Registration and settlement device and program

Abstract

To improve operations associated with privileging and paying method selection.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a liquidation device that liquidates charges etc., and comprises display means which displays a plurality of settlement methods so that one of the settlement methods can be selected, and the display means displays information related to privileging when the settlement method selected out of the plurality of settlement method is a settlement method capable of imparting a privilege, and does not display the information related to privileging when a settlement method incapable of imparting a privilege is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Registration a settlement device and program and pertains to.

Background Art

[0002] Devices that accept operations for reading membership cards and selecting payment methods are known (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] However, the relationship between privilege granting by a membership card and the payment method has not been considered, and there is room for improvement in operations related to privilege granting and payment method selection.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for improving operations related to privilege granting and payment method selection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is a settlement device for settling a price, comprising display means for displaying any one of a plurality of payment methods in a selectable manner, wherein the display means displays information regarding privilege granting when the payment method selected from the plurality of payment methods is a payment method capable of granting a privilege, and does not display information regarding privilege granting when the payment method is not a payment method capable of granting a privilege.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram of the network used to explain sales system 1. [Figure 2] This is an example of a display related to the payment method selection and member card reading process. [Figure 3] This flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of the payment method selection and member card reading process. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device 50. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the registration device 51 and the settlement device 52. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device 53 (face-to-face mode). [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the payment device 54. [Figure 8] These are examples of screens for each device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a network illustrating sales system 1. Sales system 1 can be implemented in various stores (supermarkets, convenience stores, drugstores, home centers, consumer electronics stores, etc.). Sales system 1 shown in Figure 1 includes a server 10, a store controller 30 (e.g., a server), a transaction status management device 40 (e.g., a personal computer), a registration and settlement device 50, a registration device 51, a settlement device 52, a registration and settlement device 53, a settlement device 54, and a mobile terminal 70.

[0009] Each device within the store (store controller 30, transaction status management device 40, registration and settlement device 50, registration device 51, settlement device 52, registration and settlement device 53, settlement device 54) is connected via LAN 19 (either wired or wireless) to enable communication. The store controller 30 communicates with the server 10. Note that the number of devices (terminals) shown in Figure 1 is an example; there should be at least one of each device.

[0010] Sales System 1 allows for product registration using stationary devices (registration and settlement device 50, registration device 51, registration and settlement device 53, etc.) as well as product registration using portable devices (mobile terminal 70). Furthermore, under predetermined conditions, Sales System 1 awards points to customers (members) based on the purchase amount (total amount) using a membership card.

[0011] (Description of each device) Server 10 is located outside the store (for example, at the head office or a data center) and manages the entire sales system 1. Server 10 may consist of multiple servers. The points awarded to customers as described above may be managed by Server 10 or by an external server (a server that can communicate with devices within the sales system 1; not shown).

[0012] The store controller 30 is a device that controls the part of the sales system 1 that pertains to the store in question. The store controller 30 communicates with the server 10 and other devices within the LAN 19.

[0013] The transaction status management device 40 is used by store employees and is primarily used to manage each device within the LAN 19. For example, the transaction status management device 40 communicates with each device within the LAN 19 and monitors the processing status, operating status (operational status), etc., of each device within the LAN 19.

[0014] The registration and payment device 50 is a so-called fully self-service registration and payment device. The registration and payment device 50 is primarily used by customers. The registration and payment device 50 includes, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk (or SSD), scanner unit, display unit (touch display), member card reader unit, payment unit, printing unit, communication unit, imaging unit, and signpost. The registration and payment device 50 mainly performs the following based on customer operations (actions): for example, payment type selection and member card reading process (Figures 2 and 3), registration process, and settlement process (also referred to as payment process or accounting process).

[0015] The registration settlement device 50 can perform settlements using two or more types of settlement types (settlement methods, payment methods). For the sake of convenience of explanation, in this example, it is assumed that in addition to cash settlement, the registration settlement device 50 can perform credit card settlement, barcode settlement, and electronic money settlement as non-cash settlements. The same applies to the settlement device 52, the registration settlement device 53, and the settlement device 54.

[0016] The registration settlement device 50 may include a plurality of settlement units corresponding to the settlement types as a settlement unit. In this example, since the registration settlement device 50 can perform cash settlement, credit card settlement, barcode settlement, and electronic money settlement, the registration settlement device 50 includes a non-cash settlement unit (change dispenser) corresponding to non-cash settlement and a non-cash settlement unit corresponding to non-cash settlement (it may include a plurality of non-cash settlement units according to the types of non-cash settlement). The same applies to the settlement device 52, the registration settlement device 53, and the settlement device 54.

[0017] The registration device 51 and the settlement device 52 constitute a so-called semi-self registration settlement system. The registration device 51 is used by a store clerk. The registration device 51 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk (or SSD), a scanner unit, a store clerk side display unit (touch display), a customer side display unit (touch display), a printing unit, and a communication unit. The registration device 51 executes, for example, a registration process based on the operation of the store clerk. The registration device 51 transmits information (product registration data) on the product registered by the registration process based on the operation of the store clerk to other devices (for example, the settlement device 52, the registration settlement device 53 operating in the dedicated settlement mode) (transmits via or without passing through the store controller 30).

