Payment device, program, server device program, and payment method

Abstract

To promote settlement for each predetermined settlement type.SOLUTION: A settlement device 1 includes specific processing means that specifies a membership type of a customer from an information medium owned by the customer, reception processing means that receives designation for each settlement type desired by the customer, and detection processing means that detects the settlement type associated with the membership type specified by the specific processing means. The reception processing means changes an aspect between the settlement type detected by the detection processing means and the other settlement types when receiving the designation for each settlement type desired by the customer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for prompting payment by a predetermined payment type when checking out a product. [Background technology]

[0002] Supermarkets and drugstores issue membership cards and point cards with credit card payment functions or prepaid cards to attract members. In addition, some parent companies issue so-called house cards, which are cards with credit card payment functions that can only be used at stores or chain stores operated by the parent company. These stores and chain stores want to increase the use of non-cash payment methods such as credit cards, prepaid cards, and house payments.

[0003] For example, a house card payment system is known that allows customers to make card payments at stores without presenting their cards (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 578173 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the system described in Patent Document 1 above is unable to directly encourage customers to use non-cash payment methods.

[0006] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to encourage payment by a predetermined payment type. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the settlement device of the present invention comprises an identification processing means for identifying the membership type of a customer from an information medium carried by the customer, an acceptance processing means for accepting the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, and a detection processing means for detecting the payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing means, and is characterized in that when the acceptance processing means accepts the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, it changes its mode depending on whether the payment type detected by the detection processing means is a payment type other than the one detected by the detection processing means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a network configuration diagram showing a network configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a settlement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanical key provided in a settlement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt issued by the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the settlement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk input / output unit of the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a registration device. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the settlement device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of a process executed by a POS terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram showing the flow of a process executed by a POS terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Functional configuration of product sales data processing device Hereinafter, a product sales data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The POS system shown in Figure 1 includes three payment terminals: a first payment terminal 1-1, a second payment terminal 1-2, and a third payment terminal 1-3, and a store controller SC (also referred to as a store computer or management device), all of which are connected to each other via a LAN so as to be able to communicate with each other. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the first settlement device 1-1, the second settlement device 1-2, and the third settlement device 1-3 will be collectively referred to as the settlement device 1. The number of settlement devices 1 is not limited to three, and may be one or more.

[0010] The first settlement device 1-1, the second settlement device 1-2, and the third settlement device 1-3 are equipped with payment terminals 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, respectively. The first payment terminal 2-1, the second payment terminal 2-2, and the third payment terminal 2-3 are configured to be able to communicate with an external payment server 20 via a designated dedicated line or the like. The first payment terminal 2-1, the second payment terminal 2-2, and the third payment terminal 2-3 each acquire information necessary for payment processing from payment media such as credit cards, and upon acquiring transaction information from the first settlement device 1-1, the second settlement device 1-2, and the third settlement device 1-3, they request payment processing from payment server 20 based on this information and return the results of the payment processing to the first settlement device 1-1, the second settlement device 1-2, and the third settlement device 1-3. In the following description, the first payment terminal 2-1, the second payment terminal 2-2, and the third payment terminal 2-3 will be collectively referred to as payment terminal 2 unless otherwise distinguished.

[0011] Here, the POS system or the settlement device 1 constitutes the merchandise sales data processing device according to the present invention. That is, the POS system is a merchandise sales data processing device realized as a system in which functional units necessary for executing the functions of the merchandise sales data processing device according to the present invention are distributed and held in the store controller SC and the settlement device 1, and the settlement device 1 is a merchandise sales data processing device realized as a device that aggregates the functional units necessary for executing the functions of the merchandise sales data processing device according to the present invention or the functions of the store controller SC.

[0012] If the POS system has a store controller SC, the store controller SC may be provided with a product information storage unit, and the settlement device 1 may transmit sales data by referencing the product information storage unit of the store controller SC. The store controller SC also handles core operations such as inventory management and order management. The store controller SC may also be configured with multiple server devices depending on the operations. Furthermore, if there is no store controller SC, for example, the first settlement device 1-1 may be provided with the functions of the store controller SC, and the first settlement device 1-1, which also functions as the store controller SC, may be made to manage product information and the like, and link data with the other second settlement devices 1-2 and third settlement devices 1-3. In another example, each settlement device 1 may be operated to manage product information individually.

[0013] Alternatively, functions may be provided to client terminals such as tablet POS devices via cloud services. This type of configuration is also known as Web-POS, and specifically, a server device executes some or all of the functions executed by client terminals such as tablet POS devices using a so-called thin client system or a web client system that web-based applications. In this case, the client terminal may be held by the customer, and a series of processes may be completed without the intervention of a store clerk or a terminal in the store.

[0014] The payment device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a device that executes the registration process and payment process for products purchased by customers, and constitutes a product sales data processing device according to the present invention. This settlement device 1 has an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, and memory devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, and is connected to a store clerk input / output unit 11, a customer input / output unit 12, a product reading unit 13, a media reading unit 14, a change slip unit 15, a printing unit 16, and a payment terminal 2 via an interface circuit 104.

[0015] In addition, the settlement device 1 is configured with functional blocks consisting of at least a product information storage unit, a customer information storage unit, a registration processing unit, a specific processing unit, a detection processing unit, an extraction processing unit, a reception processing unit, a restriction processing unit, a notification processing unit, a payment type recommendation processing unit, a point usage recommendation processing unit, a settlement processing unit, and an issuance processing unit as software resources executed by the control unit 100. The computer program executed by the control unit 100 can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or by recording it on various computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM. In addition, this embodiment shows the functional configuration when the product sales data processing device of the present invention is realized as a settlement device 1, but when it is realized as a POS system, each functional unit is distributed and provided in multiple hardware resources that make up the POS system.

[0016] The store clerk side input / output unit 11 is realized by a touch panel display, an LCD display, or a combination of a touch display and a mechanical key, and constitutes an input means by which the store clerk inputs various information, and an output means by which various information is output to the store clerk.

[0017] The number of mechanical keys provided is the same as that provided on a typical settlement device, about 80 to 90, or at least 20 to 40. These keys allow for intuitive operation and are designed to prevent delays even if the operator has difficulty operating them. Figure 3 shows an example of such a mechanical key, which includes numeric keys (1 key, 2 key, ..., 9 key, 0 key, 00 key), subtotal key, current total key, clear key, individual key, product registration key, function key, preset key, etc. The numeric keys have a relatively small keytop area to reduce the possibility of pressing two keys at the same time, while the other function keys may have a relatively large keytop area to display text information such as function names on the keytop. The mechanical key may be configured to be detachable from the main body of the settlement device 1.

