JP2011186698A - Automatic settlement device and automatic settlement system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user-friendly automatic settlement device and an automatic settlement system provided with the same. <P>SOLUTION: In a settlement device 3, a control unit 30 makes settlement for a commodity whose commodity information stored in a menu tag 5 attached to the commodity is read by an IC tag R/W unit 16 based on the commodity information by means of electronic money based on type information read from an identification tag 20 on a settlement card 4 by the IC tag R/W unit 16. Then, if a person desiring to make settlement for a commodity by means of a desired type of electronic money selects an identification tag 20 (settlement card 4) storing corresponding electronic money type information prior to settlement, then the type information stored in the identification tag 20 selected prior to settlement is read at the time of settlement, and thereby settlement by means of the desired type of electronic money is automatically made. Thus, the type of electronic money is not required to be selected in haste at the time of settlement, and therefor, user-friendliness is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic settlement apparatus capable of automatic settlement of commodities and an automatic settlement system including the same.

As an automatic settlement apparatus, a patent document 1 below proposes a settlement terminal apparatus. In this payment terminal device, a user who wishes to pay for a product can automatically pay for the product by holding his / her mobile phone over the display unit of the payment terminal device.
In this payment terminal device, automatic payment by a desired payment service in a plurality of types of payment services (electronic money) is possible. Therefore, prior to settlement, a plurality of selection reception units for selecting a desired payment service are displayed on the display unit of the payment terminal device according to the type of the payment service, and the user can select one of the selection reception units. By selecting, a desired settlement service can be selected, and the product can be settled using the settlement service.

JP 2007-280064 A

In the payment terminal device of Patent Document 1, when a payment is made to a user, a selection reception unit corresponding to a desired payment service is selected one by one from a plurality of selection reception units displayed on the display unit. You will be forced to move.
In this case, for example, when other users who are going to settle are waiting in line, the user who is currently trying to select one of the selection reception units must select the selection reception unit early. Receive.

  In addition, when a selection accepting unit that is not desired is selected by mistake, the settlement service corresponding to the selected selection accepting unit is once activated. For this reason, unless this payment service is terminated, it is not possible to select a new selection accepting unit and make a payment with a desired payment service. (Including other users who are).

As another configuration, when one type of settlement service is displayed on the display unit and a desired settlement service is displayed on the display unit by pressing a changeover switch or the like several times, settlement by the desired settlement service is performed. Possible configurations are conceivable.
In this case, if there are a plurality of types of payment services, the changeover switch must be pressed until the desired payment service is displayed. Further, if the subsequent payment service of the desired payment service is displayed on the display unit by pressing the changeover switch too much, the changeover switch must be continuously pressed until the desired payment service is displayed again. Moreover, every time the display of the settlement service on the display unit is switched, it takes time for the settlement service to start (after switching) and time for the settlement service to end (before switching). , The time required for settlement becomes longer.

In other words, when multiple types of payment services can be selected, the payment service can be used when making a payment in the future, regardless of the configuration in which a plurality of selection receiving units in the display unit are selected or the configuration in which the changeover switch is pressed. Since the above-mentioned problems may occur, it is inconvenient for the user.
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide an easy-to-use automatic payment apparatus and an automatic payment system including the automatic payment apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an automatic settlement apparatus capable of automatic settlement with a plurality of types of electronic money, for reading product information about the product stored in the product information storage means attached to the product. Product information reading means, type information reading means for reading the type information from the type information storage means storing electronic money type information, and the product information read by the product information reading means in the product information An automatic settlement apparatus including a settlement unit that settles with a type of electronic money based on the type information read by the type information reading unit.

  The invention according to claim 2 is based on the priority order setting means for setting the priority order for the type of electronic money, and when the type information reading means reads the type information of a plurality of types of electronic money. The automatic settlement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: designation means for designating a type of electronic money to be prioritized, wherein the settlement means performs settlement with the type of electronic money designated by the designation means. is there.

