US20240037528A1

US20240037528A1 - Settlement device and settlement method

Info

Publication number: US20240037528A1
Application number: US18/324,184
Authority: US
Inventors: Yuji Hayashi
Original assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
Priority date: 2022-07-26
Filing date: 2023-05-26
Publication date: 2024-02-01
Also published as: JP2024016583A; US20240037356A1

Abstract

According to one embodiment, there is provided a settlement device and a settlement method capable of changing, according to a medium to be output, a degree of anonymization of an identification number related to electronic settlement. The settlement device includes: a reception unit configured to receive input of an identification number related to electronic settlement; a settlement unit configured to execute settlement processing for a transaction using the electronic settlement; and an output unit configured to generate, when the settlement processing is completed, based on setting information in which an unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set for each type of medium to be output, the identification number having the unidentifiable range of digits for each type of the medium, and to output the generated identification number together with information based on the transaction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-187821, filed on Nov. 24, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a settlement device and a settlement method.

BACKGROUND

When a transaction (commercial transaction) is made in a store such as a retail store, various media such as a receipt and a journal showing details of the transaction are output. When electronic settlement such as electronic money settlement or credit settlement is used as a settlement method for the transaction, an identification number such as a membership number or a credit card number of a customer related to the electronic settlement is output to the various media such as a receipt.
The identification number related to the electronic settlement described above is preferably to be anonymized from a viewpoint of security. Therefore, in the related art, a part of the identification number is masked before the receipt is output.
However, depending on a medium to be output, a degree of anonymization may differ due to a difference in use, purpose, or the like. For example, since a receipt given to a customer may be discarded in a state in which the receipt is available to a third party, a degree of anonymization is preferably strengthened compared to a medium output for a store or an electronic settlement trader.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a configuration of a POS system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a sales data processing device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of masking range setting information;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the sales data processing device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a medium output by an output control unit;

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a medium;

