Payment device and program

Abstract

To differentiate each member and provide benefits in a suitable manner.SOLUTION: A POS terminal device 20 includes a payment type reception unit 401, a payment method reception unit 402, and a benefit granting unit 403. The payment type reception unit 401 receives one payment type out of a plurality of payment types for payment from a customer-side display. When the payment method reception unit 401 receives a specific payment type, the payment method reception unit 402 receives one payment method out of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method and a second payment method. The benefit granting unit 403 grants benefits to a member according to the one payment method received by the payment method reception unit 402.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to increase the frequency of customer visits to stores, various stores have been offering services that grant benefits such as points to members. For example, a customer is given a membership card (point card), and is encouraged to present the membership card when making a transaction. Points are awarded to the membership card, and the awarded points can be used for transactions.

[0003] As a related technique, a point-giving service system has been disclosed that allows points to be given using a computer at home or other means other than the store's register, even if the customer forgets their membership card when making a purchase (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-110328 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with conventional technology, even if the payment type is the same, the degree of disadvantage to the store may vary depending on the payment method, and even in such cases, it was not possible to differentiate between members and grant them benefits.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a technique that can appropriately grant benefits to each member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a settlement device characterized by comprising: a payment type accepting means for accepting one of a plurality of payment types related to payment of a price from a display means; a payment method accepting means for accepting one of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method using a first medium and a second payment method using a second medium different from the first medium when the payment type accepting means accepts a specific payment type; and a benefit granting means for granting a benefit to a member according to the one payment method accepted by the payment method accepting means.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer used in a settlement device to function as a payment type accepting means that accepts one of a plurality of payment types related to payment of a price from a display means, a payment method accepting means that, when the payment type accepting means accepts a specific payment type, accepts one of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method using a first medium and a second payment method using a second medium different from the first medium, and a benefit granting means that grants a benefit to a member according to the one payment method accepted by the payment method accepting means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a network configuration of a POS (Point Of Sales) system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of installation of a POS terminal device 20. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a POS terminal device 20. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a POS terminal device 20. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by a registered POS terminal 20. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the settlement POS terminal device 20. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the screen transition when a credit card payment type is selected in a non-member transaction. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen transition when a company credit card is selected in a member transaction. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen transition when a credit card from another company is selected in a member transaction. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by a settlement POS terminal device 20 according to Modification 1. [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the settlement POS terminal device 20 according to the first modification. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Embodiment) (Network configuration of POS system 1) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the network configuration of a POS (Point Of Sales) system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The POS system 1 is installed in various stores, such as supermarkets, home improvement stores, convenience stores, and various supply stores. The POS system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a store controller 10, a transaction status management device 11, and a POS terminal device 20. Each device is connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a LAN 55. Each device is a computer device equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), a communication unit, etc.

[0011] A credit card company server Sv is connected to the POS system 1 via a network. The credit card company server Sv is a server device managed by a card company and performs payments using credit cards. A credit card is equipped with an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip and a magnetic stripe that store information such as a card number.

[0012] The credit card company server Sv stores information indicating the maximum amount that each member can spend, information indicating whether or not a credit card can be used, and the like. The credit card company server Sv also has a communication unit. This communication unit enables the credit card company server Sv to communicate with the store controller 10. The credit card company server Sv may also communicate directly with the transaction status management device 11 and the POS terminal device 20. Although the illustration shows one credit card company server Sv, a plurality of credit card company servers Sv may be provided for each credit card company.

[0013] The store controller 10 stores various information necessary for transactions, such as a product master. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN (Japanese Article Number) code), product name, and sales price for each product. The product master also includes product identification information, product name, and unit price of products that require weighing (products to be weighed). In addition to the product master, the store controller 10 also stores various information such as inventory status, sales history, and deposit and withdrawal records. The store controller 10 may also store customer membership information.

[0014] The transaction status management device 11 is a device that allows a store clerk to monitor the POS terminal device 20. Specifically, the transaction status management device 11 can display the status of the POS terminal device 20 (operation mode, processing status, etc.) and control the POS terminal device 20. In the POS system 1, a store clerk can be assigned to the transaction status management device 11 and can monitor the POS terminal device 20 by the store clerk.

[0015] The POS terminal 20 is an example of a payment device. The POS terminal 20 can operate in one of a number of operation modes. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 can be operated by either a customer or a store clerk, depending on the operation mode. The operation modes referred to here are a full self-service mode, a store clerk registration mode, and a checkout-only mode.

[0016] The full self-service mode is a mode in which the customer registers the product on their own device and pays for it on their own device. The clerk registration mode is a mode in which a clerk registers products. In addition, in the clerk registration mode, it is possible for the customer to operate the device itself to perform settlement (hereinafter referred to as "face-to-face settlement"), and it is also possible for the customer to operate another POS terminal device 20 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "settlement POS terminal device 20") to perform settlement (hereinafter referred to as "self-settlement"). When performing self-settlement, the POS terminal device 20 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "registration POS terminal device 20") sends settlement information to the settlement POS terminal device 20, so that the settlement POS terminal device 20 can perform settlement using the settlement information. It is also possible to provide a change dispenser on the clerk side of the registration POS terminal device 20. In this case, in the clerk registration mode, the clerk can receive cash or the like from the customer and perform the settlement. The checkout-only mode is a mode in which the customer obtains payment information for registered products in the registered POS terminal device 20 operating in the store clerk registration mode and performs self-payment.

[0017] 1 shows a plurality of POS terminal devices 20 (n devices: n≧2), but it may be one. However, when there is one POS terminal device 20, the POS terminal device 20 operates in either a full self-service mode or an operation mode for face-to-face settlement in a store clerk registration mode.

[0018] The POS system 1 may also include a clerk terminal carried by a clerk. The clerk terminal can display the status (operation mode, processing status, etc.) of the POS terminal device 20 and control the POS terminal device 20. The clerk terminal can also receive information from the POS terminal device 20 indicating that a clerk should be called and display that information.

[0019] (Configuration example of POS terminal device 20) Next, the configuration of the POS terminal device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of installation of the POS terminal device 20. As shown in FIG. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal device 20. In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0020] An example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20 shown in Fig. 3 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. The POS terminal 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer display unit 205, a customer scanner unit 206, a card payment unit 208, a change dispenser 209, a store clerk display unit 210, a key operation unit 211, a store clerk scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, a communication unit 215, and a camera 216. These components can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0021] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM 202 to control the operation of the POS terminal device 20. The various programs include a product sales data processing program according to this embodiment. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory that stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

[0022] The RAM 203 is a readable and writable memory that stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores information acquired from the outside (e.g., a product master acquired from the store controller 10) and information generated during processing. This information includes, for example, information generated during a registration process for registering a product and information generated during a checkout process for checking out registered products (registered products).

[0023] The hard disk 204 stores various types of information. For example, the hard disk 204 stores imaging results (e.g., video) captured by the camera 216. For example, the hard disk 204 may store various programs, such as a product sales data processing program executed by the CPU 201, instead of the ROM 202. Furthermore, instead of the RAM 203, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from an external source or information generated during processing.

[0024] The customer-side display unit 205 is a touch display for customers. The customer-side display unit 205 displays various information to customers and receives various inputs from customers.

[0025] Customer-side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for customers, and optically reads various types of information. For example, customer-side scanner unit 206 optically reads barcodes (product codes, etc.) attached to products and codes (barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc.) printed on receipts (registered trademarks). Customer-side scanner unit 206 also reads codes (barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc.) printed on gift certificates (gift certificates, coupons, complimentary coupons) and various cards (e.g., membership cards, point cards, etc.). Note that product registration by customers is not limited to code reading by customer-side scanner unit 206. For example, a preset key (a button for ordering a product) corresponding to the product can be displayed on customer-side display unit 205, and the customer can register the product by operating (pressing) the preset key.