[0018] The settlement device 52 is mainly used by customers. The settlement device 52 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk (or SSD), a scanner unit, a membership card reader unit, a display unit (touch display), a settlement unit, a printing unit, a communication unit, an imaging unit, and a signature pole. The settlement device 52 receives product registration data transmitted by other devices (for example, the registration device 51, the registration settlement device 53 operating in the registration-only mode). The registration device 51 executes, for example, a settlement type selection membership card reading process and a settlement process based on the operations of the store clerk.

[0019] The registration settlement device 53 is a registration settlement device having a plurality of operation modes (described later). The registration device 51 is used by the store clerk or the customer according to the operation mode (it may be used by both the store clerk and the customer at the same time). The registration settlement device 53 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk (or SSD), a store clerk side scanner unit, a customer side scanner unit, a store clerk side display unit (touch display), a customer side display unit (touch display), an operation unit (hard button unit), a membership card reader unit, a settlement unit, a printing unit, a communication unit, an imaging unit, and a signature pole. Although not shown in the figure, the registration settlement device 53 can be operated from both sides of the main body housing (one side is referred to as the store clerk side and the other side is referred to as the customer side). On the store clerk side, a store clerk side scanner unit, a store clerk side display unit, and an operation unit are provided. On the customer side, a customer side scanner unit, a customer side display unit, a membership card reader unit, and a settlement unit are provided. The printing unit is provided so that the orientation of the issuing port of the printed matter (receipt, etc.) can be changed (rotated freely) (either facing the store clerk side or the customer side). The imaging unit is provided so that the customer side (for example, the customer's face, near the settlement unit) can be imaged.

[0020] The registration settlement device 53 has, as operation modes, a full self-service mode, a face-to-face mode, a registration-only mode, and a settlement-only mode. The registration settlement device 53 switches the operation mode by an explicit operation by the store clerk (for example, operating a predetermined button of the operation unit), or without an explicit operation (for example, receiving product registration data, elapse of a predetermined time, etc.).

[0021] Full self-service mode is an operating mode in which the registration and payment device 50 operates as a fully self-service registration and payment device. When the operating mode is full self-service mode, the registration and payment device 53 performs, for example, payment type selection, member card reading process, registration process, and payment process based on customer operations (operations of the customer-side scanner unit, customer-side display unit, member card reader unit, and payment unit provided on the customer side).

[0022] The face-to-face mode is an operating mode in which a store clerk and a customer interact face-to-face. When the operating mode is face-to-face mode, the registration and settlement device 53 performs, for example, a registration process based on the clerk's operation (operation of the clerk-side scanner unit, clerk-side display unit, etc., located on the clerk's side), and performs, for example, a payment type selection and member card reading process, and a settlement process based on the customer's operation (operation of the customer-side display unit, member card reader unit, settlement unit, etc., located on the customer's side).

[0023] When the operating mode is face-to-face mode, the registration and settlement device 53 can accept operations related to registration processing by the store clerk (such as scanning products with the clerk's scanner) while also accepting operations related to payment type selection and membership card reading by the customer. In other words, the registration and settlement device 53 operating in face-to-face mode can perform registration processing by the store clerk and payment type selection and membership card reading by the customer in parallel (can be processed as a multitasker).

[0024] The registration-only mode is an operating mode in which the registration device 51 (a registration device in a semi-self-service registration and payment system) operates. When the operating mode is registration-only mode, the registration and payment device 53 performs a registration process based on the operation of a store employee (operation of the employee-side scanner unit, employee-side display unit, etc., provided on the employee's side), and transmits the product registration data to other devices (for example, the registration and payment device 53 and payment device 52 operating in payment-only mode) (transmitting via or without the store controller 30).

[0025] The payment-only mode is an operating mode in which the payment device 52 (a payment device in a semi-self-service registration and payment system) operates. When the operating mode is payment-only mode, the registration and payment device 53 receives product registration data transmitted by other devices (for example, the registration and payment device 53 and registration device 51 operating in the registration-only mode) and, based on customer operations (operations of the customer-side display unit, member card reader unit, payment unit, etc. provided on the customer side), executes, for example, payment type selection and member card reading process, and payment process.

[0026] The payment device 54 is a payment device for the mobile terminal 70. The payment device 54 is mainly used by customers. The payment device 54 includes, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk (or SSD), scanner unit, membership card reader unit, display unit (touch display), payment unit, printing unit, communication unit, imaging unit, and signpost. The payment device 54 receives product registration data registered using the mobile terminal 70 (details will be described later, but it is received from the cloud server 10B). Based on the store clerk's operation, the payment device 54 performs, for example, payment type selection, membership card reading process, and payment process.

