Information Processing Systems

Abstract

To provide an information processing system capable of delivering a change as a two-dimensional code also to a user who has not yet adopted electronic money settlement.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes a generation processing unit 101 that, when a change is generated on cash settlement by a user, generates electronic value information for an amount corresponding to at least a part of the change to be received by the user in place of the at least a part, a code generation unit 102 that generates a change code 63 in association with the electronic value information generated by the generation processing unit 101, a print processing unit 103 that prints the change code 63 generated by the code generation unit 102 on a receipt 6, an output processing unit 104 that outputs the receipt 6 printed by the print processing unit 103, and a settlement processing unit 105 that executes settlement processing on the next settlement on the basis of the receipt 6 output by the output processing unit 104.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] The payment system described in Patent Document 1 calculates the payment amount by adding up the prices of registered products, accepts the user's deposit of currency, and calculates the difference between the accepted amount (the total amount of the deposited currency) and the payment amount as change. It then generates a two-dimensional code encoding the change amount and the notification destination, and outputs it by display or printing. The customer then reads the two-dimensional code as change using a terminal device such as a smartphone and sends it to an electronic money management server, allowing the change amount to be charged to the customer's electronic money account. This payment system simplifies the exchange of change, thereby reducing the effort required for change management in stores. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-57342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the payment system described in Patent Document 1, customers who can give change as a two-dimensional code are limited to users who have electronic money accounts and are compatible with electronic money payment.

[0005] Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention aims to provide an information processing system that can provide change as a two-dimensional code even to users who do not support electronic money payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) In one aspect, the device includes a generation processing unit that, when a user makes a cash payment and receives change, generates electronic value information of an amount corresponding to at least a portion of the change the user should receive, in place of at least a portion of the change; a code generation unit that generates a code associated with the electronic value information generated by the generation processing unit; a print processing unit that prints the code generated by the code generation unit on a paper medium; an output processing unit that outputs the paper medium printed by the print processing unit and that the user should receive; and a payment processing unit that executes payment processing for a payment that may occur after the cash payment, based on the paper medium output by the output processing unit.

[0007] (2) In the aspect (1) above, the print processing unit preferably further prints, on the paper medium, information about special offers or coupons that can be used from the next time onwards.

[0008] (3) In the above aspect (1) or (2), preferably, the generation processing unit, the code generation unit, the printing processing unit, and the output processing unit function in a manner that updates the electronic value information and the code even when change is given for the amount of the electronic value information at the time of the payment by the payment processing unit.

[0009] (4) In any of the above aspects (1) to (3), preferably, when change is given for the amount of the electronic value information at the time of the payment by the payment processing unit, the code generation unit generates a new code and associates it with number information that can identify the latest code.

[0010] (5) In the above aspect (4), it is preferable that the system further includes a first memory unit that stores an update history of the number information, and the payment processing unit determines whether or not the payment processing is possible based on the number information obtained by reading the code.

[0011] (6) In the above aspect (4) or (5), preferably, the device further includes a second memory unit that stores an initial code, identification information obtained by reading the initial code or identification information based on user input, and an initial value of the number information in association with each other, and the code generation unit generates the code based on the initial code in association with the identification information.

[0012] (7) In the above aspect (6), preferably, the second storage unit stores a reissue code in association with the identification information along with the initial code, and the code generation unit is capable of reissuing the latest code corresponding to the number information based on the reissue code.

