JP7570485B2 - Payment terminals and programs - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a payment terminal and a program.

The POS terminal, which is a product sales data processing device, is connected to a payment terminal that processes payments by credit card or electronic money. The payment terminal executes credit card payment processing or electronic money payment processing based on the payment amount information received from the POS terminal.

In electronic money payments, if the card amount information stored on the card is greater than the payment amount information, the payment terminal executes payment processing by subtracting the payment amount information from the card amount information. However, if the card amount information is less than the payment amount information, the payment terminal executes the following processing.

In other words, the payment terminal executes payment processing for the amount of the card amount information and completes the payment. The payment terminal then transmits payment information for the amount of the payment to the POS terminal. The POS terminal that receives this payment information performs payment error processing because the payment amount information transmitted by the POS terminal differs from the payment information received from the payment terminal.

As a result, a contradiction occurred where the payment terminal processed the successful payment while the POS terminal processed the payment error, causing a problem.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a payment terminal and program that does not cause a contradiction between the processing of the payment terminal and the processing of the product sales data processing device, even when the card amount information is less than the payment amount information.

The payment terminal of the embodiment is a payment terminal for paying a specified amount, and comprises a vertically long display unit, a payment prohibition key for setting whether or not to prohibit payment processing for the amount stored in a storage medium when the specified amount displayed at the top of the display unit is greater than the amount stored in the storage medium retrieved from the storage medium , and a payment means for prohibiting the payment when the payment prohibition key has set the payment processing to be prohibited and the specified amount is greater than the amount stored in the storage medium retrieved from the storage medium.

The program of the embodiment enables a computer as a payment terminal having a vertically long display unit for paying a specified amount and a payment prohibition key for setting whether or not to prohibit payment processing for the amount stored in a storage medium when the specified amount displayed at the top of the display unit is greater than the amount stored in the storage medium retrieved from the storage medium, to function as a payment means that prohibits payment when the specified amount is greater than the amount stored in the storage medium retrieved from the storage medium when the payment prohibition key is set to prohibit payment processing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of the payment terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the payment terminal. FIG. 4 is a memory map showing a portion of the memory of the payment terminal. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the payment terminal. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the payment terminal. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display of the payment terminal. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the payment terminal. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the display of the payment terminal.

Below, an embodiment of a payment terminal and a program will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one embodiment of a payment terminal and a program, and does not limit the configuration or specifications. This embodiment is an example of application to a payment terminal that is installed in a store such as a supermarket and that processes transaction payments.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a POS system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the POS system 1 has a POS terminal 2 as a product sales data processing device, and a payment terminal 3. The POS system 1 is connected to a center server 5 of a credit company, bank, or the like. In the POS system 1, the payment terminal 3 is connected to an electronic money terminal 4. In the POS system 1, the payment terminal 3 and the electronic money terminal 4 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection. In addition, the payment terminal 3 is connected to the POS terminal 2 and the center server 5 so that they can communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection.

The payment terminal 3 is a device with a payment function that reads card information from IC cards, magnetic cards, etc., and performs card payment processing by communicating with the card company's server.

The electronic money terminal 4 is a terminal that uses near-field wireless communication technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication) to access a contactless card that electronically stores monetary information, and executes payment processing using the available payment amount information (hereinafter referred to as "card amount information") stored on the card. The electronic money terminal 4 reads the card amount information from the card and transmits it to the payment terminal 3.

The POS terminal 2 is a device that processes product sales data for products purchased by customers, and performs payment processing for one transaction. In addition, when making card payments using a credit card, debit card, etc., the POS terminal 2 works in conjunction with the payment terminal 3 to perform payment processing for one transaction (card payment processing).

As shown in FIG. 1, the POS terminal 2 has a display unit 22 for store clerks and a display unit 23 for customers on the top of the main body 21 of the POS terminal 2. Each display unit 22, 23 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an LCD with a touch panel on its surface, and displays the product name, product price, total amount of one transaction, etc. Also, a keyboard 24 is arranged on the top surface of the main body 21, and is provided with a cash payment key and a credit payment key for selecting a payment method such as cash payment or credit payment. Furthermore, a printer 25 for printing receipts and the like is provided inside the main body 21. Receipt paper printed by the printer 25 is issued from a receipt issuing port 26 provided on the top of the main body 21.

In response to an authentication request for payment processing from the payment terminal 3, the center server 5 performs checks such as a negative check of the card, and then sends a command to the payment terminal 3 to perform authentication.

