Payment system, method, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide a settlement system for realizing a settlement process having high security in which convenience and sanitation are enhanced, and a method and a storage medium.SOLUTION: In a settlement system where a server that can access a database and a register unit of a restaurant are data communicatively connected via a communication network (for instance, Internet), the server 10 includes: commodity identification information acquisition means 12b which acquires commodity identification information of a commodity purchased by a user in the restaurant; user authentication means 12c for authenticating the user by using the face or iris of the user; commodity association means 12d for associating the authenticated user and the commodity identification information; and settlement means 12e which performs settlement for allowing the associated user to purchase the commodity after the commodity identification information is not identified by the commodity identification information acquisition means 12b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a payment system, a method, and a recording medium for payment of goods. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of this type of system, a payment system is known in which the ID tag attached to each dish is read to settle the bill at a restaurant (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is an identity authentication payment system in which a user charges a desired amount to a charging machine by linking it to their iris, and the iris is used to authenticate the payment of purchased items (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3910247 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-227134 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the personal authentication payment system of Patent Document 2 requires the user to input a password in addition to iris authentication, and also to touch the screen of the payment terminal to indicate consent to the payment. Since the payment cannot be completed without the user's operation for payment, there are technical problems such as a lack of convenience and hygiene.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a payment system, method, and recording medium that realizes highly safe payment processing with improved convenience and hygiene. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the payment system of the present invention comprises a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product purchased by a user at a cafeteria, a user authentication means for authenticating the user using the user's face or iris, a product linking means for linking the authenticated user with the product identification information, and a payment means for making a payment for the authenticated user to purchase the product after the product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means.

[0007] One aspect of the method of the present invention is a method in a payment system having a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product purchased by a user at a cafeteria, and a user authentication means for authenticating the user using the user's face or iris, wherein the user is authenticated using the user's face or iris, the authenticated user is linked to the product identification information, and after the product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means, the authenticated user makes a payment to purchase the product.

[0008] One aspect of the recording medium of the present invention stores a computer program configured to cause a computer to function as a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product purchased by a user at a cafeteria, a user authentication means for authenticating the user using the user's face or iris, a product linking means for linking the authenticated user with the product identification information, and a payment means for making payment for the authenticated user to purchase the product after the product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means.

[0009] According to one aspect of each of the above-described payment system, method, and recording medium, it is possible to realize a highly safe payment process that is more convenient and hygienic. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration for realizing a payment system according to the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a payment routine executed by the payment system according to the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a top screen in the payment system according to the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen in the payment system according to the present invention. [Figure 4C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an end screen in the payment system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 1. Overall structure First, an example of the overall configuration for realizing the payment system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a payment system according to the present invention when applied as a payment system for processing payments for items purchased at a restaurant 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a server 10 that can access a database 20 and a cash register 400 at the restaurant 40 are connected to each other via a communication network (e.g., the Internet) 30 for data communication. The items to be paid for are, for example, food and beverages purchased by a customer at the restaurant 40. The purchased food may be wrapped in paper, plastic film, or other wrapping paper, and may be served on plates, cups, or other tableware. The purchased beverage may be a canned or bottled beverage, and may be served on plates, cups, or other tableware. The customer places at least one item to be purchased on a tray, goes to the cash register 400, and pays for the items. The cash register 400 may be a so-called self-checkout system that does not require a cashier to operate the checkout. Although FIG. 1 shows only one cash register 400, multiple cash registers 400 may be installed within the restaurant 40.

[0013] The cash register unit 400 may be provided with, for example, a cash register table 401, a product reader 402, a monitor 403, and a camera 404. The cash register table 401 is a table on which a user places products when paying for them. For example, a user may place a tray with products on the cash register table 401. The product reader 402 is a device that has a function of capturing product identification information from products on the cash register table 401 (for example, products on a tray placed on the cash register table 401).

[0014] The product identification information may be, for example, information integrated with the product to identify each product. The product identification information may be provided, for example, on wrapping paper, tableware, or the like that is integrated with the product. The product identification information may be captured by the product reader 402 using radio waves. For example, the product identification information may be recorded on an RF tag that uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​technology. In this case, the product reader 402 may be an RFID reader that reads the product identification information from an RF tag provided on tableware or the like on a tray.