[0013] (8) In the above aspect (6) or (7), preferably, the second storage unit further stores notification destination information associated with the identification information based on user input, and is characterized in that it further includes a notification processing unit that, when the payment processing is executed by the payment processing unit, notifies information regarding the payment processing based on the notification destination information associated with the identification information associated with the code related to the payment processing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one aspect, the present invention makes it possible to provide change as a two-dimensional code to users who are not yet able to make electronic money payments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram of a user card used in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram of a receipt issued by a store terminal of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic operation of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1A is a diagram showing the stored contents of a card information storage unit, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the stored contents of a change code information storage unit. [Figure 7] 10 is an operational flow when issuing a receipt with a change code in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is an operational flow when making a payment using a receipt with a change code of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow when reissuing a receipt with a change code in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] (Outline of information processing system) An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an overview of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Note that the two-dimensional codes shown below are code data that can be read by a two-dimensional code reader or the like, and although the drawings show QR Code (registered trademark) as an example of a two-dimensional code, the two-dimensional code that can be used is not limited to a QR Code.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, an information processing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of store terminals 2 used in a plurality of stores, and an information processing device 4 communicatively connected to the plurality of store terminals 2 via a network 3 such as the Internet.

[0018] The information processing system 1 provides a payment service related to change (hereinafter referred to as a change payment service). This change payment service uses a user card 5 (sometimes referred to as a "God Card" in the drawings) shown in Fig. 2 and a receipt 6 (paper medium) shown in Fig. 3.

[0019] The user card 5 shown in FIG. 2 is given to a user who uses the change settlement service for the first time, and is given to the user (shopper) by a staff member of a store where the store terminal 2 is installed, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, an initial code 51 consisting of a two-dimensional code, a reissue code 52 also consisting of a two-dimensional code, and a user number are printed on the user card 5. The initial code 51 is code data for identifying the user and is associated with the user number (identification information) within the information processing system 1. The reissue code 52 is code data required when a user loses a receipt 6 and requests a reissue of the receipt 6, and is associated with the user number within the information processing system 1. Note that the user card 5 of this embodiment is given to a user to enable the reissue of a lost receipt 6; if reissue of the receipt 6 is not permitted, the user card 5 may be omitted.

[0020] The receipt 6 shown in FIG. 3 is output from the store terminal 2 and given to the user when change is due when the user makes a cash payment at a store. As shown in FIG. 3, payment information 61, a store coupon 62, and a change code 63 consisting of a two-dimensional code are printed on the receipt 6. The payment information is a breakdown of the user's cash payment at the store, including the purchased items, purchase amount, discount amount, subtotal, total amount, deposit amount, and change amount. The store coupon includes information on special offers and coupons that can be used from the next time onwards. The change code 63 is a two-dimensional code printed on the receipt 6 in lieu of giving the user change, and is associated with electronic value information corresponding to the amount of change within the information processing system 1.

[0021] The code data that can be read from the change code 63 includes a control number (number information), transaction time, user number, and balance information. The control number is information for identifying the current payment. For example, the initial value is "001" and is incremented for each payment. The transaction time is information for identifying the time when the current payment was made. The user number is information for identifying the user who made the current payment. The balance information is information for identifying the amount of change resulting from the current transaction. The change code 63 is printed detachably at the bottom of the receipt 6, and the balance information, control number, and transaction time are printed as text information in an area that can be detached together with the change code 63.

[0022] The change code 63 has a value equivalent to the remaining cash amount and can be used for the next payment. When a store staff member receives the change code 63 from the user, the store staff reads the change code 63 with the store terminal 2 and deducts the remaining amount from the total purchase amount. If further change is required in a payment using the change code 63, a receipt 6 is issued on which a change code 63' corresponding to the new change amount is printed, as shown in FIG. 4. When issuing the change code 63 or when making a payment using the change code 63, information related to the change code 63 is exchanged between the store terminal 2 and the information processing device 4, as shown in FIG. 4. This information includes the control number, transaction time, user number, and balance information of the change code 63 to be issued, as well as the control number, transaction time, user number, and balance information of the change code 63 used for payment.

[0023] According to this change payment service, the change code 63 printed on the receipt 6 instead of change can be used for the next payment. This allows users who do not support electronic money payment to receive change as the change code 63. As a result, the exchange of change at the cash register can be reduced, and the effort required for change management at the store can be alleviated. Furthermore, since users keep the receipt 6 with the change code 63 printed on it and bring it with them the next time they shop, this promotes the use of the store coupon 62 printed on the receipt 6 together with the change code 63. Furthermore, since the change code 63 contains balance information, the store terminal 2 can make payments using the change code 63 even when offline and unable to communicate with the information processing device 4 due to a communication failure or other reason. However, in this case, in order to verify whether the change code 63 is usable or not only on the store terminal 2 side, it is necessary to store the management number of the usable change code 63 on the store terminal 2 side and periodically synchronize this stored data with the stored data on the information processing device 4 side.