[0026] The card payment unit 208 is a payment mechanism that uses various cards (credit cards, prepaid cards such as transportation cards, point cards, etc.). The card payment unit 208 is equipped with a card recognition unit, a display unit, and an operation unit. The card recognition unit magnetically or electrically reads information from various cards. The read information is used to settle the registered product bill. The card recognition unit can also recognize information to be used in settling the registered product bill, for example, when using points held on a point card. The card recognition unit can also recognize information that is not used in settling the registered product bill, for example, when adding points to a point card.

[0027] Although the card payment unit 208 of this embodiment includes a card recognition unit, a display unit, and an operation unit, it is not limited to these and may include at least a card recognition unit. The card recognition unit of this embodiment may be compatible with contact cards (IC cards, magnetic cards) or contactless cards (IC cards).

[0028] The change machine 209 is a cash settlement mechanism, and has an input port for banknotes and coins, and an output port for banknotes and coins. The change machine 209 calculates the amount of money inserted into the input port, calculates the change amount, which is the difference between the input amount and the purchase amount, and outputs the change from the output port. The change machine 209 faces the customer side and accepts various operations and cash insertions from customers. The change machine 209 also has a sensor that detects banknotes and coins inserted into the input port. The sensor detects that banknotes and coins have been inserted into the input port, and detects the number of each denomination.

[0029] The clerk-side display unit 210 is a touch display for the clerk. The clerk-side display unit 210 displays various information to the clerk and accepts various inputs from the clerk. The clerk-side display unit 210 displays preset keys corresponding to products, and the products are registered by the clerk pressing the preset keys.

[0030] The key operation unit 211 has various keys (hardware keys, buttons). The key operation unit 211 accepts various inputs from a store clerk. The key operation unit 211 includes keys corresponding to products, and when a store clerk presses a key, the product corresponding to the key is registered.

[0031] The key operation unit 211 also includes a mode switching button. The mode switching button is a button for switching the operating mode. Specifically, the mode switching button is a button that can switch the mode to be transitioned to in a predetermined order each time it is pressed. This order is set in advance, for example, as follows: clerk registration mode → full self-service mode → checkout only mode → clerk registration mode → ... Therefore, to switch from clerk registration mode to checkout only mode, the clerk needs to press the mode switching button twice.

[0032] The button for switching modes is not limited to a hard key (mechanical key), but may be a selection button (soft key) displayed on the clerk-side display unit 210. This selection button may be, for example, a plurality of buttons corresponding to the destination modes. Specifically, if the current mode is the clerk registration mode, a button for switching to the checkout-only mode and a button for switching to the full self-service mode may be displayed. This makes it possible to switch between modes with a single touch. However, the selection button displayed on the clerk-side display unit 210 may be a single button, like the mode switching button included in the key operation unit 211, that is, a button that switches to the destination mode in a predetermined order each time it is pressed.

[0033] Furthermore, the button for switching modes is generally displayed on the clerk-side display unit 210, but may also be displayed on the customer-side display unit 205. For example, if it is determined that a clerk is clearly on the customer side, it is also possible to display the button on the customer-side display unit 205. Examples of situations in which a clerk is clearly on the customer side include when the customer-side scanner unit 206 reads the clerk code on the clerk's name tag and the screen transitions to a maintenance screen exclusively for clerks, or when a predetermined operation on the customer-side display unit 205 transitions to a maintenance screen exclusively for clerks.

[0034] The store clerk scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for store clerks and optically reads various types of information. For example, the store clerk scanner unit 212 optically reads barcodes attached to products and store clerk codes attached to store clerk name tags. The store clerk scanner unit 212 can also read codes printed on receipts, vouchers, and various cards.

[0035] The printing unit 213 prints and outputs various media (receipts, bills, etc.). The printing unit 213 can change the direction of the media issuing slot. Specifically, the printing unit 213 has a rotatable mechanism and is configured so that the media issuing slot faces from the store clerk side to the customer side, and from the customer side to the store clerk side. The direction of the media issuing slot may be changeable manually or automatically in response to switching between operating modes. The printing unit 213 may also be equipped with a sensor that detects whether the orientation of the printing issuing slot is correct.

[0036] The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs audio guidance, warning sounds, etc. The audio guidance and warning sounds relate to, for example, product registration and payment. The communication unit 215 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices (the store controller 10, the transaction status management device 11, and other POS terminal devices 20).

[0037] Camera 216 is attached to the upper right of customer-side display unit 205 when viewed from the customer side. Camera 216 is a camera that continuously captures moving or still images. A CCD (charge coupled device) camera or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) camera can be used for camera 216. Camera 216 also captures images of the customer's operations when registering products. Specifically, camera 216 can capture images of the inside (products) of shopping carts on counters provided on both sides of POS terminal device 20 and the customer's operations when registering products. Camera 216 also captures images of the customer's operations when paying. Specifically, camera 216 captures images of bills and coins held by the customer, change dispenser 209, hand movements, etc.

[0038] The captured image taken by camera 216 can also be displayed in real time on a partial area of ​​customer-side display unit 205. By constantly displaying the captured image on customer-side display unit 205, customers using POS terminal device 20 can be made aware that they are being photographed, which can have the effect of deterring fraud. The captured image taken by camera 216 can also be transmitted to transaction status management device 11 and displayed on the display unit of transaction status management device 11. This allows a store clerk assigned to transaction status management device 11 to monitor the customer's registration and payment operations.

[0039] The sign pole 220 (see FIG. 2) has a light-emitting unit. The light-emitting unit of the sign pole 220 is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode), and can light up in a predetermined color or a predetermined lighting pattern. The lighting pattern of the sign pole 220 indicates that the POS terminal 20 is in use or warns of an abnormality. In addition, the sign pole 220 is provided facing upward, so that even store clerks who are not near the POS terminal 20 can recognize the lighting pattern.

[0040] (Regarding store membership) Stores sometimes offer services that grant benefits such as membership points to members. For example, they provide customers with membership cards and encourage them to present their membership cards during transactions, granting the members membership points or allowing them to use the granted membership points for transactions. Even for the same payment type, the degree of disadvantage to the store may vary depending on the payment method. Therefore, this embodiment makes it possible to differentiate members and grant benefits depending on the payment method. The functional configuration of the POS terminal device 20 according to this embodiment is described below.

[0041] (Functional Configuration of POS Terminal Device 20) 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the POS terminal device 20. The POS terminal device 20 described below will be described as operating in a transaction-only mode. In other words, the POS terminal device 20 described below will be described as a settlement POS terminal device 20.

[0042] 4, the checkout POS terminal device 20 includes a payment type acceptance unit 401, a payment method acceptance unit 402, a benefit granting unit 403, a notification unit 404, a member information acquisition unit 405, an erasure unit 406, a determination unit 407, a payment processing unit 408, and a storage unit 410. Each unit 401 to 408 is realized by the CPU 201 of the checkout POS terminal device 20. That is, the CPU 201 of the checkout POS terminal device 20 executes a predetermined program (such as a product sales data processing program) to realize the functions of each unit 401 to 408. The storage unit 410 is realized by the RAM 203, the hard disk 204, etc.