Next, the payment terminal 3 will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the payment terminal 3, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the payment terminal 3. In Fig. 2, a power switch 36 is provided on the side of the main body 31 of the payment terminal 3. In addition, a top panel 37 that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 31 is provided on the top of the main body 31. By opening the top panel 37, a roll of receipt paper can be set inside the main body 31. In addition, a display unit 32 with a touch panel serving as an operation unit 33 arranged on the surface of this top panel 37 is provided.

A card reader 34 is provided on the upper side of the main body 31 to read information stored on a payment card. For example, a credit card or a debit card can be used as the payment card.

Inside the main body 31, there is a printing unit 57 (see FIG. 3) that prints payment information, sales reports, etc. on the receipt paper. The printed receipt paper is issued from the receipt issuing port 35 located between the main body 31 and the top panel 37.

Next, in FIG. 3, the payment terminal 3 includes a control unit 100 for controlling each unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 100 is configured by connecting a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53 to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, which centrally controls each unit, via a bus line 55 such as an address bus and a data bus. In addition, a memory unit 54 and a controller 56 are connected to the control unit 100 via the bus line 55. The control unit 100 executes the control process described below by the CPU 51 operating in accordance with a control program 541 stored in the memory unit 54 and deployed in the RAM 53.

The memory unit 54 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and stores programs including a control program 541. The memory unit 54 also stores the storage unit 542 shown in FIG. 4. The RAM 53 also temporarily stores information read from the memory unit 54.

The controller 56 is also connected to the display unit 32 and the operation unit 33. The controller 56 executes various controls based on commands from the control unit 100. The display unit 32 displays various information including images of keys. The operation unit 33 is a touch panel provided on the display unit 32, and executes various key operations by touching the touch panel at a position corresponding to a key displayed on the display unit 32.

The controller 56 also connects the printing unit 57 and the card reading unit 34. The printing unit 57 pulls out the tip of the receipt paper stored inside the main body 31 and prints payment information and the like on the receipt paper using, for example, a thermal head. The card reading unit 34 magnetically or electrically reads the card information stored on the payment card.

The bus line 55 also connects communication I/Fs (Interfaces) 59, 60, and 61. The communication I/F 59 is connected to the POS terminal 2. The communication I/F 60 is connected to the electronic money terminal 4. The communication I/F 61 is connected to the center server 5. The payment terminal 3 transmits and receives information to and from the POS terminal 2, the electronic money terminal 4, and the center server 5 via the communication I/Fs 59, 60, and 61.

Figure 4 is a memory map showing the storage unit 542 of the memory unit 54 of the payment terminal 3. In Figure 4, the storage unit 542 includes a payment amount storage unit 5421, a payment prohibition flag unit 5422, a payment selection screen information unit 5423, and a card amount information storage unit 5424.

The payment amount storage unit 5421 stores the payment amount information included in the payment command received from the POS terminal 2. The payment amount information is created based on the total amount information when the POS terminal 2 processes the product information of the products purchased by the customer.

When the payment prohibition key 72 is turned on during maintenance and inspection of the payment terminal in FIG. 7 described later, the payment prohibition flag unit 5422 sets the payment prohibition flag to "1." Also, when the payment prohibition key 72 is turned off, the payment prohibition flag unit 5422 sets the payment prohibition flag to "0."

The payment selection screen information unit 5423 stores screen information for the payment selection screen 73 (described later) that is displayed on the display unit 32.

The card amount information storage unit 5424 stores the card amount information received and input from the electronic money terminal 4.

Next, the control of the payment terminal 3 of the embodiment will be described using Figs. 5 to 9. Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the payment terminal 3. The payment terminal 3 realizes a receiving means 101, an input means 102, a judgment means 103, a payment control processing means 104, a transmitting means 105, a discrimination means 106, a charging means 107, a deficit amount calculation means 108, a payment restoration means 109, and a notification means 110 by the control unit 100 operating in accordance with programs such as the control program 541 stored in the memory unit 54.

The receiving means 101 has the function of receiving payment amount information from the POS terminal 2, which is a product sales data processing device.

The input means 102 has the function of inputting the amount information stored on the card.

The determination means 103 has a function of determining whether the payment amount information received by the receiving means 101 is more or less than the amount information input by the input means 102.