The invention according to claim 3 further includes means for deferring the start of payment processing by the payment means when the type information reading means reads type information of a plurality of types of electronic money. 1 is an automatic settlement apparatus.
The invention described in claim 4 includes setting means for manually setting the type of electronic money, and the payment means sets the electronic money of the set type when the type of electronic money is set by the setting means. The automatic settlement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the settlement is performed by using the automatic settlement apparatus.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the product information storage means is a product information storage IC tag attached to tableware for storing food and drink, and the product information reading means is a plurality of the product information storage devices. An IC tag reader capable of reading the product information stored in the IC tag at a time, the type information storage means is a type information storage IC tag, and the type information reading means is the type information storage IC. An IC tag reader capable of reading the type information stored in the tag, wherein reading of the product information by the product information reading unit and reading of the type information by the type information reading unit are performed at the same time. The automatic settlement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

  The invention described in claim 6 is provided with a product, a product information storage means for storing product information about the product, and a plurality of types according to the type of electronic money. An automatic payment system comprising: stored type information storage means; and an automatic payment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

According to the first and sixth aspects of the invention, the automatic settlement apparatus can perform automatic settlement with a plurality of types of electronic money.
In connection with the automatic settlement, there is a type information storage unit that stores electronic money type information, and a product information storage unit that stores product information about the product is assigned to the product.
In the automatic settlement apparatus, the settlement unit reads the product information stored in the product information storage unit by the type information reading unit from the type information storage unit based on the product information for the product read by the product information reading unit. Settlement with the kind of electronic money based on the kind information.

  Therefore, for example, if a person who wants to settle a product with a desired type of electronic money selects a type information storage unit that stores the type information of the corresponding electronic money prior to settlement, for example, a pre-selection is made at the time of settlement. By reading the type information stored in the type information storage means, the automatic payment is made with the desired type of electronic money. As a result, it is not necessary to select the type of electronic money at the time of payment, which is convenient.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the type information reading unit reads the type information of a plurality of types of electronic money, the type of electronic money to be prioritized is specified based on the priority set by the priority setting unit. The means designates and the settlement means settles with the designated type of electronic money. As a result, the payment process is not delayed depending on which type of electronic money is used, so that a quick payment is possible and the usability is good.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the type information reading unit reads type information of a plurality of types of electronic money, the start of the payment process by the payment unit is suspended. Thereby, a person who wants to settle a product can get an opportunity to consider a settlement method. In addition, the time loss is reduced and the time required for the entire settlement can be minimized as compared with the case where the settlement process is interrupted after the settlement process by the settlement unit is once started.

As described above, the usability of the automatic settlement apparatus can be improved.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the electronic money type can be manually set by the setting means, and the payment means can set the electronic money of the set type when the electronic money type is set by the setting means. Settlement with money. Accordingly, a person who wants to settle a product can change the type of electronic money selected in advance as necessary at the time of settlement, which is convenient.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the product information storage means is a product information storage IC tag attached to tableware for storing food and drink, and the product information reading means includes a plurality of product information storage ICs. This is an IC tag reader that can read product information stored in a tag at a time.
The type information storage means is an IC tag for storing type information, and the type information reading means is an IC tag reader that can read the type information stored in the type information storage IC tag.

  In the automatic settlement apparatus, reading of the product information by the product information reading unit and reading of the type information by the type information reading unit are performed at the same time, so that quick settlement is possible and convenience is improved.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an automatic settlement system 1 according to the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a management device 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of content stored in a storage unit 7 of the management device 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the settlement apparatus 3. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the settlement apparatus 3.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic settlement system 1 according to the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, an automatic settlement system 1 according to the present invention is applied to a cafeteria in a company as an example. Since the automatic payment system 1 performs payment automatically, a staff member engaged in payment in the dining room is not required.

The automatic payment system 1 includes a management device 2, a payment device 3 (automatic payment device), a payment tag 4, and a menu tag 5 (product information storage means).
The management device 2 stores information on each dish provided in the cafeteria (cooking information including menus, nutritional components, calories, price, etc.) and stores a settlement history of dishes in the cafeteria. In addition, the management apparatus 2 can set and change the above-described dish information.

