JP2021179834A - Virtual POS server and virtual POS system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a virtual POS server and a virtual POS system that can easily develop a settlement processing system using an information terminal.SOLUTION: A virtual POS server includes a memory, a communication interface, and a processor. The memory stores a POS application program. The communication interface communicates with an information terminal. The processor acquires a keyword called by the information terminal according to an operation by a user via the communication interface, executes processing required by the keyword with the POS application program, and transfers a processing result of the POS application program to the information terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to virtual POS servers and virtual POS systems.

In recent years, a payment processing system has been considered in which a dedicated POS cash register composed of dedicated hardware is not installed in a store. As a payment processing system realized in a store that does not use a dedicated POS cash register, a payment processing system (for example, called a smartphone POS) that uses a mobile terminal (smartphone, tablet PC, etc.) owned by a user to settle a product. POS system) and so on. There is also a payment processing system (for example, a POS system called a cart POS) that makes payments for products using an information terminal (tablet or the like) installed in a shopping cart or the like placed in a store.

However, conventional payment processing systems such as smartphone POS and cart POS must be developed for each store with different business logic. Porting all of the business logic in an individual store to an information terminal such as a mobile terminal requires a lot of labor and time for development. Therefore, in order to provide a payment processing system for making payments to a wide variety of stores using information terminals, there is a demand for a system that can easily develop a payment processing system corresponding to each store.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-212484

In order to solve the above problems, we provide a virtual POS server and a virtual POS system that can easily develop a payment processing system using an information terminal.

According to the embodiment, the virtual POS server has a memory, a communication interface, and a processor. The memory stores the POS application program. The communication interface communicates with the information terminal. The processor acquires the keyword called by the information terminal in response to the operation by the user via the communication interface, executes the processing required by the keyword in the POS application program, and transfers the processing result of the POS application program to the information terminal. do.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a virtual POS system including a virtual POS server according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system in the virtual POS server according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of an information terminal in the virtual POS system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of software for realizing virtual POS in the virtual POS server according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an executionability table provided in the storage device of the virtual POS server according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for schematically explaining the operation of the virtual POS system according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence for explaining an operation example of the virtual POS system according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the virtual POS server according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a virtual POS system 1 including a virtual POS server 11 according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual POS system 1 according to the embodiment is composed of a virtual POS server 11, a base station 12, and an information terminal 13. The virtual POS server 11 communicates with the information terminal 13 via the base station 12.

The virtual POS server 11 is a server device in which an application program (hereinafter, also referred to as a POS application) that operates as a POS (Point Of Sales) register is installed. The virtual POS server 11 operates as a virtual POS by executing a POS application. The virtual POS is a function that executes processing as a POS register using a virtual device (printer, scanner, display, drawer, card reader, etc.) as a peripheral device of the POS register. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the virtual POS server 11 has a plurality of virtual POS. In the virtual POS server 11, the virtual POS assigned to each information terminal 13 returns the processing result as a POS register in response to the processing request from the information terminal 13.

The base station 12 is a device for wirelessly communicating with the information terminal 13. The base station 12 is connected to the virtual POS server 11 via a network such as a local area network. That is, the virtual POS server 11 and the information terminal 13 are communicated and connected via the base station 12.

The information terminal 13 is a computer used by the user. For example, the information terminal 13 is a smartphone, a tablet PC, an information device attached to a shopping cart, or the like. The information terminal 13 has a communication function and communicates with the virtual POS server 11 via the base station 12. The information terminal 13 transmits a keyword requesting execution to the virtual POS to the virtual POS server 11.

Next, the configuration of the virtual POS server 11 in the virtual POS system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the virtual POS server 11 in the virtual POS system 1 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the virtual POS server 11 includes a central processing unit 111, a storage device (memory) 112, a communication interface (I / F) 113, a display interface (I / F) 114, a display 115, and the like. ..

The central processing unit 111 executes information processing by the virtual POS server 11. The central processing unit 111 includes a processor 121, a ROM (read-only memory) 122, a RAM (random-access memory) 123, and the like. The processor 121 includes an arithmetic circuit that executes a program. The processor 121 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 121 executes a program stored in the ROM 122 or the storage device 112. The processor 121 executes control of each part, data processing, and the like by executing a program. The processor 121 includes a function as a second processor.

Further, the processor 121 functions as a virtual POS by executing a POS application program running on an operating system (OS). Further, the processor 121 virtually realizes various devices corresponding to peripheral devices of the POS register by executing a virtual device program. Further, the processor 121 causes the virtual POS to execute the process corresponding to the keyword given from the information terminal 13 by executing the keyword execution program.