The payment control means 104 has a function of executing a payment process based on the payment amount information received by the receiving means 101 if the determination means 103 determines that the amount information is greater than the payment amount information, and executing an error process that prohibits the payment process if the determination means 103 determines that the amount information is less than the payment amount information.

The transmission means 105 has the function of transmitting payment processing information or error processing information generated by the payment control means 104 to the product sales data processing device.

The discrimination means 106 has the function of discriminating the type of card for which payment processing can be prohibited.

The charging means 107 has the function of charging the card with amount information.

The shortfall calculation means 108 has the function of calculating the shortfall information from the payment amount information and the amount information.

The payment restoration means 109 has a function that enables the payment process to be executed when the amount information charged by the charge means 107 is greater than the amount of the deficit calculated by the deficit amount calculation means 108.

The notification means 110 has the function of notifying that payment amount information has been received from the POS terminal 2, which is a product sales data processing device.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the payment terminal 3. More specifically, Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process when a maintenance person or the like performs maintenance and inspection of the payment terminal 3.

In FIG. 6, the control unit 100 displays a setting screen 71 for performing maintenance inspections, etc., on the display unit 32 (step S11). FIG. 7 shows an example of the setting screen 71 displayed on the display unit 32 by the control unit 100. In FIG. 7, the control unit 100 displays a payment prohibition key 72 on the display unit 32. The payment prohibition key 72 becomes an on state when operated in the off state, and becomes an off state when operated in the on state.

When the payment prohibition key 72 is operated to the ON state, the control unit 100 sets the payment prohibition flag "1" in the payment prohibition flag section 5422 of the memory unit 542. When the payment prohibition key 72 is operated to the OFF state, the control unit 100 sets the payment prohibition flag "0" in the payment prohibition flag section 5422 of the memory unit 542.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 6, the control unit 100 next determines whether or not a payment item has been added (step S12). When a new payment item is added in a maintenance and inspection operation, a new payment program is added to the control program 541 of the memory unit 54. The control unit 100 checks the control program of the memory unit 54 to determine whether or not to add a new payment item.

If it is determined that a payment item has been added (Yes in step S12), the control unit 100 updates the information displayed on the payment selection screen stored in the payment selection screen information unit 5423 and adds the new payment item (step S13).

If it is determined that the payment item is not being added (No in step S12), the control unit 100 determines whether the payment prohibition key 72 has been operated (step S21). If it is determined that the payment prohibition key 72 has been operated (Yes in step S21), the control unit 100 then determines whether the payment prohibition key 72 is on (step S22). If it is determined that the payment prohibition key 72 is on (Yes in step S22), the control unit 100 sets the payment prohibition flag in the payment prohibition flag unit 5422 to "1" (step S23).

If it is determined in step S22 that the payment prohibition key 72 is not in the on state (i.e., in the off state) (No in step S22), the control unit 100 sets the payment prohibition flag in the payment prohibition flag unit 5422 to "0" (step S24). Note that if it is determined that the payment prohibition key 72 has not been operated (No in step S21), the control unit 100 returns to step S11 and waits.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the payment terminal 3 during payment processing. In Figure 8, the control unit 100 (receiving means 101) determines whether or not a payment command has been received from the POS terminal 2 (step S41). In this embodiment, when a payment other than cash is selected at the POS terminal 2, the POS terminal 2 sends a payment command to the payment terminal 3 to execute the payment processing with a card, and the communication I/F 59 of the payment terminal 3 receives the payment command. The payment command includes payment amount information. The control unit 100 stores the payment amount information in the payment amount storage unit 5421.

When the control unit 100 determines that a payment command has been received from the POS terminal 2 (Yes in step S41), the control unit 100 displays the payment selection screen 73 (step S42). Here, FIG. 9 shows an example of the payment selection screen 73 displayed in step S42.

In FIG. 9, the control unit 100 displays on the display unit 32 transaction keys 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85 indicating the type of transaction, including a charge key 84. The charge key 84 is used when updating card amount information to charge an amount to a card in electronic money payment. The control unit 100 also displays the types of payment items in area 91. In the example of FIG. 9, the control unit 100 displays four types of payment items in area 91: credit payment 86, debit payment 87, XY card payment 88, and electronic money payment 89. Therefore, the payment terminal 3 can perform payment processing using these four types of cards. That is, the memory unit 54 stores four types of payment processing programs: a credit payment processing program, a debit payment processing program, an XY payment processing program, and an electronic money payment processing program.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 8, the control unit 100 (notification means 110) then displays a command received display 90 on the payment selection screen 73 of the display unit 32, indicating that a payment command has been received (step S43). The operator touches the payment item desired by the customer from among the payment items 86, 87, 88, and 88 displayed on the display unit 32. The control unit 100 determines whether the payment item operated by the operator is an electronic money payment item, i.e., whether electronic money payment has been selected (step S44).