[0018] As an example of the operation when a payment process is executed using these mechanical keys, in the case of a cash payment, the [Subtotal Key] is pressed to calculate the total amount, and after entering the deposit amount, the [Current Total] key is pressed. The change amount is then calculated and dispensed, and a receipt is issued by the printing unit 16. Note that, in the case of a cash payment using the change unit 15, as in this embodiment, if the amount of inserted banknotes or coins exceeds the total amount, the [Current Total Key] becomes active; if the amount does not reach the total amount, an error occurs. In the case of a cash drawer, entering the deposit amount and pressing the [Current Total Key] opens the drawer, and the store clerk manually returns the change. A receipt is issued simultaneously with or after the drawer is opened.

[0019] Up to 30 [Accounting Keys] labeled Accounting 1, Accounting 2, Accounting 3 can be set up, and these are used for non-cash payments. For example, [Accounting 1 Key] is used for credit card payments, and [Accounting 2 Key] is used for electronic money payments. In this embodiment, a button for requesting non-cash payment is required, but the configuration of such a button is not particularly limited. In one example, a pop-up is displayed on the touch panel display in response to the deposit amount being entered using the numeric keys after the [subtotal key] is pressed. In another example, a [credit key] is provided on the mechanical keys.

[0020] The customer-side input / output unit 12 is a touch panel display or the like, and constitutes an input means for the customer to input various information and an output means for outputting various information to the customer. Note that in this embodiment, the customer-side input / output unit 12 may be constituted only as an output means for outputting information to the customer.

[0021] The product reading unit 13 is realized by a stationary or handheld scanner that reads bar codes or two-dimensional codes attached to products, and can obtain coded product information.

[0022] The medium reading unit 14 reads the customer's information medium. Here, the information medium is a medium that holds information that can identify a member customer, and in this example is composed of a membership card, a point card, a membership card with a non-cash payment function that has been given the function of enabling non-cash payment processing such as a credit payment function or a prepaid card function, or a portable information terminal. A point card is an information medium for managing member points, and while it contains information that can identify the member, it does not contain information related to payment. Note that points are a valuable value that can be used in place of money when paying for products. A membership card with a non-cash payment function can also be a house card that doubles as a points card. A house card is a credit card that can only be used at stores or chain stores operated by the issuing company or group.

[0023] If this information medium is a membership card or point card, it may have a magnetic stripe that stores information that can identify the member, or a member number that can identify the member may be printed on it. The corresponding medium reading unit 14 is realized by a magnetic card reader, and reads the information that can identify the member from the magnetic stripe. Furthermore, if the information medium is a smart device such as a portable information terminal, the medium reading unit 14 is realized by a communication means capable of data communication with the smart device, and obtains information that can identify the member from the smart device via wireless communication according to the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard, for example. If identification information is printed as a barcode on a membership code or point card, or if a two-dimensional code that can identify a member is displayed on the screen of a smart device, it can also be read by the product reading unit 13. Specifically, if the barcode system can be distinguished from the product, there is no need to switch by operating a button. Of course, the information to be read can also be declared.

[0024] The change slip unit 15 is a functional unit that enables the settlement of merchandise payments by cash. This change slip unit 15 has physical mechanisms such as a coin slot, a coin dispensing outlet, a bill slot, and a bill dispensing outlet, and accepts money deposits, counts the deposited money, and dispenses change according to the bill amount.

[0025] The printing unit 16 is a functional unit that prints receipts after the customer has paid for the products, and prints coupons that can be used for certain products. This printing unit 16 is implemented by a receipt printer or the like, and in this case, it prints the transaction details and coupon information on a predetermined paper medium such as thermal paper, and ejects it from the receipt issuing slot. The receipt and coupon may be printed by a plurality of printing units 16 that are physically separate units, or the receipt and coupon may be printed integrally by a single printing unit 16.

[0026] The payment terminal 2 is a functional unit that enables payment using a predetermined payment medium. This payment terminal 2 independently performs a credit inquiry with the payment server 20, and once the credit inquiry is performed and authentication is completed, it receives information on the payment amount from the settlement device 1 and requests payment from the payment server 20. Then, upon receiving a processing result from the payment server 20, it returns the processing result to the settlement device 1. Here, the payment medium is, for example, a credit card, electronic money card, debit card, etc., and the payment is made using the predetermined payment medium by appropriately executing a credit inquiry process with the external payment server 20. The payment terminal 2 may also have a function to read a membership code. In this embodiment, the payment terminal 2 is provided as a separate terminal connected to the settlement device 1 so that information can be sent and received, but regardless of this, it can also be provided as a terminal that constitutes part of the settlement device 1.

[0027] The product information storage unit is a storage unit that stores information about products sold in the store. The information about the product includes, for example, information about the product name, price, discount, point award rate, and the like.

[0028] The customer information storage unit is a storage unit that stores information on member customers and the like. This customer information storage unit stores information such as the customer's name, the customer's membership type, the payment type according to the membership type, and the balance of points issued to the customer in response to the purchase of a product, etc., in association with identification information that can identify the customer. The information relating to the membership type is information that can identify whether the member holds a point card or a membership card with a non-cash payment function. Payment types according to membership type are payment types recommended according to the type of member, such as members who hold a point card or members who hold a membership card with a non-cash payment function. For example, payment types are associated with each membership type, such as non-cash payment for members who hold a card with a non-cash payment function, credit and cash for credit members, prepaid and cash for prepaid members, and all for cash members and general customers.

[0029] The registration processing unit registers the product purchased by the customer as a product subject to payment processing. When the registration processing unit reads information about a product to be purchased using the product reading unit 13 or receives information about the product from the store clerk input / output unit 11, it references the product information storage unit to extract information such as the product name and price, and registers this information together with information such as discounts set for the product. Information about all products to be paid for in one transaction is registered data and becomes reference data during the payment process.

[0030] The identification processing unit identifies the membership type of the customer who holds the information medium based on the information stored in the customer's information medium. That is, the medium reading unit 14 obtains information that can identify the customer stored in the customer's information medium, and then identifies the membership type of the customer by referring to the membership type stored in the customer information storage unit. It is also possible to obtain information that can identify the customer by having the store clerk input the membership number printed on the information medium through the store clerk-side input / output unit 11, without using the medium reading unit 14.

[0031] The detection processing unit detects the payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing unit.

[0032] The extraction processing unit extracts various types of information from the product information storage unit and the customer information storage unit. For example, the extraction processing unit refers to the customer information storage unit and extracts point information relating to the point balance held by the customer.

[0033] The reception processing unit displays operators, etc. on the clerk side input / output unit 11 and the customer side input / output unit 12 to accept the specification of a specific payment type from multiple payment types when paying for a product registered as a purchased product, and accepts the specification of the payment type via the operators. Payment types include, for example, cash, points, gift certificates (vouchers), and credit cards. Of these, when points can be used in combination with cash or credit card payments, a predetermined number of points can be deducted from the payment amount. When the purchase price of a gift certificate (voucher) is less than the value of the gift certificate, some can pay out the surplus (so-called change), while others cannot, and it can be applied to the payment amount depending on the conditions. Note that the use of other payments in combination with credit cards may or may not be possible depending on the conditions for point awarding, etc.