As a specific configuration, the management apparatus 2 includes a control unit 6 configured with a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 6 includes a CPU, a memory (ROM, RAM), and the like. The control unit 6 is for controlling the operation of the management device 2.
In addition, the management device 2 is provided with a storage unit 7, and the storage unit 7 stores the above-described dish information, settlement history, and the like. The management device 2 is provided with an operation unit 8, and the cooking information can be set and changed by operating the operation unit 8. Further, the management device 2 is provided with a display unit 9 which is a liquid crystal display, for example, and the information stored in the storage unit 7 and the setting / change contents of the cooking information described above are displayed on the display unit 9. The

  The payment apparatus 3 is installed in a payment corner in the cafeteria, and is connected to the management apparatus 2 so as to be communicable. Although one settlement apparatus 3 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of settlement apparatuses 3 may be provided. The payment apparatus 3 can perform automatic payment with electronic money of a plurality of types (here, “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”). The electronic money in this embodiment is a so-called prepaid type.

  Here, the user of the cafeteria carries the payment card 10 with an electronic money function. The card 10 in this embodiment is a prepaid card corresponding to the type (standard) of prepaid electronic money, and stores the amount of the corresponding type of electronic money as a prepaid value. Note that the prepaid value of the card 10 can be additionally accumulated (charged) in a dedicated terminal (not shown). In FIG. 1, a card 10 corresponding to electronic money A is shown.

  The settlement apparatus 3 includes, for example, a box-shaped cabinet 11, a display unit 12, a tray mounting table 13, and a card processing unit 14 arranged on the top surface of the cabinet 11, an antenna 15 accommodated in the cabinet 11, and an IC tag. It mainly includes an R / W (Read / Write) section 16 (product information reading means, type information reading means), a control unit 17, a power supply section 18 and a battery 19.

The display unit 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The tray mounting table 13 is a table whose top surface is flat in the horizontal direction. The card processing unit 14 can read and rewrite the amount of electronic money stored in the card 10 described above.
The antenna 15 is electrically connected to the IC tag R / W unit 16. The IC tag R / W unit 16 is an IC tag reader. Specific functions of the antenna 15 and the IC tag R / W unit 16 will be described later.

The control unit 17 is for controlling the operation of the settlement apparatus 3. The power supply unit 18 is a main power supply that supplies power to each electrical component of the settlement apparatus 3, and the battery 19 functions as an auxiliary power supply.
Here, the settlement tag 4 has an elongated plate shape as an example. There are a plurality of types of payment tags 4 depending on the types of electronic money supported by the payment device 3. In the following, the payment tags 4 may be distinguished alphabetically, such as payment tags 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, depending on any of the corresponding types of electronic money A to D.

  On each settlement tag 4, illustrations and letters indicating the type of electronic money corresponding thereto (here, alphabets indicating any type of “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”) are visible. And an identification tag 20 (type information storage means) that stores information for identifying the type of the electronic money (referred to as “type information”) is integrally attached. The identification tag 20 (in other words, the entire payment tag 4 to which the identification tag 20 is attached) is a type information storage IC tag. The identification tag 20 (in other words, the type information stored in the identification tag 20) also has a plurality of types according to the type of electronic money, as with the payment tag 4.

  The menu tag 5 is an IC tag. The menu tag 5 is attached to the thread end (bottom) of the tableware 21, and it can be said that the menu tag 5 is given to the dish (product) stored in the tableware 21 via the tableware 21. Each menu tag 5 has a code No. Is remembered. Here, the tableware 21 has a plurality of types according to the category of the food to be accommodated (category such as rice, side dish, soup). Is different for each type of tableware 21 to which the menu tag 5 is attached (in other words, a category of dishes).

  Each code No. Is stored in the storage unit 7 of the management device 2 in association with the above-described dish information (menu, nutritional components, calories, price, etc.) of the dish contained in the tableware 21 to which the menu tag 5 is attached. Therefore, the code No. It can be said that the information itself is the dish information (product information) about the dish (product) stored in the corresponding tableware 21. That is, the menu tag 5 is a product information storage IC tag.