[0015] Alternatively, for example, the product identification information may be a barcode or two-dimensional code provided on tableware or the like. In this case, the product reader 402 may be a camera or code reader having the function of reading various codes. Furthermore, the product identification information may be the appearance of the product itself. In this case, the product reader 402 may be a product camera that captures an image of the product and generates image information indicating the product's appearance as the product identification information.

[0016] For example, when a product (or a tray on which products are placed) is placed within capture area 401a on register table 401, product reader 402 can capture (i.e., can read) product identification information integrated with the product. For example, when a communication technology such as RFID technology is used, capture area 401a is the communication range of product reader 402 (i.e., the capture range of product identification information). When the product identification information is image information showing the appearance of the product, capture area 401a is, for example, the image capture range of a product camera.

[0017] The monitor 403 displays various information and messages to be presented to the user. For example, as will be described later, the product name, unit price, total payment amount, etc. of the product corresponding to the product identification information captured by the product reader 402 may be displayed. The monitor 403 may also display various messages for confirmation or requests to the user. The monitor 403 may be, for example, a touch panel that accepts touch operations by the user on the screen. The monitor 403 may be connected to an input device such as a mouse or keyboard that accepts user operations.

[0018] Camera 404 is an imaging device that captures an image of the face of a user at cash register 400 and generates a facial image for authentication. Camera 404 may be, for example, a sensor camera that detects and captures an image of a user at cash register 400. Camera 404 may be, for example, an AI camera that detects the user's facial features and generates a facial image for authentication. Camera 404 is desirably installed in a direction that the user's face is easily oriented toward (for example, the direction in which the user looks at monitor 403) so that the user's entire face can be easily captured. Camera 404 may have a video function that captures the user's actions at cash register 400.

[0019] The cash register table 401, product reader 402, and monitor 403 of the cash register unit 400 may be components of an existing POS (Point Of Sale) system. The camera 404 may be added on and incorporated into the POS system. Alternatively, if the camera 404 has a communication function, it may be provided independently of the POS system so as to be connectable to the server 10.

[0020] The server 10 may be configured using one physical server, or may be configured as one conceptual server using multiple physical servers. The hardware configuration of the server 10 will be described later.

[0021] The server 10 and the accessible database 20 may be configured, for example, as a readable / writable nonvolatile recording medium. The database 20 may store, for example, various information required for processing by the server 10. The various information held in the database 20 may be referenced by the server 10 as appropriate. The database 20 may store, for example, user registration information, which will be described later. The user registration information contains information about the user. The user registration information may include, for example, a facial image used for facial authentication, a payment method, contact information, etc. The database 20 may also store, for example, product information, which is information about a product corresponding to product identification information. The product information may include, for example, a product name, a unit price, and an inventory quantity. In FIG. 1 , the server 10 is connected to the database 20 without the communication network 30, but the server 10 may be connected to the database 20 via the communication network 30 so as to be accessible.

[0022] 2. Server hardware configuration The hardware configuration of the server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the server 10 may include, for example, a storage device 11, a computing device 12, and a communication interface 13. The storage device 11, the computing device 12, and the communication interface 13 may be connected via a data bus 15 so as to be able to communicate data.

[0023] The storage device 11 can store desired data. For example, the storage device 11 may temporarily or long-term store a computer program executed by the arithmetic device 12. The storage device 11 may also temporarily store data that the arithmetic device 12 uses temporarily while it is executing a computer program. The storage device 11 may include at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array device. In other words, the storage device 11 may include a volatile recording medium and a non-volatile recording medium.

[0024] The arithmetic device 12 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The arithmetic device 12 may be, for example, a computer unit including a CPU and a storage medium such as a RAM and a ROM that stores various information required for the CPU's operation. The arithmetic device 12 loads a computer program. For example, the arithmetic device 12 may load a computer program stored in the storage device 11. For example, the arithmetic device 12 may load a computer program stored in a computer-readable non-volatile storage medium using a storage medium reading device (not shown). The arithmetic device 12 may acquire (i.e., download or load) the computer program from a device (not shown) located outside the server 10 via the communication interface 13. The arithmetic device 12 executes the loaded computer program. As a result, logical functional blocks for executing operations to be performed by the server 10 are realized within the arithmetic device 12. In other words, the arithmetic device 12 can function as a controller for realizing logical functional blocks for executing operations to be performed by the server 10.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows an example of logical functional blocks implemented in the computing device 12 to realize the payment system according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, a registration unit 12a, a product identification information acquisition unit 12b, a user authentication unit 12c, a product linking unit 12d, a payment unit 12e, a notification unit 12f, and an operation determination unit 12g are implemented in the computing device 12. The operation of each unit 12a to 12g will be described later.

