JP2003006551A - Electronic settlement system and electronic settlement method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily introduce a system electronically settling a personal check by generating data highly reliable as a proof indicating settlement by the personal check on a shop side. SOLUTION: A POS system 11 generates saving data 26 for which second data 27 regarding the use of the personal check 5 such as MICR data are added to first data 28 including the image data 29 of the used personal check 5 in invalidating the personal check 5 after the account information ϕ1 and amount information ϕ2 of the personal check 5 are transmitted to a collation/settlement system 3 and authentication and the settlement are ended there. By adopting the system 11, since the settlement of the personal check is easily proved by the saving data 26 at any time, the reliability of the electronic settlement of the personal check is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for electronically paying a check for personal use and a POS system therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the United States and other countries, a payment system using a personal check called a personal check is widely used in stores such as supermarkets and restaurants. The personal check used in this payment system has magnetic ink characters (Magnetic Ink Cha
racter) printed area, sign area, etc. are provided on the back side of the area for the store side to endorse information such as store information. When a user uses a personal check in a store, the store reads the magnetic ink characters and transfers them to the check system of the processing center of the check processor group that actually makes the payment with the user's bank and checks Request authentication. Once authenticated, the user can actually use the personal check. The used personal check is filled in with the amount of payment at the store, transported from the store to the processing center, where it is actually settled, and then returned to the user.

[0003]

In this system, for a person operating a payment system such as a retailer, it takes time and cost to transport a used personal check to a processing center, and after the user has used the check from the processing center. Since it takes time and cost to return the personal check, the processing cost of the used personal check is high. Therefore, it is desired to introduce a payment system with low cost such as electronic payment. On the other hand, personal checks as a payment method are still very popular and indispensable for users. Therefore, as a payment system that meets the needs of both parties, there is a demand for a more secure personal check payment system that does not require processing costs.

Payment by personal check is made by the National Check Clearing Organization (NACHA).
A new check check and settlement system (ECC: Electric Check Conversion), which processes like a debit card via the network infrastructure of the Ouse Association, is being considered. This system is a system that collates the validity of a check by using information of magnetic ink characters attached to the personal check, and when it is determined that the check is valid, the personal check is electronically settled at a store. With this system, you can even make electronic payments at stores,
The process of shipping used personal checks to a processing center can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the costs associated with the physical transportation and human handling of used personal checks.

With the introduction of ECC, the settlement of personal checks is completed at the cash register of the store. Therefore, instead of returning the used personal check to the user at a later date, the payment amount is written on the check on the spot, and a void (VOI) is provided on the surface to prevent reuse.
D) can be printed, the used invalid personal check can be processed, and it can be immediately returned to the user. When such processing is performed, there is no period for storing personal checks in the store, and the labor and area for managing them are unnecessary. Therefore, the introduction of the ECC has a great merit on the store side as well.

On the other hand, when an individual check is immediately returned, if there is no evidence of the used personal check in the store or the collation / settlement system, there is no proof of the use of the personal check, which is a cause of trouble. Could be. For example, it is conceivable that payment may be made in another person's account due to false detection of MICR data, and the user may be inquired about the payment amount at a later date. For this reason, as processing on the shop side when the ECC is adopted, it is considered that the VOID is printed on the surface of the check and the image of the surface of the individual check is read and stored by the scanner as the processing record.

[0007] However, whether or not only the image data of a personal check is sufficient as a usage record of a personal check in a store becomes a problem. Poor quality of captured images is likely to be useless as evidence, but whether the image data is truly from a personal check used by the user, and the amount of money settled by it. It is highly conceivable to receive an inquiry from the user at a later date as to whether or not is appropriate. In contrast to the conventional system where processing centers ultimately processed personal checks, EC
In C, the store is recognized as a window for processing personal checks, which complicates the processing in the store, and
When it comes to risk when dealing with users,
ECC is a very simple electronic payment system that can reduce the processing cost of used personal checks, but it presents a major obstacle to its implementation.

[0008] Also, the user can instantly make an electronic settlement of the personal check (check) and receive a return of the used check, so that it becomes easy to confirm the usage amount. However, if there is a question about payment by check at a later date, if you cannot confirm it, you cannot use the check with confidence.

Therefore, in the present invention, by making it possible to easily generate and store data suitable as a proof of a used personal check in a store, the user can use it with peace of mind and at the same time The purpose is to provide an electronic payment system that can reduce risks. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic payment system, in particular, a POS system and an electronic payment method, which can sufficiently obtain the merit of the check payment system that can immediately return a used personal check to a user. It is also an object of the present invention to provide peripheral devices suitable for this POS system and electronic settlement method.

[0010]

Therefore, in the present invention, an image of a used personal check is taken in, and
Information that can be sufficient evidence of used personal checks and is related to the use of personal checks that can be obtained on-site, such as in a store, is added to the image data to create integrated storage data. I try to record it. That is, in the electronic payment method of the present invention, the step of reading the information of a check such as a personal check, transmitting the information and the payment amount of the read check to the collation / settlement system to request payment, and the payment is recognized, When writing data to a check and performing invalidation processing, the first data including the image data obtained by reading the used check,
Adding the second data related to the use of the check to generate the archived data and recording the archived data in a recording medium.