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a medium;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen provided by a masking range setting unit; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to output of a medium executed by the sales data processing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, there is provided a settlement device and a settlement method capable of changing, according to a medium to be output, a degree of anonymization of an identification number related to electronic settlement.
According to one embodiment, a settlement device includes a reception unit, a settlement unit, and an output unit. The reception unit receives input of an identification number related to electronic settlement. The settlement unit executes settlement processing for a transaction using the electronic settlement. When the settlement processing is completed, the output unit generates, based on setting information in which an unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set for each type of medium to be output, the identification number having the unidentifiable range of digits for each type of the medium, and outputs the generated identification number together with information based on the transaction.
Hereinafter, a settlement device and a settlement method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described below.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a configuration of a POS system according to the embodiment. A POS system 1 according to the embodiment is applied to a store such as a supermarket that sells commodities. The POS system 1 includes a portable terminal 2, a server device 3, and a sales data processing device 4. In the store, the server device 3 and the sales data processing device 4 are connected to a network N via a communication device such as a router. The portable terminal 2 may be connectable to the network N.
The portable terminal 2 is a portable terminal device used by a customer (hereinafter also referred to as a user) who visits the store. The portable terminal 2 may be a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal carried by the user.
The portable terminal 2 has an electronic settlement function for paying a price of a commodity by electronic settlement using the portable terminal 2. Specifically, the portable terminal 2 includes a non-contact IC such as near field communication (NFC) or radio frequency identification (RFID), and performs electronic settlement by wirelessly communicating information on settlement. Here, the information on electronic settlement includes a unique identification number related to the electronic settlement issued for each user. The identification number includes a plurality of digits. The identification number may be, for example, a user ID for identifying a user, which is issued by an electronic settlement trader, or a transaction number for identifying a transaction related to the electronic settlement. In the following description, the identification number is assumed to be the user ID for identifying the user.
The electronic settlement function of the portable terminal 2 is not limited to using the non-contact IC. For example, the portable terminal 2 may perform electronic settlement (so-called code settlement) by displaying, on a display unit provided in the portable terminal 2, a code symbol (bar code or two-dimensional code) including information on settlement, and having the code symbol read by a bar code reader, a camera, or the like. For example, the portable terminal 2 may perform code settlement by reading, with a camera provided in the portable terminal 2, a two-dimensional code for payment posted near the sales data processing device 4. In this case, the information on settlement such as the identification number is notified to the sales data processing device 4 via the electronic settlement trader or the like.
The portable terminal 2 may function as a registration device by executing an application program introduced in advance. In this case, the portable terminal 2 reads a commodity code for identifying a commodity from a code symbol such as a bar code attached to the commodity through the camera provided in the own terminal. The portable terminal 2 transmits the read commodity code to the server device 3. Then, the portable terminal 2 generates a code symbol including a transaction number for identifying the transaction according to an operation of the user, and displays the code symbol on the display unit provided in the own terminal.
The server device 3 is a server device such as a store server. The server device 3 manages data on sales data processing of commodities to be sold in the store. For example, the server device 3 stores a commodity master in which a commodity code of each commodity to be sold in the store is associated with commodity information such as a commodity name and a price of a commodity corresponding to the commodity code. Then, the server device 3 distributes or provides in a referable manner, the commodity master to each sales data processing device 4 and the portable terminal 2. The server device 3 may store masking range setting information 4042 described later, and distribute or provide in a referable manner, the masking range setting information 4042 to each sales data processing device 4.
When the commodity code is read by the portable terminal 2, the server device 3 executes processing of storing the commodity code transmitted from the portable terminal 2 in association with the transaction number for identifying the transaction. The transaction number may be issued by the server device 3 for each portable terminal 2, or may be a terminal identifier such as a terminal ID or an IP address transmitted from the portable terminal 2. In the former case, for example, the server device 3 transmits, to the portable terminal 2, the transaction number issued for the portable terminal 2 as a transmission source when a first commodity is registered.
