Store terminal device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience. [Solution] A store terminal device equipped with a display unit, wherein the display unit displays a code image used in a first electronic payment service when the store terminal device is in a first state, and displays an interface screen for accepting electronic payments by credit card, which is a second electronic payment service, when the store terminal device is in a second state of (1) or (2), wherein (1) is a state in which the store terminal device comprises a main body equipped with the display unit and a base on which the main body is placed, and the state in which the electrical connection between the main body and the base is released, and (2) is a state in which the release of the first state is detected by a sensor mounted on the main body that detects the position of the main body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a store terminal device, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electronic payment service using code information has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technology, there have been cases where the method of posting code information when various electronic payment services are used in a store has not been sufficiently studied. For this reason, the convenience for users (store or service users) may not be sufficiently high.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objects is to provide a store terminal device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve the convenience for users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a store terminal device equipped with a display unit, wherein the display unit displays a code image used in a first electronic payment service when the store terminal device is in a first state, and displays an interface screen for accepting electronic payments by credit card, which is a second electronic payment service, when the store terminal device is in a second state of (1) or (2), wherein (1) is a state in which the store terminal device comprises a main body equipped with the display unit and a base on which the main body is placed, and the electrical connection between the main body and the base is released, and (2) is a state in which the release of the first state is detected by a sensor mounted on the main body that detects the position of the main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a store terminal device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an example of a configuration for implementing an electronic payment service. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the configuration of payment server 100. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the contents of user information 172. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the contents of merchant / store information 176. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example of the configuration of the first store terminal device 50. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the first store terminal device 50. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the display and processing in the first state. [Figure 10]This diagram illustrates the display and processing in the second state. [Figure 11] This sequence diagram shows an example of the processing flow executed by the first store terminal device 50, the user terminal device 10, and the intermediary server 200. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates an example of the processing flow performed by the first store terminal device 50. [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the first store terminal device 50. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes embodiments of the store terminal device, information processing method, and program of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Various devices such as the "server" mentioned below, which provide services to users or perform internal analysis, may be implemented by a distributed group of devices, and the operators of each device may be different. Furthermore, the owner of the hardware of the devices (the provider of the cloud server) and the operator that actually operates them may also be different. The application program and the payment server work together to provide electronic payment services. In the following description, the application program will be referred to as the payment app. The electronic payment service is a service that supports payment for the purchase of goods and services at a store. A store is, for example, a physical store (real store) that exists in the real world, but may also include a virtual store for e-commerce. A virtual store may include one provided by an entity different from the operator of the electronic payment service. In that case, when settling a purchase at the virtual store, the user is controlled to transition to the interface screen of the electronic payment service. In the electronic payment service, a store is treated as belonging to, for example, a merchant (brand), and processing such as payment when a purchase is made at the store is mainly carried out between the user and the merchant. Alternatively, processing such as payment may be carried out between the user and the store.

[0010] [Electronic payment service] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic payment system that implements electronic payment services. The electronic payment service is implemented with a payment server 100 at its center. The electronic payment system that implements the electronic payment service includes, for example, one or more user terminal devices 10, one or more first store terminal devices 50, one or more second store terminal devices 70, a payment server 100, and an intermediary server 200. These devices communicate with each other, for example, via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless base station, provider equipment, etc.

[0011] Some or all of the functional components included in the electronic payment system may be distributed across multiple devices in any form, or integrated into any device. For example, some or all of the functional components of the payment server 100 may be included in other devices. The intermediary server 200 may be omitted. The payment server 100 and the intermediary server 200 may be integrated. The intermediary server 200 may have some or all of the functional components of the payment server 100.

[0012] [User terminal device] The user terminal device 10 is, for example, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet. The user terminal device 10 is a computer device having at least optical reading function, communication function, display function, input reception function, and program execution function. In the following description, the components for realizing these functions will be referred to as a camera, communication device, touch panel, CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. In the user terminal device 10, the payment application 20 is executed by a processor such as the CPU, and it operates in cooperation with the payment server 100 to provide electronic payment services to the user. The payment application 20 is installed on the user terminal device 10, for example, from an application store, and controls the camera, communication device, touch panel, etc.