[0027] The mobile terminal 70 is a terminal used by customers to register products at the product display area. In addition to communication functions and imaging functions (camera), the mobile terminal 70 is equipped with recognition functions that recognize various codes (barcodes, 2D codes, etc.). For example, the mobile terminal 70 recognizes barcodes attached to products. For example, the mobile terminal 70 may extract feature points in the captured image (image acquired as a through image (live view)) captured by the imaging function and recognize objects (various codes). The mobile terminal 70 may be owned by the individual customer (or corporation) or may be lent by the store.

[0028] (Processing by mobile terminal 70, cloud server 10B, and payment device 54) The general processing of the mobile terminal 70, cloud server 10B, and settlement device 54 will be explained. Although it was explained that server 10 may consist of multiple servers, the multiple servers that make up server 10 may include a headquarters server 10A that mainly communicates with the store controller 30 and a cloud server 10B that supports product registration by the mobile terminal 70. The cloud server 10B has a transaction information file (also called a cart file) that stores registration information from each mobile terminal 70.

[0029] When the mobile terminal 70 reads the barcode attached to a product, it sends the barcode information to the cloud server 10B. Upon receiving the barcode information from the mobile terminal 70, the cloud server 10B identifies the product by referring to the product master. The cloud server 10B adds the product information (product name, price, etc.) of the product to the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 and sends the product information to the mobile terminal 70. Based on the customer's operation (button operation indicating completion of product registration), the mobile terminal 70 displays a 2D code for payment (a 2D code that encodes information that can identify the cart file of the mobile terminal 70. For example, a 2D code that encodes a URI that can identify the location of the cart file of the mobile terminal 70 on the cloud server 10B). The customer has the payment device 54 read the 2D code for payment displayed by the mobile terminal 70. In other words, the payment device 54 reads the 2D code for payment displayed by the mobile terminal 70. The payment device 54, having read the 2D code for payment, performs the payment type selection member card reading process and the payment process (the operation of the payment device 54 will be explained again using Figure 7).

[0030] Regarding the points, it was explained that they may be managed by server 10 or by an external server, but server 10 may also have a point management server 10C that manages the points as one of the multiple servers that make up server 10.

[0031] (Conditions for point accrual) Sales System 1 explains that, under certain conditions, points will be awarded to customers based on their purchase amount using a membership card. The specified condition is whether or not the payment is made using a specific payment method. Specifically, points will be awarded based on the purchase amount if the payment is made with cash or credit card, but no points will be awarded if the payment is made with barcode payment or electronic money.

[0032] (Payment method selection, member card reading process) The registration and settlement device 50, settlement device 52, registration and settlement device 53, and settlement device 54 perform a payment type selection member card reading process. The payment type selection member card reading process includes a payment type selection process (payment type selection acceptance process) and a member card reading process. The payment type selection process is a process that accepts the selection of one payment type from among several payment types (cash payment, credit card payment, barcode payment, electronic money payment). The member card reading process is a process that accepts the operation to read the member card or to indicate that the member card is not possessed.

[0033] The registered payment devices 50, etc. (registered payment device 50, payment device 52, registered payment device 53, payment device 54) may or may not perform a member card reading process after the payment type selection process. Specifically, the registered payment devices 50, etc. will perform a member card reading process if cash payment or credit card payment is selected in the payment type selection process, but will not perform a member card reading process if barcode payment or electronic money payment is selected in the payment type selection process.

[0034] Figure 2 shows an example of the display related to the payment type selection member card reading process. Figure 2(A) is the payment type selection screen displayed on the display unit during the payment type selection member card reading process (payment type selection process). Note that the payment type selection screen displayed by each device differs slightly (see Figures 8(A) to 8(C)), but Figure 2(A) shows the characteristics of the payment type selection screen displayed by each device.

[0035] The payment type selection screen shown in Figure 2(A) displays a cash button BT21 for cash payments and a credit button BT22 for credit card payments as payment types eligible for point accrual with a membership card, while a barcode payment button BT23 for barcode payments and an electronic money button BT24 for electronic money payments are displayed as payment types not eligible for point accrual with a membership card.

[0036] Figure 2(B) shows the member card reading screen displayed on the display unit during the payment type selection member card reading process (member card reading process). The member card reading screen shown in Figure 2(B) is displayed when a payment type eligible for point accrual is selected on the payment type selection screen (when the cash button BT21 or credit button BT22 is operated). The member card reading screen shown in Figure 2(B) displays a reading guidance image GA40 (an image that guides the insertion of the member card into the member card reader; it may be an animation) to guide the reading of the member card, and a no-member card button BT41 that accepts an operation indicating that the user does not have a member.

[0037] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the payment type selection and member card reading process. Each process (steps S11 to S18) in the flowchart shown in Figure 3 is executed by the registration and settlement device 50, settlement device 52, registration and settlement device 53, and settlement device 54, but this explanation assumes that the registration and settlement device 50 is executing them. Steps S11 to S13 belong to the payment type selection process, and steps S15 to S18 belong to the member card reading process.

