JP6969236B2 - Settlement device, information notification method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for supporting a product price settlement operation.

There are many stores where customers can use credit cards to pay for products. When using a credit card at a store, authorization (confirmation of the availability of the credit card) by a credit card company or the like is required. For example, as described in the technique described in Patent Document 1 below, after confirmation of the availability of a credit card, payment by the credit card at the store proceeds. Depending on the outcome of this authorization, credit cards may not be accepted. If the credit card cannot be used, the store will be notified to that effect.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-176466

Information such as the availability of credit cards is information about personal privacy and should be kept out of the eyes of others as much as possible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a technique for making credit card availability information regarding personal privacy invisible to others.

According to the present invention
A payment device operated by a customer
Card information acquisition means for acquiring credit card availability information, which indicates the availability status of credit cards,
An input receiving means for accepting input of specific information indicating the existence of a clerk when the availability status of the credit card indicated by the availability information is unavailable.
When the input of the specific information is accepted, the output means for outputting the portable medium containing the cause information that can identify the cause that the credit card cannot be used, and the output means.
A payment device is provided.

According to the present invention
A computer that functions as a checkout device operated by a customer,
Get the availability information indicating the availability status of the credit card,
When the availability status of the credit card indicated by the availability information is unavailable, the input of specific information indicating the existence of a clerk is accepted.
Wherein when receiving an input of specific information, the credit card is output including a portable medium to cause information that can identify the cause is unavailable,
Information notification methods including that are provided.

According to the present invention
A program is provided that causes the computer to execute the above information notification method.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the availability of credit card information regarding personal privacy from being seen by others.

It is a block diagram which conceptually shows the functional structure of the settlement apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which conceptually shows the hardware composition of the settlement apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st operation example executed by the settlement apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the receipt output from an output part. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd operation example executed by the settlement apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which conceptually shows the functional structure of the settlement apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st operation example executed by the settlement apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st operation example executed by the settlement apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which conceptually shows the functional structure of the settlement apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the hardware composition of the settlement apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st operation example executed by the settlement apparatus of 3rd Embodiment.

Before explaining the present invention, first, a payment system operated in a store will be described schematically. The settlement system operated in the store can be roughly divided into the following three types. The first is a conventional system that uses a device operated by a clerk to register products to be settled (products purchased by customers) and settle the price. In addition, "payment settlement" includes the act of paying money to the store side by the user and receiving the change that occurs when the paid money is larger than the product price and the receipt that describes the contents related to the settlement. .. The second is a system in which a device operated by a clerk (hereinafter, also referred to as a "product registration device") is used to register the product to be settled, and another device operated by the user is used to settle the price (this is also referred to as a "product registration device"). It is also called "semi-self format"). The third is a system (sometimes called "self-style") in which the user operates a device to register the product to be settled and pay the price. The "payment device" according to the present invention corresponds to a device that performs an operation related to payment of payment. Specifically, in the first system, the device operated by the clerk corresponds to the "payment device" according to the present invention, and in the second and third systems, the device operated by the user is the device. It corresponds to the "payment device" according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, unless otherwise specified, in each block diagram, each block represents a configuration of a functional unit, not a configuration of a hardware unit.

[First Embodiment]
[Functional configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional configuration of the settlement device 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the settlement device 10 of the present embodiment includes a card information acquisition unit 110, an input reception unit 120, and an output unit 130.

The card information acquisition unit 110 acquires information indicating whether or not the credit card can be used (hereinafter, also referred to as "usability information"). For example, the settlement device 10 is provided with a reading device (not shown), and the card information acquisition unit 110 can acquire credit card availability information using the reading device. The availability information includes, or is associated with, the cause information that can identify the cause of the unavailability of the credit card.

The input reception unit 120 accepts the input of specific information when the availability status of the credit card indicated by the availability information acquired by the card information acquisition unit 110 is "unusable". The specific information is some information indicating the existence of a clerk. Although not particularly limited, the specific information may be, for example, a clerk ID input operation (ID card reading or keyboard input), a special passcode input operation known only to the clerk, or a specific button operation (button pressing order). , Button combination), etc.

