JP6326924B2 - POS system and control method of POS system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a POS (Point Of Sale) system and a POS system comprising a terminal, a control device connected to the terminal to control data input / output, and a device connected to the control device to input or output data. Relates to the control method.

  As this type of technology, for example, Patent Literature 1 has been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses a tablet terminal functioning as a POS terminal, a printer connected to the tablet terminal for controlling data input / output, and a device connected to the printer for inputting or outputting data (customer display, card reader, bar A POS system including a code scanner and a cash drawer is described. In this case, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the tablet terminal and the printer.

JP 2013-186488 A

By the way, in the POS system described in Patent Document 1, when the above-mentioned device is connected to the first printer and a card reader for electronic payment (credit card payment or electronic money payment) is connected to the second printer. If an electronic payment transaction is to be performed at a terminal connected to the first printer, the card reader connected to the second printer must be reconnected to the first printer. Of course, all devices including a card reader can be connected to the first printer. However, since there is a problem with the number of interfaces, it is currently necessary to divide the functions for each printer.
It is also conceivable to connect the terminal, the first printer, and the second printer to the network so that commands can be sent from the terminal to the second printer. However, the POS application installed in the terminal is modified. It must be costly.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a POS system and a POS system control method that can use a device connected to two or more control devices with one terminal without requiring significant modification of the POS application. It is an issue to provide.

  The POS system of the present invention includes a POS application that performs accounting processing, a control unit that controls a payment application that performs payment processing, transmission of accounting processing data processed by the POS application, and transmission of payment processing data output by the payment application. A terminal having a communication unit that performs the following operations: a first control device that receives and controls accounting processing data; a second control device that receives and controls payment processing data; and a second control device And a device for inputting or outputting data.

  In the POS system control method of the present invention, the accounting processing data processed by the terminal POS application is transmitted to the first control device, and the payment processing data output by the terminal payment application is input or output of data. It transmits to the 2nd control apparatus connected with the device which performs.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, since the transmission destination of data is determined by the application, it is not necessary to specify the transmission destination every time a command is generated by the POS application. Thus, a device (including a device connected to the second control device) connected to two or more control devices at one terminal can be used without requiring significant modification of the POS application.

  In the POS system, it is preferable that the first control device has a printing unit that prints a receipt based on the transaction processing data received from the terminal.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the printer that prints the accounting receipt can be used as the first control device, and the printing unit can be operated from the terminal.

  The POS system includes a payment server that communicates with the second control device, the second control device includes a communication unit that communicates with the payment server, and is input from the payment processing data received by the terminal and the device It is preferable to perform a settlement transaction with a settlement server based on the data.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, since the second control device communicates with the settlement server, there is no need to provide a separate communication device. Further, since the second control device performs data input and communication with the electronic settlement server, the control load on the terminal side can be reduced.

  In the POS system, the data is credit information or electronic money information, and the device preferably has a reading unit that reads the credit information or electronic money information.

  In the POS system, it is preferable that the second control device associates the payment processing data with the credit information or the electronic money information and transmits it to the payment server.

  In the POS system, the communication unit of the second control device preferably receives the result of the settlement transaction at the settlement server and transmits the received result of the settlement transaction to the terminal.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, an electronic payment function (credit card payment function or electronic money payment function) can be introduced without requiring significant modification of the POS application.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the software structure of a POS system. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a POS system. It is a screen transition diagram of a tablet terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the accounting process by a POS system.

  Hereinafter, a POS system and a POS system control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the POS system SY. The POS system SY includes a tablet terminal 1 (terminal) operated by a store clerk, a first printer (first control device) 2A and a second printer (second control) connected to the tablet terminal 1 via an in-store LAN 8. Apparatus) 2B, and an electronic payment server (payment server) 3 connected to the second printer 2B via the Internet 9. The POS system SY also includes a customer display 5, a barcode scanner 6 and a cash drawer 7 connected to the first printer 2A, and a card reader 4 (device) connected to the second printer 2B.

  The tablet terminal 1 includes a terminal control mechanism 11, a touch panel 12, and an interface 13 (shown as “I / F” in the figure). The terminal control mechanism 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls the tablet terminal 1.

  The touch panel 12 is a touch sensor with a display function, and is used for displaying various information such as input product information and settlement processing results and various operations. The interface 13 corresponds to wireless communication such as a wireless LAN, is connected to the in-store LAN 8 via an access point (not shown), and transmits and receives data to and from the interfaces 23 and 33 of the printers 2A and 2B via the in-store LAN 8. I do.

