instruction signal sent by the receiving terminal 2, it distributes the receiving terminal screen C to the receiving terminal 2 (S204), and the receiving terminal 2 receives and displays the distributed receiving terminal screen C.

[0072] As illustrated in Figure 10, the reception terminal screen C has a group name input field 211 for entering the group name of the group to be deleted (undoed), a "delete" button 212 for instructing the deletion of the group with the entered group name, and an "end" button 213 for instructing the end. The group name input field 211 is an input field where input is performed by selecting a group name from a dropdown list showing the group names of groups registered in the automatic payment machine management table.

[0073] When receptionist 2a enters the group name of the group to be deleted into the group name input field 211 and presses the "Delete" button 212 from the reception terminal screen C, reception terminal 2 sends a group deletion instruction signal containing the entered group name to the management server 5 (S205). Note that the group deletion instruction signal is also a group ungrouping instruction signal that instructs the group with the entered group name to be ungrouped.

[0074] When the management server 5 receives a group deletion instruction signal sent by the reception terminal 2, it updates the automatic payment machine management table so that the group whose name is included in the group deletion instruction signal is deleted (unregistered) (S206). More specifically, in the automatic payment machine management table, the management server 5 changes the parent-child identification information of all automatic payment machines 4 included in the group to be deleted to "0" and also changes the group name to "0". Then, if the process in S206 is completed successfully, the management server 5 sends a success notification to the reception terminal 2 to inform them of this (S207).

[0075] When the reception terminal 2 receives the normal processing notification sent by the management server 5, it determines whether or not the reception staff member 2a has pressed the "Finish" button 213 (S208).

[0076] If the result of the S208 determination is NO, the process returns to S205, where the receptionist 2a enters the group name of the other group to be deleted and presses the "Delete" button 212, and a group deletion instruction signal including the entered group name is sent to the management server 5.

[0077] On the other hand, when there are no more groups to delete and the receptionist 2a presses the "Finish" button 213, the result of S208 becomes YES, and the group deletion process illustrated in Figure 9 is terminated.

[0078] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the payment process performed by the automated payment machine (master unit) and the management server. Figure 12 is an example of the automated payment machine screen D. Figure 13 is an example of the automated payment machine screen E.

[0079] The payment process illustrated in Figure 11 is the process that takes place when, for example, a representative of the group of guests mentioned above pays (settles) for accommodation using the automated payment machine 4, which acts as the main unit.

[0080] In the payment process illustrated in Figure 11, the automated payment machine 4, acting as the master unit, first accesses a predetermined URL on the management server 5 in response to a predetermined input operation by the representative of the group of customers (S301). This access includes the connection information (e.g., IP address) of the automated payment machine 4. The predetermined URL on the management server 5 is obtained from a configuration file when the automated payment machine 4 is started. The configuration file is, for example, stored in the storage device 415 of the automated payment machine 4.

[0081] In response to the access from the automated payment machine 4 in S301, the management server 5 recognizes that the accessing automated payment machine 4 is the master machine based on the connection information included in the access (S302). This recognition is performed when the connection information included in the access matches the connection information of the automated payment machine 4 registered as the master machine in the automated payment machine management table. After the recognition in S302, the management server 5 distributes the automated payment machine screen D to the automated payment machine 4 (S303), and the automated payment machine 4 receives and displays the distributed automated payment machine screen D.

[0082] The automatic payment machine screen D has a "Pay" button 214 that instructs the user to start the payment, as illustrated in Figure 12. The automatic payment machine screen D also displays the room number of the room 3 in which the automatic payment machine 4 is installed (in this example, "101"), a message indicating that this is the master unit screen, and a message such as "This is the master unit. Please make a payment for all rooms together."

[0083] When a representative of a group of guests sees the automatic payment machine screen D and presses the "Pay" button 214 to begin paying for their accommodation, the automatic payment machine 4 sends a payment start instruction signal, including the connection information of the automatic payment machine 4, to the management server 5 (S304).

[0084] When the management server 5 receives a payment start instruction signal transmitted by the automatic payment machine 4, it refers to the automatic payment machine management table to determine the payment amount (settlement amount), obtain the payment method, and distribute the automatic payment machine screen E to the automatic payment machine 4 (S305). More specifically, the management server 5 refers to the automatic payment machine management table, sums up the accommodation fees of the rooms 3 equipped with the automatic payment machine 4 that are included in the group containing the connection information of the automatic payment machine 4 included in the received payment start instruction signal, and determines this sum as the payment amount (settlement amount). It also obtains the payment method from the payment information contained in the automatic payment machine information of the automatic payment machine 4 included in the connection information of the received payment start instruction signal. For example, if the connection information of the automatic payment machine 4 is "192.168.11.10" and the automatic payment machine management table at that time is as exemplified in Figure 3, the management server 5 determines the sum of the accommodation fees of rooms 3 from "101" to "110" as the payment amount (settlement amount) and obtains credit card as the payment method. Then, an automated payment machine screen E is generated according to the determined payment amount and acquired payment method, and this screen is delivered to the automated payment machine 4.