[0043] The payment type acceptance unit 401 accepts one of multiple payment types related to payment from the customer display unit 205. The multiple payment types include credit card, electronic money (prepaid card), cash, etc. The payment type acceptance unit 401 displays buttons corresponding to each payment type on the customer display unit 205 and accepts one payment type by accepting a customer pressing one of the buttons. In this embodiment, the multiple payment types include a specific payment type. The specific payment type is, for example, a credit card payment type.

[0044] When the payment type receiving unit 401 receives a payment type of credit card, the payment method receiving unit 402 receives one of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method and a second payment method. The first payment method uses a first medium. The first medium is, for example, a credit card whose name is that of the store (hereinafter referred to as a "company credit card"). In other words, the first payment method is a payment method using the store's own credit card. The payment method using the store's own credit card requires the store to pay a smaller fee to the card company, etc., compared to payment methods using other companies' credit cards, which will be described later, and is therefore a payment method that is less disadvantageous to the store.

[0045] Furthermore, the second payment method uses a second medium. The second medium is, for example, a credit card whose name is not that of the store (hereinafter referred to as "other company's credit card"). In other words, the second payment method is a payment method using another company's credit card. Compared to payment methods using the store's own credit card, payment methods using other company's credit cards require higher fees to be paid by the store to the card company, etc., making them a payment method that is highly disadvantageous to the store.

[0046] The payment method acceptance unit 402 displays a button indicating a first payment method and a button indicating a second payment method on the customer side display unit 205, and accepts one payment method by accepting the customer pressing either button.

[0047] The reward granting unit 403 grants a reward to the member according to one of the payment methods accepted by the payment method accepting unit 402. A reward is a treatment or right that indicates monetary value, such as member points, which are awarded in number according to the amount of payment. However, rewards are not limited to member points, and may also be gift certificates, coupons, complimentary coupons, etc. Payments made with a company's own credit card are a payment method that is less disadvantageous to the store, so more points are awarded compared to payments made with other company's credit cards.

[0048] Specifically, for a transaction in which the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts payment using the company's credit card, the benefit awarding unit 403 awards member points to the member who performs the transaction. On the other hand, for a transaction in which the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts payment using a credit card from another company, the benefit awarding unit 403 does not award member points to the member who performs the transaction, because this payment method is highly disadvantageous to the store. Note that points may also be awarded for payment using a credit card from another company. However, the number of points awarded may be fewer than the number of points awarded for payment using the company's credit card.

[0049] (Regarding notification of benefits according to payment method) When the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method, the notification unit 404 notifies the user of a benefit corresponding to the payment method. The benefits that are notified are member points corresponding to a payment method using the company's own credit card and member points corresponding to a payment method using a credit card of another company. In this embodiment, when the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method, the notification unit 404 notifies the user that member points will be awarded according to a first payment method and that member points will not be awarded according to a second payment method. The notification that member points will not be awarded may be a notification that the number of member points to be awarded is 0.

[0050] For example, the notification unit 404 displays a message indicating that member points will be awarded around the button indicating the first payment method displayed on the customer display unit 205 by the payment method acceptance unit 402. The notification unit 404 also displays a message indicating that member points will not be awarded around the button indicating the second payment method displayed on the customer display unit 205 by the payment method acceptance unit 402. The notification unit 404 may also display the number of points to be awarded on the customer display unit 205. For example, if member points will not be awarded, it may display that the number of points to be awarded is zero. The notification by the notification unit 404 is not limited to a visual notification, and may also include an audio notification.

[0051] (Regarding the acquisition of member information) In this embodiment, the customer presents a membership card to the store clerk at the stage of product registration. The store clerk has the store clerk scanner unit 212 scan the membership card presented by the customer. As a result, the registration POS terminal 20 acquires the membership information at the stage of product registration. Alternatively, the customer may have the customer scanner unit 206 of the registration POS terminal 20 scan the membership card, so that the registration POS terminal 20 acquires the membership information.

[0052] Member information includes the member number (member ID), the customer's name, the total number of member points earned, etc. Member information is obtained from the member card held by the member customer. The member information is stored on the member card. However, it is also possible that only the member ID of the member information is stored on the member card, and the member information other than the member ID is stored in an external device (external server, etc.). In this case, the registration POS terminal device 20 accesses the external server using the member ID read from the member card to obtain the member information corresponding to the member ID.

[0053] The member information may also be stored in a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the customer. A member application that displays advertising information, discount information, and the like for the store is installed on the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal displays the member information as a barcode or the like. The registration POS terminal device 20 may obtain the member information by reading the barcode or receiving it from the mobile terminal via short-range wireless communication.

[0054] When product registration is complete, the registration POS terminal device 20 transmits payment information to the payment POS terminal device 20. The payment information includes the read member information. The payment information does not necessarily have to be output by transmission, but may also be coded and printed on a sheet as a receipt.

[0055] The member information acquisition unit 405 acquires member information by receiving the payment information generated by the registered POS terminal device 20. In other words, the member information acquisition unit 405 acquires the member information of the member when starting payment. When acquiring member information from a receipt, the member information acquisition unit 405 acquires the member information by reading the payment information printed on the receipt.

[0056] The member information acquired by the member information acquisition unit 405 is stored in the memory unit 410. In the following, the determination unit 409 determines whether or not member information has already been acquired for the transaction. A transaction for which the determination unit 409 determines that member information has already been acquired is referred to as a "member transaction." Furthermore, a transaction for which the determination unit 409 determines that member information has not already been acquired is referred to as a "non-member transaction."

[0057] The benefit granting unit 403 grants member points when the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method of the company's credit card in a member transaction. On the other hand, the benefit granting unit 403 does not grant member points when the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method of another company's credit card in a member transaction. In addition, the erasing unit 406 erases the member information stored in the memory unit 410 when the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method of another company's credit card in a member transaction.

[0058] In this case, only the member information may be erased, and other information (such as registration information and settlement information) may be stored. Similarly, in member transactions in full self-service mode or face-to-face settlement mode, if the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method using a credit card from another company, only the member information may be erased, and other information (such as registration information and settlement information) may be stored. Regarding the receipt, if the member information is erased, only the other information may be printed, while if the member information is not erased, both the member information and the other information may be printed. Regarding the receipt, if the member information is erased, a message may be printed indicating that member points will not be awarded. Even when the member information stored in the settlement POS terminal device 20 is erased, the registered POS terminal device 20 may not erase the stored member information.

[0059] (Regarding display of member information) The customer display unit 205 can display member information under the control of the CPU 201. Specifically, the customer display unit 205 displays member information by acquiring the member information by the member information acquisition unit 405. More specifically, the customer display unit 205 displays the member information when the member information acquisition unit 405 acquires the member information. When the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method of the company's own credit card in a member transaction, the customer display unit 205 continues to display the displayed member information. On the other hand, when the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method of another company's credit card in a member transaction, the customer display unit 205 hides the displayed member information.

[0060] (Payment methods accepted) In this embodiment, the settlement POS terminal device 20 accepts one of a plurality of payment methods (the company's credit card and other companies' credit cards) depending on whether the transaction is a member transaction. Specifically, in a member transaction, when the payment type acceptance unit 401 accepts the payment type as credit card, the payment processing unit 408 causes the payment method acceptance unit 402 to accept one of the payment methods. In this case, the payment processing unit 408 performs payment processing using the one payment method accepted by the payment method acceptance unit 402.

[0061] On the other hand, in a non-member transaction, if the payment type acceptance unit 401 accepts a credit card payment type, the payment processing unit 408 prevents the payment method acceptance unit 402 from accepting a certain payment method. In this case, the payment processing unit 408 performs payment processing using a payment method for another company's credit card. In other words, without accepting a selection of a certain payment method from the customer, the payment processing unit 408 performs payment processing using a payment method for another company's credit card.