  The first printer 2 </ b> A includes interfaces 23 and 24 in addition to the printer control mechanism 21 and the printer unit 22. The printer control mechanism 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controls the first printer 2A. The printer unit 22 includes a print head, a paper transport mechanism, and a paper cutting mechanism, and performs printing on receipt paper.

  The interface 23 communicates with the tablet terminal 1 via the in-store LAN 8. The interface 24 performs wired / wireless communication with the peripheral devices 5, 6, and 7.

  The second printer 2 </ b> B has interfaces 33 and 34 in addition to the printer control mechanism 31 and the printer unit 32. The printer control mechanism 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and controls the second printer 2B. The printer unit 32 includes a print head, a paper transport mechanism, and a paper cutting mechanism, and performs printing on receipt paper.

  The interface 33 communicates with the tablet terminal 1 via the in-store LAN 8. The interface 34 performs wired / wireless communication with the card reader 4. The interface 35 communicates with the electronic payment server 3 via the Internet 9.

  The electronic settlement server 3 performs electronic settlement such as credit cards and electronic money. “Electronic payment” means, for example, in the case of credit card payment, receipt of electronic payment information including payment amount and credit information (card number, expiration date, etc.), credit card authentication, security countermeasure processing, payment amount settlement, payment This refers to notification of execution results. In the case of electronic money payment, receiving electronic payment information including payment amount and electronic money information (electronic money ID, balance, etc.), authentication of electronic money, security countermeasure processing, balance update processing, notification of payment execution results, etc. Point to.

  The card reader 4 reads data of a credit card or electronic money (hereinafter referred to as “electronic payment medium”) and outputs it to the second printer 2B. Specifically, it corresponds to CAT and R / W. As for electronic money, not only a card-like medium but also a wireless IC for electronic money incorporated in a mobile phone or the like can be read.

  The customer display 5 displays information to be presented to the customer (product name, accounting amount, etc.). The barcode scanner 6 reads a product barcode attached or printed on the product. The cash drawer 7 is configured to store banknotes and money and open the drawer when the accounting process ends (in the case of cash settlement).

  Next, the software configuration of the POS system SY will be described with reference to FIG. The tablet terminal 1 is installed with an OS 51 (Operating System), a POS application 52 and a payment application 53 that operate on the OS 51 as main software. The terminal control mechanism 11 of FIG. 1 mainly operates based on these software 51, 52, and 53.

  The POS application 52 is an application that performs accounting processing. Here, “accounting processing” refers to acquisition of product information (product barcode, quantity, etc.), calculation of accounting amount, cash settlement, electronic settlement instruction to settlement application 53, accounting receipt printing instruction, display of customer display 5 Command, cash drawer 7 opening command, and the like. The POS application 52 is customized by the store. For example, the display format of the display screen displayed on the tablet terminal 1, the printing format of the accounting receipt, the store logo printed on the accounting receipt, the display items on the customer display 5, and the like are customized.

  On the other hand, the payment application 53 is an application that performs payment processing of an electronic payment medium. Here, the “settlement process” refers to a command based on an electronic settlement information transmission command to the electronic settlement server 3, a process based on a settlement execution result of the electronic settlement server 3 (including notification to the POS application 52 and a retry process). The payment application 53 is not customized for each store but is used for general purposes.

  The first printer 2A incorporates an ePOS device 61. The printer control mechanism 21 in FIG. 1 mainly operates based on this.

  The ePOS device 61 (control device) generates device control objects corresponding to the peripheral devices 5, 6, and 7 and the printer unit 22 based on commands from the tablet terminal 1 and controls them. For example, based on a display command from the POS application 52, control for displaying a product name or the like on the customer display 5, control for transmitting the reading result of the barcode scanner 6 to the POS application 52, or based on a release command from the POS application 52 Control for opening the drawer of the cash drawer 7 and control for operating the printer unit 22 based on a print command from the POS application 52 are performed.

  The second printer 2B includes an ePOS device 71 and an electronic payment control module 72. The printer control mechanism 31 in FIG. 1 operates mainly based on these.

  The ePOS device 71 generates device control objects corresponding to the card reader 4 and the printer unit 32 based on a command from the tablet terminal 1 and controls them. When the ePOS device 71 receives the payment processing start command from the payment application 53, the ePOS device 71 transfers it to the electronic payment control module 72.