Briefly describing a series of payments in the automatic payment system 1, the user first takes the tray 22 after entering the canteen, and takes the tray 21 containing the favorite food and drink (dish). Put it on. When the user finishes eating the food stored in the tableware 21 of the tray 22, the user goes to the settlement corner with the tray 22 with the tableware 21 still placed.
At the entrance of the settlement corner, the above-described settlement tags 4 are arranged in a state of being classified for each type. First, the user decides which type of electronic money is used to settle the eaten food, selects the corresponding type of payment tag 4 (here, a payment tag 4A corresponding to electronic money A), and selects a tray. 22 and proceed to the payment corner.

  Then, the user who has advanced into the settlement corner places the tray 22 on the tray mounting table 13 of the settlement apparatus 3. Then, the information stored in each of the IC tags (that is, the identification tag 20 of the settlement tag 4 and the menu tag 5 of each tableware 21) placed on the tray 22 is type information in the case of the identification tag 20, In the case of the menu tag 5, the code No.) is read by the IC tag R / W unit 16 through the antenna 15 in a non-contact manner.

  In response to this, the settlement apparatus 3 receives all the read code numbers. The dish information corresponding to is called from the storage unit 7 of the management apparatus 2 (the dish information stored in advance on the settlement apparatus 3 side may be called) and displayed on the display unit 12 and read. The settlement processing by the type of electronic money based on the type information is started (activated). Here, all code Nos. The total price of the dishes (all dishes eaten by the user who placed the tray 22 on the tray mounting table 13) is also displayed on the display unit 12.

  Regarding the start of payment processing, an application for performing automatic payment using electronic money is stored in the storage unit 36 (see FIG. 4 described later) of the control unit 17, and the types of electronic money (here, A, B, C, D). 4 types) are stored. Then, as described above, the settlement process is started by starting an application corresponding to the type of electronic money of the type information read (referred to as electronic money A in FIG. 1).

  When the activation of the application is completed, the preparation (activation) of the payment process is completed, and the card processing unit 14 reads the prepaid value (amount of electronic money) from the electronic money card 10 of the type (A in FIG. 1) corresponding to this application. ) Can be read without contact. Here, the card processing unit 14 can read the prepaid value from the card 10 of any kind of electronic money in A to D as long as the corresponding application is activated. That is, one card processing unit 14 corresponds to a plurality of types of electronic money.

  In this state, when the user holds his / her card 10 (the electronic money card 10 corresponding to the activated application, in FIG. 1, the card 10 corresponding to the electronic money A) over the card processing unit 14. The prepaid value stored in the card 10 is read and rewritten by the card processing unit 14. As a result, the amount of electronic money A stored in the card 10 is subtracted by the total amount of dishes described above.

When the rewriting of the prepaid value of the card 10 is completed, the payment processing by the electronic money A for all dishes stored in the tableware 21 placed on the tray 22 of the tray mounting table 13 is completed, and the user The loaded tray 22 is taken to the tableware return corner.
Next, the electrical configurations of the management device 2 and the settlement device 3 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the management apparatus 2.

In the management device 2, the storage unit 7, the operation unit 8, and the display unit 9 described above are electrically connected to the control unit 6 described above, and the I / F unit 23 is electrically connected to the control unit 6. Yes. The control unit 6 can communicate with the settlement apparatus 3 (see FIG. 1) via the I / F unit 23.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents stored in the storage unit 7 of the management device 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, storage unit 7 stores code No. described above. And its code No. The above-mentioned dish information (menu, nutritional components, calories, price, etc.) of the dish accommodated in the tableware 21 (see FIG. 1) to which the menu tag 5 is attached is stored in association with each other.
For example, in FIG. The menu corresponding to 00001 is rice and its price is 100 yen. And the calorie of rice is ○ △ × (kcal), and as for the nutritional component, the code No. is such that the carbohydrate is ○○ (g) and the protein is Δ △ (g). The dish information corresponding to the code No. Every time it is stored in the storage unit 7. In the cafeteria, the menu may change every day. The dish information corresponding to may be different every day.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the settlement apparatus 3.
In the settlement apparatus 3, the control unit 17 described above is provided with a control unit 30 (settlement means, priority order setting means, designation means) constituted by a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 30 includes a CPU, a memory (ROM, RAM), and the like. In the control unit 17, the control unit 30 controls the operation of the settlement apparatus 3.

