WO2024057430A1

WO2024057430A1 - Settlement terminal, system, and method, and computer-readable medium

Info

Publication number: WO2024057430A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/034327
Authority: WO
Inventors: 康治斉藤
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2022-09-14
Filing date: 2022-09-14
Publication date: 2024-03-21

Abstract

A settlement terminal (1) comprises: an acquisition unit (11) that acquires master biometric information and proof-of-age information from a storage medium which is carried by a person settling a transaction and which stores the master biometric information and the proof-of-age information for the person settling a transaction; an authentication unit (12) that performs biometric authentication by verifying query biometric information acquired from the person settling a transaction at the time of settlement against the acquired master biometric information; a determination unit (13) that, if the biometric authentication is successful and a product with an imposed age condition is included in settlement target product information of the person settling a transaction, determines whether the acquired proof-of-age information satisfies the age condition; and a settlement unit (14) that performs settlement in accordance with the determined result.

Description

Payment terminals, systems and methods, and computer-readable media

The present disclosure relates to a payment terminal, system, method, and program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to processing related to sales of products with sales restrictions in a sales format in which customers themselves register products to be purchased using a mobile terminal. The technology according to Patent Document 1 displays an age confirmation screen for confirming whether or not the user is of an age to purchase the age confirmation product when an age confirmation product is included in the registered products.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-179927

Currently, when paying for items with age requirements at self-checkout terminals, store staff have to go to the customer making the payment and confirm their age, which poses a problem for the store staff. .

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a payment terminal, system, method, and program for reducing the burden on store staff when paying for products with age requirements.

The payment terminal according to this disclosure is
acquisition means for acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
an authentication means that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determining means for determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment means that performs payment according to the determined result;
Equipped with

The payment system related to this disclosure is
a storage medium carried by the payer and storing master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
Equipped with a payment terminal,
The payment terminal is
acquisition means for acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from the storage medium;
an authentication means that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determining means for determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment means that performs payment according to the determined result;
Equipped with

The payment method for this disclosure is:
The computer is
acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
Performing biometric authentication by comparing the query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information,
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition;
Payment is made according to the determined result.

The payment program related to this disclosure is
an acquisition process of acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
an authentication process that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determination process of determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment process that performs payment according to the determined result;
have the computer execute it.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a payment terminal, a system, a method, and a program for reducing the burden on store staff when paying for products subject to age conditions.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment terminal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of a payment method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal according to the second embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment terminal according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an age confirmation screen displayed on a payment terminal and a user terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the positional relationship between a payer, a user terminal, and a payment terminal according to the second embodiment. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the concept of payment processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal according to the fourth embodiment. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the fourth embodiment. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system according to a sixth embodiment. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the concept of payment processing according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system according to the seventh embodiment. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the concept of payment processing according to the seventh embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, redundant explanation will be omitted as necessary.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment terminal 1 according to the first embodiment. The payment terminal 1 is an information processing device that executes payment processing when a shopper purchases (pays for) products at a store. The payment terminal 1 is a so-called self-checkout terminal that is installed in a predetermined physical store and is typically not operated by a store clerk, but is operated by the shopper (payer, user) himself.

The payment terminal 1 includes an acquisition section 11, an authentication section 12, a determination section 13, and a payment section 14. The acquisition unit 11 acquires master biometric information and age proof information from a predetermined storage medium. Here, it is assumed that the payer carries a predetermined storage medium while shopping at a predetermined physical store. In other words, it is assumed that the predetermined storage medium is carried by the payer at the time of payment. It is assumed that the storage medium stores at least master biometric information and age proof information of the payer. The storage medium may be, for example, a storage device built into a portable information terminal (user terminal) such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. Alternatively, the storage medium may be built into a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card. Information terminals and non-contact IC cards can communicate using a predetermined short-range wireless communication method, and can transmit master biometric information and age proof information stored in a storage medium using this method. Therefore, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the master biometric information and age proof information stored in the storage medium by receiving them via short-range wireless communication, other wireless communication methods, communication networks, or the like. Note that the information terminal and the non-contact IC card may be compatible with two or more short-range wireless communication methods.

