JP7514680B2 - Payment Processing Systems - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a payment processing system .

As cashless transactions become more common, payments using credit cards (hereafter simply referred to as credit payments) are becoming more common. In a typical credit payment, when a customer makes a payment, the card information required for the credit payment is read by a card reader installed in the payment terminal. The payment terminal then transmits the customer's card information read by the card reader to a payment server installed in a credit company, etc.

The payment server performs authorization (credit approval) based on the received card information, etc., and makes the payment on the condition that it is approved. During authorization, it determines whether the credit card is valid, whether the credit limit has been exceeded, etc. When the payment server has made the payment, it sends a payment completion notice to the payment terminal. On receiving the payment completion notice, the payment terminal causes a printer to print a credit slip that lists the transaction amount, transaction date and time, credit company name, etc. Credit processing devices that perform credit payments in this way are known (for example, Patent Document 1).

However, even if a credit card is valid and the use is within the credit limit, there are cases where the transaction is not approved by authorization and is put on hold. A transaction may be put on hold when the credit company recognizes that the transaction to be approved is similar to a past case of fraudulent use of a credit card, or the usage pattern is clearly different from previous transactions by the cardholder, and the credit company suspects fraudulent use of the credit card. A transaction is put on hold temporarily until the credit company can confirm the details of the transaction with the user in order to prevent fraudulent use of the credit card.

When the payment terminal is notified that the transaction is on hold, the clerk at the store where the payment terminal is installed makes a phone call to the credit card company's authorization center. If the phone call confirms that the transaction is made by the cardholder, the credit card company notifies the clerk of an authorization number. The clerk can then make the payment by entering the authorization number into the payment terminal via a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal or directly. Hereinafter, credit card payments related to transactions that have been on hold may be referred to as "sales after authorization."

Since post-approval sales are transactions that are conducted as a preventative measure against fraudulent use, stores tend to receive more inquiries and confirmations of details of credit transactions from credit companies and cardholders. Stores that receive such inquiries and confirmations often respond by checking the store copy of the credit slip. For this reason, stores are expected to easily extract credit slips for transactions that are sold after approval.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a payment processing system that makes it possible to easily extract a credit slip for a transaction that has been approved and sold.

A payment processing system according to an embodiment includes a payment terminal used for credit card payments, and an issuing device that issues a credit slip for a transaction settled using the payment terminal, the payment terminal including a credit information input unit into which a customer's credit information required for a customer making a transaction to make a payment by credit card is input, a transmitting unit that transmits an approval request for payment using the credit information input into the credit information input unit to a payment server, a receiving unit that receives from the payment server an approval result for the approval request, an approval information input unit into which approval information issued for a transaction for which payment has been put on hold in the approval result is input, and a payment processing unit that executes a payment process required for payment based on the approval information, and a payment processing unit that outputs additional information to the issuing device indicating that the payment processing is based on the approval information, the issuing device comprising a memory unit that stores the presence or absence of additional information in association with a printing format of a credit slip, and an issuing unit that, when the additional information is input, issues a credit slip using the printing format with additional information stored in the memory unit, wherein the printing format with additional information is specified to add information indicating that the payment is based on the approval information to a predetermined position of the credit slip, and when the issuing unit uses the printing format with additional information, issues the credit slip with information indicating that the payment is based on the approval information added to the predetermined position.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a payment system including a payment processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the POS terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the print format section in the storage section of the POS terminal of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the control unit of the POS terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the payment terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the payment terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of the payment terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing the flow of operations of the payment processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a payment process by the control unit of the payment terminal of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a credit slip printing process executed by the control unit of the POS terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a credit slip according to the embodiment.

The payment processing system according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a payment system including the payment processing system. The payment processing system 1 includes a POS terminal 2 and a payment terminal 3. The POS terminal 2 and the payment terminal 3 are installed in a retail store and are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) 4. Although not shown, a plurality of payment processing systems 1 including the POS terminal 2 and the payment terminal 3 are installed, for example, at the cash register counter or the service counter of the store. The payment terminal 3 is connected to a payment server 6 via a network such as a LAN 4 and the Internet 5. The payment server 6 is installed in the authorization center of a credit company. The POS terminal 2 is connected to a store server 7 via the LAN 4.

Next, the POS terminal 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the POS terminal 2. The POS terminal 2 comprises a main body 21, an operator display 22, a touch panel 23, a customer display 24, a keyboard 25, a scanner 26, and a printer 27. The POS terminal 2 is an example of an issuing device that issues credit slips.