[0034] This reception processing unit also functions as a display processing unit that displays a predetermined payment type and other payment types in different ways, and when accepting the customer's desired payment type, it switches between the payment type detected by the detection processing unit and other payment types. For example, for an operator for accepting the specification of a predetermined payment type from multiple payment types, the operator for accepting the specification of the payment type detected by the detection processing unit and the operator for accepting the specification of other payment types can be displayed in different ways on the clerk input / output unit 11 and the customer input / output unit 12. This allows the payment type detected by the detection processing unit to be clearly explained to customers and store clerks, and makes it possible to recommend payment using that payment type. It is also possible to have the payment type not be displayed until the member is identified, such as company credit or company prepaid.

[0035] The payment type recommendation processing unit is a processing unit that recommends payment by a payment type that is detected by the detection processing unit from among a plurality of payment types and is recommended according to the membership type of the customer. For example, if a customer who holds a specified information medium is a member who holds a membership card with a non-cash payment function, and the payment type recommended to the member is non-cash payment, non-cash payment is recommended as the payment type. In addition, this payment type recommendation processing unit can also recommend payment using the payment type detected by the detection processing unit during a period when preferential point awarding is available if payment is made using the payment type detected by the detection processing unit, or when the conditions for preferential point awarding are met, such as when a high point award multiplier is set according to the payment amount. In this embodiment, the payment type recommendation processing unit may recommend a payment type by only allowing the specification of a selectable payment type among multiple payment types, and refusing the specification of other payment types or payment operations. Furthermore, when a specific payment type is specified or a specific payment operation is performed, the specification or operation may be permitted only if the specific payment type is a selectable payment type or if the specific payment operation is performed.

[0036] In addition, the recommendation of a predetermined payment type by the payment type recommendation processing unit may recommend not using payment types other than the predetermined payment type, or may limit the designation of payment types to only the designation of payment types. Furthermore, for example, when the predetermined payment type is payment by credit card, it may limit the use of the same with other payment types. Furthermore, like the prohibition processing unit in another example described below, it may prohibit payment by payment types other than the predetermined payment type.

[0037] The notification processing unit is a functional unit for notifying a store clerk or the like of a predetermined situation, such as the execution of a predetermined data process or the occurrence of an error. In this example, when a payment type other than the payment type recommended by the payment type recommendation processing unit is specified, the notification processing unit notifies the user. For example, when non-cash payment is recommended and a payment type other than non-cash payment is specified, the notification processing unit notifies the user on the clerk input / output unit 11 or the customer input / output unit 12. Furthermore, by restricting payments other than a predetermined payment type, when the predetermined payment type is recommended, the notification processing unit can notify the user that a payment type other than the predetermined payment type cannot be specified on the clerk input / output unit 11 or the customer input / output unit 12.

[0038] The point usage recommendation processing unit recommends point usage according to conditions such as the customer's point balance and the point award rate. For example, depending on conditions such as when the point award rate is normal, when the points are about to expire, when the purchase amount exceeds a predetermined amount and a point award multiplier is awarded, or when a predetermined number of points, specifically 20 points, are added, or when preferential treatment is given (such as the purchase of a specific product or visiting on a specific day), the store clerk input / output unit 11 and the customer input / output unit 12 display the customer's point balance and a message recommending use of points to encourage the use of points. Note that the present invention is not limited to points, and may also be applied to other benefits such as coupons or gifts.

[0039] The settlement processing unit calculates the total price of the registered products and the bill amount including tax based on the registration data generated by the registration processing unit, and executes the settlement process. The settlement process is executed according to the specified payment type: in the case of cash, by the change dispenser 15, and in the case of credit cards including membership cards with non-cash payment functions, electronic money, and prepaid cards, by the payment terminal 2. Furthermore, the settlement processing unit may, as necessary, subtract points held by the customer from the billing amount, calculate the number of points to be awarded to the customer, and award the calculated points to the customer.

[0040] The issuing processing unit causes the printing unit 16 to issue receipts and coupons that can be used when purchasing products at the time of payment. 4 shows an example of a receipt issued in this embodiment. The receipt includes details of the purchased items, the purchase amount, the points awarded, and other messages. Regarding points, if the customer is a member of a membership card with a non-cash payment function (for example, if the customer is a house card member, this is written as "house card" on the receipt), and payment using the membership card with a cash payment function is the recommended payment type, the applicable multiplier and the number of points applied will be printed if the payment was made using the recommended payment type. The message printed on the card encourages the use of a membership card with a cashless payment function. In the example in Figure 4, the message states that, because the payment was made in cash, the higher point multiplier that would have been applied if the membership card with a cashless payment function had been used was not applied, and that it is recommended to use a membership card with a cashless payment function in order to receive this higher point multiplier.

[0041] In addition to these functional units, the settlement device 1 also has appropriate functional units for product registration processing, settlement processing, and management of these processes, such as a clerk information storage unit that stores clerk information such as clerk identification information, and a history storage unit that stores processing history. Furthermore, these functional units may be provided externally or on a higher-level server, and the settlement device 1 may refer to and display the data and processing results stored in these functional units.

[0042] Processing flow by settlement device 1 Next, the flow of processing executed by the settlement device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, when a store clerk at the payment terminal 1 reads the barcode of each item to be purchased using the item reading unit 13, the registration processing unit registers the item as needed and generates registration data (S101, S102). When the registration of all products to be purchased is completed, the total amount of the registered products is calculated as the payment amount (S103).

[0044] 6, if the customer is a member, the store clerk receives the member card from the customer and reads it using the media reading unit 14 in parallel with the product registration process (S201, S202). The member card may be read before, during, or at the time of payment, and information that can identify the member may be obtained from information printed on the member card. When the membership card is read, the identification processing unit refers to the customer information storage unit and identifies the membership type of the member based on the information stored on the membership card that can identify the member (S203). When the settlement device 1 acquires the member customer information, it appropriately displays the member customer information and point balance on the clerk side input / output unit 11 and the customer side input / output unit 12. In addition, since the customer is identified as a member, a special sales price for member customers is applied, and if there is an eligible product that has already been registered, a notification such as "A special member price has been applied" is issued.