Furthermore, "master biometric information" is pre-registered biometric information that is to be checked against query biometric information in biometric authentication of the payer. Master biometric information is associated with age proof information within the storage medium. Note that the master biometric information may be associated with identification information (user ID, etc.) of the payer (user) within the storage medium. Here, "biological information" is data indicating a plurality of feature points extracted from an image of at least a portion of the user's body and a set of feature amounts such as distances between the feature points. Furthermore, "age proof information" is information for proving the age of the payer. The age proof information is, for example, information indicating date of birth, age, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The authentication unit 12 performs biometric authentication by comparing the query biometric information acquired from the payer at the time of payment with the master biometric information acquired from the storage medium by the acquisition unit 11. Here, "biometric authentication" means that the master biometric information is compared with the query biometric information obtained from the individual at the time of authentication or the query biometric information input by the individual, and if the degree of match is equal to or higher than a threshold, the The information processing is to confirm the authenticity of the information. Here, the "query biometric information" is biometric information that is acquired from the payer himself/herself at the time of payment and is data subject to biometric authentication. For example, the query biometric information is biometric information obtained by being extracted from an image taken of the payer at the time of payment.

If biometric authentication is successful and the payer's payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, the determination unit 13 determines whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. Here, the "payment target product information" is information regarding the product that the payer desires to purchase at the store. In other words, the payment target product information is information about products for which the payer needs to make a payment at the payment terminal. For example, the payment target product information includes a list of products selected by the payer (shopper) as a purchase target at the store's sales floor, the price and attributes of each product, and the like. "Age condition" means being above or below a specific age, or belonging to a specific age group (adult, minor, elderly, preschool child, compulsory education age, etc.). "Products with age requirements" are products for which age requirements must be met for at least one of the following: payment for the applicable product, discount on the payment amount, or use or provision of benefit information. be. In other words, "products subject to age requirements" are products that require age verification in order to purchase or enjoy benefits. Note that the determination unit 13 may further determine whether or not the biometric authentication by the authentication unit 12 has been successful. Further, the determination unit 13 may determine whether the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed.

The payment unit 14 performs payment according to the result determined by the determination unit 13. "Result determined by the determination unit 13" means that biometric authentication is successful and the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition when the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which age conditions are imposed. This is the determination result of whether or not. For example, if the age proof information satisfies the age condition, the payment unit 14 performs payment processing for the payment target product information, including the product to which the age condition is imposed. On the other hand, if the age proof information does not satisfy the age condition, the payment unit 14 performs payment processing on the payment target product information, excluding the products to which the age condition has been imposed. Alternatively, if the age proof information does not satisfy the age conditions, the payment unit 14 may notify the payer in a way that the payer can recognize that payment cannot be made for products subject to age conditions or that discounts and the like are not applied. For example, if the age proof information does not satisfy the age conditions, the payment unit 14 may display a message to that effect on the screen (not shown) of the payment terminal 1. Further, if the age proof information does not satisfy the age conditions, the payment unit 14 may notify a store clerk, security guard, etc. (an information terminal that can be referred to) in the store to go to the payment terminal 1. Further, the determination result by the determination unit 13 may include whether biometric authentication is successful or not, and whether or not the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed. Therefore, if biometric authentication fails, the payment unit 14 may display a notification to that effect on the screen of the payment terminal 1 or notify a store clerk or the like. Note that if the product information for payment does not include a product to which age conditions are imposed, the payment unit 14 performs payment processing for the product information for payment as usual.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the payment method according to the first embodiment. First, the acquisition unit 11 acquires master biometric information and age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and in which master biometric information and age proof information of the payer are stored (S11). Next, the authentication unit 12 performs biometric authentication by comparing the query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information (S12). Then, if the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, the determination unit 13 determines whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. (S13). Thereafter, the payment unit 14 performs payment according to the determined result (S14).