The display 22 is, for example, configured with a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information. For example, the display 22 displays product information (product name, product price, etc.) of the product purchased by the customer, the transaction amount (total amount of one transaction), a product registration button for registering products that do not have barcodes, etc.

The touch panel 23 is provided on the surface of the display 22, and inputs information according to the touched position to the control unit of the POS terminal 2. For example, when a product registration button for a product that does not have a barcode and is displayed on the display 22 is touched, the touch panel 23 inputs the product code of that product to the control unit of the POS terminal 2.

The customer display 24 displays product information about the product the customer is purchasing, the transaction amount, etc. to the customer conducting the transaction.

The keyboard 25 is provided with a payment method selection key for selecting a payment method such as cash payment or credit card payment. The payment method selection key may be used to select other cashless payments, such as two-dimensional code payment using a QR code (registered trademark) or electronic money payment. The keyboard 25 is also provided with various other keys. The various keys include, for example, a quantity entry key for entering a product code or amount, a subtotal key for declaring the calculation of the total sales amount, a closing key for declaring that the payment will be settled by closing the transaction, a confirmation key for confirming the quantity entry made using the quantity entry key, and a clear key for clearing the entry.

The scanner 26 is a handheld scanner that recognizes the code symbol by emitting a laser beam and receiving the light reflected by a code symbol such as a barcode attached to a product. The scanner 26 decodes the recognized code symbol and reads the product code indicated by the code symbol. The code symbol recognized by the scanner 26 may be decoded by the control unit of the POS terminal 2. The scanner 26 may also capture an image of a product to recognize the code symbol attached to the product.

The printer 27 is, for example, a thermal printer that uses a thermal head to print information about one transaction on thermal paper and issue a receipt. The printer 27 also prints and issues a credit slip when a credit payment is made. Two copies of the credit slip are issued, one for the customer and one for the store. In addition to the printer 27 provided in the POS terminal 2, a printer for issuing credit slips that is connected to the payment terminal 3 may be provided. In this case, the printer connected to the payment terminal 3 is an example of an issuing device. The receipts and credit slips printed by the printer 27 are issued from the receipt issuing port 28.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 2. The POS terminal 2 includes a control unit 200, a memory unit 210, an input/output controller 220, and communication I/Fs (Interfaces) 230 and 240. The control unit 200, the memory unit 210, the input/output controller 220, and the communication I/Fs 230 and 240 are connected to each other via a bus 250.

The control unit 200 is configured as a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 250.

The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 201, and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and expands the various programs and data stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 210. The control unit 200 executes various control processes for the POS terminal 2 by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 210 and expanded in the RAM 203.

The memory unit 210 is configured with a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state memory (SSD). The memory unit 210 includes a control program unit 211, a product master unit 212, and a print format unit 213. The control program unit 211 stores various control programs in addition to the control program for functioning as the POS terminal 2.

The product master section 212 stores the product master. The product master is a master file that stores product codes and product information associated with each other for products handled in the store. Since the products handled in the store change daily, the product master is updated as appropriate by the store server 7 connected via the communication I/F 240.

The print format unit 213 stores the print format of the credit slip printed by the printer 27. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the print format unit 213. The print format unit 213 stores the presence or absence of additional information in association with the print format. When the POS terminal 2 receives additional information along with the payment notification from the payment terminal 3, that is, in the case of post-approval sales, the print format is format 1. When the POS terminal 2 does not receive additional information, that is, in the case of normal payment, the print format is format 2. Format 1 is, for example, a format in which "*" is printed adjacent to the approval number of a credit payment, and format 2 is a format in which "*" is not printed.

Returning to FIG. 3, the input/output controller 220 is connected to the display 22, the touch panel 23, the customer display 24, the keyboard 25, the scanner 26, and the printer 27. The input/output controller 220 has a function as an input/output interface for the connected hardware and a function for controlling this hardware. This allows the control unit 200 to send and receive information (data) to and from the display 22, the touch panel 23, the customer display 24, the keyboard 25, the scanner 26, and the printer 27 via the input/output controller 220, and also to control these pieces of hardware based on instructions from the control unit 200.

The communication I/F 230 is connected to the payment terminal 3 via the LAN 4. The communication I/F 240 is connected to the store server 7 via the LAN 4. This allows the control unit 200 to send and receive information (data) with the payment terminal 3 and the store server 7.

Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 200 of the POS terminal 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the POS terminal 2. The control unit 200 functions as a product registration unit 2001, a calculation unit 2002, a payment method acceptance unit 2003, a transaction information output unit 2004, a payment notification input unit 2005, and an issuing unit 2006, as the CPU 201 operates in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the control program unit 211. Note that each of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

The product registration unit 2001 acquires the product code read from the product by the scanner 26, and temporarily stores the product information acquired from the product master unit 212 based on this product code in the RAM 203. Product registration is performed for all products purchased by the customer.

When the calculation unit 2002 receives information from the keyboard 25 indicating that the subtotal key has been operated, it calculates the transaction amount for one transaction based on the product registration performed by the product registration unit 2001.

The payment method reception unit 2003 receives the payment method selected by the payment method selection key on the keyboard 25. The payment methods received by the payment method reception unit 2003 are cash payment and credit card payment, but two-dimensional code payment and the like may also be received.

When the payment method reception unit 2003 receives a credit card payment, the transaction information output unit 2004 outputs the transaction information to the payment terminal 3. Specifically, the transaction information output unit 2004 outputs the transaction amount of one transaction calculated by the calculation unit 2002 to the payment terminal 3.

The payment notification input unit 2005 inputs a payment notification from the payment terminal 3. Specifically, the payment notification input unit 2005 receives a notification from the payment terminal 3 that the credit card payment for the transaction related to the transaction amount output by the transaction information output unit 2004 has been approved by the credit company and the payment has been completed.

The issuing unit 2006 outputs a receipt issuing instruction and a credit slip issuing instruction to the printer 27. When a payment notification for post-approval sales is input to the payment notification input unit 2005, the issuing unit 2006 outputs an issuing instruction to the printer 27 to print a credit slip in print format 1. In this embodiment, receipts and credit slips are paper, so the issuing unit 2006 outputs an issuing instruction to the printer 27. However, receipts and credit slips can also be issued electronically. In this case, the issuing unit 2006 outputs an issuing instruction to an electronic issuing unit that issues receipts and credit slips electronically. The electronic issuing unit may be provided integrally with the POS main unit 2 or separately.

Next, the payment terminal 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is an oblique view showing the appearance of the payment terminal 3. The payment terminal 3 includes a main body 31, a display 32, a touch panel 33, and a card reader 34.

The display 32 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information. The display 22 displays information for the customer to confirm the payment, such as the transaction amount for a credit card transaction, and the payment method, such as lump sum payment or installment payment. It also displays an execution button for executing an approval request for the payment (hereinafter also simply referred to as an approval request) to the payment server 6.

The touch panel 33 is provided on the surface of the display 32 and inputs information corresponding to the touched position to the control unit of the payment terminal 3. For example, when the execute button displayed on the display 32 is touched, the touch panel 33 inputs an approval request instruction to the payment server 6 to the control unit of the payment terminal 3.

Card reader 34 reads credit information from a credit card held by a customer. Card reader 34 magnetically reads the credit information stored on a credit card that has been slid into reading groove 341 by the cardholder's operation. The credit information includes the credit card number, expiration date, etc. Note that card reader 34 may be configured to electrically contact an IC chip built into the credit card and electrically read the information stored in the IC chip.

In addition, in this embodiment, the printer 27 for printing credit slips is provided in the POS terminal 2, but it may also be provided in the payment terminal 3.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the payment terminal 3. The payment terminal 3 includes a control unit 300, a memory unit 310, an input/output controller 320, and communication I/Fs 330 and 340. The control unit 300, the memory unit 310, the input/output controller 320, and the communication I/Fs 330 and 340 are connected to each other via a bus 350.

The control unit 300 is composed of a computer equipped with a CPU 301, a ROM 302, and a RAM 303. The CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 are connected to each other via a bus 350.

The CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the payment terminal 3. The ROM 302 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 301, and various data. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301, and expands the various programs and data stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 310. The control unit 300 executes various control processes for the payment terminal 3 by the CPU 301 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 310 and expanded in the RAM 303.

The memory unit 310 is configured with a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The memory unit 310 has a control program unit 311. The control program unit 311 stores various control programs in addition to the control program for functioning as the payment terminal 3.

The input/output controller 320 is connected to the display 32, the touch panel 33, and the card reader 34. The input/output controller 320 has a function as an input/output interface for the connected hardware and a function for controlling the hardware. This allows the control unit 300 to send and receive information (data) to and from the display 32, the touch panel 33, and the card reader 34 via the input/output controller 320, and to control these pieces of hardware based on instructions from the control unit 300.