[0013] [Store Terminal Device #1] The first store terminal device 50 is installed in a store, for example. The first store terminal device 50 is a computer device having at least a product price acquisition function, an optical reading function, a program execution function, and a communication function. The first store terminal device 50 includes a so-called POS (Point of Sale) device, and the product price acquisition function and the optical reading function may be realized by the POS device. The store code image 60 is placed in the store and is a code image (code information) such as a QR code (registered trademark) printed on a paper or plastic medium. Note that the store code image 60 may be displayed by a display placed in the store (which may be a display of a terminal device such as a smartphone). The first store terminal device (store terminal device) 50 or the second store terminal device (store terminal device) 70 described later may have the functional configurations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described later.

[0014] [Second store terminal device] The second store terminal device 70 is used by the operator of the franchise store. The second store terminal device 70 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. In the second store terminal device 70, the interface 72 for franchise stores operates. The interface 72 for franchise stores may be an application for franchise stores or a browser. The interface 72 for franchise stores accepts settings of coupons, etc. by the operator of the franchise store and transmits them to the settlement server 100. The second store terminal device 70 which is a smartphone has a function of displaying a code image corresponding to the store code image or reading the code image displayed by the user terminal device 10 by executing an application for franchise stores.

[0015] [Settlement server] The settlement server 100 realizes electronic settlement based on the settlement information received from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 may include a POS device and a franchise store server. In that case, the settlement information is transmitted from the POS device to the settlement server 100 via the franchise store server. In the following description, without particularly distinguishing this, it is assumed that the settlement information is transmitted from the first store terminal device 50.

[0016] Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams illustrating the general flow of electronic payments. There may be two patterns for electronic payments: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2. Details of Pattern 1, shown in Figure 2, will be discussed later.

[0017] In the case of Pattern 1 shown in Figure 2 (hereinafter referred to as user scan), the user terminal device 10 decodes the store code image 60 using its optical reading function (S1). The store code image 60 contains information about the store URL (Uniform Resource Locator). This store URL is an electronic payment service domain to which information that can identify the store has been added, and is associated with the merchant ID and store ID, etc., at the payment server 100 (described later). The payment application 20 sends first payment information, including the store URL and account ID, to the payment server 100 (S2). The payment server 100 searches for store information (described later) from the merchant ID and store ID corresponding to the store URL, obtains the merchant name and store name information (S3), and sends it to the payment application 20 (S4). The user enters the payment amount into the user terminal device 10 on the screen where the merchant name and store name are displayed (S5). The user terminal device 10 then generates second payment information, including at least the payment amount, and sends it to the payment server 100 (S6). The payment server 100 performs electronic payment based on the received second payment information (S7). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification (information for displaying the payment completion screen) to the payment application 20 (S8), and the payment application 20 displays the payment completion screen (S9). If the store code image 60 is displayed on a display in the store or on the display unit of the first store terminal device 50, the store code image 60 may include payment amount information as well as the store URL. In this case, the procedure for the user to enter the payment amount is omitted, and the payment amount information is included in the first payment information and sent to the payment server 100. Merchant name and store name information may be included and displayed on the payment completion screen.

[0018] In the case of Pattern 2 shown in Figure 3 (hereinafter referred to as Store Scan), when the payment app 20 is launched, when a payment operation is performed in the payment app 20, when it is time for an automatic update (for example, every minute), and at other times, the payment app 20 sends a request to the payment server 100 to issue a one-time code (S11). The payment server 100 generates a one-time code (S12) and sends it to the payment app 20 (S13). The payment app 20 displays a code image such as a QR code or barcode that was generated based on the one-time code (S14). The user holds the display surface of the user terminal device 10 over the first store terminal device 50 (presents it), and the first store terminal device 50 decodes the code image using its optical reading function and obtains the one-time code, etc. (S15). Then, the first store terminal device 50 generates payment information including the one-time code, payment amount, merchant ID, store ID, etc., and sends it to the payment server 100 (S16). The payment amount information is obtained in advance by barcode scanning or manual input. Based on the received information, the payment server 100 identifies the user corresponding to the one-time code and performs the electronic payment (S17). The payment server 100 then sends a payment completion notification to the payment app 20 (S18), and the payment app 20 displays a payment completion screen (S19).

[0019] Furthermore, electronic payment may be performed using only one of the above patterns. Also, the "account ID" explained in Figure 2 may be other information that can be used as user identification information (for example, a phone number). In addition, the issuance of a one-time code may be omitted during store scanning, and the payment app 20 may display a code image generated based on the user's account ID. In that case, the payment server 100 will identify the user corresponding to the account ID instead of identifying the user corresponding to the one-time code.