The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the card processing unit 14, the IC tag R / W unit 16, the display unit 12, and the power supply unit 18, and the I / F unit 31, the tray sensor 32, Each of the first switch 33, the second switch 34 (setting means), the speaker 35, and the storage unit 36 are electrically connected.
The control unit 30 can communicate with the management apparatus 2 (see FIG. 1) via the I / F unit 31.

  The tray sensor 32 is built in the tray mounting table 13 (see FIG. 1). For example, the tray sensor 32 is OFF when nothing is placed on the tray mounting table 13, but is turned ON when the tray 22 (see FIG. 1) is placed on the tray mounting table 13. The controller 30 detects whether or not the tray 22 is placed on the tray mounting table 13 by turning on / off the tray sensor 32.

Both the first switch 33 and the second switch 34 are provided on the top surface of the cabinet 11 described above (see FIG. 1). The first switch 33 and the second switch 34 are operated by the user, and the functions of these switches will be described later.
A predetermined sound effect flows from the speaker 35 as necessary. The storage unit 36 stores a plurality of types of applications described above. The speaker 35 may be connected to the IC tag R / W unit 16 instead of the control unit 30. Then, the sound to be notified at the time of settlement for each electronic money type is obtained from the IC tag R / W unit 16.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the settlement apparatus 3.
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the procedure of processing executed in the settlement apparatus 3 will be described in detail.
In the settlement apparatus 3, the control unit 30 (see FIG. 4) checks whether the tray sensor 32 (see FIG. 4) is ON or OFF (step S1).
When the control unit 30 detects that the tray 22 (see FIG. 1) is placed on the tray mounting table 13 (see FIG. 1) by turning on the tray sensor 32 (YES in step S2), the IC tag R / W section 16 (see FIG. 4), data (code No. and / or type) of all IC tags (menu tag 5 and identification tag 20 of settlement tag 4 and see FIG. 1) in this tray 22 Information) is read at once (at the same time) (step S3).

  That is, if there is tableware 21 (see FIG. 1) in the tray 22 on the tray mounting table 13, the code No. If there is a settlement tag 4 in this tray 22, the type information of the identification tag 20 of this settlement tag 4 (or all settlement tags 4 if there are a plurality of settlement tags 4) is read. In the settlement apparatus 3, the IC tag R / W unit 16 causes the code No. Since reading of (product information) and reading of type information are performed at the same time, it is possible to make a quick settlement, which is easy to use.

  After reading the data of the IC tag, the control unit 30 reads the code No. All the dish information corresponding to (see FIG. 3) is called from the storage unit 7 (see FIG. 2) of the management apparatus 2 and displayed on the display unit 12 (see FIG. 1) at a time (step S4). At this time, the control unit 30 reads all the read code numbers. The total price of the dishes is also displayed on the display unit 12. The control unit 30 also displays the read type information on the display unit 12. Thereby, the user can confirm whether payment can be made with a desired type of electronic money. Here, the dish information is not called from the management device 2, but is distributed from the management device 2 and stored in the storage unit 36 (see FIG. 4) of the control unit 30 before the restaurant starts business. May be called.

In FIG. 1, since three dishes 21 and one settlement tag 4 </ b> A are placed on the tray 22, when the tray 22 is placed on the tray mounting table 13, the display unit 12 accommodates these three dishes 21. Information about the dishes that the user has eaten (the user ate), the total price of these dishes, and the fact that the electronic money A is to be settled are displayed.
When the IC tag R / W unit 16 reads the type information of the identification tag 20 of the payment tag 4 in step S3 in FIG. 5, that is, when the payment tag 4 is on the tray 22 on the tray mounting table 13. (YES in step S5), the control unit 30 checks whether or not there are a plurality of types of settlement tags 4 on the tray 22 (step S6).

  That is, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the IC tag R / W unit 16 has read the type information of the identification tags 20 of the plurality of types of payment tags 4. Originally, payment is made with one type of electronic money, so there should be only one payment tag 4 in the tray 22 (the same type of payment tag 4 is the same), but due to mischief or misunderstanding by the user, When a plurality of types of payment tags 4 are placed on the tray 22, the IC tag R / W unit 16 reads the type information of the plurality of types of electronic money.

