Payment devices and program storage media

Abstract

The invention relates to a payment device that acquires identification information to identify a transaction with a transacting entity at the entrance of a passageway. The determiner determines whether the transaction identified by the identification information has been settled. The payment device operates in the first mode, in which an alert is given upon detection of a person passing through the passageway, from after the transacting entity with a settled transaction passes through the passageway until the transaction with the next transacting entity is determined to have been settled. The payment device operates in the second mode, in which no alert is given upon detection of a person passing through the passageway, until a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the transaction was determined to have been settled or until the transacting entity with a transaction that has been determined to have been settled passes through the passageway within a predetermined period of time.

Description

Payment device and program recording medium

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a payment device and a program recording medium.

[0002] In recent years, mobile payment systems have been developed that allow transaction subjects (customers, consumers, purchasers, etc.) to operate a mobile device to register purchased items and make payments, and these systems are already in practical use in supermarkets and other locations. By introducing mobile payment systems, stores can reduce congestion at checkout counters (registers). They can also reduce the number of cashiers, thereby reducing labor costs. However, because no store staff is involved in the payment process, there are concerns that fraudulent transactions may occur, where transaction subjects leave the store without making a payment. These issues are also common in stores that have introduced self-service payment devices that allow transaction subjects to register purchased items and make payments themselves at the checkout counter.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-012677

[0004] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a payment device that can prevent fraudulent behavior in which a transaction target leaves a store without making a payment.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a store system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data described in a transaction file. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a first POS terminal. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a gate mechanism. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of a processor of the first POS terminal. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor of the first POS terminal. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor of the first POS terminal. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor of the first POS terminal. FIG. 9 is an example of a no-entry image displayed on the touch panel and display. FIG. 10 is an example of a warning image displayed on the touch panel and display. FIG. 11 is an example of a store clerk call image displayed on the touch panel and display. FIG. 12 is an example of a passage permission image displayed on the touch panel and display. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the correspondence between the operation modes of the first POS terminal and information processing. Embodiment

[0006] In one embodiment, the payment device includes a payment unit, a receiving unit, an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a control unit. The payment unit settles a transaction with a transaction target upstream of a passage through which the transaction target passes. The receiving unit receives a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage. The acquisition unit acquires identification information identifying a transaction with a transaction target upstream of the passage. The determination unit determines whether a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit has been settled. The control unit controls operation in a first mode in which a notification is issued when the detector detects a person passing through the passage after a transaction target with which a transaction has been settled passes through the passage until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has been settled. The control unit controls operation in a second mode in which a notification is not issued even if the detector detects a person passing through the passage until a predetermined time has elapsed after it is determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a transaction target whose transaction has been determined to have been settled within the predetermined time passes through the passage.

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a payment device that can prevent a transaction target, such as a customer, consumer, or purchaser, from leaving a store without making a payment will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment illustrates a payment device that is applied to a store that has introduced a mobile payment system that allows a transaction target to register purchased items by themselves using a mobile terminal.

[0008] (Overview of Store System (POS System)) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a store system 100 established in a store that has introduced a mobile payment system 20. The store system 100 comprises a POS (Point Of Sales) system 10 and a mobile payment system 20.

[0009] The POS system 10 includes multiple POS terminals 11, a POS server 12, and an attendant terminal 13. The POS system 10 connects the multiple POS terminals 11, the POS server 12, and the attendant terminals 13 via a communications network 14. The communications network 14 is, for example, a local area network (LAN). Although only one attendant terminal 13 is shown in FIG. 1, the POS system 10 may also be configured with two or more attendant terminals 13 connected to the communications network 14.

[0010] The POS terminals 11 include a first POS terminal 11-1 that is associated one-to-one with the gate mechanism 40, and a second POS terminal 11-2 that is not associated with the gate mechanism 40. The gate mechanism 40 and the first POS terminal 11-1 will be described in detail later.

[0011] The second POS terminal 11-2 is a device for registering merchandise sold between a store (seller) and a transaction target (buyer) and for settling transactions for which merchandise has been registered. The second POS terminal 11-2 can be a well-known POS terminal also known as a merchandise registration device, accounting machine, or payment terminal. That is, the second POS terminal 11-2 may be a face-to-face type in which an employee handles everything from registering merchandise to settling the transaction, or a self-service type in which the transaction target handles everything from registering merchandise to settling the transaction. Alternatively, the second POS terminal 11-2 may be a shared type in which an employee registers merchandise and the transaction target settles the transaction.

[0012] The second POS terminal 11-2 may be a checkout machine dedicated to transaction processing. The second POS terminal 11-2 has the function of issuing a receipt for each transaction, recording transaction details such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, and payment data. A machine-readable barcode or two-dimensional code is printed on the receipt. The machine-readable code includes the transaction number recorded on the receipt. The machine-readable code is read, for example, by the fixed scanner 57 of the gate mechanism 40 (see FIG. 3). This machine-readable code may be displayed in the form of an electronic receipt on a mobile device held by the transaction recipient. In this case, the electronic receipt includes information recording transaction details such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, and payment data, just like a printed receipt. The electronic receipt displays the machine-readable barcode or two-dimensional code. Alternatively, a machine-readable barcode or two-dimensional code may be displayed readably on a mobile terminal held by the transaction target, without displaying information recording the transaction details.

[0013] The POS server 12 is a computer that provides services such as managing information such as store sales and inventory at the time of product sales by collecting and aggregating sales data for each product registered in each POS terminal 11 via the communication network 14.

[0014] The attendant terminal 13 is installed at an attendant counter where a store clerk known as an attendant is stationed. The attendant terminal 13 is equipped with a display device and is used by the attendant to monitor input contents and the like at each POS terminal 11. Specifically, the attendant terminal 13 displays information being processed by each POS terminal 11 in real time on the display device for each POS terminal 11. The information displayed on the display device includes information related to the products registered at the POS terminal 11, such as the product name, price, and quantity. The display device also displays information related to payment, such as the total amount of the transaction (payment amount) and the amount paid by payment method. The attendant terminal 13 may be a handheld terminal carried by the store clerk.

[0015] (Overview of the store system (mobile payment system)) The mobile payment system 20 includes multiple mobile terminals 21 and a mobile server 22. The mobile payment system 20 wirelessly connects the multiple mobile terminals 21 and the mobile server 22 via an access point 24 of a communication network 23.

