JP2015170356A - Information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly manage a battery, according to a plurality of settlement modes having different power consumption, to execute settlement processing without any trouble.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: an information processing section 2 that performs information processing including settlement processing; and a power supply section 37 which supplies electric power accumulated in a battery 38 to components including the information processing section 2. The information processing section 2 detects in advance that remaining battery power is equal to or less than a predetermined value before executing the settlement processing, and selects an operation for determining the remaining battery power according to a plurality of settlement modes having different power consumption, such as the type of a card to be used for the settlement processing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method used for performing settlement or commercial transactions.

  In a credit transaction using a credit card or the like, the security of the transaction is ensured by confirming whether the person who performs the transaction and the owner of the credit card used for the transaction are the same person (identity confirmation). This identity verification is performed by a customer signing a transaction slip printed with transaction details output at the time of transaction processing, and a store clerk visually comparing the signature and the signature written on the credit card.

  In recent years, payment terminal devices capable of inputting and displaying such signatures have been realized in the form of information processing terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals. Many of these information processing terminals are distributed for consumer use, and it is possible to procure them at low cost to construct a payment system.

  Since the information processing terminal operates using a battery built in the apparatus as a power source, when it is used as a settlement terminal apparatus, it is required to be driven for a long time by the supplied power of the battery. In addition, it is necessary to perform battery management to prevent the battery from running out during the settlement process.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses, as an example of a portable terminal, a technique for preventing the output of unnecessary radio waves to save power and preventing the battery from running out when performing short-range wireless communication with an RF tag. ing.

JP 2011-182080 A

  In addition to a magnetic card that has been mainly used so far and a contact IC card that is newer than the magnetic card, non-contact IC cards have been distributed. It is expected that payments using contactless IC cards will increase as replacement from magnetic cards and contact IC cards progresses in the future. At the same time, a device that can handle three types of magnetic cards, contact IC cards, and non-contact IC cards is required.

  When a payment terminal apparatus that can handle a plurality of types of cards is configured by the information processing terminal, the power consumption varies depending on the type of card to be read. For example, there is a large difference in power consumption during reading between a non-contact type IC card and a magnetic card. Further, the power consumption of the apparatus varies depending on the settlement method, such as whether receipt printing is required or whether external communication is necessary. Therefore, when using the payment terminal device, the consumption speed of the battery storage amount varies depending on the various payment modes as described above, and therefore, appropriate battery management that does not hinder the payment processing is required. For example, even if the power saving technology as in Patent Document 1 is used, there may be cases where battery management is difficult, such as when there is a large difference in power consumption depending on the settlement mode.

  In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of performing appropriate battery management corresponding to a plurality of settlement modes with different power consumptions and performing settlement processing without hindrance.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an information processing unit that performs information processing including settlement processing; and a power supply unit that supplies power stored in a battery to components including the information processing unit. Detects in advance a state where the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined value when executing the settlement process, and sets the detection threshold of the settlement mode requiring the first power consumption to a power consumption smaller than the first power consumption. Is set to a detection threshold higher than the detection threshold of the settlement mode requiring the second power consumption, and the determination operation of the remaining battery capacity is switched corresponding to a plurality of settlement modes having different power consumption.

  According to the information processing method of the present invention, when an information processing unit that performs information processing including payment processing in the information processing device executes the payment processing, a remaining battery capacity that is a power source of the information processing device is a predetermined value or less. The state is detected in advance, and the information processing unit detects a settlement mode that requires a second power consumption, which is a power consumption smaller than the first power consumption, as a detection threshold for a settlement mode that requires the first power consumption. A detection threshold value higher than the threshold value is set, and the battery remaining capacity determination operation is switched corresponding to a plurality of settlement modes having different power consumptions.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform appropriate battery management corresponding to a plurality of settlement modes with different power consumptions, and it is possible to perform settlement processing without any trouble.