[0020] [Payment Server Functional Configuration] Figure 4 is a diagram of the configuration of the payment server 100. The payment server 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, a content provision unit 120, a payment processing unit 130, an information management unit 140, and a storage unit 170. Components other than the communication unit 110 and the storage unit 170 are realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and SOC (System On Chip), or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance on a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored on a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed on the storage device when the storage medium is inserted into the drive device.

[0021] The storage unit 170 can be an HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may also be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the payment server 100 can access via the network. The storage unit 170 stores information such as user information 172, content information 174, and merchant / store information 176. Some of this information may also be stored in the storage unit of the user terminal device 10.

[0022] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to a network NW. The communication unit 110 is, for example, a network interface card.

[0023] The content provider unit 120, for example, has the functionality of a web server and provides information (content) for displaying various screens of the electronic payment service to the user terminal device 10. The content provider unit 120 reads the necessary content from the content information 174 as appropriate and provides it to the user terminal device 10. The user terminal device 10 accepts various inputs from the user while the content is being played by the payment application 20 and transmits the aforementioned payment information to the payment server 100. The above content may also be generated by the payment application 20. In this case, the content provider unit 120 provides the payment application 20 with the information necessary for generating the content.

[0024] The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing based on payment information transmitted by the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50. The payment processing unit 130 performs payment processing while referring to the user information 172.

[0025] [User information] Figure 5 shows an example of the contents of User Information 172. User Information 172 is an example of user registration information. User Information 172 includes, for example, user URL, account ID, telephone number, password, as well as information such as email address, user ID, name, address, date of birth, registration date, charge balance, credit payment settings, credit payment limit, credit payment amount, available credit payment amount, payment method settings, bank account, credit card number, charge history information, and payment history information. The user URL is used for money transfer processing between users. When registering for a new electronic payment service, registration of a telephone number and password is mandatory. The account ID is issued to the user by the payment server 100, and the user ID is an ID that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). Similarly, the email address and name, address, and date of birth are also information that the user can set at will (or does not have to set). The registration date is the date the user registered for the electronic payment service (the date the account was created). Hereafter, the user instance (electronic payment account) to which this information is associated will be referred to as an account.

[0026] The charge balance is information indicating the balance of electronic money set by the user by sending money to their account in advance. Methods of sending money include sending from an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) of a designated provider (bank) and sending from a registered bank account. The credit payment setting indicates whether or not the user has completed the settings to enable electronic payments by credit card, and is set to either "Completed" or "Not Completed". The credit payment limit is the monthly limit for credit payments, the credit payment amount is the amount already used for credit payments in the current month, and the available credit payment amount is the amount available for credit payments in the current month, calculated by subtracting the credit payment amount from the credit payment limit. While the diagram shows only one credit payment limit, in reality there are also daily limits, and the lower of these may be set as the credit payment limit. Further details on credit payments will be described later. The payment method setting indicates whether the user will use electronic payment with the charge balance or payment by credit card at that time. The bank account and credit card number information, respectively, refers to the bank account or credit card number (account number, card number) to which funds can be deposited into the electronic payment service. The charge history information is a record of when the user has previously sent money to the electronic payment service to increase the charge balance. The payment history information shows the details of each payment made by the user (date and time, store ID of the store where the purchase was made, payment amount, payment method, etc.).

[0027] [Franchise / Store Information] Figure 6 shows an example of the contents of the merchant / store information 176. The merchant / store information 176 includes, for example, a first table 176A in which the merchant ID and store ID are associated with the store URL, a second table 176B in which the merchant name and sales amount (as described above) are associated with the merchant ID, and a third table 176C in which the store name is associated with the store ID. In addition to this information, the merchant / store information 176 may also include information such as the merchant or store category, the store's location, and payment patterns.

[0028] [Electronic payment] When the payment processing unit 130 obtains payment information from the user terminal device 10 or the first store terminal device 50, it refers to the user information 172 to obtain the user's "payment method setting". For users whose "payment method setting" is set to "charge balance", the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows: For example, the payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment by decreasing the charge balance, which is managed in association with the user ID, and increasing the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item. For example, the value of the merchant's sales proceeds item is not used as electronic money itself, but rather the amount corresponding to the value of the sales proceeds item is transferred to the bank account in a cycle according to the agreement between the merchant and the electronic payment service.

