JP5488151B2 - Portable payment terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable payment terminal that performs payment by contactless communication with a payment medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a technique related to a portable payment terminal that performs payment by performing non-contact communication with a payment medium, a portable optical information reading device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this optical information reading apparatus, the first light quantity detection means is attached to the reading opening side, and the second light quantity detection means is attached to a side different from the reading opening. Further, the first light quantity detected by the first light quantity detection means and the second light quantity detected by the second light quantity detection means are compared, and based on the change in the comparison result, the first mode and the first mode are compared. Also, the second mode in which power consumption is suppressed is switched. In this way, the change from the mounting state to the gripping state or from the gripping state to the mounting state is grasped based on the change in the light quantity comparison result at the two positions, and the change in the comparison result is used as a trigger. The mode can be appropriately switched without forcing the operator to perform complicated operations or diligent operations.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-281198

  By the way, in a portable payment terminal that targets a payment medium such as a non-contact IC card, a non-contact communication is possible by making the payment medium close to the antenna of the portable payment terminal by polling processing. When it is detected that the payment has occurred, a payment process using the payment medium is started in response to a predetermined payment instruction. At this time, when the payment process is started in a state where the payment medium is not sufficiently close to the antenna or the like because the payment medium is not sufficiently close to the antenna or the like, If, for example, the hand holding the settlement medium is shaken during this process and the settlement medium leaves the antenna or the like, the settlement process is interrupted.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to determine whether or not the settlement medium is sufficiently close to an antenna or the like by detecting the amount of light. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable payment terminal capable of reliably performing processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the portable payment terminal according to claim 1, in the portable payment terminal that performs payment by contactless communication with a payment medium close to an antenna, the payment A light amount detecting means for detecting a light amount with respect to a proximity surface that is brought close to the contact medium during the non-contact communication, a detecting means for detecting that the non-contact communication with the settlement medium is possible, and the detecting means. A setting unit that sets a light amount detected by the light amount detection unit in a state where the non-contact communication is not detected as an ambient light amount, and a light amount detected by the light amount detection unit is less than the ambient light amount A determination means for determining that the payment is possible, and a payment processing means capable of performing a payment process using the payment medium in a state where contactless communication is possible. When the detection means detects that the non-contact communication is possible with respect to the payment medium, the determination means determines that the payment is possible by the determination means after the detection. The settlement process using the settlement medium is started.

  A second aspect of the invention is the portable payment terminal according to the first aspect, further comprising a second light amount detection unit that detects a light amount with respect to a surface different from the proximity surface except a gripped portion, and the setting unit includes: The light quantity detected by the second light quantity detection means is set as the ambient light quantity.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable settlement terminal according to the first or second aspect, the determination unit is configured such that the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit is less than the ambient light amount, and the ambient light amount and the When the difference from the detected light amount exceeds a predetermined amount of change, it is determined that the payment is possible.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable settlement terminal according to the first or second aspect, the determination unit is configured such that the state in which the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit is less than the ambient light amount continues for a certain period of time. And determining that the payment is possible.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable settlement terminal according to the first or second aspect, the determination unit includes a light amount detected by the light amount detection unit that is less than the ambient light amount, and the ambient light amount and the When the state in which the difference from the detected light amount exceeds a predetermined amount of change continues for a certain period of time, it is determined that the settlement is possible.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the portable payment terminal according to any one of the first to third aspects, the payment processing means is in a state capable of contactless communication with the payment medium by the detection means. When it is detected that the payment has been made, the payment processing using the payment medium is started when the determination means determines that the payment is possible.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the portable payment terminal according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the setting means sets a light amount detected when the portable payment terminal is turned on as the ambient light amount. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention of claim 8 is the portable settlement terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the setting means sets the average value of the detected light amount as the ambient light amount. To do.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the portable settlement terminal according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the setting means sets the average value of the detected light amount within a predetermined time as the ambient light amount. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention of claim 10 is the portable payment terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the purchase information related to the product is obtained by optically reading the information code displayed on the product to be settled. A reading means for reading is provided.

  In the first aspect of the invention, when it is detected by the detecting means that the non-contact communication with the payment medium is possible, the determining means detects the light amount detecting means after the detection. When the amount of light is less than the ambient light amount and it is determined that the payment is possible, the payment processing using the payment medium is started.