[0038] Step S11: The registration and settlement device 50 displays the payment type selection screen. Then, the process proceeds to step S12. Step S12: The registration and settlement device 50 determines whether a payment type has been selected. The registration and settlement device 50 determines that a payment type has been selected if any of the cash button BT21, credit button BT22, barcode payment button BT23, or electronic money button BT24 is operated. If a payment type has been selected (Step S12: YES), proceed to Step S13. If no payment type has been selected (Step S12: NO), return to Step S12 (repeat Step S12). Step S13: The registration and settlement device 50 stores the selected payment type in its storage unit (RAM, hard disk, etc.). Then, the process proceeds to step S14. Step S14: The registration and settlement device 50 determines whether the selected payment type is eligible for point accrual (cash payment or credit card payment). If it is an eligible payment type for point accrual (Step S14: YES), proceed to Step S15. If it is not an eligible payment type for point accrual (Step S14: NO), this flowchart (payment type selection and member card reading process) ends.

[0039] Step S15: The registration and settlement device 50 displays the member card reading screen. Then, proceed to step S16. Step S16: The registration and settlement device 50 determines whether or not an operation without a membership card (no card button BT41) has occurred. If an operation without a membership card has occurred (Step S16: YES), this flowchart (payment type selection and membership card reading process) ends. If no operation without a membership card has occurred (Step S16: NO), proceed to step S17. Step S17: The registration and settlement device 50 determines whether or not it has read the member card. If it has read the member card (Step S17: YES), proceed to Step S18. If it has not read the member card (Step S17: NO), return to Step S16. Step S18: The registration and settlement device 50 stores the information (member identification information, etc.) from the read member card in its memory unit. This flowchart then concludes.

[0040] The payment type selection member card reading process shown in Figure 3 (processes S11 to S18) is executed as the process of step S10 in each device (registration and settlement device 50, settlement device 52, registration and settlement device 53, and settlement device 54) (Figures 4 to 7).

[0041] (Number of points awarded) Both cash payments and credit card payments are eligible for point accrual. However, the criteria for calculating the number of points awarded may be the same for both cash and credit card payments, or they may be different. In the following explanation, we will assume that the criteria for calculating the number of points awarded are different for cash and credit card payments. Specifically, for cash payments, 1 point will be awarded for every 100 yen of the total amount, and for credit card payments, 1 point will be awarded for every 200 yen of the total amount.

[0042] (Processing of each device, etc.) Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device 50. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration device 51 and the settlement device 52. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device 53 (face-to-face mode). Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the settlement device 54. Figure 8 shows example screens for each device.

[0043] (Operation of the registration and settlement device 50, etc.) The flowchart shown in Figure 4 indicates that the process starts, for example, when the customer presses the start button on the standby screen (not shown) displayed by the registration and payment device 50 while it is in standby mode (waiting for customers). Step S10: The registration and settlement device 50 performs a payment type selection and member card reading process (Figure 3) based on the customer's operation. The process then proceeds to step S100.

[0044] Step S100: The registration and settlement device 50 displays the product registration screen (not shown). The process then proceeds to step S101. Step S101: The registration and settlement device 50 registers the product based on the customer's operation. For example, the registration and settlement device 50 registers the product when the barcode attached to the product is scanned by the scanner unit. The process then proceeds to step S102. Step S102: The registration and settlement device 50 determines whether the customer has taken an action to proceed to settlement (accounting) after completing product registration (for example, by pressing the checkout button displayed on the product registration screen). If an action to proceed to settlement has been taken (Step S102: YES), the device proceeds to Step S107. If no action to proceed to settlement has been taken (Step S102: NO), the device returns to Step S101.

[0045] Step S107: The registered payment device 50 displays a payment screen (not shown) corresponding to the payment type selected in the payment type selection member card reading process (Figure 3) (the payment type stored in step S13 of Figure 3). For example, in the case of cash payment, the registered payment device 50 displays a payment screen that shows the total amount (payment amount) and guides the user to insert cash, and in the case of credit card payment, it displays a payment screen that shows the total amount and guides the user to read (insert, etc.) the credit card. The process then proceeds to step S108. Step S108: The registration and settlement device 50 performs settlement according to the selected payment type based on the customer's operation. For example, in the case of cash payment, the registration and settlement device 50 accepts the customer's insertion of money and performs settlement, and in the case of credit card payment, it accepts the customer's insertion of a credit card and performs settlement. The process then proceeds to step S109. Step S109: If the registration and settlement device 50 has read the member card (i.e., has stored the member card information in step S18 of Figure 3), it awards points according to the total amount. For example, the registration and settlement device 50 calculates the number of points to be awarded based on the total amount and sends the calculated number of points to be awarded to the server 10 (point server 10C) in association with the customer's member card information (member card information stored in the payment type selection member card reading process (Figure 3)). Alternatively, the registration and settlement device 50 may send the total amount to the server 10 (point server 10C) in association with the customer's member card information without calculating the number of points to be awarded. This flowchart then ends. If the member card has not been read, this flowchart ends without executing the process in step S109.