It is a top view which shows the external appearance structure of the payment terminal device which concerns on this embodiment, Fig.1 (a) is a front external view of a payment terminal device, FIG.1 (b) is a side external view of a payment terminal device. The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the payment terminal device which concerns on this embodiment The figure which shows the example of the payment processing flow in the payment terminal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a battery remaining capacity characteristic and detection threshold value setting in the payment terminal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the payment processing flow in the payment terminal device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the payment processing flow in the payment terminal device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the remaining capacity detection interruption process flow in the payment terminal device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the payment processing flow in the payment terminal device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the payment process flow in the payment terminal device which concerns on 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the battery terminal voltage characteristic and detection threshold value setting in the payment terminal device which concerns on 6th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a settlement terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The settlement terminal device of this embodiment is an example of a configuration that realizes the information processing device and the information processing method according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an external configuration of a payment terminal device according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 (a) is a front external view of the payment terminal device, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side external view of the payment terminal device. is there. The settlement terminal device 1 of this embodiment is portable and includes an information processing unit 2 that performs various information processing including settlement processing.

  The settlement terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1 slides a magnetic card and forms a slit 5 serving as a path for reading the magnetic stripe on one side of the information processing unit 2 (upper side, upper side in FIG. 1). 6 ready. Further, the settlement terminal device 1 includes an insertion slot 7 for reading a contact type IC card on a side surface (lower side surface, lower side surface in FIG. 1) 8 opposite to the side surface 6 of the information processing unit 2. Further, the settlement terminal device 1 includes a loop antenna 39 for reading a non-contact type IC card inside the device.

  The settlement terminal device 1 includes a touch panel 10 that functions as an input / display unit on the front surface 9 of the information processing unit 2. Further, the settlement terminal device 1 includes a key 13 as an input unit on the outer side (lower side in the drawing) of one side of the touch panel 10 on the front surface 9.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the payment terminal device according to the present embodiment. The information processing unit 2 of the payment terminal device 1 includes a CPU 21 that controls the processing of each unit. Various components are connected to the CPU 21. The local wireless communication unit 22 is connected to the local wireless communication antenna 23 and has a function of performing, for example, wireless LAN communication using a local wireless communication path (not shown). Local wireless communication is not limited to a wireless LAN, but may be Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. The wide area wireless communication unit 24 is connected to the wide area wireless communication antenna 25 and has a function of performing wide area wireless communication using a wide area wireless communication path (WAN) (not shown). As the wide area wireless communication, for example, communication using a mobile phone line such as W-CDMA, UMTS, CDMA2000, LTE or the like can be used.

  The display unit 29 has a function of controlling display on the touch panel 10 (see FIG. 1). The touch input detection unit 30 has a function of detecting a touch input on the touch panel 10.

  The flash ROM 32 has a function of storing various data. The data to be stored may be data relating to business or a program for controlling the payment terminal device 1 (mainly the information processing unit 2). The programs include various programs related to the operation of the payment terminal device 1, such as payment application software. Therefore, the flash ROM 32 has a function as a recording medium for recording the program.

  The RAM 33 is a memory used for temporarily storing processing data generated in the middle of the arithmetic processing accompanying the operation of the payment terminal device 1 (mainly the information processing unit 2). The key input unit 34 has a function of receiving a key input from the key 13 shown in FIG. The printing unit 35 has a function of printing a receipt indicating information such as payment details.

  The magnetic card reader unit 36 is disposed inside the slit 5 in FIG. 1 and has a function of reading the magnetic stripe of the magnetic card.

  The non-contact type IC card reader / writer unit 43 is connected to the loop antenna 39 and has a function of reading a non-contact type IC card.

  The contact type IC card reader unit 44 has a function of reading card information from an electrode of a non-contact type IC card inserted into the insertion slot 7 (see FIG. 1).

  The power source unit 37 is mainly a power source of the information processing unit 2, receives power supplied from the battery 38, and supplies power to each unit of the information processing unit 2 including the CPU 21. The CPU 21 can control the power supply unit 37 to supply or stop power supply to some or all of the circuits constituting the information processing unit 2. As the power supply destination of the power supply unit 37, in addition to the information processing unit 2, the local wireless communication unit 22, the wide-area wireless communication unit 24, the display unit 29, the touch input detection unit 30, the non-contact type IC card reader / writer unit 43, Various components such as a contact type IC card reader unit 44, a key input unit 34, a printing unit 35, and a magnetic card reader unit 36 are included. In addition, the power supply unit 37 may have a function of charging the battery 38 from an external power supply.