In a case where a non-contact communication enabled state is detected with respect to the settlement medium, and the light amount detected by the light amount detection means is less than the ambient light amount, the settlement medium is sufficiently close to the antenna or the like. Therefore, it is estimated that the settlement medium blocks the light to the light amount detecting means. Therefore, in this case, by starting the payment process assuming that the payment is possible, the payment process is performed in a state where the payment medium is sufficiently close to the antenna or the like.
Therefore, by detecting the amount of light, it is possible to grasp whether or not the settlement medium is sufficiently close to the antenna or the like, so that the settlement process can be reliably performed.

  In the invention of claim 2, the light quantity detected by the second light quantity detection means is set by the setting means as the ambient light quantity. For this reason, the ambient light quantity can be set by the second light quantity detection means in the setting means even when the light quantity is detected by the light quantity detection means. As a result, after the state capable of non-contact communication with the settlement medium is detected, the amount of light is detected by the light amount detection unit and the ambient light amount is set using the second light amount detection unit, thereby Compared with the case where the amount of light is set, the influence of the temporal change in the amount of ambient light can be made smaller. As a result, it is possible to reliably grasp the state where the settlement medium is sufficiently close to the antenna or the like.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the determination means settles when the light quantity detected by the light quantity detection means is less than the ambient light quantity and the difference between the ambient light quantity and the detected light quantity exceeds a predetermined change amount. It is determined that it is possible. Accordingly, when the predetermined amount of change is set according to the amount of change in the surrounding light amount, etc., and the surrounding light amount simply changes, for example, the user of the portable payment terminal gets on A case in which the amount of light around the train changes when the train enters or exits the tunnel is not determined to be a settlement enabled state. As a result, it is possible to reliably grasp the state in which the settlement medium is sufficiently close to the antenna or the like without being affected by changes in the amount of ambient light.

  In the invention of claim 4, the determination means determines that the payment is possible when the state in which the light quantity detected by the light quantity detection means is less than the ambient light quantity continues for a certain period of time. As a result, a case where an object or the like different from the settlement medium simply crosses the vicinity of the proximity surface to block light to the proximity surface is not determined to be a settlement possible state. As a result, it is possible to reliably grasp the state where the settlement medium is sufficiently close to the antenna or the like without being affected by an object or the like different from the settlement medium.

  In the invention of claim 5, the determination means is in a constant state where the light quantity detected by the light quantity detection means is less than the ambient light quantity and the difference between the ambient light quantity and the detected light quantity exceeds a predetermined change amount. When the time continues, it is determined that the payment is possible. Thereby, the case where the surrounding light quantity simply changes or the case where an object or the like different from the settlement medium simply crosses the vicinity of the proximity surface is not determined as the settlement possible state. As a result, the state where the settlement medium is sufficiently close to the antenna or the like can be grasped more reliably.

  In the invention of claim 6, when it is detected by the detection means that the contact means is capable of non-contact communication with the payment medium, the determination means is in a state where payment can be made by the determination means during the detection. When the determination is made, the settlement process using the settlement medium is started. For this reason, unlike when determining whether payment is possible based on the amount of light detected after detection of a non-contact communicable state, the amount of light at the time when the settlement medium is brought close to an antenna or the like is detected. As a result, the proximity state of the settlement medium is more reliably estimated, and the settlement process can be more reliably performed.

  In the invention of claim 7, since the setting means sets the amount of light detected when the portable payment terminal is turned on as the amount of ambient light, for example, the amount of ambient light is set each time for a plurality of payment media. A part of the payment process can be simplified as compared with the case of starting the payment process.

  In the invention according to claim 8, since the average value of the detected light amount is set as the ambient light amount by the setting means, it is possible to easily set the ambient light amount in consideration of the surrounding situation.

  In the invention of claim 9, the setting means sets the average value of the light amount detected within a predetermined time as the ambient light amount. Thus, by setting the fixed time, for example, when the train on which the user of the portable payment terminal rides knows the time for entering the long tunnel, the time for passing through the tunnel is excluded. It is possible to more suitably set the ambient light amount in accordance with the above situation.

  In the invention of claim 10, since the reading means for reading the purchase information related to the product by optically reading the information code displayed on the product to be settled is provided, the portable payment terminal having a payment function is provided. However, it is possible to easily read information about the product.