The sales data processing device 4 is an example of a settlement device. The sales data processing device 4 is, for example, a POS terminal and is provided in the store. The sales data processing device 4 executes processing of registering a commodity purchased by the customer (hereinafter also referred to as commodity registration) and settlement processing for the registered commodity.
The sales data processing device 4 is operated by a store clerk of the store in the embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be a self-service-type device in which commodity registration and settlement processing are executed by an own operation of the customer. The sales data processing device 4 may be a semi-self-service-type device including a registration device that executes commodity registration according to an operation of the store clerk and a settlement device that executes, according to an operation of the customer, settlement processing for a commodity registered by the registration device. When the commodity registration is executed using the portable terminal 2, the sales data processing device 4 may mainly execute the settlement processing. Further, the sales data processing device 4 may be a settlement device without any configuration or function related to commodity registration.
Next, a configuration of the sales data processing device 4 described above will be described. First, a hardware configuration of the sales data processing device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the sales data processing device 4.
As shown in FIG. 2 , the sales data processing device 4 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 401, a read only memory (ROM) 402, and a random access memory (RAM) 403.
The CPU 401 is an example of a processor and integrally controls acts of the sales data processing device 4. The ROM 402 stores various programs. The RAM 403 is a workspace for loading programs and various types of data. The CPU 401, the ROM 402, and the RAM 403 are connected via a bus or the like, and constitute a control unit 40 having a computer configuration. In the control unit 40, the CPU 401 acts according to a control program 4041 stored in the ROM 402 or a storage unit 404 and loaded in the RAM 403, thereby executing various types of processing.
The CPU 401 is connected to the storage unit 404 via a bus or the like. The storage unit 404 includes a hard disk driven (HDD), a flash memory, or the like, and maintains stored contents even when power is turned off. The storage unit 404 stores, for example, the control program 4041. The control program 4041 is a control program for controlling the acts of the sales data processing device 4. The control unit 40 (CPU 401) cooperates with the control program 4041 to implement functional units described later.
The storage unit 404 stores the masking range setting information 4042. The masking range setting information 4042 is a setting file that defines an unidentifiable range of digits among a plurality of digits constituting an identification number related to electronic settlement. Here, “unidentifiable” means a state in which the identification number cannot be visually recognized when the identification number is output. The unidentifiable range of digits is output in an unidentifiable state by executing masking processing of masking with another symbol such as “X” or blanking processing of setting a numerical value of the digit as a blank character by an output control unit 43 described later. Hereinafter, processing of outputting in the unidentifiable state is also collectively referred to as “masking” or “mask processing”.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of the masking range setting information 4042. As shown in FIG. 3 , the masking range setting information 4042 stores a range of the number of digits (hereinafter also referred to as a masking range) to be masked for each type of medium to be output.
The type of medium refers to, for example, a type of the medium to be output according to the use or purpose thereof. FIG. 3 shows an example in which “receipt”, “member store copy”, “tenant copy”, “card company copy”, and “journal” are listed as medium types. Here, the “receipt” is a medium output for the customer. The “member store copy” is a medium to be submitted to a company or an electronic settlement operating company affiliated with stores. The “tenant copy” is a medium to be submitted to a facility such as a department store or a shopping center where the store is located. The “card company copy” is a medium to be submitted to an electronic settlement trader such as a credit card company. The “journal” is a medium for recording an operation history and an acting history of the sales data processing device 4. An output form of the medium is not limited to paper output, and may be electronic output including display and transmission.
The masking range is defined by, for example, a set of a masked digit position and the number of masked digits. Here, the masked digit position refers to a digit at which the mask processing is started. The number of masked digits refers to the number of digits to be masked. For example, when the masked digit position is “1” and the number of masked digits is “12”, it means that the 1st to 12th digits are to be masked. When the masked digit position of is “14” and the number of masked digits is “3”, it means that the 14th to 16th digits are to be masked. In addition, “−” in the masked digit position and the number of masked digits shown in FIG. 3 means that no masking range is designated, and all digits are to be output without being masked in this case.
The masking range can be set as desired, but is preferably adjusted according to the medium type. For example, compared to other media, the receipt output for the customer is more likely to be viewed by a third party other than a party concerned. Therefore, the masking range set on the receipt is preferably wider than other media from a viewpoint of security.
The identification number includes a sequence of 16 digits with a leftmost digit position being “1” and a rightmost digit position being “16” in the embodiment, but is not limited to this definition. A method of defining the masking range is not limited to the example in FIG. 3 . For example, the masking range may be discretely set within the same identification number by setting a plurality of sets of the number of masked digits and the masked digit position.