[0062] In some stores, membership cards also function as company credit cards. In this case, the registration POS terminal device 20 can obtain member information and determine that the payment method is a company credit card by scanning the membership card with the company credit card function. The registration POS terminal device 20 then includes information indicating the company credit card payment method in the settlement information along with the member information and transmits this information to the settlement POS terminal device 20. By receiving this settlement information, the settlement POS terminal device 20 can omit accepting one payment method (company credit card or other company credit card).

[0063] (Processing performed by the registered POS terminal device 20) Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the registration POS terminal 20. In Fig. 5, the registration POS terminal 20 determines whether product registration has started (step S501). Product registration is started, for example, when a store clerk operates to start a new registration. The registration POS terminal 20 waits until product registration has started (step S501: NO).

[0064] When product registration is started (step S501: YES), the registration POS terminal device 20 determines whether the product has been scanned or not (step S502). Scanning or the like includes scanning the product using the store clerk scanner unit 212, pressing a preset key displayed on the store clerk display unit 210, or pressing a button on the key operation unit 211 corresponding to the product.

[0065] If the product is not scanned (step S502: NO), the registration POS terminal 20 proceeds to step S504. If the product is scanned (step S502: YES), the registration POS terminal 20 registers the product and displays the product on the customer display unit 205 and the store clerk display unit 210 (step S503). The registration POS terminal 20 then determines whether the membership card has been scanned (step S504).

[0066] If the membership card is not scanned (step S504: NO), the registration POS terminal 20 proceeds to step S506. If the membership card is scanned (step S504: YES), the registration POS terminal 20 stores the scanned membership information in the RAM 203 (step S505). The registration POS terminal 20 may display the scanned membership information on the customer display unit 205 and the store clerk display unit 210.

[0067] Next, the registration POS terminal device 20 determines whether or not the registration of the product is complete (step S506). Completion of the registration of the product means, for example, that the store clerk has accepted an operation indicating that the registration of the product is complete.

[0068] If registration is not completed (step S506: NO), the registration POS terminal 20 returns to step S502. If registration is completed (step S506: YES), the registration POS terminal 20 determines whether member information is stored in the RAM 203 (step S507). If member information is not stored (step S507: NO), the registration POS terminal 20 proceeds to step S509.

[0069] If the member information is stored (step S507: YES), the registration POS terminal 20 performs a process to include the member information in the payment information (step S508). The registration POS terminal 20 then outputs the payment information (step S509), ending the series of processes. Outputting the payment information involves sending the payment information to the payment POS terminal 20 that was received from the store clerk as the transmission destination, or issuing a receipt.

[0070] (Processing performed by settlement POS terminal device 20) Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the settlement POS terminal device 20. In Fig. 6, the settlement POS terminal device 20 determines whether or not settlement has started (step S601). The start of settlement occurs when settlement information is received from the registered POS terminal device 20 or a receipt is read. The settlement POS terminal device 20 waits until settlement has started (step S601: NO). When settlement has started (step S601: YES), the settlement POS terminal device 20 determines whether or not member information is included in the settlement information (whether or not this is a member transaction) (step S602).

[0071] If the payment information includes membership information (step S602: YES), i.e., if the transaction is for a member, the payment POS terminal device 20 proceeds to step S609. If the payment information does not include membership information (step S602: NO), i.e., if the transaction is for a non-member, the payment POS terminal device 20 displays a membership card selection screen 710 (see FIG. 7(A)) that accepts whether or not the customer has a membership card (step S603). By displaying the membership card selection screen 710, even in the case of a non-member transaction, i.e., even if the customer did not present their membership card when registering the product, they can present their membership card at the time of payment and have their membership information read.

[0072] The checkout POS terminal device 20 determines whether "Has membership card" has been selected on the membership card selection screen 710 (step S604). If "Has membership card" has been selected (step S604: YES), the checkout POS terminal device 20 proceeds to step S608. On the other hand, if "Has membership card" has not been selected (step S604: NO), that is, if "Does not have membership card" has been selected, the checkout POS terminal device 20 displays the payment type selection screen 720 (see FIG. 7(B)) which does not display member information (step S605).

[0073] A membership card read button 723 (see FIG. 7(B)), which accepts the reading of a membership card, is displayed on the payment type selection screen 720. On the payment type selection screen 720, the settlement POS terminal device 20 determines whether the membership card read button 723 (see FIG. 7(B)) has been selected (step S606).

[0074] If the member card read button 723 is not selected (step S606: NO), the settlement POS terminal device 20 performs settlement processing according to the payment type accepted on the payment type selection screen 720 (step S607), and ends the series of processes. In this case, since no member information has been entered, no member points are awarded. In addition, the settlement processing also involves issuing a receipt and dispensing change.

[0075] On the other hand, if the member card read button 723 is pressed (step S606: YES), the checkout POS terminal device 20 causes the customer to scan the member card using the customer-side scanner unit 206 (step S608). The member information obtained by the scan is stored in RAM 203. The checkout POS terminal device 20 then displays a payment type selection screen 810 (see FIG. 8(A)) displaying the member information (step S609). Next, the checkout POS terminal device 20 determines whether a credit card has been selected on the payment type selection screen 810 (step S610).

[0076] If a credit card is not selected (step S610: NO), that is, if electronic money or cash is selected, the checkout POS terminal device 20 erases the member information stored in RAM 203 (step S611), and then proceeds to step S607 to perform the checkout process according to the accepted payment type. In this case, member points are not awarded to the member. On the other hand, if a credit card is selected on the payment type selection screen 810 in step S610 (step S610: YES), the checkout POS terminal device 20 displays the card medium selection screen 820 (see FIG. 8(B)) that accepts the selection of either the company's own credit card or another company's credit card (step S612).

[0077] The checkout POS terminal device 20 determines whether or not the company's credit card has been selected on the card medium selection screen 820 (step S613). If the company's credit card has been selected (step S613: YES), the checkout POS terminal device 20 displays the payment screen 830 (see FIG. 8(C)) while still displaying the member information (step S614). The checkout POS terminal device 20 then uses the company's credit card to inquire of the credit card company server Sv about whether the credit card can be used, and, depending on the result of the inquiry, performs a checkout process to award member points to the member (step S615), thereby ending the series of processes.

[0078] If the company's credit card is not selected in step S613 (step S613: NO), that is, if another company's credit card is selected, the settlement POS terminal device 20 displays the payment screen 930 (see FIG. 9(C)) with the member information erased (step S616). At this time, the settlement POS terminal device 20 erases the member information stored in RAM 203. Then, the settlement POS terminal device 20 uses the other company's credit card to inquire of the credit card company server Sv about whether the credit card can be used, and, depending on the result of the inquiry, performs settlement processing without awarding member points to the member (step S617), thereby ending the series of processes.

[0079] (Regarding screen transitions displayed on the customer side display unit 205 of the settlement POS terminal device 20) Next, an example of transition of the screen displayed on the customer side display unit 205 of the settlement POS terminal device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0080] (Example of a screen when a credit card is selected for a non-member transaction) Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the screen transition when a credit card payment type is selected for a non-member transaction. Figure 7(A) shows a member card selection screen 710 displayed on the customer display unit 205. The member card selection screen 710 includes a member card selection guide 711, a possess button 712a, and a non-possess button 712b.

[0081] The membership card selection guide 711 prompts the user to press either the possess button 712a or the non-possess button 712b depending on whether or not the user has a membership card. The possess button 712a is a button that accepts that the user has a membership card. The non-possess button 712b is a button that accepts that the user does not have a membership card. In full self-service mode, a "back button" is displayed on the membership card selection screen 710. In full self-service mode, pressing the "back button" returns the user to the product registration screen.