Therefore, the electronic payment system of the present invention is
A means to send the read check information and payment amount to the matching / settlement system to request payment, and if payment is accepted, read the used check when writing data to the check and performing invalidation processing. Means for generating storage data in which second data related to use of a check is added to first data including image data and recording the storage data in a recording medium. The electronic payment system of the present invention is
It is possible to provide it as a POS system installed in a store, and send the read check information and the payment amount to the matching / settlement system to request payment.
When writing data to a check if payment is accepted and performing invalid processing, the first data including image data obtained by reading a used check and the second data related to the use of the check are stored. CD-ROM readable by a host device which is a part of the POS system as an application program of the POS system having an instruction to execute a step of recording data on a recording medium.
It can be provided by recording on a recording medium such as. Then, by installing the program of this POS system, it is possible to realize the electronic payment system having the above-mentioned functions and to apply the electronic payment method. This application program can be recorded and provided in another recording medium that can be read by a computer serving as a host device, or can be distributed via a computer network such as the Internet.

In the present invention, in addition to the first data containing the image data of the check, the second data relating to the use of the check is provided.
Data is prepared and used as one data to generate a completely new form of data as a check settlement system. And, many advantages can be obtained by managing the stored data of the present invention. That is, by collectively recording the first and second data as one storage data, not only image data but also
Other check usages and related information can be replayed with the image data at any time. In addition, since the first and second data can be handled integrally, recording is easy and subsequent management is easy. Therefore, highly reliable data can be easily generated and recorded as evidence of the use of a check, so that the risk on the store side can be avoided, and the user can easily inquire the store side about the progress of use. That is, ECC makes it possible to eliminate the disadvantages of adopting the process of immediately returning a used check. Therefore, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to employ an ECC capable of significantly reducing the check processing cost without burdening the store and the user.

The stored data is TIFF (Tagged Image File).
It is desirable to adopt the e Format) format. In the TIFF format, image data and other data such as text data can be collected as file format data having one header, and the first data that is the image data of the check and the other data. It is suitable to combine the second data, which is the data, into one to be stored data.

The second data relating to the use of the check is preferably information that can prove the use of the check and that can be obtained when the check is settled. Information regarding the details of the check, such as the date and amount of the check used, authentication information, and the name of the operator who processed the check provide strong evidence that the check was actually settled. In addition, personal data such as the user's driver's license number using a check, as well as the user's account balance when payment is confirmed by the verification / settlement system, identify the individual who actually made the check. It is a strong proof to do. Then, such information can be easily obtained at the site of the transaction using the check.

This stored data may be generated and recorded by the host device of the POS system. On the other hand, a means for generating image data of the object, such as handling a check, and M
It is also possible to create the storage data with a printer having a means for reading the ICR and the like and a means for printing, and it is possible to prevent an increase in the load on the host device due to the creation of the storage data.

That is, the present invention creates means for generating image data of an object such as a check, and storage data in which the second data sent from the host device is added to the first data including the image data. And a peripheral device having means for performing. The storage data created by this peripheral device may be stored in the peripheral device, or may be stored on the host device side by providing a means for outputting the storage data to the host device. Further, a server for data storage may be provided in a POS network system connecting a plurality of POS systems built in a store, and the stored data may be sent from the host device to the server to be collectively managed there. In the case of a chain store having a large number of stores, it is possible to aggregate and store the storage data of each store in a management server at the base of a wide area POS network system connecting the stores.

This function is a program of a peripheral device, and a step of generating image data of an object, and storage data obtained by adding the second data sent from the host device to the first data including the image data. It is possible to provide as a program, that is, firmware having an instruction to execute the step of creating.

It is desirable that the peripheral device further comprises means for reading information attached to the check and means for printing on the check so as to be suitable for handling the check. With this peripheral, a MIC for check authorization
The process of reading the R information, the process of printing voids on a used check for voiding, and the process of creating stored data can be performed as a series of processes on a single device.

The process of generating the storage data in the peripheral device is as follows.
It can be controlled by a command (storage data generation command) for generating storage data sent from the host device. The second data may be transmitted together with the save data generation command, or the data stored in association with the second data may be used. Since the process of creating the save data can be controlled by the command from the host device, the process of creating the save data by the peripheral device from the POS application program can be easily controlled. Therefore, it is desirable to install driver software (driver program) that generates a storage data generation command in a computer that is a host device. That is, the present invention provides, from the host device side, a peripheral device having means for generating image data of an object and means for adding storage data by adding second data to first data including image data. The control program includes a program having instructions for performing a step of generating a command for creating the stored data and a step of outputting the command to a peripheral device.