When a commodity is paid for by electronic settlement, the sales data processing device 4 outputs information on a transaction including an identification number related to the electronic settlement to each medium. The sales data processing device 4 outputs the masked identification number to each medium based on a masking range for each medium type set in the masking range setting information 4042.
The sales data processing device 4 stores the masking range setting information 4042 locally (in the storage unit 404) in the embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and another device may store the masking range setting information 4042. For example, the sales data processing device 4 may refer to the masking range setting information 4042 stored in the server device 3. The sales data processing device 4 may locally store the commodity master described above.
A communication unit 405, a display unit 406, an operation unit 407, a scanner unit 408, a depositing and dispensing unit 409, an electronic settlement information reading unit 410, a printer 411, and the like are connected to the control unit 40 via a bus or the like.
The communication unit 405 is a communication interface connectable to the network N. The communication unit 405 communicates with an external device such as the server device 3 via the network N. When a price of a commodity is paid by electronic settlement, the communication unit 405 cooperates with the control unit 40 to transmit an identification number or the like to an external server (not shown) that provides an electronic settlement service, thereby establishing communication related to the electronic settlement with the external server.
The display unit 406 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 406 displays various screens under the control of the control unit 40. For example, the display unit 406 displays an operation screen for supporting a registration operation or a settlement operation for a commodity, and a masking range setting screen described later (see FIG. 8 ). The display unit 406 may include a touch panel.
The operation unit 407 includes various operation keys and pointing devices, and receives an operation from an operator. For example, the operation unit 407 includes a start key for instructing a start of an registration operation, number keys for inputting a commodity code, the number of commodities and the like, a subtotal key (also referred to as a total key, a closing key and the like) for instructing an end of the registration operation, and a confirmation key for confirming an amount paid by the customer. The operation unit 407 may be a touch panel provided on a display surface of the display unit 406.
The scanner unit 408 is a reading device capable of reading a code symbol such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code. For example, the scanner unit 408 reads a commodity code from a code symbol attached to a commodity and outputs the read commodity code to the CPU 401. For example, the scanner unit 408 reads information such as an identification number related to code settlement from a code symbol used for the code settlement and outputs the read information to the CPU 401.
The depositing and dispensing unit 409 receives cash (banknotes or coins) inserted into a money slot (not shown), and sorts the cash by denomination and stores the cash. The depositing and dispensing unit 409 dispenses change from a dispensing port (not shown) under the control of the control unit 40.
The electronic settlement information reading unit 410 is a reading device that reads information on electronic settlement from a device such as a card medium or a smartphone. The electronic settlement information reading unit 410 is, for example, an NFC reader that reads information from an IC card or a smartphone terminal having an NFC function, or a magnetic card reader that reads information from a magnetic card. The electronic settlement information reading unit 410 reads information on electronic settlement such as an identification number from a card medium, a smartphone terminal, or the like, and outputs the read information to the CPU 401.
The printer 411 is a printing device such as a thermal printer. Under the control of the control unit 40, the printer 411 prints out a medium such as a receipt showing information based on a transaction such as details of the transaction when settlement processing is completed.
Next, a functional configuration of the sales data processing device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the sales data processing device 4.
The sales data processing device 4 includes a commodity registration unit 41, a settlement processing unit 42, an output control unit 43, and a masking range setting unit 44 as the functional configuration. Specifically, the control unit 40 (CPU 401) of the sales data processing device 4 implements the functional configuration described above by executing the control program 4041 stored in the storage unit 404. The functional configuration described above is a software configuration implemented by cooperation between the processor and the program of the sales data processing device 4 in the embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be a hardware configuration in which a part or all of the functional configuration is implemented by a dedicated circuit or the like.
The commodity registration unit 41 executes registration processing for a commodity purchased by the customer. The commodity registration unit 41 cooperates with the scanner unit 408 to execute the registration processing for the commodity purchased by the customer based on a commodity code read from the commodity by the scanner unit 408.
Specifically, when a commodity code is read from a commodity by the scanner unit 408, the commodity registration unit 41 acquires commodity information corresponding to the commodity code from the commodity master. Next, the commodity registration unit 41 stores (registers) the acquired commodity code in the RAM 403 or the like in association with the commodity information corresponding to the commodity code. Then, the commodity registration unit 41 stores the commodity code for one transaction by executing registration processing each time the commodity code is read.