[0082] In Figure 7(A), when the Possession button 712a is pressed and the membership card is scanned, the screen transitions to the payment type selection screen 810 shown in Figure 8(A). On the other hand, when the Non-possession button 712b is pressed, the screen transitions to the payment type selection screen 720 shown in Figure 7(B).

[0083] FIG. 7(B) shows the payment type selection screen 720. The payment type selection screen 720 includes a payment type selection guide 721, payment type selection buttons 722 (722a, 722b, 722c), a membership card read button 723, and a back button 724. The payment type selection guide 721 displays guidance urging the user to press a payment type selection button 722 corresponding to the payment type. The payment type selection button 722a is a button that accepts payment by credit card. The payment type selection button 722b is a button that accepts payment by electronic money. The payment type selection button 722c is a button that accepts payment by cash.

[0084] The member card read button 723 is a button that accepts the reading of a member card. In other words, even if the not possessed button 712b is pressed on the member card selection screen 710 of FIG. 7(A), it is possible to accept that the member card is possessed by pressing the member card read button 723 on the payment type selection screen 720. The back button 724 is a button that accepts returning to the previous screen. In other words, pressing the back button 724 returns to the member card selection screen 710 of FIG. 7(A).

[0085] If the payment type selection button 722 is not selected, but the member card read button 723 is pressed and the member card is scanned, the screen will transition to the payment type selection screen 810 shown in Figure 8(A). Also, if the payment type selection button 722a, which indicates the selection of a credit card, is selected, then the member card read button 723 is pressed and the member card is scanned, the screen will transition to the card medium selection screen 820 shown in Figure 8(B).

[0086] When the payment type selection button 722a, which indicates the selection of credit card, is pressed on the payment type selection screen 720, the screen transitions to the payment screen 730 shown in Fig. 7(C). When the payment type selection buttons 722b and 722c are pressed on the payment type selection screen 720, the screen transitions to the corresponding payment screen (not shown).

[0087] FIG. 7(C) shows a payment screen 730. The payment screen 730 includes payment instructions 731 and a back button 724. The payment instructions 731 display instructions prompting the user to scan their credit card (other company's credit card). The back button 724 is a button that accepts returning to the previous screen, i.e., a button that accepts returning to the payment type selection screen 720 of FIG. 7(B). Once the settlement POS terminal device 20 has completed scanning the other company's credit card, the settlement POS terminal device 20 performs settlement using the scanned card information and issues a receipt. Note that if the result of inquiring with the credit card company server Sv about whether the credit card can be used shows that it cannot be used, the settlement POS terminal device 20 displays a message to that effect. In this case, the settlement POS terminal device 20 may accept a change to another payment type.

[0088] As shown in Figure 7, when a non-member transaction accepts payment by credit card, the screen does not transition to the card medium selection screen 820 (see Figures 8(B) and 9(B)) described below, but instead accepts payment by other company's credit card.

[0089] (Example of a screen when a company credit card is selected for a member transaction) Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the screen transition when a company credit card is selected for a member transaction. Figure 8(A) shows a payment type selection screen 810 displayed on the customer display unit 205 of the settlement POS terminal device 20. The payment type selection screen 810 includes a payment type selection guide 721, a payment type selection button 722, and a member information display image 811. The member information display image 811 shows member information, such as the member number and the number of points earned. When the payment type selection button 722a, which indicates the selection of a credit card, is pressed on the payment type selection screen 810, the screen transitions to the card medium selection screen 820 shown in Figure 8(B).

[0090] FIG. 8(B) shows a card medium selection screen 820. The card medium selection screen 820 includes a back button 724, a member information display image 811, a medium selection guide 821, medium selection buttons 822 (822a, 822b), and a point notification 823 (823a, 823b). The medium selection guide 821 displays guidance encouraging the user to press the medium selection button 822 corresponding to the card medium to be used. The medium selection button 822a is a button that accepts payment by the company's own credit card. The medium selection button 822b is a button that accepts payment by other company's credit card.

[0091] Point notification 823a indicates that member points will be awarded for payments made with the company's credit card. Point notification 823b indicates that member points will not be awarded for payments made with another company's credit card. When the medium selection button 822a, which indicates the payment method using the company's credit card, is pressed on the card medium selection screen 820, the screen transitions to payment screen 830 shown in FIG. 8(C). On the other hand, when the medium selection button 822b, which indicates the payment method using another company's credit card, is pressed on the card medium selection screen 820, the screen transitions to payment screen 930 shown in FIG. 9(C).

[0092] Figure 8(C) shows the payment screen 830 when making a payment with the company's credit card. The payment screen 830 includes payment instructions 731, a back button 724, and a member information display image 811. When making a payment with the company's credit card, the member information display image 811 is continuously displayed from Figure 8(A) to (C). Note that pressing the back button 724 on the payment screen 830 returns to the card medium selection screen 820 in Figure 8(B).

[0093] 8, when a credit card payment type is selected for a member transaction, the screen can transition to a card medium selection screen 820. Also, when a company credit card payment method is accepted on the card medium selection screen 820, the member information display image 811 continues to be displayed.

[0094] (Example of a screen when another company's credit card is selected for a member transaction) Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen transitions when a different company's credit card is selected for a member transaction. The payment type selection screen 810 shown in Figure 9(A) is the same as the payment type selection screen 810 shown in Figure 8(A). The card medium selection screen 820 shown in Figure 9(B) is the same as the card medium selection screen 820 shown in Figure 8(B). When the medium selection button 822b, which indicates the selection of a different company's credit card, is pressed on the card medium selection screen 820 in Figure 9(B), the screen transitions to the payment screen 930 shown in Figure 9(C).

[0095] Figure 9(C) shows a payment screen 930 (similar to payment screen 730 in Figure 7(C)) when making a payment with a credit card from another company. Payment screen 930 displays payment instructions 731, but does not display member information display image 811. In this way, when making a payment with a credit card from another company, member information display image 811 is not displayed.

[0096] Note that back button 724 may be displayed on payment screen 930 but not on payment screen 830 (FIG. 8(C)). That is, back button 724 may be displayed when making a payment with another company's credit card, and back button 724 may not be displayed when making a payment with one of the company's own credit cards.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, when a credit card payment type is selected for a member transaction, the screen can transition to a card medium selection screen 820 (FIG. 9(B)). Furthermore, when a payment method using a credit card from another company is accepted on the card medium selection screen 820, the screen transitions to a payment screen 930 (FIG. 9(C)), and the member information display image 811 is hidden. Note that the member information display image 811 may continue to be displayed on the payment screen 930 of FIG. 9(C) rather than being hidden. However, even in this case, points will not be awarded.

[0098] As described above, when the settlement POS terminal device 20 according to this embodiment accepts a credit card payment, it accepts either a company credit card or a third-party credit card and awards member points according to the accepted payment method. This allows members to be differentiated in the awarding of member points according to their payment method even when the same payment type is used and the degree of disadvantage to the store varies depending on the payment method. Therefore, according to this embodiment, each member can be differentiated and benefits can be awarded appropriately.

[0099] Furthermore, the settlement POS terminal device 20 according to this embodiment notifies the customer of the member points corresponding to the company's credit card and the member points corresponding to the other company's credit card when accepting a payment method (see point notification 823 in FIG. 8(B)). This encourages customers to pay with the company's credit card. In other words, it encourages customers to pay with a payment method that is less disadvantageous to the store.