[0046] Figure 8(A) is an example of a payment type selection screen displayed on the display unit by the registration and settlement device 50 in step S10 (step S11 in Figure 3). As shown in Figure 8(A), the payment type selection screen displayed by the registration and settlement device 50 is provided with a roadmap display area HR10 that shows the processing steps and progress status of the transaction. In the roadmap display area HR10, the processing steps are shown as "Payment Selection (Selection of Payment Type)" → "Member Card (Reading Member Card, etc.)" → "Product Registration" → "Payment (Settlement)", and the progress status is shown as "Payment Selection" (highlighted). The dashed box for "Member Card" indicates that the execution / non-execution of reading the member card, etc. is undecided (that reading the member card, etc. may be omitted). Furthermore, the payment type selection screen displayed by the registered settlement device 50 shows the calculation criteria for the number of points awarded (1 point is awarded for every 100 yen of the total amount for cash payments, and 1 point is awarded for every 200 yen of the total amount for credit card payments (symbol a)).

[0047] (Operation of registration device 51 and settlement device 52, etc.) The left side of Figure 5 shows the operation of the registration device 51, and the right side of Figure 5 shows the operation of the settlement device 52. Step S201: The registration device 51 registers the product based on the store clerk's operation. The process then proceeds to step S202. Step S202: The registration device 51 determines whether or not an operation was performed by a store employee to send product registration data to the payment device 52 (for example, an operation by a store employee to specify the payment device 52 displayed on the product registration screen (not shown)). If an operation to send data was performed (Step S202: YES), the device proceeds to step S203. If no operation to send data was performed (Step S202: NO), the device returns to step S201. Step S203: The registration device 51 transmits the product registration data. This flowchart (processing on the registration device 51 side) then ends.

[0048] Step S301: The settlement device 52 receives the product registration data. The process then proceeds to step S10. Step S10: The settlement device 52 performs the payment type selection and member card reading process (Figure 3) based on the customer's operation. Next, it proceeds to step S307. Note that the processes in steps S307 to S309 performed by the settlement device 52 are the same as steps S107 to S109 performed by the registration settlement device 50, so the explanation is omitted.

[0049] Figure 8(B) is an example of the payment type selection screen displayed on the display unit by the settlement device 52 in step S10 (step S11 in Figure 3). As shown in Figure 8(B), the payment type selection screen displayed by the settlement device 52 is provided with a roadmap display area HR11. In the roadmap display area HR11, the processing steps are shown as "product registration" → "payment selection" → "member card" → "payment", and the progress status is shown as currently being "payment selection". The "Complete" next to "product registration" indicates that it has already been completed. The dashed box for "member card" indicates that the execution / non-execution of member card reading, etc., is undecided. The total amount (1250 yen) is also displayed on the payment type selection screen displayed by the settlement device 52 (symbol b). The number of points to be awarded is also displayed on the payment type selection screen displayed by the settlement device 52 (12 points will be awarded for cash payments, and 6 points will be awarded for credit card payments (symbol c)).

[0050] (Operation of the registration and settlement device 53 (face-to-face mode), etc.) As described above, the registration and settlement device 53 operating in face-to-face mode can perform both the registration process by the store clerk and the payment type selection and member card reading process by the customer in parallel. However, the start and end timings of both processes (registration process and payment type selection and member card reading process) depend on the operations of the operators (store clerk and customer) involved in each process. Therefore, in the registration and settlement device 53 operating in face-to-face mode, it is unpredictable which process will start first. Furthermore, the process that started later may finish before the process that started first finishes, or the process that started first may start after the process that started first has finished.

[0051] The start timing of the registration process and the payment type selection / member card reading process are not fixed, but for the sake of explanation, the flowchart shown in Figure 6 assumes that product registration has been performed first. In other words, the flowchart shown in Figure 6 is assumed to begin when product registration is initiated. Also, for the sake of convenience, step S10 in the flowchart shown in Figure 6 is divided into step S10A and step S10B, but they are the same process.

[0052] Step S400: The registration and payment device 53, operating in face-to-face mode (hereinafter simply referred to as the registration and payment device 53 in the flowchart of Figure 6), registers the product based on the store clerk's operation. For example, the registration and payment device 53 displays a product registration screen (not shown) on the store clerk's display unit and registers the product when the barcode attached to the product is scanned by the store clerk's scanner unit. The process then proceeds to step S10 (step S10A). Step S10 (Step S10A): The registration and settlement device 53 performs a payment type selection and member card reading process (Figure 3) based on the customer's operation. The process then proceeds to step S403. Step S403: The registration and settlement device 53 determines whether or not the store clerk has made an operation to proceed to settlement (checkout) after completing the registration of the goods. If an operation to proceed to settlement has been made (Step S403: YES), the device proceeds to Step S404. If an operation to proceed to settlement has not been made (Step S403: NO), the device returns to Step S400.

[0053] In this flowchart, steps S400 (registration process) and S10 (payment type selection member card reading process) are shown side by side (one above the other). However, since the registration and settlement device 53 can execute the registration process and the payment type selection member card reading process in parallel, for example, the process of step S10 (step S10A) may proceed in response to customer operations while step S400 is in progress, and the process of step S400 may proceed in response to store clerk operations while step S10 (step S10A) is in progress.