The command can instruct the host device to transmit the storage data generated by the peripheral device. Also, it is possible to include the second data to be stored as the storage data in the command. further,
It is also possible to form stored data in the TIFF format, and the TIFF is suitable as described above.
Also, as the second data, the date of use of the check, the amount used, the name of the operator who processed the check, information for authenticating the check, the driver's license number of the person who used the check, and the account balance of the person who used the check. However, these can be put together in the storage data by being selected by the host device, that is, the application program side of the POS system and provided as the second data.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a PO according to the present invention.
1 shows an overview of a check settlement system 1 using the S system. The check payment system 1 of this example is installed in a cash register of a store, and has a POS network system 2 having one or more POS terminals (POS system) 11 operated by an operator, and a personal check (personal check or personal check or Check) 5 is authenticated,
In addition, automatic clearing place (ACH: Au
tomated Clearing House) 6 and a bank 7 that actually makes payments in the customer's account. This automatic clearing house 6
And the bank 7 construct a verification / settlement system 3 for the personal check 5, and the POS terminal 11 can request the verification / settlement system 3 for authentication and settlement of the personal check 5 via the network 4 or the like.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the check 5 used in the check settlement system 1 of this example. A magnetic ink character 5a indicating the account information φ1 for authentication is attached to the surface 5x of the check 5, and when used, the date of use 5b, the recipient 5c, the character representation 5d of the amount, and the numerical representation 5e of the amount. Is printed. Then, when the ECC described in this example is adopted, a character 5g such as “invalid (VOID)” for invalidating the use of a check is further printed, and the information 5 which is conventionally given to the user as a receipt is printed.
Print (endorse) f on the back of the personal check 5.

Returning to FIG. 1, the POS network system 2 of this example is installed at each cash register and the like, and the operator reads the magnetic ink character 5a of check 5 and stores the stored data 26 of check 5 that has been used. A plurality of POS terminals (POS systems) 11 that can be generated, and a server 1 that can record and store the storage data 26 generated by each POS system 11.
2 and. Therefore, the storage data 26 generated by each POS system 11 is transmitted to the server 12 via the network 13 such as a LAN and stored there. In addition, the server 12 is a network 4 for automatic payment.
It also functions as a gateway for accessing the matching / settlement system 3 via the POS system 1.
In 1, the account information φ1 for checking the check 5 and the amount information φ2 indicating the usage amount of the check 5 can be transmitted to the checking / settlement system 3 for authentication.

Each POS system 11 has the same structure, and is mainly composed of a host device 15 such as a personal computer for controlling the entire system 11. The host device 15 includes a POS printer 2 as a peripheral device.
Keyboard 16 that can input 0 and the billing amount for shopping
And a display 17 capable of displaying the read image of the check 5 and predetermined information such as a shopping item name and an amount of money, are connected via an appropriate interface, and one POS terminal 11 is configured by them as a whole. . Further, it is possible to connect a display showing the purchase amount to the customer, an infrared scanner for reading a tag attached to the item, a cash drawer for cash management, etc. to the host device 15 as a peripheral device of the POS system 11.

The POS printer 20 of this example has a check 5
MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Rea) that can read the magnetic ink characters that are the authentication information provided in
der) 21 and a check printer (print head for writing) 23 that can print information such as date of use and amount of use on check 5, and also print a VOID indicating that check 5 is invalid. , A receipt printer (printing head for endorsement) 24 for printing endorsement information such as receipt information on the back side of check 5, and used check 5 printed on the front side by printer 23
Image scanner 2 for acquiring image data 29 of
2 is a combined device. Then, each of these functions 21 to 24 is executed by the command A sent from the host device 15.
Work according to. Therefore, the POS printer 20 of the present example decodes or interprets the command A from the host device 15, and based on the result, predetermined data processing, MICR 21, image scanner 22, check printer 23, and receipt printer 24. The control device 25 capable of controlling the operation of

In the check payment system 1 of the present example, the manner in which the process using the check 5 proceeds will be described. First, check 5 is submitted to the operator when shopping and clearing at the store. Check 5 is P by the operator
When set in the POS printer 20 that constitutes the OS system 11, the magnetic ink character 5a of check 5 is displayed as POS.
The MICR 21 which is one of the functions of the printer 20 reads the information, and the information is transmitted to the verification / settlement system 3 as the authentication account information φ1 via the host device 15 and the networks 13 and 4. In addition, check 5 together with the account information φ1 in the verification / settlement system 3.
The information (amount information) φ2 of the billing amount to be settled or settled in is transmitted. In the verification / settlement system 3, A
The CH system 6 authenticates the check 5 based on the account information φ1 and feeds back the authentication result of the check 5 to the POS system 11. If the authentication of check 5 is established, the customer (user) account 7a of the bank account system 7 is accessed based on the account information φ1 and the billing amount according to the amount information φ2 is guaranteed, The ACH system 6 authorizes payment by the check 5. Since the settlement is completed at this stage, the settlement amount may be immediately transferred from the user's account 7a to the store's account 7b, or may be actually settled at an appropriate timing later. On the other hand, when the authentication of the account information φ1 of check 5 is not established, or when the guarantee of the billing amount cannot be obtained from the account 7a of the user 9, the electronic payment by check 5 may not be accepted. It is sent back to the system 11.

