Payment system and payment method

Abstract

To provide a settlement system capable of easily re-reading article information even if it fails to read an RFID tag wholly, and suppressing a settlement operation from decreasing in efficiency.SOLUTION: A settlement system has a first antenna for reading identification information recorded in an RFID tag attached to an article, a display unit for displaying information related to the read identification information, and settlement means, and further has an RFID reader function or an optical code read function for reading the identification information recorded in the RFID tag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a payment system and a payment method that can easily settle payments for products. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, payment systems using RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) have been used in stores and have been attracting attention as a way to improve the efficiency of payment operations and to address labor shortages in stores. However, because RFID is read by non-contact wireless communication, RFID tags attached to products may not be read accurately due to the effects of product placement, radio wave shielding, radio wave absorbers, overlapping products, etc., relative to the antenna of the RFID tag. In such cases, the cashier manually enters the information of the RFID tag that could not be read, or holds the product with the unread RFID tag over the same RFID reader again to have the system recognize it and make the payment.

[0003] To solve this problem, in the past, payments were made at specific locations in stores (such as the cash register), and the space for placing products at the cash register was devised to prevent products from being overlooked. For example, in cited document 1, products are placed in a cart and the cart is placed in the correct location, and in cited document 2, for products whose RFID tags cannot be read, identification information such as a barcode is attached, and an RFID reader and an optical barcode reader are placed on the product reading trajectory of the cash register, so that either one can be read.

[0004] Meanwhile, RFID payment systems have recently become smaller and easier to carry, and are therefore expected to be used at events and other venues. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-042062 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-234867 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the conventional solution, which adds a structure to prevent missed readings at the RFID reader, leads to an increase in the size of the system, and is therefore not applicable to portable small systems. Here, the RFID reader refers to the place for reading, including the RFID reader for reading the RFID tag attached to the product. Furthermore, in the past, when a missed reading occurred, the cashier had to visually identify the unreadable product during the payment process, and for the unreadable product, the cashier had to enter the product identification information, such as the JAN code, into the payment system to complete the payment. This prevents the improvement of work efficiency by quickly reading products using the RFID system. Furthermore, there was a problem that the payment process took a long time, and the device became large, making it difficult to use at events and the like.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an objective of providing a payment system that uses small, portable RFID tags, which can easily reread product information even if the RFID tag is not read, and which can suppress a decrease in efficiency of payment operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A payment system having a first antenna that reads identification information recorded on an RFID tag attached to a product, a display that displays information related to the read identification information, and a payment means, and further including a mobile terminal having an RFID reader function or an optical code reading function for reading the identification information recorded on the RFID tag.

[0009] (2) A payment system including a second antenna that performs at least one of prescanning and postscanning.

[0010] (3) A payment system in which the first antenna and the second antenna have different radiation characteristics.

[0011] (4) A payment system having a display that displays a product name and a product image corresponding to the read identification information.

[0012] (5) A payment system in which a first antenna periodically acquires identification information of a product, stores the identification information in a memory, and retains the identification information at least until a refresh operation is performed on the memory.

[0013] (6) A payment system in which the radiation characteristics of the first antenna are switched when acquiring identification information.

[0014] (7) A payment system comprising a display for displaying a product name and a product image corresponding to the read identification information, the display including a first display for an administrator and a second display for a customer, product information read by the first antenna being displayed on the first display and the second display, and at least one of error information and security information relating to the read product being displayed only on the first display.

[0015] (8) A payment system including a spacer disposed between the first antenna and the item.

[0016] (9) A payment method in which a payment system executes the steps of reading product identification information set on an RFID tag attached to a product using a reader, comparing the product to be paid for with the product read by the reader, reading the RFID tag or code information of the product to be paid for that has not been read by the reader using an optical reading means or an additional RFID reader prepared as a backup reading means in case the reader is unable to read, and making a payment using the read product identification information. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, a payment system using small, portable RFID tags is provided, which has the advantage of being able to easily reread product information even if the RFID tag is not read properly, thereby preventing a decrease in the efficiency of payment operations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a payment system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen of a display of a payment system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] A flowchart for explaining the operation of the payment system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A diagram for explaining information recorded in a memory included in a payment system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining memory contents and display contents when a reading error occurs. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a payment system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A flowchart for explaining the operation of a payment system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals may be used to designate common parts in the drawings, and the description may be omitted. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding, the scale of each member in each drawing may differ from the actual scale.

