JP7567993B2 - Payment processing device, payment processing method, program, and payment processing system - Google Patents

Description

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

When purchasing a product, payment may be processed using a credit card, or a discount may be applied to the person who presents a coupon. Patent Document 1 discloses a related technology in which, when a user uses a representative card to make a payment, mileage points, stamps, or coupons from an affiliated company that are matched to the representative card information are accumulated or used for payment.

JP 2014-130604 A

The automation of payment is being considered in stores that sell products. With regard to the automated payment process in such stores, there is a demand for payment methods that improve service for store customers, in the hope of increasing store usage.

The present invention aims to provide a payment processing device, a payment processing method, a program, and a payment processing system that solve the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a payment processing device is characterized by comprising: a store usage detection unit that detects a store usage by a store user based on a motion detection signal output from a motion detection sensor; and a payment processing unit that, upon receiving store exit information indicating that the store user who detected the store usage has left the store, acquires identification information of the store user contained in the store exit information, acquires identification information of a product picked up by the store user that is recorded in association with the identification information of the store user from a database, identifies a payment method related to the store user, performs payment processing for the product using the identified payment method, and transmits payment confirmation page information including the payment amount to be paid in the payment processing to a terminal of the store user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a payment processing method includes a payment processing device that detects a store user's use of a store based on a motion detection signal output from a motion detection sensor, and when the payment processing device receives store exit information indicating that the store user whose use of the store has been detected has left the store, acquires identification information of the store user contained in the store exit information, acquires identification information of a product picked up by the store user that is recorded in association with the identification information of the store user from a database, identifies a payment method related to the store user, performs payment processing for the product using the identified payment method, and transmits payment confirmation page information including the payment amount to be paid in the payment processing to a terminal of the store user.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the program causes a computer to function as store usage detection means that detects a store usage by a store user based on a motion detection signal output from a motion detection sensor, and payment processing means that, upon receiving store exit information indicating that the store user who detected the store usage has left the store, acquires identification information of the store user contained in the store exit information, acquires identification information of a product picked up by the store user that is recorded in association with the identification information of the store user from a database, identifies a payment method related to the store user, performs payment processing for the product using the identified payment method, and transmits payment confirmation page information including the payment amount to be paid in the payment processing to a terminal of the store user.

The present invention provides a payment method that improves service for store users.

1 is a schematic diagram of a store system including a payment processing device. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a payment processing device. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the payment processing device. FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing a processing flow of the payment processing device. FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the processing flow of the payment processing device. FIG. 13 is a third diagram showing the processing flow of the payment processing device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a minimum configuration of a payment processing device.

A payment processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a store system equipped with a payment processing device according to the embodiment.
As shown in the figure, a payment processing device 1 is communicatively connected to each device provided within a store 20. An entrance/exit gate 2, for example, is provided within the store. A plurality of product shelves 21 are provided in the store 20. Products are arranged on the product shelves 21.

The store 20 managed by the store system 100 according to this embodiment is structured so that store customers enter or leave the store through the entrance/exit gate 2. There need not be any store staff on-site at the store 20. Store customers pick up products from the product shelves 21 and leave the store through the entrance/exit gate 2. When a store customer leaves the store through the entrance/exit gate 2, a device in the store notifies the payment processing device 1 of the store customer's identification information, the identification information of the product the store customer has taken away, etc. The payment processing device 1 automatically performs payment processing based on the received store customer's identification information and product identification information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the payment processing device.
As shown in FIG. 2, the payment processing device 1 includes, as an example, the following hardware configurations: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a HDD (Solid State Drive) 104, an interface 105, and a communication module 106.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the payment processing device.
The CPU 101 of the payment processing device 1 executes a payment processing program. As a result, the payment processing device 1 is provided with the functions of a control unit 11, a store usage detection unit 12, and a payment processing unit 13.
As shown in Figure 3, the payment processing device 1 is also connected to a database 10. The payment processing device 1 is also communicatively connected to each device provided in the store 20, such as the entrance/exit gate 2, camera 3, and merchandise detection sensor 4, via a first communication network 6. The first communication network 6 is, for example, a dedicated communication network connecting the payment processing device 1 to each device in the store 20. The entrance/exit gate 2, camera 3, and merchandise detection sensor 4 are provided in the store 20. The payment processing device 1 is also communicatively connected to a terminal 5 carried by a store customer via a second communication network 7. The second communication network 7 is a mobile phone network or the Internet.