In the POS system 11 of this example, if the collation / settlement system 3 accepts the settlement, it means that the settlement is substantially completed. Therefore, by the function of the printer 23, the date of use 5b, The payee 5c, the amount character 5d, the amount numeral 5e, etc. are printed, and
Information 5g indicating invalidity such as "invalidity (VOID)" is printed on the surface of the check 5 so that it can be returned to the user 9. In addition, using the function of the printer 24,
Conventionally, the information 5f that has been passed to the user as a receipt may be printed (endorsed) on the back side of the check 5, and the user 9 who has returned the used check 5 can collect the check 5 and the receipt information 5f together. It can be stored as it is.

Further, the image data 29 on the front side of the check 5 is generated by using the function of the scanner 22, and this image data 29 is generated as the first data. Further, the second data 27 related to the check 5 supplied from the host device 15 together with the command A, for example, the account information φ1 and the amount information φ2 are received. Then, the second data 27 is added to the first data 29 to generate the storage data 26. The storage data 26 is transferred to the server 12 and stored as information of the POS network system 2. In this way, after the storage data 26 is created, the check 5 is returned to the user on the spot. After that, the collation / settlement system 3 sends a report 10 indicating that the settlement amount has been transferred from the user's account 7a to the user. Therefore, in this ECC, even if the check 5 is used, the POS system 11 of the store makes electronic payment, and therefore the check 5 is verified.
It is possible to save the trouble and cost of sending the check 5 to the settlement system 3 and then returning the processed check 5 to the user (customer) 9.

The second data 27 stored as the storage data 26 in a state of being combined with the image data 29 of the check 5 includes the magnetic ink character 5a, the check date of the check 5 and the check amount of the used amount. It is possible to employ personal information such as information regarding the details of item 5, the name of the operator who processed check 5, and the driver's license number of the user who used check 5. Further, the user's account balance obtained via the matching / settlement system 3 can be used as the second data 27, and, of course, some of these pieces of information can be collectively used as the second data. Is. These pieces of information are information that is immediately obtained when the check 5 is used, and the image data 2 of the check 5
This information is suitable for combining with 9, storing, and later confirming the use of check 5. Second, unless otherwise noted
The data 27 in FIG. 2 refers to these data, and when it is necessary to explain them individually, the description will be made with reference to the account information φ1 described in the magnetic ink character 5a as the second data 27.

FIG. 3 shows the mechanical portion 6 of the POS printer 20.
A schematic configuration of 0 is shown. The mechanical path 60 of the POS printer 20 has a paper path 5 through which the check 5 is fed.
MICR2 from the insertion opening 52 side of No. 1 toward the exit 53
1, receipt printer (print head for endorsement) 2
4. Check printer (print head for table writing) 23
And the image scanner 22 is arranged in order.
Further, in the paper path 51, a set of paper feed rollers 54 arranged on the exit side of the MICR 21, a set of paper feed rollers 55 arranged between the receipt printer 24 and the checking printer 23, A roller 59 is provided so as to face the image scanner 22. Therefore, the check 5 is fed along the paper path 51 in the forward direction (direction from the insertion opening 52 to the exit 53) and in the reverse direction (direction from the exit 53 to the insertion opening 52), and the magnetic ink character 5a by the MICR 21 is sent. Read processing, endorsement processing by the receipt printer 24, front-end processing by the check printer 23, and image data 29 generation processing by the image scanner 22. Further, sensors 56, 57 and 58 for detecting the position of the check 5 in the paper path 51 are provided, and the control device 25 controls the drive of each roller according to the outputs of these sensors 56 to 58. At a predetermined operation, the paper is fed to the target position for check 5.

FIG. 4 shows a control device 25 of the POS printer 20.
Is shown in a block diagram. POS printer 20 having a plurality of functions 21 to 24 as described above
Are controlled based on the command A from the host device 15. Therefore, the control device 25 of this example is
Has a function of interpreting the command A and a function of controlling the plurality of functions 21 to 24 based on the function. Further, in the control device 25 of this example, the image data obtained from the function of the image scanner 22 based on the command A is used as the first data 29, and the second data 27 sent from the host device 15 is added and stored. It also has a function of generating the data 26.

The controller 25 has two CPUs 31 and 3
2, the main CPU 31 has a host device 15
It interprets the command A from and also controls the operations of the MICR 21, the checking printer 23, and the receipt printer 24. The sub CPU 32 controls the image scanner 22 and also uses the image data 29 of the used check 5 read by the scanner 22 and the second data 27.
Image data processing such that the storage data 26 is created by combining and is performed. The control device 25 further includes a ROM 35 in which the program of the main CPU 31 is recorded.
And the RO in which the program of the sub CPU 32 is recorded
Each function 21 under control of M36 and CPUs 31 and 32
A gate array (ASIC) 33 having a control circuit for activating 24 to 24, a DRAM 34 used as an area for holding image data 29 read by the image scanner 22, and an interface 37 with the host device 15. There is. The ASIC 33 has a mechanical part 60.
In addition to the function as a control circuit for controlling
And a function supporting communication of 32 are also installed.