[0024] (Functional configuration of information processing system) Next, the functional configuration and stored information of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The functional configuration and stored information of the information processing system 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6 include those arranged on the store terminal 2 side and those arranged on the information processing device 4 side, but since these arrangements can be changed as desired, the description will be given without distinguishing between the locations of arrangement.

[0025] 5, the information processing system 1 includes, as functional components realized by the cooperation of hardware and software, a generation processing unit 101, a code generation unit 102, a print processing unit 103, an output processing unit 104, a payment processing unit 105, and a notification processing unit 106. The information processing system 1 also includes, as storage units for storing various types of information, a card information storage unit 120 (second storage unit) and a change code information storage unit 140 (first storage unit).

[0026] 6(a), the card information storage unit 120 stores information about the user card 5. The stored information about the user card 5 includes a card ID, a user number, an initial code 51, and a reissue code 52. The card information storage unit 120 may store various user information input by the user (e.g., user name, user address, user notification address, etc.) in association with the user number.

[0027] 6(b), the change code information storage unit 140 stores information about the change code 63 printed on the receipt 6. The stored information about the change code 63 includes the user number, the management number, the balance information, and the date and time of the payment (the time of the transaction).

[0028] When a user makes a cash payment and receives change, the generation processing unit 101 generates electronic value information of an amount corresponding to at least a portion of the change that the user should receive, instead of at least a portion of the change. For example, when the change is small (e.g., coins less than 1000 yen), the generation processing unit 101 generates electronic value information of an amount corresponding to all of the change that the user should receive. On the other hand, when the change is large (e.g., 1001 yen or more), the generation processing unit 101 generates electronic value information of an amount corresponding to part of the change that the user should receive (e.g., the portion of coins less than 1000 yen), and can give the remaining change (e.g., banknotes in 1000 yen increments) in cash. Note that the generation processing unit 101 may generate electronic value information of an amount corresponding to all of the change that the user should receive, even when the change is large.

[0029] The code generation unit 102 generates a change code 63 associated with the electronic value information generated by the generation processing unit 101. The generated change code 63 includes a management number, a transaction time, a user number, and balance information. The change code 63 (receipt 6) generated by the code generation unit 102 may be transferred to another user. The code generation unit 102 may divide the electronic value information generated by the generation processing unit 101 based on a user specification (e.g., a maximum amount per code or an equal division specification) or a pre-set condition (a maximum amount per code), and generate multiple corresponding change codes 63 (multiple receipts 6). In this case, the balance is managed for each of the multiple change codes 63. Some or all of the multiple change codes 63 may be transferred to another user. The notification processing unit 106 may notify the original holder (transferor) or the transferee of the change code 63 of the payment after the transfer. Furthermore, when the change code 63 is divided and generated, a new branch number may be assigned and managed in the change code information storage unit 140. Furthermore, when the change code 63 is transferred, new user information indicating the transferee may be added, or the balance may be managed using the user information of the original transferor. When a user presents a user card 5 at the time of payment, the code generation unit 102 identifies the user number based on the initial code 51 of the user card 5, and generates a change code 63 associated with the user number and electronic value information.

[0030] Furthermore, when a user who has lost the change code 63 presents the user card 5, the code generation unit 102 identifies information about the user number and the latest change code 63 (the lost change code 63) based on the reissue code 52 of the user card 5. Thereafter, the code generation unit 102 invalidates the management number of the lost change code 63 (or sets the balance information to 0), and generates a change code 63 with a new management number associated with the balance information of the lost change code 63.

