Media reader and program

Abstract

To provide a medium reader and program capable of readily making a contact for replacement of a card in which a reading error occurs frequently.SOLUTION: A medium reader of en embodiment includes a reading mechanism that reads information stored in a medium, error decision means that decides based on a result of the reading by the reading mechanism whether a reading error has occurred, and printing means that prints a contact address of an issuance source of the medium in a printing medium in the event that the error decision means decides that the reading error has occurred.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a medium reading device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Magnetic cards such as point cards and credit cards have traditionally been used when purchasing goods at supermarkets, convenience stores, mass retailers, etc. These magnetic cards have the necessary information magnetized and stored on them, and the card information stored on the card is read by scanning the card with a media reader.

[0003] Incidentally, the magnetic force of information magnetically stored on a magnetic card can weaken over time. When the magnetic force weakens, a reading error occurs, and the media reader is no longer able to read the information on the magnetic card. Furthermore, when replacing a media reader, compatibility with the new card reader can also play a role, and cards with weak magnetic force may suddenly become unable to read information that was previously readable (leading to a reading error). To avoid this phenomenon, it is desirable for the magnetic field on the card to maintain a certain level of magnetic force.

[0004] Furthermore, in the case of cards with electrical contacts, such as IC cards with information stored in a built-in IC chip, deterioration over time can cause poor contact at the contacts, which can lead to reading errors and make it impossible to read the information stored in the IC.

[0005] For this reason, in the past, transactions using cards that frequently caused reading errors were stopped or a message was sent urging the user to replace the card. However, because card replacement must be carried out by the card issuing company, it was not easy to notify the user of the replacement. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a media reader and a program that can easily notify a user of the need to replace a card that frequently experiences reading errors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The medium reading device of the embodiment includes a reading mechanism that reads information stored on a medium, and an error determining means that determines whether a reading error has occurred based on the reading result of the reading mechanism; The error determination means An error occurred It was judged that Identify the medium Card ID of From the information read from the medium by the reading mechanism The code information acquisition means and the acquired code information Card ID Based on It was judged, and a printing unit that acquires contact information from a storage unit that stores contact information for the issuer of the medium for each type of medium on which an error has occurred, and prints the acquired contact information on the print medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a POS terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a memory map showing the configuration of the error count section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a memory map showing the configuration of the contact section. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the POS terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the POS terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the credit processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the point card processing. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the POS terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of another display screen of the POS terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of yet another display screen of the POS terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an example of what is printed on a receipt by a POS terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows another example of printing on a receipt by a POS terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows yet another example of printing on a receipt by a POS terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, a POS terminal will be described as an example of a medium reading device. Also, a magnetic card with a magnetic stripe formed thereon, such as a credit card or a point card, will be described as an example of a medium. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0010] One or more POS (Point of Sales) terminals 1 are installed in stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores, mass retailers, and specialty stores that sell products. In transactions with customers, the POS terminal 1 processes product data and settlement for products purchased by the customer. The POS terminal 1 captures an image of a symbol, such as a barcode, attached to a product sold in a transaction and acquires a product code that identifies the corresponding product. Product data processing refers to a process in which the POS terminal 1 displays the product name and price of the product based on the product information (product name, price, etc.) of the product read based on the acquired product code, and stores the product information in the product information unit 131 (see FIG. 2). The POS terminal 1 may also optically read an image of a symbol attached to the product to acquire the corresponding product code. The POS terminal 1 may also capture an image of the product to acquire the product code of the identified product.

[0011] The settlement process refers to the process of displaying the total amount for the transaction based on the product information stored in the product information unit 131 through product data processing, calculating and displaying the change based on the deposit received from the customer, and instructing the change dispenser to issue the change. The settlement process also includes the process of issuing a receipt on which the product information and settlement information (total amount, deposit amount, change amount, etc.) processed through product data processing are printed. The product information and settlement information are information related to settlement.

[0012] The POS terminal 1 transmits product information and payment information of the processed products via a communication line to a server (not shown) (e.g., a store server). The POS terminal 1 also transmits settlement information for the sales for a predetermined period (e.g., one day) to the server via the communication line.

[0013] The server is installed, for example, in the back yard of a store. The server centrally manages product information, payment information, accounting information, etc. received from each POS terminal 1. In other words, the server manages sales at the store. The server also receives from each POS terminal 1 information on read errors (number of read errors) at the POS terminal 1 when a magnetic card, which will be described later, is scanned, and accumulates and stores the information by card ID. The server transmits the stored information on the number of read errors by card ID to each POS terminal 1.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a POS terminal 1 according to an embodiment, as viewed from the operator side.

[0015] The POS terminal 1 has a main body 4 and a money storage box 5. The money storage box 5 has a drawer for storing coins and bills, and stores money received from customers, valuable securities such as gift certificates, and change to be handed to customers.