In the main CPU (first CPU) 31,
A function 41 for acquiring and analyzing the command A from the host device 15 by the firmware stored in the ROM 35.
And the processing from the reading processing of check 5 by the image scanner 22 to the generation of the storage data 26 (hereinafter,
Various parameter settings in ECC operation, ECC
The ECC function 42 for controlling the status exchange with the operating host device 15, the magnetic ink character 5a of the check 5 is read by the MICR 21 and transmitted to the host device 15, or the receipt printer 24 or the check printer 23 is used. A function 43 of setting parameters for printing in the gate array 33 is realized.

When the analysis function 41 of the CPU 31 receives a command (storage data generation command) for generating the storage data 26 shown in (A) below, it instructs the second CPU 32 to generate the storage data 26. GS (G pL pH fn
nL nH m1 m2 [d1 ... dk] (fn = 65) ... (A) The "GS" at the beginning of this command is the command head, for example, "1D" in hexadecimal display, decimal display And then "29"
Is the code of. The next "(G" is a control code, "(" is a hexadecimal number "28", a decimal number is "40" code, "G" is a hexadecimal number "47",
The code is "71" in decimal notation, and these indicate that it is a command related to electronic settlement of check 5. Following these, "pL" and "pH" are parameters that specify the number of parameters after "fn".
X256) Means that a parameter of bytes follows.

"Fn" designates the function code of the command, and is a command for instructing to generate the save data 26 and send it to the host device 15 (hereinafter,
If the command that realizes this function is called a save data generation command), for example, "65"
Set to (decimal display). Therefore, various types of commands can be defined by changing the function code.

"NL" and "nH" are the second data 27 to be stored in association with the image data 29 which is the read result of the check 5, and in this case indicate the data ID. That is,
The value of (nL + nH × 256) becomes the data ID, and this value is stored as the second data 27 in the storage data 26 together with the image data 29.

"M1" and "m2" are parameters that specify fixed values for function establishment. Then, “d1 ... dk” is a parameter for directly specifying transaction data or MICR data. When this parameter is included in the storage data generation command (A), the directly specified data is the second data. 27 and is stored as the data 26 together with the first data 29.

Therefore, the function 41 for analyzing the command
When the storage data generation command of (A) is received, the data corresponding to the second data 27 included in the command is extracted, and the extracted second data 27 is transferred to the second data 27 via the gate array 33. It is supplied to the CPU 32. The command analysis function 41 sends another command to the host 15
When received from, the contents instructed by the command are analyzed and the corresponding processing is performed. For example, when a command specifying the reading parameter (condition) of the check 5 by the image scanner 22 is received, the command is analyzed and the ECC function 42 sets the value in the gate array 33. Thereby, each set value relating to the process of reading the image data 29, for example, gradation, threshold value, reading area, presence / absence of compression of the image data 29 (compression switch), and a function of cutting out only a predetermined area of the read image data 29. Conditions such as enable / disable (cropping switch) and a protocol between the control device 25 and the host device 15 can be set in the gate array 33.

In the sub CPU (second CPU) 32, R
A function 45 for setting parameters relating to the control of the image scanner 22 by the firmware stored in the OM 36, and a storage data generation function for generating the storage data 26 from the image data 29 generated by the image scanner 22 and transmitting it to the host device 15. 46 and a function 47 for transmitting (outputting) the generated storage data 26 to the host device 15 are realized.

The storage data generation function 46 compresses the image data 29 generated by the image scanner 22 as the first data in accordance with the TIFF format, and at the same time, the second data 27 supplied from the main CPU 31.
Is added, and the storage data 26 in the TIFF format is generated. Therefore, in the POS printer 20 of this example, the controller 25 sends the first data 29 and the second data 27 by the command sent from the host 15.
It is possible to generate the storage data 26 in which

Text data such as comments can be added to the TIFF format data by simple software processing as compared with the JPEG format and GIF format graphic data. That is, the TIFF format data is the TI
This is tree-structured data in which a plurality of image files having a directory structure are formed under the FF head. Text data to be added is added as a new image file, and a new image file is specified by a method such as specifying the position of the image file. It is possible to update to TIFF format data to which text data is added. Therefore, the magnetic ink character 5a including characters, numbers, symbols, etc., the second data 27 such as the amount used, the date, and the receipt information can be added to the first data 29 by a simple process. Therefore, it is suitable as the format of the storage data 26, and further, T
By the application program corresponding to IFF,
The stored data 26 once generated can be managed. Therefore, a program or the like for generating and managing the storage data 26 can be developed in a short period at low cost.