[0029] The payment processing unit 130 performs electronic payment as follows for users whose "settings information" is set to "credit payment". Credit payment is a payment method that is carried out in cooperation with a credit card company, which is a separate entity from the operator of the electronic payment service. The operator of the electronic payment service acts as the donor and allows electronic payment that does not depend on the charge balance within the credit payment limit. In order to use the credit payment service, it may be required to obtain a credit card provided by the operator of the electronic payment service. The amount used by credit payment is settled in a lump sum for the month on the payment date of the following month, for example, by withdrawal from a bank account. In this case, the payment processing unit 130 performs a provisional settlement by adding the settlement amount to the amount used by credit payment and subtracting the same amount from the available credit payment limit. When the closing date arrives, it processes the payment for the current month to be withdrawn on the payment date of the following month as described above, or requests the credit card company operator to perform the said process. If the settlement amount exceeds the available credit payment limit at the time of provisional settlement, an error notification is sent back to the payment application 20.

[0030] The Information Management Unit 140 acquires information provided by other server devices and terminal devices. Based on the information acquired from the user terminal device 10 and the second store terminal device 70, the Information Management Unit 140 manages user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176. The Information Management Unit 140 performs operations such as adding, editing, and deleting new records for user information 172 and affiliated store / store information 176.

[0031] The processing performed by the payment server 100 described above may also be performed by the intermediary server 200. For example, depending on the merchant's contract type, the first store terminal device 50 may perform electronic payments in cooperation with the intermediary server 200, or the first store terminal device 50 may perform electronic payments in cooperation with the payment server 100. When electronic payments are performed in cooperation with the intermediary server 200, the results of the electronic payment processing are provided from the intermediary server 200 to the payment server 100 at predetermined intervals and managed by the payment server 100.

[0032] [composition] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of the first store terminal device 50. In the following explanation, the direction opposite to the vertical direction will be referred to as the Z direction, the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the first store terminal device 50 will be referred to as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z and Y directions will be referred to as the X direction. Subsequent figures will also be explained based on these directions.

[0033] In Figure 7, it is assumed that the first store terminal device 50 is placed in a location facing the customer, such as a store counter. For example, the first store terminal device 50 is installed so that its negative X-direction side faces the customer. The customer is positioned in the negative X-direction and has their gaze directed in the positive X-direction. The store staff are positioned, for example, in the positive X-direction relative to the first store terminal device 50 and have their gaze directed in the negative X-direction.

[0034] The first store terminal device 50 comprises a base 51 and a main body 53. The main body 53 is placed in a predetermined position on the positive Z-direction surface of the base 51 (or inserted into a recess not shown), thereby stabilizing in an upright position in the Z-direction or at a predetermined angle in the X-direction. This state is referred to as the "first state." In the first state, the battery (not shown) of the main body 53 is charged by electrically connecting the power transmission unit (not shown) of the base 51 and the power receiving unit of the main body 53.

[0035] The base 51 has a predetermined height and stabilizes the main unit 53 when it is placed on it. The base 51 is connected to the power supply unit, for example, by a wire, and power is supplied from the power supply unit.

[0036] The main body 53 is, for example, a rectangle having a predetermined thickness. The main body 53 is a rectangle (or approximately rectangular) having a predetermined thickness, such as a smartphone. The shape of the main body 53 is not limited to a rectangle; it may be other shapes. A display unit 56 is provided on the first side surface of the rectangle of the main body 53 (the ZY plane in the negative X direction). The display unit 56 is a touch panel display. In Figure 7, the main body 53 is placed on a base 51, for example, with the display unit 56 facing in the negative X direction. A card insertion section 57 is provided on the XY plane (thickness portion) in the Z direction of the main body 53 placed on the base 51.

[0037] [Functional Configuration] Figure 8 shows an example of the functional configuration of the first store terminal device 50. The first store terminal device 50 includes, for example, a speaker S, a first communication unit 54, a second communication unit 55, a display unit 56, a card insertion unit 57, a control unit 58, and a storage unit 59.