[0016] The main body 4 is equipped with an operation unit 21, an operator display unit 22, a customer display unit 23, a printing unit 24, a card reading unit 25 (reading mechanism), a code reader 27, etc. The operation unit 21 is a keyboard equipped with keys such as numeric keys for inputting numbers. The operator display unit 22 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays product information, payment information, etc. to the operator who operates the POS terminal 1. The customer display unit 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays product information, payment information, etc. to the customer.

[0017] The printing unit 24 pulls out a roll of receipt paper stored in the main body 4 and prints product information, payment information, etc. using, for example, a thermal printer equipped with a thermal transfer print head, and issues a receipt. The card reading unit 25 has a magnetic head 251 (see Figure 2) and reads the card ID (i.e., customer identification information that identifies the customer carrying the magnetic card) that is magnetically stored on a magnetic card (medium) such as a credit card or point card presented by the customer and that uniquely identifies the magnetic card.

[0018] The code reader 27 is, for example, a handheld code reader. The code reader 27 captures and reads the symbol attached to the product using, for example, visible light. The code reader 27 may also read the symbol using an optical scanner.

[0019] Now, let us explain magnetic cards. Magnetic cards are formed with magnetic stripes in a band-like shape, and information including a card ID is magnetically stored in the stripes. When the magnetic card is first created, the card ID stored in the stripes is stored with a strong magnetic force exceeding a predetermined magnetic force. However, the magnetic force used to store information such as the card ID gradually weakens with age. When the magnetic force becomes weaker than the predetermined value, the magnetic head 251 can no longer magnetically read the information stored in the stripes. In other words, the card reader 25 cannot read the magnetic card, resulting in a read error.

[0020] The POS terminal 1 counts the number of read errors and cumulatively stores them for each card ID. If multiple POS terminals 1 are connected to the server, the server cumulatively stores the number of read errors for each card ID. That is, the server receives the number of read errors for all connected POS terminals 1 from each POS terminal 1, and the server centrally stores the number of read errors based on the card ID of the magnetic card. The server then transmits the number of read errors for each card ID that it has stored to all connected POS terminals 1. Each POS terminal 1 receives and stores the number of read errors for each card ID transmitted from the server. That is, each POS terminal 1 stores the same data as the number of read errors for each card ID that the server centrally stores.

[0021] For example, if the magnetic card information is read on the 10th scan of the card reader 25, the number of read errors for the card ID included in the information read on the 10th scan is incremented by 9, since the first 9 read errors occurred. Note that if the magnetic card information is read on the first scan, the number of read errors is not incremented.

[0022] The POS terminal 1 determines whether a magnetic card has a weakened magnetic force based on the number of read errors for each stored card ID. The POS terminal 1 determines that the magnetic force of the information stored in the stripe of a magnetic card for which the number of read errors for each stored card ID has reached (or exceeded) a predetermined number has weakened. In other words, a magnetic card for which the number of read errors for each stored card ID has reached a predetermined number is frequently causing read errors, and is therefore determined to have weakened magnetic force.

[0023] If the POS terminal 1 determines that the magnetic force of the magnetic card has weakened, it prints information for replacing the magnetic card on a receipt and issues it. Specifically, the POS terminal 1 prints contact information for the issuer of the magnetic card (e.g., a card issuing company). The contact information for the issuer may include, for example, one or more or all of the issuer's address, telephone number, email address, etc. Note that if a single issuer is identified based on the card ID, only the contact information for that issuer may be printed. Alternatively, if the type of magnetic card is identified (e.g., it is identified as a credit card), contact information for all credit card companies with which the store has contracts may be printed.

[0024] In addition, if the magnetic card whose magnetic force has decreased is a point card, the point card may have been issued by the store itself, in which case information indicating the location in the store where the magnetic card can be exchanged or information encouraging the exchange may be printed on the card.

[0025] Next, the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the POS terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a memory unit 14, and the like. The CPU 11 is the main controller. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 loads programs and various data. The memory unit 14 stores various programs. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and memory unit 14 are connected to one another via a bus 15. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 constitute a control unit 100. That is, the control unit 100 executes control processing related to the POS terminal 1, which will be described later, by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 12 and the memory unit 14 and loaded in the RAM 13.

[0026] The RAM 13 includes a product information section 131 and a retry count section 132. The product information section 131 stores product information (product name, product price, etc.) of a product that has undergone product data processing based on a product code acquired from a symbol read by the code reader 27. The retry count section 132 stores the number of retries for reading a magnetic card, which is processed in S33, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0027] The memory unit 14 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 14 includes a control program unit 141, a product master 142, an error count unit 143, and a contact unit 144. The control program unit 141 stores a control program for controlling the POS terminal 1. The product master 142 stores product information (product name, unit price, etc.) related to each product.