[0016] The mobile terminal 21 is a portable information terminal equipped with input / output devices such as a touch panel and a camera, and a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with the access point 24. For example, the mobile terminal 21 can be a smartphone owned by the transaction target, a handheld terminal rented by a store, or a tablet terminal attached to a shopping cart. For example, a smartphone can become the mobile terminal 21 by installing application software, a so-called shopping app, that supports the transaction target's shopping at a store where the mobile payment system 20 has been introduced.

[0017] The mobile terminal 21 is operated by the transaction target who moves around the sales floor and collects products to purchase. Each time the transaction target acquires a product, the transaction target operates the mobile terminal 21 to input data related to the purchased product. For example, the transaction target inputs the product code of the purchased product by scanning the barcode of the purchased product with the camera of the mobile terminal 21. For example, the transaction target inputs the product code, purchase quantity, etc. of the purchased product by operating the touch panel of the mobile terminal 21. The data related to the purchased product input to the mobile terminal 21 is wirelessly transmitted and received by the mobile server 22 via the access point 24.

[0018] After completing their shopping, the transaction target performs an operation on the mobile terminal 21 to instruct the transaction to proceed with the transaction. By performing the operation to instruct the transaction, a machine-readable code for the transaction is displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 21. The machine-readable code is, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code. In this embodiment, the machine-readable code for the transaction is a barcode. The transaction target can make a payment at the POS terminal 11 by having the scanner of the POS terminal 11 read the barcode for the transaction. Payment at the POS terminal 11 may be cashless payment such as electronic money payment, credit card payment, or code payment, or may be payment with cash or a voucher such as a gift certificate.

[0019] Furthermore, if application software for cashless payment, a so-called payment app, is installed on the mobile terminal 21, payment can be made using the mobile terminal 21. Payment can be made using cashless methods such as electronic money, credit card, or code payment. When the transaction target operates the mobile terminal 21 for cashless payment, payment data is wirelessly transmitted from the mobile terminal 21. The payment data includes a payment type indicating the payment method and a payment amount. For example, when a consumer makes a cashless payment using electronic money, payment data including information on the payment type indicating the electronic money and the payment amount using electronic money is wirelessly transmitted. The wirelessly transmitted payment data is received by the mobile server 22 via the access point 24.

[0020] The mobile server 22 is a computer that supports transactions with transaction targets who register products for purchase using the mobile terminal 21. The mobile server 22 has a storage area for storing multiple transaction files 26. The transaction files 26 are data files that are created for each transaction using the mobile terminal 21.

[0021] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data described in the transaction file 26. As shown in the figure, the transaction file 26 describes the transaction number, transaction date and time, one or more product sales data, total data, payment data, settlement completion flag Fa, etc.

[0022] The transaction number is a unique number that is issued to individually identify a transaction using the mobile terminal 21. For example, the transaction number is a sequential number that increments by "1" each time a transaction using the mobile terminal 21 is initiated. The transaction number may also be a sequential number that increments by "1" each time a transaction using the mobile terminal 21 is instructed to be paid for. The transaction number may also be a unique number based on another algorithm. The payment barcode is data including the transaction number that is represented in the form of a barcode.

[0023] The transaction date and time is the date and time when the transaction was made. The time may be the time when the transaction was initiated or the time when the transaction was instructed to be paid for.

[0024] The product sales data is created based on data related to purchased products input into the mobile terminal 21. The product sales data includes the product code, price, number of items purchased, purchase amount, etc. of the purchased product. The product code is an identification code of the purchased product input into the mobile terminal 21. The price is a price obtained from a PLU (Price Look Up) file in which the price of each product is set in association with the product code of that product. The number of items purchased is the number of items purchased if the number of items purchased has been input into the mobile terminal 21, and is "1" if the number of items purchased has not been input. The purchase amount is an amount calculated by multiplying the price by the number of items purchased.

[0025] The total data consists of data on the total number of items and the total price. The total number of items is the total number of items purchased for the product sales data included in the transaction file 26. The total price is the total price of the product sales data included in the transaction file 26.

[0026] The payment data includes a payment type for identifying the payment method and the payment amount for that payment method. If the payment for the transaction identified by the transaction number is made using a mobile terminal 21, the payment data is stored based on data from the mobile terminal 21. If the payment for the transaction is made using a POS terminal 11, the payment data is stored based on data from the POS terminal 11.

[0027] The payment completion flag Fa is one-bit data for identifying whether or not the payment of the transaction managed in the transaction file 26 has been completed. In this embodiment, the payment completion flag Fa is set to "0" to indicate that the payment has not been completed, and the payment completion flag Fa is set to "1" to indicate that the payment has been completed. When the payment of the transaction identified by the transaction number is made using the mobile terminal 21, the payment completion flag Fa changes from "0" to "1." When the payment of the same transaction is made using the POS terminal 11, the payment completion flag Fa also changes from "0" to "1."

[0028] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1, the POS system 10 connects a communication server 31 to the communication network 14. The mobile payment system 20 connects a communication server 32 to the communication network 23. Both communication servers 31 and 32 provide data communication services via the inter-server network 30. This connection enables data to be transmitted and received between the POS terminals 11 and POS server 12 in the POS system 10 and the mobile terminals 21 and mobile server 22 in the mobile payment system 20. Transaction data processed by the mobile payment system 20 is imported into the POS system 10 through this data communication.

[0029] (Configuration of First POS Terminal) Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the first POS terminal 11-1. The first POS terminal 11-1 includes a processor 51, main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, clock 54, communication interface 55, touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, printer 58, scanner interface 59, card reader interface 60, change dispenser interface 61, gate mechanism interface 62, and system transmission path 63. The system transmission path 63 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The system transmission path 63 connects the processor 51 to the other components and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0030] The first POS terminal 11-1 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a clock 54, and a communication interface 55 via a system transmission path 63. Input / output devices such as a touch panel 56, a fixed scanner 57, and a printer 58, as well as device interfaces such as a scanner interface 59, a card reader interface 60, a change dispenser interface 61, and a gate mechanism interface 62, are connected to the system transmission path 63 and controlled by a computer, thereby realizing the functions of the first POS terminal 11-1. Note that the input / output devices or device interfaces connected to the system transmission path 63 are not limited to those described above. For example, other input / output devices such as a keyboard may be connected, or a cashless payment terminal interface may be connected.