[0045] The detection processing unit detects a recommended payment type based on the identified membership type (S204). Once product registration is complete (S205), if the point award rate is different from normal on that day (S206), the payment method recommendation processor recommends the detected payment method and waits for the user to specify a payment method (S301), as shown in Figure 7. The recommendation of a payment type is performed, for example, by displaying a message indicating that a specific payment type is recommended from among multiple payment types. In the process of S206 in this embodiment, a day on which the point award rate is different from the normal rate means a day on which the point award rate is higher than normal when a member with a membership card with a non-cash payment function makes a non-cash payment using the membership card with a non-cash payment function. The different rate is determined by setting conditions such as a specified period or day of the week, or the 5th, 15th, or 25th of each month, and by referencing a specified table or the like that stores information related to the condition setting.

[0046] When the store clerk selects a payment type from multiple payment types (S302), if the selected payment type is a recommended payment type, the reception processing unit accepts the selection, and the settlement processing unit executes the payment based on the selected payment type (S306). If it is a cashless payment, the payment terminal 2 acquires information stored on a membership card with a cashless payment function or the like and information for executing code payment, and transmits information related to the payment amount provided by the settlement device 1 to the payment server 20. When the cashless payment is executed by the payment server 20, the processing result is returned to the settlement device 1 via the payment terminal 2. If payment is made in cash, the change section 15 deposits cash and refunds the change.

[0047] On the other hand, if a payment type that is not recommended is specified in the processing of S302, the settlement device 1 notifies the clerk by displaying a message on the clerk side input / output unit 11 via the notification processing unit to the effect that the payment type is not a recommended payment type (S303).

[0048] In this embodiment, a notification that the payment type is not recommended is displayed, and a change to the payment type that can be specified is accepted by executing a predetermined request operation. If an operation to change to another payment type is accepted by the store clerk, the payment type is changed (S305), and the payment process is carried out using the changed payment type (S306). If the payment type is not changed, for example, if the store clerk mistakenly specifies a payment type different from the recommended payment type that he or she intended to specify, the system accepts the specification of the payment type again.

[0049] On the other hand, in the processing of S206, if the point award multiplier is for a normal day, the extraction processing unit extracts information related to the point balance from the customer information storage unit, and the point usage recommendation processing unit displays the customer's point balance on the clerk side input / output unit 11 and recommends the use of points (S207).

[0050] After grasping the information related to the point balance, the store clerk encourages the customer to use the points appropriately and asks the customer for the payment method they prefer. The store clerk input / output unit 11 displays multiple payment methods that can be specified. When the store clerk specifies the payment method that the customer prefers, the reception processing unit accepts the specified payment method (S209). Then, the payment process is executed based on the specified payment method (S210). It is also possible to recommend payment using a payment type associated with the membership type after using points.

[0051] If the customer is not a member in S201, once product registration is complete (S208), the customer's desired payment method is accepted (S209), and payment processing is executed based on the specified payment method (S210).

[0052] Regarding the details of the payment process in S210, in the case of a non-cash payment using a membership card with a non-cash payment function or a payment based on another credit card, the payment terminal 2 executes a credit inquiry with the payment server 20. If the credit inquiry is authorized, the payment terminal 2 requests payment from the payment server 20 based on information related to the payment amount obtained from the settlement device 1. Once the payment is executed by the payment server 20, the processing result is returned to the settlement device 1 via the payment terminal 2. This completes the payment process, and points are awarded, a receipt is issued, etc. Regarding non-cash payments, for code payments, only the "key" for reading the barcode with the scanner of the settlement device 1 is valid, not the payment terminal 2.

[0053] Furthermore, for credit card payments, the payment terminal 2 performs processes associated with known credit card payments, such as checking whether or not the merchant has a contract with the payment card company. Furthermore, the processing is performed in accordance with security standards compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), such as encrypting the credit card number according to predetermined rules as appropriate depending on the type of credit card. If compliance with the PCI DSS standard is not required, the payment process can be completed without going through the external payment server 20 by acquiring the member customer's information. In other words, if a step such as PIN entry can be omitted depending on the amount or type of transaction, simply reading the information medium to acquire the member customer's information eliminates the need to re-read the information medium. However, if a different payment type is selected with a house card, a message such as "Please insert your card" will be displayed again, and the payment process at the payment terminal 2 will resume.

[0054] In the case of cash payment, the cash is accepted by the change slip unit 15, and change is returned according to the payment amount, thereby executing the cash payment.

[0055] When points are used, the amount equivalent to the specified points is deducted from the payment amount, and payment is made based on the payment amount after the points are used. Points can be used in any number, such as all points, a certain number of points such as 500 points, or points that are about to expire.

[0056] When the payment process is completed as described above, the issuance processing unit causes the printing unit 16 to issue a receipt, a sales slip for credit card payment, a coupon, etc. Note that instead of a paper medium, electronic data such as an electronic receipt may be generated and output. ●Screen example

[0057] Next, an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk side input / output unit 11 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 shows the screen displayed when product registration is complete. In the example of Fig. 8, the store clerk side input / output unit 11 is configured with a touch panel display and mechanical keys. The same applies to Fig. 9.

[0058] The screen G101 has a product details G11 that displays a list of products registered by the registration processing unit, a purchase points display field G12 that displays the number of registered products, a subtotal display field G13 for registered products, and a total display field G14, which display information about product registration. Also, a customer information display field G15 is provided, which displays information about the member number and points held based on the information stored in the customer master. The product details G11 displays information such as the name and price of each product based on information stored in the product information storage unit.

[0059] In addition, there is a subtotal key G21 that displays the total amount, and as operators for specifying the payment type, there are a credit button G221 that specifies credit card payment, a receipt button G222 that specifies payment by receipt, a charge button G223 that charges a prepaid card, a receipt key G23, and a cash total key G24 that specifies cash payment. In this example, there are three receipt keys G23: a receipt 1 key, a receipt 2 key, and a receipt 3 key, each of which is assigned a payment type such as credit card payment, electronic money payment, or code payment. By pressing any of the operators, the payment type assigned to the operator can be specified. In the following description, when the three receipt 1 key, receipt 2 key, and receipt 3 key are to be distinguished, they will be referred to as the receipt 1 key G23-1, the receipt 2 key G23-2, and the receipt 3 key G23-3, respectively. The credit button G221, cash register button G222, and charge button G223 on the clerk-side input / output unit 11 may be made to blink or the like to attract the clerk's attention if they are recommended payment types. Also, if a button corresponding to a mechanical key is provided, for example, if a cash register key G23 for specifying credit payment is provided on the mechanical key, the credit button G22 does not need to be provided on the clerk-side input / output unit 11. The keys on the touch screen can be freely configured, and their size and position can be changed. The area where keys can be placed can also be switched by subtotal operations. Keys similar to those on a numeric keypad can also be placed.