[0028] The error count unit 143 cumulatively stores the number of read errors that have occurred by the magnetic card for each card ID. When multiple POS terminals 1 are connected to the server, the server collects the number of read errors that have occurred in each POS terminal 1 and cumulatively stores the number for each card ID, and the server distributes this information to each POS terminal 1. In other words, the number of read errors stored in the POS terminal 1 is the total number of read errors that have occurred by the magnetic card for each POS terminal 1 connected to the server. The error count unit 143 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0029] The contact information unit 144 stores, for each type of magnetic card, contact information (one or more types of information such as address, telephone number, email address, etc.) of the issuer of the magnetic card for replacing the magnetic card. The contact information unit 144 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is connected to the operation unit 21, operator display unit 22, customer display unit 23, printing unit 24, card reading unit 25, and code reader 27 via the bus 15 and controller 16. The controller 16 receives instructions from the control unit 100 and controls the operation unit 21, operator display unit 22, customer display unit 23, printing unit 24, card reading unit 25, and code reader 27. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that the control performed by the controller 16 is performed by the control unit 100.

[0031] The operation unit 21 includes a settlement key 211, a "Yes" key 212, a "No" key 213, a credit key 214, a point key 215, a character key 216, a code key 217, and a card inspection key 218. The settlement key 211 is operated when performing a settlement process in a transaction with a customer. The "Yes" key 212 is operated when a predetermined number of consecutive read errors have occurred with the same (single) magnetic card. The "No" key 213 is operated when a predetermined number of consecutive read errors have not occurred with the same (single) magnetic card. The credit key 214 is operated when the magnetic card that has caused a predetermined number of consecutive read errors is a credit card (S37 in FIG. 6). The point key 215 is operated when the magnetic card that has caused a predetermined number of consecutive read errors is a point card (S43 in FIG. 6). The character key 216 is operated when printing contact information in text (S39 in FIG. 6) (S64 in FIG. 7). The code key 217 is operated when printing contact information using a symbol such as a two-dimensional code (S41 in FIG. 6) (S66 in FIG. 7). The card inspection key 218 is operated when inspecting the magnetic state of a magnetic card at the POS terminal 1 (S22 in FIG. 6).

[0032] The operator display unit 22 displays information such as product information and payment information to the operator operating the POS terminal 1. The customer display unit 23 displays information such as product information and payment information to the customer making a transaction. The printing unit 24 prints the product information and payment information on receipt paper (printing medium) and issues it as a receipt. The printing unit 24 also prints contact information on receipt paper in addition to the product information and payment information, which will be described later with reference to Figures 12 to 14, and issues it as a receipt.

[0033] The card reading unit 25 includes a magnetic head 251. The magnetic head 251 comes into contact with the stripe of the magnetic card to be scanned and reads information including the card ID magnetically stored in the stripe. The code reader 27 captures an image or optically reads information on a symbol attached to a product.

[0034] The control unit 100 is also connected to the communication unit 26 via the bus 15. The communication unit 26 is electrically connected to other POS terminals 1 and a server installed in the store via a communication line. The control unit 100 transmits information about a reading error that has occurred in the POS terminal 1 to the server via the communication unit 26.

[0035] 3 is a memory map showing a part of the configuration of the error count section 143. The error count section 143 is information distributed from the server. The error count section 143 stores, for each card ID, the cumulative number of reading errors that occurred by the card reading section 25 (magnetic head 251) at each POS terminal 1 when scanning the magnetic card.

[0036] The error count section 143 has a card ID section 1431, a card company section 1432, an error count section 1433, and a contact necessity section 1434. The card ID section 1431 stores a card ID that identifies a magnetic card. The card ID is also information that identifies the customer who carries the magnetic card. The card ID includes information about the type of the card. Therefore, the type of the magnetic card (in the embodiment, whether it is a credit card or a point card) can be determined based on the card ID stored in the card ID section 1431. In addition, the issuer (card issuing company) of the magnetic card can be identified based on the card ID stored in the card ID section 1431. The card company section 1432 stores the issuer (card issuing company) that issued the magnetic card identified by the card ID. The error count section 1433 stores the cumulative number of read errors that have occurred at each POS terminal 1 by scanning the magnetic card of the card ID stored in the card ID section 1431 (if there is only one POS terminal 1, the cumulative number of read errors that have occurred at that POS terminal 1 is stored for each card ID). When the cumulative number of read errors stored in the error count section 1433 reaches a predetermined number (the predetermined number is stored in the memory section 14 in advance, for example) (i.e., when a predetermined condition is satisfied), the control section 100 stores information (e.g., flag information) indicating that the cumulative number of read errors has reached the predetermined number in the contact necessity section 1434. To be precise, when the cumulative number of read errors stored in the error count section 1433 reaches the predetermined number within a certain period (e.g., one week) (i.e., when a predetermined condition is satisfied), the control section 100 stores information (e.g., flag information) indicating that the cumulative number of read errors has reached the predetermined number in the contact necessity section 1434. In other words, if flag information is stored in the contact necessity section 1434, it indicates that the frequency of reading errors is high, and therefore the magnetic force of the information stored in the stripe of the magnetic card identified by the card ID may be weakened.

[0037] Next, a description will be given of the contact information unit 144. The contact information unit 144 stores contact information for the issuer of each magnetic card for each type of magnetic card (credit card and point card in this embodiment).