  The settlement terminal device 1 having the above configuration has the following characteristics.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 2 includes a touch panel 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) having both a display unit 29 and a touch input detection unit 30 (“input unit” in the present invention). Further, the information processing unit 2 includes a wide-area wireless communication unit 24 or a local wireless communication unit 22 (“external input / output interface” in the present invention) that can communicate with the outside (for example, a settlement center).

  The payment scheme is diversified by adding a contact IC card, a non-contact IC card, and electronic money to a magnetic card conventionally used for card payment. With the addition of a new payment scheme, the development cost and price of the payment terminal device 1 are increasing. If the information processing unit 2 is an information processing terminal that is widely distributed for consumer use, such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, the terminal itself can be procured at low cost, and the development cost and price of the payment terminal device 1 can be increased. The rise is minimized.

  In this case, the information processing unit 2 employs a general-purpose OS (operating system) as a software platform. Accordingly, the development platform for these payment application software (hereinafter “payment application”) and other application software (hereinafter “business application”) used for other businesses will be generalized. Becomes easy. Furthermore, since the information processing unit 2 using such a consumer information processing terminal has a calculation processing capability that is high enough to record and play back videos without stress, a payment application and other business applications can be used. It can be operated flexibly without stress.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the information processing unit 2 manages battery management corresponding to a plurality of payment modes with different power consumptions such as the type of card used for payment, presence / absence of receipt printing, necessity of external communication, and the like. Switch operation. In the case of a non-contact type IC card, since the non-contact type IC card reader / writer 43 outputs an induction electromagnetic field or radio wave for non-contact communication to the card, a large amount of power is required in the settlement process. Further, when printing a receipt indicating information such as payment details during the payment process, a large amount of power is required for driving the printing unit 35. In addition, in the case of online payment that communicates with an external payment center or the like, it is necessary to perform wireless communication by the wide-area wireless communication unit 24 or the local wireless communication unit 22 and to operate reliably until payment processing is completed, which requires large power consumption. .

  The information processing unit 2 detects in advance a state where the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined value when executing the settlement process, and performs the settlement process before the battery runs out. At this time, in the case of a payment mode that requires a large amount of power consumption, such as a payment using a non-contact type IC card, the information processing unit 2 sets a detection threshold for the remaining battery capacity to a high level and does not require a large amount of power consumption. As soon as compared with the case, it is detected that the remaining battery capacity is smaller than the required amount. As a result, even when a large amount of power is required during the payment process, appropriate battery management is possible and the payment process can be executed reliably.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment processing flow in the payment terminal device according to the first embodiment. The first embodiment is a first example of an operation for switching the battery management operation depending on the type of card used for payment.

  The settlement terminal device 1 starts a settlement procedure by executing a settlement application (not shown) installed in the information processing unit 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). When the card to be read is selected or changed, the information processing unit 2 of the payment terminal device 1 determines the card type used for payment (step S301). For example, when the payment process is started, the user of the payment terminal device 1 selects and inputs the card type using the touch panel 10 or the key 13. Note that the information processing unit 2 may determine the card type depending on whether the card information is input from the magnetic card reader unit 36, the non-contact type IC card reader / writer unit 43, or the contact type IC card reader unit 44.

  If the card type is a non-contact type IC card based on the card type discrimination result in step S301 (step S302), the information processing section 2 sets the battery remaining capacity detection threshold to high (THH, see FIG. 4) ( Step S303).

  On the other hand, if the card type is a contact type IC card (step S304) or a magnetic card (step S305) based on the card type determination result in step S301, the information processing unit 2 uses the remaining battery capacity detection threshold value. Is set to low (THM, see FIG. 4) (step S305). Note that the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value may be different depending on whether the card type is a contact IC card or a magnetic card. For example, when the card type is a contact IC card, the remaining battery capacity detection threshold is set to medium (THM, see FIG. 4), and when the card type is a magnetic card, the remaining battery capacity detection threshold is low (THL, FIG. 4). Reference) may be set.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a remaining battery capacity characteristic and a detection threshold value setting in the settlement terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example in which three set values THH, THM, and THL are defined as the remaining battery capacity detection threshold. Remaining battery capacity detection threshold is the decrease in remaining capacity before the device power supply voltage or battery terminal voltage falls within the range of the device's operational power supply voltage or guaranteed power supply voltage and falls below the operational power supply voltage or guaranteed power supply voltage. Set to a value that will be used as a trigger for the preventive processing of the hour.