[0085] When the automated payment machine 4 receives the automated payment machine screen E distributed by the management server 5, it displays the received automated payment machine screen E.

[0086] As illustrated in Figure 13, the automatic payment machine screen E has a payment amount display field 215 where the payment amount determined in S305 is displayed, a payment method input field 216 corresponding to the payment method acquired in S305, a name input field 217, and an "Execute" button 218 to instruct the execution of the payment. The automatic payment machine screen E also displays the room number of the room 3 in which the automatic payment machine 4 is installed (in this example, "101"), and that this screen is the master unit screen.

[0087] On this automated payment machine screen E, the representative of the group of customers, after confirming the payment amount displayed in the payment amount display field 215, enters the payment method (for example, the credit card number if payment is to be made by credit card) in the payment method input field 216, enters the name of the person whose name is on the payment method (for example, "Taro Fujitsu") in the name input field 217, has the media corresponding to the payment method (for example, a credit card) read by the media reading unit 430, and presses the "Execute" button 218. At this point, the automated payment machine 4 sends a payment instruction signal to the management server 5, which includes the displayed payment amount, the entered payment method and name, and the data necessary for settlement read from the media (S306).

[0088] When the management server 5 receives a payment instruction signal transmitted by the automatic payment machine 4, it sends a payment instruction signal to the payment server 6 that includes the payment amount, payment method, name, and other data necessary for settlement included in the received payment instruction signal, and then receives a success notification from the payment server 6 that the settlement process has been completed successfully (S307).

[0089] Although not shown in the diagram, when the settlement server 6 receives a settlement instruction signal sent by the management server 5, it processes the payment amount based on the payment amount, payment method, name, and other data necessary for settlement included in the received settlement instruction signal. If the settlement process is completed successfully, the settlement server 6 sends a success notification to the management server 5.

[0090] When the management server 5 receives the success notification sent by the payment server 6, it sends a success notification to the automatic payment machine 4 (S308). When the automatic payment machine 4 receives the success notification, the payment process illustrated in Figure 11 is completed.

[0091] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating the payment process performed by the automated payment machine (sub-unit) and the management server. Figure 15 is an example of the automated payment machine screen F.

[0092] The payment process illustrated in Figure 14 is the process that takes place when someone other than the representative of the aforementioned group of guests attempts to pay for their accommodation using the automated payment machine 4, which is a sub-unit.

[0093] In the payment process illustrated in Figure 14, the automated payment machine 4, acting as a sub-unit, first accesses a predetermined URL on the management server 5 in the same manner as in S301 (S401) in response to a predetermined input operation by someone other than the group representative. This access includes the connection information (e.g., IP address) of the automated payment machine 4.

[0094] In response to an access from the automated payment machine 4 in S401, the management server 5 recognizes that the accessing automated payment machine 4 is a child machine based on the connection information included in the access (S402). This recognition is performed when the connection information included in the access matches the connection information of the automated payment machine 4 registered as a child machine in the automated payment machine management table. After the recognition in S402, the management server 5 distributes the automated payment machine screen F to the automated payment machine 4 (S403), and the automated payment machine 4 receives and displays the distributed automated payment machine screen F.

[0095] As illustrated in Figure 15, the automatic payment machine screen F displays the room number of the room where the automatic payment machine 4 is installed (in this example, "102"), that this screen is a sub-unit screen, information about the master unit, and a message indicating that payment is not required (in this example, "This unit is based in room 101... No payment is required."). Thus, since the automatic payment machine screen F also serves as a notification that payment (settlement) is not required, the automatic payment machine screen F that the management server 5 distributes to the automatic payment machine 4 can also be described as a payment-notification.

[0096] After the automatic payment machine screen F is displayed, the payment process illustrated in Figure 14 is completed.

[0097] In the payment processing described using Figures 11 and 14, the processing when the automatic payment machine 4 is a master unit (the payment processing exemplified in Figure 11) and the processing when the automatic payment machine 4 is a slave unit (the payment processing exemplified in Figure 14) were shown as separate processes. However, for example, when the management server 5 receives access from the automatic payment machine 4 at S301 in Figure 11 or S401 in Figure 14, it may determine whether the accessing automatic payment machine 4 is a master unit or a slave unit based on the connection information included in the access. If it is a master unit, it may perform the processing from S302 onwards in Figure 11, and if it is a slave unit, it may perform the processing from S402 onwards in Figure 14.