It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the payment terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where an IC card is brought close to the antenna of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the payment process in the control part of 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which illustrates the light quantity change in a normal environment and a dark environment. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the payment terminal which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where an IC card is brought close to the antenna of FIG. 5. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the payment process in the control part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the payment process in the control part of the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment that embodies the portable payment terminal of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a payment terminal 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the IC card C is brought close to the antenna 33 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the payment process in the control unit 12 according to the first embodiment.

  A payment terminal 10 according to the present invention is a portable payment terminal that is carried by an in-vehicle salesperson or the like on a bullet train, for example, and performs payment related to the purchase of a product. Payment processing is performed by non-contact communication (wireless communication) with a medium for use. In the first embodiment, a non-contact type IC card C is adopted as the settlement medium.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 12 that controls the entire payment terminal 10 is provided in the housing 11 of the payment terminal 10. The control unit 12 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, has a CPU, a system bus, an input / output interface, etc., and can constitute an information processing apparatus together with the memory 13 and has an information processing function. ing. Further, the display unit 14, the key operation unit 15, the communication interface 16, and the like are connected to the control unit 12.

  The display unit 14 is configured to be controlled by the control unit 12 and operates in response to a command related to display processing or the like from the control unit 12. The key operation unit 15 is configured to give an operation signal to the control unit 12, and the control unit 12 receives an operation signal from these to perform an operation according to the content of the operation signal. ing.

  The communication interface 16 is configured as an interface for performing data communication with the outside (for example, a bank-side server or an external host device), and is configured to perform communication processing in cooperation with the control unit 12. Yes. The housing 11 houses a battery 17 and a power supply unit 18 that serve as power sources, and supplies power to the control unit 12 and various electrical components.

Further, the product information reading unit 20 and the IC card communication unit 30 are connected to the control unit 12.
The merchandise information reading unit 20 has a function of optically acquiring information of merchandise purchased by the purchaser, and an information code (for example, a one-dimensional code such as a barcode) attached to a reading target of the purchased merchandise. And a two-dimensional code). The image recognition module 21 includes an illumination light source, a light receiving sensor (not shown), etc., and irradiation light from the illumination light source is reflected by an information code (illustrated as bar code B in FIG. 1) and reflected light is read. When the light receiving sensor receives light through the port 11a, the light receiving signal corresponding to the reflected light is output from the light receiving sensor to the control unit 12. In the control unit 12, purchase information and the like of the purchased product are acquired based on this light reception signal. The product information reading unit 20 may correspond to an example of a “reading unit” described in the claims.

  The IC card communication unit 30 includes an IC card reader control unit 31, an IC card reader communication unit 32, and an antenna 33. The IC card reader control unit 31 controls the IC card reader communication unit 32 to perform non-contact communication (radio communication) using an electromagnetic wave with the IC card C via the IC card reader communication unit 32 and the antenna 33. It functions to read payment related information relating to payment such as a card number stored in the IC card C. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 33 is disposed in the housing 11 so as to be capable of non-contact communication with the IC card C held over the card reading surface 11b formed in a planar shape in the vicinity of the reading port 11a. Yes.

  A first light amount sensor 41 is connected to the control unit 12. The first light quantity sensor 41 is constituted by a light receiving element such as a photodiode. As shown in FIG. 2, the first light quantity sensor 41 has a central portion (antenna 33) of the card reading surface 11b in order to detect the light quantity with respect to the card reading surface 11b. Is arranged in the middle). The first light quantity sensor 41 may correspond to an example of a “light quantity detection unit” recited in the claims, and the card reading surface 11b may correspond to an example of a “proximity surface” recited in the claims. .

Next, the payment process performed by the control unit 12 in the payment terminal 10 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the payment terminal 10 is turned on, a light amount measurement process is performed in step S <b> 101 of FIG. 3, and the light amount with respect to the card reading surface 11 b is measured by the first light amount sensor 41 and stored in the memory 13. This light quantity measurement process is repeated until it is determined Yes in step S103 when the IC card C is brought close to the antenna 33 and becomes in a state capable of non-contact communication. As a result, the light quantity measured as described above is sequentially stored in the memory 13.