In this way, in this embodiment, at the time of payment, the payer's Verify your identity. When the identity is verified, the age verification information acquired along with the master biometric information is used to determine whether the age conditions are met. Can be confirmed. Then, it is possible to appropriately perform payment processing for products that require age verification, and it is possible to prevent payment for the products in case the payer does not satisfy the age conditions. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on store staff when making payments for products subject to age conditions. Further, it is possible to save the time and effort of the payer to take out and present his/her own identification card etc. for age verification.

Note that the payment terminal 1 includes a processor, a memory, and a storage device as components not shown. Further, the storage device stores a computer program in which processing of the payment method according to the present embodiment is implemented. Then, the processor loads a computer program or the like from the storage device into the memory, and executes the computer program. Thereby, the processor realizes the functions of the acquisition section 11, the authentication section 12, the determination section 13, and the payment section 14.

Alternatively, each component of the payment terminal 1 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Further, a part or all of each component of each device may be realized by a general-purpose or dedicated circuit, a processor, etc., or a combination thereof. These may be configured by a single chip or multiple chips connected via a bus. A part or all of each component of each device may be realized by a combination of the circuits and the like described above and a program. Further, as the processor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a quantum processor (a quantum computer control chip), etc. can be used.

<Embodiment 2>
The second embodiment is a specific example of the first embodiment described above. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system 1001 according to the second embodiment. The payment system 1001 is an information system for supporting age confirmation of the payer when paying for products subject to age conditions using a self-checkout terminal in the store 700. Store 700 includes at least a sales floor 71 and a register area 72.

In the sales floor 71, a plurality of products 3-1, . . . are displayed. Product 3-1 has product code 30-1 displayed or printed on it. The product code 30-1 includes identification information that can specify the product information of the corresponding product 3-1, and is an example of an information code generated according to a predetermined rule. The product code 30-1 is, for example, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode, or information that is a combination of alphanumeric characters and symbols, but is not limited thereto. In the following description, the product 3-1 etc. may be simply referred to as "product 3", and the product code 30-1 etc. may be simply referred to as "product code 30". Product information for each product 3 is registered in a product database (not shown) to which a management server (not shown) of the store 700 can connect. The product database manages identification information that can be specified from the product code 30 and corresponding product information in association with each other. The product information includes, for example, product content, price, age conditions imposed upon payment of the product, and the like. A shopper (user) U1 enters the store 700 carrying the user terminal 100-1, and puts one or more desired products 3 into the shopping cart 4-1 at the sales floor 71. The shopper U1 then heads to the register area 72 and makes a payment.

The cash register area 72 is a place where one or more self-checkout terminals 200-1 to 200-m (m is a natural number of 1 or more) are installed, and payment for purchased products is made. Note that the self-checkout terminal 200-1 and the like have equivalent functions, and may be simply referred to as "self-checkout terminal 200" in the following explanation. The settler U2 is a person similar to the above-mentioned shopper U1 who stays in the checkout area 72. In other words, it is assumed that the settler U2 carries the user terminal 100-2, and the shopping cart 4-2 contains items such as the product 3-2. Note that the product code 30-2 is displayed or printed on the product 3-2. In the following description, the shopper U1 and the payer U2 may be referred to as "user U." It is also assumed that a store clerk and a security guard (not shown) are waiting in the cash register area 72 or other locations within the store 700. Then, in response to the notification from the self-checkout terminal 200, the clerk or the like rushes to the location of the self-checkout terminal 200 that is the source of the notification, and serves the payer (user) U2.

The user terminal 100-2 has a built-in storage medium 5, and can communicate using one or more types of short-range wireless communication and other wireless communication. The storage medium 5 stores a user ID 51, facial feature information 52, and age proof information 53 in association with each other. Note that the detailed configuration of the user terminal 100 will be described later.