[0098] As described above, according to this embodiment, in an accommodation facility where an automatic payment machine 4 is provided in each guest room 3, when a group of guests use multiple guest rooms, the payment for all of those rooms can be settled at once using the automatic payment machine 4 provided in one guest room.

[0099] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 1. Automatic Payment Machine System 2 Reception terminal 2a Receptionist 3 guest rooms 4. Automatic payment machine 5. Management Server 6. Payment Server 7. First communication network 8. Second communication network 21 Communications Department 41 Communications Department 42 Display section 51 Storage section 52 Communications Department 53 Table Update Section 54 Settlement Amount Determination Section 61 Communications Department 62 Payment Processing Unit 201 "New" button 202 "Delete" button 203 Name Input Field 204 Room number input field 205 Group name input field 206 Parent-child identification input field 207 Accommodation fee input field 208 Payment Input Field 209 "Register" button 210 "End" button 211 Group name input field 212 "Delete" button 213 "End" button 214 "Payment" button 215 Payment Amount Display Field 216 Payment Method Input Field 217 Name input field 218 "Execute" button 410 Control Unit 411 processors 412 memory 413 Communication Interface 414 Graphics Processing Units 415 Storage device 416 Input / Output Interfaces 417 Bus 421 Display device 422 Touch Panel 430 Media Reading Unit 900 Computers 901 Processor 902 memory 903 Input device 904 Output device 905 Storage device 906 Portable storage medium drive device 906a Portable storage medium 907 Communication Interface 908 Bus A, B, C Reception terminal screens D, E, F Automatic payment machine screen

Claims

1. An automated payment system including a reception terminal, an automated payment machine installed in each guest room, and a management server, The aforementioned reception terminal is Communication unit that transmits information about the master automatic payment machine and information about the slave automatic payment machines among the group of automatic payment machines to the management server. Equipped with, The aforementioned automatic payment machine is Communication unit that accesses the aforementioned management server Equipped with, The aforementioned management server A storage unit that stores an automatic payment machine management table in which the automatic payment machine information of each automatic payment machine is registered, A communication unit that receives the automatic payment machine information transmitted by the reception terminal and access from the automatic payment machine, A table update unit that registers the automatic payment machine information received by the communication unit into the automatic payment machine management table stored in the storage unit, When the automated payment machine that the communication unit has accessed is the master automated payment machine, the settlement amount determination unit determines the total settlement amount of the rooms where each of the multiple automated payment machines included in the group including the master automated payment machine is located, based on the automated payment machine management table stored in the storage unit, and Equipped with An automated payment machine system characterized by the following features.

2. Including a payment server, In the aforementioned management server, The communication unit transmits a settlement instruction signal to the settlement server instructing settlement at the settlement amount determined by the settlement amount determination unit. The premium payment server is A communication unit that receives the settlement instruction signal transmitted by the management server, The communication unit performs settlement processing in accordance with the settlement instruction signal received by the settlement processing unit. Equipped with The automatic payment machine system according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned automatic payment machine is display section, Furthermore, In the aforementioned management server, If the automated payment machine that the communication unit has accessed is the automated payment machine designated as the slave unit, the communication unit sends a payment-free notification to the automated payment machine designated as the slave unit that has accessed it. In the automatic payment machine which is the slave unit that performed the aforementioned access The communication unit receives the payment exemption notice sent by the management server, The display unit displays that payment is not required based on the payment exemption notice received by the communication unit. The automatic payment machine system according to feature 1.

4. In the aforementioned reception terminal, The communication unit transmits a group ungrouping instruction signal to the management server, which instructs the ungrouping of the multiple automatic payment machines. In the aforementioned management server, The communication unit receives the group release instruction signal transmitted by the receiving terminal, The table update unit updates the automatic payment machine management table stored in the storage unit so that the grouping of the plurality of automatic payment machines is released in response to the grouping release instruction signal received by the communication unit. The automatic payment machine system according to feature 1.

5. The reception terminal transmits to the management server the automatic payment machine information for the master automatic payment machine and the automatic payment machine information for the slave automatic payment machines among the group of automatic payment machines installed in each guest room. The management server receives the automatic payment machine information and registers the received automatic payment machine information in the automatic payment machine management table where the automatic payment machine information for each automatic payment machine is registered. The automated payment machine accesses the management server, The management server, when the automated payment machine that made the access is the master automated payment machine, determines the total amount of payments for the rooms where each of the multiple automated payment machines included in the group that includes the master automated payment machine is installed, based on the automated payment machine management table, as the settlement amount. A settlement method characterized by the following.

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