The communication I/F 330 is connected to the POS terminal 2 via the LAN 4. The communication I/F 240 is connected to the payment server 6 via the LAN 4 and the Internet 5. This allows the control unit 300 to send and receive information (data) with the POS terminal 2 and the payment server 6.

Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 300 of the payment terminal 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the payment terminal 3. The control unit 300 functions as a transaction information input unit 3001, a credit information input unit 3002, an additional information input unit 3003, a transmission unit 3004, a reception unit 3005, an approval information input unit 3006, and a payment processing unit 3007, as the CPU 301 operates in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302 or the control program unit 311. Note that each of the above functional configurations may be realized by hardware.

The transaction information input unit 3001 receives transaction information for a transaction in which credit card payment is made from the POS terminal 2. Specifically, the transaction information input unit 3001 receives transaction information from the POS terminal 2, including the transaction amount for a transaction in which credit card payment is selected at the POS terminal 2.

The credit information input section 3002 is used to input the customer's credit information required for the customer to make a payment by credit card. Specifically, the credit information input section 3002 is used to input the credit information such as the card number and expiration date read from the credit card by the card reader 34.

The additional information input unit 3003 receives additional information from the touch panel 33 to be added to the credit information and sent when making an approval request to the payment server 6. The additional information is information input by the customer to the touch panel 33, such as a credit card PIN number, a payment method such as lump sum payment or installment payment, etc.

The transmission unit 3004 transmits to the payment server 6 an approval request for the payment based on the credit information input to the credit information input unit 3002. More specifically, the transmission unit 3004 transmits to the payment server 6 the transaction amount input to the transaction information input unit 3001, the credit information input to the credit information input unit 3002, and the PIN number and information indicating the payment method input to the additional information input unit 3003 together with the approval request.

The receiving unit 3005 receives, from the payment server 6, the approval result in response to the approval request sent by the sending unit 3004. The approval result received by the receiving unit 3005 is either "Transaction OK" indicating that the payment has been completed, "Transaction NG" in the case where the usage limit has been exceeded or a credit card that has expired, or "Transaction on hold" in the case where fraudulent use of the credit card is suspected.

The approval information input unit 3006 receives approval information issued for a transaction whose payment has been put on hold in the approval result. Specifically, the approval information input unit 3006 receives an approval number issued by the credit company for the transaction whose payment has been put on hold. The approval number is obtained by a store clerk in charge of the payment terminal 3, who has received the approval result indicating that the transaction is on hold, making a telephone inquiry to the authorization center of the credit company. The store clerk who has obtained the approval number enters the approval number into the touch panel 33, and the approval number is input into the approval information input unit 3006. The above approval number is an example of approval information issued for a transaction whose payment has been put on hold.

The payment processing unit 3007 executes the payment processing necessary for the payment based on the approval information, and outputs additional information indicating that the payment processing is based on the approval information. Specifically, the payment processing unit 3007 performs the processing necessary for the payment based on the approval information, such as sending an approval request based on the approval number issued by the credit company to the payment server 6, and receiving an approval result for the approval request from the payment server 6. When the receiving unit 3005 receives an approval result indicating that the payment based on the approval number has been completed from the payment server 6, the payment processing unit 3007 outputs additional information to the POS terminal 2 indicating that the transaction for which the payment has been completed is a post-approval sale.

Next, the operation of the payment processing system 1 based on the above configuration will be described. Figure 9 is a sequence chart showing the flow of the operation of the payment processing system 1. Note that this sequence chart shows the flow when settlement is made with sales after approval.

The customer brings the products they wish to purchase to the cash register counter, and the POS terminal 2 registers the products and calculates the transaction amount (S1). Next, when the customer selects credit card payment at the POS terminal 2 (S2), the POS terminal 2 transmits the transaction amount to the payment terminal 3 (S3).

When the transaction amount is input to the transaction information input section 3001, approval request information is input to the payment terminal 3 for making an approval request to the payment server 6 (S4). The approval request information is information input to the credit information input section 3002 and the additional information input section 3003. In other words, the approval request information is the credit information read by the card reader 34 and the additional information input to the touch panel.

When the approval request information is input, the payment terminal 3 sends an approval request together with the transaction amount to the payment server 6 (S5). The approval request includes information indicating a request for approval of the payment and the approval request information input in S4.