The payment process according to this embodiment is performed, for example, as follows. First, the payer U2 holds the product code 30-2 of the product 3-2 in the shopping cart 4-2 over the product code reader (not shown) of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 to read the product code, and then Enter product information into the self-checkout terminal 200-1. The payer U2 sequentially reads the product codes 30 of the other products 3 in the shopping cart 4-2 into the self-checkout terminal 200-1 in the same manner. If the input product information for payment includes a product subject to age conditions, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires at least facial feature information 52 and age proof information 53 from the storage medium 5 in the user terminal 100-2. do. Furthermore, if the input product information for payment includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 photographs the face of the payer U2. The self-checkout terminal 200-1 then performs face authentication based on the facial feature information 52 (master biometric information) acquired from the storage medium 5 and the facial feature information (query biometric information) extracted from the photographed facial image. Then, if the face authentication of the payer U2 is successful and the age proof information 53 acquired from the storage medium 5 satisfies the age conditions, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines that the product 3-2 can be paid for and makes the payment. In addition to the target product group, payment processing is also performed. On the other hand, if the face authentication of the payer U2 fails, or if the face authentication is successful but the acquired age proof information 53 does not meet the age conditions, a message indicating that the product 3-2 cannot be used for payment is displayed and the clerk etc. Notification will be given.

In the payment system 1001, a self-checkout terminal 200, a management server, and a product database are communicably connected via a communication network (not shown). Furthermore, the user terminal 100 may also be communicably connected to a communication network. Here, the communication network is a wired or wireless communication line or communication network, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a wireless communication network, a mobile phone network, or the like. Furthermore, the type of communication protocol used in the communication network does not matter.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal 100 according to the second embodiment. The user terminal 100 is an example of an information terminal that the user U carries when entering the store 700, paying for the product 3, and leaving the store 700. For example, the user terminal 100 is a mobile information processing device such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone. The user terminal 100 includes a storage section 110, a memory 120, a communication section 130, a control section 140, a display section 150, and a camera 160. The storage unit 110 includes the storage medium 5 described above, and is an example of a storage device such as a flash memory. The storage unit 110 stores user information 111 and programs 112.

The user information 111 is information that associates the user ID 1111, facial feature information 1112, and age proof information 1113 of the user U. The user ID 1111 is identification information of the user U, and may be a member ID of the store 700, for example. Facial feature information 1112 is an example of master biometric information, and indicates a set of feature amounts, such as distances between feature points corresponding to the positions of eyes, nose, mouth, etc. extracted from the face image of user U. It is a feature vector. The age certification information 1113 is information that certifies information related to the age of the user U, such as the date of birth, age, and the age group to which the user U belongs. The age proof information 1113 may be, for example, a My Number card, driver's license data, a passport, a health insurance card, or other electronic data of identification information. In addition, the age proof information 1113 includes information that specifies age among the information used for KYC (Know Your Customer), such as birth year, birth date and month, birth date, age (teens, twenties, etc.), age. It may be a type flag (adult flag, minor flag, elderly flag), etc. Further, the user information 111 may be member information of the store 700.

The program 112 is a computer program in which facial information registration processing, transfer processing of the user information 111 to the self-checkout terminal 200, etc. according to the second embodiment are implemented. The program 112 may include, for example, an application program for members of the store 700 (member application).

Note that the storage unit 110 may further store payment information. The payment information is information for the user U to make an electronic payment at the self-checkout terminal 200 or the like. The payment information is, for example, bank account, credit card information, code payment, identification information (account information) of user U in electronic money, and balance amount.