  The electronic settlement control module 72 is a module incorporated for the purpose of controlling the card reader 4. For example, when a payment processing start command is transferred from the ePOS device 71, the card reader 4 is set in a readable state, and data reading by the card reader 4 is awaited. It also supports multiple electronic payment media and absorbs the differences in their brands.

  The electronic payment control module 72 performs communication control with the electronic payment server 3. Specifically, the electronic payment information including the data read by the card reader 4 and the payment amount received from the payment application 53 is transmitted to the electronic payment server 3. Thereafter, when payment is normally completed in the electronic payment server 3, an LED (not shown) of the card reader 4 is turned on to display a card withdrawal permission display, or a payment completion notification is sent to the payment application 53 via the ePOS device 71. Or control such as. If payment cannot be completed normally by the electronic payment server 3, the LED of the card reader 4 blinks to display an error, or an error is displayed on the payment application 53 via the ePOS device 71 (to the touch panel 12). Display) and control such as. As described above, when an electronic payment service is added or changed by incorporating a module dedicated to electronic payment, the electronic payment control module 72 is replaced (without requiring replacement of the second printer 2B itself). Can respond.

  Next, the functional configuration of the POS system SY will be described with reference to FIG. The tablet terminal 1 has the control part 110 and the communication part 120 as main function structures. The control unit 110 controls the POS application 52 and the payment application 53. For example, the control unit 110 receives a payment completion notification from the electronic payment server 3 to the payment application 53, and terminates the processing of the payment application 53 (pauses or sleeps). When the processing of the settlement application 53 is completed, the POS application 52 is activated to generate a print command for printing the accounting receipt. As described above, the control unit 110 performs the switching process between the POS application 52 and the payment application 53 so that even a CPU with low processing capability can cope with the problem.

  The communication unit 120 transmits data processed by the POS application 52 to the first printer 2A, and transmits data output from the settlement application 53 to the second printer 2B. Specifically, the communication unit 120 generates, for the first printer 2A, a print command for printing an accounting receipt, a display command for displaying a settlement processing result, and an open command for opening the cash drawer 7 generated by the POS application 52. Send. The print command and the display command include an accounting amount (accounting process data). On the other hand, the communication unit 120 transmits an electronic payment information transmission command generated by the payment application 53 to transmit the electronic payment information to the electronic payment server 3 to the second printer 2B. The electronic payment information transmission command includes a payment amount (payment processing data) and a payment method.

  The first printer 2A includes a display control unit 150, a drawer control unit 160, and a printing unit 170 as main functional configurations. The display control unit 150 controls the customer display 5 based on the display command generated by the POS application 52 and causes the customer display 5 to perform display.

  The drawer control unit 160 controls the cash drawer 7 based on the release command generated by the POS application 52 and causes the cash drawer 7 to perform an opening operation. The printing unit 170 performs printing based on the print command generated by the POS application 52.

  The second printer 2B includes a first communication unit (communication unit) 210, a second communication unit 220, and an input unit 230 as main functional configurations. Based on the electronic payment information transmission command generated by the payment application 53, the first communication unit 210 transmits the payment amount included therein and the input result of the input unit 230 to the electronic payment server 3. Thereby, a settlement transaction with the electronic settlement server 3 is performed. The second communication unit 220 transmits the processing result of the electronic payment server 3 (payment transaction result) to the payment application 53. The input unit 230 inputs data read by the card reader 4.

  The electronic payment server 3 has an electronic payment processing unit 310 as a main functional configuration. The electronic payment processing unit 310 performs processing related to the above-described “electronic payment”. The card reader 4 includes a reading unit 410 as a main functional configuration. The reading unit 410 reads data from an electronic payment medium by a magnetic reader or near field communication. That is, the credit information is read from the credit card, and the electronic money information is read from the electronic money medium.

  Next, a screen displayed on the touch panel 12 of the tablet terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference symbols D1 and D4 indicate display screens by the POS application 52, and reference symbols D2 and D3 indicate display screens by the payment application 53. Hereinafter, the screen transition of the touch panel 12 will be described according to the flow of the accounting process.

  First, as indicated by reference numeral D1, the POS application 52 displays a screen for selecting a payment method when the input of product information to the tablet terminal 1 is completed. Here, in the case of cash settlement, the accounting process is completed by the POS application 52 without starting the settlement application 53 by a predetermined operation of the store clerk. If the “credit” button 81 or the “electronic money” button 82 is selected as the settlement method, the settlement application 53 is activated and the POS application 52 is terminated. In this example, it is assumed that the “electronic money” button 82 is selected on the screen indicated by the symbol D1. The payment application 53 is activated by designating a predetermined address.