The payment processing device 1 according to this embodiment detects the store use of a store user based on a motion detection signal output from a motion detection sensor. Store use may be defined as the store user entering the store. Furthermore, before store use may be defined as before the store user enters the store, after store use may be defined as after the store user leaves the store, and during store use may be defined as when the store user is in the store. The payment processing device 1 then identifies one of a plurality of payment methods related to the store user and performs payment processing using the identified payment method. The plurality of payment methods in this embodiment may be payment using an electronic coupon, payment using an electronic ticket, payment using a point redemption service, payment using electronic money, etc. The electronic coupon may be an electronic discount coupon, an electronic discount coupon, a point redemption coupon, a point grant increase coupon, etc.

Next, the purchased product detection process of the payment processing device 1 will be described.
When passing through the entrance/exit gate 2, the store user holds the barcode image displayed on the terminal 5 over a barcode reader provided at the entrance/exit gate 2. The entrance/exit gate 2 reads the barcode image and outputs the identification information of the store user indicated by the barcode to the payment processing device 1. The entrance/exit gate 2 may be connected to the terminal 5 via wireless communication to automatically receive the identification information of the store user indicated by the barcode from the terminal 5 and output it to the payment processing device 1. The camera 3 outputs images and videos of the store user to the payment processing device 1. As an example, the store usage detection unit 12 of the payment processing device 1 performs a process to detect the time of entry into the store based on the images and videos of the store user, the path of the store user's movements, and the time of exiting the store based on the path. The store usage detection unit 12 records the identification information of the store user, the entry time, the exit time, and the path in the database 10 in association with each other based on the time of receiving the identification information of the store user, the time of entry or exit, and the path of the store user (coordinates within the store and the time the store user is at those coordinates).

The product detection sensor 4 is installed, for example, for each product displayed on the product shelf 21. For example, when a store patron picks up a product, the product detection sensor 4 outputs a product acquisition signal including the product's identification information and the product's coordinates in the store on the product shelf 21 to the payment processing device 1. The store usage detection unit 12 links the store patron's identification information with the product's identification information based on the correspondence between each coordinate indicated by the store patron's trajectory and time, and the correspondence between the product's identification information and coordinates in the product acquisition signal received from the product detection sensor 4, and records the linked information in the database 10.

When an item is returned to the product shelf 21, the product detection sensor 4 outputs to the payment processing device 1 a product return signal including the identification information of the item and the coordinates of the item on the product shelf 21 within the store. The store usage detection unit 12 releases the link between the identification information of the store user and the identification information of the item recorded in the database 10, based on the correspondence between each coordinate indicated by the store user's trajectory and time, and the correspondence between the identification information of the item in the product return signal received from the product detection sensor 4 and the coordinates.

This allows the payment processing device 1 to store information on which products the store user picked up and which products he or she returned to the product shelf 21. When the store user passes through the entrance/exit gate 2 to leave the store, the store user holds the barcode image displayed on the terminal 5 over a barcode reader installed at the entrance/exit gate 2. The entrance/exit gate 2 then reads the barcode image and outputs the store user's identification information indicated by the barcode to the payment processing device 1. When the store user passes through the entrance/exit gate 2 and leaves the store, the payment processing device 1 can automatically detect the products purchased by the store user based on the relationship between the store user's identification information recorded in the database 10 and the identification information of the products. The payment processing device 1 can automatically perform payment processing using the store user's identification information, product identification information, and the store user's credit card information for payment, etc., recorded in the database 10. Note that the above-mentioned processing of each device in the store 20 from the time the store user enters the store 20 until the time the store user leaves the store and the above-mentioned processing of the payment processing device 1 are only examples, and the processing of detecting the products purchased by the store user may be performed by other processing.

The entrance/exit gate 2, camera 3, and product detection sensor 4 described above are each a form of motion detection sensor. The payment processing device 1 detects the store use of a store user based on motion detection signals output from motion detection sensors such as the entrance/exit gate 2, camera 3, and product detection sensor 4. The terminal 5 can also be defined as a motion detection sensor for detecting the store use of a store user, since, for example, if the terminal is installed in a store, the visit of a person can be detected by touching the terminal 5. The terminal 5 carried by the store user can also be defined as a motion detection sensor for detecting the store use of the store user. For example, using the terminal 5 to select coupon information or a payment method and transmit it to the payment processing device 1 is an act for identifying the visit to the store. Therefore, the terminal 5 carried by the store user can also be defined as a motion detection sensor for detecting the store use of the store user.

