JP5079859B2 - Payment system terminal program update method and payment terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a payment system for processing credit card payment, debit card payment, and the like, and more particularly, to a payment terminal installed in each store and a program update method for the terminal.

  In recent years, payment systems for processing credit card payments have been constructed in large-scale supermarkets and department stores. This system includes a host server and a plurality of payment terminals managed by the host server. Each payment terminal is installed in a store. The host server is installed at a headquarters that governs each store. Each payment terminal and the upper server are connected by a public network such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network).

  Each settlement terminal includes a card reader for reading credit card data. Each time the credit card data is read by the card reader, the settlement terminal makes an inquiry of the credit card to an inquiry server connected by a credit-dedicated network. If the credit card is approved, the settlement process for the commercial transaction is performed.

  In addition, the settlement terminal normally performs daily settlement after the business day ends. The daily account settlement business is a task of settlement of sales data of a commercial transaction that has been settled in one business day and notifying the settlement data of the settlement data. That is, the settlement terminal connects the line with the upper server of the headquarters at least once every business day, and transmits settlement data.

  In such a payment system, the host server manages the program installed in each payment terminal, and if there is an update accompanying a program upgrade, the latest version of the program is transferred from the higher server via the public network to each payment terminal. It has already been done to update the program of each settlement terminal by downloading it to.

  For example, conventionally, in an information processing system composed of a host device and a peripheral device managed by the host device, the latest version of the program stored in the storage unit of the host device and its own rewritable nonvolatile memory when the system is started up If the version of the program stored in the non-volatile storage unit is determined to be not the latest, the latest version of the program stored in the storage unit of the host device is compared with the version of the program stored in the storage unit. Has already been known (see Patent Document 1, for example).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-3213

  However, in the conventional program update method as described above, each time the system is started, the peripheral device transmits data to the host device to compare the program versions, regardless of whether the program is updated. There was a need to communicate. However, program updates are not performed so frequently, and usually ended up with data communication just to check the version. As a result, if the network connecting the peripheral device and the host device is a public line such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) as in the payment system, the data communication only for this confirmation will be charged. There was a problem of increased communication costs.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce communication costs by eliminating useless data communication between a settlement terminal and a host server.

  When information related to payment is input, the present invention stores and manages a payment terminal that makes a payment inquiry based on the input information to a reference server connected to the first network, and a program installed in the payment terminal. In order to solve the above-described problem, in the payment system including a higher-level server that downloads a program to a payment terminal via a second network different from the first network, the higher-level server has a program update. The settlement server notifies the inquiry server that the program has been updated, and the settlement terminal confirms whether or not the program stored in the settlement terminal is updated by making a settlement inquiry to the query server. , The host server is requested to download the program.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, useless data communication between the settlement terminal and the upper server can be eliminated, and the communication cost can be reduced.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a payment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the payment terminal in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the program file memorize | stored in the payment terminal. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the credit service which CPU of the payment terminal performs. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the daily settlement operation which CPU of the payment terminal performs.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a payment system for processing credit payment.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of the settlement system in the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1 indicates a member store that can be settled by credit card. As shown in the figure, the member store 1 includes a payment terminal 2 for processing a credit card payment, and first and second network servers 3 and 4 for processing data communication performed via a network. is set up. The settlement terminal 2 and the first and second network servers 3 and 4 are connected by a LAN (Local Area Network) 5.

  The first network server 3 processes data communication performed via the credit-only network (first network) 6. A credit server (inquiry server) 7 for authenticating credit card payment is connected to the credit dedicated network 6.

  The second network server 4 processes data communication performed via a public network (second network) 8 such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). A headquarter server (upper server) 9 installed at the headquarters of the member store 1 is connected to the public network 9. The headquarter server 9 is also connected to the credit dedicated network 6.

  Incidentally, charging is not generated for data communication performed via the credit-only network 6, but charging is performed according to communication time or communication data amount for data communication performed via the public network 8.

  In the figure, the number of payment terminals 2 is one, but two or more payment terminals 2 may be connected to the LAN 5. Further, the network server is classified into a first network server 3 specialized for data communication of the credit-only network 6 and a second network server 4 specialized for data communication of the public network 8, but one Each data communication between the credit-only network 6 and the public network 8 may be processed by the network server. Further, the credit-only network 6 and the public network 8 may be connected to the payment terminal 2 without using a network server.

  In the present embodiment, the headquarter server 9 stores and manages the latest program 10 installed in the payment terminal 2. For example, when the version of the program 10 is upgraded at the manufacturer of the payment terminal 2 and the update program 11 is installed, the program 10 is rewritten and updated to the latest version. The update program 11 stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM may be installed in the headquarter server 9 or may be installed in the headquarter server 9 by downloading from a network.