The payment server 6 receives an approval decision regarding the transaction for which approval has been requested (S6). For example, if the credit company determines that the transaction to be approved is similar to a past case of fraudulent use of a credit card, an approval decision to put the transaction on hold is input. The payment server 6 transmits the approval result to the payment terminal 3 (S7).

When the payment terminal 3 receives the approval result for the pending transaction, it displays it on the display 32 (S8). After checking the approval result for the pending transaction displayed on the display 32, the store clerk operates the POS terminal 2, and the POS terminal 2 stores the transaction data to be approved in the store server 7 in response to the operation. The store clerk then guides the customer to the service counter.

The service counter will call the credit card company to inquire about the pending transaction. If the phone inquiry confirms that the credit card used in this transaction is the cardholder's, the credit card company will notify the store clerk of the authorization number.

The store clerk who is notified of the approval number uses the POS terminal 2 and payment terminal 3 installed at the service counter to process the post-approval sales. Note that post-approval sales can also be processed using the POS terminal 2 and payment terminal 3 installed at the cash register counter.

The payment terminal 3 executes a payment process based on the operation of the store clerk (S11). Details of the payment process will be described later. Next, the payment terminal 3 transmits a payment notification indicating that the transaction is OK, which was received from the payment server 6 in the payment process of S11, and additional information to the POS terminal 2 (S12). The additional information is information indicating that the approved transaction is a payment made through post-approval sales.

The POS terminal 2 reads the transaction data from the store server 7 based on the information identifying the transaction contained in the received payment notice (S13), and prints a receipt on the printer 27. The POS terminal 2 also executes a credit slip printing process based on the received payment notice and additional information (S14). Details of the credit slip printing process will be described later. This completes the credit settlement of the post-approval sale.

Next, we will explain the payment process executed by the payment terminal 3. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the payment process of the control unit 300 of the payment terminal 3.

The payment processing unit 3007 determines whether post-approval sales have been entered together with the instruction to start payment processing (S21). If post-approval sales have been entered (Y in S21), the payment processing unit 3007 stores payment type 1 in RAM 303 (S22). Payment type 1 is information indicating that this is a credit payment based on the approval number notified by the credit company, i.e., a credit payment based on post-approval sales.

Then, the payment processing unit 3007 determines whether an approval number has been input on the touch panel 33 (S23), and if not (N in S23), returns to the process of S23 and waits until an approval number is input. If an approval number is input (Y in S23), the payment processing unit 3007 determines whether approval request information has been input (S24). That is, the payment processing unit 3007 determines whether credit information has been input from the card reader 34 to the credit information input unit 3002, or whether information indicating a payment method or PIN number has been input from the touch panel 33 to the additional information input unit 3003.

If approval request information is not input (N in S24), the payment processing unit 3007 returns to the processing of S24 and waits until approval request information is input, and if approval request information is input (Y in S24), the payment processing unit 3007 instructs the transmission unit 3004 to transmit an approval request to the payment server 6 (S25).

In the process of S21, if the post-approval sales is not input together with the instruction to start the payment process (N in S21), the payment processing unit 3007 stores payment type 0 in the RAM 303 (S26) and proceeds to the process of S24. Payment type 0 is information indicating that this is not post-approval sales, but a normal credit payment.

Then, the payment processing unit 3007 judges whether the approval result received by the receiving unit 3005 from the payment server 6 indicates that the transaction is OK (S26). The approval result received by the receiving unit 3005 is the approval result for the approval request sent by the sending unit 3004 based on instructions from the payment processing unit 3007. If the approval result does not indicate that the transaction is OK (N in S26), the payment processing unit 3007 ends the payment process, and if the approval result indicates that the transaction is OK (Y in S26), it refers to the RAM 303 and judges whether payment type 1 is stored (S27).

If payment type 1 is stored (Y in S27), the payment processing unit 3007 sends an approval notice and additional information to the POS terminal 2 (S28) and ends the payment process. If payment type 1 is not stored (N in S27), that is, if payment type 0 is stored in the RAM 303, the payment processing unit 3007 sends an approval notice to the POS terminal 2 (S29) and ends the payment process.

Next, the credit slip printing process executed by the POS terminal 2 will be described. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the credit slip printing process of the control unit 200 of the POS terminal 2.

The control unit 200 determines whether a payment notification has been input from the payment terminal 3 to the payment notification input unit 2005 (S31), and if not (N in S31), returns to the processing of S31 and waits. If a payment notification has been input (Y in S31), the control unit 200 determines whether additional information has been input together with the payment notification to the payment notification input unit 2005 (S32).