  In the flow of FIG. 3, the battery remaining capacity detection threshold is set to THH when it is high, and THM when it is low. The THL is provided assuming a state of lower power consumption such as when waiting for settlement processing. Note that when the remaining battery capacity detection threshold is low, THL may be set.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when a process with large power consumption, such as a settlement process using a non-contact type IC card, is executed, a battery remaining capacity curve BC1 having a large slope in which the remaining battery capacity decreases is obtained. In this case, by setting the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value to a high THH, it is possible to detect that the remaining battery capacity has decreased with respect to the required amount at an early timing indicated by A in FIG. Preventive processing can be performed reliably.

  On the other hand, when a process with lower power consumption is executed as compared with the case of a non-contact type IC card, such as a settlement process using a contact type IC card or a magnetic card, the remaining battery capacity curve BC2 having a characteristic that the remaining battery capacity decreases is small. It becomes. In this case, by setting the remaining battery capacity detection threshold value to a low THM, it is possible to detect that the remaining battery capacity has decreased with respect to the required amount at a later timing indicated by B in FIG. Can be secured for a long time.

  Returning to FIG. 3, after setting the battery remaining capacity detection threshold, the information processing section 2 monitors the power supply voltage of the output of the power supply section 37 and detects the remaining capacity of the battery 38 (step S307). Then, the information processing unit 2 determines whether or not the detected remaining capacity is equal to or less than the detection threshold (step S308). When the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value is not reached, the information processing section 2 executes preventive processing when the remaining capacity is reduced (step S309).

  As a preventive process when the remaining capacity is reduced, for example, the settlement process such as reading of card information is stopped, and a display such as “The remaining battery capacity is low and the settlement process is stopped” is displayed on the display unit of the touch panel 10. To notify and warn the user. In addition, a message such as “please charge” is displayed on the display unit of the touch panel 10 to alert the user to charge the battery 38. Thereby, the interruption of the payment process due to the battery running out can be prevented. Then, the settlement process flow is terminated.

  In the determination process of the remaining battery capacity in step S308, if the remaining capacity of the battery 38 is larger than the detection threshold, the information processing unit 2 executes a card reading process (step S310). Then, the information processing unit 2 determines whether or not the reading of the card information has been completed (step S311). If the reading has not been completed, the process returns to step S307, and the remaining battery capacity is detected until the reading of the card information is completed. And repeat the determination. When the reading of the card information is completed, the information processing unit 2 executes a settlement procedure (step S312). In this case, it is possible to reliably perform the settlement process by monitoring the remaining battery capacity until the reading of the card information is completed.

  As the settlement procedure, card authentication, verification of card user information (PIN, etc.), transmission / reception of a settlement amount, and the like are performed. For example, when the settlement amount is a small amount less than a predetermined value, offline settlement is performed in which settlement is performed by the settlement terminal device 1 alone. On the other hand, when the payment amount is higher than a predetermined value, online payment is performed by communicating with an external payment center through the wide area wireless communication unit 24 or the local wireless communication unit 22. When the information processing unit 2 finishes executing the payment procedure, the information processing unit 2 ends the payment processing flow.

  According to the present embodiment, for payment using a magnetic card or a contact type IC card, which consumes less power than a non-contact type IC card and is widely used, it is possible to perform a payment process by operating for a long period of time. . For this reason, it is possible to perform a settlement process for a long time until the battery storage amount is full. In addition, for payment using a non-contact IC card with high power consumption, the payment processing can be reliably performed without running out of battery during the payment processing.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment processing flow in the payment terminal device according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment is a second example of the operation of switching the battery management operation depending on the type of card used for payment.

  The process from the card type determination process in step S501 to the battery remaining capacity determination process in step S508 and the preventive process in the event of a decrease in remaining capacity in step S509 are the same as the procedures in the first embodiment (FIG. 3) described above. is there. Here, the description of the similar procedure is omitted.