When the input receiving unit 120 receives the input of the specific information, the output unit 130 outputs a portable medium in which the cause information of the credit card is described. For example, the output unit 130 outputs cause information to a magnetic card, receipt paper, or the like. At this time, the output unit 130 does not output the cause information on the screen.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reason why the credit card cannot be used when the specific information indicating the existence of the clerk is input in the situation where the unusable credit card is read by the reading device 20. A portable medium containing the cause information that can identify the cause is output. This cause information can be displayed on the screen of the settlement device 10, but in that case, information regarding the availability of a credit card related to personal privacy may be seen by others. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, by outputting information on the availability of a credit card to a portable medium having a limited viewing range such as a receipt, it is possible to obtain an effect that information on personal privacy is less likely to be leaked to others. Be done. This effect is more remarkable in the semi-self-type and self-type systems in which the user operates the checkout device 10.

In addition, there are various reasons why credit cards cannot be used, and there are cases where the criminality is low, such as exceeding the usage limit and incorrect entry of the PIN, and there are cases where the criminality is high, such as the use of a stolen or forged fraudulent card. be. In highly criminal cases such as the use of stolen or forged fraudulent cards, it is crime prevention to directly hand over a portable medium containing information on the cause of the inability to use a card credit card to the user (the user of the fraudulent card). Not preferable. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is a configuration in which a clerk intervenes when the cause of the inability to use the credit card indicates a specific case of high criminality. This makes it possible to quickly deal with malicious cases such as the use of stolen cards and counterfeit cards.

Although not particularly limited, the cause information printed on the receipt or the like is, for example, an error code corresponding to the type of authorization error (that is, the reason why the credit card cannot be used) transmitted as a result of the authorization of the credit card. For example, various error codes such as a code indicating that the card usage limit is exceeded, a code indicating a password input error, and a code indicating the use of fraudulent cards (eg stolen cards, counterfeit cards) and invalid cards. However, it is defined as an error code common to each credit card company or each company. The card information acquisition unit 110 communicates with a server device (not shown) of a card company, and can acquire an authorization error code as cause information from the server device. By using an error code as information that can identify the cause, it is not necessary to directly describe the reason why the credit card cannot be used on a medium such as a receipt, and the effect of protecting the privacy of the user can be enhanced.

Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in more detail.

[Hardware configuration]
Each functional component of the settlement device 10 may be realized by hardware that realizes each functional component (eg, a hard-wired electronic circuit, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software (eg, electronic). It may be realized by a combination of a circuit and a program that controls it). Hereinafter, a case where each functional component of the settlement device 10 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing the hardware configuration of the settlement device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the settlement device 10 includes a bus 101, a processor 102, a memory 103, a storage device 104, an input / output interface 105, and a network interface 106.

The bus 101 is a data transmission path for the processor 102, the memory 103, the storage device 104, the input / output interface 105, and the network interface 106 to transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 102, the memory 103, the storage device 104, the input / output interface 105, the network interface 106, and the like to each other is not limited to the bus connection.

The processor 102 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 103 is a main storage device realized by using a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The storage device 104 is an auxiliary storage device realized by using an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a memory card, or the like.

The storage device 104 stores a program module that realizes each function component unit (card information acquisition unit 110, input reception unit 120, output unit 130) of the settlement device 10. The processor 102 reads each of these program modules into the memory 103 and executes them, thereby realizing a function corresponding to each program module.

The input / output interface 105 is an interface for connecting the settlement device 10 and peripheral devices. A reading device 20, an input device 30, a display device 40, a medium output device 50, and the like are connected to the input / output interface 105. The reading device 20 is supposed to read various information from a credit card, and the card information acquisition unit 110 can acquire information such as a user's credit card number by using the reading device 20. The input device 30 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display device 40 is a display output device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display. The input receiving unit 120 can acquire specific information indicating the presence of a store clerk via the input device 30, the touch panel in which the input device 30 and the display device 40 are integrated, or the reading device 20. Further, the medium output device 50 is a device for outputting a portable medium in which cause information is described, and the output unit 130 causes the cause when the user's credit card availability status is "unusable". A portable medium such as a receipt or a magnetic card on which information is described can be output by using the medium output device 50. The reading device 20 and the medium output device 50 may be connected via the network interface 106.

The network interface 106 is an interface for connecting the settlement device 10 to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The method of connecting to the communication network may be a wireless connection or a wired connection. The checkout device 10 connects to a communication network via the network interface 106 and communicates with another device such as a product registration device 60 or a credit card company server device 70 that executes credit card authorization processing. be able to.

[Operation example]
Hereinafter, a so-called semi-self-type system in which the product to be settled is registered by the product registration device operated by the clerk and the price is settled by the settlement device 10 (a device different from the product registration device) operated by the user. As a premise, a specific operation example of the first embodiment will be described.