  Then, after the purchase information of the purchased product is acquired, when the IC card C is brought close to the antenna 33 by the user of the payment terminal 10 or the like to enable non-contact communication (Yes in S103), in step S105 Polling processing is performed. In this process, the tag information of the IC card C is acquired and the presence of the IC card C is recognized. Here, the purchase information may be acquired by reading the information code attached to the product by the product information reading unit 20 according to the operation of the key operation unit 15, or the key operation unit 15 by the user or the like. It may be acquired in response to a direct input operation. Note that the control unit 12 that performs the process of step S103 may correspond to an example of a “detection unit” recited in the claims.

  Next, in step S107, ambient light amount setting processing is performed. In this process, the ambient light amount L1 is set based on the light amount measured in step S101. Specifically, the state in which the amount of change in the light quantity measured thereafter is less than a predetermined value with respect to the light quantity detected by the first light quantity sensor 41 when the power is turned on (hereinafter referred to as the initial light quantity L0a) is constant time. When the above operation is continued, the ambient light amount L1 is set to be equal to the initial light amount L0a. In addition, when this state does not continue for a certain period of time, the amount of light detected during this period becomes invalid. When the amount of change in the light amount measured thereafter with respect to the initial light amount L0a exceeds a predetermined change amount ΔL, the amount of change in the light amount measured thereafter with respect to the light amount immediately after the change is less than a predetermined value. When the state continues for a certain time or longer, the ambient light amount L1 is set to be equal to the light amount immediately after the change. By setting the ambient light amount L1 in this way, it is possible to suitably set the ambient light amount L1 in accordance with the surrounding situation. The control unit 12 that performs the process of step S107 may correspond to an example of a “setting unit” recited in the claims.

Subsequently, determination light amount setting processing is performed in step S109, and the light amount detected by the first light amount sensor 41 after the polling processing is set as the determination light amount L2. Next, in step S111, a state in which the determination light amount L2 is smaller than the ambient light amount L1 and the difference between the ambient light amount L1 and the determination light amount L2 exceeds the predetermined change amount ΔL, that is, the following expression (1): It is determined whether or not the satisfying state continues for a certain time or more.
L1-L2> ΔL (1)

FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating a change in light amount in a normal environment and a dark environment.
In the first embodiment, the predetermined change amount ΔL described above is set to 100 (lx) as the assumed change amount of the surrounding light amount. As a basis for this setting, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the difference between the normal light amount in a normal environment and the light amount when the IC card C is held close to is 335 (lx), which is a dark environment. This is based on the fact that the difference between the amount of light at normal time and the amount of light when the IC card C is held close to is 140 (lx). Note that the control unit 12 that performs the process of step S111 may correspond to an example of a “determination unit” recited in the claims.

  In addition, the predetermined time period excludes the case where an object different from the IC card C simply crosses the vicinity of the card reading surface 11b and the light to the card reading surface 11b is blocked as a settlement possible state. In the first embodiment, for example, it is set to 3 seconds.

  Here, when the state in which the determination light amount L2 detected by the first light amount sensor 41 satisfies the above-described expression (1) continues for a certain time or more, it is determined Yes in step S111, and settlement is performed by the processing after step S113. The non-contact communication process for starting is started. When the state satisfying the above expression (1) continues for a certain period of time or longer, the IC card C recognized as being capable of non-contact communication is held close to the card reading surface 11b, whereby the light to the first light quantity sensor 41 is obtained. It is assumed that is blocked. Therefore, in this case, the settlement process can be reliably performed by starting the non-contact communication process for the settlement.

  On the other hand, when the state in which the determination light amount L2 detected by the first light amount sensor 41 satisfies the above formula (1) does not continue for a predetermined time or longer, the IC card C recognized as capable of non-contact communication is the card reading surface 11b. A state in which the antenna is separated from the antenna 33 is assumed. In this case, the non-contact communication process for settlement cannot be started, or even if it can be started, the IC card C is separated from the card reading surface 11b (antenna 33) during the non-contact communication process and the non-contact communication is blocked. There is a high possibility of being. In this case, it is determined No in step S111, and the process from step S101 is performed without starting the non-contact communication process for settlement.

  If it is determined Yes in step S111 as described above, non-contact communication processing is performed in step S113. In this processing, the IC card communication unit 30 reads payment related information such as a card number and personal information stored in the IC card C. And the said payment related information and purchase information are transmitted to the bank side server etc. via the communication interface 16 grade | etc., And the authentication regarding this payment is acquired, The said payment processing is completed. Further, when the IC card C is configured to be able to use electronic money having a monetary value, and payment is performed using the electronic money, it is acquired as described above in the non-contact communication processing. The settlement processing is completed by updating the balance information stored in the IC card C so as to decrease the balance according to the purchase information (purchase amount). Note that the control unit 12 or the like that performs the process of step S113 may correspond to an example of a “settlement processing unit” recited in the claims.