[0020] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a payment system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Payment system 100 includes a cash register 110, a gate 111, and a gate 112 that are installed, for example, at an event venue.

[0021] The cash register 110 comprises a desk 106, an antenna 101 which is a first antenna placed on the desk 106 and connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other, a controller 102, a cash register 103 (payment means), a mobile terminal 104 such as a handy code reader, and an electronic money reader 105 (payment means).

[0022] The antenna 101 is a reader for reading an RFID tag, which is a radio wave type wireless tag attached to a product, and an antenna suitable for reading an RFID tag attached to a product is appropriately selected. Typically, the antenna 101 is a planar antenna in the UHF band. The antenna 101 has a configuration and output designed to have a radiation characteristic (or directivity) that allows the products on the antenna 101 to be read collectively or individually in a state where the products are arranged for reading. The antenna 101 also communicates with the RFID tag attached to the product at a refresh rate of typically 0.1 to 10 seconds, and transmits the acquired information to the controller 102.

[0023] The controller 102 is a tablet terminal or a notebook PC equipped with a program and memory for operating the system, and has a display 107 and an input means such as a touch panel (not shown).

[0024] The register 103 performs input and output of cash for depositing and withdrawing cash for cash settlement, and may be any type capable of containing cash. The register 103 typically has a cash counting means and a cash input and output means to reduce the burden on the cashier. The register 103 is preferably an automated system that deposits cash received from a customer, calculates the change in the system, and outputs the change. However, if cash settlement is not performed, the system may be omitted. The controller 102 may be configured to be connected to a network such as the Internet by wire or wirelessly, and to share data with or control terminals on the network.

[0025] The mobile terminal 104 is a terminal device capable of reading optical code information (such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code) attached to a product. The mobile terminal 104 may have a means for reading an RFID tag in addition to an optical reading means. However, the mobile terminal 104 may have only an RFID tag reader function depending on the system specifications.

[0026] The electronic money reader 105 is a card reader for electronic payments and credit card payments.

[0027] Gate 111 and gate 112 each have at least the same function as antenna 101, that is, an antenna function for reading RFID tags attached to products, and are connected to controller 102.

[0028] Next, an example of the operation of the payment system 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 3. Figure 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the payment system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, a customer visiting an event hall selects a product he or she wishes to purchase from the products displayed at the event hall. Then, carrying the product, i.e., placing the product he or she wishes to purchase in a basket or picking it up, he or she heads to the cash register 110 (step S301).

[0029] The arrows indicated by the reference numeral 150 in Fig. 1 indicate the path of a customer who has selected a product when making payment. The customer lines up at the end of the queue in front of the stop line 140 to wait for their turn at the cash register 110. When their turn comes, they pass through the gate 111. At this time, an antenna (second antenna) provided at the gate 111 pre-scans the RFID tag attached to the product held by the customer, and the product identification information read by this pre-scan is transmitted to the controller 102 (step S302).

[0030] A customer who has passed through the gate 111 moves to the front of the cash register 110 and places a basket containing products or a bundle of products in the electric field 122 on the antenna 101. The antenna 101 reads the RFID tags of one or more products placed in the electric field 122 on the antenna 101 at a predetermined refresh rate, and the product information and product image linked to the product identification information of the read RFID tag are displayed on the display 107 (step S303). When the customer places a bundle of products on the antenna 101, the RFID tag may be pressed excessively against the antenna 101 or may be placed too close to the antenna to exhibit its characteristics, and some of the multiple RFID tags may not be read. Therefore, it is convenient to provide a spacer on the antenna 101. The spacer is preferably made of a sponge of about 1 cm to 3 cm that has the effect of preventing the RFID tag from being pressed against the antenna, or a material that does not block radio waves and has cushioning or flexibility, such as rubber.

[0031] Normally, antenna 101 is driven under the same radiation conditions for each refresh rate to read RFID tags, but if multiple antenna patterns are provided inside the antenna device and the antenna pattern used is switched for each refresh rate, or the antenna output is switched, or switching is performed using an electrically controllable electronically controlled antenna, switching the radiation pattern of the radio waves of electric field 122 can be conveniently performed, since this may enable reading of RFID tags that could not be read due to overlapping of RFID tags, etc. In addition, although the present embodiment has shown a method of reading products collectively, products may be read by holding each product over antenna 101 one by one.