  In the determination process of the remaining battery capacity in step S508, if the remaining capacity of the battery 38 is larger than the detection threshold, the information processing unit 2 executes a card reading process (step S510). Then, the information processing section 2 executes a settlement procedure (step S511), and determines whether the card information reading and the settlement procedure are completed (step S512). If the reading and settlement are not completed, the process returns to step S507, and the detection and determination of the remaining battery capacity are repeated until the card information reading and settlement procedures are completed. In this case, the remaining battery capacity is monitored until the card information is read and the settlement procedure is completed, so that the settlement process can be performed more reliably. The information processing section 2 ends this payment processing flow when the payment procedure is completed.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, appropriate battery management can be performed in correspondence with the non-contact type IC card, or the respective card types of the magnetic card and the contact type IC card. For magnetic cards and contact type IC cards with low power consumption, long-term payment processing is possible by making maximum use of the amount of battery storage. For a non-contact type IC card that consumes a large amount of power, payment can be executed with a sufficient remaining battery capacity, and payment processing can be performed reliably.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment processing flow in the payment terminal device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a remaining capacity detection interrupt process flow in the payment terminal apparatus according to the third embodiment. The third embodiment is a third example of the operation of switching the battery management operation depending on the type of card used for payment.

  The procedure from the card type determination process in step S601 shown in FIG. 6 to the battery remaining capacity detection threshold setting process in steps S603 and S606 is the same as each procedure in the first embodiment (FIG. 3) described above. Here, the description of the similar procedure is omitted.

  In the case of a non-contact type IC card, the battery remaining capacity detection threshold is set to high (THH), and in the case of a contact type IC card or magnetic card, the battery remaining capacity detection threshold is set to low (THM). 2 permits the remaining battery capacity detection interrupt (step S607). Then, the information processing unit 2 executes card reading processing (step S608).

  The information processing unit 2 detects the remaining capacity of the battery 38, and executes a permitted remaining capacity detection interrupt process when the detected remaining capacity is equal to or less than the detection threshold. As shown in FIG. 7, in the remaining capacity detection interrupt process, a preventive process when the remaining capacity is reduced is executed (step S701). The preventive process when the remaining capacity is reduced is the same as that in step S309 of the first embodiment (FIG. 3) described above, and processes such as a state display of a decrease in the remaining battery capacity and reading of card information are performed.

  Subsequently, the information processing unit 2 determines whether or not the reading of the card information has been completed (step S609). If the reading has not been completed, the process returns to step S608 and waits until the reading of the card information is completed. When the reading of the card information is completed, the information processing section 2 prohibits the remaining battery capacity detection interrupt (step S610). And the information processing part 2 performs a payment procedure (step S611). If the battery remaining capacity detection interrupt is not prohibited at the time of payment execution, the payment process will be interrupted when the remaining battery capacity shortage is detected during the execution of payment or the remaining capacity detection operation becomes unstable. Alternatively, there is a possibility that a settlement processing error occurs. In order not to fall into such a situation, the remaining battery capacity detection threshold is set so that sufficient power can be secured until the information processing unit 2 completes the payment process. In this case, it is possible to reliably perform the settlement process by monitoring the remaining battery capacity until the reading of the card information is completed. The information processing section 2 ends this payment processing flow when the payment procedure is completed.

  As in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the settlement procedure in step S611 is executed after the execution of the card reading process in step S608 until the reading in step S609 ends. Even if it does, it can implement similarly.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, appropriate battery management can be performed in accordance with the non-contact type IC card, or the card type of each of the magnetic card and the contact type IC card. it can.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment processing flow in the payment terminal device according to the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is an example of an operation for switching the battery management operation depending on whether the payment type is online payment communicating with an external payment center or the like, or offline payment in which the payment processing is completed by the terminal alone.

  The settlement terminal device 1 starts a settlement procedure by executing a settlement application (not shown) installed in the information processing unit 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In the payment process, the information processing unit 2 of the payment terminal device 1 determines the type of payment (step S801). The payment type is determined by, for example, the amount that the information processing unit 2 performs payment, and it is determined that online payment is performed when the payment amount is higher than a predetermined value, and offline payment is performed when the payment amount is low. It should be noted that the payment type may be determined based on the card type, whether the card used is a magnetic card or an IC card, the card issuer attribute, the card user attribute, and the like.