[0031] Furthermore, when change is required in a settlement using the change code 63, the code generating unit 102 generates a change code 63 with a new control number associated with the amount of change to be provided this time.

[0032] The print processing unit 103 prints the change code 63 generated by the code generation unit 102 on the receipt 6. The change code 63 may not be printed on the receipt 6, but may be printed on a paper medium separated from the receipt 6.

[0033] The output processing unit 104 outputs the receipt 6 with the change code 63 printed by the print processing unit 103 (see FIG. 3).

[0034] The payment processing unit 105 executes payment processing for subsequent purchases based on the receipt 6 with the change code 63 output by the output processing unit 104. For example, it determines whether payment processing is possible based on the control number and balance information included in the change code 63, and executes payment processing if it determines that payment is possible. If change is required for this payment, the generation processing unit 101, code generation unit 102, print processing unit 103, and output processing unit 104 again issue a receipt 6 with a new change code 63 printed on it.

[0035] When the payment processing unit 105 executes a payment process, the notification processing unit 106 notifies the user of information related to the payment process based on the user's notification destination information associated with the change code 63 related to the payment process. Such a change code usage notification allows the user to know that the lost change code 63 has been used fraudulently. Furthermore, if the user presents the change code 63 to a family member or other person, the user can confirm that the gift change code 63 has been used based on the change code usage notification.

[0036] (Operation flow of information processing system) Next, the operation procedure of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0037] FIG. 7 shows the operational procedure for issuing a receipt 6 with a change code 63 by the information processing system 1. As shown in this figure, when a user receives change at checkout, the user presents the user card 5 to a store staff member (S101). The store staff member has the store terminal 2 read the initial code 51 on the received user card 5 (S102). After reading the initial code 51, the store terminal 2 generates electronic value information according to the change amount (S103) and then generates a change code 63 for the next payment (S104). Next, the store terminal 2 sends payment completion information related to the generated change code 63 to the information processing device 4 (S105). Upon receiving the payment completion information, the information processing device 4 updates the information in the change code information storage unit 140 based on the received payment completion information (S106). Thereafter, the store terminal 2 outputs a receipt 6 on which the change code 63 for the next payment is printed (S107). The user receives the purchased product or service together with a receipt 6 on which a change code 63 for the next payment is printed (S108).

[0038] FIG. 8 shows the operational procedure of the information processing system 1 when making a payment using a receipt 6 with a change code 63. As shown in this figure, the user presents the receipt 6 with the printed change code 63 to a store staff member at the time of payment (S201). The store staff then has the store terminal 2 read the received change code 63 (S202). After reading the change code 63, the store terminal 2 obtains the latest information corresponding to the user number included in the change code 63 from the information processing device 4 (S203). The store terminal 2 compares the management number of the read change code 63 with the latest management number stored in the information processing device 4 and determines whether the two match (S204). If the store terminal 2 determines that the two do not match, it executes a predetermined error process (S205). If it determines that the two match, it proceeds to step S206. In step S206, the store terminal 2 determines whether change is required for the current payment based on the amount of electronic value information in the change code 63 or the total amount including the additional cash payment. If the store terminal 2 determines that no change will be provided, it executes a predetermined normal payment process (S207). If the store terminal 2 determines that change will be provided, it generates a change code 63 for the next payment (S208). Next, the store terminal 2 transmits payment completion information related to the generated change code 63 to the information processing device 4 (S209). Upon receiving the payment completion information, the information processing device 4 updates the information in the change code information storage unit 140 based on the received payment completion information (S210). Thereafter, the store terminal 2 outputs a receipt 6 on which the change code 63 for the next payment is printed (S211). The user receives the receipt 6 on which the change code 63 for the next payment is printed together with the purchased product or service (S212).