[0032] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen of a display of the payment system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2(a) shows an example of a screen (cashier's screen) displayed on a display 107a used by a cashier. FIG. 2(b) shows an example of a screen (customer's screen) displayed on a display 107b used by a customer. Note that the cash register 110 of this embodiment may be configured to have a single display 107 shared by a user of the cash register 110 and a customer. Also, if the cash register 110 is a self-service cash register, the cash register 110 may have a display 107 that displays a screen that only the customer can check and operate.

[0033] The screen of display 107a in Figure 2(a) includes an area 203 where the read product information, related price information, total amount information, etc. are displayed, an operation area 202 for performing payment operations, and an area 204 where error information, theft information, etc. are displayed.

[0034] In area 203, the pre-registered image, product name, price, quantity, etc. of the scanned product are listed, and finally, the total number of products and the total price are displayed. In addition to text information about the product, visual information may be added to area 203. This makes it easier for the user to confirm.

[0035] The screen of display 107b in FIG. 2(b) includes an area 213 in which the read product information, related price information, total amount information, etc. are displayed, and an area 204 in which information related to the product the customer is purchasing, advertisements, etc. are displayed.

[0036] In area 213, like area 203, a pre-registered image, product name, price, quantity, etc. for the scanned product are listed, and finally, the total number of products and the total price are displayed.

[0037] Here, in areas 203 and 213, only the product information for the latest read information from antenna 101 may be displayed, but for example, the read information may be stored and all detected products may be displayed to the customer, or may be combined with product information read in pre-scanning and displayed to the customer. The read information is typically information read after a reading start instruction is given by the cashier using an input means in operation area 202, or the presence of a person in front of the cash register is detected by a pyroelectric sensor or the like.

[0038] Products other than those corresponding to the most recently read RFID tag may be displayed in a different color on display 107a, for example, to make it easier for the cashier to identify the products.

[0039] Next, the cashier visually compares the products displayed on the screen with the products the customer actually wants to purchase. If the products include products that the customer does not actually want, the cashier deletes the product information using an input means (such as a button screen) provided in the operation area 202.

[0040] On the other hand, if there is a product that the customer wishes to purchase but that has not been read, the cashier picks up the product itself and has the mobile terminal 104 read the barcode or two-dimensional code information of the product, causing the system to recognize the product information (step S304 (missed scan)). The cashier repeats this operation if there are multiple products that could not be read. Although the reading of code information above has been shown as an example of reading by this optical reading means, the mobile terminal 104 may also be configured to read other written information such as a JAN code. Note that if the product information cannot be read using the mobile terminal 104, the product information may be configured to be input from the operation area 202.

[0041] In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 104 has been described as having only an optical code reading means, but the reason why the product identification information attached to the product cannot be read may be that the antenna is broken, that there is a radio wave shield or absorber near the RFID tag, etc. In the latter case, by using the mobile terminal 104 including an RFID reader, the radiation characteristics of the antenna (not shown) attached to the RFID reader can be changed more freely than the antenna 101 by changing the orientation, position, output, etc., so that it may be possible to read the product identification information of the RFID tag that cannot be read by the antenna 101.

[0042] Therefore, by providing portable terminal 104 with an optical code reading means and an RFID reading function, the process of the cashier visually searching for the code information can be eliminated, improving the efficiency of the accounting work. It is most preferable that portable terminal 104 be equipped with both an optical code information reading means and an RFID reading function, but since RFID is not often damaged, the efficiency of the accounting work can be improved even if portable terminal 104 is only equipped with an RFID reading function.

[0043] Once accurate product information has been registered in controller 102 through the above operations, the cashier touches the checkout button (not shown) in operation area 202. This operation stops the update of registered products, and the process moves to payment.

[0044] The payment procedure is carried out by touching a corresponding button to select a payment method, which is displayed in the operation area 202 of the payment system 100. Acceptable payment methods include cash payment, credit card payment, and electronic money payment.

[0045] For example, when a customer selects electronic money payment, the customer touches a button corresponding to electronic money payment displayed in operation area 202, and then the customer causes electronic money reader 105 to read the corresponding electronic money. This completes the payment using electronic money.