[0060] When all the items to be purchased have been registered, the store clerk presses the subtotal key G21 to calculate the total amount, notifies the customer of the total amount, and presses the operator corresponding to the desired payment type to specify the desired payment type. If the payment types that can be specified are limited when the subtotal key G21 is pressed, information related to the payment types that can be specified may be displayed on the screen. Furthermore, when multiple payment types can be selected, a specific payment type that is recommended for selection may be displayed in a different manner from the other payment types. For example, the button for selecting credit card payment using a membership card with non-cash payment functionality may be made more visible, color-coded, or displayed larger than the buttons for selecting electronic money or code payment, so that it is easier to see or select. Alternatively, payment types other than the button for selecting credit card payment using a membership card with non-cash payment functionality may be hidden. These may be controlled according to the payment type of the membership card with non-cash payment functionality. Furthermore, information such as the advantages and disadvantages of each payment type, for example, the difference in points due to preferential point treatments and benefits from campaigns, may be displayed for each payment type.

[0061] Note that cash payments are usually made without specifying the payment type. That is, in the case of a cash drawer, processing is performed by entering numbers using the "numeric keypad" and then pressing the "current total key." Therefore, even though payment using a membership card with a non-cash payment function is recommended, pressing the "numeric keypad" may result in an error. Also, in the case of a change dispenser 15 as in this example, when deposit information is received from the change dispenser 15, the deposited coins may be automatically dispensed as an error processing method, or the deposited coins may be returned in response to a discharge operation such as pressing a discharge button.

[0062] Regardless of whether a specific payment type is recommended, when cash payment is made, if the settlement device 1 is equipped with a change tag unit 15 as in this embodiment, the store clerk inserts the money received from the customer into the change tag unit 15 and hands over the paid change to the customer. If the settlement device 1 is equipped with a drawer instead of the change slip section 15, as shown in Figure 9, when the clerk enters the deposit amount using the numeric keypad and presses the cash total key G24, the deposit amount and change amount are displayed in the deposit display field G31 and change display field G32, respectively, the drawer opens, and the clerk hands the change to the customer.

[0063] For non-cash payments, the clerk presses the credit button G22 or the accounting key G23 to specify credit card payment, depending on the payment type selected. Figure 10 shows an example of the screen that appears when the accounting 1 key G23-1 is pressed and payment is made using the payment type assigned to that accounting 1 key. The payment type display field G33 displays the specified payment type along with the payment amount.

[0064] In addition, when there are a large number of payment types that can be specified, in order to clearly display the payment types that can be specified, operators for each payment type that can be specified may be displayed on the screen at the timing of pressing the numeric keypad, etc. An example of such a screen is shown in Figure 11. In the example of Figure 11, a payment type specification field G25 is provided that displays a list of operators for selectable payment types, and this payment type specification field G25 is provided with a credit button G251, a code payment button G252, an electronic money button G253, a prepaid button G254, a points payment button G255, and a voucher payment button G256. Pressing any of the buttons will cause the screen to transition to payment processing for the corresponding payment type. Here too, the recommended credit button G251 is displayed larger and more conspicuously than the other payment types.

[0065] FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen on the store clerk input / output unit 11 that notifies the user when a payment type different from the recommended payment type is specified in the process of S303 described with reference to FIG. In this example, the recommended payment type is non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment functionality. If the credit button G22 or the payment 2 or payment 3 key other than the payment 1 key G23-1, which are assigned to non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment functionality, is pressed from the screen shown in the example of Figure 8, or if the cash total key G24 is pressed, a payment type other than non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment functionality will be specified. In response, the settlement device 1 displays the screen shown in Figure 12 on the store clerk input / output unit 11 as a pop-up display or the like. Note that, without being limited to the example of Figure 12, a message indicating that payment types other than the recommended payment types cannot be specified may also be displayed.

[0066] The screen displays a membership type display field G41 indicating that the customer is a member who holds a membership card with a non-cash payment function (displayed as "house card member" in the figure), a credit payment designation button G42 for redesignating the designated payment type to a membership card with a non-cash payment function recommended according to the membership type and executing the payment, and a payment type change button G43 for changing the payment type from non-cash payment using the recommended membership card with a non-cash payment function to another payment type. Instead of "house card," it may be displayed as "credit card member," "prepaid member," "electronic money member," etc.

[0067] The credit payment designation button G42 displays that this is a period in which the point award rate is higher than on normal days, and store staff who are aware of this can encourage customers to make non-cash payments using a recommended membership card with a non-cash payment function, using the points with a higher award rate as an incentive. In addition, the credit card payment designation button G42 is larger than the payment type change button G43 for changing to another payment type and making the payment, and is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner in the center so as to attract the attention of the store clerk. The change payment type button G43 may be replaced with a button for each specific payment type. Even in this case, it is preferable that each button be displayed in a different manner from the credit card payment designation button G42.

[0068] In this embodiment, if a payment type other than the payment type recommended by the payment type recommendation processing unit according to the membership type is specified, it can be changed to a payment type other than the recommended one according to a specified operation, but in other embodiments, the specification of a payment type other than the recommended payment type may be restricted or prohibited. Regardless of this, if a payment type other than the recommended one is specified, it is possible to transition to payment using the other payment type without going through any screens or operations to change from the recommended payment type to the other payment type.

[0069] Furthermore, if a payment type other than the recommended payment types is specified by the store clerk, the screen shown in FIG. The screen displays a membership type display field G41 indicating that the customer is a member who holds a membership card with non-cash payment function, along with a message stating that non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function is the recommended payment type, and that points will not be awarded for other payment types. When the store clerk confirms this message, he or she presses the confirmation button G51 to proceed to the recommended non-cash payment using a member card with a non-cash payment function.

[0070] FIG. 14 shows an example of the process of S207 described with reference to FIG. 6, that is, a screen on the store clerk input / output unit 11 that displays the remaining points and encourages the use of points. On the screen, the point balance is displayed in the point balance display field G61, and a message encouraging the user to use points is displayed. After checking the point balance, the store clerk suggests to the customer that they use their points. By pressing the confirmation button G62, the screen closes and the customer can proceed to the payment process.

[0071] In the above embodiment, for customers who own a membership card with a non-cash payment function, the recommended payment type is limited to a membership card with a non-cash payment function during periods when the point award multiplier is different from normal. However, regardless of the point award multiplier, for customers who own a membership card with a non-cash payment function, the payment type that can be specified can also be limited to only non-cash payments using a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0072] Furthermore, on days when the point award rate is higher than usual, the recommended payment type is recommended without recommending the use of points, but other conditions may be set as appropriate regardless of this. For example, if the expiration date of points is approaching, the use of points may be recommended regardless of the award rate.

[0073] In addition, recommended payment types, recommended message for using points, etc. may be displayed on the customer side input / output unit 12. This information display may be displayed in a partial area of ​​the small screen or may be displayed as a pop-up. Alternatively, the customer may be able to specify the payment type through the customer-side input / output unit 12. In this case, the customer specifies the payment type via the customer-side input / output unit 12, in the process described above, in the same way as the store clerk specifies the payment type.