  As described above, in the payment terminal 10 according to the first embodiment, when it is detected in step S103 that the contactless communication with the IC card C is possible, the process proceeds to step S111 after this detection. Thus, a state in which the determination light amount L2 detected by the first light amount sensor 41 is less than the ambient light amount L1 and the difference between the ambient light amount L1 and the determination light amount L2 exceeds the predetermined change amount ΔL is constant time. When continuing, it determines with it being in a payment possible state, and the payment process using the said IC card C is started.

  As a result, payment processing is performed in a state where the IC card C is sufficiently close to the antenna 33 and the like. Therefore, by detecting the light amount with respect to the card reading surface 11b, it is possible to grasp whether the IC card C is sufficiently close to the antenna 33 or the like, and the settlement process can be reliably performed.

  In particular, when the predetermined amount of change ΔL is set in accordance with an assumed amount of change in the amount of ambient light, for example, when the amount of ambient light simply changes, for example, a train on which the user of the payment terminal 10 rides When the amount of light around the door changes as a result of entering or exiting the tunnel, it is not determined that the payment is possible. Further, on condition that the above-described state continues for a certain period of time, an object or the like different from the IC card C may simply cross the vicinity of the card reading surface 11b to block light to the card reading surface 11b. It is not determined that the payment is possible. As a result, the state where the IC card C is sufficiently close to the antenna 33 or the like can be grasped more reliably.

  Further, the payment terminal 10 according to the first embodiment includes a product information reading unit 20 as a reading unit that reads purchase information related to the product by optically reading an information code displayed on the product to be settled. Therefore, even a portable payment terminal having a payment function can easily read information about the product.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment that embodies the portable payment terminal of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the payment terminal 10a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the IC card C is brought close to the antenna 33 of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the settlement process in the control unit 12 according to the second embodiment.

  In the payment terminal 10a according to the second embodiment, the second light quantity sensor 42 is newly adopted and the calculation processing is performed based on the flowchart of FIG. 7 instead of the flowchart of FIG. Different from the portable payment terminal according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second light quantity sensor 42 is connected to the control unit 12. Like the first light quantity sensor 41, the second light quantity sensor 42 is composed of a light receiving element such as a photodiode. As shown in FIG. 6, the second light quantity sensor 42 detects the light quantity with respect to a surface different from the card reading surface 11b. For example, it is arranged near the display screen of the display unit 14. Here, since the second light amount sensor 42 is for detecting the light amount on a surface different from the card reading surface 11b except for a portion to be grasped (gripping portion), the second light amount sensor 42 is disposed in the vicinity of the display screen of the display portion 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card reading surface 11b and the grip portion may be disposed in the region. Further, the second light quantity sensor 42 may correspond to an example of “second light quantity detection means” recited in the claims.

Hereinafter, the settlement processing by the control unit 12 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the payment terminal 10 is turned on, a light amount measurement process is performed in step S101a of FIG. 7, and the second light amount sensor 42 measures the light amount on a surface different from the card reading surface 11b and sequentially stores it in the memory 13. Remembered. Then, after the purchase information of the purchased product is acquired, when the IC card C is brought close to the antenna 33 by the user of the payment terminal 10 or the like to enable non-contact communication (Yes in S103), in step S105 Polling processing is performed.

  Next, in step S107a, ambient light amount and determination light amount setting processing is performed. In this process, the ambient light amount L1 is set based on the light amount measured in step S101, and the light amount detected by the first light amount sensor 41 is set as the determination light amount L2. Here, regarding the setting of the ambient light quantity L1, specifically, the change in the light quantity measured thereafter with respect to the light quantity detected by the second light quantity sensor 42 when the power is turned on (hereinafter referred to as the initial light quantity L0b). When the state where the amount is less than the predetermined value continues for a certain time or longer, the ambient light amount L1 is set to be equal to the initial light amount L0b. In addition, when this state does not continue for a certain period of time, the amount of light detected during this period becomes invalid. When the amount of change of the light quantity measured thereafter with respect to the initial light quantity L0b exceeds the predetermined change amount ΔL, the amount of change of the light quantity measured thereafter with respect to the light quantity immediately after the change is less than the predetermined value. When the state continues for a certain time or longer, the ambient light amount L1 is set to be equal to the light amount immediately after the change. By setting the ambient light amount L1 in this way, it is possible to suitably set the ambient light amount L1 in accordance with the surrounding situation.