[0046] In pre-scanning, scanning at the cash register 110, and post-scanning, it is preferable to make the electric field pattern formed by the antenna different, since it may become possible to read RFID tags that could not be read due to overlapping of products. In particular, since multiple products stored in a basket are held in an overlapping state, when the RFID tags of such products are scanned by the pre-scanning and the cash register 110, the electric field pattern changes by making the electric field pattern formed by the antenna different, which is particularly effective. In particular, in pre-scanning and scanning at the cash register 110, scanning is performed while the customer holds the products in a similar overlapping state as in a basket, for example, so if the electric field pattern is changed, for example by making the directionality of the electric field of the antenna corresponding to the basket different, it is very effective that even overlapping RFID tags can be read.

[0047] Next, when the payment procedure is completed, the customer leaves the event hall and heads home. In this embodiment, an antenna is also provided at gate 112 at the exit of the event hall, so the customer passes through electric field 123 formed by that antenna. At this time, the product information read by the antenna is transmitted to controller 102 connected to gate 112 via a communication line. Then, it is determined whether the product identification information has already been paid for (step S306 (post scan)), and if it is determined that the product has not been paid for, a warning is displayed on display 107. The result of this determination is also notified to security personnel, making it possible to prevent shoplifting and missed payments.

[0048] Next, the operation of the memory will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. It goes without saying that in the case of a configuration that does not have a second antenna for prescanning and postscanning, no corresponding memory is required. The memory is, for example, a storage means provided in the controller 102. It is also possible to perform processing on a server connected to the network and have the processing results displayed on the controller 102. An example of a configuration that does not have a second antenna is a system that does not have an antenna for prescanning and postscanning, for example a system that performs settlement using only an antenna that is read by a cash register.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining information recorded in a memory included in the payment system.

[0050] Fig. 4(a) shows the contents recorded in the memory that temporarily stores the product identification information pre-scanned by the antenna of gate 111, and the contents of Fig. 4(a) correspond to the data read when the customer passes through electric field 121. The left column of the table in Fig. 4(a) shows the physical address of the RAM, and the right column in Fig. 4(a) shows the product identification number of the RFID that was read. The same is true for the tables in Fig. 4(b1) to Fig. 4(b3), Fig. 4(bm), and Fig. 4(c).

[0051] 4(b1) to 4(b3) show output information obtained by continuously reading products placed within the electric field 122 of the antenna 101 of the cash register 110 every second.

[0052] FIG. 4(bm) shows the contents recorded in a memory that temporarily stores prescan information and information output from the antenna 101 of the cash register 11.

[0053] FIG. 4(c) shows the contents recorded in a memory that temporarily stores the commodity identification information scanned by the post-scan antenna (the antenna of the gate 112) (second antenna).

[0054] 4(d) shows the contents of a memory that stores the correspondence between product identification numbers (e.g., 100101, 100102, 100210, etc.), which are numbers unique to each RFID tag, and product information (e.g., blue shirt S, blue shirt M, red shirt S, etc.). It goes without saying that the format of the memory, the format of the product identification information, and the format of the product information are for illustrative purposes only and can be modified as appropriate.

[0055] When a customer passes through the antenna of the gate 111 for pre-scanning, the payment system 100 detects the customer's passage using a pyroelectric sensor (not shown) or the like, scans the gate 111 with the antenna, transmits the read output information to the controller 102, and stores it in a memory that temporarily stores information. Here, it is assumed that the pre-scan reads three pieces of product identification information, "100101", "100102", and "100333".

[0056] Next, the customer holds the selected product, either by hand or in a basket, over the electric field 122 on the antenna 101. The antenna 101 performs scanning at a predetermined interval, for example, 0.5 to 10 seconds (refresh rate). In this embodiment, scanning by the antenna 101 is performed every second. The refresh rate is set appropriately, but a refresh rate of about 0.5 to 2 seconds is convenient from the viewpoint of cashier operations.

[0057] Figure 4(b1), Figure 4(b2), and Figure 4(b3) each show data read every second.

[0058] Reading begins when a sensor (not shown) detects that a product has been placed on the antenna 101. Reading may also begin when a scan start button displayed in the operation area 202 is pressed.

[0059] FIG. 4(b1) shows the first read data, indicating that two pieces of product identification information, "100101" and "100102", have been read.