[0074] In addition, by accumulating transaction history data including information such as whether the payment type recommended by the payment type recommendation processing unit was specified or changed, it is possible to analyze the usage rate of each payment type, customer trends, etc.

[0075] In the above embodiment, we have described a settlement device 1 in which a store clerk handles everything from product registration to payment, but regardless of this, the present invention can be applied to both full-self-service POS terminals in which customers register products and pay for them themselves, and semi-self-service terminals in which a store clerk registers products on a registration machine and the customer pays for them on a payment machine.

[0076] That is, in the case of a fully self-service system, the customer registers products on the POS terminal screen, and when registration begins, provides membership information by scanning a membership card or reading a magnetic card. Once registration of all products is complete, a button for specifying the payment type is displayed. At this time, it is advisable to change the appearance of the button so that it is easy to select an available payment type as the recommended payment type.

[0077] In the case of a semi-self-service POS terminal, the POS terminal is composed of a register and a settlement machine that can communicate with each other. Here, for payments at semi-self-service POS terminals, cash payments are made using the change section 15 provided on the settlement machine side. On the other hand, for non-cash payments, the processing differs depending on the configuration of the registration machine and settlement machine, as described below.

[0078] First, an example of a screen of the registration device will be explained with reference to FIG. The registration device screen G102 is provided with a subtotal key G21 that displays the total amount, a receipt issue button G225 that issues a receipt for settlement, settlement device designation buttons G226 and G227 that specify the settlement device to which the registration data is to be sent, change balance buttons G228 and G229 that check the change balance of the settlement device, an accounting key G23, and a current total key G24 that specifies cash settlement. In this example, the keys on the touch screen can also be set arbitrarily, and their size and position can be changed. Additionally, keys similar to a numeric keypad can also be arranged.

[0079] <When the payment terminal 2 is connected to the registration machine and the printing unit 16 is also connected> In this case, if the store clerk specifies the payment type on the register and executes non-cash payment, the customer does not need to go to the checkout machine.

[0080] <When the payment terminal 2 is connected to the registration device but the printing unit 16 is not present> In this case, the store clerk specifies the payment type on the registration machine and executes non-cash payment, and the customer goes to the payment machine only to receive a receipt.

[0081] <When payment terminal 2 is connected to the payment machine> In this case, the payment type can be specified either at the registration machine or at the settlement machine. In the former case, the customer goes to the settlement machine and specifies the payment type, and the payment terminal 2 executes the payment process accordingly. In the latter case, the store clerk specifies the payment type at the registration machine, and the settlement machine receives the product registration data along with information related to the specified payment type, and the payment terminal 2 connected to the settlement machine executes the payment process accordingly.

[0082] In the case of cash payment, as mentioned above, the payment is made at the change section 15 provided on the settlement machine side. However, in the case of payment of points or gift certificates, if cash is not handled, the customer does not need to go to the settlement machine, and only needs to go to the settlement machine if additional payment or change is required. The payment terminal 2 is connected to either a registration machine or a settlement machine, and receives information on the payment amount from the connected registration machine or settlement machine, and requests the payment server 20 to process the payment.

[0083] Here, examples of screens when accepting a customer's designation of a payment type in a settlement machine that constitutes a full-self-service POS terminal or a semi-self-service POS terminal are shown in FIGS. 16 to 18. FIG. Figure 16 shows an example of a screen when a specific payment type is not recommended, and a cash button G71, a credit card button G72, a transportation IC card button G73, and a points payment button G74 are provided in the same manner to specify various payment types, and the customer or store clerk can specify the desired payment type. In FIG. 16, the display field for the receipt is displayed when the receipt is used, and is not displayed in other cases.

[0084] 17 shows a case where the payment type recommendation processing unit recommends payment by a membership card (credit card) with a non-cash payment function as the recommended payment type, and shows a case where the display manner of the operator for specifying the recommended payment type and the operator for specifying other payment types is changed. In this example, the credit card specification button G72 for specifying payment by credit card is displayed larger and more conspicuously than the other buttons G71, G72 for specifying cash payment, G72 for specifying transportation IC card payment, and G73 for specifying points payment. In addition, in the example of Figure 17, a message is displayed stating that preferential points will be earned if payment is made using a recommended membership card with non-cash payment function, encouraging the customer to make payment using the membership card with non-cash payment function.

[0085] 18 shows a case where payment by a membership card (credit card) with a cashless payment function is the recommended payment type, and the user is prompted to make payment by that credit card. On this screen, payment by a payment type other than credit card payment is made by pressing the change button G75, which requests a change of payment type. In addition, in the example of Figure 18, a message is displayed stating that points will not be awarded for payments made using any card other than a membership card with a non-cash payment function, encouraging customers to make payments using the membership card with a non-cash payment function. Regardless of the examples in Figures 17 and 18, it is also possible to provide only a button requesting payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function, or to omit the step of specifying the payment type and transition to a screen for making payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function.

[0086] Furthermore, in the settlement device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, software resources can be distributed or consolidated into any of the hardware resources through appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as physically integrated or separate devices. This allows, for example, a configuration in which a centralized upper device or system performs centralized processing. Furthermore, the settlement device 1 can also be configured as separate devices, namely, a registration device and a settlement device, which are connected via a predetermined communication network and work together.

[0087] In implementing the present invention, as long as the payment type is associated with and managed as member information, the information medium may be an integrated membership card and payment method, such as a membership card with a non-cash function, or the member identification and payment method may be different media or apps. For example, in the case of code payment, the process is executed as follows: When the settlement device 1 reads the member barcode displayed on the customer terminal, it displays "XX (code payment) is a good deal" on the customer input / output unit 12 to inform the customer, and the store clerk input / output unit 11 displays "XX (code payment)" in a different display format from other payment types on the screen for specifying the payment type, making it easy for the store clerk to understand and select. Note that the customer input / output unit 12 may also similarly change the display format to display "XX (code payment)" so that the customer can specify the payment type. If code payment is specified, the customer separately launches a code payment app on the customer terminal to display the payment code, and the settlement device 1 reads the payment code to make the payment. Note that the payment may also be made by reading a two-dimensional code for payment displayed on the settlement device 1 or printed on a sticker or the like with the camera of the customer's customer terminal. When the payment is complete, the settlement device 1 is notified of the completion of the payment, and in response, the settlement device 1 issues a receipt and completes the operation. The customer terminal is also notified by email of the store where the payment was made, the transaction amount, etc. In this way, the present invention can be applied even when the member identification and payment method are different media or apps.