[0038] Speaker S outputs sound based on the control of control unit 58. First communication unit 54 communicates with payment server 100, intermediary server 200, etc. via network NW. Second communication unit 55 performs communication using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. When a device (smartphone or media) equipped with a contactless IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is held over the first store terminal device 50, the second communication unit 55 communicates with the contactless IC chip to obtain information stored in the memory area of ​​the contactless IC chip or to provide information to the contactless IC chip.

[0039] The display unit 56 displays information corresponding to operations performed on the display unit 56, the status of the main unit 53, and the control of the control unit 58. For example, a credit card is inserted into the card insertion unit 57. The main unit 53 acquires information about the credit card inserted into the card insertion unit 57 and provides the acquired information to the payment server 100, the intermediary server 200, etc.

[0040] The control unit 58 is implemented, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be implemented by hardware (circuit parts) such as LSIs, ASICs, FPGAs, GPUs, or SOCs, or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as an HDD or flash memory (a storage device equipped with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored in a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed in the storage device when the storage medium is mounted in a drive device. The storage unit 59 is an HDD, flash memory, RAM, etc. The storage unit 59 may be a NAS device that the main unit 53 can access via a network. Control information CI is stored in the storage unit 59. Control information CI is an example of a "program" executed by the control unit 58 described above.

[0041] The control unit 58 controls the various functional configurations of the first store terminal device 50. For example, the control unit 58 controls the speaker S, the display unit 56, the first communication unit 54, the second communication unit 55, etc. The control unit 58 also executes various electronic payment methods, such as electronic payment using NFC and credit card payment.

[0042] [overview] The display unit 56 of the first store terminal device 50 displays a code image used in the first electronic payment service when the first store terminal device 50 (for example, the main unit 53) is in a first state, and displays an interface screen for accepting electronic payments by credit card, which is the second electronic payment service, when the first store terminal device 50 is in a second state. This interface screen accepts input of the payment amount, credit card PIN, and electronic signature.

[0043] The second state is a state in which the position of the first store terminal device 50 has been moved from the position of the first state. The first state is, for example, a state in which the main body 53 is placed on the base 51. The second state is a state in which the main body 53 is separated from the base 51. The first and second states are not limited to these, and may be any state that has been set in advance.

[0044] For example, in the first state, the main body 53 and the base 51 are electrically connected, and in the second state, the electrical connection is released. The control unit 58 detects this state and determines that the state has changed from the first state to the second state. The second state may be a state in which the unit has moved from the first state. For example, the main body 53 may be equipped with a sensor that detects changes in the position of the main body 53, such as an acceleration sensor, and the control unit 58 may detect the second state based on the detection result of the sensor.

[0045] [Display and processing in the first state] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the display and processing in the first state. (11) The main unit 53 is placed on the base 51 in the first state. In the first state, a code image is displayed on the display unit 56. The display unit 56 is oriented towards customers visiting the store. When a customer makes an electronic payment, they operate the user terminal device 10 to capture an image of the code. (12) The display unit of the user terminal device 10 displays store information and an interface screen for entering the amount of electronic payment, as shown in the figure. When the amount is entered on the interface screen and the electronic payment process is initiated, the user terminal device 10 and the payment server 100 (or intermediary server 200) communicate to perform the electronic payment. (13) Once the electronic payment is completed, the display unit of the user terminal device 10 will be notified that the electronic payment has been completed.

[0046] (14) As with (13) above, when the electronic payment is completed, the display unit 56 of the main unit 53 is notified of information indicating that the electronic payment has been completed, and the speaker S of the main unit 53 outputs an audio signal indicating that the electronic payment has been completed. In other words, in the first state, when the first store terminal device 50 obtains payment completion information from the intermediary server 200 or payment server 100 that performs the electronic payment for the first electronic payment service, it outputs an audio signal indicating that the electronic payment has been completed.

[0047] As described above, by placing the first store terminal device 50 so that customers can capture images of the code, customer convenience can be improved. Furthermore, since the first store terminal device 50 notifies the store of the completion of the electronic payment via voice and display, the store can easily recognize that the electronic payment has been completed, thereby improving the convenience of the store.

[0048] [Display and processing in the second state] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the display and processing in the second state. (21) The state in which the main unit 53 is removed from the base 51 is the second state. In the second state, the code image is not displayed on the display unit 56, and the interface screen for credit card payment is automatically displayed. For example, if a customer wishes to use credit card payment, the store staff removes the main unit 53 from the base 51. (22) After removing the main unit 53 from the base 51 by lifting it, for example, in the plus Z direction, the main unit 53 is rotated in the Y direction so that the display unit 56 faces the store staff (towards the minus X direction). The display unit 56 automatically displays the credit card payment interface screen in response to the main unit 53 changing to the second state. The store staff enters the amount on the interface screen and performs the predetermined operation (for example, the operation to confirm the amount).