[0026] The communication interface 13 is an interface that enables data communication between the server 10 and, for example, an external device of the server 10 (e.g., the database 20, the cash register 400 of the cafeteria 40, a user terminal, etc.). The communication interface 13 is configured, for example, to receive various types of information output from the external device of the server 10 and send the information to the arithmetic device 12. In this way, the communication interface 13 functions as an input device that inputs information from the external device of the server 10 to the server 10. The communication interface 13 is also configured, for example, to receive various types of control information related to the external device of the server 10 from the arithmetic device 12 and output the information to the external device. In this way, the communication interface 13 functions as an output device that outputs information from the server 10 to the external device of the server 10.

[0027] 3. Operation of each functional block of the server The operation of each of the units 12a to 12g as functional blocks realized within the arithmetic device 12 will be described.

[0028] The registration unit 12a associates, for example, a user's facial image as authentication registration information with the payment method used by the user when making a payment, and registers the associated information in the database 20. The user may, for example, transmit their facial image and information indicating the desired payment method from their user terminal to the server 10. The user terminal may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, or other terminal that accepts user operations and has general camera and communication functions. The registered "facial image" may, for example, be an image of the user's face captured by any camera or the camera function of the user terminal. The registered "payment method" is the payment method used to pay for the product. The "payment method" may be any method for electronically processing payments, such as electronic payment based on a credit card or prepaid card, or electronic money payment based on points or virtual currency. The "payment method" may, for example, be set according to the user's operation on the user terminal.

[0029] The user's facial image and desired payment method are transmitted to the server 10 as, for example, registration request information. The registration unit 12a may store, in the database 20, user registration information that links the facial image included in the registration request information with the payment method, for example. The facial image in the user registration information may function as user identification information that identifies the user. When there is user identification information separate from the facial image, the registration unit 12a may store, for example, information that links the registration request information with the user identification information as user registration information in the database 20. Hereinafter, the facial image included in the user registration information will be referred to as the "registered facial image."

[0030] The registration request information may also include contact information for the user. The "notification destination" may be, for example, an email address, a user identification number, or a terminal identification number where the user can check notifications from the payment system on the user terminal. The registration unit 12a may associate the contact information included in the registration request information with the facial image and payment method and store it in the database 20 as user registration information.

[0031] For example, when the commodity identification information acquisition unit 12b recognizes the commodity identification information captured by the commodity reader 402, it acquires the commodity identification information. The user authentication unit 12c acquires, for example, an authentication face image generated by the camera 404 and performs user authentication. For example, the user authentication unit 12c refers to the user registration information in the database 20 and searches for a registered face image that matches (or is deemed to match) the authentication face image based on feature quantities (e.g., size, shape, positional relationship, etc.) of multiple facial feature points (e.g., eyes, nose, ears, mouth, etc.). If a registered face image that matches (or is deemed to match) the authentication face image is found, the user authentication unit 12c determines that user authentication has been successful (i.e., the user has been authenticated); if the registered face image is not found, it determines that user authentication has failed (i.e., the user has not been authenticated).

[0032] The product linking unit 12d may, for example, link the product identification information acquired by the product identification information acquiring unit 12b to a user whose user authentication has been successful (i.e., an authenticated user). The product linking unit 12d may, for example, link the product identification information acquired by the product identification information acquiring unit 12b to a registered face image (or a face image for authentication) whose user authentication has been successful. When there is user identification information other than the registered face image, the product linking unit 12d may link the product identification information acquired by the product identification information acquiring unit 12b to the user identification information of the user whose user authentication has been successful.

[0033] For example, when the product identification information acquisition unit 12b is no longer able to recognize the product identification information, the settlement unit 12e may perform the settlement process by assuming that the product identification information of all the products to be purchased has been acquired. For example, the settlement unit 12e may perform the settlement process by using the payment method registered in the user registration information for the authenticated user.