[0054] Step S404: The registration and settlement device 53 determines whether the payment type selection member card reading process has been completed. In other words, the registration and settlement device 53 determines whether the customer's payment type selection member card reading process has been completed at the time the store clerk completes product registration. If the payment type selection member card reading process has been completed (Step S404: YES), proceed to Step S407. If the payment type selection member card reading process has not been completed (Step S404: NO), proceed to Step S10 (Step S10B). Note that cases where the payment type selection member card reading process has not been completed include cases where the payment type selection member card reading process was started before product registration was completed but has not been completed, and cases where the payment type selection member card reading process was not started before product registration was completed.

[0055] Step S10 (Step S10B): The registration and settlement device 53 executes the payment type selection member card reading process (Figure 3) based on the customer's operation. In other words, if the registration and settlement device 53 starts the payment type selection member card reading process before the store clerk completes product registration, it executes the process from the middle to the end. If the payment type selection member card reading process is not started before the store clerk completes product registration, it executes the process from the beginning to the end. Next, the process proceeds to step S407.

[0056] The processing in steps S407 to S409 performed by the registration and settlement device 53 is the same as in steps S107 to S109 performed by the registration and settlement device 50, so the explanation is omitted.

[0057] Figure 8(C) is an example of a payment type selection screen displayed on the customer-side display unit by the registration and settlement device 53 operating in face-to-face mode in step S10A (step S11 in Figure 3, which is performed before the completion of product registration). As shown in Figure 8(C), the payment type selection screen displayed by the registration and settlement device 53 operating in face-to-face mode is provided with a roadmap display area HR12. In the roadmap display area HR12, "product registration" is shown as the processing step on the store clerk's side, and "payment selection" → "member card" → "payment" is shown as the processing steps on the customer's side, and the progress status is shown as currently being "product registration" and "payment selection". The dashed box for "member card" indicates that the execution / non-execution of member card reading, etc., is undecided. Note that the payment type selection screen in Figure 8(C) is the payment type selection screen in step S10A (before product registration is completed) (the payment type selection screen before the total amount is finalized), so it displays the basis for calculating the number of points awarded (symbol a). However, if it were the payment type selection screen in step S10B (after product registration is completed) (the payment type selection screen after the total amount is finalized), it would display the number of points awarded.

[0058] The payment type selection screen displayed on the customer-side display unit by the registered payment device 53 operating in full self-service mode is the same as the payment type selection screen displayed by the registered payment device 50 shown in Figure 8(A). Furthermore, the payment type selection screen displayed on the customer-side display unit by the registered payment device 53 operating in payment-only mode is the same as the payment type selection screen displayed by the payment device 52 shown in Figure 8(B).

[0059] (Operation of payment device 54, etc.) The flowchart shown in Figure 7 starts when the payment QR code displayed on the mobile terminal 70 is read. Step S10: The settlement device 54 performs the payment type selection and member card reading process (Figure 3) based on the customer's operation. Next, it proceeds to step S507. The processes in steps S507 to S509 performed by the settlement device 54 are the same as steps S107 to S109 performed by the registration settlement device 50, so the explanation is omitted.

[0060] The payment type selection screen displayed on the display unit by the settlement device 54 in step S10 (step S11 in Figure 3) is the same as the payment type selection screen displayed by the settlement device 52 shown in Figure 8(B).

[0061] As described above, the embodiments improve operations related to the granting of benefits and the selection of payment methods. For example, the registration and settlement device 50 (and similarly the settlement devices 52, 53, and 54) reads the membership card after the payment method is selected, thus eliminating unnecessary operations and preventing unnecessary confusion.

[0062] (Variations, etc.) The embodiments have been described above, but the configuration of the equipment, the data configuration, the processing flow, the display and output modes, etc., can be changed as appropriate, for example, as shown in (1) to (10) below. Furthermore, (1) to (10) below can be combined as appropriate.

[0063] (1) In the above embodiment, there are four types of operating modes for the registration and settlement device 53, but it is sufficient to have two or more types. For example, the registration and settlement device 53 may have two operating modes: a full self-service mode and a face-to-face mode.

[0064] (2) In the above embodiment, reading the membership card was described as inserting it into the membership card reader, but the method of reading the membership card is not limited to this. For example, a barcode or the like provided (printed, etc.) on the membership card may be read by scanning.

[0065] (3) In the above embodiment, there is one type of membership card, but there may be multiple types. If there are multiple types of membership cards, a membership card selection screen may be displayed to allow the customer to select the membership card to use, and then the membership card may be read, or the customer may be determined to use the membership card based on the reading result of the membership card.

[0066] Different membership cards may be associated with each payment method (the types of membership cards that can award points may differ depending on the payment method). For example, membership card A may be associated with cash payments, and membership card B with credit card payments (points may be awarded with membership card A for cash payments, and with membership card B for credit card payments). Furthermore, multiple types of membership cards may be associated with a single payment method. For example, membership cards A and B may be associated with cash payments, and membership cards B and C may be associated with credit card payments.