ROM 122 is a non-volatile memory. The ROM 122 stores a program executed by the processor 121. The RAM 123 is a volatile memory. The RAM 123 is used as a working memory for temporarily holding data. For example, the RAM 123 temporarily stores data or processing results used by the processor 121 to execute processing.

The storage device 112 is a storage device including a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage device 112 stores data indicating a program executed by the processor 121, setting data used for various processes, processing results, and the like. In this embodiment, the storage device 112 stores a group of programs for functioning as a virtual POS. The storage device 112 also stores various data.

The communication interface 112 is an interface for communicating with the information terminal 11. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the processor 121 communicates with the information terminal 11 via the base station 12 by the communication interface 112. The communication interface 112 includes a function as a second communication interface.

The display 115 is connected to the central processing unit via the display interface (I / F) 114. The display 115 displays a screen or the like for confirming the processing result by the virtual POS. The display 115 may be an external device of the virtual POS server 11. For example, the processor 121 may display the processing result by the virtual POS corresponding to the keyword on the display 115. This may allow a person such as a system administrator to check the operation and status of the virtual POS including the POS application.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the information terminal 13 in the POS system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the information terminal 13 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the information terminal 13 includes a processor 311, a ROM (read-only memory) 312, a RAM (random-access memory) 313, a storage device 314, a communication interface (I / F) 315, and a device interface (I). / F) 316, touch panel 317, display 318 and the like.

Processor 311 includes an arithmetic circuit that executes a program. Processor 311 includes a function as a first processor. The processor 311 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 311 executes a program stored in the ROM 312 or the storage device 314. For example, the processor 311 realizes various processes by executing an application program running on an operating system (OS). For example, the processor 311 provides a GUI (graphical user interface) to the user by an application program. Further, the processor 311 realizes a function of transmitting the information input by the user using the GUI by the application program to the virtual POS server 11 as a keyword execution request.

The ROM 312 is a non-volatile memory. The ROM 312 stores a program executed by the processor 311. The RAM 313 is a volatile memory. The RAM 313 is used as a working memory for temporarily holding data. For example, the RAM 313 temporarily stores data or processing results used by the processor 311 to execute processing.

The storage device 314 is a storage device including a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage device 314 stores data indicating a program executed by the processor 311, setting data used for various processes, processing results, and the like.
The communication interface 315 is an interface for communicating with the virtual POS server 11. The communication interface 315 includes a function as a first communication interface. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the communication interface 315 is a communication interface that performs wireless communication with the base station 12.

The device interface 316 is an interface for connecting to the touch panel 317 and the display 318. The display 318 is a display that displays a screen. The display 318 displays an image based on an image signal input via the device interface 316. The touch panel 317 is provided on the display screen of the display 318. The touch panel 317 detects a portion touched by the user. The touch panel 317 supplies information indicating a portion touched by the user to the processor 311 via the device interface 316.

Next, the data stored in the storage device 112 in order for the virtual POS server 11 according to the embodiment to function as the virtual POS will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the storage device 112 of the virtual POS server 11 according to the embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the storage device 112 stores programs such as an operating system (OS) program 131, a device driver program 132, a filter driver program 133, a POS application program 134, a virtual device program 135, and a keyword execution program 136. Has been done. Further, the storage device 112 also stores the keyword library 317, the authentication database 138, the executionability table 139, and the like.

The OS program (hereinafter referred to as OS) 131 is a basic program for operating an application program or the like. The device driver program (hereinafter referred to as device driver) 132 is a program for operating peripheral devices. The filter driver program (hereinafter, filter driver) 133 is a program that inputs / outputs data between the device driver 132 and the virtual device program 135.

The device driver 132 is installed for each virtual device corresponding to the peripheral device of the POS register. For example, when a printer, a scanner, a display, a drawer, a card reader, or the like is used as a virtual device corresponding to a peripheral device of a POS register, a device driver program corresponding to each is stored in the storage device 112.

The POS application program (hereinafter referred to as POS application) 134 is a program that operates as a virtual POS. The processor 121 operates as a virtual POS that performs the same processing as the POS register by executing the POS application 134. The POS application 134 is, for example, an application program that runs on the OS 131. The POS application 134 is installed in the storage device 112 for the number of virtual POS included in the virtual POS server 11.