[0039] FIG. 9 shows the operational procedure for the information processing system 1 when reissuing a receipt 6 with a change code 63. As shown in this figure, if a user loses the receipt 6 with the change code 63, the user notifies a store staff member and presents the user card 5 (S301). The store staff member has the store terminal 2 read the reissue code 52 from the received user card 5 (S302). After reading the reissue code 52, the store terminal 2 obtains the latest information on the user number associated with the reissue code 52 from the information processing device 4 (S303). Based on the latest information on the user number, the store terminal 2 outputs a receipt 6 on which a change code 63 of electronic value information corresponding to the latest balance information (the same as the balance of the lost change code) is printed (S304). The user receives the reissued receipt 6 with the change code 63 (S305).

[0040] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine all or a plurality of components of the above-described embodiments.

[0041] For example, in the embodiment, the change code 63, the initial code 51, and the reissue code 52 are two-dimensional codes, but they are not limited to two-dimensional codes and may be one-dimensional codes or codes with three or more dimensions.

[0042] In addition, receipt information can be printed on paper or can be received electronically on the user's mobile device, and the most recent receipt can be presented when shopping. Alternatively, receipt information can be used as a function of an app that acquires receipt information to link with a household ledger or accounting software. It is advisable to display the most recent receipt easily on the mobile device using a widget or similar. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Information Processing Systems 2. Store terminal 3 Network 4. Information processing equipment 5 User Card 51 Initial Code 52 Reissue Code 6. Receipts 61 Payment Information 62 store coupons 63 Change Code 101 Generation processing unit 102 Code Generation Unit 103 Print processing unit 104 Output Processing Unit 105 Payment processing unit 106 Notification processing unit 120 Card information storage unit 140 Change code information storage unit

Claims

1. a generation processing unit that generates electronic value information of an amount corresponding to at least a portion of the change to be received by the user in the case where change is required when the user makes a cash payment; a code generating unit that generates a code associated with the electronic value information generated by the generation processing unit and associates the code with number information that can identify the code; a print processing unit that prints the code generated by the code generation unit on a paper medium; an output processing unit that outputs the paper medium printed by the print processing unit, the paper medium to be received by the user; a payment processing unit that executes a payment process for a payment that may occur after the cash payment based on the paper medium output by the output processing unit; a second storage unit that stores an initial code, identification information obtained by reading the initial code or identification information based on a user input, and an initial value of the number information in association with each other; The code generation unit generates the code based on the initial code in association with the identification information.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the print processing unit further prints, on the paper medium, information about special offers or coupons that can be used from the next time onwards.

3. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generation processing unit, the code generation unit, the print processing unit, and the output processing unit function in a manner that updates the electronic value information and the code even when change is given for the amount of the electronic value information at the time of the payment by the payment processing unit. Information processing system.

4. 4. An information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when change is given for the amount of the electronic value information at the time of the payment by the payment processing unit, the code generation unit generates a new code and associates the latest code with the number information that can identify it.

5. Further comprising a first storage unit that stores an update history of the number information, The information processing system according to claim 4 , wherein the payment processing unit determines whether or not the payment process is possible based on the number information obtained by reading the code.

6. The second storage unit stores the initial code and a reissue code in association with the identification information, 6. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the code generating unit is capable of reissuing the latest code corresponding to the number information based on the reissue code.

7. The second storage unit further stores notification destination information in association with the identification information based on a user input; An information processing system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a notification processing unit that, when the payment processing is executed by the payment processing unit, notifies information regarding the payment processing based on the notification destination information related to the identification information associated with the code related to the payment processing.

8. a generation processing unit that generates electronic value information of an amount corresponding to at least a portion of the change to be received by the user in the case where change is required when the user makes a cash payment; a code generating unit that generates a code associated with the electronic value information generated by the generation processing unit and associates the code with number information that can identify the code; an output processing unit that outputs information on the receipt with the code generated by the code generating unit to the user's mobile terminal; a payment processing unit that executes a payment process for a payment that may occur after the cash payment based on information on the receipt output by the output processing unit; a second storage unit that stores an initial code, identification information obtained by reading the initial code or identification information based on a user input, and an initial value of the number information in association with each other; The code generation unit generates the code based on the initial code in association with the identification information.

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