[0067] (4) In relation to (3) above, the payment type selection screen may display multiple types of membership cards corresponding to each payment type. In addition, the payment type selection screen may display information regarding points awarded (for example, the calculation criteria for the number of points awarded, the number of points awarded) for each combination of payment type and membership card.

[0068] (5) In the above embodiment, a membership card is used to award points, but it does not have to be a membership card as long as member identification information can be obtained. For example, member information (such as a code from which member identification information can be obtained) may be displayed on the display of an electronic device (smartphone, wearable device, etc.) and read by each device.

[0069] (6) In the above embodiment, the registration device 51 and the settlement device 52 were described as operating as operation A below, but they may also operate as any of operations B to E. [Action A] Registration device 51: Product registration → Transmission Payment device 52: Receive → Select payment type → (Read membership card, etc.) → Payment [Operation B] Registration device 51: Select payment type → Register product → Send (*) Payment device 52: Receipt (*) → (Reads membership card, etc.) → Payment *Sent and received information includes the selected payment method. [Operation C] Registration device 51: Select payment type → (Read membership card, etc.) → Register product → Send (*) Payment device 52: Receive (*) → Payment *The transmitted and received information includes the selection result of the payment type, and if reading is enabled, the member card reading information. [Operation D] Registration device 51: Product registration → Payment type selection → Send (*) Payment device 52: Receipt (*) → (Reads membership card, etc.) → Payment *Sent and received information includes the selected payment method. [Action E] Registration device 51: Product registration → Payment type selection → (Member card reading, etc.) → Transmission (*) Payment device 52: Receive (*) → Payment *The transmitted and received information includes the selection result of the payment type, and if reading is enabled, the member card reading information. As described above, in operations B to E, the registration device 51 performs the payment type selection process, and in operations C and E, the registration device 51 performs the member card reading process.

[0070] (7) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the payment type selection process is performed in the order of member card reading process, but the order may also be member card reading process → payment type selection process. For example, on a specific day (a day when products are sold to members at a member discount price regardless of the payment type, or a day when points are awarded to members regardless of the payment type), the order may be member card reading process → payment type selection process.

[0071] Figure 8(D) is an example of the member card reading screen when the member card reading process is executed in the order of member card reading process → payment type selection process. Specifically, Figure 8(D) is an example of the member card reading screen displayed by the registration and settlement device 50 (the same applies to the registration and settlement device 53 operating in full self mode). As shown in Figure 8(D), the roadmap display area HR30 shows the processing steps as "Member Card" → "Payment Selection" → "Product Registration" → "Payment", and the progress status indicates that it is currently "Member Card".

[0072] Furthermore, in the member card reading screen shown in Figure 8(D), it may be possible to display a message indicating that products will be sold at a member discount price regardless of the payment method (or that points will be awarded to members regardless of the payment method) and encourage the member card to be read. Since benefits will also be given to customers who normally use barcode payments or electronic money payments and do not read their member cards, it may be possible to actively encourage such customers to read their member cards.

[0073] (8) In the above embodiment, an example of awarding points as a benefit was described, but instead of awarding points, or in addition to that, a special price lower than the regular price may be applied to some or all of the products in the store as a benefit. For example, a special price (member price) may be applied when a membership card is read, or when payment is made using a specific payment method, or when a membership card is read and payment is made using a specific payment method.

[0074] (9) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a device that settles the price of registered goods by scanning a barcode, etc. (registration settlement device 50, registration device 51, settlement device 52, registration settlement device 53, settlement device 54) performs a payment type selection member card reading process (payment type selection process, member card reading process). However, any device that allows settlement by multiple payment types and awards points to the member according to the result of selecting the payment type does not have to be a device that settles the price of registered goods by scanning a barcode, etc. For example, it may be a ticket vending machine, a vending machine, etc.

[0075] (10) Some or all of the functions (input / output, storage, processing) of the registration and settlement device 50 in the above embodiment may be implemented in a device other than the device described as the entity that executes the function. For example, at least a part of the processing of the registration and settlement device 50 may be executed by the server 10. In connection with the above, the registration and settlement device 50 may function as a so-called thin client specialized in input / output interfaces including sensor inputs. The same applies to the registration device 51, settlement device 52, registration and settlement device 53, and settlement device 54.

[0076] <Summary of Embodiments> [Technical field] This invention relates to a payment processing device. [Background technology] Devices are known that accept operations such as reading membership cards and selecting payment methods (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-005265 [Overview of the prefecture] [Problems the invention aims to solve] However, the relationship between the granting of benefits through membership cards and the payment method has not been considered, and there is room for improvement in the operations related to granting benefits and selecting payment methods. This invention has been made in view of these circumstances and aims to provide a technology that improves the operations related to granting benefits and selecting payment methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0077] (1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a settlement device for settling payments (registration settlement device 50, registration device 51, settlement device 52, registration settlement device 53, settlement device 54), which includes a display means that allows the user to select any of a plurality of settlement methods (for example, by displaying a payment type selection screen), wherein the display means displays information regarding the granting of benefits (for example, by displaying a member card reading screen or a member card selection screen) if the settlement method selected from the plurality of settlement methods is a settlement method that can grant benefits, and does not display information regarding the granting of benefits if the settlement method is not a settlement method that can grant benefits. According to configuration (1), operations related to the granting of benefits and the selection of payment type (selection of payment method) are improved. For example, if a payment method that is not eligible for benefit grants is selected after the membership card has been scanned, the benefit will not be granted despite the membership card being scanned. However, with the above configuration, the membership card is scanned only when a payment method eligible for benefit grants is selected, so no unnecessary operations occur and no unnecessary confusion arises.