If it is determined that electronic money payment has been selected (Yes in step S44), the control unit 100 (input means 102) receives card amount information (step S45). The control unit 100 then stores the received card amount information in the card amount information storage unit 5424 (step S45). The card amount information is received by the communication I/F 60 from the electronic money terminal 4 by holding the card over the electronic money terminal 4.

Next, the control unit 100 (judgment means 103) compares the amount of the payment amount information stored in the payment amount memory unit 5421 with the amount of the card amount information stored in the card amount information memory unit 5424 to judge whether the card amount information is less than the amount of the payment amount information (step S46).

If it is determined that the card amount information is less than the payment amount information (Yes in step S46), the control unit 100 determines whether the payment prohibition flag stored in the payment prohibition flag section 5422 of the memory unit 542 is "1" (step S47). If it is determined that the payment prohibition flag is "1" (Yes in step S47), the control unit 100 (discrimination means 106) determines whether the card is a type that can be prohibited from payment (step S48). Whether the card is a type that can be prohibited from payment is determined for each issuing company that issued the card, and the payment terminal 3 pre-stores information on card companies that can prohibit payment and information on card companies that cannot prohibit payment.

If it is determined that the card is of a type that can be prohibited from payment (Yes in step S48), the control unit 100 (payment control means 104) prohibits payment processing with the electronic money (step S49). Prohibiting payment processing with the electronic money means that payment processing with the electronic money is not allowed to be executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the card is not of a type that can be prohibited from payment (No in step S48), the control unit 100 executes the processing of step S71 described below.

Next, the control unit 100 judges whether the charge key 84 has been operated (step S50). If it is judged that the charge key 84 has not been operated (No in step S50), the control unit 100 (error processing means 104) executes error processing to treat the payment as an error (step S51). The control unit 100 then displays an error message on the display unit 32 indicating that the payment process has been processed in error and that the card amount is insufficient (step S52). The control unit 100 (transmission means 105) then transmits to the POS terminal 2 that the payment has been processed in error (step S53). Having received the error processing information from the payment terminal 3, the POS terminal 2 cancels the payment at the POS terminal 2 and executes error processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that the charge key 84 has been operated (Yes in step S50), the control unit 100 determines whether the card is rechargeable (step S61). There are electronic money cards that can be recharged with the payment terminal 3 and cards that cannot be recharged. Rechargeable and non-rechargeable cards are determined on a card-by-card basis based on the card structure, card security mechanism, etc. The payment terminal 3 stores in advance the types of cards that can be recharged and the types of cards that cannot be recharged. The payment terminal 3 receives card type information from the electronic money terminal 4. The control unit 100 (second determination means 109) determines the type of card received and determines whether the card is rechargeable or not.

If it is determined that the card cannot be recharged (No in step S61), the control unit 100 executes the error processing in step S50. If it is determined that the card can be recharged (Yes in step S61), the control unit 100 (shortfall calculation means 108) calculates the shortfall amount information from the payment amount information and the card amount information (step S62). Next, the control unit 100 (charging means 107) charges the card amount information operated by the operator or customer with the recharge operation (step S63). The control unit 100 then determines whether the charged amount is sufficient based on the amount information of the charged amount and the shortfall amount information (step S64). If the charged amount is greater than the shortfall amount, the control unit 100 determines that the charged amount is sufficient.

If it is determined that the charge amount is insufficient (No in step S64), the control unit 100 displays the insufficient amount and the missing amount on the display unit 32 (step S65). The control unit 100 then returns to step S49 to prompt further charging. On the other hand, if it is determined that the charge amount is sufficient (Yes in step S64), the control unit 100 executes the payment process in step S81, which will be described later.

Furthermore, if the control unit 100 determines in step S47 that the payment prohibition flag is not "1" (i.e., is "0") (No in step S47), the control unit 100 executes the payment process using the card amount information stored in the card amount information storage unit 5424 (step S71). Then, when the payment process is completed, the control unit 100 displays the completion of payment on the display unit 32 (step S72). Then, the control unit 100 transmits information indicating the completion of payment and the unsettled amount information to the POS terminal 2 (step S73).