<First operation example>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first operation example executed by the settlement device 10 of the first embodiment.

First, when the user's credit card information (for example, a credit card number) is read by the reading device 20 (S102), the card information acquisition unit 110 uses the information to the server device 70 of the credit card company. A request for authorization is transmitted (S104). Then, the card information acquisition unit 110 acquires the availability information indicating the availability of the credit card from the server device 70 of the credit card company (S106). When the reading device 20 is connected to the network, the reading device 20 may send an authorization request to the server device 70 of the credit card company. In this case, the card information acquisition unit 110 can acquire credit card availability information via the reading device 20.

Next, the input receiving unit 120 determines whether the availability state indicated by the availability information of the credit card acquired by the card information acquisition unit 110 is "available" or "unusable" (S108). .. When the availability status indicated by the credit card availability information acquired by the card information acquisition unit 110 is "available" (S108: available), the subsequent processing is not executed and the normal settlement processing is executed. Will be done. On the other hand, when the availability status indicated by the credit card availability information acquired by the card information acquisition unit 110 is "unusable" (S108: unavailable), the input reception unit 120 inputs specific information by the clerk. It is determined whether or not the operation has been executed (S110). The specific information is generated when the clerk performs a predetermined operation on the settlement device 10. This predetermined operation is, for example, an operation of inputting a clerk ID, an operation of inputting a special passcode that only the clerk can know, or a specific button operation (button pressing order, button combination) and the like. At this time, the input receiving unit 120 may output the input operation screen for the clerk to the display device 40.

When the specific information is input (S110: YES), the input receiving unit 120 notifies the output unit 130 that the input of the specific information has been accepted.

The output unit 130 acquires the cause information included in or associated with the availability information in response to the notification from the input reception unit 120 (S112). Then, the output unit 130 outputs a portable medium in which the cause information acquired in the process of S112 is described (S114). For example, the output unit 130 can print out the cause information on the receipt paper by using the medium output device 50 such as a printer (example: FIG. 4).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt output from the output unit 130. In the receipt R exemplified in FIG. 4, the cause information (error code) R1 capable of identifying the cause of the determination that the credit card cannot be used is described. By confirming this error code R1 or performing a search based on this error code R1, the cause of the determination that the credit card cannot be used can be identified. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the output unit 130 may be configured to include a predetermined message R2 corresponding to the error code R1 on the receipt R. In this case, a table or the like for storing an error code and a predetermined message in association with each other is prepared in a predetermined storage area such as a memory 103 or a storage device 104, and the output unit 130 corresponds to the error code of the cause information. You can refer to the table to identify the message to be output. Further, the output unit 130 may be configured to further describe the contact information R3 of the inquiry window of the credit card company that has determined the availability on the receipt R. The contact information of the inquiry window can be specified by reading the information of the issuing company of the credit card from the credit card using the reading device 20.

<Second operation example>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second operation example executed by the settlement device 10 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences from the first operation example will be mainly described.

In this operation example, the output unit 130 receives a receipt based on the number of times the reading device 20 reads the credit card whose availability status indicated by the availability information acquired by the card information acquisition unit 110 is "unusable". Decide whether to output. For example, the output unit 130 determines whether or not the medium output condition of "the reading device 20 has read the credit card whose availability status is" unusable "for a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time" is satisfied (S202). ). The length of the predetermined time and the number of times the credit card is read within the predetermined time are stored in a predetermined storage area (for example, memory 103, etc.), and the input receiving unit 120 reads these and mediates. It is possible to determine whether or not the output condition is satisfied. Although not particularly limited, the input receiving unit 120 may determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on, for example, the first reading of the credit card. Further, the input reception unit 120 may manage the number of readings for each credit card owned by the user by using the identification information of the credit card (for example, a card number or the like).

When the medium output condition is not satisfied (S202: NO), the output unit 130 does not output the receipt at this point and updates (adds 1) the value of the number of times the credit card has been read within a predetermined time (S204). ). On the other hand, when the medium output condition is satisfied (S202: YES), the input receiving unit 120 determines whether or not the input operation of the specific information by the clerk has been executed (S110). When the specific information is input, the input reception unit 120 notifies the output unit 130 that the input of the specific information has been accepted. The output unit 130 outputs a portable medium in which the cause information of the credit card (for example, an error code corresponding to the classification of the authorization error) is described in response to the notification from the input reception unit 120 (S112 to S114). ..

