JP7549839B2 - Payment system, payment method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a payment system, a payment method, and a program.

Conventionally, known QR code (registered trademark) payment systems include the CPM (Consumer Presented Mode) method (see FIG. 3A) in which a customer displays a QR code on a smartphone and a store clerk reads the QR code with a reader, and the MPM (Merchant Presented Mode) method (see FIG. 3B) in which a customer reads a QR code displayed in a store with their smartphone (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known as a contactless payment system is a system that uses wireless communication technology (NFC, Felica, Bluetooth, etc.) installed in a smartphone to allow a customer to make a contactless payment by holding their smartphone over a reader installed at the store's cash register and using a credit card or electronic money (see FIG. 4).

Special Publication No. 2016-534453

However, with conventional QR code payment systems, customers must read the QR code, input the payment amount, register payment instructions, and show the payment completion screen to the store clerk every time they make a payment, which creates the problem of cumbersome operations. On the other hand, store clerks must guide the customer to read the QR code, guide the customer to input the payment amount, check the entered payment amount, check the payment completion screen, and register the completion of the payment in the POS (Point of Sale System) register every time they make a payment, which places a burden on them. Furthermore, with conventional contactless payment systems, the OS operator or mobile phone operator manages the entire scheme, which also creates the problem of restrictions on the provision of services.

In other words, it has been difficult to provide a payment system that is convenient for both customers and stores.

In light of these circumstances, the object of the present invention is to provide a payment system, payment method, and program that are convenient for both customers and stores.

To solve the above problems, the payment system of the present invention is a payment system used when a customer makes a payment at a store, and is characterized by comprising: a POS register in which settlement information including information on the store, information on a register installed in the store, and information on the settlement amount of the product is registered; an active IC tag device in which the settlement information is written; and a mobile terminal that reads the settlement information contactlessly via the active IC tag device and displays settlement result information based on the settlement information.

To solve the above problems, the payment method of the present invention is a payment method used when a customer makes a payment at a store, and is characterized by including the steps of: registering payment information in a POS register, the payment information including information about the store, information about a register installed in the store, and information about the payment amount of the product; writing the payment information in an active IC tag device; and reading the payment information in a non-contact manner by a mobile terminal via the active IC tag device, and displaying payment result information based on the payment information.

In order to solve the above problem, the program according to the present invention is characterized by causing a computer to function as the above payment system.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a payment system, payment method, and program that is convenient for both customers and stores.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a payment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a payment method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional payment system. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional payment system. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional payment system.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

<Payment system configuration>
The configuration of the payment system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following description, an example will be given in which the payment system 100 is used when a customer purchases a product, but the use of the payment system 100 is not limited to this. For example, the payment system 100 can of course be used for all kinds of payments at a store, such as payments for services and fee collection services.

As shown in FIG. 1, the payment system 100 includes a POS register 10, an active IC tag device 20, a mobile terminal 30, a payment server 40, a headquarters server 50, and a store server 60. The POS register 10 and the store server 60 are connected to each other via a network N1 so as to be able to communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly. The store server 60 and the headquarters server 50 are connected to each other via a network N2 so as to be able to communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly. The headquarters server 50 and the payment server 40 are connected to each other via a network N3 so as to be able to communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly. The payment server 40 and the mobile terminal 30 are connected to each other via a network N4 so as to be able to communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly. The networks N1, N2, N3, and N4 are communication networks including, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a telephone line, a mobile communication network, and the like. The payment system 100 may be configured without including the store server 60. Also, in FIG. 1, a case is described in which the connection between the POS register 10 and the active IC tag device 20 is wireless, but this is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that the connection between the POS register 10 and the active IC tag device 20 may be wired.

The POS register 10 registers settlement information including store information, information on the register installed in the store, and information on the settlement amount of the product. Store information is fixed information indicating the store name, such as XX supermarket's △△ store, XX supermarket's □□ store, and the store's location. Store information is fixed information indicating the register number, such as register 1, register 2, and the register ID. Product settlement amount information is variable information that changes each time a customer purchases a product at a store, such as information that if a customer purchases product A for 100 yen and product B for 200 yen, the total amount of products A and B is 300 yen, or information that if a customer purchases product C for 200 yen and product D for 400 yen, the total amount of products C and D is 600 yen. In addition to settlement information, coupon information, point information, and the like may also be registered in the POS register 10.