Some POS terminals 2 can settle the outstanding amount at the POS terminal 2 when an outstanding amount occurs at the payment terminal 3. When such a POS terminal 2 receives outstanding amount information from the payment terminal 3, it executes a settlement process for the outstanding amount using another payment method (e.g., cash settlement).

Also, if it is determined in step S46 that the card amount information is sufficient (No in step S46), the control unit 100 (payment control means 104, payment restoration means 109) executes the electronic money payment process based on the card amount information and the payment amount information (step S81). Then, when the payment process is completed, the control unit 100 displays a message indicating that the payment is complete on the display unit 32 (step S82). Then, the control unit 100 (transmission means 105) transmits information indicating that the electronic money payment is complete to the POS terminal 2 (step S83).

If it is determined in step S44 that a payment item other than electronic money payment has been selected (No in step S44), the control unit 100 executes a payment process corresponding to the selected payment item (step S91). If it is determined in step S41 that a payment command has not been received (No in step S41), the control unit 100 executes other processing (step S92).

According to this embodiment, if the card balance is insufficient for electronic money payment, the payment at the payment terminal 3 is prohibited, so that both the payment terminal 3 and the POS terminal 2 can prohibit the payment. Therefore, there is no inconsistency between the payment process at the payment terminal 3 and the payment process at the POS terminal 2.

In addition, in the embodiment, if the card amount included in the card amount information is insufficient, the payment terminal 3 charges the card, so that the payment process can be executed without causing an error.

In addition, in the embodiment, if more than the shortfall is charged, the payment terminal 3 can execute the payment process without causing an error.

In addition, in the embodiment, the payment terminal 3 determines the type of card that can be recharged and performs recharge if the card is rechargeable, and automatically performs recharge processing for cards that can be recharged, and for cards that cannot be recharged, it can prohibit payment processing and perform error processing.

In addition, in the embodiment, the payment terminal 3 displays a command reception display 90 to indicate that it has received a payment command, allowing the operator to confirm that the payment command has been received.

Note that the embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new 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 variations 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.

For example, in the embodiment, the payment terminal 3 is described as being separate from the POS terminal 2, but the housings of the two may be integrated. Also, the payment terminal 3 and the electronic money terminal 4 may be integrated.

The program executed by the payment terminal 3 of the embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

The program executed by the payment terminal 3 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading it via the network. The program executed by the payment terminal 3 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

The program executed by the payment terminal 3 of the embodiment may also be configured to be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Control unit 101 Settlement means 102 Reception means 103 First judgment means 104 Error processing means 105 Transmission means 106 Charge means 107 Deficit amount calculation means 108 Settlement restoration means 109 Second judgment means

JP 2009-75986 A

Claims (6)

A payment terminal for paying a predetermined amount,
A vertically long display unit;
a payment prohibition key for setting whether or not to prohibit a payment process for the amount stored in the storage medium when the predetermined amount displayed on the upper part of the display unit is greater than the amount stored in the storage medium obtained from the storage medium;
a payment means for prohibiting the payment when the payment prohibition key is used to prohibit the payment if the predetermined amount is greater than the amount obtained from the storage medium and stored in the storage medium;
A payment terminal equipped with the payment means, when the payment prohibition key is set to not prohibit the payment process , does not prohibit the payment when the predetermined amount is greater than the amount obtained from the storage medium and stored in the storage medium;
The payment terminal of claim 1 . Even if the payment prohibition key is set to prohibit payment processing , if the storage medium is not a type of medium that can prohibit payment, the payment means does not prohibit the payment even if the predetermined amount is greater than the amount stored in the storage medium and obtained from the storage medium.
The payment terminal according to claim 1 or 2. a charging means for charging the amount information of the storage medium prohibited by the settlement means;
The payment terminal according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: When the amount stored in the storage medium as a result of charging by the charging means is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the payment means enables the payment.
The payment terminal according to claim 4. a computer as a payment terminal, the computer comprising: a display unit formed vertically long for settling a predetermined amount; and a payment prohibition key for setting whether or not to prohibit a payment process for the amount stored in the storage medium when the predetermined amount displayed on the upper part of the display unit is greater than the amount stored in the storage medium obtained from the storage medium;
a payment means for prohibiting the payment when the payment prohibition key is used to prohibit the payment if the predetermined amount is greater than the amount obtained from the storage medium and stored in the storage medium;
A program that can function as a

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