The storage data 26 generated in this way
Can be stored in the POS printer 20, but in order to do so, the stored data 2 can be stored in the POS printer 20.
It is necessary to prepare a storage device such as a large-capacity hard disk for storing the data 6. Also, the storage data 26
PO when using other applications
It is necessary to access the S printer 20. Therefore, in this example, the storage data generation command (A) is used to instruct the storage device 26 to output the storage data 26 to the host device 15 by the transmitting function 47. The transmitting function 47 transmits the storage data 26 to the host device 15 by handshake control according to an appropriate protocol, and at this time, the storage data 2
It is also possible to add a predetermined header to 6 or to add data for checksum.

On the other hand, the host device 15 has an operating system (OS) 61 and a POS as shown in FIG.
It has a system application 62 and a printer driver 63 for controlling the POS printer 20. The printer driver 63 includes each function 2 of the POS printer 20 including the above-mentioned storage data generation command (A).
A command generation function 64 for generating commands for controlling 1 to 24 is provided, and each generated command is O
It is transmitted to the POS printer 20 via the interface function 61a managed in S61.

The printer driver 63 also has a function 65 for receiving each data generated by the POS printer 20. For example, the account information φ1 of check 5 read by the MICR 21 is supplied to the POS application 62 via the receiving function 65. And
It is sent by the inquiry function 66 of the POS application 62 to the collation / settlement system 3 together with the amount information φ2 of the check 5 input via the keyboard 16 and is used for obtaining the settlement approval by the check 5. Then, the account information φ1, the amount information φ2, or the account information approved by the inquiry function 66 is supplied to the command generating function 64 of the driver 63 as the second data 27.

FIG. 5 shows the POS application 6 of this example.
The outline of the process of No. 2 is shown by a flowchart. First, the check 5 is made by the operator at the POS printer 20.
Is set, the POS printer 20 is operated by the payment information acquisition function 67 to perform MICR in step 71.
The information (account information) φ1 of the magnetic ink character 27 of check 5 is read by 21 and is temporarily stored in an appropriate recording medium such as a hard disk or a memory. Around this time, at step 72, the amount information φ2 such as the billing amount is input to the keyboard 16 by the settlement information acquisition function 67.
Etc., and temporarily stores it in an appropriate recording medium such as a hard disk or a memory. Then, in step 73, the inquiry function 66 transmits the account information φ1 and the amount information φ2 to the collation / settlement system 3, and asks whether or not settlement is possible by the check 5. Step 7
4, when the electronic payment is established together with the verification 5 of the check / settlement system 3, the payment function 68
Thus, in step 75, the POS printer 20 performs endorsement and front-end processing on the check 5, and at the same time, receipt information is printed on the back side of the check 5 and information such as the payee and the charge amount is printed on the front side. . Next, in step 76, a process corresponding to the ECC, which is the electronic payment system of the payment function 68, is performed. That is, VOID printing is performed on check 5 to invalidate it, and a storage data generation command (A) is sent to form image data 29, which is further merged with the second data 27 to generate storage data 26. Then, the generated storage data 26
To receive. The storage data 26 is further transmitted to the server 12 and stored therein.

The processing of the POS application 62 may be provided by recording it on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM which can be read by the computer serving as the host device 15 as a program having instructions for executing the above steps. it can. Then, by installing in an appropriate recording medium of the host device 15, each of the above functions 6
The POS system 11 having 6 to 68 can be realized. The program can also be distributed via a computer network such as the Internet.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of processing in the printer driver 63 of the host device 15. When endorsement and front cover for check 5 are finished and it is time to start the ECC operation, and when an instruction to generate the storage data 26 is received from the POS application 62,
In step 91, the instruction is judged, and in step 92, the command generation function 64 generates the storage data generation command (A) including the second data 27. Then, in step 93, it is transmitted to the POS printer 20 through the interface 61a of the OS 61. Then, when the storage data 26 is transmitted from the POS printer 20 in step 94, the storage data 26 is supplied to the POS application 62 in step 95. On the other hand, in step 91, the POS printer 20 may perform other processing.
When instructed by the OS application 62, a command for realizing the instruction is generated in step 96 and transmitted to the POS printer 20.

Printer driver 6 for performing such processing
3 can also be provided as a program having an instruction to execute each of the above steps in the same manner as the above application program and installed in the host device 15.

FIG. 7 shows the processing in the POS printer 20 using a flowchart. When the command is acquired from the host device 15 in step 81, the command is interpreted by the main CPU 31 in step 82. If the command is the storage data creation command (A) in step 83, it is indicated by the second data 27 included in the command (A) in step 84, that is, the data ID or the data [d1 ... dk]. Extract the data. On the other hand, in the sub CPU 32, step 8
In step 5, the image data 22 of the used check 5 is generated by the image scanner 22, and in step 86, the second data 27 is added to the first data 28 to store the stored data 26.
To generate. Then, in step 87, the storage data 26 is transmitted to the host device 15.