[0034] For example, when there is a possibility of duplicate payments in at least two consecutive payments, the notification unit 12f issues a notification to confirm the user's intention to purchase (i.e., purchase confirmation). For example, when the same user is authenticated in at least two consecutive payments and at least one identical item identification information is acquired by the item identification information acquisition unit 12b, the notification unit 12f issues a purchase confirmation notification to the corresponding user. That is, for example, when consecutive payments for the same item are made to the same user, the notification unit 12f issues a purchase confirmation to the user. The notification unit 12f may notify the user of the payment details as purchase confirmation after the payment process by the payment unit 12e is completed. For example, the notification unit 12f may display the purchase confirmation on the monitor 403 of the cash register unit 400. For example, the notification unit 12f may transmit the purchase confirmation to the user terminal so that it is displayed on the screen of the user terminal.

[0035] The action determination unit 12g, for example, acquires action information of a user at the cash register unit 400 and determines whether the action satisfies a predetermined condition. The action information may be, for example, video information captured by the camera 404. Alternatively, a camera (not shown) different from the camera 404 may be provided in the cash register unit 400, and the action information may be video information captured by the camera (not shown). The action determination unit 12g determines that "the action satisfies the predetermined condition" when, for example, the action indicated by the action information is an action that prevents the commodity reader 402 from capturing commodity identification information. In other words, the action determination unit 12g determines that "the action satisfies the predetermined condition" when an action is performed that causes the commodity identification information to move out of the capture area 401a.

[0036] For example, as in this embodiment, when a tray carrying products is placed in the take-in area 401a of the register table 401, the product identification information integrated with the products on the tray may fall out of the take-in area 401a when the user lifts the tray from the register table 401. Therefore, the action determination unit 12g may determine, for example, that the action of the user lifting the tray carrying products from the register table 401 is "the action satisfies the predetermined condition."

[0037] Even if the product identification information is a code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, the product identification information on the tray may move out of capture area 401a when a user lifts the tray from register table 401. Even if the product identification information is an image of the exterior of the product, the product on the tray may move out of capture area 401a, which is the imageable range of the product camera, when a user lifts the tray from register table 401. A user action that causes the product identification information to move out of capture area 401a may be, for example, a user sliding the tray from capture area 401a to a position adjacent to capture area 401a.

[0038] 4. Processing flow in the payment system An example of the flow of processing executed by the payment system realized by server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Figs. 4A to 4C. Fig. 3 shows an example of a payment routine executed by the payment system. Figs. 4A to 4C show examples of screens displayed on monitor 403.

[0039] For example, the server 10 may display a top screen 50a shown in FIG. 4A on the monitor 403 as a standby screen of the payment system until the processing of the payment routine is started. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the top screen 50a may display a message urging the user to place a tray on the register table 401. This prompts a user who comes to the register unit 400 with a tray to place the tray on the register table 401. For example, when the server 10 detects a user standing at the register unit 400 using the camera 404, the server 10 may use this as a trigger to start the payment routine.

[0040] For example, the server 10 may first perform user authentication processing (step S101). In the user authentication processing, the server 10 may refer to the database 20 to search for a registered face image that matches (or is deemed to match) the authentication face image, as described above. If the user authentication is successful, the server 10 may proceed to product linking processing (step S102), for example. If the user authentication is unsuccessful, the server 10 may display on the monitor 403 a message urging the user to look at the camera 404 to obtain the authentication face image again. If the user authentication is unsuccessful, the server 10 may display on the monitor 403 a message requesting the user to make payment after registering user registration information, for example.

[0041] In the product linking process (step S102), the server 10 links the user with the product to be purchased. The server 10 recognizes and acquires the product identification information captured by the product reader 402, and links the acquired product identification information to, for example, a registered facial image of the authenticated user. The server 10 may also, for example, refer to the product information in the database 20 to acquire product information (e.g., product name, unit price, etc.) of the product corresponding to each acquired product identification information. For example, based on the acquired product information, the server 10 may display a product list including the product, unit price, total payment amount, etc. for the products on the tray (i.e., the products to be purchased) as shown on a confirmation screen 50b in FIG. 4B. This allows the user to check the total payment amount and its details.

[0042] Next, the server 10 may determine whether the product identification information is no longer recognized (step S103). If the product identification information is recognized (step S103: No), the server 10 may return to step S102 and perform product linking processing on the acquired product identification information. The server 10 may perform the product linking processing (step S102) on the product identification information until the product identification information is no longer recognized. If the product identification information is no longer recognized (step S103: Yes), the server 10 may proceed to step S104, assuming that the product identification information of all products on the tray (i.e., products to be purchased) has been acquired and linked to the user.