[0100] Furthermore, the checkout POS terminal device 20 according to this embodiment awards member points when a payment method using the company's credit card is accepted in a member transaction, but does not award member points when a payment method using another company's credit card is accepted. This means that even if the registration POS terminal device 20 acquires member information during product registration, if payment is made using another company's credit card at the checkout POS terminal device 20, member points will not be awarded to the customer. Therefore, even if the checkout POS terminal device 20 acquires member information at the start of checkout, it can differentiate between members and award appropriate benefits.

[0101] Furthermore, the settlement POS terminal device 20 according to this embodiment erases stored member information when a payment method using another company's credit card is accepted in a member transaction. This makes it possible to prevent member points from being awarded to the member when a payment method using another company's credit card is accepted.

[0102] Furthermore, the settlement POS terminal device 20 according to this embodiment continues to display member information when a payment method using the company's credit card is accepted in a member transaction (see member information display image 811 in FIG. 8(C)), but hides member information when a payment method using another company's credit card is accepted (see FIG. 9(C)). This makes it clear that member points will not be awarded when a payment method using another company's credit card is accepted.

[0103] Furthermore, in the settlement POS terminal device 20 according to this embodiment, when a credit card payment type is accepted for a non-member transaction, the settlement POS terminal device 20 does not accept payment methods such as the company's own credit card or other company's credit card, but instead processes the payment using the other company's credit card. This allows non-member customers to make payments using other company's credit cards without displaying the card medium selection screen 820 (see FIG. 8(B)). This allows non-member customers to settle their payments quickly.

[0104] (Modification of the embodiment) Modifications of the embodiment will be described below. Note that in the following modifications, the contents described in the above-described embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, it is possible to adopt a configuration that includes all of the configurations shown in the above-described embodiment and each modification, or a configuration that combines any of them.

[0105] (Variation 1) First, a first variation of the embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the checkout POS terminal device 20 acquires member information, and then accepts the selection of a credit card payment method (the company's credit card or another company's credit card). In the first variation, in addition to or instead of this configuration, a configuration will be described in which the checkout POS terminal device 20 acquires member information after accepting the selection of a credit card payment method.

[0106] In the first modification, settlement POS terminal device 20 includes a member information receiving unit instead of member information acquisition unit 405 (see FIG. 4) of the above-described embodiment. The member information receiving unit is realized by CPU 201.

[0107] In Variation 1, the customer removes their membership card when starting payment. The payment type acceptance unit 401 accepts the selection of the payment type when starting payment. If the payment type acceptance unit 401 accepts a credit card payment type, the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts one of multiple payment methods, including a payment method using the company's own credit card and a payment method using a credit card from another company. After the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method using the company's own credit card, the membership information acceptance unit accepts input of membership information from the membership card taken out by the customer. Note that if the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method using a credit card from another company, the membership information acceptance unit does not accept input of membership information.

[0108] When the member information receiving unit receives the member information, the payment processing unit 408 performs the payment process using the company's credit card. On the other hand, when the member information receiving unit does not receive the member information, the payment processing unit 408 does not perform the payment process using the company's credit card, but performs the payment process using the other company's credit card.

[0109] (Processing performed by settlement POS terminal device 20 according to modification 1) Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the checkout POS terminal device 20 according to Modification 1. In Fig. 10, the checkout POS terminal device 20 determines whether the checkout has started (step S1001). The checkout POS terminal device 20 waits until the checkout has started (step S1001: NO). When the checkout has started (step S1001: YES), the checkout POS terminal device 20 displays a payment type selection screen 1110 (see Fig. 11(A)) that accepts the selection of a payment type (step S1002).

[0110] The checkout POS terminal device 20 then determines whether or not a credit card has been selected on the payment type selection screen 1110 (step S1002). If a credit card has not been selected (step S1003: NO), that is, if electronic money or cash has been selected, the checkout POS terminal device 20 performs the checkout process according to the payment type accepted on the payment type selection screen 1110 (step S1004), and ends the series of processes. In this case, since no member information has been entered, no member points are awarded.

[0111] On the other hand, if a credit card is selected on the payment type selection screen 1110 in step S1003 (step S1003: YES), the checkout POS terminal device 20 displays a card medium selection screen 1120 (see FIG. 11(B)) that accepts selection between a payment method using the company's own credit card and a payment method using a different company's credit card (step S1005). The checkout POS terminal device 20 then determines whether the company's own credit card has been selected on the card medium selection screen 1120 (step S1006). If the company's own credit card has not been selected (step S1006: NO), that is, if a different company's credit card has been selected, the checkout POS terminal device 20 proceeds to step S1004 and performs the checkout process using the different company's credit card.

[0112] If a company credit card is selected on the card medium selection screen 1120 (step S1006: YES), the checkout POS terminal device 20 displays a membership card selection screen 1130 (see FIG. 11(C)) that accepts the presence or absence of a membership card (step S1007). On the membership card selection screen 1130, the checkout POS terminal device 20 determines whether "has a membership card" has been selected (step S1008).

[0113] If "Has membership card" is not selected (step S1008: NO), that is, if "No membership card" is selected, the settlement POS terminal device 20 displays the payment screen 930 (see FIG. 9(C)) that does not display membership information (step S1009).The settlement POS terminal device 20 then performs the settlement process using the other company's credit card (step S1010), and the series of processes ends.

[0114] If "Membership card present" is selected in step S1008 (step S1008: YES), the checkout POS terminal device 20 causes the customer to scan the membership card using the customer-side scanner unit 206 (step S1011). As a result, the checkout POS terminal device 20 acquires the membership information. Note that if the member information cannot be acquired in step S1011 or if the scanning of the membership card is canceled, the checkout POS terminal device 20 proceeds to step S1009. In other words, in this case, member points will not be awarded.

[0115] Then, the settlement POS terminal device 20 displays the payment screen 830 (see FIG. 8(C)) showing the member information (step S1012). Next, the settlement POS terminal device 20 performs the settlement process using the company's credit card (step S1013), and the series of processes ends.

[0116] (Example of a screen displayed on the settlement POS terminal device 20 according to the first modification) FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the settlement POS terminal device 20 according to Variation 1. FIG. 11(A) shows a payment type selection screen 1110 displayed on the customer display unit 205. The payment type selection screen 1110 includes a payment type selection guide 721 and a payment type selection button 722. Note that the payment type selection screen 1110 does not display the member information display image 811 because no member information has been acquired. When the payment type selection button 722a, which indicates the selection of a credit card, is pressed on the payment type selection screen 1110, the screen transitions to a card medium selection screen 1120 shown in FIG. 11(B).

[0117] FIG. 11(B) shows a card medium selection screen 1120. The card medium selection screen 1120 includes a medium selection guide 821, a medium selection button 822, and a point notification 823. Note that, since no member information has been acquired on the card medium selection screen 1120, the member information display image 811 is not displayed. When the medium selection button 822a, which indicates the selection of a company's credit card, is pressed on the card medium selection screen 1120, the screen transitions to a member card selection screen 1130 shown in FIG. 11(C). On the other hand, when the medium selection button 822b, which indicates the selection of a different company's credit card, is pressed on the card medium selection screen 1120, the screen transitions to the payment screen 730, shown in FIG. 7(C), for making a payment with a different company's credit card.

[0118] Figure 11(C) shows the member card selection screen 1130. The member card selection screen 1130 includes a member card selection guide 711, a possess button 712a, and a non-possess button 712b. When the possess button 712a is pressed and the member card is scanned, the screen transitions to the payment screen 830 shown in Figure 8(C) for making payment with the company's credit card. On the other hand, when the non-possess button 712b is pressed, the screen transitions to the payment screen 730 shown in Figure 7(C) for making payment with another company's credit card.