  If the payment type is online payment based on the determination result of the payment type in step S801, the information processing unit 2 sets the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value to high (THH, see FIG. 4) (step S802). On the other hand, when the payment type is offline payment, the information processing section 2 sets the battery remaining capacity detection threshold to low (THM, see FIG. 4) (step S803).

  In online payment, since communication with the outside is performed during payment processing, power consumption is large. Therefore, the remaining battery capacity curve BC1 having a large slope for decreasing the remaining battery capacity shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. In this case, by setting the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value to a high THH, it is possible to detect that the remaining battery capacity has decreased with respect to the required amount at an early timing indicated by A in FIG. Preventive processing can be performed reliably.

  On the other hand, in offline payment, communication with the outside is not performed, and processing is performed by the payment terminal device 1 alone. Therefore, power consumption is smaller than in the case of online payment. Therefore, the battery remaining capacity curve BC2 having a small slope of decreasing the remaining battery capacity shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. In this case, by setting the remaining battery capacity detection threshold value to a low THM, it is possible to detect that the remaining battery capacity has decreased with respect to the required amount at a later timing indicated by B in FIG. Can be secured for a long time.

  After setting the battery remaining capacity detection threshold, the information processing section 2 monitors the power supply voltage output from the power supply section 37 and detects the remaining capacity of the battery 38 (step S804). Then, the information processing unit 2 determines whether the detected remaining capacity is equal to or less than a detection threshold (step S805). When the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value is not reached, the information processing unit 2 executes preventive processing when the remaining capacity is reduced (step S806). The preventive process when the remaining capacity is reduced is the same as that in step S309 of the first embodiment (FIG. 3) described above, and processes such as a state display of a decrease in the remaining battery capacity and reading of card information are performed.

  In the determination process of the remaining battery capacity in step S805, if the remaining capacity of the battery 38 is larger than the detection threshold, the information processing unit 2 executes a card reading process and a settlement procedure (step S807). Then, the information processing unit 2 determines whether or not the settlement procedure has been completed (step S808). If the settlement procedure has not been terminated, the process returns to step S804, and detection of the remaining battery capacity and the completion of the settlement procedure are completed. Repeat the determination. The information processing section 2 ends this payment processing flow when the payment procedure is completed. In this case, the settlement process can be reliably performed by monitoring the remaining battery capacity until the settlement procedure is completed.

  Similar to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the payment processing flow having the battery management function corresponding to a plurality of payment types is the same by two tasks using the remaining capacity detection interrupt processing. Can be implemented.

  According to the present embodiment, appropriate battery management can be performed in accordance with the types of payment of online payment and offline payment. In the case of offline payment with low power consumption without performing wireless communication at the time of payment processing, it is possible to perform payment processing for a long time by making the best use of the battery power storage amount. In addition, in the case of online payment with high power consumption by performing wireless communication with the outside during payment processing, payment can be executed with sufficient battery remaining capacity without running out of battery during the payment processing, Payment processing can be performed reliably.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment process flow in the payment terminal apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment is an example of an operation for switching the battery management operation depending on the presence / absence of receipt printing at the time of settlement processing.

  The settlement terminal device 1 starts a settlement procedure by executing a settlement application (not shown) installed in the information processing unit 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In the payment process, the information processing unit 2 of the payment terminal device 1 determines whether or not a receipt is printed (step S901). For example, the information processing unit 2 determines whether or not the printing operation is performed based on the setting information of the apparatus. Note that when the payment process is started, the user of the payment terminal device 1 may select and input with the touch panel 10 or the key 13 to instruct.

  When performing receipt printing based on the determination result of receipt printing in step S901, the information processing unit 2 sets the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value to high (THH, see FIG. 4) (step S902). On the other hand, when the receipt printing is not performed, the information processing section 2 sets the battery remaining capacity detection threshold to low (THM, see FIG. 4) (step S903).