Assuming such a situation, priorities in all types of electronic money (here, four types A to D) are set in advance by the control unit 30, and the priorities are stored in the storage unit 36 (FIG. 4). This priority order can be changed by manually operating an operation unit (not shown).
If it is determined that there are a plurality of types of payment tags 4 (YES in step S6), the control unit 30 designates the payment tags 4 (types of electronic money) to be prioritized based on the above-described priority (steps). S7). As a result, the payment tag 4 having the highest priority among the plurality of types of payment tags 4 is selected. Further, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 12 (see FIG. 1) to display the type information of the designated settlement note 4 (electronic money). Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is only one type of payment tag 4 (NO in step S6), the process immediately proceeds to step S8.
In step S8, the control part 30 starts the payment process by the applicable payment method (step S8). Here, the corresponding payment method is a payment method using electronic money of the type of the payment tag 4 when there is only one type of payment tag 4 in step S6. Is a payment method using the electronic money of the type of the payment tag 4 specified in step S7.

  Thereby, in the application mentioned above, the application corresponding to the kind of applicable electronic money is started, and when the start is completed, the preparation for the payment process is completed. In this state, as described above, the card processing unit 14 (see FIG. 1) can read the prepaid value (the amount of electronic money) from the card 10 (see FIG. 1) of the type of electronic money corresponding to the activated application. It becomes.

  On the other hand, the payment tag 4 is not necessarily present on the tray 22 on the tray mounting table 13 as described above, and payment is made to the tray 22 on the tray mounting table 13 because the user forgot to remove the payment tag 4 or the like. There may be no bill 4. Assuming such a situation, the types of electronic money that can be settled in this case are set at the default stage and stored in the storage unit 36 (see FIG. 4). Note that the default type of electronic money is the type most frequently used by users.

  If there is no settlement tag 4 in the tray 22 on the tray mounting table 13 and no type information is read by the IC tag R / W unit 16 (NO in step S5), the control unit 30 uses the default settlement method. A settlement process is started (that is, a settlement method using a default type of electronic money) (step S9). Then, an application corresponding to the default electronic money type is activated, and the activation is completed, whereby preparation for the payment process is completed. In this state, the card processing unit 14 (see FIG. 1) can read the prepaid value (the amount of electronic money) from the default type electronic money card 10 (see FIG. 1) corresponding to the activated application.

If the user knows the default payment method (type of electronic money) in advance and wants to make a payment using this payment method, it is not necessary to select the payment tag 4 and place it on the tray 22.
Here, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 12 (see FIG. 1) to display default type electronic money type information. Therefore, the user can grasp what kind of electronic money is used for payment. If the user wishes to make a payment with a different type of electronic money from the default type, the user operates (presses) the first switch 33 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) to change the default electronic money. The type can be changed to another type.

  Then, when the settlement process is activated in any one of steps S8 and S9, the control unit 30 confirms the settlement result (step S10). That is, the control unit 30 allows the user to hold the card 10 (see FIG. 1) over the card processing unit 14 (see FIG. 1), and the amount of electronic money (of the corresponding type) stored in the card 10 is card processed. It is checked by the section 14 whether or not the total amount of food has been subtracted. In other words, the control unit 30 is configured such that the IC tag R / W unit 16 (see FIG. 4) has the code No. For the dish that read It is confirmed whether or not the settlement is made with the electronic money of the type based on the type information read by the IC tag R / W unit 16 based on the price corresponding to (see FIG. 3).

Here, it can be said that the control unit 30 itself that controls the card processing unit 14 is executing payment, and that the card processing unit 14 is executing payment. When the card processing unit 14 considers that payment is to be executed, the control unit 30 waits for a payment completion notification from the card processing unit 14 in step S10.
When the amount of electronic money stored in the card 10 is subtracted by the total amount of dishes and the payment is completed (YES in step S11), the control unit 30 displays that the payment is completed on the display unit 12 (see FIG. 1). (Step S12). Based on this display, the user moves the tray 22 away from the tray mounting table 13 (see FIG. 1) in order to go to the tableware return corner.