As described above, when a credit card cannot be used, the privacy of the user is protected by outputting information indicating the cause of the card being unusable to a medium such as a receipt whose viewing range is limited. Can be done. In addition, when an unusable card is used, the clerk responds on the spot, so that a crime such as the use of an illegal card can be dealt with immediately.

[Second Embodiment]
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the following points.

[Processing configuration]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional configuration of the settlement device 10 of the second embodiment. The reading device 20 of the present embodiment is a self-propelled reading device, and has a configuration in which a credit card is taken into the device through a card insertion slot and information on the credit card is read. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the settlement device 10 of the present embodiment further includes a control unit 140. The control unit 140 transmits a control signal to the reading device 20 based on the availability status of the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot of the reading device 20, and controls the card ejection operation of the reading device 20. Specifically, the control unit 140 controls the reading device 20 so that the credit card inserted into the card insertion slot of the reading device 20 is not ejected when the availability status of the credit card is "unusable". do.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 140 controls the reading device 20 so as not to eject the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot, when specific information indicating the presence of a clerk is input. The reading device 20 is controlled so as to eject the credit card. The specific information is generated when the clerk performs a predetermined operation on the settlement device 10. This predetermined operation is, for example, an input operation of a clerk ID (reading an ID card or keyboard input), a special passcode input operation known only to a clerk, or a specific button operation (button pressing order, button pressing operation). Combination) and so on.

By doing so, it is possible to ensure that the clerk is present when an unusable credit card is used.

In a non-malicious case, such as when the credit card cannot be used because the usage limit has been exceeded, the clerk does not need to be present. Therefore, the control unit 140 is configured to determine whether or not to control the reading device 20 so as not to eject the credit card, based on the cause information of the credit card inserted into the card insertion slot of the reading device 20. May be. Specifically, the control unit 140 does not control the card ejection operation of the reading device 20 when the error code corresponding to the cause that the credit card cannot be used is an error code indicating a non-malicious case such as exceeding the usage limit. , Controls the card ejection operation of the reader 20 when it is an error code indicating a malicious case such as theft or use of a counterfeit card. The malicious cases here include the use of fraudulent cards such as stolen cards and counterfeit cards. With such a configuration, the clerk can be present only when it is really necessary.

[Hardware configuration]
The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (example: FIG. 2). As described above, the reading device 20 of the present embodiment is a self-propelled reading device. Further, the storage device 104 of the present embodiment further stores a program module that realizes the function of the control unit 140 described above. When the processor 102 of the settlement device 10 executes the program module, the function of the control unit 140 described above is realized.

[Operation example]
Hereinafter, a so-called semi-self-type system in which the product to be settled is registered by the product registration device operated by the clerk and the price is settled by the settlement device 10 (a device different from the product registration device) operated by the user. As a premise, a specific operation example of the second embodiment will be described.

<First operation example>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first operation example executed by the settlement device 10 of the second embodiment. In the following, description of the same processing as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

When the result of the process of S108 is "unusable", the control unit 140 determines that the cause of "unusable" is the credit card based on the cause information included in or associated with the availability information. It is determined whether or not the discharge operation should be restricted (S302). For example, the memory 103 and the storage device 104 are prepared with a list of error codes to be determined to be controlled, and the control unit 140 refers to the list based on the cause information acquired in the process of S110. You can decide whether or not to limit the credit card ejection operation.

When the cause of "unusable" corresponds to the cause for which the credit card ejection operation should be restricted (S302: YES), the control unit 140 controls the reading device 20 so as not to eject the credit card (S304). The control unit 140 can control the operation of the reading device 20 by, for example, transmitting a control signal prohibiting the ejection operation of the reading device 20 to the reading device 20 via the input / output interface 105.

Further, when the result of the processing of S108 is "unavailable", the input receiving unit 120 has the specific information by the clerk via the keyboard, the touch panel, etc. connected to the input / output interface 105, as in the first embodiment. Monitors whether or not the input operation of is executed (S110). The specific information is generated when the clerk performs a predetermined operation on the settlement device 10. This predetermined operation is, for example, an input operation of a clerk ID (reading an ID card or keyboard input), a special passcode input operation known only to a clerk, or a specific button operation (button pressing order, button pressing operation). Combination) and so on. When the specific information is input (S110: YES), the input receiving unit 120 notifies the output unit 130 and the control unit 140 that the specific information has been input.