[0088] In addition, in the above embodiment, payment using the payment type associated with the membership type is recommended, but in other embodiments, instead of the payment type recommendation processing unit described above, a restriction processing unit may be provided that restricts the selection of only certain payment types, thereby promoting the use of payments using these certain payment types. An example of the processing executed by a POS terminal equipped with such a restriction processing unit will be described below. In the following example, payment by membership card with non-cash payment function is designated as a payment type. The process flow for registering products is the same as that in the above-described embodiment.

[0089] 19, if the customer is a member, the store clerk receives the member card from the customer and reads it using the media reading unit 14 in parallel with the product registration process (S401, S402). The member card may be read before, during, or at the time of payment, and information that can identify the member may be obtained from information printed on the member card. When the membership card is read, the identification processing unit refers to the customer information storage unit based on the information stored on the membership card that can identify the member, and identifies the medium type of the membership card (S403). When the POS terminal 1 acquires the member customer information, it appropriately displays the member customer information and point balance on the clerk side input / output unit 11 and the customer side input / output unit 12. In addition, since the customer is identified as a member, a special sales price for member customers is applied, and if there is an eligible product that has already been registered, a notification such as "A special member price has been applied" is issued.

[0090] If the membership card is a membership card with a non-cash payment function, the payment amount is calculated and then the process for payment begins (S404, S405). If the point award multiplier is different from normal on that day (S406), as shown in Figure 20, the restriction processing unit determines that only non-cash payments using a membership card with non-cash payment function can be specified as a payment type, and waits until only non-cash payments using that membership card with non-cash payment function can be specified (S501). In the process of S406 in this embodiment, the day on which the point award rate is different from the normal rate means a day on which the point award rate is higher than normal when a member with a membership card with a non-cash payment function makes a non-cash payment using the membership card with a non-cash payment function. The different point award rate is determined by setting conditions such as a specified period or day of the week, or the 5th, 15th, or 25th of each month, and by referencing a specified table or the like that stores information related to the condition setting.

[0091] When the store clerk selects a predetermined payment type from multiple payment types (S502), if the selected payment type is a non-cash payment using a membership card with a non-cash payment function, the selection is accepted by the reception processing unit, and the accounting processing unit executes the non-cash payment using the membership card with a non-cash payment function (S506). The payment terminal 2 acquires the information stored in the membership card with cashless payment function and transmits information on the payment amount provided by the POS terminal 1 to the payment server 20. When the non-cash payment is executed by the payment server 20, the processing result is returned to the POS terminal 1 via the payment terminal 2. If a cash payment or code payment that cannot be processed by the payment terminal 2 is specified, the payment terminal 2 will stop the process with a message such as "Please remove your card."

[0092] On the other hand, if a payment type other than the selectable payment types is specified in the processing of S502, the POS terminal 1 will reject the payment using the specified payment type, and the notification processing unit will display a message on the store clerk input / output unit 11 indicating that the payment type is not a selectable payment type, thereby notifying the error (S503).

[0093] In this embodiment, while an error is being notified, a change in the payment method that can be specified can be accepted by executing a predetermined request operation. When a store clerk accepts an operation to change the payment type from a selectable payment type to another payment type, in this embodiment, when an operation to change from non-cash payment using a membership card with non-cash payment function to cash payment is accepted, the payment type is changed (S505) and payment processing is executed using the changed payment type (S506). If the payment type is not changed, for example, if the store clerk mistakenly specifies a payment type different from the one that should have been specified, the payment type specification will be accepted again.

[0094] On the other hand, in the processing of S506, if the point award multiplier is for a normal day, the extraction processing unit extracts information related to the point balance from the customer information storage unit, and the point usage recommendation processing unit displays the customer's point balance on the clerk side input / output unit 11 and recommends the use of points (S507).

[0095] After grasping the information related to the point balance, the store clerk encourages the customer to use the points appropriately and asks the customer for the payment method they prefer. The store clerk input / output unit 11 displays multiple payment methods that can be specified. When the store clerk specifies the payment method that the customer prefers, the reception processing unit accepts the specified payment method (S409). Then, the payment process is executed based on the specified payment method (S410).

[0096] If the customer is not a member in S401, product registration is completed (S408), the customer's desired payment method is accepted (S409), and payment processing is executed based on the specified payment method (S410).

[0097] <Additional Notes> A product sales data processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an identification processing means for identifying the medium type of a customer's information medium based on information stored in the information medium, an acceptance processing means for accepting the designation of a predetermined payment type from a plurality of payment types, and a restriction processing means for restricting the payment types that can be designated when the medium type is a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0098] The device may further have a notification processing means for notifying that payment types other than non-cash payment cannot be specified as the payment type, and the restriction processing means may restrict the specification of payment types other than non-cash payment when the medium type is a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0099] The restriction processing means may further restrict the designation of payment types other than non-cash payments during a predetermined period in which a high multiplier for awarding points according to the payment amount for non-cash payments is set.

[0100] The system may also include an extraction processing means that refers to a specified information storage unit to extract information related to the point balance held by the customer, and a recommendation processing means that recommends point usage based on the point balance.

[0101] The system may also include a first display processing means for displaying an operator for accepting the designation of a predetermined payment type from among a plurality of payment types, and a second display processing means for displaying payment types for which designation is restricted and types for which designation is not restricted in different ways.

[0102] The system may also have an identification processing means for identifying the medium type of the information medium based on the information stored in the customer's information medium, an acceptance processing means for accepting the designation of a predetermined payment type from a plurality of payment types, and a prohibition processing means for prohibiting the designation of cash payment as the predetermined payment type when the medium type is a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0103] The system may further include a first payment amount information transmitting means that is connected to a payment terminal that executes payment using the membership card with non-cash payment function and that transmits information regarding the payment amount to the payment terminal when payment is executed using the membership card with cash payment function.

[0104] The system may also be configured to include a registration machine for registering products and a settlement machine for settling the registered products, and the registration machine may have a second payment amount information transmission means for transmitting information relating to the payment type that can be specified along with information relating to the payment amount to the settlement machine.

[0105] In addition, a computer program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer functioning as a product sales data processing device to execute an identification processing means for identifying the media type of the customer's information medium based on information stored on the information medium, an acceptance process for accepting the designation of a predetermined payment type from multiple payment types, and a restriction process for restricting the payment types that can be designated if the media type is a membership card with a non-cash payment function.

[0106] ● Overview of implementation The present invention relates to a technology for prompting payment by a predetermined payment type when checking out a product.

[0107] Supermarkets, drugstores, and other businesses issue membership cards and point cards with credit or prepaid functionality to attract members. They also issue so-called house cards, cards with credit functionality that can only be used at stores or chain stores run by their parent company. Stores tend to want to reduce cash handling tasks, such as managing change reserves and balances in change dispensers, and therefore encourage customers who use membership cards with cashless payment functionality to make non-cash payments whenever possible. These stores and chain stores want to increase the use of non-cash payment methods, such as credit cards, prepaid cards, and house cards.