[0049] (23) When the above-mentioned operations are performed, the display unit 56 displays an interface screen prompting the user to insert or touch a credit card. At this time, the store staff rotates the main unit 53 so that the display unit 56 is horizontal to the ground. This positions the card insertion section 57 in a direction that makes it easy for the customer to insert a credit card in the plus X direction.

[0050] Furthermore, in interface screen (22), the card insertion section 57 is positioned upwards so that store staff can read the letters and numbers, whereas in interface screen (23), the card insertion section 57 is positioned downwards so that customers can read the letters and numbers. For example, the amount displayed in interface screen (22) is reversed in an animated display by a predetermined operation by store staff (for example, the operation to confirm the amount) and displayed as in interface screen (23). In other words, the display unit 56 displays the payment amount in a second orientation, which is the payment amount reversed relative to the first orientation, after the payment amount has been entered in the first orientation. In the above process, the position of the card insertion section 57 is above the payment amount in the first orientation and below the payment amount in the second orientation.

[0051] (24) When a customer makes a credit card payment and the intermediary server 200 and the first store terminal device 50 cooperate to process the credit card payment, the display unit 56 displays information indicating that the credit card payment has been approved, and the speaker S outputs a similar sound. The orientation of the characters and numbers displayed at this time may be such that the card insertion unit 57 is at the bottom or at the top. (25) After the credit card payment is completed, when the store staff places the main unit 53 on the base 51 to enter the first state, the display unit 56 automatically displays a code image. The display unit 56 displays an interface screen for making electronic payments by credit card in accordance with the change from the first state to the second state, and after the electronic payment by credit card is made, it automatically displays the code image when it changes from the second state to the first state.

[0052] As described above, when a credit card payment is made, the interface screen automatically displays the credit card payment interface screen when the first store terminal device 50 is returned to the second state. Furthermore, store staff can provide information to customers to facilitate credit card payments and make it easier for customers to insert their credit cards without having to rotate the main unit 53. In addition, when the main unit 53 is returned from the second state to the first state, the code image is automatically displayed. These processes improve convenience for both the store and the customer.

[0053] [Sequence Diagram] Figure 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the first store terminal device 50, the user terminal device 10, and the intermediary server 200. Processing from S50 to S54 is an example of electronic payment being performed by an electronic payment service. Processing from S56 to S62 is a process in which credit card payment is performed.

[0054] First, the first store terminal device 50 displays a code image in the first state (S50). Next, the electronic payment is performed by the processes S1 to S9 in Figure 2 described above. When the intermediary server 200 performs the electronic payment, it provides payment completion information to the first store terminal device 50 (S52). The first store terminal device 50 outputs payment completion information in response to having received it (S54). For example, the first store terminal device 50 displays or outputs information indicating that the payment has been completed. The payment completion information is also provided to the user terminal device 10, and the user terminal device 10 also displays or outputs information indicating that the payment has been completed.

[0055] When a customer makes a credit card payment, the store staff removes the main unit 53 from the base 51 to put the first store terminal device 50 into the second state, and the control unit 58 transitions the main unit 53 from the first mode to the second mode. The first mode is the mode executed when the first store terminal device 50 is in the first state, and a code image is displayed on the display unit 56. The second mode is the mode in which the credit card payment interface screen is displayed. After the payment amount is entered on this interface screen and the prescribed operations are performed, the staff turns the card insertion section 57 of the main unit 53 towards the customer.

[0056] When a customer refers to the credit card payment interface screen and inserts a credit card into the card insertion slot 57 or touches the credit card to the display unit 56, the first store terminal device 50 requests the intermediary server 200 to process the payment (S58). The intermediary server 200 executes the payment process based on the credit card number, payment amount, and merchant information obtained from the first store terminal device 50 (S60). The first store terminal device 50 obtains the result of the payment process from the intermediary server 200 and outputs the payment result information via voice and display (S62).

[0057] As described above, electronic payments using electronic payment services or credit card payments can be easily made at the store.