The virtual device program (hereinafter referred to as virtual device) 135 is a program that operates as a virtual device corresponding to a peripheral device of a POS register. Virtual devices corresponding to peripheral devices of POS cash registers include printers, scanners, displays, drawers, card readers, and the like. The virtual device 135 is installed in the storage device 112 for each device used as a peripheral device of the POS register. Further, the device driver 132 and the filter driver 133 corresponding to each virtual device 135 are installed in the storage device 112.

The keyword execution program (hereinafter referred to as keyword execution) 136 is a program that executes an application according to a keyword. For the keyword execution 136, the keyword-driven test standardized by ISO / IEC / IEEE DIS 29119-2 can be applied as a method for performing automatic evaluation by keyword-driven. For example, the keyword execution 136 causes the POS application 134 to execute a process corresponding to each keyword by a test script created by enumerating the keywords in advance.

Further, the keyword library 317 is a file that stores information indicating keywords (valid keywords) that can be executed by virtual POS. For example, the processor 121 determines whether the keyword received from the information terminal 13 is an executable (valid) keyword by searching the keyword library 317. The processor 121 causes the POS application 134 to execute the process corresponding to the keyword stored in the keyword library 317 by the keyword execution program 136.

Further, the authentication database 138 is a database in which the registered user stores the information including the authentication information for authenticating the user. The authentication information registered in the authentication database 138 may be any information that can authenticate the user who operates the information terminal 13. For example, the authentication information may be information stored by the user such as a password, information read from a card possessed by the user, or biometric information of the user.

Further, the authentication database 138 stores the authority level set for the registrant in association with the registrant's authentication information. The authority level set for the registrant is information indicating the height of the authority of the registrant. The permission level is information to be compared with the execution level set for each keyword to be executed by the POS application 134. For example, the higher the authority level of the user (registrant), the higher the execution level of the keyword can be executed.
The storage device 112 also stores an application program for user authentication for performing user authentication using the authentication database 138. The application program for user authentication performs user authentication by the authentication information included in the input user login information and the authentication information registered in the authentication database 138.

Further, the execution enable / disable table 139 stores information indicating the execution level set for each keyword. The execution level is information corresponding to the authority level set for the registrant. When the user's authority level is a level at which the entered keyword can be executed, the central processing unit 111 executes the keyword.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the executionability table 319.
As shown in FIG. 5, the execution enable / disable table 319 stores the execution level in association with each keyword. The process corresponding to the keyword can be executed when the user's authority level is higher than the execution level. That is, if the user's authority level is equal to or higher than the execution level, the keyword is determined to be executable. If the user's permission level is lower than the execution level, the keyword is determined to be unexecutable.

For example, it is assumed that the authority level of a general user is "1", the authority level of a store manager is "2", and the authority level of a system administrator is "3". In this case, the execution level 1 keyword is controlled so that each user including a general user, a store manager, and a system administrator can execute the keyword. Further, the execution level 2 keyword is controlled so that a general user cannot be executed and the store manager and the system administrator can execute the keyword. Execution level 3 keywords are controlled so that general users and store managers cannot be executed and system administrators can execute them.

Next, the flow of processing for executing the keyword in the virtual POS system 1 according to the embodiment will be schematically described.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for schematically explaining the flow of processing for executing a keyword in the virtual POS system 1 according to the embodiment.
The information terminal 13 is installed with an application program that provides a GUI (graphical user interface) for accepting operations by the user on the virtual POS. The information terminal 13 calls a keyword that can be requested from the virtual POS according to the operation of the GUI by the user. The information terminal 13 transmits the called keyword according to the user's operation to the virtual POS server 11.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, the virtual POS server 11 has a plurality of virtual POS. The virtual POS server 11 allocates one virtual POS to the information terminal 13 that is connected by communication. The virtual POS of the virtual POS server 11 receives the keyword from the assigned information terminal 13. When the virtual POS server 11 receives a keyword from the information terminal 13, the virtual POS server 11 searches the keyword library 137 to confirm whether the received keyword is an executable and valid keyword.

When the virtual POS server 11 confirms that the keyword received from the information terminal 13 is a valid keyword, the virtual POS server 11 specifies the execution level of the keyword. The virtual POS server 11 determines whether or not the keyword can be executed depending on whether or not the user's authority level is equal to or higher than the execution level of the keyword. When the keyword is executable, the virtual POS server 11 causes the POS application to execute the process corresponding to the keyword. The virtual POS server 11 transmits the processing result of the POS application to the information terminal 13 which is the source of the keyword.