[0031] The processor 51 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 51 controls each part to realize various functions of the first POS terminal 11-1 in accordance with an operating system or application program. The processor 51 may be a processing circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The processor 51 is not limited to being configured as a single processing circuit, but may also be configured as the processor 111 by combining multiple processing circuits. The processor 51 is preferably a multi-core processor that includes multiple processor cores and is capable of executing multiple processes in parallel.

[0032] The main memory 52 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 52 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 52 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 52 may store data required for the processor 51 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 52 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data can be rewritten by the processor 51 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0033] The auxiliary storage device 53 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 53. The auxiliary storage device 53 stores data used by the processor 51 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 51, etc. The auxiliary storage device 53 may also store the application programs.

[0034] The clock 54 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 51 processes the date and time kept by the clock 54 as the current date and time.

[0035] The communication interface 55 is an interface for performing data communication with the POS server 12, attendant terminal 13, etc. connected to the communication network 14.

[0036] The touch panel 56 includes a display that functions as a display device for the first POS terminal 11-1 and a touch sensor that functions as an input device. The touch panel 56 displays various information on the display for the transaction target or store clerk, who is the user of the first POS terminal 11-1. The touch panel 56 detects touch operations on the display screen with the touch sensor and accepts input according to the touch position.

[0037] The fixed scanner 57 is an input device that scans and reads machine-readable codes such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes. The fixed scanner 57 can read machine-readable codes displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 21, for example. The fixed scanner 57 can also read machine-readable codes printed on ID cards carried by store clerks. The ID cards carried by store clerks have a machine-readable code printed on them that indicates the clerk's unique identification code, or so-called employee code.

[0038] The printer 58 is a printing device for printing and issuing receipts. A receipt is a paper medium on which transaction details such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, and payment data are recorded.

[0039] The scanner interface 59 is an interface capable of performing data communication with a handheld scanner 71 (see FIG. 4). The handheld scanner 71 is a portable scanner and an input device that scans and reads machine-readable codes in the same manner as a fixed scanner.

[0040] The card reader interface 60 is an interface capable of performing data communication with a card reader. A card reader is an input device that reads data recorded on a card medium such as a credit card, an electronic money card, or a point card. The card reader may be an IC card reader that reads data from an IC card, or a magnetic card reader that reads data from a magnetic card. The IC card reader may be a contact type IC card reader or a contactless type IC card reader.

[0041] The change machine interface 61 is an interface capable of performing data communication with an automatic change machine that can receive deposits and dispense change.

[0042] The gate mechanism interface 62 is an interface capable of performing data communication with each of the devices included in the gate mechanism 40, such as the human sensor 41, the patrol lamp 42, the LED 43, the speaker 44, the display 45, and the like.

[0043] (Configuration of Gate Mechanism) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a gate mechanism 40 that is associated one-to-one with the first POS terminal 11-1. The gate mechanism 40 has a housing 400 that is roughly rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 400 is arranged along the passage PA along which the transaction target moves in the direction of the arrow shown. The passage PA has an entrance on the side where the transaction target moving in the direction of the arrow enters and an exit on the side where the transaction target exits. A transaction target who enters through the entrance can exit, for example, from within the store to outside the store by passing through the passage PA and exiting through the exit. Alternatively, the transaction target can move from one location within the store to another.

[0044] Of the four faces of the housing 400 extending upward from the four sides of the face that contacts the floor of the aisle PA, the face that is arranged along the aisle PA is called a side face 401, the face that faces the inside of the store is called a front face 402, and the face that faces the face that contacts the floor of the aisle PA is called a top face 403. The joint between the front face 402 and the top face 403 is called a folder 404 of the first POS terminal 11-1.

[0045] The folder 404 holds the printer 58, fixed scanner 57, and touch panel 56 of the first POS terminal 11-1. Specifically, the folder 404 holds the printer 58 so that the receipt issuing slot 581 faces the front 402. The folder 404 holds the fixed scanner 57 above the printer 58 so that the reading window 571 faces the front 402. The folder 404 holds the touch panel 56 above the fixed scanner 57 so that the screen 561 faces the front 402. This arrangement allows a transaction target standing in front of the gate mechanism 40 to easily receive a receipt issued from, for example, the issuing slot 581. The transaction target can also easily hold a machine-readable code displayed on the display of, for example, the mobile terminal 21 over the reading window 571 of the fixed scanner 57. The transaction target can also view and touch the image displayed on the touch panel 56.

[0046] A handheld scanner, a so-called handheld scanner 71, connected to a scanner interface 59 is attached to the side surface of the folder 404 opposite to the side surface 401. Although not shown, a card reader connected to a card reader interface 60, an automatic change machine connected to a change machine interface 61, and the like are also arranged near the housing 400. For example, the card reader may be arranged on the top surface 403 of the housing 400.

[0047] A patrol lamp 42 and a display 45 are attached to the top surface 403 of the housing 400. The patrol lamp 42 is provided at the top of a pole 421 attached to the top surface 403 on the side opposite the front surface 402 of the housing 400, i.e., the side closer to the back surface. A display 45 is disposed in front of the pole 421, with a screen 451 facing the front surface 402. The display 45 may be a display device with a screen smaller than that of the touch panel 56.

[0048] The motion sensor 41, LED 43, and speaker 44 are built into a housing 400. A slit 405 for the motion sensor 41 and a slit 406 for the LED 43 are formed in a side surface 401 of the housing 400 along the aisle PA. The motion sensor 41 is an infrared sensor that detects the movement or heat of a person passing through the position of the slit 405. The motion sensor 41 may also detect a person passing through the position of the slit 405 by a method other than infrared. The LED 43 lights up or goes out in a predetermined color and pattern so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide the transaction target to proceed along the aisle PA in the direction of the arrow.

[0049] In the following, in the passage PA, the entrance side where the transaction subject enters, i.e., the side where the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, etc. are provided, will be referred to as the upstream side, and the opposite exit side, i.e., the side where the display 45, patrol lamp 42, etc. are provided, will be referred to as the downstream side.

[0050] The first POS terminal 11-1, which is provided in the housing 400 in a one-to-one correspondence with the gate mechanism 40 having such a configuration, is an example of a payment device capable of settling a transaction with a transaction target upstream of the passage PA along which the transaction target advances in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The positional relationship of the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, printer 58, and other components of the first POS terminal 11-1 relative to the housing 400 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4 . Essentially, the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, printer 58, and other components may be positioned in a manner that is easy for the transaction target located upstream of the passage PA to operate. (Functional Description of the First POS Terminal) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor 51 of the first POS terminal 11-1. As shown in the figure, the processor 51 functions as a payment unit 511, a receiving unit 512, an acquisition unit 513, a determination unit 514, a control unit 515, a notification unit 516, and a display unit 517.