When a transaction number is read from the portable terminal 2 of the customer by the scanner unit 408, the commodity registration unit 41 acquires a commodity code associated with the transaction number from the server device 3 by inquiring of the server device 3 about the transaction number. Next, the commodity registration unit 41 stores the commodity code for one transaction in the RAM 403 or the like by associating the acquired commodity code with commodity information or the like corresponding to the commodity code.
When the transaction number is read from the portable terminal 2, registration processing by the commodity registration unit 41 may be skipped. In this case, the settlement processing unit 42 may execute the settlement processing based on the commodity code acquired from the server device 3. The commodity code may be acquired from the server device 3 by the commodity registration unit 41 or the settlement processing unit 42. A dedicated functional unit that acquires a commodity code for one transaction from the server device 3 may be provided.
The settlement processing unit 42 is an example of a reception unit and a settlement unit. The settlement processing unit 42 executes settlement processing for a registered commodity. Specifically, based on a commodity code and commodity information on the commodity registered in one transaction, the settlement processing unit 42 calculates a total amount of the commodity. Here, the total amount can be calculated by adding, for all commodities, an amount obtained by multiplying a price of the commodity corresponding to the commodity code by a quantity of the commodity.
The price of the commodity corresponding to the commodity code may be identified with reference to the commodity master stored in the server device 3, or may be identified with reference to the commodity master when the commodity master is locally stored.
The settlement processing unit 42 executes the settlement processing of settling the calculated total amount by a payment method instructed by the customer. The payment method can instruct various types of electronic settlement in addition to cash. The settlement processing unit 42 may prompt the customer to select the payment method by displaying a screen for selecting the payment method on the display unit 406 during the settlement processing.
When cash is instructed as the payment method, the settlement processing unit 42 cooperates with the depositing and dispensing unit 409 to execute the settlement processing of settling the price of the commodity with the inserted cash. When electronic settlement is instructed as the payment method, the settlement processing unit 42 cooperates with the scanner unit 408 or the electronic settlement information reading unit 410 to acquire information on the electronic settlement. Then, the settlement processing unit 42 accesses an external server that provides an electronic settlement service and cooperates with the external server to execute the settlement processing (electronic settlement) of settling the price of the commodity through electronic data exchange.
Here, the settlement processing unit 42 receives input of an identification number related to the electronic settlement in a process of acquiring information on the electronic settlement or in a process of exchanging electronic data with the external server. In other words, the settlement processing unit 42 acquires the identification number related to the electronic settlement in the process of acquiring the information on the electronic settlement or in the process of exchanging the electronic data with the external server. An electronic settlement method is not particularly limited, and a known technique such as credit settlement or electronic money settlement can be used.
The output control unit 43 is an example of an output unit. The output control unit 43 cooperates with the settlement processing unit 42 to control output of information based on a transaction whose settlement processing is completed. Specifically, when the settlement processing by the settlement processing unit 42 is completed, the output control unit 43 controls the printer 411 and the like to output the information based on the transaction such as details of the transaction (hereinafter also referred to as transaction information) to each medium such as a receipt.
When a price of a commodity is paid by electronic settlement, the output control unit 43 outputs a masked identification number based on the masking range setting information 4042 together with the transaction information. Specifically, the output control unit 43 identifies, based on the masking range setting information 4042, a masking range set for a type of a medium to be output. Then, the output control unit 43 generates the identification number with the masking range masked for each medium type, and outputs the identification number together with the transaction information, thereby outputting media of a plurality of types.
For example, the output control unit 43 executes masking processing of masking a range of digits set in a masking range with another symbol such as “X” to generate an identification number whose masking range is unidentifiable. For example, the output control unit 43 executes blanking processing of setting a numerical value in a range of digits set in a masking range as a blank character to generate an identification number whose masking range is unidentifiable. Then, the output control unit 43 generates and outputs, for each type of medium to be output, the identification number with the masking range masked corresponding to the type.
Here, output examples of media output by the output control unit 43 will be described. The media printed out by the printer 411 will be described below, but an output form of the media is not limited thereto. For example, the media may be output in a form of text data, structured data such as XML, image data, or electronic data such as an electronic receipt.
FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams each schematically showing an example of a medium output by the output control unit 43. Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt output by the output control unit 43. As shown in FIG. 5 , a receipt Ma includes, for example, a header area 51, a commodity registration area 52, a subtotal area 53, a settlement information area 54, and a footer area 55.
The header area 51 is an area for printing information such as a logo mark of the store. The commodity registration area 52 is an area for printing a commodity code, a commodity name, a quantity, a price, and the like of a registered commodity. The subtotal area 53 is an area for printing a total amount and a total quantity of the registered commodity. The settlement information area 54 is an area for printing information on settlement of the registered commodity. The footer area 55 is an area for printing information such as a message. In FIG. 5 , specific contents of the header area 51, the commodity registration area 52, and the footer area 55 are not shown.
When a payment method is electronic settlement, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 , in the settlement information area 54, there is printed information such as a total amount and a total quantity of a registered commodity, a payment method (XX payment), information on the store that is a member store (a member store, a telephone number), a slip number, a terminal number, a date of use, a membership number, an expiration date, an approval number, a handling content, a payment category, and a payment amount.
The slip number is a transaction number for identifying the transaction. The terminal number is information for identifying the sales data processing device 4 that executes the electronic settlement. The date of use is information showing the date and time when the electronic settlement is executed. The membership number is a user ID for identifying the customer agreed upon between an electronic settlement trader and the customer, and is an example of an identification number related to the electronic settlement. The expiration date is information showing an expiration date of the membership number. The approval number is a number issued when the electronic settlement is approved through authorization by the electronic settlement trader. The handling content shows a handling content of the transaction. The payment category shows a payment method for a price. The payment amount shows a payment amount by the electronic settlement.
Here, when attention is paid to the membership number, which is the example of the identification number, a part of the membership number is masked with “X” marks. Specifically, the output control unit 43 executes masking processing on the 1st to 12th digits of the membership number based on a masking range for a medium type “receipt” set in the masking range setting information 4042 (see FIG. 3 ) and outputs the masked membership number.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a member store copy output by the output control unit 43. As shown in FIG. 6 , a member store copy Mb includes the header area 51, the commodity registration area 52, the subtotal area 53, the settlement information area 54, and the footer area similarly to the receipt. For example, the member store copy Mb may not include the header area 51 and the footer area 55, or may include information different from other media.
Here, when attention is paid to a membership number in the settlement information area 54, a part of the membership number is masked with “X” marks. Specifically, the output control unit 43 executes masking processing on the 14th to 16th digits of the membership number based on a masking range of a medium type “member store copy” set in the masking range setting information 4042 (see FIG. 3 ) and outputs the masked membership number.
Based on the setting of the masking range setting information 4042 shown in FIG. 3 , a membership number for a medium “tenant copy” is output with the same range masked as in FIG. 6 .
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a journal output by the output control unit 43. As shown in FIG. 7 , a journal Mc includes the header area 51, the commodity registration area 52, the subtotal area 53, the settlement information area 54, and the footer area 55, similarly to the receipt. For example, the journal Mc may not include the header area 51 and the footer area 55, or may include information different from other media.
Here, when attention is paid to a membership number in the settlement information area 54, all digits of the membership number are output in an identifiable state. Specifically, the output control unit 43 outputs all digits of the membership number without executing masking processing based on a masking range of a medium type “journal” set in the masking range setting information 4042 (see FIG. 3 ).
Based on the setting of the masking range setting information 4042 shown in FIG. 3 , a membership number for a medium “card company copy” is output with all digits identifiable as in FIG. 7 .
In this way, the output control unit 43 executes masking processing according to a type of a medium to be output on a membership number based on a masking range set for each medium type and outputs the masked membership number. Accordingly, the output control unit 43 can change a degree of anonymization of the identification number related to the electronic settlement for each medium to be output, and output the identification number.
Referring back to FIG. 4 , the masking range setting unit 44 is an example of a setting unit. The masking range setting unit 44 generates and edits the masking range setting information 4042. Specifically, the masking range setting unit 44 supports a setting operation of a masking range by providing the user with a screen (hereinafter also referred to as a setting screen) on which the masking range can be set for each medium type.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen provided by the masking range setting unit 44. As shown in FIG. 8 , a setting screen Ga includes input areas 61 and 62 where a masking range can be set for each medium type.