The output unit 130 outputs a portable medium in which the cause information is described in response to the notification from the input reception unit 120 (S112 to S114). Further, the control unit 140 controls the reading device 20 so as to eject the credit card taken in inside in response to the notification from the input receiving unit 120 (S306). The control unit 140 can control the operation of the reading device 20 by, for example, transmitting a control signal for executing the discharging operation of the reading device 20 to the reading device 20 via the input / output interface 105. Even if the control unit 140 further detects that the portable medium output in the process of S114 has been taken by a sensor or the like (not shown), the control unit 140 transmits a control signal for executing the ejection operation of the reading device 20. good.

On the other hand, when the cause of "unusable" does not correspond to the cause for limiting the credit card ejection operation (S302: NO), the above processing is not executed. In this case, the output unit 130 may output the receipt regardless of whether or not the credit card ejection operation is restricted.

<Second operation example>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first operation example executed by the settlement device 10 of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences from the first operation example will be mainly described. Further, the description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

In this operation example, the control unit 140 performs a credit card ejection operation based on the number of times a credit card whose availability status indicated by the availability information is "unusable" is inserted into the card insertion slot of the reading device 20. Decide if it should be restricted. For example, the control unit 140 satisfies the control start condition that "a credit card whose availability status is" unavailable "is inserted into the card insertion slot of the reading device 20 a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time". (S402). Note that the length of the predetermined time and the number of times the credit card is read within the predetermined time are stored in a predetermined storage area (for example, memory 103), and the control unit 140 manages these. Can be read to determine whether or not the control start condition is satisfied. Although not particularly limited, the control unit 140 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on, for example, the first reading of the credit card. Further, the control unit 140 may manage the number of readings for each credit card owned by the user by using the identification information of the credit card (for example, a card number or the like).

When the control start condition is not satisfied (S402: NO), the control unit 140 does not control the card ejection operation of the reading device 20 at this point, and updates the value of the number of times the credit card is read within a predetermined time (S402: NO). 1 addition) (S404). On the other hand, when the control start condition is satisfied (S402: YES), the control unit 140 controls the card ejection operation of the reading device 20 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to have a clerk present in a case where a credit card cannot be used, and it is possible to immediately deal with a malicious case such as the use of a stolen card or a counterfeit card.

[Third Embodiment]
This embodiment has the same configuration as other embodiments except for the following points. In this embodiment, the product to be settled is registered by the product registration device operated by the clerk, and the price is settled by the settlement device 10 (device different from the product registration device) operated by the user. It is premised on a semi-self-type system or a self-type system in which the user performs all operations.

[Functional configuration]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional configuration of the settlement device 10 of the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the settlement device 10 of the present embodiment is further configured to include a notification unit 150.

The notification unit 150 is a predetermined device (product registration device 60, attend) operated by a clerk when the card ejection operation of the reading device 20 is controlled by inserting a credit card whose availability status is "unusable". The notification information is output to the terminal 80 or both). In this case, the notification information is information indicating that the settlement device 10 cannot be used due to the insertion of an "unusable" credit card into the card insertion slot of the reading device 20 provided in the settlement device 10 (for example,). A predetermined specific status code, etc.).

When the product registration device 60 receives the notification information from the notification unit 150, the status of the settlement device 10 that has transmitted the notification information is changed to the settlement information generated by the product registration device 60 (a list of products registered as settlement targets). , Information on total product price, discounts, discounts, etc.) will be updated to a status that is not subject to transmission. The status of the settlement device 10 may be managed on a store server (not shown). In this case, the settlement device 10 may output notification information notifying the store server of the status update.

The attend terminal 80 is a terminal used by a clerk who mainly performs monitoring work and customer support work in the area where the payment device 10 is installed. When the attend terminal 80 receives the notification information from the notification unit 150, the attend terminal 80 outputs information notifying the display device and the speaker device connected to the attend terminal 80 that an error has occurred in the settlement device 10. From the information output in this way, the clerk who is in charge of support work can notice the abnormality in the settlement device 10.

Further, the notification unit 150 determines the indicator lamp 90 provided in the settlement device 10 when the card ejection operation of the reading device 20 is controlled by inserting a credit card whose availability status is "unusable". Outputs notification information including an instruction to change to the lighting state of. When the indicator lamp 90 receives the notification information from the notification unit 150, for example, the red lamp portion is blinked to indicate that an abnormality has occurred in the settlement device 10 to which the indicator lamp 90 is connected. Notify the clerk.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the settlement device 10 of the third embodiment. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of each of the above-described embodiments except for the following points.