[0051] The settlement unit 511 has a function of settling a transaction with a transaction target upstream of the passage PA through which the transaction target passes. For example, when a machine-readable code for code settlement is read by the fixed scanner 57, the settlement unit 511 executes code settlement processing to pay the transaction price with the balance for code settlement. For example, when an electronic money card is read by a card reader, the settlement unit 511 executes electronic money settlement processing to pay the transaction price with electronic money. For example, when a credit card is read by a card reader, the settlement unit 511 executes credit card settlement processing to pay the transaction price with the balance of the account. For example, when cash is inserted into an automatic change dispenser, the settlement unit 511 executes cash settlement processing to pay the transaction price with the inserted amount. Since these settlement processes are all well-known processes, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0052] The receiving unit 512 has a function of receiving a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage PA. The detector is the human presence sensor 41. The human presence sensor 41 outputs an ON signal when it detects a person passing through the passage PA. The receiving unit 512 receives the ON signal output from the human presence sensor 41 via the gate mechanism interface 62.

[0053] The acquisition unit 513 has a function of acquiring identification information that identifies a transaction with a transaction target at the entrance to the passage PA. For example, a unique transaction number issued in a transaction with a transaction target serves as the identification information that identifies the transaction with that transaction target. The transaction number is displayed in the form of a machine-readable code on the display device of the mobile terminal 21. When a transaction is settled at the second POS terminal 11-2, a machine-readable code indicating the transaction number may be printed on a receipt issued from the second POS terminal 11-2. The acquisition unit 513 analyzes the machine-readable code read by the fixed scanner 57 to acquire the transaction number, that is, the identification information that identifies the transaction with the transaction target.

[0054] The determination unit 514 has a function of determining whether a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 513 has been settled. As explained using FIG. 2, when a transaction with a transaction partner is settled, the settlement completion flag Fa of the transaction file 26 containing the transaction number, which is the identification information of the transaction, becomes "1." The determination unit 514 checks the settlement completion flag Fa of the transaction file 26 containing the identification information, i.e., the transaction number, acquired by the acquisition unit 513. If the settlement completion flag Fa is "1," the determination unit 514 determines that the transaction has been settled. If the settlement completion flag Fa is "0," the determination unit 514 determines that the transaction has not been settled.

[0055] The control unit 515 has a function of controlling the operation of the first mode Ma and the operation of the second mode Mb. The first mode Ma is a mode in which a notification is issued when the motion sensor 41 detects a person passing through the aisle PA. The second mode Mb is a mode in which a notification is not issued even when the motion sensor 41 detects a person passing through the aisle PA. The control unit 515 controls the operation of the first mode Ma from when a transaction target with which a transaction has been settled passes through the aisle PA until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has been settled. The control unit 515 controls the operation of the second mode Mb in which a notification is not issued even when the motion sensor 41 detects a person passing through the aisle until a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a transaction target with which it has been determined that the transaction has been settled within the predetermined time, passes through the aisle.

[0056] During operation of the second mode Mb, the notification unit 516 has a function of notifying the transaction target, for whom the transaction has been determined to have been settled by the determination unit 514, of the remaining time of a predetermined period of time. For example, the notification unit 516 notifies the transaction target by displaying the remaining time on the screen 451 of the display 45 as needed.

[0057] The display unit 517 has a function of displaying a message that passage through the passage PA is blocked during operation in the first mode Ma, and displaying a message that encourages passage through the passage PA during operation in the second mode Mb. For example, during operation in the first mode Ma, the display unit 517 displays an image or text on the screen 451 of the display 45 that notifies the transaction partner that passage through the passage PA is blocked. During operation in the second mode Mb, the display unit 517 displays an image or text on the screen 451 of the display 45 that notifies the transaction partner that passage through the passage PA is permitted. The image or text that notifies the transaction partner that passage through the passage PA is blocked or permitted may be displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56.

[0058] The functions of the payment unit 511, receiving unit 512, acquiring unit 513, determining unit 514, control unit 515, notification unit 516, and display unit 517 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 51 in accordance with a predetermined program. Hereinafter, this program will be referred to as a payment device program. The payment device program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53. The method for installing the payment device program in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53 is not particularly limited. The payment device program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed via communication over a network and installed in the main memory 52 or the auxiliary storage device 53. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

[0059] (Explanation of Operation of First POS Terminal) FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor 51 of the first POS terminal 11-1 in accordance with the payment device program. FIGS. 9 to 12 are examples of images displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45 during this information processing. The main operations of the first POS terminal 11-1 will be explained below using these figures. The information processing procedures shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 8 are merely examples. The procedures can be modified as appropriate, provided that the same operational effects as those of this embodiment can be achieved. The images shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 are also merely examples. The content of the images can be modified as appropriate, provided that the same operational effects as those of this embodiment can be achieved.

[0060] When the payment device program is started, the processor 51 of the first POS terminal 11-1 starts information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowcharts of Figures 6 to 8. First, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 1 in Figure 6. In ACT 1, the processor 51 turns on the human presence sensor 41 by passing electricity through it. The turned-on human presence sensor 41 starts an operation to detect people passing through the passage PA, such as emitting infrared light.

[0061] After turning on the human presence sensor 41, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 2. In ACT 2, the processor 51 controls the display of a no-entry image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. As a result of this control, the no-entry image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45. That is, on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56, text is displayed instructing the transaction target person who has come to the entrance side of the aisle PA to scan the transaction barcode with the fixed scanner 57. Along with the text, for example, an illustration of a person holding a barcode over the fixed scanner 57 may be displayed. On the screen 451 of the display 45, text indicating that passage through the aisle PA is not permitted and an image of a flashing "x" mark are displayed.

[0062] Following these indications, most transaction targets will execute the payment process by scanning the transaction barcode with the fixed scanner 57 before entering the aisle PA. The transaction barcode is displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 21. Alternatively, for transaction targets who have completed payment at the second POS terminal 11-2, the transaction barcode may be printed on the receipt.