  In response to the user's operation, the control unit 30 checks the tray sensor 32 (see FIG. 4) (step S13). Here, when the tray 22 (see FIG. 1) is separated from the tray mounting table 13 (see FIG. 1) (NO in step S14), a series of processes relating to the current settlement is completed. In addition, the control part 30 is the management apparatus 2 (refer FIG. 1) via the I / F part 31 (refer FIG. 4) at the predetermined timing (at the time of the restaurant closing etc.) for the transaction log concerning this payment. Send to. This transaction log is stored (managed) in the storage unit 7 (see FIG. 2) of the management device 2.

  As described above, in the automatic settlement system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a person who wants to settle a product with a desired type of electronic money settles the identification tag 20 (settlement tag 4) storing the type information of the corresponding electronic money. If the selection is made prior to the payment, the type information stored in the identification tag 20 selected in advance is read at the time of payment in the payment apparatus 3, so that automatic payment is made with the desired type of electronic money. The This eliminates the need to select and select the type of electronic money at the time of payment (when the tray 22 is brought into the payment apparatus 3). In particular, when there is no settlement bill 4, it is not necessary to touch the first switch 33 that has to be operated to select the type of electronic money.

  Further, in the case where the settlement tag 4 (type of electronic money) is designated according to the priority order in step S7 of FIG. 5 and the settlement is performed with the designated type of electronic money, a plurality of types of settlement tags 4 are caused by the aforementioned mischief or the like. Even if the tray 22 on which is placed is placed on the tray mounting table 13, the settlement process will not be delayed depending on which type of electronic money is settled, so that a rapid settlement is possible and the usability is good.

  On the other hand, the payment may not be completed in step S11 (NO in step S11). In this situation, the user does not hold the card 10 over the card processing unit 14 (see FIG. 1), or the card 10 held over the card processing unit 14 does not correspond to an active application (the card 10 It is assumed that the corresponding electronic money type does not match the corresponding electronic money type of the running application.

Here, the reason why the user does not hold the card 10 over the card processing unit 14 is that the user wants to change the type of electronic money used for payment. In this case, the user can manually set (change) the type of electronic money by operating (pressing) the second switch 34 (see FIGS. 1 and 4).
Accordingly, when the payment is not completed in step S11 (NO in step S11), the control unit 30 detects whether or not the second switch 34 has been operated (step S15), and the second switch Once the operation of 34 is detected (YES in step S15), the settlement process by the currently activated settlement method (type of electronic money) is stopped (step S16). Specifically, the control unit 30 terminates the application that has been activated so far.

  And the control part 30 starts the payment process by the payment method (different type of electronic money) different from the payment method (type of electronic money) in the stopped payment process (step S17). As a result, the user can make a settlement with the other type of electronic money. Here, since the type information of the electronic money in the newly activated payment process is displayed on the display unit 12 (see FIG. 1), this time, the user grasps which type of electronic money is ready for payment. can do.

  When the user looks at the electronic money type information displayed on the display unit 12 and wants to change this (electronic money) type to another type, a settlement process using a desired type of electronic money is started. The second switch 34 may be further pressed until the desired electronic money type information is displayed on the display unit 12. When the type of electronic money is set by operating the second switch 34 as described above, the control unit 30 makes a settlement with the set type of electronic money. For this reason, a person who wants to settle a product can change the type of electronic money selected in advance as needed at the time of settlement, which is convenient.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, in step S6 described above (when there are a plurality of types of payment tags 4 on the tray 22), in step S7, the control unit 30 does not specify the type of electronic money according to the priority order and suspends the start of the payment process. May be.

  Thereby, a person who wants to settle a product can have an opportunity to consider a settlement method such as settlement with cash instead of electronic money. Further, compared to the case where the payment process is interrupted after the payment process by the control unit 30 is once started (activated) in step S8, the time loss is reduced, and the time required for the entire payment can be suppressed as much as possible. As described above, usability of the settlement apparatus 3 can be improved.

  Moreover, the automatic payment system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is applicable not only to the restaurant mentioned above but also to payment at a convenience store or a supermarket. In this case, since the user selects an item corresponding to the payment tag 4 in advance and proceeds to the cash register before the payment, the user does not select the type of electronic money when making the payment. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the queue of customers waiting for settlement at the cash register. In addition, if it is a convenience store or supermarket that attaches an IC tag to a product and reads the products at a cash register at the same time, the product information (price, product name, etc.) is the same as the automatic settlement system 1 in the cafeteria described above. The type of payment electronic money can be selected, and convenience is further improved.