[0038] The contact information section 144 has a contact information section (characters) 1441 and a contact information section (code) 1442. The contact information section (characters) 1441 stores information for printing the contact information of the issuer of the magnetic card in text for each type of magnetic card. In the embodiment, area 14411 stores information for printing the contact information of the issuer of the credit card usable at the store in text (issuer's address, telephone number, email address, URL, etc.). Area 14412 stores printing information related to the exchange of a point card usable at the store (for example, information indicating the location of the service counter at the store and information encouraging the customer to go to the service counter). Area 14421 stores information for printing the contact information of the issuer of the credit card usable at the store in symbols such as two-dimensional codes (graphical information of the symbol including issuer's address, telephone number, email address, URL, etc.).

[0039] Next, we will explain the functional configuration of the POS terminal 1. Figure 5 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the POS terminal 1. The control unit 100 functions as an error determination means 101, a printing means 102, and a settlement means 103 by following the control programs stored in the ROM 12 and the control program unit 141 of the memory unit 14.

[0040] The error determination means 101 determines, based on the reading result by the card reading unit 25, whether the number of reading errors stored in the error count unit 1433 has reached a predetermined number, and whether a reading error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred. Specifically, the error determination means 101 determines whether flag information is stored in the contact necessity unit 1434. If flag information is stored in the contact necessity unit 1434, the error determination means 101 determines that a reading error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred. If flag information is not stored in the contact necessity unit 1434, the error determination means 101 does not determine that a reading error that satisfies the predetermined condition has occurred.

[0041] Furthermore, the error determination means 101 determines whether a read error has occurred a predetermined number of times in succession (i.e., whether a predetermined number of retries have been performed). If a read error has occurred a predetermined number of times in succession, the error determination means 101 determines that a read error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred. If a read error has not occurred a predetermined number of times in succession, the error determination means 101 does not determine that a read error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred in the notification necessity section 1434.

[0042] When the error determination means 101 determines that a reading error has occurred that satisfies a predetermined condition, the printing means 102 prints the contact information of the issuer of the medium on the printing medium. Specifically, when the error determination means 101 determines that a reading error has occurred that satisfies a predetermined condition, the printing means 102 drives the printing unit 24 to print the contact information stored in the contact information section 144 onto receipt paper (printing medium). In this case, the printing means 102 prints the contact information stored in area 14411 or area 14421 in the case of a credit card based on the identified card ID. Furthermore, in the case of a point card, the printing means 102 prints the information stored in area 14412 instead of the contact information of the issuer.

[0043] The payment means 103 executes payment processing for the product using a magnetic card. Specifically, if payment can be made using a magnetic card (for example, if the magnetic card is a credit card), the payment means 103 executes payment processing using the magnetic card.

[0044] Next, the control of the POS terminal 1 will be described. FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the flow of the control process of the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 100 of the POS terminal 1 determines whether the code reader 27 has read a symbol attached to a product (S11). If it is determined that the symbol has been read (Yes in S11), the control unit 100 analyzes the read code symbol and acquires a product code that identifies the product (S12). Next, the control unit 100 searches the product master 142 based on the acquired product code and acquires product information (product name, price, etc.) of the product. Then, the control unit 100 executes product data processing for the product (S13). In the process of S13, the control unit 100 stores all products for which product data has been processed in the product information unit 131. Then, the control unit 100 returns to S11.

[0045] If it is determined that the reading is not a symbol reading (No in S11), the control unit 100 determines whether the payment key 211 has been operated (S21). If it is determined that the payment key 211 has been operated (Yes in S21), the operator of the POS terminal 1 inserts a magnetic card into the card reading unit 25 and slides it to perform a scanning operation. The magnetic head 251 comes into contact with the magnetic card to be scanned and reads the information stored in the stripe (S31). The control unit 100 then determines whether the information on the magnetic card has been read (S32). If a reading error occurs (No in S32), the control unit 100 increments the number of retries stored in the retry count unit 132 (which is initially set to "0") by 1 (S33). The error determination means 101 then determines whether the number of retries stored in the retry count unit 132 has reached a predetermined number (whether a predetermined condition has been satisfied) (S34). If the error determination means 101 determines that the number of retries has not reached the predetermined number (no reading error that satisfies the predetermined condition has occurred) (No in S34), the control unit 100 will, for example, notify the operator that a reading error has occurred and prompt them to scan the magnetic card again. When the operator scans the magnetic card again, the process of S31 is repeated. If reading errors continue to occur thereafter, the processes of S31 to S34 are repeated.

[0046] On the other hand, if the error determination means 101 determines in S34 that the number of retries has reached the predetermined number (i.e., that a read error has occurred a predetermined number of times in succession, in other words, that a read error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred) (Yes in S34), the control unit 100 displays a magnetic card read failure indicating that the magnetic card has failed to be read consecutively (S35). The control unit 100 displays this read failure display on either or both of the operator display unit 22 and the customer display unit 23. In this embodiment, it displays it on both.