[0063] After controlling the display of the no-entry image, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 3. In ACT 3, the processor 51 sets the operating mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma. That is, the processor 51 sets the mode to a mode in which a report is issued when the motion sensor 41 detects a person passing through the aisle PA. Then, in ACT 4, the processor 51 checks whether the motion sensor 41 has detected a person passing through the aisle PA. If the signal from the motion sensor 41 is an off signal and no person has been detected, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 5. In ACT 5, the processor 51 checks whether a command to start a transaction has been issued. If the fixed scanner 57 scans the transaction barcode, the processor 51 determines that a command to start a transaction has been issued. If the transaction barcode has not been scanned, i.e., if a command to start a transaction has not been issued, the processor 51 returns to ACT 4. In this way, the processor 51, whose operation mode is set to the first mode Ma, waits in ACT 4 and ACT 5 until a person passing through the aisle PA is detected or until an instruction to start a transaction is given.

[0064] In the standby state of ACT 4 and ACT 5, if the signal from the human sensor 41 becomes an ON signal before an instruction to start a transaction is given, the processor 51 determines that a person passing through the aisle PA has been detected. The processor 51 proceeds to ACT 6. The processor 51 executes a notification process in ACT 6. The notification process is a process of sending a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 13. The notification process also controls the display of a warning image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. This control causes the warning image shown in FIG. 10 to be displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, the flashing "x" image on the screen 451 of the display 45 becomes lit. The screen 561 of the touch panel 56 displays text or an illustration indicating that the transaction is not completed. The notification process also emits an alarm sound from the speaker 44 and turns on the patrol lamp 42, for example, in red.

[0065] The attendant terminal 13, which receives the store clerk call signal, notifies the attendant that a call has been made. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant proceeds to the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit red and a warning sound is being emitted, and takes action against any unauthorized passage, etc. The attendant also has the handheld scanner 71 read the employee code printed in the form of a machine-readable code on the ID card. Once the employee code is read, the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 temporarily switches to employee mode. Switching to employee mode allows the first POS terminal 11-1 to cancel the reporting process, so the attendant can cancel the reporting process by operating, for example, the touch panel 56. Once the reporting process is canceled, the warning sound stops, the patrol lamp 42 is turned off, and the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 returns to first mode Ma.

[0066] After performing the notification process in ACT 6, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 7. The processor 51 waits for the notification process to be released in ACT 7. When the notification process is released, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 5. The processor 51 returns to the standby state of ACT 4 and ACT 5.

[0067] In the standby state of ACT 4 and ACT 5, when the fixed scanner 57 scans the transaction barcode, the processor 51 determines that an instruction to start a transaction has been issued. The processor 51 proceeds to ACT 8. In ACT 8, the processor 51 obtains a transaction number from the transaction barcode. As mentioned above, the transaction barcode may be displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 21 or may be printed on a receipt.

[0068] After acquiring the transaction number, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 9. In ACT 9, the processor 51 acquires the transaction file 26. That is, the processor 51 outputs a request command to the mobile server 22 requesting the transaction file 26. The request command includes the transaction number acquired in ACT 8. The mobile server 22 receives the request command, detects the transaction file 26 containing the transaction number included in the command, and transmits it to the first POS terminal 11-1 that sent the request command. In this way, the processor 51 can acquire the transaction file 26.

[0069] After acquiring the transaction file 26, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 10. In ACT 10, the processor 51 analyzes the transaction file 26 and checks the product sales data. The processor 51 checks whether product sales data for a product requiring a store clerk to be called is described. Products requiring a store clerk to be called include, for example, products that require age verification, such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Products requiring a store clerk to be called may also be products other than those that require age verification.

[0070] If the transaction file 26 does not contain product sales data for a product that requires a salesperson to be called, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 14. The processing of ACT 14 will be described later.

[0071] On the other hand, if the transaction file 26 contains product sales data for a product requiring a store clerk call, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 12. In ACT 12, the processor 51 executes a store clerk call process. Similar to the notification process, the store clerk call process is a process of sending a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 13. The store clerk call process also controls the display of a store clerk call image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. This control causes the store clerk call image shown in FIG. 11 to be displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, the flashing "x" image on the screen 451 of the display 45 becomes lit. The screen 561 of the touch panel 56 displays text, an illustration, or the like indicating that a store clerk is being called. The store clerk call process also emits an attention-attention sound from the speaker 44 and turns on the patrol lamp 42, for example, in green. The attention-attention sound may be the same as the alarm sound or may be different. For example, the alarm sound is a continuous "beep" sound, but the warning sound may be an intermittent "beep, beep" sound.

[0072] The attendant terminal 13, which receives the store clerk call signal, notifies the attendant that a call is being made. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant proceeds to the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit green and the attention-warning sound is being emitted, and performs procedures such as age verification. The attendant also has the handheld scanner 71 read the employee code printed in the form of a machine-readable code on the ID card. Once the employee code is read, the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 temporarily switches to employee mode. Switching to employee mode allows the first POS terminal 11-1 to cancel the store clerk call process, so the attendant can cancel the store clerk call process by operating, for example, the touch panel 56. Once the store clerk call process is canceled, the attention-warning sound stops, the patrol lamp 42 goes out, and the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 returns to first mode Ma.

[0073] After performing the store clerk call processing in ACT 12, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 13. The processor 51 waits for the store clerk call processing to be released in ACT 13. When the store clerk call processing is released, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 14.

[0074] In this way, if the analysis of the transaction file 26 determines that the transaction does not contain product sales data for a product requiring a store clerk call, or if the transaction does contain product sales data for a product requiring a store clerk call, a store clerk call process is executed, and the store clerk call process is canceled, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 14. In ACT 14, the processor 51 checks whether the payment has been completed. That is, the processor 51 checks the payment completion flag Fa written in the transaction file 26. The payment completion flag Fa is "1" if the payment of the transaction managed in the transaction file 26 has been completed using another payment unit, such as the mobile terminal 21 or the payment unit of the second POS terminal 11-2, and is "0" if the payment has not been completed. If the payment completion flag Fa is "0," the processor 51 determines that the payment has not been completed. If the payment completion flag Fa is "1," the processor 51 determines that the payment has been completed.

[0075] <Operation for a Second Transaction Target Whose Payment Has Been Completed by Another Payment Unit> If it is determined in ACT 14 that the payment has been completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 21 of FIG. 7 . In ACT 21, the processor 51 sets the time counter T to a first initial value, time Tm. The time counter T is a decrement counter that decrements its count value by one every time one second passes. The time Tm is the estimated time required for a transaction target who has completed payment using a terminal other than the first POS terminal 11-1 to pass through the aisle PA. In other words, it is the estimated predetermined time required for a transaction target who has completed payment using a payment app installed on the mobile terminal 21 or a transaction target who has completed payment using the second POS terminal 11-2 to pass through the aisle PA. The time Tm is arbitrary. In this embodiment, the time Tm is 10 seconds.