First Embodiment
FIG. 4 is a first diagram showing the process flow of the payment processing device.
A first example of the payment method determination process will now be described.
While the above-mentioned purchase product detection process is being performed, the payment processing device 1 performs a payment method determination process. Specifically, the payment processing unit 13 receives store user exit information from the entrance/exit gate 2 (step S401). The payment processing unit 13 acquires the store user's identification information from the store exit information (step S402). The payment processing unit 13 acquires product identification information linked to the store user's identification information from the database 10, and calculates the payment amount for the store user (step S403). The payment processing unit 13 performs payment processing based on the calculated payment amount (step S404).

The payment processing unit 13 acquires the email address of the store user that is recorded in the database 10 in association with the identification information of the store user. The payment processing unit 13 generates an electronic receipt including the payment amount of the store user, and sends information on a payment confirmation page including the electronic receipt to the acquired email address (step S405). The payment confirmation page sent to the email address can be viewed on the terminal 5 held by the store user. The payment processing unit 13 may send the payment confirmation page to the terminal 5 by push distribution.

The terminal 5, which has acquired the information of the payment confirmation page based on the operation of the store user, displays the payment confirmation page. The payment confirmation page displays a payment method change button. When the store user operates the terminal 5 to press the payment method change button, the terminal 5 transmits a request to acquire the payment method change page to the payment processing device 1. The payment processing device 1 may be equipped with a web server device having the function of a web server. In this case, the payment processing device 1 receives the request to acquire the payment method change page (step S406). The payment processing device 1 transmits the information of the payment method change page to the terminal 5 (step S407). The terminal 5 displays the payment method change page on the screen. The store user can use the payment method change page displayed on the terminal 5 to instruct the store user to use a coupon or to change the payment method. The terminal 5 transmits coupon use instruction information or payment method change instruction information to the payment processing device 1 based on the store user's operation on the payment method change page. The payment processing unit 13 of the payment processing device 1 receives the coupon use instruction information or payment method change instruction information via the web server device (step S408). The payment method change page displayed on terminal 5 may display not only the above-mentioned information, but also a screen that allows the user to confirm the intention to use a specific payment method among payment methods using coupons, points, tickets (vouchers), electronic money, etc., and a screen that allows the user to specify (input) the number of points to be used. Alternatively, payment processing unit 13 may determine, based on information transmitted from terminal 5, that a store user has viewed an electronic coupon, electronic ticket, etc., while using the store, based on information transmitted from terminal 5. Based on the determination result, payment processing unit 13 may determine that the intention to use a specific payment method has been confirmed, and identify the payment method corresponding to the determination result.

The coupon use instruction information may include the store user's identification information and the coupon's identification information. The payment method change instruction information may include the store user's identification information and the new credit card number. The payment processing unit 13 acquires this information from the web server device. The payment processing unit 13 changes the payment method based on the acquired coupon use instruction information and payment method change instruction information (step S409). This decision on the payment method is an example of identifying one of multiple payment methods based on an instruction to the store user's terminal 5.

Specifically, when the payment processing unit 13 acquires the coupon use instruction information, it acquires the service amount from the database 10 based on the coupon identification information. The payment processing unit 13 subtracts the service amount from the payment amount calculated in step S403 and performs the payment processing again (step S410). The payment processing may include billing to the credit card company based on the credit number of the store user. When the payment processing unit 13 acquires the payment method change instruction information, it performs the payment processing using information such as the changed credit card number included in the payment method change instruction information. Note that the payment processing unit 13 may first perform the payment processing with the payment amount calculated in step S403, and then, when an instruction to use a coupon or an instruction to change the payment method are received, the payment processing unit 13 may cancel the already performed payment processing, perform a refund processing, and perform the payment processing based on the use of the coupon or the change of the payment method again. It is preferable that the payment method can be changed within a predetermined time after the payment processing, but this is not limited to this.

The payment processing unit 13 may be configured to transmit to the terminal 5 information on coupons that can be used after the payment process. In addition to the above processes, for example, the payment processing unit 13 may be configured to transmit to the terminal 5 coupon information that can be used when the store user makes an additional purchase within a specified period after the payment process. For example, the coupon information may be information indicating a coupon for which a specified amount is specified and a service amount is deducted when an additional purchase of that amount is made. More specifically, for example, the coupon information may include various information that can increase the user's desire to purchase, such as "If you purchase xx yen more, you can use xx coupon."