  Subsequently, in step S111, a state in which the ambient light amount L1 based on the detection value of the second light amount sensor 42 and the determination light amount L2 detected by the first light amount sensor 41 satisfies the above formula (1) is a certain time or more. It is determined whether or not to continue.

  Here, if the state satisfying the above expression (1) continues for a certain time or more, it is assumed that the IC card C recognized as being capable of non-contact communication is held close to the card reading surface 11b, and step S111. In step S113 and subsequent steps, a non-contact communication process for settlement is started. On the other hand, when the state satisfying the above formula (1) does not continue for a certain time or longer, it is assumed that the IC card C recognized as being capable of non-contact communication is separated from the card reading surface 11b (antenna 33). Thus, it is determined No in step S111, and the process from step S101 is performed without starting the non-contact communication process for settlement.

  As described above, in the payment terminal 10a according to the second embodiment, the ambient light amount L1 is set according to the light amount detected by the second light amount sensor 42, and according to the light amount detected by the first light amount sensor 41. Thus, the determination light quantity L2 is set.

  For this reason, even when the light amount is detected by the first light amount sensor 41, the ambient light amount L1 can be set according to the light amount detected by the second light amount sensor. Thereby, after the state in which contactless communication with the IC card C is detected, the determination light amount L2 is set according to the light amount detected by the first light amount sensor 41 and the second light amount sensor 42 is used. By setting the ambient light amount L1, the temporal change in the ambient light amount is compared with the case where the ambient light amount L1 is set in advance in order to use one light amount sensor as in the first embodiment. The influence of can be made smaller. As a result, it is possible to reliably grasp the state in which the IC card C is sufficiently close to the antenna 33 and the like.

  As a modification of the second embodiment, the light quantity measurement process in step S101a is abolished, and the light quantity detected by the second light quantity sensor 42 when the process in step S107a is started is set as the ambient light quantity L1. May be. This makes it possible to easily set the ambient light amount L1 in consideration of the surrounding situation.

In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, You may actualize as follows.
(1) FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a settlement process in the control unit 12 according to the first modification of the first embodiment.
As a first modification of the first embodiment described above, the amount of light detected when the power is turned on without being affected by the change in the amount of light detected by the first light amount sensor 41 may be set as the ambient light amount L1. . Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the process of step S107 is abolished with respect to the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the amount of light detected when the power is turned on by the ambient light amount setting process in step S101b is set as the ambient light amount L1. The

  As a result, the light quantity detected by the first light quantity sensor 41 is not sequentially stored in the memory 13. For example, the ambient light quantity L1 is set for each of a plurality of IC cards C and the settlement process is started. Compared with the case where it does, a part of payment processing is simplified and the burden of the control part 12 can be reduced. In addition, compared with the case where the light amount detected by the first light amount sensor 41 is sequentially stored in the memory 13, the time for detecting the light amount by the first light amount sensor 41 is shortened, so that power consumption can be reduced. Can do. In addition, even if this 1st modification is applied to the said 2nd Embodiment, there exists the same effect.

(2) As a second modification of the first embodiment described above, in the ambient light amount setting process in step S107 of FIG. 3, the ambient light amount L1 is a value obtained by averaging the light amount stored in the memory 13 by arithmetic mean or the like You may set so that it may become equal to. This makes it possible to easily set the ambient light amount L1 in consideration of the surrounding situation.

  Further, in the second modification, in the ambient light amount setting process in step S107 of FIG. 3, the ambient light amount L1 is the light amount stored in the memory 13 among the light amounts stored in the memory 13 by an arithmetic average or the like. You may set so that it may become equal to the averaged value. Thus, by setting the fixed time, for example, when the train on which the user of the portable payment terminal rides knows the time for entering the long tunnel, the time for passing through the tunnel is excluded. It is possible to more suitably set the ambient light amount in accordance with the above situation. In addition, even if this 2nd modification is applied to the said 2nd Embodiment and modification, there exists the same effect.