[0076] After setting the time counter T to time Tm, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 22. In ACT 22, the processor 51 controls the display of a passage permission image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the passage permission image shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56, text or an illustration indicating that it is OK to pass through the passage is displayed. On the screen 451 of the display 45, a number indicating the count value of the time counter T is displayed, along with text urging the transaction partner to pass through the passage before the number reaches "0". Furthermore, the LED 43 emits light so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide the transaction partner to proceed along the passage PA in the direction of the arrow.

[0077] Following these indications, a transaction target completing a transaction will pass through the passage PA before the count value of the time counter T reaches "0".

[0078] After controlling the display of the passage permission image, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 23. In ACT 23, the processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the second mode Mb. That is, the processor 51 sets the mode to a mode in which no notification is made even if the human presence sensor 41 detects a person passing through the aisle PA. Then, in ACT 24, the processor 51 checks whether the human presence sensor 41 has detected a person passing through the aisle PA. If the signal from the human presence sensor 41 is an off signal and no person has been detected, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 25. In ACT 25, the processor 51 checks whether one second has passed since the time measured by the clock 54. If one second has not passed, the processor 51 returns to ACT 24. On the other hand, if one second has passed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 26. In ACT 26, the processor 51 subtracts "1" from the time counter T. Then, in ACT 27, the processor 51 checks whether the time counter T has reached "0." If the time counter T has a value greater than "0," the processor 51 returns to ACT 24.

[0079] In this way, the processor 51, whose operation mode is set to the second mode Mb, waits in ACT 24 to ACT 27 until the human presence sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA or until the time counter T reaches "0." During this time, the processor 51 subtracts the number displayed on the screen 451 of the display 45 in accordance with the time counter T.

[0080] In the standby state of ACT 24 to ACT 27, when the human presence sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 28. In ACT 28, the processor 51 controls the display of a no-entry image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. As a result of this control, the no-entry image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. The LED 43 is also turned off. Thereafter, the processor 51 returns to ACT 3 of FIG. 6. The processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma, and the first POS terminal 11-1 enters the standby state of ACT 4 and ACT 5.

[0081] On the other hand, if the time counter T reaches "0" without detecting a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 29. In ACT 29, the processor 51 controls the display of a no-entry image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the no-entry image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. In addition, the LED 43 is turned off.

[0082] If the time counter T reaches "0" without detecting a person passing through the aisle PA, it is considered that some kind of trouble has occurred to the transaction target person who was permitted to pass through the aisle PA, preventing them from passing through the aisle PA. Therefore, the processor 51, which controlled the display of the no-passage image, proceeds to ACT 30. The processor 51 executes a store clerk call process in ACT 30. This store clerk call process sends a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 13. Furthermore, the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45 each display the store clerk call image shown in FIG. 11 . Furthermore, an attention-calling sound is emitted from the speaker 44, and the patrol lamp 42 lights up green.

[0083] The attendant terminal 13, which receives the store clerk call signal, notifies the attendant that there is a call. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant goes to the location of the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit green and the attention sound is being emitted, and deals with the situation where the transaction target person was unable to pass through the aisle PA within the specified time. After dealing with the situation, the attendant switches the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to employee mode and performs an operation to cancel the call.

[0084] After performing the store clerk call process, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 31. In ACT 31, the processor 51 waits for the store clerk call process to be released. When the store clerk call process is released, the processor 51 returns to ACT 3 in Fig. 6. The processor 51 sets the operating mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma and enters a standby state for ACT 4 and ACT 5.

[0085] <Operation for the First Transaction Target Whose Payment Has Not Been Completed by Another Payment Unit> If it is determined in ACT 14 that the payment has not been completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 41 in FIG. 8 . The processor 51 performs payment processing in ACT 41. The payment processing includes, for example, the aforementioned cashless payment such as code payment processing, electronic money payment processing, or credit card payment processing. Cashless payment is preferred in this embodiment because it requires less time to complete the payment processing compared to cash payment. Note that the payment processing may also be cash payment processing in which the price of the transaction is paid with the deposited amount.

[0086] In ACT 42, the processor 51 waits for the payment process to be completed. When the payment process is completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 43. In ACT 43, the processor 51 sets a second initial value, time Tn, in the time counter T. The time Tn is the time assumed to be required for a transaction target who has completed payment at the first POS terminal 11-1 to pass through the aisle PA. In other words, it is a predetermined time assumed to be required for a transaction target who has completed payment at the first POS terminal 11-1 to pass through the aisle PA. It is assumed that the transaction target who has completed payment will put their smartphone, credit card, wallet, etc., into a bag before entering the aisle PA. For this reason, the time Tn, like the time Tm, is arbitrary, but is preferably longer than the time Tm. In this embodiment, the time Tn is 15 seconds.

[0087] After setting the time counter T to time Tn, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 44. In ACT 44, the processor 51 controls the display of a passage permission image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the passage permission image shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. Furthermore, the LED 43 emits light so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide the transaction target to proceed along the passage PA in the direction of the arrow.

[0088] Following these indications, the transaction target person will complete the transaction and put their smartphone, credit card, wallet, etc. back into their bag, and will likely pass through aisle PA before the count value of time counter T reaches "0."

[0089] After controlling the display of the passage permission image, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 45. In ACT 45, the processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the second mode Mb. That is, the processor 51 sets the mode to a mode in which no notification is made even if the human presence sensor 41 detects a person passing through the aisle PA. Thereafter, in ACT 46 to ACT 53, the processor 51 executes the same processes as ACT 24 to ACT 31 in FIG. 7. That is, the processor 51 waits until the human presence sensor 41 detects a person passing through the aisle PA or until the time counter T reaches "0." During this time, the processor 51 subtracts the number displayed on the screen 451 of the display 45 in accordance with the time counter T.

[0090] When the motion sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 controls the display to indicate that passage is prohibited. The processor 51 then sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma, and the first POS terminal 11-1 enters a standby state for ACT4 and ACT5.