Further, FIG. 7 is a sequence schematically showing a flow of executing a process corresponding to a product input as a keyword in the virtual POS system 1 according to the embodiment.
In the processing example shown in FIG. 7, the user inputs product information (for example, one mandarin orange and two remon oranges) on the information terminal 13 and touches the input (registration) button. When the input button is touched, the information terminal 13 calls the product input as a keyword corresponding to the user operation. When the product input as a keyword is called, the information terminal 13 sends an execution request for the called keyword (product input) to the virtual POS server 11.

When the virtual POS server 11 receives the execution request of the product input as a keyword from the information terminal 13, the virtual POS server 11 searches for the keyword (product input) received by the keyword library 137. If the product input as the received keyword exists in the keyword library 137, the virtual POS server 11 determines that the received product input is valid. That is, the virtual POS server 11 refers to the keyword library 137 and determines whether or not the product input is valid as a keyword.

When the product input is valid as a keyword, the virtual POS server 11 determines whether or not the keyword (product input) can be executed based on the user's authority level. For example, the virtual POS server 11 determines whether or not the user's authority level is equal to or higher than the execution level of the keyword (product input). When the user's authority level is equal to or higher than the execution level of the product input, the virtual POS server 11 causes the virtual POS to execute the product input and returns the execution result to the information terminal 13.

Next, the operation of the virtual POS in the virtual POS server 11 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing as a virtual POS in the virtual POS server 11 according to the embodiment.
First, the processor 311 of the information terminal 13 activates an application program for using the virtual POS system in response to a user operation. When the application is started, the processor 311 of the information terminal 13 transmits an access request to the virtual POS server 11 via the base station 12 by wireless communication by the communication interface 315.

The virtual POS server 11 receives an access request from the information terminal 13 through the network interface 113. When the central processing unit 111 of the virtual POS server 11 receives the access request from the information terminal 13, one virtual POS is assigned to the information terminal 13. The central processing unit 111 operates the POS application 134 of the virtual POS assigned to the information terminal 13 and establishes a communication connection with the information terminal 13 (ACT 11).

As a result, the virtual POS server 11 having a plurality of virtual POS is in a state where one virtual POS can process a keyword from one information terminal 13. When the communication connection with the information terminal 13 is established, the central processing device 111 requests the information terminal 13 for user login information including the user's authentication information for authenticating the user.

The processor 311 of the information terminal 13 acquires authentication information from the user in response to a request for user login information from the virtual POS server 11. The processor 311 of the information terminal 13 displays a login screen and acquires user login information including user authentication information. For example, the processor 311 of the information terminal 13 acquires a user ID input by the user using the touch panel 317 as user login information and a password as authentication information. Further, the processor 311 of the information terminal 13 may acquire biometric information such as a user's face image or fingerprint as user authentication information by using a camera, a sensor, or the like. The processor 311 of the information terminal 13 transmits the user login information including the authentication information acquired from the user to the virtual POS server 11.

The central processing unit 111 acquires user login information from the information terminal 13 via the communication interface 113. When the central processing device 111 acquires the user login information from the information terminal 13, the central processing device 111 performs user authentication using the acquired user login information (ACT 12). As user authentication, the central processing device 111 collates the authentication information included in the acquired user login information with the registrant's authentication information stored in the authentication database 138. When the central processing unit 111 determines that the acquired authentication information and the authentication information of the registrant registered in the authentication database 138 belong to the same person, the central processing unit 111 identifies the user as the registrant. When the central processing unit 111 identifies that the user is a registrant registered in the authentication database 138 by user authentication, the central processing unit 111 transmits information indicating login completion to the information terminal 13.

After notifying the information terminal 13 of the information indicating the completion of login, the central processing unit 111 is in a state of waiting for input of a keyword from the information terminal 13 (ACT 13). The processor 311 of the information terminal 13 is in a state where it is possible to input a keyword upon receiving the notification of the completion of login from the virtual POS server 11. In this state, the information terminal 13 calls the keyword corresponding to the operation content by the user and sends the operation instruction to the virtual POS server 11.

When the keyword from the information terminal 13 is received (ACT 14, YES), the central processing unit 111 searches for the received keyword in the keyword library 137 (ACT 15). When the keyword received from the information terminal 13 does not exist in the keyword library 137 (ACT 16, NO), the central processing unit 111 determines that the received keyword is not a valid keyword. In this case, the central processing unit 111 transmits to the information terminal 13 that the keyword is not valid as error processing (ACT 17).

When the keyword received from the information terminal 13 exists in the keyword library 137 (ACT 16, YES), the central processing unit 111 determines that the received keyword is not a valid keyword. When the received keyword is a valid keyword, the central processing unit 111 determines whether or not the user has an authority level capable of executing the keyword (ACT 18).