[0078] (2) The payment device according to (1), characterized in that, when the payment method selected from the plurality of payment methods is a payment method for which a benefit can be granted, the display means displays guidance information that guides the user on how to input the information necessary to grant the benefit that can be granted according to the selected payment method (for example, displaying a member card reading screen, and on the member card reading screen, displaying a reading guidance image that guides the user on how to read the member card). According to the configuration in (2), operations related to reward granting and payment type selection will be improved. For example, when a payment method eligible for reward granting is selected, the necessary operations for granting the reward (e.g., reading the membership card) will be specifically guided, making it less likely that users will become stressed because they don't understand the operations.

[0079] (3) The payment device according to (1) or (2), characterized in that the display means displays the quantity of benefits to be awarded (for example, the number of points to be awarded shown by symbol c in Figure 8(B)) when the total amount is determined when the payment method is displayed in a selectable manner, and displays the criteria for awarding benefits (for example, the criteria for calculating the number of points to be awarded shown by symbol a in Figure 8(A) or Figure 8(C)) when the total amount is not determined when the payment method is displayed in a selectable manner. According to the configuration in (3), operations related to reward granting and payment method selection will be improved. For example, when selecting a payment method, information that is helpful in selecting a payment method (number of points to be awarded, calculation criteria for the number of points to be awarded) will be displayed according to the situation (the number of points to be awarded will be displayed when the number of points to be awarded has been determined, and the calculation criteria for the number of points to be awarded will be displayed when the number of points to be awarded has not been determined), so that in any situation, users can select a payment method while being aware of the helpful information (number of points to be awarded, calculation criteria for the number of points to be awarded).

[0080] (4) The payment device according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the display means displays information regarding the granting of the benefit when the benefit can be granted regardless of the payment method (for example, on a specific day), before displaying the payment method for selection. According to the configuration in (4), for example, it is possible to give the impression that benefits will be granted regardless of the payment method. Also, since the acquisition of member information is not wasted, there are no problems even if the processing is done in this order.

[0081] Furthermore, the processing of each of the above-described devices (server 10, store controller 30, transaction status management device 40, registration and settlement device 50, registration device 51, settlement device 52, registration and settlement device 53, settlement device 54, etc.) may be performed by recording a program for realizing the functions of each device on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system, and executing it. Here, "loading the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Also, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Also, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the recording medium includes internal or external recording media that can be accessed from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in an executable format on the terminal device. In other words, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in an executable format on the terminal device, the format in which it is stored on the distribution server is irrelevant. Furthermore, the program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times and then combined on the terminal device, and each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" includes volatile memory (RAM) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when a program is transmitted over a network, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Moreover, the above program may be intended to implement only a part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system, such as so-called differential files (differential programs). [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...Sales system, 10...Server, 30...Store controller, 40...Transaction status management device, 50...Registration and settlement device, 51...Registration device, 52...Settlement device, 53...Registration and settlement device, 54...Settlement device, 70...Mobile terminal

Claims

1. A registration and settlement device for registering goods and settling the price of registered goods, A display means that allows users to select one of several payment methods. Equipped with, The aforementioned display means is When displaying the payment method selection options, it is possible to display information regarding the provision of benefits. When displaying the payment method selection options, if the total amount of the aforementioned payment has been determined, the quantity of benefits granted for the eligible payment method will be displayed as information regarding the granting of the aforementioned benefits. If the total amount of the aforementioned payment has not been determined when displaying the payment method selection options, the criteria for granting the aforementioned benefit will be displayed as information regarding the payment method to which the benefit can be granted. A registration and settlement device characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned display means is Regardless of whether the total amount of the aforementioned payment has been determined when displaying the payment method selection options, information regarding the granting of the aforementioned benefits will not be displayed for payment methods that are not eligible for the benefits. The registration and settlement device according to feature 1.

3. A program that causes a computer to function as a registration and settlement device for registering goods and settling the price of the registered goods, The aforementioned computer, A display means that allows users to select one of several payment methods. To make it function as, The aforementioned display means is When displaying the payment method selection options, it is possible to display information regarding the provision of benefits. When displaying the payment method selection options, if the total amount of the aforementioned payment has been determined, the quantity of benefits granted for the eligible payment method will be displayed as information regarding the granting of the aforementioned benefits. If the total amount of the aforementioned payment has not been determined when displaying the payment method selection options, the criteria for granting the aforementioned benefit will be displayed as information regarding the payment method to which the benefit can be granted. A program characterized by the following features.

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