[0058] [flowchart] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing flow performed by the first store terminal device 50. First, the control unit 58 determines whether or not it is in the first mode (S100). If it is in the first mode (first state), the control unit 58 displays a code image on the display unit 56 (S102). Next, the control unit 58 determines whether or not it has obtained payment completion information from the intermediary server 200 or the payment server 100 (S104). If payment completion information has not been obtained, the process in S106 is skipped. If payment completion information has been obtained, the control unit 58 outputs audio and images indicating that the payment has been completed (S106).

[0059] Next, the control unit 58 determines whether the first store terminal device 50 has changed to a predetermined state (S108). A change to a predetermined state means, for example, that the first store terminal device 50 has changed to a second state. A change to a predetermined state is not limited to the above, but may also mean that the position of the main unit 53 has been shifted from the position of the first state, that a predetermined operation (operation of a predetermined button) has been performed, or that the orientation of the main unit 53 has been changed (the display unit 56 has been turned toward the store staff).

[0060] When the first store terminal device 50 changes to a predetermined state, the control unit 58 transitions the mode from the first mode to the second mode (S110) and displays an interface screen for accepting credit card payments on the display unit 56 (S112). Next, the control unit 58 works in cooperation with the intermediary server 200 to execute the payment process in response to the operation on the interface screen (S114). Next, the control unit 58 displays information indicating the result of the payment process on the display unit 56 in response to receiving payment completion information from the intermediary server 200. This completes the processing of one routine in this flowchart.

[0061] As described above, the control unit 58 can improve convenience for customers and store staff by switching modes according to the state of the first store terminal device 50 to facilitate credit card payments.

[0062] In addition, the first store terminal device 50 may display advertisements on the display unit 56 in the first mode. For example, campaigns or special offers for electronic payment services may be displayed.

[0063] Furthermore, the first store terminal device 50 may be configured to allow the customer to select an electronic payment method in response to their operation. For example, in the first state (first mode), the display unit 56 may be provided with a button that displays a screen for performing electronic payment with another electronic payment service along with a code image, or an interface screen for performing electronic payment with another electronic payment service may be displayed by swiping. The display unit 56 may, for example, display a code image of another electronic payment service, or it may display an interface screen for performing electronic payment using NFC. For example, when a code image is displayed and the user holds an IC card or the like over the device, electronic payment using NFC may be performed.

[0064] <Example 1> In the example described above, the card insertion section 57 is provided on the positive Z side of the main body 53 in the first state. In the modified example, the card insertion section 57 is provided on the negative Z side (base 51 side) of the main body 53 in the first state.

[0065] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the first store terminal device 50. (31) In a modified example, the first state is not upright, but rather the display unit 56 (main body 53) is placed on the base 51 such that it is tilted in the plus X direction. (32) When a credit card payment is made, the store staff pulls the main unit 53 in the +X direction to enter the second state, and the first store terminal device 50 transitions to the second mode. (33) The store staff rotates the main body 53 so that the card insertion section 57 of the main body 53 on the base 51 side is positioned in the plus Z direction. At this time, an interface screen for credit card payment is displayed. On the interface screen, letters and numbers are displayed so that the direction of the card insertion section 57 is facing upwards. (34) When a store staff member enters the payment amount and performs a predetermined operation (for example, confirming the amount), and rotates the main unit 53 to make it horizontal so that the card insertion section 57 is facing the customer, an interface screen containing information prompting the customer to insert a card into the card insertion section 57 or touch the credit card to the main unit 53 is displayed on the display unit 56. At this time, the characters and numbers on the interface screen are displayed so that the direction opposite to the card insertion section 57 (plus X direction) is facing upwards.

[0066] In this modified version, the card insertion section 57 is located on the opposite side. This also improves user convenience.

[0067] Furthermore, the first store terminal device 50 is designed to accommodate any orientation of the card insertion section 57 when the main unit 53 is placed on the base 51, and this orientation may be selected by the store. For example, the store may set the orientation in which the main unit 53 is placed by operating the first store terminal device 50, thereby determining the orientation of characters and numbers on the interface screen according to that orientation. For example, if the mode is set so that the main unit 53 is placed with the card insertion section 57 on the base 51 side, the characters and numbers will be displayed with the card insertion section 57 rotated so that it is in the +Z direction, as explained in (33) of Figure 13, with the +Z direction being the top. As described above, the first store terminal device 50 can accommodate different placement and display methods for ease of use by the store.