[0091] On the other hand, if the time counter T reaches "0" without detecting a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 controls a no-entry display. The processor 51 also executes a store clerk call process. When the store clerk call process is released, the processor 51 sets the operation mode of the first POS terminal 11-1 to the first mode Ma and enters a standby state for ACT4 and ACT5.

[0092] Here, the processor 51 realizes the function of a settlement unit 511 by executing the process in ACT 41. The processor 51 realizes the function of a receiving unit by executing the processes in ACT 4, ACT 24, and ACT 46 in cooperation with the gate mechanism interface 62. The processor 51 realizes the function of an acquiring unit 513 by executing the processes in ACT 5 and ACT 6 in cooperation with the fixed scanner 57. Note that the scanner may be a handheld scanner 71 instead of the fixed scanner 57. The processor 51 realizes the function of a determination unit 514 by executing the process in ACT 14. The processor 51 realizes the function of a control unit 515 by executing the processes in ACT 3 and ACT 23. The processor 51 realizes the function of a notification unit 516 by executing the processes in ACT 22 and ACT 26 and the processes in ACT 44 and ACT 48 in cooperation with the display 45. The processor 51 cooperates with the display 45 and the touch panel 56 to execute the processes in ACT 2, ACT 22, ACT 28, ACT 29, ACT 44, ACT 50 and ACT 51, thereby realizing the function of the display unit 517.

[0093] (Operational Effects of the First POS Terminal) Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing the correspondence between the operation modes of the first POS terminal 11-1 and the main information processing. Note that parts that are common to the information processing described using Figures 5 to 8 are given the same reference numerals. Below, the operational effects of the first POS terminal 11-1 that is associated one-to-one with the gate mechanism 40 will be described using Figure 13.

[0094] When the first POS terminal 11-1 is idle and has not yet been instructed to start a transaction, the first mode Ma is selected as the operating mode. In the first mode Ma, a no-entry image, such as that shown in FIG. 9, is displayed on the touch panel 56 and the display 45 (ACT 2). If the motion sensor 41 detects a person passing through aisle Pa (YES in ACT 4), a notification process is executed in the first POS terminal 11-1 (ACT 6). This notification process causes a store clerk call signal to be sent to the attendant terminal 13. A warning image, such as that shown in FIG. 10, is also displayed on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. Furthermore, an alarm sound is emitted from the speaker 44, and the patrol lamp 42 lights up, for example, in red. In this way, if a person attempts to pass through aisle Pa illegally, the notification process is executed, thereby preventing the person from passing illegally.

[0095] When a transaction target approaches the entrance of the aisle and holds the transaction barcode over the reading window 571 of the fixed scanner 57, an instruction to start the transaction is issued to the first POS terminal 11-1 (YES in ACT 5). In response to this instruction, the first POS terminal 11-1 obtains the transaction file 26 of the transaction target from the mobile server 22 (ACT 9). At this time, if the transaction file 26 contains product sales data for an item requiring a store clerk call, a store clerk call process is executed. This store clerk call process sends a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 13. Furthermore, a store clerk call image, such as that shown in FIG. 11, is displayed on the touch panel 56 and display 45. Furthermore, an attention-grabbing sound is emitted from the speaker 44, and the patrol lamp 42 lights up green. This store clerk call process ensures that the attendant can take necessary measures, such as verifying the age of the transaction target who has purchased an item requiring store clerk confirmation.

[0096] If the transaction target attempts to pass through aisle PA before the attendant has finished processing, a notification process is executed. This prevents a transaction target who has purchased an item that requires confirmation by a store clerk from leaving the store without being confirmed by the attendant.

[0097] Incidentally, some transaction targets have completed payment using, for example, a payment app installed on mobile terminal 21 before arriving at the entrance to aisle PA. Alternatively, some transaction targets have completed payment at second POS terminal 11-2. A transaction target who has completed payment using another payment unit is referred to as a second transaction target. In contrast, a transaction target who has not yet completed payment is referred to as a first transaction target. The payment completion flag Fa written in transaction file 26 of the second transaction target is "1." The payment completion flag Fa written in transaction file 26 of the first transaction target is "0." The first transaction target settles the transaction at first POS terminal 11-1. When payment is completed, the payment completion flag Fa becomes "1."

[0098] Thus, when the transactions of not only the second transaction target but also the first transaction target are settled (YES in ACT 14), the operation mode is switched from the first mode Ma to the second mode Mb. Then, a passage permission image, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, is displayed on the touch panel 56 and the display 45 (ACT 22 or ACT 44).

[0099] Therefore, the transaction target person who has completed the transaction can, for example, exit the store through the aisle PA. At this time, the human presence sensor 41 detects the transaction target person passing through the aisle PA (YES in ACT 24 or ACT 46), but no notification process is executed. Instead, the operating mode switches from the second mode Mb to the first mode Ma. Therefore, if another person attempts to fraudulently pass through the aisle PA following the transaction target person who has completed the transaction, notification process is executed. As a result, fraudulent passing of another person through the aisle PA following the transaction target person who has completed the transaction can be reliably prevented.

[0100] Even if a predetermined time Tm or Tn has elapsed since the passage permission image was displayed without the transaction target being detected by the human presence sensor 41 (YES in ACT 27 or ACT 49), the operating mode switches from the second mode Mb to the first mode Ma. Therefore, if a transaction target who has been permitted to pass through the aisle PA encounters some kind of trouble and is unable to pass through the aisle PA, the transaction target will be unable to pass through the aisle PA after the predetermined time Tm or Tn has elapsed. The predetermined time Tm or Tn is the estimated time required for the transaction target who has completed payment to pass through the aisle PA, for example, approximately 10 to 15 seconds. Therefore, the state in which passage through the aisle PA is permitted does not continue indefinitely, thereby preventing another person from fraudulently passing through the aisle PA in place of the transaction target who has been permitted to pass through the aisle PA.

[0101] Furthermore, the remaining time until the predetermined time Tm or Tn has elapsed is displayed as a passage permission image on the display 45. Therefore, the transaction target can easily know by what time they should pass through the passage PA.

[0102] Incidentally, the predetermined time from when the passage permission image is displayed until the operation mode switches from the second mode Mb to the first mode Ma is set longer for the first transaction target, time Tn, than for the second transaction target, time Tm. In the case of the first transaction target, after completing payment at the first POS terminal 11-1, the first transaction target may enter the aisle PA after putting away, for example, a smartphone, credit card, wallet, etc., in a bag. In this case, if the time Tm for the second transaction target is used as is, there is a possibility that the mode will switch to the second mode before passing through the aisle PA. In this embodiment, this kind of problem is prevented by setting the time Tn for the first transaction target to be longer than the time Tm for the second transaction target.