  The headquarter server 9 transmits the version number PVn of the latest program 10 after the upgrade to the credit server 7 via the credit-only network 6 every time the update accompanying the version upgrade of the program 10 is performed. Thus, the head office server 9 notifies the credit server 7 that the program 10 has been updated.

  On the other hand, the credit server 7 stores and holds the version number PVn received from the headquarter server 9 in a nonvolatile storage device. Then, every time there is a payment inquiry from the payment terminal 2, the current version number PVn is added to the response information and returned. Thus, the credit server 7 notifies the settlement terminal 2 of the version number PVn of the latest program 10.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the payment terminal 2. The settlement terminal 2 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 as a control unit main body. In addition to a main memory unit of a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a clock unit 24 that measures the current date and time, a communication interface 25 as a communication means connected to the LAN 5, an HDD (Hard Disk) HDD) 27 for controlling writing and reading of data to / from drive device 26, and keyboard 28 provided with keys for declaring credit card payment and keys for inputting credit information such as credit amount and payment method. A keyboard controller 29 for controlling, a display controller 31 for controlling the display operation of the display unit 30, a printer controller 33 for controlling a printer 32 for printing and issuing credit slips, and a card reader 34 for reading credit card data. Equipped with card reader controller 35 etc. It is.

  The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, clock unit 24, communication interface 25, and various controllers 27, 29, 31, 33, 35 and the like are connected by a bus line 36 such as an address bus and a data bus.

  The settlement terminal 2 having such a configuration stores a program file 37 on the HDD device 26. As shown in FIG. 3, the program file 37 includes a program area 371 for storing program data for controlling the entire credit service executed by the settlement terminal 2, and a version for storing the version number of the program data. An area 372 is formed.

  The RAM 23 has a storage area 38 for an update flag F that is set to “1” when the program data in the program file 37 needs to be updated and is reset to “0” when it is not necessary. This storage area 38 functions as update information storage means of the present invention.

  Therefore, for example, when the credit card settlement is declared by the key operation of the keyboard 28, the CPU 21 executes the credit service according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 based on the program data in the program file 37.

  First, the CPU 21 takes in the credit card data read by the card reader 34 as ST (step) 1. Then, as ST2, based on the captured card data, the credit server 7 is inquired about settlement by the credit card via the credit dedicated network 6.

  As a result, the credit server 7 determines whether or not to approve payment by the credit card. Then, the response information indicating the determination result is transmitted to the payment terminal 2 via the credit dedicated network 6. At this time, the response information includes the version number PVn of the latest program stored and managed in the credit server 7.

  Therefore, the CPU 21 waits for response information from the credit server 7 as ST3. If the response information is received via the credit-only network 6, the CPU 21 acquires the version number PVn included in the response information as ST4 and temporarily stores it in the RAM 23.

  Next, in step ST5, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the response information is a credit card settlement approval response. In the case of an approval response, the CPU 21 executes a settlement process for a commercial transaction using a credit card as ST6. This settlement process is the same as that conventionally known. Thereby, the sales data of the commercial transaction is totaled in the sales total memory of the RAM 23. Further, the printer 32 operates to print and issue a credit slip.

  On the other hand, in the case of an approval disapproval response, the CPU 21 executes a transaction disapproval process using a credit card as ST7. This impossibility processing is not different from that conventionally known. As a result, a warning message indicating that the transaction is not possible is displayed on the display unit 30.

  If either of the transaction settlement processing or the transaction impossible processing is executed, the CPU 21 next checks the state of the update flag F as ST8. Here, if the update flag F has been reset to “0”, the CPU 21 obtains from the version number stored in the version area 372 of the program file 37 as ST9 and the current response information in the process of ST4. The updated version number PVn is compared (update confirmation means). As a result, when the version number PVn acquired by the response information is updated with respect to the version number in the version area 372, the program stored in the payment terminal 2 has been updated. In ST10, the update flag F in the storage area 38 is set to “1”. This is the end of the credit business.

  On the other hand, if the version number PVn acquired by the response information is not updated with respect to the version number in the version area 372 in ST9, or the update flag F is already set to “1” in ST8. If this happens, the CPU 21 ends the current credit service at that time.

  Further, for example, when the execution of the daily settlement work is declared by a key operation of the keyboard 28, the CPU 21 executes the daily settlement work according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 based on the program data in the ROM 22.