[0060] FIG. 4(b2) shows the second read data, indicating that three pieces of product identification information, "100101," "100210," and "100102," were read.

[0061] FIG. 4(b3) shows the third read data, indicating that two pieces of product identification information, "100101" and "100102", have been read.

[0062] These read data are stored in a memory capable of temporarily storing information, as shown in Fig. 4(bm). That is, the memory stores all of the product identification information data transmitted by pre-scanning (Fig. 4(a)) and the product identification information data scanned by antenna 101 (Figs. 4(b1) to 4(b3)).

[0063] Then, according to the table of product identification numbers and product names in FIG. 4(d), the read product identification information is converted into a list of product names, and this list is displayed on the display 107.

[0064] In this case, if there are multiple identical products, the product name and the corresponding number of items are displayed to prevent overlapping. In this embodiment, not only the product identification information but also the detection frequency is stored. Here, the frequency is set to High and Low, and the frequency threshold is appropriately determined. A product read out after 1 / 2 or more scans is set to High, and a product read out after less than 1 / 2 scans is set to Low. Since a Low product may be a false detection, it is difficult for a cashier to identify a false detection by changing the color of the product name column on the cashier's terminal, or by making it easy to recognize. Reasons for a Low detection include a radio wave absorber being placed near the product, the RFID tag being sandwiched between products and difficult to read, the RFID tag being placed away from the electric field 122 of the antenna 101, the RFID tag working during pre-scanning but damaged during scanning at checkout, etc.

[0065] Depending on the event venue, multiple payment systems 100 may be installed at the cash register 110, and the antennas 101 may be placed close to each other, or a customer may mistakenly insert a product into the electric field of an adjacent antenna 101, causing the product identification number to be read by the adjacent controller 102. Even in this case, if the product is read due to erroneous detection, the detection frequency will naturally be low and it will be marked as Low, so that the cashier can easily recognize the erroneous detection. Furthermore, in order to avoid such erroneous detection, multiple payment systems 100 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, and if the product identification number is recognized as High by another payment system or a payment has been made, the product identification number of that system will be deleted from the list or memory of the payment system other than the other payment systems, thereby efficiently avoiding erroneous detection.

[0066] Next, the cashier touches the scan end button (not shown) in the operation area 202 to stop the RFID tag scanning operation. This causes the above list to be displayed on the screen of the display 107a. If any unnecessary items are included in the displayed product information, the unnecessary items are selected on the screen and deleted by touching the delete process button (not shown) in the operation area 202.

[0067] Next, the cashier refers to this list and inputs into the controller 102 any products that are not on the list but that the customer wishes to purchase (so-called "unread items"). This input mode may be entered automatically when the start of operation of the mobile terminal 104 is detected, or may be entered by operation of the operation area 202. The unread items are determined by the cashier comparing the items (particularly images) displayed on the display 107 with the actual items. The input mode is intended to make it possible to input items that are not on the list.

[0068] In addition, a device such as a metal detector or a Rapiscan X-ray inspection device can be used to recognize the number of RFID tags, compare the number of listed products with the number of RFID tags, and report whether there is a match or mismatch on the screen, and if there is a mismatch, the difference in the number of items can also be reported.

[0069] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the memory contents and display contents when a reading failure occurs. Figure 5(a1) shows the state of the memory after unnecessary products and the like have been deleted. Figure 5(a2) shows the contents of the display screen converted according to the product identification information and product conversion table (Figure 4(d)) contained therein. Note that here, instead of coloring what would have been displayed as "Low" as described above, it is displayed in bold and underlined.

[0070] Fig. 5(b1) shows the memory contents resulting from reading the identification information or barcode of the RFID tag of a product that was missed during the batch reading of RFID tags on the mobile terminal 104. Also, Fig. 5(b2) shows the contents of the display screen converted according to the internal conversion table of product identification information and products. Note that the item that displayed "Low" here is not notified because the cashier has already determined whether it was correct or not. Here, the product identification number "100511" read by the mobile terminal 104 is added to the memory, and a necklace that corresponds to the display content on the display 107 is additionally displayed.