On the other hand, if the result of interpreting the command in step 82 is not the storage data creation command (A), the process corresponding to the command is performed in step 88. These processes can be controlled by firmware having an instruction to execute the above steps. In the POS printer 20 of this example, the ROM 3 is used as the firmware of each of the CPUs 31 and 32.
5 and 36.

As described above, the POS system 11 of this example
In the store, the image data 29 of the used check 5 is used as the first data, and the second data 27 relating to the use of the check 5 such as account information φ1 or amount information φ2 is added to the check data, and the check is added. The storage data 26 has a completely new form as the settlement system. Then, this stored data 26 is POS
It can be easily stored and managed by the server 12 of the network system 2.

Therefore, the ECC which is an electronic settlement system
Even if the check 5 already used in the store is returned to the user by adopting, the data with sufficient reliability (the stored data 26 ) Can be stored at the store side. Since the second data 27 related to the use is embedded in the storage data 26 together with the image data 29 of check 5, the image data 29 and the second data 27 are embedded.
And can be managed collectively. Therefore, the stored data 26 is easy to manage, and the image data 29 and the information 27 related to the use such as the account information φ1 are merged, so that the information is highly reliable. And
It is possible to easily retrieve and display the storage data 26 of the corresponding transaction at any time. Therefore, the reliability of electronic payment for checks can be improved. For example, E
For a store that adopts CC, by displaying the stored data 26 when a user or the like makes an inquiry later, it is possible to prevent a trouble related to payment using the check 5 from occurring. On the other hand, user 9
If there is any doubt about the payment by check 5, the contents of the payment can be confirmed by referring to the storage data 26 stored in the store directly or via the Internet or the like.

Therefore, the processing cost of the used check 5 becomes very low, and the risk of the store side, which has been a bottleneck in adopting the electronic settlement system (ECC) 1 which is advantageous for the store and the user, is generated. It is possible to solve the problem of user convenience.
As described above, the stored data used in the present invention can be generated extremely easily and can be easily managed, which is an economical burden when constructing a POS system on the shop side. Rarely.

As the second data 27 to be integrated with the image data 29 of the check 5, the account information φ1 obtained from the magnetic ink character 5a, the amount information φ2 such as the amount of money used, the operator name of the POS terminal 11 are used. , The user's account balance, the user's driver's license number, and other personal data that proves the user, and is data that can be easily obtained on-site when the check 5 is used. Therefore, creating the storage data 26 by merging the image data 29 and the second data 27 is an EC that immediately returns the used check 5 to the user.
The merit of C is not hindered, and in this respect as well, the user who uses the check 5 and the store can introduce it without burden.

The POS printer 20 described above is used.
The configuration of the mechanical portion 60, the configuration of the control device 25, the configurations of the POS system 11 and the POS network system 2 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. In the above description, the example in which the POS printer 20 performs the processing from the generation of the image data 29 to the generation of the storage data 26 has been described. However, the host device 15 receives the image data 29, and the host device 15 receives the second data. The storage data 26 may be generated by merging with the data of.
However, the function for generating the storage data 26 has a POS function.
With the printer 20, the stored data 26 can be generated using the capability of the POS printer 20 that has completed the process of checking and endorsing the check 5. Therefore,
There is a possibility that the stored data 26 can be generated without impairing the processing capability of the POS system 11 that performs post-processing of payment, and the hardware resources that make up the POS system 11 can be used more efficiently.

Further, although the example of generating the storage data in the TIFF format has been described above, the format of the storage data is not limited to this, and the image data and the text data indicating the second data are also described. Any format may be used as long as the data can be managed as the same data or file. The TIFF format is a general-purpose data format having such a data structure,
Since it is possible to use commercially available applications and the like, it is a suitable format for use in the present invention.

[0057]

As described above, in the present invention, the first data including the image data of the used personal check is related to the use of the personal check which can be immediately obtained at the site where the personal check is handled. Add the second data, 1
It is generated as one stored data. This stored data is highly reliable data as evidence that a legitimate payment has been made by a personal check, and does not impede the merit of electronic payment for personal checks that can be immediately returned at the site where the personal check is used. Can be generated with. Therefore, by adopting a system that generates and stores the stored data every time when the individual check is settled, the settlement of the individual check can be easily proved with the stored data at any time, thereby improving the reliability of electronic settlement of the individual check. be able to. In addition, it is possible to reduce the risks on the store side when adopting the electronic payment system for personal checks, and to introduce an electronic payment system (ECC) with high economic effect without actually burdening the store. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an electronic payment system using a POS system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an individual check.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of a mechanical portion of the POS printer of this example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a control device of the POS printer of this example.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing performed by an application in the POS system of this example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the printer driver of the host device of this example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of ECC processing performed by the POS printer of this example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Check payment system 2 POS system 3 Verification / settlement system 5 personal checks 11 POS terminal 12 servers 15 Host device 20 POS printer 21 MICR 22 Image Scanner 23 Check printer 24 Receipt Printer 26 archived data 27 Second data 28 First data 29 image data 31 Main CPU 32 sub CPU 41 Analysis function 46 Storage data generation function 47 Output function 61 OS 62 applications 63 Printer driver (A) Storage data generation command