If additional information has been input (Y in S32), the issuing unit 2006 instructs printing of a credit slip in format 1 (S33) and ends the credit slip printing process. If additional information has not been input (N in S32), the issuing unit 2006 instructs printing of a credit slip in format 2 (S33) and ends the credit slip printing process. The printer 27 prints the credit slip in accordance with the instructions of the issuing unit 2006. Two copies of the credit slips in formats 1 and 2 are printed, one for the customer and one for the store copy.

Figure 12 shows an example of a credit slip printed by the printer 27 in format 1 based on an instruction from the issuing unit 2006. The credit slip printed in format 1 is related to a transaction settled by post-approval sales. The credit slip printed in format 1 has "*" in the approval number column A in which the approval number identifying the approved transaction is printed. "*" is an example of information indicating that the payment is based on post-approval sales. "*" is located before the approval number (on the left side in Figure 12) and is printed in bolder letters than the approval number or in a different color to emphasize it. Therefore, a store clerk or the like who sees this credit slip can easily recognize that the credit slip is a credit slip for a transaction related to post-approval sales by checking the "*". The same applies even if the credit slip is not printed on paper but is issued electronically. Note that the information indicating that the payment is based on post-approval sales is not limited to "*" and may be any information that can be distinguished from credit slips related to normal credit payments. For example, a particular mark may be printed somewhere on the credit slip, any of the information printed on the credit slip may be printed in a different color, etc.

As described above, the payment terminal 3 of this embodiment includes an approval information input unit 3006 to which an approval number issued for a transaction whose payment is on hold is input, and a payment processing unit 3007 that executes the payment processing required for payment based on the approval number and outputs additional information indicating that the payment processing is based on the approval number. Therefore, the printer 27 to which the additional information is input from the payment terminal 3 can print on the credit slip that the payment is due to a post-approval sale. Therefore, when the store receives an inquiry from the credit company, for example, the store can easily extract credit slips for transactions that were sold after approval from many credit slips. Furthermore, even if any trouble regarding payment occurs later with the credit company, the store can indicate that the transaction was a post-approval sale simply by presenting the credit slip.

In addition, information indicating that the payment is based on approved sales is printed in accordance with the approval number, which is often used in inquiries from credit companies, so stores can more easily extract credit slips for transactions that are approved sales.

In this embodiment, the control programs used in the POS terminal 2 and the payment terminal 3 may be configured to be provided by recording them on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In addition, the control programs executed by the POS terminal 2 and the payment terminal 3 of this embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading them via the network, or may be configured to be provided via a network such as the Internet.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

1 Payment processing system 2 POS terminal (issuing device)
3 Payment terminal 6 Payment server 2006 Issuance unit 3002 Credit information input unit 3004 Transmission unit 3005 Reception unit 3007 Payment processing unit

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-319963

Claims (2)

A payment processing system comprising: a payment terminal used for credit card payments; and an issuing device that issues a credit slip for a transaction settled using the payment terminal,
The payment terminal includes:
a credit information input section for inputting credit information of a customer required for a transaction to make a payment by credit card;
a transmission unit that transmits a request for approval of payment based on the credit information inputted to the credit information input unit to a payment server;
a receiving unit that receives an approval result for the approval request from the settlement server;
an approval information input unit to which approval information issued for a transaction whose settlement has been suspended as a result of the approval is input;
a payment processing unit that executes a payment process necessary for a payment based on the approval information and outputs additional information indicating that the payment process is based on the approval information to the issuing device;
The issuing device includes:
a storage unit that stores the presence or absence of the additional information and a print format of the credit slip in association with each other;
an issuing unit that issues a credit slip using a print format including the additional information stored in the memory unit when the additional information is input ;
Equipped with
The print format with additional information specifies that information indicating that the payment is based on the approval information is added to a predetermined position of the credit slip,
The issuing unit, when using a print format with additional information, issues the credit slip with information indicating that the payment is based on the approval information added to the specified position. The information shown on the credit slip includes an authorization number identifying the transaction to which the credit slip relates;
The print format with additional information specifies that information indicating that the payment is based on the approval information is printed in an approval number field in which the approval number is printed,
When the issuing unit uses the print format with additional information, the issuing unit issues the credit slip with information indicating that the payment is based on the approval information added to the approval number field .
The payment processing system of claim 1 .

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