[0043] Here, for example, if the server 10 no longer recognizes the product identification information (step S103: Yes), the server 10 may confirm the number of products on the tray using a camera (not shown) capable of capturing images of the products on the tray and compare the confirmed number of products with the number of products in the product list displayed on the confirmation screen 50b. If the confirmed number of products differs from the number of products in the product list, the server 10 may, for example, display a message on the monitor 403 requesting the user to move the tray or the products so that the product identification information of the products on the tray can be correctly captured by the product reader 402. For example, if the product identification information is recorded on an RF tag, the product identification information may not be read by the product reader 402 due to interference from metal products or the like. Therefore, the server 10 may, for example, display a message requesting the user not to place any items other than products, such as metal products, on the tray. Alternatively / and, for example, the server 10 may display a message requesting the user to place the tray in the correct position (e.g., within the capture area 401a). For example, if the server 10 recognizes the product identification information after displaying the message, the server 10 may return to step S102. If the server 10 does not recognize the product identification information after displaying the message, it may, for example, notify the cashier manager that a problem has occurred in the cashier unit 400. Note that the above processing regarding the number of products may be controlled, for example, by a product number confirmation unit that the server 10 realizes as a functional block in the computing device 12.

[0044] In step S104, the server 10 may determine whether or not a predetermined action has been performed by the user. The "predetermined action" is an action that is predetermined as the "action that satisfies the predetermined condition" described above. The server 10 may, for example, acquire from the camera 404 action information for a predetermined period of time, including the time when it is determined that the product identification information has become unrecognized, and determine whether or not the "predetermined action" has been performed based on the action information. Specifically, the "predetermined action" may be, for example, the action of lifting a tray placed on the register table 401 from the register table 401, as described above. As shown in FIG. 4B, the server 10 may display a message on the confirmation screen 50b indicating that payment has been completed in response to the action of lifting the tray. This allows the user's intention to pay for the product list displayed on the confirmation screen 50b to be clearly confirmed.

[0045] If the server 10 determines in step S104 that a predetermined operation has not been performed (step S104: No), the server 10 may, for example, perform payment confirmation (step S110). In the payment confirmation, the server 10 may, for example, confirm via the monitor 403 whether or not the user intends to make payment for the product list displayed on the confirmation screen 50b. If the server 10 receives confirmation of the intention to make payment (step S110: Yes), the server 10 may, for example, proceed to payment processing (step S105). On the other hand, if the server 10 does not receive confirmation of the intention to make payment (for example, if the user wishes to make a correction) (step S110: No), the server 10 may, for example, proceed to correction processing (step S111). In the correction processing, the server 10 may, for example, allow the user to correct the product list to be paid for displayed on the confirmation screen 50b, and after the product list is corrected, the server 10 may proceed to payment processing (step S105).

[0046] On the other hand, if the server 10 determines in step S104 that a predetermined action has been performed (step S104: Yes), it may proceed to payment processing (step S105). In the payment processing, the server 10 may perform payment processing for the purchased items using, for example, the payment method set in the user registration information corresponding to the user. When the payment processing is completed, the server 10 may, for example, display an end screen 50c as shown in FIG. 4C on the monitor 403 to indicate that the payment has been completed. In this way, in the payment system of the present disclosure, a user can complete payment for the items by simply placing a tray containing the purchased items on the cash register table 401 and then lifting the tray. This series of actions is natural for cafeteria users and does not burden the user. The payment system of the present disclosure enables the user to complete payment using only natural and effortless actions.

[0047] Following step S105, the server 10 may perform a notification process (step S106). In the notification process, the server 10 may, for example, notify the purchase confirmation to a contact point (e.g., a user terminal) set in the user registration information corresponding to the user. After notifying the purchase confirmation, the server 10 may terminate the payment routine. Note that the server 10 may enable a process that allows a user who has received the purchase confirmation to cancel the corresponding payment.