According to the above-mentioned process, the payment processing device 1 can change the payment method at the request of the store user after the store user leaves the store 20. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned payment processing device 1, a service fee can be discounted from the payment amount after the payment process based on the use of coupon information delivered to the store user's terminal 5. In this way, regarding the process of automating payments in stores, it is possible to provide a payment method that improves services for store users, in anticipation of increased store usage.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a second diagram showing the process flow of the payment processing device.
A second example of the payment method determination process will now be described.
While the above-mentioned purchase product detection process is being performed, the payment processing device 1 performs a payment method determination process. Specifically, a store user uses the terminal 5 to access a web server device included in the payment processing device 1 before using the store 20 or before payment processing is performed when visiting the store. The web server device included in the payment processing device 1 transmits information on a payment method designation page to the terminal 5 (step S501). The terminal 5 displays the payment method designation page on a screen. The store user can use the payment method designation page displayed on the terminal 5 to instruct the store user to use a coupon or to designate a payment method. The terminal 5 transmits coupon use instruction information or payment method designation instruction information to the payment processing device 1 based on the store user's operation on the payment method designation page. The payment processing unit 13 of the payment processing device 1 receives the coupon use instruction information or payment method change instruction information via the web server device (step S502).

The coupon use instruction information may include the store user's identification information and the coupon's identification information. The payment method change instruction information may include the store user's identification information and the new credit card number. The payment processing unit 13 determines the payment method based on the acquired coupon use instruction information and payment method change instruction information (step S503). This determination of the payment method is an example of identifying one of multiple payment methods based on an operation (instruction) on the terminal 5 by the store user.

The payment processing unit 13 may determine the payment method based on the coupon use instruction information if, within a predetermined time after receiving the coupon use instruction information, it receives store entry information indicating the identification information of the store user from the entrance/exit gate 2, or if it calculates the payment amount of the store user. In this case, since the store user purchases the product within a predetermined time after viewing the coupon information on terminal 5, it is clear that the product was purchased as a result of viewing the coupon information delivered to the store user's terminal 5. In other words, when it is clear that the coupon information has led to the effect of expanding sales to the store user, the payment processing unit 13 may determine the payment method based on the coupon use instruction information.

The payment processing unit 13 performs payment processing using the payment method determined in step S503 (step S504). Specifically, when the payment processing unit 13 acquires coupon use instruction information, it acquires the service amount from the database 10 based on the coupon identification information. The payment processing unit 13 performs payment processing by subtracting the service amount from the payment amount calculated in step S403. When the payment processing unit 13 acquires payment method designation instruction information, it performs payment processing using information such as the new credit card number.

In the above process, the terminal 5 is a terminal installed in the store 20, and the store user may use the terminal 5 to send coupon use instruction information or payment method change instruction information.

According to the above-mentioned process, the payment processing device 1 can determine a payment method in response to the request of the store user before or after using the store. Furthermore, the above-mentioned payment processing device 1 can discount a service fee from the payment amount after payment processing based on the use of coupon information delivered to the store user's terminal 5. In this way, with regard to the automated processing of payments in stores, it is possible to provide a payment method that improves service to store users, in the hope of increasing store usage.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a third diagram showing the process flow of the payment processing device.
A third example of the payment method determination process will now be described.
While the above-mentioned purchase product detection process is performed, the payment processing device 1 performs a payment method determination process. Specifically, the store user uses the terminal 5 to access the web server device provided in the payment processing device 1 before the payment process is performed, such as before using the store 20, when visiting the store, or while using the store. The web server device provided in the payment processing device 1 transmits discount use page information to the terminal 5 (step S601). The terminal 5 displays the discount use page on the screen. The store user causes the terminal 5 to display two-dimensional code information such as a barcode indicating the coupon number and the store user's identification information (membership number, etc.) on the discount use page displayed on the terminal 5. The store user may specify the coupon to be used, the number of points to be used, etc. on the discount use page displayed on the terminal 5. In this case, the terminal 5 causes the terminal 5 to display two-dimensional code information such as a barcode indicating the store user's identification information (membership number, etc.), coupon number, the number of points to be used, etc. on the discount use page displayed on the screen of the terminal 5. The store customer holds the two-dimensional code information displayed on terminal 5 over a barcode reader installed at entrance/exit gate 2 or inside the store. The barcode reader then reads the two-dimensional code and outputs a discount payment instruction including the store customer's identification information indicated by the two-dimensional code, a coupon number, the number of points to be used for the discount, etc. to the payment processing device 1. The payment processing unit 13 receives the discount payment instruction (step 602).