Here, the input area 61 is an area for inputting a masked digit position. The input area 62 is an area for inputting the number of masked digits. The user who operates the setting screen Ga can input the masked digit position and the number of masked digits for each medium via the input area 61 and the input area 62. When receiving an input completion instruction by a user operation, the masking range setting unit 44 generates (or updates) the masking range setting information 4042 by setting values input to the input area 61 and the input area 62 as a masking range and associating the masking range with a type of the corresponding medium. Then, the masking range setting unit 44 stores the generated masking range setting information 4042 in the storage unit 404. Accordingly, the output control unit 43 can execute mask processing according to the medium type on an identification number based on the masking range set in the masking range setting information 4042.
The setting screen provided by the masking range setting unit 44 is not limited to the setting screen Ga in FIG. 8 . For example, the masking range setting unit 44 may provide a setting screen on which addition, deletion, and editing of the medium type can be performed.
In order to share the generated masking range setting information 4042 with another sales data processing device 4, the masking range setting unit 44 may transmit the masking range setting information 4042 to the other sales data processing device 4 or the server device 3 every time the masking range setting information 4042 is generated or updated. In order to reflect the masking range setting information 4042 generated by the other sales data processing device 4 in the own sales data processing device 4, the masking range setting unit 44 may acquire the masking range setting information 4042 transmitted from the other sales data processing device 4 or the server device 3 and store the masking range setting information 4042 in the storage unit 404.
Hereinafter, processing related to output of various media will be described with reference to FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to output of a medium executed by the sales data processing device 4. Here, the flowchart in FIG. 9 shows the example of the processing executed when settlement is completed. As a premise of this processing, it is assumed that settlement processing for one transaction is completed by electronic settlement or a payment method other than the electronic settlement such as cash under the control of the settlement processing unit 42 (ACT 11).
First, the output control unit 43 determines whether electronic settlement is used as a payment method (ACT 12). When a payment method other than electronic settlement is used (ACT 12; No), the output control unit 43 outputs each medium showing transaction information (ACT 13), and ends this processing.
Here, when the payment method other than the electronic settlement is used, since a membership number related to the electronic settlement does not appear, the output control unit 43 outputs a medium without referring to the masking range setting information 4042. In this case, a type of medium to be output may be different from that in the electronic settlement. For example, when the payment method is cash or the like, the output control unit 43 may output a receipt and a journal.
When it is determined that the electronic settlement is used at ACT 12 (ACT 12; Yes), the output control unit 43 refers to the masking range setting information 4042 and reads a masking range set for each medium type (ACT 14).
Subsequently, the output control unit 43 generates, for each medium type, a masked identification number related to the electronic settlement, based on the masking range of each medium (ACT 15). Then, the output control unit 43 outputs the generated masked identification number together with transaction information to each medium (ACT 16), and ends this processing.
As described above, the sales data processing device 4 according to the embodiment receives input of an identification number related to electronic settlement and executes settlement processing for a transaction using the electronic settlement. When the settlement processing is completed, the sales data processing device 4 generates, based on the masking range setting information 4042 in which an unidentifiable masking range is set for each type of medium to be output, the identification number having the masking range masked for each type of medium. Then, the sales data processing device 4 outputs the generated identification number together with information based on the transaction.
In this way, the sales data processing device 4 outputs the identification number having a masked unidentifiable range of digits for each type of medium to be output together with the transaction information. Therefore, the sales data processing device 4 can change a degree of anonymization of the identification number related to the electronic settlement according to the medium to be output. Accordingly, the sales data processing device 4 can output the identification number with the degree of anonymization suitable for each medium, for example, even when the degree of anonymization differs due to a difference in use, purpose, or the like of the medium to be output. Therefore, security related to the electronic settlement can be improved.
The embodiment described above can be appropriately modified and implemented by changing a part of configurations or functions of the devices described above. Hereinafter, modifications related to the embodiment described above will be described as other embodiments. In the following description, differences from the embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the detailed description of points common to the already described contents will be omitted. Further, the modifications described below may be implemented individually or in combination as appropriate.