[0119] The settlement POS terminal device 20 according to the first modification accepts the payment method of the company's credit card, then accepts the input of member information and processes the payment using the company's credit card. As a result, when paying with the company's credit card, the presentation of the member card can be prompted and member information can be obtained. On the other hand, when a member pays with a credit card from another company, the payment can be settled with the credit card from the other company without obtaining member information, i.e., without prompting the presentation of the member card. Therefore, it is possible to quickly settle a member who settles using a credit card from another company. Furthermore, according to the first modification, it is possible to differentiate each member and appropriately grant benefits.

[0120] (Variation 2) Next, a second modification of the embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the specific payment type is a credit card. In the second modification, a configuration will be described in which the specific payment type is electronic money in addition to or instead of the above configuration.

[0121] In Variation 2, the first medium used in the first payment method is, for example, electronic money (hereinafter referred to as "company's electronic money") that can be used at the store or its affiliated stores. In other words, the first payment method is a payment method using the store's own electronic money. A payment method using the store's own electronic money requires a smaller fee to be paid by the store to the electronic money company, etc., compared to a payment method using another company's electronic money, which will be described later, and therefore is a payment method that is less disadvantageous to the store.

[0122] In addition, in Variation 2, the second medium used in the second payment method is electronic money other than the store's own electronic money (hereinafter referred to as "other company's electronic money"), such as a transportation IC card. In other words, the second payment method is a payment method using other company's electronic money. Compared to payment methods using the store's own electronic money, payment methods using other company's electronic money require higher fees to be paid by the store to the electronic money company, etc., and are therefore more disadvantageous to the store.

[0123] In a transaction in which the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method of the company's electronic money, the reward granting unit 403 grants a reward to the member who performs the transaction because the payment method is a payment method that is less disadvantageous to the store. On the other hand, in a transaction in which the payment method acceptance unit 402 accepts a payment method of another company's electronic money, the reward granting unit 403 does not grant a reward to the member who performs the transaction because the payment method is a payment method that is more disadvantageous to the store.

[0124] According to Modification 2, even if the payment type is electronic money, member points can be differentiated and awarded to members depending on whether the payment method is the company's own electronic money or another company's electronic money. Therefore, each member can be differentiated and benefits can be awarded appropriately.

[0125] (Variation 3) Next, a third modification of the embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, member points are awarded when payment is made with the company's credit card. In the third modification, a configuration will be described in which, in addition to or instead of this configuration, member points are awarded to members when payment is made with cash.

[0126] When a store pays cash, there is no disadvantage for the store because the store does not have to pay fees to credit card companies or electronic money companies. For this reason, in Variation 3, member points are awarded to members when they pay by cash, in addition to when they pay by their own credit card. Also, because there is no disadvantage for the store when they pay by cash, the number of member points awarded may be increased compared to when they pay by their own credit card. In other words, when they pay by cash, the most beneficial benefits for customers may be awarded compared to when they pay by their own credit card.

[0127] According to the third modification, it is possible to differentiate between members and provide benefits appropriately.

[0128] (Variation 4) Next, a fourth modification of the embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, an example of operation of the registration POS terminal device 20 and the settlement POS terminal device 20 has been described. In the fourth modification, a case where the POS terminal device 20 is operated in a different manner in addition to or instead of the above configuration will be described.

[0129] (About operation in full self-service mode) In the fourth modification, the POS terminal 20 operates, for example, in full self-service mode. When operating in full self-service mode, the customer takes out their wallet to pay after registering the product, so member information can be acquired at the start of payment. Therefore, the POS terminal 20 displays the member card selection screen 710 (see FIG. 7(A)) at the start of payment and acquires member information according to the customer's selection.

[0130] In addition, in the fourth modification, as shown in the first modification, the POS terminal device 20 may display the member card selection screen 1130 (see FIG. 11(C)) when payment is accepted with the company's credit card. In this case, the member information may be acquired when "I have a member card" is selected. In the POS terminal device 20 in the full self-service mode, the timing for acquiring the member information is not limited to the start of payment, but may also be when product registration begins or during product registration.

[0131] (Regarding operations when registering products via mobile devices) Some stores have introduced a shopping system in which products are registered on a mobile terminal and payment is made at the payment POS terminal device 20. In such a shopping system, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to award member points when payment is made with the company's credit card.

[0132] The mobile terminal has a specific application installed for shopping on the mobile terminal. If the user has completed membership registration in the application, the settlement POS terminal device 20 can obtain membership information from the mobile terminal without the user having to present a membership card. In other words, in this case, it is possible to prevent the member card selection screen 710 (see FIG. 7(A)) from being displayed.

[0133] According to the fourth modification, in a POS terminal device 20 that operates in a full self-service mode or in a shopping system in which products are registered using a mobile terminal, it is possible to differentiate between members and appropriately grant benefits.

[0134] The embodiments will be summarized below. [Name of invention] Payment device and program [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a settlement device and a program. [Background technology] In recent years, in order to increase the frequency of customer visits to stores, various stores have been offering services that grant benefits such as points to members. For example, a customer is given a membership card (point card), and is encouraged to present the membership card when making a transaction. Points are awarded to the membership card, and the awarded points can be used for transactions. As a related technique, a point-giving service system has been disclosed that allows points to be given using a computer at home or other means other than the store's register, even if the customer forgets their membership card when making a purchase (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-110328 A [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, with conventional technology, even if the payment type is the same, the degree of disadvantage to the store may vary depending on the payment method, and even in such cases, it was not possible to differentiate between members and grant them benefits. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a technique that can appropriately grant benefits to each member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0135] (1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a settlement device characterized by comprising: a payment type acceptance means for accepting one of a plurality of payment types related to payment of a price from a display means; a payment method acceptance means for accepting one of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method using a first medium and a second payment method using a second medium different from the first medium when the payment type acceptance means accepts a specific payment type; and a benefit granting means for granting a benefit to a member according to the one payment method accepted by the payment method acceptance means. According to the above configuration, even if the same payment type is used, if the degree of disadvantage to the store varies depending on the payment method, member points can be differentiated and awarded to members according to the payment method. Therefore, according to this embodiment, each member can be differentiated and benefits can be awarded appropriately.

[0136] In addition, in the above configuration (1), the payment method accepting means may be provided with a notification means for notifying the user of the benefit corresponding to the first payment method and the benefit corresponding to the second payment method when accepting the payment method. According to the above configuration, it is possible to encourage customers to pay with their own company credit card, i.e., to encourage customers to pay with a payment method that is less disadvantageous to the store.

[0137] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, a determination means may be provided for determining whether member information has been acquired in the transaction, and the benefit granting means may grant the benefit when the payment method accepting means accepts the first payment method in a member transaction for which the determination means has determined that member information has been acquired, and may not grant the benefit when the payment method accepting means accepts the second payment method. According to the above configuration, even if the registration POS terminal device 20 acquires member information at the product registration stage, it is possible not to award member points to the customer if payment is made with a credit card of another company at the checkout POS terminal device 20. Therefore, even if the checkout POS terminal device 20 acquires member information at the start of checkout, it is possible to differentiate between members and award benefits appropriately.

[0138] (3) In the configuration of (2) above, an erasure means may be provided for erasing the member information when the payment method acceptance means accepts the second payment method in the member transaction. According to the above configuration, if a payment method using a credit card from another company is accepted, member points can be prevented from being awarded to the customer.

[0139] (4) In the configuration of (2) or (3) above, the display means may be capable of displaying the member information, and if the payment method acceptance means accepts the first payment method in the member transaction, the display means may continue to display the member information, and if the payment method acceptance means accepts the second payment method in the member transaction, the display means may hide the member information. According to the above configuration, it is possible to clearly indicate that member points will not be awarded when a payment method using a credit card from another company is accepted.