[0048] In step S106, the server 10 may determine, for example, whether two or more consecutive payments are likely to be duplicate payments. For example, the server 10 may determine that there is a possibility of duplicate payments if the same user is authenticated and product identification information for the same product is obtained for two or more consecutive payments. If the server 10 determines that there is a possibility of duplicate payments, it may notify a purchase confirmation regarding the duplicate payments. For example, the server 10 may notify the user terminal of the purchase confirmation. For example, if the user performs an operation on the user terminal to continue all payments related to the duplicate payments, the server 10 may terminate the payment routine. For example, if the user performs an operation to cancel at least one of the two or more payments related to the duplicate payments, the server 10 may perform processing to cancel the payment to be canceled. Thereafter, the server 10 may terminate the payment routine.

[0049] The server 10 may, for example, display a purchase confirmation on the monitor 403 when payment is completed. The server 10 may also enable processing similar to that in the case of notifying the user terminal in response to a user operation on the monitor 403.

[0050] Step S101 is performed by the user authentication unit 12c. Step S102 is performed by the product identification information acquisition unit 12b and the product linking unit 12d. Step S104 is performed by the action determination unit 12g. Steps S103 and S105 are performed by the settlement unit 12e. Step S106 is performed by the notification unit 12f.

[0051] If the determination in step S103 is affirmative (step S103: Yes), the server 10 may skip step S104 and proceed to step S105. The server 10 may start the processing of the payment routine, for example, when the server 10 acquires product identification information. The server 10 may perform user authentication processing after acquiring all product identification information. Alternatively, the server 10 may acquire product identification information and perform user authentication processing in parallel.

[0052] Iris authentication may be adopted as a user authentication method in addition to or instead of facial authentication. In this case, a camera for iris authentication may be adopted as camera 404. The product identification information may be, for example, various code information integrated with a product tag that replaces the product, rather than information integrated with the product itself. In this case, payment is made by placing only the product tag corresponding to the product to be purchased on a tray, and after payment is completed, the actual product corresponding to the product tag on the tray is received. The payment system of the present disclosure is not limited to payments at restaurants, but can be applied to any situation where a user pays for purchased items.

[0053] <Additional Notes> A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0054] (Appendix 1) The payment system described in Appendix 1 is a payment system having a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product purchased by a user at a cafeteria, a user authentication means for authenticating the user using the user's face or iris, a product linking means for linking the authenticated user with the product identification information, and a payment means for making a payment for the authenticated user to purchase the product after the product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means.

[0055] According to the payment system described in Appendix 1, when purchasing items at a restaurant, payment can be triggered by the fact that product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means. In other words, the payment system can perform payment by regarding the state in which product identification information is no longer recognized as a state in which product identification information for all purchased items has been acquired. In this way, the payment system can perform payment without any operation by the user. Therefore, the effort and time required to enter a password or the like is eliminated, improving the convenience of payment processing. Therefore, the payment system can avoid waiting lines for payments and provide smooth payment. Furthermore, the payment system does not require operation using the user's fingers, etc., meaning that payment is completely touchless and improves hygiene. Furthermore, the payment system can ensure high payment security because payment is made to a user authenticated by facial recognition. In this way, the payment system can realize comfortable, safe, and highly secure payments.

[0056] (Appendix 2) The payment system described in Appendix 2 is the payment system described in Appendix 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying the user to confirm the purchase, wherein the notification means notifies the user when the same user is authenticated by the user authentication means and at least one piece of the same product identification information is acquired by the product identification information acquisition means in at least two consecutive payments.

[0057] According to the payment system described in Supplementary Note 2, if the same user is authenticated and at least one of the same product identification information is obtained in at least two consecutive payments, i.e., if the same user makes two or more consecutive payments for the same product (i.e., if there is a possibility of a duplicate payment), a notification is sent to the user to confirm the purchase. This allows the user to confirm whether the payment is unintentional and makes it possible to avoid unintentional payments.

[0058] (Appendix 3) The payment system described in Supplementary Note 3 is the payment system described in Supplementary Note 2, in which the notification means sends the notification to a user terminal of the user.

[0059] According to the payment system described in Appendix 3, purchase confirmation in the event of a possible double payment can be sent directly to the user's user terminal. In particular, if the user terminal is a portable terminal, the notification can be sent to a user in any location. For example, it is possible to send the notification to a user who has left the payment area (e.g., the cash register) at a restaurant and sat down at their seat. This allows the user to take their time responding to the notification while remaining seated. On the other hand, if the notification is sent to the cash register immediately after the payment is completed, a long queue may form at the cash register in the restaurant to accommodate the notification. This payment system makes it possible to avoid such long queues.