First Modification

The sales data processing device 4 includes the masking range setting unit 44 in the embodiment described above, but the embodiment is not limited thereto, and a device other than the sales data processing device 4 may include the masking range setting unit 44. For example, the server device 3 may include the masking range setting unit 44.
In this case, each sales data processing device 4 acquires or refers to masking range setting information generated by the masking range setting unit 44 of the server device 3, and executes mask processing on an identification number, thereby achieving the same effect as that of the embodiment described above.

Second Modification

A form in which common masking range setting information is used regardless of a type of electronic settlement is described in the embodiment described above, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, by preparing masking range setting information for each type of electronic settlement, the masking range setting information to be used for each type of electronic settlement may be used separately.
In this case, the masking range setting information 4042 of the storage unit 404 stores masking range setting information generated for a type of electronic settlement in association with type information showing the type. For each piece of the masking range setting information stored in the masking range setting information 4042, it is preferable to customize a type of medium to be output and a masking range according to, for example, characteristics of electronic settlement and characteristics of an electronic settlement trader.
In this case, the output control unit 43 switches the masking range setting information to be used according to the type of electronic settlement used in settlement processing, and executes mask processing on the identification number based on the masking range set in the masking range setting information.
Accordingly, the sales data processing device 4 according to the modification can anonymize the identification number by setting the masking range according to the medium type and the type of electronic settlement, thereby further improving convenience.
In the embodiments described above, the control program executed by each device may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The control program executed by each device may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The embodiments described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the disclosure and are also included in the disclosure described in the scope of claims and an equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A settlement device, comprising:

a reception component configured to receive input of an identification number related to electronic settlement;

a settlement component configured to execute settlement processing for a transaction using the electronic settlement; and

an output component configured to generate, upon completion of the settlement processing, based on setting information in which an unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set for each type of medium to be output, the identification number having the unidentifiable range of digits for each type of the medium, and to output the generated identification number together with information based on the transaction.

2. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein

the output component makes the range of digits set in the setting information unidentifiable by masking the range of digits.

3. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein

the output component makes the range of digits set in the setting information unidentifiable by setting a numerical value in the range of digits as a blank character.

4. The settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a setting component configured to generate the setting information in which the unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set for each type of the medium.

5. The settlement device according to claim 4, wherein

the setting component displays, on a display component, an operation screen configured to allow input of the unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number for each type of the medium, and generates the setting information based on the input range of digits for each type of the medium.

6. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein

the reception component receives the input wirelessly.

7. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein

the reception component receives the input via a barcode.

8. A settlement method, comprising:

receiving input of an identification number related to electronic settlement;

executing settlement processing for a transaction using the electronic settlement; and

generating, upon completion of the settlement processing, based on setting information in which an unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set for each type of medium to be output, the identification number having the unidentifiable range of digits for each type of the medium, and outputting the generated identification number together with information based on the transaction.

9. The settlement method according to claim 8, further comprising:

setting the range of digits set in the setting information unidentifiable by masking the range of digits.

10. The settlement method according to claim 8, further comprising:

setting the range of digits set in the setting information unidentifiable by setting a numerical value in the range of digits as a blank character.

11. The settlement method according to claim 8, further comprising:

generating the setting information in which the unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number is set for each type of the medium.

12. The settlement method according to claim 11, further comprising:

displaying an operation screen configured to allow input of the unidentifiable range of digits of the identification number for each type of the medium, and generating the setting information based on the input range of digits for each type of the medium.

13. The settlement method according to claim 8, further comprising:

receiving the input wirelessly.

14. A POS terminal, comprising:

a commodity registration device; and

a settlement device, comprising:

15. The POS terminal according to claim 14, wherein

16. The POS terminal according to claim 14, wherein

17. The POS terminal according to claim 14, further comprising:

18. The POS terminal according to claim 17, wherein

19. The POS terminal according to claim 14, wherein the reception component receives the input wirelessly.

20. The POS terminal according to claim 14, wherein the POS terminal is a self-service POS terminal.