[0140] (5) In any of the configurations (2) to (4) above, in the member transaction, if the payment type acceptance means accepts the specific payment type, one of the plurality of payment methods may be accepted, and on the other hand, in the non-member transaction in which the member information has not been acquired, if the payment type acceptance means accepts the specific payment type, one of the plurality of payment methods may not be accepted, and the second payment method may be accepted. According to the above configuration, non-member customers can make payments with other companies' credit cards without displaying the card medium selection screen 820 (see FIG. 8(B)). Therefore, non-member customers can settle their bills quickly.

[0141] In addition, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the system may be configured to include a member information receiving means that receives input of member information of the member after the payment method receiving means receives the first payment method, and a payment processing means that performs payment processing using the first payment method when the member information receiving means receives the member information. According to the above configuration, when paying with a company's credit card, the presentation of a membership card can be prompted and member information can be obtained. On the other hand, when a member pays with a credit card from another company, the payment can be settled with the credit card from another company without obtaining member information, i.e., without prompting the presentation of the membership card. Therefore, it is possible to quickly settle a member who settles a payment using a credit card from another company. Furthermore, according to variant 1, it is possible to differentiate each member and appropriately grant benefits.

[0142] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a bonus awarding method, characterized in that a computer used in a settlement device executes the following steps: a payment type acceptance step in which a computer accepts one of a plurality of payment types related to payment of a price from a display means; a payment method acceptance step in which, if a specific payment type is accepted in the payment type acceptance step, a payment method acceptance step in which a payment method is accepted from a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method using a first medium and a second payment method using a second medium different from the first medium; and a bonus awarding step in which a bonus is awarded to a member according to the one payment method accepted in the payment method acceptance step.

[0143] (6) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer used in a settlement device to function as a payment type accepting means that accepts one of a plurality of payment types related to payment of a price from a display means, a payment method accepting means that, when the payment type accepting means accepts a specific payment type, accepts one of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method using a first medium and a second payment method using a second medium different from the first medium, and a benefit granting means that grants a benefit to a member according to the one payment method accepted by the payment method accepting means.

[0144] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a system that includes a registration device that registers products and a settlement device that settles the products registered by the registration device, wherein the settlement device is characterized in that it is equipped with a payment type acceptance means that accepts one of a plurality of payment types related to payment of a price from a display means, a payment method acceptance means that, when the payment type acceptance means accepts a specific payment type, accepts one of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method using a first medium and a second payment method using a second medium different from the first medium, and a benefit granting means that grants a benefit to a member according to the one payment method accepted by the payment method acceptance means. According to the configuration of (6) above, even if the same payment type is used, if the degree of disadvantage to the store varies depending on the payment method, member points can be differentiated and awarded to members according to the payment method. Therefore, according to this embodiment, each member can be differentiated and benefits can be awarded appropriately.

[0145] Note that all or part of the functions (input / output, storage, processing (including judgment, etc.)) of the POS terminal device 20 described above may be realized by a device other than the device described as the entity that executes the function.

[0146] For example, the store controller 10 or a cloud server (not shown) may perform control of accepting payment methods and control of providing benefits instead of the POS terminal device 20. Specifically, for example, another device may perform the process (see FIG. 6) performed by the POS terminal device 20 instead of the POS terminal device 20.

[0147] In the above description, the POS terminal 20 includes the payment type acceptance unit 401, the payment method acceptance unit 402, the benefit granting unit 403, the notification unit 404, the member information acquisition unit 405, the deletion unit 406, the determination unit 407, and the payment processing unit 408. However, some or all of these functional units may be included in other computers. For example, some or all of these functional units may be included in the store controller 10, the cloud server, or other computers. Furthermore, the number of computers including these functional units is not limited to multiple computers, and may be one computer. For example, all of these functional units may be included in a single computer.

[0148] In relation to the above, the POS terminal 20 may function as a so-called thin client specialized in the input / output interface for control of accepting payment methods and control of providing benefits. In other words, the POS terminal 20 may accept various inputs (operation by an operator, detection by a device such as a scanner), transmit the input information (operation information, scan information, etc.) to a cloud server, receive the processing results of the cloud server based on the input information (updated screen information, device control information, etc.), and perform various outputs (display on a display unit, control of a device).

[0149] The programs for implementing the POS system 1, POS terminal device 20, and shopping system described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and loaded into a computer system for execution. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that acts as a server or client when the program is transmitted over a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The program may also be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage medium to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. The term "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium capable of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may also be used to implement part of the functions described above. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] Sv...card company server, 1...POS system, 10...store controller, 11...transaction status management device, 20...POS terminal device, 201...CPU, 202...ROM, 203...RAM, 204...hard disk, 205...customer side display unit, 206...customer side scanner unit, 208...card payment unit, 209...change dispenser, 210...store clerk side display unit, 211...key operation unit, 212...store clerk side scanner unit, 213...printing unit, 214...audio output unit, 215...communication unit, 216...camera, 401...payment type reception unit, 402...payment method reception unit, 403...benefit granting unit, 404...notification unit, 405...member information acquisition unit, 406...erasing unit, 407...determination unit, 408...payment processing unit, 410...storage unit

Claims

1. a payment type accepting means for accepting one of a plurality of payment types relating to payment from the display means; a payment method receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method using a medium of the company's own brand and a second payment method using a medium of a different company's brand from the medium of the company's own brand when the payment method receiving means receives a specific payment method; a determination means for determining whether member information has been acquired in the transaction; a benefit granting means for granting a benefit to a member according to one of the payment methods accepted by the payment method accepting means; an erasing means for erasing the member information; Equipped with the first payment method is a payment method that is less disadvantageous to the store than the second payment method, the benefit granting means grants the benefit when the payment method receiving means receives the first payment method in a member transaction for which it has been determined by the determination means that the member information has been acquired, and does not grant the benefit when the payment method receiving means receives the second payment method; the erasing means erases the member information when the payment method accepting means accepts the second payment method in the member transaction; A settlement device characterized by:

2. The display means is capable of displaying the member information, If the payment method acceptance means accepts the first payment method in the member transaction, the display of the member information is continued; When the payment method acceptance means accepts the second payment method in the member transaction, the member information is hidden. The settlement device according to claim 1 .

3. In the member transaction, when the payment type acceptance means accepts the specific payment type, one of the plurality of payment methods is accepted; On the other hand, in a non-member transaction in which the member information is not acquired, when the payment type acceptance means accepts the specific payment type, one of the plurality of payment methods is not accepted, and the second payment method is accepted.

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

4. A computer used in the settlement device, a payment type accepting means for accepting one of a plurality of payment types relating to payment from the display means; a payment method receiving means for receiving one of a plurality of payment methods including a first payment method using a medium of the company's own brand and a second payment method using a medium of a brand of another company different from the medium of the company's own brand when the payment method receiving means receives a specific payment method; a determination means for determining whether member information has been acquired in the transaction; a benefit granting means for granting a benefit to a member according to one of the payment methods accepted by the payment method accepting means; an erasing means for erasing the member information; It functions as the first payment method is a payment method that is less disadvantageous to the store than the second payment method, the benefit granting means grants the benefit when the payment method receiving means receives the first payment method in a member transaction for which it has been determined by the determination means that the member information has been acquired, and does not grant the benefit when the payment method receiving means receives the second payment method; the erasing means erases the member information when the payment method accepting means accepts the second payment method in the member transaction; A program characterized by:

Images