[0060] (Appendix 4) The payment system described in Appendix 4 is a payment system described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 3, further comprising an action determination means for acquiring action information indicating the user's action and determining whether the action satisfies a predetermined condition, and the payment means performs the payment if the action satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0061] According to the payment system described in Supplementary Note 4, payment is made when the product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means and the user performs an action that satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, if the product identification information acquisition means fails to recognize the product identification information of all products to be purchased for some reason, it is possible to avoid making a payment. It is desirable that the "action that satisfies a predetermined condition" be an action that does not impose a burden on the user. In addition, the payment systems described in Supplementary Notes 1 to 4 may have a product quantity confirmation means for confirming whether the number of products purchased by the user is the same as the number of product identification information linked to the user.

[0062] (Appendix 5) The payment system described in Appendix 5 is the payment system described in Appendix 4, in which the action determination means acquires the action information for a predetermined period including the point at which the product identification information acquisition means no longer recognizes the product identification information, and determines whether the action satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0063] According to the payment system described in Supplementary Note 5, a user action performed within a predetermined period including the time when the product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means can be considered to be an "action that satisfies a predetermined condition" in the payment system described in Supplementary Note 4. The "action that satisfies a predetermined condition" is preferably, for example, an action that causes the product identification information to no longer be recognized by the product identification information acquisition means. Such an "action that satisfies a predetermined condition" can function as a cross-check that the product identification information of all products purchased by the user has been acquired by the product identification information acquisition means.

[0064] (Appendix 6) The payment system described in Supplementary Note 6 is a payment system described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, further comprising a database and a registration means for linking authentication registration information regarding the user's face or iris used for the authentication with the payment method used by the user for the payment and registering the linked information in the database, wherein the product linking means links the authentication registration information of the authenticated user with the product identification information, and the payment means makes the payment using the payment method linked and registered to the authentication registration information.

[0065] According to the payment system described in Appendix 6, the payment system can refer to the facial information used for authentication and the payment method to be used by referring to the registered information in the database. Since the payment method to be used can be registered in advance, even people on overseas business trips can easily make payments using the desired payment method.

[0066] (Appendix 7) The payment system described in Supplementary Note 7 is the payment system described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, in which the product identification information is information integrated with the product.

[0067] According to the payment system described in Appendix 7, the product identification information is integrated with the product, so the status of the product identification information can be considered as the status of the product.

[0068] (Appendix 8) The method described in Appendix 8 is a method in a payment system having a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product purchased by a user at a cafeteria, and a user authentication means for authenticating the user using the user's face or iris, wherein the method authenticates the user using the user's face or iris, links the authenticated user to the product identification information, and makes a payment for the authenticated user to purchase the product after the product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means.

[0069] By implementing the method described in Appendix 8 on a computer, it is possible to realize the payment system described in Appendix 1, i.e., a highly secure payment system with improved convenience and hygiene.

[0070] (Appendix 9) The computer program described in Appendix 9 is a computer program configured to cause a computer to function as a product identification information acquisition means for acquiring product identification information of a product purchased by a user at a cafeteria, a user authentication means for authenticating the user using the user's face or iris, a product linking means for linking the authenticated user with the product identification information, and a payment means for making a payment for the authenticated user to purchase the product after the product identification information is no longer recognized by the product identification information acquisition means.

[0071] By causing a computer to execute the computer program described in Supplementary Note 9, it is possible to realize the payment system described in Supplementary Note 1. In other words, it is possible to realize a highly safe payment system with improved convenience and hygiene.

[0072] (Appendix 10) The computer-readable recording medium described in Supplementary Note 10 is a recording medium on which the computer program described in Supplementary Note 9 is stored.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the entire specification without violating the gist or concept of the invention, and payment systems, methods, and recording media incorporating such modifications are also included in the technical concept of the present invention.