  First, the CPU 21 checks the update flag F as ST11. When the update flag F is reset to “0”, that is, when it is not confirmed that the program has been updated, the CPU 21 executes a daily settlement process as ST12. This daily settlement process is the same as that conventionally known. That is, when a line connection request is made with the head office server 9 and the head office server 9 and the line are connected via the public network 8, the data collected in the sales total memory is transmitted to the head office server 9. When the transmission is completed, the line with the headquarter server 9 is disconnected and the sales total memory is cleared. Thus, the CPU 21 ends the current daily account settlement operation.

  On the other hand, if the update flag F is set to “1” in ST11, that is, if it is confirmed that the program has been updated, the CPU 21 executes daily settlement processing in ST13. This daily account settlement process is substantially the same as a conventionally known process. If a line connection request is made to the headquarter server 9 and the line is connected to the headquarter server 9 via the public network 8, it is counted in the sales total memory. The transmitted data is transmitted to the headquarter server 9. However, when the transmission is completed, the sales total memory is cleared without disconnecting the line with the head office server 9.

  Thereafter, the CPU 21 transmits a command requesting program download to the headquarter server 9 as ST14 (download request means). And it waits for a program to be downloaded from the headquarters server 9 as ST15.

  When the latest program 10 is downloaded from the headquarter server 9 via the public network 8, the CPU 21 rewrites and updates the program data and the version number in the program file 37 based on the downloaded latest program 10 as ST16. (Program update means) If information indicating the update result is transmitted to the headquarter server 9 via the public network 8 in ST17, the line with the headquarter server 9 is disconnected. Thereafter, if the update flag F is reset to “0” in ST18, the current credit service is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the latest program 10 installed in the payment terminal 2 is stored and managed by the headquarter server 9. The headquarter server 9 sends data indicating a new version number PVn to the credit server 7 when the update associated with the version upgrade of the program 10 is installed by installing the update program 11 so as to notify that the program has been updated. I have to.

  On the other hand, when information relating to payment is input, the payment terminal 2 makes an inquiry for payment based on the input information to the credit server 7 connected via the credit-only network 6. At this time, the version number PVn of the latest program 10 returned from the credit server 7 is compared with the version number of the program data stored in the program file 37 to confirm whether the program is updated. When it is confirmed that there is an update, the update flag F is set to “1” and information to that effect is stored.

  Thereafter, when the business of one business day ends and the execution of the daily settlement operation is instructed, the update flag F is checked. When the update flag F is reset to “0”, that is, when the program data is not updated, only the daily settlement process is executed. As a result, the payment terminal 2 is connected to the headquarter server 9 via the public network 8, and the daily settlement data of the payment terminal 2 is transmitted to the headquarter server 9. Then, after the transmission is completed, the line with the headquarter server 9 is disconnected.

  On the other hand, when the update flag F is set to “1”, that is, when the program data has been updated, the daily settlement process is executed and the settlement terminal 2 is connected to the headquarter server 9 and the public. The lines are connected via the network 8. Then, after the daily settlement data of the settlement terminal 2 is transmitted to the headquarter server 9, a command for requesting the program download to the headquarter server 9 is transmitted via the public network 8.

  As a result, the latest program 10 is downloaded from the headquarter server 9 to the settlement terminal 2 via the public network 8. Then, the program data and version number in the program file 37 are rewritten and updated to the latest one. After that, if information indicating the update result is transmitted to the headquarter server 9 via the public network 8, the line with the headquarter server 9 is disconnected.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the settlement terminal 2 confirms whether or not the program stored in the settlement terminal 2 is updated by making an inquiry to the credit server 7 for settlement, and confirms that there is an update. The main server 9 is requested to download the program. Accordingly, the line between the settlement terminal 2 and the headquarter server 9 is connected only when it is confirmed that the program has been updated in connection with the program update of the settlement terminal 2. It is possible to eliminate useless line connection between the two. In general, the communication line between the settlement terminal 2 and the headquarter server 9 is the public network 8, and charging is caused by the connection of the line. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the communication cost can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, when it is confirmed that the program stored in the settlement terminal 2 has been updated, the settlement terminal 2 sets the update flag F to “1” and stores the information to that effect. When the settlement data is transmitted to the headquarter server 9 in the settlement process performed after the day's business is closed, the headquarter server 9 is requested to download a program. The checkout process is always performed after the end of business every business day. In this case, a line connection with the head office server 9 is indispensable. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to connect a line with the headquarter server 9 only for requesting program download, and the communication cost can be further reduced. In addition, since the daily settlement operation is performed after the end of the business, even if the original function of the payment terminal 2 is stopped by the program update process, the operation is not hindered.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the program to be downloaded is the program for the entire credit business in the payment terminal 2, but it goes without saying that the program to be downloaded is not limited to this.