(3) As a third modification of the first embodiment described above, in step S111 in FIG. 3, the state in which the determination light amount L2 detected by the first light amount sensor 41 satisfies the above equation (1) continues for a certain time or more. It is not limited to determining whether or not to perform, but considering the duration as to whether or not the determination light amount L2 detected by the first light amount sensor 41 satisfies the above formula (1) after the polling process is completed. It may be judged without any. In addition, depending on the use environment, it may be determined whether or not the determination light amount L2 is less than the ambient light amount L1, or whether the determination light amount L2 is less than the ambient light amount L1 continues for a certain time or more. It may be determined whether or not. In addition, you may apply this 3rd modification to the said 2nd Embodiment and a modification.

(4) As a fourth modification of the first embodiment described above, the processing in steps S107 to S111 in FIG. 3 may be performed during the determination processing in step S103 or the polling processing in step S105. That is, when it is detected that contactless communication is possible with respect to the IC card C, if it is determined that payment is possible during the detection, the payment process using the IC card C is performed. Be started. For this reason, unlike the case of determining whether or not the payment is possible based on the amount of light detected after the detection of the non-contact communication possible state as in the first embodiment, the IC card C approaches the antenna 33 or the like. Since the amount of light at the time point is detected, the proximity state of the IC card C is more reliably estimated, and the settlement process can be more reliably performed. In addition, you may apply this 4th modification to the said 2nd Embodiment and a modification.

(5) In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the distance at which contactless communication can be performed varies depending on the type of the IC card C. Therefore, the predetermined change ΔL described above is set according to the distance at which the IC card C can perform contactless communication. It may be changed.

10, 10a ... Payment terminal (portable payment terminal)
11b: Card reading surface (proximity surface)
12 ... Control unit 20 ... Product information reading unit (reading means)
30 ... IC card communication unit 33 ... antenna 41 ... first light quantity sensor (light quantity detection means)
42. Second light quantity sensor (second light quantity detection means)
C ... IC card (medium for settlement)
L1: Ambient light quantity L2: Determination light quantity ΔL: Predetermined amount of change

Claims (10)

In a portable payment terminal that performs payment by contactless communication with a payment medium close to the antenna,
A light amount detecting means for detecting a light amount with respect to a proximity surface to which the settlement medium is brought close during the non-contact communication;
Detecting means for detecting that contactless communication with the settlement medium is possible;
A setting means for setting a light quantity detected by the light quantity detection means in a state where the non-contact communication enabled state is not detected by the detection means,
A determination unit that determines that the payment is possible when the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit is less than the ambient light amount;
Payment processing means capable of performing payment processing using the payment medium in a state where contactless communication is possible, and
When it is detected by the detection means that contactless communication with the payment medium is possible, the payment processing means is determined by the determination means to be in the payment possible state after this detection. In such a case, the payment processing using the payment medium is started. A second light amount detecting means for detecting a light amount with respect to a surface different from the proximity surface excluding a gripped portion;
The portable settlement terminal according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a light amount detected by the second light amount detection unit as the ambient light amount.   The determination means is in the settlement possible state when the light quantity detected by the light quantity detection means is less than the ambient light quantity and the difference between the ambient light quantity and the detected light quantity exceeds a predetermined change amount. The portable payment terminal according to claim 1, wherein the portable payment terminal is determined to be.   The determination unit determines that the settlement is possible when the state in which the light amount detected by the light amount detection unit is less than the ambient light amount continues for a certain period of time. The portable payment terminal described in 1.   The determination unit continues a state in which a light amount detected by the light amount detection unit is less than the ambient light amount and a difference between the ambient light amount and the detected light amount exceeds a predetermined change amount for a predetermined time. The mobile payment terminal according to claim 1, wherein the payment is determined to be possible.   When it is detected by the detection means that contactless communication with the payment medium is possible, the payment processing means is determined to be in the payment ready state by the determination means during the detection. The mobile payment terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the payment processing using the payment medium is started.   The portable payment terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the setting unit sets a light amount detected when the portable payment terminal is turned on as the ambient light amount.   The portable settlement terminal according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets an average value of the detected light amounts as the ambient light amount.   The portable settlement terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the setting unit sets an average value of the detected light amounts within a predetermined time as the ambient light amount.   The portable payment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising reading means for reading purchase information relating to the product by optically reading an information code displayed on the product to be settled. Terminal.

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