When a store clerk performs a specific operation on the POS register 10, the settlement information registered in the POS register 10 is written to the active IC tag device 20. An example of a specific operation is when the store clerk scans a product with a barcode reader and then presses a "XX Pay" button on the POS register 10. When the store clerk performs the specific operation on the POS register 10, the settlement information registered in the POS register 10 is written in real time to the active IC tag device 20. This makes it possible to arbitrarily rewrite variable information (for example, information on the settlement amount of a product) that changes each time a customer purchases a product in a store to the active IC tag device 20.

The POS register 10 also registers payment result information. Payment result information is information that indicates whether or not a payment based on the checkout information has been completed, and examples of this information include "Payment of '300 yen' has been completed at register number 1 at 'XX supermarket's △△ store'" and "Payment of '300 yen' has not yet been completed at register number 1 at 'XX supermarket's △△ store'."

When the store clerk checks the payment result information displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 30 and performs a specific operation on the POS register 10, the settlement information displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 30 is registered in the POS register 10. An example of the specific operation is when the store clerk visually checks the payment result information displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 30 and then presses a button on the POS register 10 labeled "●●Payment Result." When the store clerk performs the specific operation on the POS register 10, the payment result information displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 30 is written in real time to the POS register 10. This allows the POS register 10 to easily obtain payment result information since it does not need to receive payment result information from the payment server 40 via the headquarters server 50, the store server 60, etc. This allows the development costs of the store to be significantly reduced.

The POS register 10 also displays the registered payment result information, for example, on a display unit. This allows the customer and store clerk to clearly recognize in a short time whether or not the payment has been completed.

The settlement information registered in the POS register 10 is written into the active IC tag device 20 according to the predetermined operation as described above by the store clerk operating the POS register 10. At this time, coupon information, point information, etc. may also be written into the active IC tag device 20. The settlement information, coupon information, point information, etc. written into the active IC tag device 20 is read contactlessly by the mobile terminal 30. The active IC tag device 20 extracts the necessary information from the POS register 10, and the mobile terminal 30 extracts the necessary information from the active IC tag device 20, enabling simple contactless payment processing for both the customer and the store.

The mobile terminal 30 is a terminal held by a customer, and is, for example, a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet PC (Personal Computer). The mobile terminal 30 includes a control unit, a memory unit, a display unit, etc.

The control unit may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be configured with a general-purpose processor or a processor specialized for a specific process.

The storage unit includes one or more memories, and may include, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, etc. Each memory included in the storage unit may function, for example, as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. Each memory does not necessarily need to be provided inside the mobile terminal 30, and may be configured to be provided outside the mobile terminal 30.

The display unit may be any device capable of displaying images or text, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit displays a predetermined screen based on various information input from the control unit, such as payment result information.

The mobile terminal 30 operates in response to a specific operation by the customer. The customer downloads and installs payment application software that can be used at the store where the customer wants to purchase the product, for example, from a website, via the network N4. The customer starts the payment application software and holds his/her mobile terminal 30 over the active IC tag device 20. This allows the mobile terminal 30 to read the settlement information contactlessly via the active IC tag device 20. At this time, the mobile terminal 30 may also read coupon information, point information, and the like. If the mobile terminal 30 has a function to automatically start specific application software based on the information read from the active IC tag device 20, it writes information to start a payment application as information to be written to the active IC tag device 20, and the mobile terminal 30 reads the information, thereby saving the customer the trouble of starting a dedicated application.

The mobile terminal 30 also transmits settlement information to the payment server 40 via the network N4. This makes it possible to transmit settlement information from the POS register 10 to the mobile terminal 30 and from the mobile terminal 30 to the payment server 40, which was not possible in conventional payment systems. The payment server 40 can perform payment processing based on the settlement information, so that the time required for payment processing can be significantly reduced compared to conventional payment systems, making it possible to realize a highly convenient payment system 100.

In addition, the mobile terminal 30 may transmit, via the network N4 to the payment server 40, together with the settlement information, for example, credit card information of the customer who possesses the mobile terminal 30 (e.g., information including a credit card number, credit card expiration date, etc.), electronic money information of the customer who possesses the mobile terminal 30 (e.g., information including an electronic money ID, electronic money balance, etc.), coupon information, point information, etc. In this way, the mobile terminal 30 can contactlessly read not only the settlement information but also additional information such as coupon information and point information all at once via the active IC tag device 20, thereby avoiding the hassle of the conventional payment system in which information on different media had to be processed one by one for each customer, and realizing a one-operation system at the store.