[0071] Depending on the event at the event site, participants can register personal information such as payment information in the event system in advance. For example, personal information can be registered in advance on the Internet or at the entrance to the event site. If this personal information includes payment information, the payment procedure at the cash register can be omitted. For example, an RFID tag or barcode with a payment method registered in advance can be added to the participation certificate, and the information can be read by an antenna at the time of payment, so that the payment system 100 can automatically process the payment using the read payment method. This technology can be applied to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, and payment can be made by reading information with an antenna or mobile terminal 104, for example.

[0072] However, since it would be cumbersome for all pre-registered participants to have to line up at a cash register to receive payment information and other personal information, it would be more convenient if the information could be read automatically at the exit. This embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0073] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a payment system according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Payment system 100 according to embodiment 2 includes gates 611, 621, and 631, each including an antenna. Fig. 6 shows electric fields 612, 622, and 632 formed by the included antennas.

[0074] A customer carrying an item passes through gate 611, gate 621, and gate 631 in succession, for example. The antennas of gates 611, 621, and 631 have different radiation characteristics. For example, gate 611 has a strong electric field strength in the center of gate 611, gate 621 has a uniform electric field strength over the entire gate 621, and gate 631 has a strong electric field strength in the regions near the upper side and the lower side of gate 631.

[0075] By passing through multiple gates with different radiation characteristics in this way, all RFID tags that could not be read by a single antenna can be read. Also, after the last gate, a tablet terminal may be placed near gate 631, for example, to allow the customer to check the products they have purchased, and the read products may be displayed on the screen as a list, allowing the customer to modify product information, payment information, etc.

[0076] Fig. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the payment system according to the embodiment 2 of the present invention. Fig. 7 shows the process from the creation of the RFID tag to the end of the event.

[0077] RFID tags are manufactured by a tag manufacturer (step S701), and product identification information and event information are stored in the manufactured RFID tags (step S702). Furthermore, an optical code symbol (QR code (registered trademark) or barcode) containing the product identification information and event information is printed on the surface of the RFID tag, and this RFID tag is affixed to each product (step S703). At this time, it is a good idea to randomly read the RFID tags with a reader to check that the correspondence between the products and tags is correct. Furthermore, it is more efficient if you can check it with an image.

[0078] Next, the products with RFID tags attached are sent to the event venue and displayed in a designated location. Customers participating in the event pick up the products they wish to purchase from the displayed products. They then carry the products they wish to purchase, or place them in a basket, and head to the cash register 110. At the cash register 110, a reader reads the information in the RFID tag that stores the product identification information and event information (step S704), and an optical reader prepared as a backup in case reading the RFID tag fails for some reason reads the optical code symbol containing the product identification information and event information, i.e., a backup scan is performed (step S705).

[0079] After a backup scan is used to confirm that the product selected by the customer matches the product recognized by the system, payment is made using the product identification information obtained by reading the reading means (antenna and mobile terminal) and event information (step S706). The customer then leaves the venue with the purchased product in hand. At this time, a post-scan is performed as the customer passes through the exit gate (step S707). If the payment system 100 detects the passage of an unpaid product as the customer passes through the exit gate, it issues an alarm (step S708).

[0080] The controllers of each cash register are connected to a network, and the center in charge of the event site monitors the inventory status of products and arranges for product replenishment if the stock falls below a certain number. Also, if more than a certain number of products are sold or if there is a special circumstance such as a time sale, a discount will be given at the time of payment for the product corresponding to the product identification information on the RFID tag.

[0081] As described above, the payment system 100 of this embodiment is a payment system having a first antenna that reads identification information recorded on an RFID tag attached to a product, a display, and a payment means, and further includes a mobile terminal having an RFID reading function or an optical code reading function, so that even if the RFID is not read properly, the missed product information can be easily recognized by the system.

[0082] A first aspect of the present invention provides a payment system including a first antenna for reading identification information and a mobile terminal for reading product information that cannot be read by the first antenna. In the first aspect, even if there is a product that cannot be read, the identification information of the product can be read by a mobile terminal including an RFID reader and / or an optical reader, so that the system can easily recognize the unread product information. Furthermore, since there is no need to incorporate a configuration for preventing RFID reading failures into the first antenna for reading the RFID tag attached to the product, the system can be prevented from becoming large. This makes it possible to realize a payment system that uses a small, portable RFID tag, and improves versatility for use at events and other events.