[0047] FIG. 9 shows an example of a display on the operator display unit 22 indicating a magnetic card reading failure. In FIG. 9, display 221 indicates that a predetermined number of consecutive magnetic card reading attempts have failed. Display 222 inquires as to whether the same card has failed during the process of magnetic card reading failures. Display 223 is an image of a key to be operated when answering "Yes" to the inquiry in display 222. Display 224 is an image of a key to be operated when answering "No" to the inquiry in display 222. An operation unit 21 made up of a touch panel is provided on the surface of the operator display unit 22, and operating the touch panel opposite display 223 functions as a "Yes" key 212. Operating the touch panel opposite display 224 functions as a "No" key 213.

[0048] The control unit 100 determines whether the "Yes" key 212 or the "No" key 213 has been operated (S36). If the "Yes" key 212 has been operated (if reading of the same card has failed) (Yes in S36), the control unit 100 displays the screen of FIG. 10. The control unit 100 displays this screen on either the operator display unit 22 or the customer display unit 23, or both. In this embodiment, it is displayed on both. If the "No" key 213 has been operated (if reading of the same card has failed) (No in S36), the control unit 100 returns to S31.

[0049] In Figure 10, display 225 is a message indicating that the magnetic force of the information stored in the stripe of the magnetic card may be weakening, and is a message urging the operator to replace the magnetic card. Display 226 is an image of a key that the operator operates when the magnetic card to be replaced is a points card. Display 227 is an image of a key that the operator operates when the magnetic card to be replaced is a credit card. When the touch panel positioned opposite display 226 is operated, it functions as point key 215. When the touch panel positioned opposite display 227 is operated, it functions as credit key 214.

[0050] The control unit 100 determines whether the credit key 214 has been operated (S37). If it determines that the credit key 214 has been operated (Yes in S37), the control unit 100 requests input of the card ID of the credit card. Since the card ID is printed on the surface of the credit card, the operator manually inputs the card ID, for example, from the operation unit 21. Next, the control unit 100 displays a selection screen for whether to print the contact information of the issuer of the magnetic card related to the credit card in characters or symbols (S38).

[0051] FIG. 11 shows an example of the selection screen displayed in S38. In FIG. 11, display 228 is a message recommending that the user inquire about exchanging their credit card. Display 229 is an image of a key that displays the exchange destination of the credit card in characters. Display 230 is an image of a key that displays the exchange destination of the credit card in symbols (codes). Operating the touch panel at a position corresponding to display 229 functions as character keys 216. Operating the touch panel at a position corresponding to display 230 functions as code key 217.

[0052] The control unit 100 determines whether the character keys 216 have been operated (S39). If it determines that the character keys 216 have been operated (Yes in S39), the payment means 103 performs payment processing with the credit card based on the product information stored in the product information unit 131 for the manually entered card ID (S40). The printing means 102 then prints the product information (information related to the payment) and payment information (information related to the payment) of the product for which payment has been processed on receipt paper, and also prints the contact information related to the credit card stored in area 14411 in text on the receipt paper, and issues a receipt (S40). The control unit 100 then ends the processing and returns to S11.

[0053] FIG. 12 shows an example of a receipt issued in S40. In FIG. 12, receipt L has a purchased item section 231 that displays product information and payment information for the purchased item (the item for which payment has been processed), and a contact information section 232 that has text printed with the contact information of the credit card company, including the contact information of the magnetic card to be replaced. The customer receives this receipt and contacts the contact information written in the contact information section 232. This makes it easy to contact the credit card company to replace a card that frequently experiences reading errors. Note that by receiving a receipt with text printed with the contact information of the credit card company, including the contact information of the magnetic card to be replaced, the customer can contact the credit card company after the payment is complete while looking at the receipt, without having to contact them at the time of payment at the POS terminal 1, which prevents inconvenience to subsequent customers waiting to make their payment.

[0054] Furthermore, if it is determined in S39 that the character key 216 was not operated (No in S39), the control unit 100 determines whether the code key 217 was operated (S41). If it is determined that the code key 217 was operated (Yes in S41), the payment means 103 performs payment processing with the credit card based on the product information stored in the product information section 131 for the manually entered card ID (S42). The printing means 102 then prints the product information and payment information for the processed product on receipt paper, retrieves symbol information including contact information for the credit card stored in area 14421, prints the symbol on receipt paper, and issues a receipt (S42). The control unit 100 then ends the processing and returns to S11. If it is determined that the code key 217 was not operated (No in S41), the control unit 100 returns to S39.

[0055] FIG. 13 shows an example of a receipt issued in S42. In FIG. 13, receipt L has a purchased item section 231 that displays product information and payment information for the purchased item (the item for which payment has been processed), and a contact information section 233 that has a symbol, such as a two-dimensional code, printed with the contact information of the credit card company, including the contact information of the magnetic card to be replaced. The customer receives this receipt, captures an image of the symbol printed in the contact information section 233 with a mobile device, displays the contact information included in the symbol on the mobile device, and then contacts the contact information. This makes it easy to contact the contact person for replacement of a card that frequently experiences reading errors. By receiving a receipt with a symbol printed with the contact information of the credit card company, including the contact information of the magnetic card to be replaced, the customer does not need to contact the credit card company at the time of payment at the POS terminal 1; instead, the customer can capture an image of the symbol and contact the credit card company after the payment is completed, thereby avoiding inconvenience to subsequent customers waiting to make a payment.