The storage device 104 of the present embodiment further stores a program module that realizes the function of the notification unit 150 described above. When the processor 102 of the settlement device 10 executes the program module, the function of the notification unit 150 described above is realized.

In the present embodiment, the input / output interface 105 is further connected with an indicator light 90 for notifying the surroundings of the status of the settlement device 10. The indicator lamp 90 has a light emitting unit capable of expressing a plurality of colors such as a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and full-color LEDs that emit light in a predetermined color, and the light emitting unit is in a desired lighting state according to a control signal. (For example, it can be lit in a desired color, a desired blinking state (blinking / non-blinking), etc.).

Further, in the present embodiment, the attend terminal 80 is further connected to the network interface 106. As described above, the attend terminal 80 is a terminal used by a clerk who mainly performs monitoring work and customer support work in the area where the settlement device 10 is installed. In the attend terminal 80, a process of notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the settlement device 10 is executed by voice output, screen display, or the like according to the notification information from the notification unit 150.

[Operation example]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a first operation example executed by the settlement device 10 of the third embodiment.

In response to the fact that the card ejection operation of the reading device 20 is controlled by the process of S304 in FIGS. 7 and 8, the notification unit 150 transmits the notification information to a predetermined device (S502). Information for specifying the output destination of the notification information (eg, IP (Internet Protocol) address, etc.) is stored in advance in the memory 103, the storage device 104, or the like. Then, on the predetermined device, when the notification information is acquired, a predetermined process is executed. For example, the product registration device 60 can execute a process of excluding the settlement device 10 from the candidates for the transmission destination of the settlement information by updating the status of the settlement device 10 that has transmitted the notification information. Further, for example, the attend terminal 80 can execute a process of notifying the clerk in charge of support that an abnormality related to credit card payment has occurred in the settlement device 10 that has transmitted the notification information. Further, the indicator light 90 can execute a process of turning on the issuing unit in a lighting state indicating that an abnormality related to credit card payment has occurred in the payment device 10. After that, in the process of S110, when the clerk performs a predetermined operation on the settlement device 10 and the specific information is input to the settlement device 10, the notification unit 150 cancels the process executed by the notification information. The release information for this is transmitted to each device (S504). As a result, the processing executed by each device as described above is terminated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the settlement device 10 that has transmitted the notification information is excluded from the destination candidates for the settlement information generated by the product registration device 60 in response to the notification information from the notification unit 150. As a result, it is possible to prevent other users from being erroneously guided to the settlement device 10 which cannot be used due to an abnormality. Further, in the present embodiment, according to the notification information from the notification unit 150, a clerk in charge of surrounding support indicates that an abnormality in credit card payment has occurred in the payment device 10 via the attend terminal 80 or the indicator light 90. Will be notified to. As a result, a clerk in charge of support can be quickly dispatched to the checkout device 10 in which the abnormality has occurred.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than the above can be adopted.

Further, in the plurality of flowcharts used in the above description, a plurality of steps (processes) are described in order, but the execution order of the steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order of description. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed within a range that does not hinder the contents. In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined as long as the contents do not conflict with each other.

Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described, but not limited to:
1. 1.
Card information acquisition means for acquiring credit card availability information, which indicates the availability status of credit cards,
An input receiving means for accepting input of specific information indicating the existence of a clerk when the availability status of the credit card indicated by the availability information is unavailable.
When the input of the specific information is accepted, the output means for outputting the portable medium containing the cause information that can identify the cause that the credit card cannot be used, and the output means.
A payment device equipped with.
2. 2.
The output means outputs the portable medium when the reading device connected to the payment device reads the credit card whose availability status is unavailable a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.
1. 1. Settlement device described in.
3. 3.
The reading device is a self-propelled reading device.
Further provided with a control means for controlling the reading device so that the credit card is not ejected when the availability of the credit card inserted into the card insertion slot of the reading device is unavailable.
2. 2. Settlement device described in.
4.
The control means controls the reading device so that the credit card is not ejected when the credit card whose availability status is unavailable is inserted into the card insertion slot a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.
3. 3. Settlement device described in.
5.
The control means reads the credit card so as to eject the credit card when the specific information is input while the reading device is controlled so as not to eject the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot. Control the device,
3. 3. Or 4. Settlement device described in.
6.
The control means determines whether or not to control the reading device so as not to eject the credit card, based on the cause information of the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot.
3. 3. From 5. The settlement device according to any one of the above.
7.
The cause information includes an error code corresponding to the reason why the credit card cannot be used.
1. 1. From 6. The settlement device according to any one of the above.
8.
The output means does not output the cause information to the screen, but outputs it only to the portable medium.
1. 1. From 7. The settlement device according to any one of the above.
9.
The settlement device is provided as a device different from the product registration device for registering the product to be settled.
1. 1. From 8. The settlement device according to any one of the above.
10.
It also has a product registration department that registers products to be settled.
1. 1. From 8. The settlement device according to any one of the above.
11.
The computer
Use a reader to obtain availability information that indicates the availability status of the credit card.
When the availability status of the credit card indicated by the availability information is unavailable, a receipt containing at least the cause information that can identify the cause of the unavailability of the credit card is output.
Information notification method including that.
12.
The computer outputs the portable medium when the reading device connected to the payment device reads the credit card whose availability status is not available a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.
Including that 11. Information notification method described in.
13.
The reading device is a self-propelled reading device.
The computer
When the availability of the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot of the reading device is unavailable, the reading device is controlled so as not to eject the credit card.
Including that 12. Information notification method described in.
14.
The computer controls the reading device so that the credit card is not ejected when the credit card whose availability status is unavailable is inserted into the card insertion slot a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.
Including that 13. Information notification method described in.
15.
When the specific information is input while the computer controls the reading device so as not to eject the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot, the reading device is ejected so as to eject the credit card. To control,
Including that 13. Or 14. Information notification method described in.
16.
Whether or not the computer controls the reading device so as not to eject the credit card is determined based on the cause information of the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot.
Including that 13. From 15. The information notification method described in any one of the above.
17.
The cause information includes an error code corresponding to the reason why the credit card cannot be used.
11. From 16. The information notification method described in any one of the above.
18.
The computer does not output the cause information to the screen, but outputs it only to the portable medium.
Including that 11. From 17. The information notification method described in any one of the above.
19.
To the computer 11. From 18. A program that executes the information notification method described in any one of the above.

10 Settlement device 101 Bus 102 Processor 103 Memory 104 Storage device 105 Input / output interface 106 Network interface 110 Card information acquisition unit 120 Input reception unit 130 Output unit 140 Control unit 150 Notification unit 20 Reader 30 Input device 40 Display device 50 Printer 60 Product Registration device 70 Server device 80 Attend terminal 90 Indicator light

Claims (10)

A payment device operated by a customer
Card information acquisition means for acquiring credit card availability information, which indicates the availability status of credit cards,
An input receiving means for accepting input of specific information indicating the existence of a clerk when the availability status of the credit card indicated by the availability information is unavailable.
When the input of the specific information is accepted, the output means for outputting the portable medium containing the cause information that can identify the cause that the credit card cannot be used, and the output means.
A payment device equipped with. The output means outputs the portable medium when the reading device connected to the payment device reads the credit card whose availability status is unavailable a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.
The settlement device according to claim 1. The reading device is a self-propelled reading device.
Further provided with a control means for controlling the reading device so that the credit card is not ejected when the availability of the credit card inserted into the card insertion slot of the reading device is unavailable.
The settlement device according to claim 2. The control means controls the reading device so that the credit card is not ejected when the credit card whose availability status is unavailable is inserted into the card insertion slot a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.
The settlement device according to claim 3. The control means reads the credit card so as to eject the credit card when the specific information is input while the reading device is controlled so as not to eject the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot. Control the device,
The settlement device according to claim 3 or 4. The control means determines whether or not to control the reading device so as not to eject the credit card, based on the cause information of the credit card inserted in the card insertion slot.
The settlement device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The cause information includes an error code corresponding to the reason why the credit card cannot be used.
The settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The output means does not output the cause information to the screen, but outputs it only to the portable medium.
The settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A computer that functions as a checkout device operated by a customer,
Get the availability information indicating the availability status of the credit card,
When the availability status of the credit card indicated by the availability information is unavailable, the input of specific information indicating the existence of a clerk is accepted.
Wherein when receiving an input of specific information, the credit card is output including a portable medium to cause information that can identify the cause is unavailable,
Information notification method including that. A program that causes a computer that functions as a payment device operated by a customer to execute the information notification method according to claim 9.

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