For example, the central processing unit 111 refers to the authentication database 138 to specify the authority level of the user of the information terminal 13. Further, the central processing unit 111 identifies the execution level set for the keyword with reference to the execution enable / disable table 139. When the permission level of the user and the execution level of the keyword are specified, the central processing unit 111 determines whether or not the keyword can be executed depending on whether or not the permission level of the user is equal to or higher than the execution level of the keyword. .. When the user's authority level is equal to or higher than the keyword execution level, the central processing unit 111 determines that the user has the authority level to execute the keyword. Further, when the authority level of the user is lower than the execution level of the keyword, the central processing unit 111 determines that the user does not have the authority level at which the keyword can be executed.

If it is determined that the user does not have the authority level to execute the keyword (ACT18, NO), the central processing unit 111 determines that the keyword cannot be executed. When the user does not have the authority level to execute the keyword, the central processing unit 111 transmits a notification to the information terminal 13 that the keyword cannot be executed because the user does not have the authority level to execute (ACT 19).

When it is determined that the user has an authority level capable of executing the keyword (ACT18, YES), the central processing unit 111 determines that the keyword is executable. When it is determined that the keyword is executable, the central processing unit 111 causes the POS application as the assigned virtual POS to execute the process corresponding to the keyword (ACT 20). When the central processing unit 111 obtains the processing result obtained by causing the POS application to execute the processing corresponding to the keyword, the central processing unit 111 transmits the processing result to the information terminal 13 which is the transmission source of the keyword (ACT 21).

The central processing unit 111 receives an end instruction from the information terminal after transmitting the processing result or while waiting for keyword reception. Unless there is an end instruction from the information terminal 13 (ACT 22, NO), the central processing unit 111 repeatedly executes the process from the ACT 14. If there is an end instruction from the information terminal 13 (ACT22, NO), the central processing unit 111 ends the processing as a virtual POS assigned to the information terminal 13.

As described above, the virtual POS system according to the embodiment includes a virtual POS server provided with virtual POS to which the business logic of each store is applied, and an information terminal operated by the user. The information terminal transmits the keyword corresponding to the user operation to the virtual POS server. The virtual POS server executes a process corresponding to a keyword from the information terminal by the virtual POS, and transmits the process result to the information terminal.

In such a virtual POS system, it suffices to develop an application program for sending and receiving messages between the information terminal and the virtual POS server. As a result, the development work of porting all the business logic of each store to the information terminal becomes unnecessary. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to easily develop a system capable of executing payment of a product or the like by a virtual POS by the user operating an information terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC or a device attached to a cart.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... Virtual POS system, 11 ... Virtual POS server, 13 ... Information terminal, 111 ... Central processing unit, 112 ... Storage device, 113 ... Communication interface (second communication interface), 114 ... Display interface, 115 ... Display, 121 ... Processor (second processor), 311 ... Processor (first processor), 315 ... Communication interface (first communication interface).

Claims (5)

Memory for storing POS application programs and
A communication interface that communicates with information terminals,
The keyword called by the information terminal in response to an operation by the user is acquired via the communication interface, the processing required by the keyword is executed by the POS application program, and the processing result of the POS application program is obtained by the information terminal. With the processor to transfer to
Virtual POS server with. When the user who operates the information terminal has the authority to execute the process required by the keyword, the processor executes the process requested by the keyword in the POS application program.
The virtual POS server according to claim 1. In addition, it has an execution enable / disable table showing the execution level set for each keyword.
The processor identifies the authority level of the user who operates the information terminal, and when the user has the authority that the authority level is equal to or higher than the execution level set for the keyword, the process required by the keyword is performed. Run in a POS application program,
The virtual POS server according to claim 1. The memory stores a plurality of POS application programs and stores a plurality of POS application programs.
The processor assigns a POS application that performs the processing requested by the keyword to an information terminal communicating via the communication interface.
The virtual POS server according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In a virtual POS system including a virtual POS server and an information terminal,
The information terminal is
A first communication interface that communicates with the virtual POS server,
It has a first processor that transmits a keyword to be called in response to an operation by a user to the virtual POS server via the first communication interface.
The virtual POS server is
Memory for storing POS application programs and
A second communication interface that communicates with the information terminal,
The keyword called by the information terminal in response to an operation by the user is acquired via the second communication interface, the processing required by the keyword is executed by the POS application program, and the processing result of the POS application program is obtained. A virtual POS system comprising a second processor that transfers to the information terminal.

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