  Further, when the payment application 53 is activated, the POS application 52 transmits information such as the payment amount, the payment method, and the designation of the return application (POS application 52) to the payment application 53, and terminates itself after the transmission. .

  Subsequently, the settlement application 53 performs a display indicated by a symbol D2 based on the information received from the POS application 52. Here, when the IC for electronic money is deceived by the card reader 4 by the customer, the payment application 53 executes the payment (communication with the electronic payment server 3), and displays the symbol D3. Here, a display example is shown when the payment process is completed normally.

  When the “Done” button 83 is touched in the display indicated by reference sign D 3, the settlement application 53 specifies the address of the POS application 52 and activates the POS application 52. At the same time, the payment application 53 transmits the payment processing result to the POS application 52, and then ends itself.

  The POS application 52 performs the display indicated by reference sign D4 based on the payment processing result received from the payment application 53. Although not particularly shown, the POS application 52 transmits the display, a display command for displaying the settlement processing result on the customer display 5 and a print command for printing the accounting receipt to the first printer 2A.

  Next, the flow of accounting processing by the POS system SY will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the tablet terminal 1 performs an accounting process by the POS application 52 (S01), it determines whether or not the payment method is electronic payment (“credit” or “electronic money”) (S02).

  If it is determined that the payment method is not electronic payment (in the case of cash payment) (S02: No), the POS application 52 generates an opening command for the cash drawer 7 (S03), and uses the generated opening command as the first printer. It is transmitted to 2A (S04). In response to the reception of the release command, the first printer 2A generates a device control object for the cash drawer 7 by the ePOS device 61 (S05), and opens the cash drawer 7 (S06). Thereby, cash settlement is performed.

  Thereafter, the POS application 52 generates a display command based on the settlement processing result by cash settlement (S07), and transmits the generated display command to the first printer 2A (S08). The first printer 2A Is received, the device control object of the customer display 5 is generated by the ePOS device 61 (S09), and the settlement processing result is displayed on the customer display 5 (S10).

  Thereafter, the POS application 52 generates a print command based on the payment processing result by cash settlement (S11), and transmits the generated print command to the first printer 2A (S12). In response to the reception of the print command, the first printer 2A generates a device control object for the printer unit 22 by the ePOS device 61 (S13), and prints an accounting receipt (S14). Thereby, this accounting process is completed.

  On the other hand, returning to S2, if it is determined that the payment method is electronic payment (S02: Yes), the payment application 53 is activated (S15). Thereafter, the payment application 53 generates an electronic payment information transmission command including the payment amount and the payment method (S16), and transmits the generated electronic payment information transmission command to the second printer 2B (S17).

  When the payment application 53 is activated on the tablet terminal 1, the second printer 2B generates a device control object for the card reader 4 using the ePOS device 71 (S18). The second printer 2B may generate a device control object by monitoring the state of the application running on the tablet terminal 1 and detecting the activation of the payment application 53, or the payment application 53 may A configuration may be employed in which a startup signal indicating that is transmitted to the second printer 2B along with the startup of itself.

  When the device control object of the card reader 4 is generated by the second printer 2B, the card reader 4 becomes usable and reads the electronic payment medium (S19). In response to the electronic payment information transmission command, the second printer 2B transmits electronic payment information including the result of reading the electronic payment medium and the payment amount to the electronic payment server 3 corresponding to the payment method (S20). A settlement execution result (settlement OK / settlement NG) is received from the settlement server 3 (S21). Further, the received settlement execution result is transmitted to the tablet terminal 1 (S22).

  Since the payment application 53 is activated in the tablet terminal 1, the payment application 53 receives the payment execution result transmitted in S22 (S23). Thereafter, the POS application 52 is activated by the payment application 53, and a payment processing result based on the payment execution result received from the electronic payment server 3 is transmitted (S24). The POS application 52 generates a display command based on the received settlement processing result (S25), and transmits the generated display command to the first printer 2A (S26). The first printer 2A receives the display command. Along with this, a device control object of the customer display 5 is generated by the ePOS device 61 (S27), and the settlement processing result is displayed on the customer display 5 (S28).