  In the embodiment, the credit server 7 serving as an inquiry server for the payment terminal 2 stores the version number PVn of the latest program 10 and responds to the payment inquiry from the payment terminal 2 with the version number. By adding PVn, the settlement terminal 2 confirms whether or not the program has been updated, but the update presence / absence confirmation means is not limited to the above-described means.

  For example, when the payment terminal 2 makes a payment inquiry to the credit server 7, the version number stored in its program file 37 is notified to the credit server 7, and the credit server 7 receives the notification from the payment terminal 2. The version number and the version number PVn of the latest program 10 are compared, information indicating the result is added to the response information, and the settlement terminal 2 that has received the response information is programmed according to the comparison result information added to the response information. The presence or absence of updating may be confirmed.

  In the embodiment, the settlement terminal 2 transmits the settlement data to the headquarter server 9 by the settlement process performed after the business day ends every business day when it is confirmed that the program stored therein is updated. In this case, the headquarters server 9 is requested to download the program, but the request for downloading the program is limited to the timing of the settlement process that is performed after the end of every business day. Instead, for example, the download of the program may be requested at the timing of the weekly account settlement process that is performed after the end of the business on a predetermined day of the week.

  Moreover, although the case where this invention was applied to the payment system which processes credit card payment was shown in the said embodiment, this invention is also applicable to the payment system which processes debit card payment, for example. In this case, the inquiry server corresponds to a server that manages an account of a financial institution such as a bank.

  Further, the upper server is not limited to the headquarter server 9, and may be any server that manages a program installed in the payment terminal 2.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

  2 ... Payment terminal, 3.4 ... First and second network servers, 6 ... Credit-only network, 7 ... Credit server, 8 ... Public network, 9 ... Central server, 10 ... Latest program, 11 ... Update program, 21 ... CPU, 37 ... program file, 38 ... update flag storage area.

Claims (6)

When information related to payment is input, a payment terminal that makes a payment inquiry based on the input information to a reference server connected through a first network, and stores and manages a program installed in the payment terminal, A terminal program update method for a payment system, comprising: a host server that downloads the program to the payment terminal via a second network different from a network;
When there is an update of the program, the upper server notifies the inquiry server that there is an update of the program,
The payment terminal confirms whether or not the program stored in the payment terminal is updated by making a payment inquiry to the inquiry server, and if the update is confirmed, requests the host server to download the program. A terminal program update method for a payment system.   When the settlement terminal confirms that the program stored therein is updated, when sending settlement data to the upper server via the second network in the settlement process performed after the end of business, 2. The terminal program update method for a payment system according to claim 1, wherein the host server is requested to download a program. When payment related information is input, in a payment terminal that makes a payment inquiry based on the input information to a reference server connected by the first network,
A communication means for performing communication via a second network different from the first network and a host server for storing and managing a program installed in the payment terminal;
Update confirmation means for confirming whether or not there is an update of the program stored in the payment terminal by notifying the inquiry server of the inquiry by making an inquiry of payment to the inquiry server;
When it is confirmed that there is a program update by the update confirmation unit, a download request unit that requests the host server to download the program via the communication unit;
Program update means for updating a program implemented by the payment terminal with a program downloaded from the host server via the communication means;
A payment terminal. Update information storage means for storing information to that effect when the update confirmation means confirms that the program has been updated, and
The download request unit checks the information stored in the update information storage unit when transmitting the settlement data to the host server via the second network in the settlement process performed after the end of business, 4. The settlement terminal according to claim 3, wherein a download of the program is requested when it is confirmed that the program has been updated. A method for updating a program of a payment terminal that, when information related to payment is input, makes an inquiry about payment based on the input information to an inquiry server connected via a first network,
The payment terminal makes an inquiry about payment to the inquiry server, so that there is an update of the program stored in the payment terminal from the upper server that stores and manages the program installed in the payment terminal to the inquiry server. Check if it is notified,
When it is confirmed that the program update is notified, the upper server is requested to download the program via a second network different from the first network,
A program updating method for a payment terminal, wherein a program installed in the payment terminal is updated with a program downloaded from the host server via the second network.   When it is confirmed that the program has been updated, the settlement terminal stores information to that effect, and the settlement data is processed via the second network in the settlement process performed after the end of business. When transmitting to the upper server, it is checked whether information indicating that the program has been updated is stored, and if it is stored, the upper server is requested to download the program. The program updating method for a payment terminal according to claim 5.

Images