[0103] Although the embodiment of the payment device that can prevent the fraudulent act of a transaction target person leaving a store without making a payment has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0104] For example, the identification information for identifying a transaction with a transaction target is not limited to the transaction number. If membership registration is required when using the mobile terminal 21, a unique membership number assigned to the transaction target through the membership registration may be used as the identification information for identifying a transaction with the transaction target.

[0105] In the above embodiment, two payment units are exemplified as the other payment unit: the payment unit of the mobile terminal on which the payment app is installed and the payment unit of the second POS terminal 11-2. The other payment unit may be either of the two payment units. Alternatively, transactions with all transaction targets may be settled by the payment unit of the first POS terminal 11-1.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the operation mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or when a transaction target whose transaction has been determined to have been settled within the predetermined time passes through the passage PA. In another embodiment, the operation mode may be changed from the second mode to the first mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, regardless of whether the transaction target has passed through the passage PA within the predetermined time. By setting the predetermined time as short as possible, it becomes difficult for another person to fraudulently pass through the passage PA after a transaction target whose transaction has been determined to have been settled has passed through the passage PA. In such a case, the effect of preventing fraudulent passage can be achieved even when the above other embodiments are adopted.

[0107] Each of the one or more circuits constituting the processing circuit executes one or more processes among the plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is composed of a single circuit, the single circuit executes all of the plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is composed of multiple circuits, each of the multiple circuits executes a part of the plurality of processes. The part of the plurality of processes may be one of the plurality of processes, or two or more of the plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is composed of multiple circuits, the multiple circuits may be included in a single device or may be distributed across multiple devices.

[0108] The program according to this embodiment may be transferred in a state where it is stored in a device, or may be transferred in a state where it is not stored in a device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network, or may be transferred in a state where it is recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The recording medium is a computer-readable medium. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, as long as it is capable of storing the program and is computer-readable.

[0109] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0110] Some of the above-described embodiments may be expressed as follows: (1) A payment device comprising: a settlement unit that settles a transaction with a transaction target upstream of a passage through which the transaction target passes; a receiving unit that receives a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage; an acquisition unit that acquires identification information that identifies a transaction with the transaction target upstream of the passage; a determination unit that determines whether the transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit has been settled; and a control unit that controls operation in a first mode to issue a report when the detector detects a person passing through the passage after the transaction target with which the transaction has been settled passes through the passage until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has been settled, and controls operation in a second mode to not issue a report even if the detector detects a person passing through the passage until a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a transaction target with which it has been determined that the transaction has been settled within the predetermined time, passes through the passage. (2) The payment device according to (1), further comprising: a notification unit that, during operation in the second mode, notifies a transaction target whose transaction has been determined by the determination unit of the remaining time of the predetermined time. (3) The payment device according to (1), further comprising: a display unit that, during operation in the first mode, displays a message to prevent passage through the passage, and that, during operation in the second mode, displays a message to encourage passage through the passage. (4) The payment device according to (1), wherein the determination unit further determines whether the transaction target whose transaction has been determined by the determination unit to have been settled is a first transaction target whose transaction has been completed by the payment unit of the payment device, or a second transaction target whose transaction has been completed by another payment unit, and the control unit varies the predetermined time when operating in the second mode depending on whether the transaction target whose transaction has been determined by the determination unit to have been settled is the first transaction target or the second transaction target. (5) The payment device according to (1), wherein, when confirmation by a store clerk is required for a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, the determination unit determines whether the transaction has been settled after receiving a confirmation operation input by the store clerk.(6) A program recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer of a settlement device provided upstream of a passage through which a transaction target passes to realize the following: a settlement function for settling a transaction with the transaction target; a receiving function for receiving a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage; an acquisition function for acquiring, upstream of the passage, identification information for identifying a transaction with the transaction target; a determination function for determining whether or not the transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition function has been settled; and a control function for controlling operation in a first mode in which, after a transaction target with which the transaction has been settled passes through the passage and until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has been settled, the detector detects a person passing through the passage and does not issue a notification even if the detector detects a person passing through the passage until a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a transaction target with which it has been determined that the transaction has been settled within the predetermined time passes through the passage.

Claims

a control unit that controls operation of a first mode in which a notification is issued when a person passing through the passage by the detector is detected from when a person passing through the passage with which the transaction has been settled passes through the passage until it is determined that a transaction with a next person has been settled, and that a control unit that controls operation of a second mode in which a notification is not issued even if a person passing through the passage by the detector is detected from when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a person whose transaction has been determined to have been settled within the predetermined time passes through the passage.

2. A payment device as described in claim 1, further comprising a notification unit which, during operation in the second mode, notifies a transaction subject whose transaction has been determined by the determination unit to have been settled of the remaining time of the specified period.

3. The settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit which displays a message preventing passage through the passage during operation in the first mode, and displays a message encouraging passage through the passage during operation in the second mode.

4. A payment device as described in claim 1, wherein the determination unit further determines whether the transaction target is a first transaction target for which payment has been completed by the payment unit possessed by the payment device, or a second transaction target for which payment has been completed by another payment unit, and the control unit varies the specified time when operating in the second mode depending on whether the transaction target for which the determination unit has determined that the transaction has been settled is the first transaction target or the second transaction target.

5. A payment device as described in claim 1, wherein the determination unit, when confirmation by a store clerk is required for a transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, determines whether the transaction has been settled after receiving a confirmation operation input by the store clerk.

6. A program recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer of a settlement device provided upstream of a passage through which a transaction target passes, to realize the following: a settlement function for settling a transaction with the transaction target; a receiving function for receiving a signal output from a detector capable of detecting a person passing through the passage; an acquisition function for acquiring identification information identifying a transaction with the transaction target upstream of the passage; a determination function for determining whether or not the transaction identified by the identification information acquired by the acquisition function has been settled; and a control function for controlling operation of a first mode in which a report is issued when the detector detects a person passing through the passage from when a transaction target with which the transaction has been settled passes through the passage until it is determined that a transaction with the next transaction target has been settled, and for controlling operation of a second mode in which a report is not issued even if the detector detects a person passing through the passage until a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that the transaction has been settled, or until a transaction target with which it has been determined that the transaction has been settled within the predetermined time passes through the passage.

Images