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Claims (31)

[Claims] 1. A means for requesting a settlement by transmitting read check information and settlement amount to a collation / settlement system, and used when writing data to the check and performing invalidation processing when the settlement is accepted. An electronic payment system having means for recording, on a recording medium, storage data in which second data relating to use of the check is added to first data including image data obtained by reading the completed check. 2. The storage data according to claim 1, wherein the stored data is T
Electronic payment system in IFF format. 3. The check data according to claim 1, wherein the second data is a check use date, a check amount, information for authentication,
An electronic payment system that is at least one of an operator name that processed the check, a driver's license number of the user who used the check, and an account balance of the user who used the check. 4. The electronic payment system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic payment system is a POS system. 5. A step of transmitting the read check information and the settlement amount to a collation / settlement system to request settlement, and when the settlement is accepted, it is used when writing data to the check and performing invalidation processing. Recording the stored data, which is obtained by adding the second data related to the use of the check to the first data including the image data obtained by reading the completed check on the recording medium. 6. The storage data according to claim 5, wherein the stored data is T.
An electronic payment method in IFF format. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second data is a check date, check amount, and authentication information.
An electronic payment method that is at least one of an operator name that processed the check, a driver's license number of the user who used the check, and an account balance of the user who used the check. 8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:
A method of delivering the statement to a user who has used the check through a payment system. 9. A peripheral device comprising: means for generating image data of an object; and means for generating storage data in which second data sent from a host device is added to first data including the image data. . 10. The peripheral device according to claim 9, further comprising means for outputting the stored data to the host device. 11. The peripheral device according to claim 9, wherein the object is a check. 12. The peripheral device according to claim 11, comprising means for reading information attached to the check, and means for printing on the check. 13. The peripheral device according to claim 9, wherein the storage data is in TIFF format. 14. The storage data creating device according to claim 9, wherein the storage data creating means receives the storage data according to the second data associated with the command when receiving a command to create the storage data sent from the host device. Peripherals to create. 15. The check data according to claim 11, wherein the second data is the date of use of the check, the amount of money used, information for authentication, the name of the operator who processed the check, and the driver's license number of the user who used the check. , And / or a peripheral device that is at least one of the user's account balances used. 16. The peripheral device according to claim 9, wherein the peripheral device is a P device.
Peripheral device characterized by configuring an OS system. 17. An application program for an electronic payment system, comprising the steps of transmitting read check information and payment amount to a collation / settlement system to request payment, and writing the data to the check if payment is accepted. And, when invalidating, recording the stored data in the recording medium in which the second data related to the use of the check is added to the first data including the image data obtained by reading the used check. An application program having instructions to execute. 18. The application program according to claim 17, wherein the storage data is in TIFF format. 19. The check data according to claim 17, wherein the second data includes the date of use of the check, the amount used, information for authentication, the name of the operator who processed the check, and the driver's license number of the user who used the check. , And an application program that is at least one of the account balance of the user who used the application program. 20. The application program according to claim 17, wherein the application program is a POS application program. 21. A program for a peripheral device controlled by a host device, comprising: a step of generating image data of an object; and a second data sent from the host device to first data including the image data. A program having instructions for executing the step of creating storage data to which data is added. 22. The program according to claim 21, further comprising an instruction to execute the step of outputting the stored data to the host device. 23. The program according to claim 21, wherein the object is a check, and the program further comprises instructions for reading information attached to the check and printing for the check. 24. The program according to claim 21, wherein the stored data is in TIFF format. 25. The method according to claim 21, further comprising an instruction to execute a step of analyzing a command sent from the host device, wherein the step of creating the archived data instructs the creation of the archived data by the command. And a program for creating the storage data by the second data related to the command. 26. The check data according to claim 23, wherein the second data is the date of use of the check, the amount used, the name of the operator who processed the check, information for authenticating the check, and the operation of the person who used the check. A program that is a license number and / or an account balance of the person who used the license. 27. From the host device side, a peripheral device having means for generating image data of an object and means for adding storage data by adding second data to first data including the image data. A program for controlling, the program including instructions for executing a step of creating a storage data generation command for generating the storage data and a step of outputting the storage data generation command to the peripheral device. 28. The program according to claim 27, wherein the storage data generation command directs the storage device to transmit the storage data. 29. The program according to claim 27, wherein the storage data generation command includes the second data. 30. The program according to claim 27, wherein the storage data generation command forms the storage data in TIFF format. 31. In claim 27, the object is a check, and the second data is the check use date, the amount used, the name of the operator who processed the check, information for authenticating the check, A program that is at least one of the driver's license number of the person who used the check and the account balance of the person who used the check.