[0056] Furthermore, if it is determined in S37 that the operation was not the credit key 214 (No in S37), the control unit 100 determines whether the point key 215 was operated (S43). If it is determined that the point key 215 was operated (Yes in S43), the control unit 100 performs payment processing based on the product information stored in the product information unit 131 for the manually entered card ID (S44). The printing means 102 then prints the product information and payment information for the processed product on receipt paper, and also prints the information related to the exchange of the point card stored in area 14412 in text on the receipt paper, and issues a receipt (S44). The control unit 100 then ends the processing and returns to S11. If it is determined that the operation was not the point key 215 (No in S43), the control unit 100 returns to S37.

[0057] An example of a receipt issued in S44 is shown in Figure 14. In Figure 14, receipt L is printed with a purchased item section 231 that displays product information and payment information for the purchased item (the item for which payment has been processed), and a contact information section 234 that displays the location in the store where the magnetic card to be replaced can be reissued (for example, a service counter) and a message urging the customer to replace the magnetic card. The customer receives this receipt L and heads to the location listed in the contact information section 234. This makes it easy to contact the store to request a replacement for a point card, which frequently experiences reading errors.

[0058] Furthermore, in S32, there are cases where the information on the magnetic card can be read. Because the magnetic force of the magnetic card is strong, there are cases where the information can be read in one reading operation, or cases where the information cannot be read in one operation and the processes of S32 to S34 are repeated multiple times to read it multiple times. If it is determined in S32 that the information on the magnetic card has been read (Yes in S32), the control unit 100 acquires the card ID included in the read information and determines whether the magnetic card is a credit card or a points card based on the card ID (S51). If it is determined that the magnetic card is a credit card (Yes in S51), the control unit 100 executes credit card processing (S52).

[0059] An example of the credit card processing performed in S52 is shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the control unit 100 takes the number of retries counted in S33 and stored in the retry count unit 132 as the number of read errors, and adds this to the number of read errors stored in the error count unit 1433 corresponding to the card ID acquired in S51 (S61). If, as a result of adding the number of read errors, the cumulative number of read errors stored in the error count unit 1433 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 100 stores flag information in the contact necessity unit 1434.

[0060] The error determination means 101 determines whether flag information is stored in the contact necessity section 1434 (i.e., whether a reading error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred) (S62). If it is determined that flag information is stored in the contact necessity section 1434 (i.e., whether a reading error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred) (Yes in S62), the control section 100 displays a selection screen for whether to print the contact information of the issuer of the magnetic card related to the credit card in characters or symbols (S63), as shown in Fig. 11.

[0061] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the character keys 216 have been operated (S64). If it is determined that the character keys 216 have been operated (Yes in S64), the payment means 103 performs payment processing with the credit card based on the product information stored in the product information unit 131 for the card ID acquired in S51 (S65). The printing means 102 then prints the product information and payment information for the product for which payment has been processed onto receipt paper, and also prints the contact information for the credit card stored in area 14411 as text onto the receipt paper, and issues the receipt L shown in FIG. 12 (S65). The control unit 100 then ends the process and returns to S11.

[0062] The customer receives this receipt L and contacts the contact information written in the contact information section 232. This makes it easy to contact the credit card company to replace a card that frequently experiences reading errors. By receiving the receipt L on which the credit card company's contact information, including the contact information for the replacement magnetic card, is printed in text, the customer does not need to contact the credit card company at the time of payment at the POS terminal 1; instead, they can contact the credit card company after payment is complete while looking at the receipt L, which prevents inconvenience to subsequent customers waiting to make their payment.

[0063] Furthermore, if it is determined in S64 that the character key 216 was not operated (No in S64), the control unit 100 determines whether the code key 217 was operated (S66). If it is determined that the code key 217 was operated (Yes in S66), the payment means 103 performs payment processing with the credit card based on the product information stored in the product information section 131 for the card ID acquired in S51 (S67). The printing means 102 then prints the product information and payment information for the processed product on receipt paper, as well as a symbol including contact information for the credit card stored in area 14421, and issues the receipt L shown in FIG. 13 (S67). The control unit 100 then ends the process and returns to S11. If it is determined that the code key 217 was not operated (No in S66), the control unit 100 returns to S64.

[0064] The customer receives this receipt L, takes an image of the symbol printed in the contact information section 233 with a mobile terminal or the like, and contacts the contact person from the mobile terminal. This makes it easy to contact the contact person for replacement of a card that frequently experiences reading errors. Furthermore, by receiving a receipt L on which a symbol is printed that includes the contact information of the credit card company, including the contact information of the magnetic card to be replaced, the customer does not have to contact the POS terminal 1 at the time of payment; instead, the customer can take an image of the symbol and contact the credit card company after payment is complete, thereby avoiding inconvenience to subsequent customers waiting to make payment.