[0108] For example, a house card payment system that allows customers to make card payments at stores without presenting a card is known (Patent Publication No. 578173), in which a credit card company's system and a member store terminal are connected via a network, the credit card company's system has a means for sending a house card to the member store based on a house card issuance request from a customer introduced by the member store, and the member store terminal has a regular customer visit notification means that receives confirmation of the customer's visit from a predetermined visit confirmation means and notifies the store, and a settlement means that, on the condition that the customer's visit has been notified by the regular customer visit notification means, requests payment from the customer using the house card that was sent and stored at the member store.

[0109] However, the system described in the above patent document does not directly encourage customers to use cards with a non-cash payment function.

[0110] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to encourage payment by a predetermined payment type.

[0111] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a settlement device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an identification processing means for identifying the membership type of a customer from an information medium carried by the customer, an acceptance processing means for accepting the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, and a detection processing means for detecting the payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing means, wherein when the acceptance processing means accepts the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, it changes its mode depending on whether the payment type detected by the detection processing means is a payment type other than the one desired by the customer.

[0112] The device may further include a first payment type recommendation means for recommending settlement using the payment type detected by the detection processing means when the acceptance processing means accepts the designation of the other payment type.

[0113] In addition, the system may further include a second payment type recommendation means that recommends settlement using the detected payment type if the period is one in which points are given preferentially when settling using the payment type detected by the detection processing means.

[0114] The system may further include an extraction processing means for extracting information relating to the point balance held by the customer by referring to a specified information storage unit, and a point usage recommendation means for recommending point usage according to the point balance when the acceptance processing means accepts the designation of a specified payment type.

[0115] The reception processing means may display an operator for accepting the designation of the payment type detected by the detection processing means and an operator for accepting the designation of the other payment type in different ways.

[0116] In addition, a settlement device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises an identification processing means for identifying the membership type of a customer from an information medium carried by the customer, an acceptance processing means for accepting the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, and a detection processing means for detecting the payment type associated with the membership type identified by the identification processing means, wherein when the acceptance processing means accepts the designation of the payment type desired by the customer, it prohibits the acceptance of payment types other than the payment type detected by the detection processing means.

[0117] In addition, a program relating to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer functioning as a settlement device to execute a specification process for identifying a customer's membership type from an information medium carried by the customer, a reception process for accepting the specification of the payment type desired by the customer, and a detection process for detecting the payment type associated with the membership type identified by the specification process, and when the reception process accepts the specification of the payment type desired by the customer, it changes its form depending on whether the payment type detected by the detection process is a payment type other than the payment type detected by the detection process.

[0118] In addition, a program for a server device according to another aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a server device that executes some or all of the functions on a specified terminal configured to be connectable, and the server device causes the specified terminal to execute, in response to access from the specified terminal, a specification process that specifies a membership type from information obtained from an information medium reading device, and a detection process that detects a payment type associated with the membership type specified in the specification process, and when the reception process accepts the specification of the payment type desired by the customer, it changes its form depending on whether the payment type detected in the detection process is a payment type other than the payment type.

[0119] In addition, a settlement method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method executed by a server device that executes some or all of its functions on a specified terminal that is configured to be connectable, and in response to access from the specified terminal, the server device executes a specification process that identifies a membership type from information obtained from an information medium reading device, and a detection process that detects a payment type associated with the membership type identified in the specification process, and when the reception process accepts the specification of the payment type desired by the customer, it changes its form depending on whether the payment type detected in the detection process is a payment type other than the payment type.

[0120] According to the present invention, it is possible to encourage payments using a predetermined payment type, thereby increasing the utilization rate of non-cash payments using membership cards with non-cash payment functions. As a result, members who hold membership cards with non-cash payment functions can enjoy discounts when shopping, thereby attracting customers. Furthermore, for stores, increasing the utilization rate of non-cash payments reduces the burden of cash management within the store, and reducing cash payments at product sales data processing devices can increase the overall pass rate and prevent waiting lines at the register. Furthermore, even for customers who have a membership card with a non-cash payment function, if it is a day when the point award rate is normal, which is a suitable time to use points, the system can encourage them to use points appropriately. The present invention can also be implemented in a variety of retail stores, such as supermarkets, drug stores, and convenience stores. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1:Payment device 11: Clerk side input / output unit 12: Customer side input / output unit 13: Product reading unit 14: Media reading unit 15: Change section 16:Printing Department 100: Control unit 104: Interface circuit 2: Payment terminal 20: Payment server

Claims

1. A means for identifying customer membership information; a display means for displaying a payment type selection screen for allowing a customer to select a desired payment type from a plurality of payment types; The display means On the payment type selection screen, a plurality of operators are displayed as operators for accepting the designation of the payment type, including a first operator that is displayed regardless of whether the member information has been specified or not, and a second operator that is displayed when the member information has been specified; a preferential treatment period for awarding points to a customer whose member information has been identified by the identification means, and when the member information has been identified, a display is displayed on the payment type selection screen recommending that the customer select the second operator; A settlement device characterized by:

2. The display means During the preferential treatment period, when the member information is identified, the payment type selection screen displays, in a display area of ​​the second operator or in the vicinity of the second operator, details of the preferential treatment that can be obtained by selecting the second operator, thereby recommending that the member select the payment type related to the member information. The settlement device according to claim 1 .

3. and a printing means for printing the transaction details on a predetermined medium when the transaction is settled. The printing means At least when the second operator is not selected on the payment type selection screen during the preferential treatment period, information about the content of the preferential treatment is printed.

3. The settlement device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A system configured by a predetermined terminal and a server device, The server device: In response to access from the predetermined terminal, Execute a specific process to identify the customer's membership information; The predetermined terminal a display process for displaying a payment type selection screen for allowing the customer to select a desired payment type from a plurality of payment types; The display process includes: On the payment type selection screen, a plurality of operators are displayed as operators for accepting the designation of the payment type, including a first operator that is displayed regardless of whether the member information has been specified or not, and a second operator that is displayed when the member information has been specified; a preferential treatment period for awarding points to a customer whose member information has been identified by the identification process, and when the member information has been identified, a display is displayed on the payment type selection screen recommending that the customer select the second operator; A system characterized by:

5. For computers that function as settlement devices, Identification process to identify customer membership information; a display process for displaying a payment type selection screen for allowing the customer to select a desired payment type from a plurality of payment types; The display process includes: On the payment type selection screen, a plurality of operators are displayed as operators for accepting the designation of the payment type, including a first operator that is displayed regardless of whether the member information has been specified or not, and a second operator that is displayed when the member information has been specified; a preferential treatment period for awarding points to a customer whose member information has been identified by the identification process, and when the member information has been identified, a display is displayed on the payment type selection screen recommending that the customer select the second operator; program.

Images