When the payment processing unit 13 receives a discount payment instruction, it obtains the service amount from the database 10 based on the coupon identification information, the store user's identification information (member number), the coupon number, the number of points to be used, etc. The payment processing unit 13 subtracts the service amount from the payment amount calculated in step S403 and performs payment processing (step S603). This decision of the payment method is an example of identifying one of multiple payment methods based on an operation (instruction) on the terminal 5 by the store user.

According to the above-mentioned process, the payment processing device 1 can determine a payment method to which a discount amount is applied in response to a request from a store user before or after the store user enters the store 20. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned payment processing device 1, a service fee can be discounted from the payment amount after payment processing based on the use of coupon information delivered to the store user's terminal 5. In this way, with regard to the automated processing of payments in stores, it is possible to provide a payment method that improves services for store users, in the hope of increasing store usage.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the minimum configuration of a payment processing device.
The payment processing device 1 only needs to include at least a store usage detection unit 12 and a payment processing unit 13 .

The above-mentioned payment processing device has an internal computer system. The programs for causing the payment processing device to perform each of the above-mentioned processes are stored in a computer-readable recording medium of the payment processing device, and the above processes are performed by the computer of the payment processing device reading and executing this program. Here, computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, semiconductor memory, etc. Also, this computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives this distribution may execute the program.

The above program may also be for realizing some of the functions of each of the processing units described above. Furthermore, it may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Reference Signs List 1: Payment processing device 2: Entrance/exit gate 3: Camera 4: Product detection sensor 5: Terminal 10: Database 11: Control unit 12: Store usage detection unit 13: Payment processing unit 20: Store 21: Product shelf 101: CPU
102...ROM
103...RAM
104...HDD
105: Interface 106: Communication module

Claims (10)

a store usage detection unit that detects that identification information of a store user has been input to an exit gate provided in the store ;
a payment processing unit that identifies identification information and a payment method of a product picked up by the store user, which are recorded in association with the identification information of the store user detected by the store usage detection unit, performs payment processing for the product using the identified payment method, and transmits payment confirmation page information including a payment amount to be paid in the payment processing to a terminal of the store user;
A payment processing device comprising: The payment processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the payment processing unit specifies one of a plurality of payment methods based on an instruction from the store customer. The payment processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the payment processing unit specifies one of the plurality of payment methods based on the instruction from the store customer after using the store. The payment processing device according to claim 3 , wherein the payment processing unit performs the payment processing again when the store customer instructs the store customer to use any one of the plurality of payment methods after the payment processing. The payment processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the payment processing unit identifies one of the plurality of payment methods based on the instruction given by the store customer while the store customer is using the store. The payment processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the payment processing unit specifies one of the plurality of payment methods based on the instruction from the store customer before using the store. The payment processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the payment processing unit specifies the payment method for performing the payment process by subtracting a service amount from a payment amount. The payment processing device detects, by the store usage detection means, that the identification information of the store user has been inputted into an exit gate provided in the store ;
A payment processing method in which a payment processing device identifies the identification information and payment method of a product picked up by the store user, which are recorded in association with the identification information of the store user detected by the store usage detection means, performs payment processing for the product using the identified payment method, and transmits payment confirmation page information including the payment amount to be paid in the payment processing to a terminal of the store user. Computer,
a store usage detection means for detecting that identification information of a store user has been inputted into an exit gate provided in the store ;
a payment processing means for identifying identification information and a payment method of a product picked up by the store user, which are recorded in association with the identification information of the store user detected by the store usage detection means, performing a payment process for the product using the identified payment method, and transmitting payment confirmation page information including a payment amount to be paid in the payment process to a terminal of the store user;
A program that functions as a a store usage detection unit that detects that identification information of a store user has been input to an exit gate provided in the store ;
a payment processing unit that identifies identification information and a payment method of a product picked up by the store user, which are recorded in association with the identification information of the store user detected by the store usage detection unit, performs payment processing for the product using the identified payment method, and transmits payment confirmation page information including a payment amount to be paid in the payment processing to a terminal of the store user;
A payment processing system comprising:

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