[0065] Furthermore, if it is determined in S62 that no flag information is stored in the notification necessity section 1434 (i.e., no reading error that satisfies the predetermined condition has occurred) (No in S62), the control section 100 executes the payment process for the product stored in the product information section 131 (S68). The control section 100 then issues a receipt on which product information and payment information for the product for which payment has been processed are printed (contact information for the issuer of the magnetic card is not printed) (S68). The control section 100 then ends the process and returns to S11.

[0066] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 6, if it is determined in S51 that the magnetic card is a point card (No in S51), the control unit 100 executes point card processing (S53).

[0067] An example of the point card processing performed in S53 is shown in Fig. 8. In Fig. 8, the control unit 100 takes the number of retries counted in S33 and stored in the retry count unit 132 as the number of read errors, and adds this to the number of read errors stored in the error count unit 1433 corresponding to the card ID acquired in S51 (S71). If, as a result of adding the number of read errors, the cumulative number of read errors stored in the error count unit 1433 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 100 stores flag information in the contact necessity unit 1434.

[0068] The error determination means 101 determines whether flag information is stored in the notification necessity section 1434 (i.e., whether a reading error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred) (S72). If it is determined that flag information is stored in the notification necessity section 1434 (i.e., whether a reading error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred) (Yes in S72), the payment means 103 performs payment processing based on the product information stored in the product information section 131 for the card ID acquired in S51 (S73). Then, the printing means 102 prints the product information and payment information for the product for which payment has been processed on receipt paper, and also prints the information related to the exchange of the point card stored in area 14412 in text on the receipt paper, and issues the receipt L shown in FIG. 14 (S73). The control unit 100 then ends the processing and returns to S11.

[0069] The customer receives this receipt L and, based on the information written in the contact section 232, brings, for example, a point card to the service counter. This makes it easy to contact the service counter to exchange a card that frequently experiences reading errors. By receiving a receipt L printed with characters related to the replacement point card, the customer does not have to contact the service counter at the time of payment at the POS terminal 1; instead, they can contact the service counter after payment is complete while looking at the receipt L, which prevents inconvenience to subsequent customers waiting to pay.

[0070] Furthermore, if it is determined in S72 that no flag information is stored in the notification necessity section 1434 (i.e., no reading error that satisfies the predetermined conditions has occurred) (No in S72), the payment means 103 executes payment processing for the products stored in the product information section 131 (S74). Then, the control unit 100 issues a receipt on which product information and payment information for the products for which payment processing has been performed are printed (contact information for the issuer of the magnetic card is not printed) (S74). Then, the control unit 100 ends processing and returns to S11.

[0071] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6, if it is determined in S21 that the operation was not the operation of the payment key 211 (No in S21), the control unit 100 determines whether the card inspection key 218 was operated (S22). The POS terminal 1 of the embodiment has a function to inspect whether a reading error has occurred with the magnetic card, separate from the payment process. Such a function can be obtained, for example, by installing dedicated software on the POS terminal 1.

[0072] If it is determined that the card inspection key 218 has been operated (Yes in S22), the control unit 100 then executes the processes of S31 to S53 in Fig. 6, the processes of Fig. 7, and the processes of Fig. 8. However, if it is determined that the card inspection key 218 has been operated, the payment process is not executed in S40, S42, S44, S65, S67, S68, S73, and S74. Therefore, in Figs. 12, 13, and 14, printing of product information and payment information (i.e., printing in the purchased product section 231) is not executed. For example, information indicating that the card inspection key 218 has been operated (e.g., flag information) may be stored in RAM 13, etc., and by determining whether the flag information has been stored before the payment process, the payment process is not executed in S40, S42, S44, S65, S67, S68, S73, and S74.

[0073] Furthermore, such a POS terminal 1 may be set up in a predetermined location in a store with the payment function disabled in advance. The customer operates the card inspection key 218 to scan the magnetic card and check for any reading errors in the magnetic card they own.

[0074] As described above, the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment comprises a card reading unit 25 that reads information stored on a magnetic card, an error determination means 101 that determines whether a reading error that satisfies predetermined conditions has occurred based on the reading result by the card reading unit 25, and a printing means 102 that prints contact information for the issuer of the magnetic card on receipt paper when the error determination means 101 determines that a reading error that satisfies the predetermined conditions has occurred.

[0075] In this embodiment, the POS terminal 1 prints the contact information of the issuer of the magnetic card on the receipt when the magnetic strength of the magnetic card weakens, making it easy to contact the issuer of the magnetic card if the card frequently causes reading errors and requires replacement.

[0076] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and modifications can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0077] For example, in the embodiment, a credit card and a point card are described as examples of magnetic cards, but the magnetic card is not limited to these, and may be other cards (for example, a debit card or an electronic money card).

[0078] In the embodiment, a magnetic card has been described as an example of the medium. However, the medium is not limited to this, and may be a card that stores information electrically, such as an IC card. Also, the medium is not limited to a card.

[0079] In the embodiment, the error determination means 101 determines that a read error that satisfies a predetermined condition has occurred when the number of retries when reading has failed reaches a predetermined number of times in succession, or when the cumulative number of read errors reaches a predetermined number. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the error determination means 101 may determine that a read error has occurred when a read error has occurred even once or several times (i.e., even if the predetermined condition is not satisfied).