  When performing receipt printing, a large amount of power is required for the operation of the print head when driving the printing unit 35 and for paper supply / discharge. Therefore, the remaining battery capacity curve BC1 having a large slope for decreasing the remaining battery capacity shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. In this case, by setting the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value to a high THH, it is possible to detect that the remaining battery capacity has decreased with respect to the required amount at an early timing indicated by A in FIG. Preventive processing can be performed reliably.

  On the other hand, when the receipt printing is not performed, the printing unit 35 is not driven, so that the power consumption is small. Therefore, the battery remaining capacity curve BC2 having a small slope of decreasing the remaining battery capacity shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. In this case, by setting the remaining battery capacity detection threshold value to a low THM, it is possible to detect that the remaining battery capacity has decreased with respect to the required amount at a later timing indicated by B in FIG. Can be secured for a long time.

  After setting the battery remaining capacity detection threshold, the information processing section 2 monitors the power supply voltage output from the power supply section 37 and detects the remaining capacity of the battery 38 (step S904). The information processing unit 2 determines whether the detected remaining capacity is equal to or less than the detection threshold (step S905). When the battery remaining capacity detection threshold value is not reached, the information processing section 2 executes preventive processing when the remaining capacity is reduced (step S906). The preventive process when the remaining capacity is reduced is the same as that in step S309 of the first embodiment (FIG. 3) described above, and processes such as a state display of a decrease in the remaining battery capacity and reading of card information are performed.

  In the determination process of the remaining battery capacity in step S905, when the remaining capacity of the battery 38 is larger than the detection threshold, the information processing unit 2 executes a card reading process and a settlement procedure (step S907). Then, the information processing unit 2 determines whether or not the settlement procedure has been completed (step S908). If the settlement procedure has not been completed, the process returns to step S904, and the remaining battery capacity is detected and the remaining until the settlement procedure is completed. Repeat the determination. The information processing section 2 ends this payment processing flow when the payment procedure is completed. In this case, the settlement process can be reliably performed by monitoring the remaining battery capacity until the settlement procedure is completed.

  Similar to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the payment processing flow having a battery management function corresponding to the presence / absence of receipt printing is the same by two tasks using the remaining capacity detection interrupt processing. Can be implemented.

  According to the present embodiment, appropriate battery management can be performed in accordance with the presence or absence of receipt printing. When receipt printing is not performed, long-term payment processing is possible by making maximum use of the amount of stored battery power. In addition, when performing receipt printing that requires a large amount of power consumption, it is possible to execute payment with a sufficient remaining battery capacity without running out of battery in the middle of payment processing, and to ensure payment processing. it can.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of battery terminal voltage characteristics and detection threshold setting in the payment terminal device according to the sixth embodiment. The sixth embodiment is an example in the case of setting the detection threshold of the battery terminal voltage in place of the detection threshold setting of the remaining battery capacity in the determination of the remaining battery capacity.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which three set values THH, THM, and THL are defined as the battery terminal voltage detection threshold instead of setting the detection threshold for the remaining battery capacity characteristic shown in FIG. The battery terminal voltage detection threshold is used to reduce the remaining capacity before the device power supply voltage or the battery terminal voltage falls within the range of the device operational power supply voltage or the guaranteed power supply voltage and falls below the operable power supply voltage or the guaranteed power supply voltage. Set to a value that will be used as a trigger for the preventive processing of the hour.

  The battery terminal voltage detection threshold value is set to THH when it is high and THM when it is low in the flow of FIG. The THL is provided assuming a state of lower power consumption such as when waiting for settlement processing. Note that THL may be set when the battery terminal voltage detection threshold is low.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when a process with large power consumption is executed, such as when there is a payment process using a non-contact type IC card, an online payment process, or a receipt printing at the time of payment, a characteristic that the battery terminal voltage decreases greatly Battery terminal voltage curve BV1. In this case, by setting the battery terminal voltage detection threshold value to a high THH, it can be detected that the remaining battery capacity has decreased with respect to the required amount at an early timing shown in FIG. Preventive processing can be performed reliably.