The mobile terminal 30 also receives payment result information from the payment server 40 via the network N4. The mobile terminal 30 displays the received payment result information, for example, on the display unit. By presenting the payment result information to the store clerk via the display unit of the mobile terminal 30, the store clerk can clearly recognize in a short time whether the payment has been completed or not. In addition, by registering the payment result information presented to the store clerk in the POS register 10, the payment server 40 does not need to transmit the payment result information to the POS register 10 via the headquarters server 50 and the store server 60. This makes it possible to minimize the transmission and reception of information between the payment server 40 and the POS register 10. In addition, it is possible to easily perform processes such as automatic application of coupon services, allocation of points to payments, and campaign discounts or cashbacks for purchasers of specific products.

The mobile terminal 30 also receives, via the network N4, from the payment server 40, authentication information indicating the authentication result as to whether or not payment by credit card is possible, confirmation information indicating the confirmation result as to whether or not withdrawal based on the electronic money balance is possible, and the like.

As described above, the customer can complete the payment for the product he/she wants to purchase by simply installing and activating the payment application software on his/her mobile terminal 30 and holding it over the active IC tag device 20. That is, compared to the conventional QR code payment system, the payment system 100 can be realized that can significantly reduce the customer's efforts and significantly shorten the time required for payment processing. In addition, since the customer can easily read multiple pieces of information written in the active IC tag device 20 into his/her mobile terminal 30, he/she can check the payment information in real time and can use the payment system 100 without requiring permission from the OS operator or mobile phone operator. That is, compared to the conventional contactless payment system, the payment system 100 can be realized that is highly convenient for both the customer and the store. If the mobile terminal 30 has a function to automatically activate specific application software based on the information read from the active IC tag device 20, information for activating a payment application can be written as information to be written to the active IC tag device 20, and the mobile terminal 30 can read the information, thereby saving the customer the trouble of activating a dedicated application.

The payment server 40 is a server device that processes electronic payments such as credit cards and electronic money. The payment server 40 includes a control unit, a storage unit, and the like. The control unit may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be configured with a general-purpose processor or a processor specialized for a specific process. The storage unit includes one or more memories, and may include, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, and the like. Each memory included in the storage unit may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. Each memory does not necessarily need to be provided inside the payment server 40, and may be configured to be provided outside the payment server 40.

The payment server 40 also receives settlement information from the mobile terminal 30 via network N4. The payment server 40 also generates payment result information based on the settlement information. The payment server 40 also transmits the payment result information to the headquarters server 50 via network N3. The payment server 40 also transmits the payment result information to the mobile terminal 30 via network N4. Note that the transmission of payment result information from the payment server 40 to the headquarters server 50 does not need to be in real time, and it is also possible to transmit a day's worth of information all at once.

The payment server 40 also transmits, via the network N4, to the mobile terminal 30, authentication information indicating the authentication result as to whether or not payment by credit card is possible, confirmation information indicating the confirmation result as to whether or not withdrawal based on the electronic money balance is possible, and the like.

For example, when performing credit card payment processing, the payment server 40 performs processes such as receiving information on the settlement amount of the product, the customer's credit card information from the mobile terminal 30, authenticating the credit card, taking security measures, settling the settlement amount, and notifying the result of the payment execution. For example, when performing electronic money payment processing, the payment server 40 performs processes such as receiving information on the settlement amount of the product, the customer's electronic money information from the mobile terminal 30, authenticating the electronic money, checking the electronic money balance, updating the electronic money balance, and notifying the result of the payment execution.

As described above, variable information that changes each time a customer purchases an item at a store, such as information on the payment amount of the item, is sent from the POS register 10 to the mobile terminal 30, and then from the mobile terminal 30 to the payment server 40, allowing the payment server 40 to receive the variable information in real time. The payment server 40 can then generate payment result information in real time based on the variable information, thereby realizing a payment system 100 that allows for speedy payment processing while significantly reducing the effort required of customers compared to conventional payment systems.

The headquarters server 50 is a server device provided at the headquarters of the company that operates the store. The headquarters server 50 performs processes such as sales management, sales analysis, and inventory management for the company that operates the store. The headquarters server 50 includes a control unit, a storage unit, and the like. The control unit may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be configured with a general-purpose processor or a processor specialized for a specific process. The storage unit includes one or more memories, and may include, for example, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, and the like. Each memory included in the storage unit may function, for example, as a main storage device, auxiliary storage device, or cache memory. Each memory does not necessarily need to be provided inside the headquarters server 50, and may be configured to be provided outside the headquarters server 50.