[0080] In addition, in the embodiment, when contact information is printed on the receipt, the contact information of all card issuing companies with which the store has a contract is printed. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, it is also possible to print only the contact information of the card company identified by the acquired card ID.

[0081] In addition, in the embodiment, the POS terminal 1 has been described as an example of a media reading device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the media reading device may be, for example, a payment terminal that is connected to the POS terminal 1 and performs payment processing using a medium such as a credit card based on information transmitted from the POS terminal 1. Furthermore, the media reading device may be a terminal device that does not have a payment function and is installed separately from the POS terminal 1 at a predetermined location in a store to scan or insert a medium and check whether a reading error occurs with the medium.

[0082] In addition, in the embodiment, it is possible to select whether to print contact information on the receipt as text or symbols. However, this is not limiting, and for example, information on whether to print as text or symbols for each card ID may be stored in advance, and the information may be printed in the stored format when printing.

[0083] In the embodiment, the number of reading errors that occurred in multiple POS terminals 1 connected to the server is tallied and transmitted to each POS terminal 1. However, this is not limiting, and in the case of a single POS terminal 1, the number of reading errors that occurred in that POS terminal 1 may be counted. That single POS terminal 1 may or may not be connected to the server.

[0084] The program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0085] The program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network.The program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0086] Furthermore, the program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 POS terminal 11 CPU 21 Control section 22 Operator display 23 Customer display section 24 Printing section 25 Card reader 100 control section 101 Error detection method 102 Printing means 103 Payment Methods 131 Product Information Department 132 Retry count section 143 Error count section 144 Contact Section 211 Payment Key 214 Credit Key 215 Point Key 216 character keys 217 Code Key 218 Card Inspection Key 231 Purchased Products Department 232 Contact Section 233 Contact Section 234 Contact Section 251 Magnetic Head 1431 Card ID section 1432 Card Company Department 1433 Error count section 1434 Contact Information Department 1441 Contact Information Section (Text) 1442 Contact Information Section (Code) L Receipt [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0088] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 8-161448

Claims

1. a reading mechanism for reading information stored on the medium; an error determination means for determining whether a reading error has occurred based on the reading result by the reading mechanism; a code information acquiring means for acquiring a card ID for identifying the medium in which it has been determined by the error determining means that an error has occurred from the information read from the medium by the reading mechanism; a printing means for acquiring contact information from a storage unit storing contact information for the issuer of the medium for each type of the medium in which the error occurred, determined based on the acquired card ID, and printing the contact information on a printing medium; A medium reading device comprising:

2. The error determination means determines whether a read error has occurred that satisfies a predetermined condition indicating that the cumulative number of read errors occurring on the same medium has reached a predetermined number, the printing means prints the contact information when the error determination means determines that the reading error satisfies the predetermined condition. The medium reading device of claim 1 .

3. a payment means for executing payment processing for the product using the medium; The printing means prints the contact information together with product information and payment information of the product for which payment has been processed.

3. The medium reading device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The printing means prints a two-dimensional code including the contact information and readable by a mobile terminal.

4. A medium reading device according to claim 1.

5. the medium magnetically stores the information; the reading mechanism includes a magnetic head that reads the information stored on the medium; 5. A medium reading device according to claim 1.

6. A computer as a media reader equipped with a reading mechanism for reading information stored on a medium, an error determination means for determining whether a reading error has occurred based on the reading result by the reading mechanism; a code information acquiring means for acquiring a card ID for identifying the medium in which it has been determined by the error determining means that an error has occurred from the information read from the medium by the reading mechanism; a printing means for acquiring contact information from a storage unit storing contact information for the issuer of the medium for each type of the medium in which the error occurred, determined based on the acquired card ID, and printing the contact information on a printing medium; A program to make it function as such.

7. a reading mechanism for reading information stored on the medium; an error determination means for determining whether a reading error has occurred based on the reading result by the reading mechanism; a code information acquiring means for acquiring a card ID for identifying the medium in which it has been determined by the error determining means that an error has occurred from the information read from the medium by the reading mechanism; a printing means for acquiring contact information of the issuer of the medium from a storage unit storing the contact information based on the acquired card ID, and printing the acquired contact information on a printing medium; a payment means for executing payment processing for the product based on the acquired card ID; Equipped with The printing means prints the contact information together with product information and payment information of the product for which payment has been processed. Media reader.

8. a reading mechanism for reading information stored on the medium; an error determination means for determining whether a reading error has occurred based on the reading result by the reading mechanism; a code information acquiring means for acquiring a card ID for identifying the medium in which it has been determined by the error determining means that an error has occurred from the information read from the medium by the reading mechanism; a printing means for acquiring contact information of the issuer of the medium from a storage unit storing the contact information based on the acquired card ID, and printing the acquired contact information on a printing medium; Equipped with The printing means prints a two-dimensional code including the contact information and readable by a mobile terminal. Media reader.

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