  Thereafter, the POS application 52 generates a print command based on the received settlement processing result (S29), and transmits the generated print command to the first printer 2A (S30). In response to the reception of the print command, the first printer 2A generates a device control object for the printer unit 22 by the ePOS device 61 (S31), and prints an accounting receipt (S32). This ends the accounting process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the transmission destination of data is determined by the application, it is not necessary to specify the transmission destination every time the POS application 52 generates a command. Thereby, a device (including the card reader 4 connected to the second printer 2B) connected to the two or more printers 2A and 2B in one tablet terminal 1 without requiring significant modification of the POS application 52. Can be used.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of tablet terminals 1 are used, the electronic payment function of the second printer 2B can be shared by the plurality of tablet terminals 1. For this reason, the electronic payment function is not frequently used, and a case where the electronic payment function is introduced into one printer among a plurality of printers can be suitably handled.

  Further, since the second printer 2B communicates with the electronic payment server 3, there is no need to provide a separate communication device. Further, since the second printer 2B performs data input and communication with the electronic payment server 3, the control load on the tablet terminal 1 side can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the data destinations (printers 2A and 2B) processed by the POS application 52 and the data destinations (printers 2A and 2B) output from the settlement application 53 are displayed on the tablet terminal 1. It may be configured to be set by a user operation. The tablet terminal 1 may be configured to acquire information on peripheral devices (devices) connected to the printers 2A and 2B and set based on the information.

  In the above embodiment, the “control device” of the present invention is realized by the printers 2A and 2B. However, it is realized by a relay device that can be connected to the printers 2A and 2B or an interface board that can be attached to and detached from the printers 2A and 2B. Also good. In this case, the printer control mechanisms 21 and 31 and the interfaces 23, 24, 33, 34, and 35 shown in FIG. 1, the ePOS devices 61 and 71 and the electronic settlement control module 72 shown in FIG. 2, and the display control shown in FIG. Unit 150, drawer control unit 160, first communication unit 210, second communication unit 220, and input unit 230 are provided in a relay device or an interface board.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, although the tablet terminal 1 was controlled using the native application, you may control using a web application. In this case, the POS application 52 and the payment application 53 are provided in a server on the Internet, and the OS 51 is not necessary.

  Further, it is possible to provide each component of the POS system SY described above as a program. Further, the program can be provided by being stored in various recording media (CD-ROM, flash memory, etc.). That is, a program for causing a computer to function as each component of the POS system SY and a recording medium on which the program is recorded are also included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the “terminal” of the present invention is applied to the tablet terminal 1, but may be applied to other information processing terminals. Further, although the “control device” of the present invention is applied to the printers 2A and 2B, it may be applied to a POS peripheral device (for example, a customer display 5) other than the printers 2A and 2B. Other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  1: tablet terminal, 2A: first printer, 2B: second printer, 3: electronic payment server, 4: card reader, 52: POS application, 53: payment application, 110: control unit, 120: communication unit, 210: First communication unit, 410: reading unit, SY: POS system

Claims (6)

A control unit that controls a POS application that performs accounting processing and a payment application that performs payment processing, and a terminal-side communication unit that transmits a first control command generated by the POS application and a second control command generated by the payment application A terminal having
Wherein generating the first control object in accordance with the reception of the first control command generated by the POS application, the generated first control object, a first printer that performs control based on the first control command,
A second printer that generates a second control object in response to the activation of the payment application, and performs control based on the received second control command by the generated second control object;
A device connected to the second printer and performing data input / output ,
The first printer prints a receipt based on the first control command received from the terminal;
The POS system , wherein the second printer transmits payment processing data included in the second control command received from the terminal and the data input from the device to a payment server . The data is credit information or electronic money information,
The POS system according to claim 1 , wherein the device includes a reading unit that reads the credit information or the electronic money information. 3. The POS system according to claim 2 , wherein the second printer associates the payment processing data with the credit information or the electronic money information and transmits the data to the payment server. It said second printer, POS system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein receiving the results of the settlement transaction at payment server, and transmits the result of the payment transaction received to the terminal. 5. The POS system according to claim 1, wherein the second printer transmits the payment processing data and the data to the payment server corresponding to a payment method included in the second control command. 6. . A control method of a POS system comprising a terminal, a first printer and a second printer that can communicate with the terminal, and a device connected to the second printer ,
The first printer generates a first control object in response to reception of a first control command generated by a POS application of the terminal, and the generated first control object uses the first control object based on the first control command. Print the receipt ,
The second printer generates a second control object in response to activation of the payment application of the terminal, and payment processing data included in a second control command received from the terminal by the generated second control object; A method for controlling a POS system, wherein data input from the device is transmitted to a payment server .

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