The headquarters server 50 also receives payment result information from the payment server 40 via network N3. The headquarters server 50 also receives payment information compiled for each store from the store server 60 via network N2. The headquarters server 50 also cross-references and registers the payment result information received from the payment server 40 and the payment information compiled for each store received from the store server 60. This allows the headquarters server 50 to perform product inventory management, product sales management, and the like, based on the payment information compiled for each store.

The store server 60 is a server device installed in a store that has introduced the payment system 100. The store server 60 obtains product sales information, product sales information, etc. from the POS register 10 and tally up the information for each store. The store server 60 may be connected to multiple POS registers 10. The store server 60 includes a control unit, a memory unit, etc. The control unit may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be configured with a general-purpose processor or a processor specialized for a specific process. The memory unit includes one or more memories, and may include, for example, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, etc. Each memory included in the memory unit may function, for example, as a main memory device, auxiliary memory device, or cache memory. Each memory does not necessarily need to be included in the store server 60, and may be configured to be included outside the store server 60.

The store server 60 also receives payment information, product sales information, and sales information for each store from the POS register 10 via the network N1. The store server 60 also transmits payment information, product sales information, and sales information for each store to the headquarters server 50 via the network N2.

The payment system 100 according to the present embodiment includes at least an active IC tag device 20 in which the settlement information is written by the POS register 10 and the settlement information is read by the mobile terminal 30. This allows variable information such as the settlement amount of the product to be rewritten to the active IC tag device 20 each time a payment is made, so that fixed information such as store information and information on the register installed in the store can be linked with variable information such as the settlement amount of the product and processed in a short time. In addition, the problem that occurred in the conventional QR code payment system, in which the customer had to perform the operation of reading the QR code, inputting the settlement amount, registering the payment instruction, and presenting the payment completion screen to the clerk each time a payment is made, and various operations are cumbersome, can be eliminated. In addition, the problem that occurred in the conventional QR code payment system, in which the clerk had to perform the operations of instructing the customer to read the QR code, instructing the customer to input the settlement amount, checking the entered settlement amount, checking the payment completion screen, and registering the completion of the payment to the POS register each time a payment is made, and the burden is eliminated. It also solves problems that occurred in conventional contactless payment systems, such as customers being unable to check payment information in real time and restrictions on service provision because the OS operator or mobile phone operator manages the entire scheme. In other words, it is possible to realize a payment system 100 that is highly convenient for both customers and stores.

<Payment method>
An example of a payment method in payment system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S101, the customer hands the product they wish to purchase to a store clerk. The store clerk scans the product with a reader installed at the store's cash register. As a result, payment information including information about the store, the cash register installed at the store, and the payment amount for the product are registered in the POS register 10.

In step S102, the customer tells the store clerk, for example, "I'll pay with XX Pay." The store clerk presses a button labeled "XX Pay" on the store's cash register. This causes the settlement information to be written into the active IC tag device 20.

In step S103, the customer starts the payment application software and holds their mobile terminal 30 over the active IC tag device 20. The mobile terminal 30 reads the settlement information contactlessly via the active IC tag device 20. As a result, the settlement information registered in the POS register 10 is read by the mobile terminal 30. If the mobile terminal 30 has a function for automatically starting specific application software based on the information read from the active IC tag device 20, information for starting a payment application can be written to the active IC tag device 20, and the mobile terminal 30 can read this information, eliminating the need for the customer to go through the trouble of starting a dedicated application.

In step S104, the payment server 40 generates payment result information based on the settlement information. The payment server 40 then transmits the payment result information to the mobile terminal 30 via network N4. The payment server 40 also transmits the payment result information to the headquarters server 50 via network N3. For example, the payment server 40 generates information such as "A payment of '300 yen' has been completed at register No. 1 at 'XX supermarket's △△ store'" and transmits the payment result information to the mobile terminal 30 via network N4. For example, the payment server 40 generates information such as "A payment of '300 yen' has not yet been completed at register No. 1 at 'XX supermarket's △△ store'" and transmits the payment result information to the mobile terminal 30 via network N4.

The payment server 40 also transmits, via the network N4, to the mobile terminal 30, authentication information indicating the authentication result as to whether or not payment by credit card is possible, confirmation information indicating the confirmation result as to whether or not withdrawal based on the balance of electronic money is possible, etc. This allows the customer to recognize in real time on his or her mobile terminal 30 whether or not payment by credit card is possible, whether or not withdrawal based on the balance of electronic money is possible, etc.

In step S105, the mobile terminal 30 receives payment result information from the payment server 40 via the network N4. The mobile terminal 30 also displays the received payment result information, for example, on the display unit. The payment result information displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 30 is registered in the POS register 10 by the store clerk. This step ends the payment process.