  In the embodiment described above, the prepaid electronic money and the prepaid card 10 are used. However, the electronic money is a postpay type and the card 10 is used as a credit card, and the payment is collected later (in the case of an employee cafeteria). May be configured to be deducted from employee salary). In the embodiment described above, payment is made after the user has eaten the food (after the meal), but the payment may be made before the meal. However, post-meal payments can be settled relatively in line, the tray 22 is lighter because there is no food in the tableware 21 (it is easier to hold), and there is no risk of spilling food from the tableware 21. It is more advantageous than settlement.

In the above-described embodiment, the code No. After reading the code No. Although the dish information corresponding to (see FIG. 3) is called, the dish information itself may be stored in the menu tag 5.
Further, the tray 22 itself may be one that displays electronic money type information in a visible manner and has an identification tag 20 built therein, like the payment tag 4. In this case, the payment tag 4 becomes unnecessary, and the user only has to select the tray 22 corresponding to the desired type of electronic money and place the product (tableware 21 in which dishes are stored) on the tray 22. After the meal, if the tray 22 is placed on the tray mounting table 13 of the settlement apparatus 3 at the settlement corner, the type information of the electronic money is read from the identification tag 20 of the tray 22, and the type based on the type information. Settlement with electronic money. That is, as in the case of the payment tag 4, the payment method can be selected prior to the payment.

  The management device 2 may be configured by two computers that can communicate with each other. Of these two computers, one is a cafeteria client installed in a staff office in the cafeteria, and the other is a settlement server installed in a dedicated server room. The payment server is a computer for managing daily menus (menus) and sales (the transaction log described above), and the client is a computer for setting and changing the payment server menus (the dish information described above). It is.

  Further, the product tag (menu tag 5) and the electronic money type identification tag (identification tag 20) may be the same type or completely different types of tags. If the tags are of the same type, the same IC tag reader can read the type of electronic money almost simultaneously with the product information. If the tags are of different types, an IC tag reader for each tag may be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic payment system 3 Payment apparatus 5 Menu tag 16 IC tag R / W part 20 Identification tag 21 Tableware 30 Control part 34 2nd switch

Claims (6)

An automatic payment apparatus capable of automatic payment with multiple types of electronic money,
Commodity information reading means for reading commodity information about the commodity stored in the commodity information storage means attached to the commodity;
Type information reading means for reading the type information from the type information storage means storing the type information of electronic money;
A settlement unit that settles with the electronic money of the type based on the type information read by the type information reading unit, based on the product information, about the product from which the product information reading unit has read the product information;
An automatic settlement apparatus comprising: Priority setting means for setting the priority for the type of electronic money;
Designating means for designating the type of electronic money to be prioritized based on the priority when the type information reading unit reads type information of a plurality of types of electronic money;
Including
2. The automatic settlement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the settlement unit performs settlement with the type of electronic money designated by the designation unit.   2. The automatic settlement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for suspending the start of settlement processing by the settlement means when the kind information reading means reads the type information of a plurality of types of electronic money. Including setting means for manually setting the type of electronic money,
The automatic settlement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the type of electronic money is set by the setting unit, the settlement unit performs settlement with the set type of electronic money. The product information storage means is a product information storage IC tag attached to tableware for containing food and drink,
The product information reading means is an IC tag reader capable of reading the product information stored in a plurality of the product information storage IC tags at a time,
The type information storage means is an IC tag for storing type information, and the type information reading means is an IC tag reader that can read the type information stored in the IC tag for storing type information.
5. The automatic settlement according to claim 1, wherein reading of the product information by the product information reading unit and reading of the type information by the type information reading unit are performed at the same time. apparatus. Product information storage means for storing product information about the product as well as being given to the product;
A plurality of types according to the type of electronic money, a type information storage means for storing corresponding type information of electronic money,
An automatic settlement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An automatic settlement system characterized by including:

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