[0068] <Modification 2> If the main unit 53 of the first store terminal device 50 is removed from the base 51 during a set time period (for example, outside of business hours), the first store terminal device 50 may notify the merchant interface 72 or other predetermined terminal devices that the main unit 53 has been removed, or it may restrict the use of the first store terminal device 50 during the above time period. This can deter unintended use by the merchant from a security standpoint.

[0069] According to the embodiments described above, the first store terminal device 50 can improve user convenience by displaying a code image used in the first electronic payment service on the display unit 56 when the first store terminal device 50 is in a first state, and by displaying an interface screen that accepts electronic payment by credit card, which is the second electronic payment service, when the first store terminal device 50 is in a second state where its position has been moved from the position in the first state.

[0070] Although embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10. User terminal device 20 Payment Apps 50. First store terminal device 51 Pedestal 53 Main unit 57 Card slot 58 Control Unit 100 Payment Servers 120 Content Provision Department 130 Payment Processing Unit 140 Information Management Department

Claims

1. A store terminal device equipped with a display unit, The aforementioned display unit is The store terminal device displays a code image used in the first electronic payment service in the first state. In the second state of (1) or (2), the store terminal device displays an interface screen that accepts electronic payment by credit card, which is a second electronic payment service, wherein (1) the store terminal device comprises a main body equipped with the display unit and a base on which the main body is placed, and the state in which the main body and the base are electrically disconnected is released, and (2) the state in which the release of the first state is detected by a sensor mounted on the main body that detects the position of the main body. The first state is a state in which the main body is placed on the base, or a state in which the main body and the base are electrically connected. Store terminal device.

2. The second state is a state in which the main body is separated from the base portion. The store terminal device according to claim 1.

3. The display unit automatically displays the interface screen for inputting the payment amount by credit card in response to a change from the first state to the second state. The store terminal device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The display unit, after the payment amount is entered in a first orientation, displays the payment amount in a second orientation, which is the payment amount inverted relative to the first orientation. The store terminal device according to claim 3.

5. The store terminal device includes an insertion section for inserting a credit card, The insertion portion is provided at a position above the settlement amount in the first orientation and below the settlement amount in the second orientation. The store terminal device according to claim 4.

6. The display unit displays the interface screen for performing electronic payment using the credit card in response to a change from the first state to the second state. After an electronic payment is made using the aforementioned credit card, if the state changes from the second state to the first state, the code image is automatically displayed. The store terminal device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. In the first state, when the store terminal device obtains payment completion information from the server device that performs the electronic payment for the first electronic payment service, indicating that the electronic payment for the first electronic payment service has been completed, it outputs an audio message indicating that the electronic payment has been completed. The store terminal device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The display unit automatically displays the interface screen for credit card payment in response to a change in state from a first state in which the main body is placed on the base to a second state in which the main body is separated from the base. The store terminal device according to claim 1.

9. The store terminal device, when the main unit is removed from the base during a set time period, notifies a designated terminal device that the main unit has been removed. The store terminal device according to claim 1.

10. The computer in the store terminal device, In the first state, the store terminal device displays a code image used in the first electronic payment service on the display unit of the store terminal device. In the second state of (1) or (2), the store terminal device displays an interface screen that accepts electronic payment by credit card, which is a second electronic payment service, wherein (1) the store terminal device comprises a main body equipped with the display unit and a base on which the main body is placed, and the state in which the main body and the base are electrically disconnected is released, and (2) the state in which the release of the first state is detected by a sensor mounted on the main body that detects the position of the main body. The first state is a state in which the main body is placed on the base, or a state in which the main body and the base are electrically connected. Information processing methods.

11. On the store terminal computer, The store terminal device performs a process to display a code image used in the first electronic payment service on the display unit of the store terminal device in the first state, The store terminal device is made to perform the process of displaying an interface screen that accepts electronic payment by credit card, which is the second electronic payment service, in the second state of (1) or (2), (1) The store terminal device comprises a main body equipped with the display unit and a base on which the main body is placed, and the state in which the main body and the base are electrically disconnected is (2) is a state in which the first state has been released, as detected by a sensor mounted on the main body that detects the position of the main body. The first state is a state in which the main body is placed on the base, or a state in which the main body and the base are electrically connected. program.

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