As described above, a customer can complete payment for the product they wish to purchase simply by installing and activating the payment application software on their mobile terminal 30 and holding it over the active IC tag device 20. Furthermore, store clerks do not need to guide the customer to read the QR code, guide the customer to input the payment amount, confirm the input payment amount, check the payment completion screen, register the completion of payment on the POS register, etc. According to the payment method of this embodiment, it is possible to realize a payment method that is highly convenient for both the customer and the store.

If the mobile terminal 30 has a function for automatically starting specific application software based on information read from the active IC tag device 20, information for starting a payment application can be written to the active IC tag device 20, and the mobile terminal 30 can read the information, thereby saving the customer the trouble of starting a dedicated application.

<Modification>
In this embodiment, the functions included in each of the above-mentioned means or steps can be rearranged so as not to cause logical contradiction. For example, it is possible to combine or divide a plurality of means or steps into one. For example, the mobile terminal 30, the payment server 40, the headquarters server 50, and the store server 60 according to the above-mentioned embodiment may each be divided into two or more devices. In addition, in this embodiment, any device having an information processing function, such as a general-purpose computer, can be adopted as the mobile terminal 30, the payment server 40, the headquarters server 50, and the store server 60. For example, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the mobile terminal 30, the payment server 40, the headquarters server 50, and the store server 60 according to the embodiment may be stored in the memory of the device and executed by the processor of the device. Therefore, the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized as a program.

Furthermore, the hardware configuration of each device included in the payment system 100 is not limited to the example in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the number of each device and the number of hardware elements of each device are not limited to the example in FIG. 1.

The settlement information according to this embodiment may be receipt information including the product name, the number of items purchased, the unit price of the product, etc.

<Other Modifications>
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples. For example, the above-mentioned various processes may be executed not only in chronological order as described, but also in parallel or individually depending on the processing capacity of the device executing the processes or as necessary. In addition, appropriate modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

<Program and recording medium>
In addition, the various processing functions of each device described in the above embodiment and modified examples may be realized by a computer. In this case, the processing contents of the functions that each device should have are described by a program. Then, by executing this program on a computer, the various processing functions of each device are realized on the computer.
The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, which may be, for example, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or any other type of recording medium.
The program may be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, lending, etc. portable recording media such as DVDs, CD-ROMs, etc. on which the program is recorded. Furthermore, the program may be distributed by storing the program in a storage device of a server computer and transferring the program from the server computer to other computers via a network.
A computer that executes such a program, for example, first stores the program recorded on a portable recording medium or the program transferred from a server computer in its own storage unit. Then, when executing a process, the computer reads the program stored in its own storage unit and executes a process according to the read program. As another embodiment of the program, the computer may read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute a process according to the program. Furthermore, each time a program is transferred from the server computer to the computer, the computer may execute a process according to the received program. Alternatively, the server computer may not transfer the program to the computer, but may execute the above-mentioned process by a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) type service that realizes the processing function only by issuing an execution instruction and obtaining the result. The program includes information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program (data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has a nature that specifies the processing of the computer, etc.).
Furthermore, although each device is configured by executing a specific program on a computer, at least a part of the processing content may be realized by hardware.

The above-mentioned embodiment has been described as a representative example, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and substitutions are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, it is possible to combine multiple configuration blocks shown in the configuration diagram of the embodiment into one, or to divide one configuration block.

10 POS register 20 Active IC tag device 30 Mobile terminal 40 Payment server 50 Headquarters server 60 Store server 100 Payment system

Claims (5)

A payment system used when a customer makes a payment at a store,
a POS register in which settlement information including information on the store, information on a register installed in the store, and information on the settlement amount of products is registered;
an active IC tag device to which the settlement information is written;
a mobile terminal that reads the settlement information in a non-contact manner via the active IC tag device and displays settlement result information based on the settlement information;
A payment system comprising: The method further includes a payment server that generates the payment result information based on the settlement information and transmits the payment result information to the mobile terminal.
The payment system according to claim 1. A payment method used when a customer makes a payment at a store,
A step of registering settlement information, including information on the store, information on a register installed in the store, and information on a settlement amount of an item, in a POS register;
A step of writing the settlement information into an active IC tag device;
a step of a mobile terminal contactlessly reading the settlement information via the active IC tag device and displaying settlement result information based on the settlement information;
Payment methods, including: A payment server generates the payment result information based on the settlement information and transmits the payment result information to the mobile terminal;
The payment method of claim 3 , further comprising: A program for causing a computer to function as the payment system according to claim 1 or 2.

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