[0083] In this way, the payment system 100 of this embodiment can eliminate missed readings of the RFID tags of products in a payment system using RFID by having the system recognize missed readings of the RFID tags using the backup reading mobile terminal 104, making it possible to eliminate missed readings with a minimum number of parts and without compromising the portability of the system.

[0084] In a second aspect of the present invention, the mobile terminal reads identification information or an optical code. In the second aspect, the process of a person visually searching for identification information or code information can be eliminated, and work efficiency at the time of payment can be improved.

[0085] A third aspect of the present invention provides a second antenna that performs at least one of prescanning and post-scanning. Since the third aspect can perform at least one of prescanning and post-scanning, it is possible to prevent missed readings by the first antenna, and the efficiency of the payment process is further improved.

[0086] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first antenna and the second antenna have different radiation characteristics.

[0087] In the fourth aspect, by combining a plurality of antennas with different radiation characteristics, information that cannot be read by a single antenna can be read without fail, and the efficiency of the payment process is further improved. In the fifth aspect of the present invention, a display is provided that displays the product name and product image corresponding to the read identification information.

[0088] In the fifth aspect, the product name and product image displayed on the display make it easy for the cashier or user to confirm the product, and erroneous detection of the product can be avoided. In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first antenna periodically acquires product identification information, stores the identification information in a memory, and holds the identification information at least until a refresh operation is performed on the memory.

[0089] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, when acquiring the identification information, the radiation characteristics of the first antenna are switched. In the seventh aspect, even when the product identification information is in a state where it is difficult to read the product identification information with the first antenna, the reading performance of the product identification information is improved.

[0090] An eighth aspect of the present invention comprises a display for displaying a product name and product image corresponding to the read identification information, the display including a first display for an administrator and a second display for a customer, the product information read by the first antenna is displayed on the first display and the second display, and at least one of error information and security information relating to the read product is displayed only on the first display.

[0091] In the eighth aspect, product information is recognized by both the administrator and the customer, and if there is any fraud, the administrator can become aware of it without the customer realizing it, thereby preventing shoplifting and missed payments.

[0092] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a payment method in which a payment system executes the steps of reading product identification information and event information set in an RFID tag or an optical code symbol printed on the RFID tag with a reader, and making a payment using the product identification information and event information read using optical reading means prepared as a backup in case the reader cannot read the information.

[0093] In the ninth aspect, even if reading fails, a backup scan is possible using the optical reading means, thereby improving the accuracy of product detection.

[0094] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples of the contents of the present disclosure, and may be combined with other known technologies, and parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0095] The portable and highly reliable RFID-based payment system of the present invention can be applied to payment purposes such as temporary sales at event venues, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 11: Cashier 100: Payment system 101: Antenna (first antenna) 102: Controller 103: Register (payment method) 104: Mobile terminal 105: Electronic money reader (payment method) 107:Display unit 107a:Display unit 107b:Display unit

Claims

1. A payment system having a first antenna for reading identification information recorded on an RFID tag attached to a product, a display for displaying information related to the read identification information, and a payment means, The payment system further includes a portable terminal having an RFID reader function or an optical code reading function for reading the identification information recorded in the RFID tag.

2. The payment system of claim 1 , further comprising a second antenna for performing at least one of pre-scanning and post-scanning.

3. The payment system according to claim 2 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna have different radiation characteristics.

4. The settlement system according to claim 1 , further comprising a display that displays a product name and a product image corresponding to the read identification information.

5. The payment system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first antenna periodically acquires identification information of a product, stores the identification information in a memory, and retains the identification information at least until a refresh operation is performed on the memory.

6. The payment system according to claim 5 , wherein the radiation characteristics of the first antenna are switched when the identification information is acquired.

7. a display that displays a product name and a product image corresponding to the read identification information; The display includes a first display for a manager and a second display for a customer; The product information read by the first antenna is displayed on the first display and the second display, The settlement system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of error information and security information relating to the scanned product is displayed only on the first display.

8. The payment system according to claim 1 , wherein a spacer is disposed on the first antenna.

9. A step of reading product identification information set in an RFID tag attached to the product by a reader; A step of comparing the product to be paid for with the product read by the reader; A step of reading RFID tag or code information of the product to be paid for that has not been read by the reader using an optical reading means or an additional RFID reader prepared as a backup reading means when the reader cannot read, and a step of making a payment using the read product identification information; A payment method in which the payment system executes the above.

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