  On the other hand, when performing processing with low power consumption, such as payment processing using a contact IC card or magnetic card, offline payment processing, or receipt printing at the time of payment, a battery terminal with a characteristic that the rate at which the battery terminal voltage decreases is small A voltage curve BV2 is obtained. In this case, by setting the battery terminal voltage detection threshold value to a low THM, it is possible to detect that the remaining battery capacity has decreased with respect to the required amount at the later timing indicated by B in FIG. Can be secured for a long time.

  Even when the detection threshold value of the battery terminal voltage is used as in the present embodiment, the determination of the remaining battery capacity can be similarly performed.

(Seventh embodiment)
In the seventh embodiment, the above-described card type (non-contact type IC card / contact type IC card / magnetic card), payment type with different necessity of external communication (online payment / offline payment), receipt printing operation (present This is an example in which detection threshold values (H, M,..., L) for determining the remaining battery capacity are provided in accordance with a combination of a plurality of types of payment modes in which a plurality of payment modes with different power consumption exist. . As the detection threshold, the battery remaining capacity detection threshold is used as in the first embodiment, but it is also possible to use the battery terminal voltage detection threshold as in the sixth embodiment.

  In this way, by setting the detection threshold value for determining the remaining battery capacity according to the combination of a plurality of types of payment modes, as in the first to sixth embodiments, consumption at the time of payment execution by various payment modes Appropriate battery management corresponding to power can be implemented. In the seventh embodiment, a more appropriate operating time can be obtained for each combination of various settlement modes.

  The present invention can also be expressed as an information processing apparatus as a device or a program for operating the information processing apparatus as a computer. Furthermore, the present invention can also be expressed as an information processing method including each operation (step) executed by the information processing apparatus. The present invention can also be expressed as a recording medium that records a program for operating the information processing apparatus. That is, the present invention can be expressed in any category of an apparatus, a method and a program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  While various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood. In addition, the constituent elements in the above-described embodiment may be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  The information processing apparatus and the information processing method of the present invention are particularly useful for a terminal apparatus, an information processing system, and the like used for performing settlement and commercial transactions.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Payment terminal device 2 Information processing part 5 Slit 6 Side surface (upper side surface) of information processing part
7 Insertion slot 8 Information processing unit side (bottom side)
9 Front of information processing unit 10 Touch panel 13 Key 21 CPU
22 Local Wireless Communication Unit 23 Local Wireless Communication Antenna 24 Wide Area Wireless Communication Unit 25 Wide Area Wireless Communication Antenna 29 Display Unit 30 Touch Input Detection Unit 32 Flash ROM
33 RAM
34 Key input unit 35 Printing unit 36 Magnetic card reader unit 37 Power supply unit 38 Battery 39 Loop antenna 43 Non-contact type IC card reader / writer unit 44 Contact type IC card reader unit

Claims (4)

An information processing unit that performs information processing including settlement processing;
A power supply unit that supplies the power stored in the battery to the components including the information processing unit, and
The information processing unit detects in advance a state where the remaining battery capacity is equal to or less than a predetermined value when executing the payment process, and sets a detection threshold value for a payment mode that requires first power consumption from the first power consumption. Setting the detection threshold higher than the detection threshold of the settlement mode that requires the second power consumption, which is also a small power consumption, and switching the determination operation of the remaining battery capacity corresponding to a plurality of settlement modes with different power consumption,
Information processing device. When the information processing unit detects a state where the remaining battery capacity is equal to or lower than a predetermined value before the settlement process is completed, the information processing unit executes a preventive process when the remaining battery capacity is reduced.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The information processing unit includes, as a plurality of payment modes with different power consumption, types of cards used for the payment process, payment types different in necessity of external communication at the time of the payment process, and receipt printing at the time of the payment process. Using at least one kind of settlement mode of presence / absence, and switching the determination operation of the remaining battery capacity,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. An information processing unit that performs information processing including settlement processing in the information processing device,
When executing the settlement process, a state in which a remaining battery capacity as a power source of the information processing apparatus is a predetermined value or less is detected in advance,
The information processing unit sets a detection threshold value of a payment mode that requires first power consumption to a detection threshold value that is higher than a detection threshold value of a payment mode that requires second power consumption that is lower than the first power consumption. Setting and switching the determination operation of the remaining battery capacity corresponding to a plurality of settlement modes with different power consumption,
Information processing method.

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