[0074] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-217123, filed on December 25, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 12a Registration section (registration means) 12b Product identification information acquisition unit (product identification information acquisition means) 12c User authentication unit (user authentication means) 12d Product linking unit (product linking means) 12e Payment Department (Payment Methods) 12f Notification section (notification means) 12g Operation determination unit (operation determination means) 10 Servers 20 databases 40 Dining room

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires facial information obtained by photographing a user; an identification unit that identifies a payment method linked to the pre-registered face information by comparing the face information with pre-registered face information; a product identification information acquisition unit that acquires product identification information of products on a tray placed on a cash register table; a display unit that displays a total price of the products on the tray obtained based on unit price information of the products associated with the product identification information; an action determination unit that acquires action information indicating the action of the user and determines whether the tray has been lifted by the action; If it is determined that the tray has been lifted, the total amount is paid using the payment method; a payment unit that, when it is determined that the tray cannot be lifted, displays a confirmation of whether or not to pay for the items on the tray; A payment system having:

2. a notification unit that notifies the user of a purchase confirmation; The notification unit, in at least two consecutive payments, The payment system according to claim 1 , wherein the notification is made when at least one piece of the same product identification information is acquired by the product identification information acquisition unit for the same user.

3. The payment system according to claim 2 , wherein the notification unit sends the notification to a user terminal of the user.

4. A payment system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation determination unit acquires the operation information for a predetermined period including the point at which the product identification information acquisition means no longer recognizes the product identification information, and determines whether the tray has been lifted.

5. A database, a registration unit that associates registration information relating to the user's face information used in the matching with a payment method used by the user for the payment and registers the association information in the database; The payment system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification unit identifies the payment method registered in association with the registration information of the user.

6. 6. The payment system according to claim 1, wherein the product identification information is information integrated with the product.

7. By at least one computer, Acquires facial information from a photograph of the user, Identifying a payment method linked to the pre-registered face information by matching the face information with pre-registered face information; Acquire product identification information of the products on the tray placed on the cash register table, displaying a total price of the products on the tray obtained based on unit price information of the products associated with the product identification information; acquiring action information indicating an action of the user and determining whether the tray has been lifted by the action; If it is determined that the tray has been lifted, the total amount is paid using the payment method; If it is determined that the tray cannot be lifted, a message is displayed to confirm whether the customer wishes to pay for the items on the tray. method.

8. Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires photographed face information of a user; an identification unit that identifies a payment method linked to the pre-registered face information by comparing the face information with pre-registered face information; a product identification information acquisition unit that acquires product identification information of products on a tray placed on a cash register table; a display unit that displays the total price of the products on the tray obtained based on the unit price information of the products associated with the product identification information; an action determination unit that acquires action information indicating the action of the user and determines whether the tray has been lifted by the action; and If it is determined that the tray has been lifted, the total amount is paid using the payment method; a payment unit that, when it is determined that the tray cannot be lifted, displays a confirmation of whether or not to pay for the items on the tray; A computer program that functions as a

9. an acquisition unit that acquires facial information obtained by photographing a user; an identification unit that identifies user registration information linked to the pre-registered face information by comparing the face information with pre-registered face information; a product identification information acquisition unit that acquires product identification information of products on a tray placed on a cash register table; a display unit that displays a total price of the products on the tray obtained based on unit price information of the products associated with the product identification information; an action determination unit that acquires action information indicating the action of the user and determines whether the tray has been lifted by the action; If it is determined that the tray has been lifted, the total amount is paid based on the payment method included in the user registration information, a payment unit that, when it is determined that the tray cannot be lifted, displays a confirmation of whether or not to pay for the items on the tray; A payment system having:

10. By at least one computer, Acquires facial information from a photograph of the user, Identifying user registration information linked to the pre-registered face information by matching the face information with pre-registered face information; Acquire product identification information of the products on the tray placed on the cash register table, displaying a total price of the products on the tray obtained based on unit price information of the products associated with the product identification information; acquiring action information indicating an action of the user and determining whether the tray has been lifted by the action; If it is determined that the tray has been lifted, the total amount is paid based on the payment method included in the user registration information, When it is determined that the tray cannot be lifted, a display is displayed to confirm whether or not the customer wishes to pay for the items on the tray.

11. Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires photographed face information of a user; an identification unit that identifies user registration information linked to the pre-registered face information by comparing the face information with pre-registered face information; a product identification information acquisition unit that acquires product identification information of products on a tray placed on a cash register table; a display unit that displays the total price of the products on the tray obtained based on the unit price information of the products associated with the product identification information; an action determination unit that acquires action information indicating the action of the user and determines whether the tray has been lifted by the action; and If it is determined that the tray has been lifted, the total amount is paid based on the payment method included in the user registration information, a payment unit that, when it is determined that the tray cannot be lifted, displays a confirmation of whether or not to pay for the items on the tray; A computer program that functions as a

Images