The memory 120 is a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is a storage area for temporarily holding information when the control unit 140 operates. The communication unit 130 is a wireless communication interface with the communication network described above. The communication unit 130 may be connected to the Internet via a wireless communication network or a mobile phone network. Furthermore, the communication unit 130 is capable of short-range wireless communication using a predetermined method. Specifically, the communication unit 130 includes a short-range wireless communication IF (InterFace) 131. The short-range wireless communication IF 131 establishes a connection using short-range wireless communication method X with an IF of another device using the same method within a predetermined range, and performs communication. For example, the method X may correspond to standards and methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), but is not limited to these. Note that the communication unit 130 may include two or more short-range wireless communication IFs.

The display unit 150 is a screen such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. The display unit 150 displays information instructed by the control unit 140. The camera 160 is one or more photographing devices, which photographs the face of the user U and outputs the photographed image to the control section 140 in response to an operation by the user U or an instruction from the control section 140. The image is displayed at 150.

The control unit 140 is a processor that controls each component of the user terminal 100, that is, a control device. The control unit 140 loads the program 112 from the storage unit 110 into the memory 120 and executes the program 112. Thereby, the control unit 140 realizes the functions of the registration unit 141, the acquisition unit 142, the wireless communication unit 143, and the display control unit 144.

The registration unit 141 performs user U's face information registration process. The registration unit 141 controls the camera 160 according to the user's U operation to photograph the user's U face. The registration unit 141 transmits the facial image of the user U to the authentication infrastructure system (not shown) via the network, and receives the facial feature information extracted by the authentication infrastructure system and the issued user ID. The registration unit 141 associates the received user ID 1111 and facial feature information 1112 and stores them as user information 111 in the storage unit 110. Furthermore, the registration unit 141 corresponds the age proof information 1113 read by the wireless communication unit 143 from a non-contact IC card (not shown) in which user U's age proof information is recorded, to the user ID 1111 and facial feature information 1112. It is registered in the storage unit 110 as the user information 111.

The acquisition unit 142 controls the camera 160 in response to the operation of the user U to photograph the information code displayed on the screen of the self-checkout terminal 200 or the information code printed on paper or objects. The acquisition unit 142 then analyzes the photographed image and acquires the information code. In other words, the acquisition unit 142 reads an information code displayed on a screen or the like, analyzes the information code, and acquires information regarding processing. Examples of information related to processing include, but are not limited to, connection information for establishing a short-range wireless communication connection, control instructions for the user terminal 100, and the like. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 142 may output the connection information included in the acquired information code to the wireless communication unit 143. The connection information is identification information, address, etc. of the self-checkout terminal 200 to which the short-range wireless communication is connected. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 142 may execute a control command or the like included in the acquired information code.

The wireless communication unit 143 performs wireless communication with the self-checkout terminal 200 and the like capable of short-range wireless communication using a method supported by the short-range wireless communication IF 131. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 143 uses the connection information included in the information code acquired by the acquisition unit 142 to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200. Then, the wireless communication unit 143 transmits the user information 211 to the self-checkout terminal 200 with which the connection has been established by short-range wireless communication. That is, the wireless communication unit 143 transmits at least facial feature information 1112 and age proof information 1113 to the self-checkout terminal 200 via short-range wireless communication in response to reading of an information code displayed on a screen or the like. The wireless communication unit 143 may also receive payment results, payment failure messages, payment completion codes, etc. from the self-checkout terminal 200 via short-range wireless communication.

The display control unit 144 displays the received payment result, payment failure message, payment completion code, etc. on the display unit 150.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the self-checkout terminal 200 according to the second embodiment. Self-checkout terminal 200 is a specific example of payment terminal 1 described above. Self-checkout terminal 200 may be a tablet terminal or the like. The self-checkout terminal 200 includes a storage section 210, a memory 220, a communication section 230, a control section 240, a display section 250, a camera 260, and a reading section 280.

The storage unit 210 is an example of a storage device such as a flash memory. The storage unit 210 stores user information 211 and programs 212. The user information 211 is information that associates a user ID 2111, facial feature information 2112, and age proof information 2113 acquired from the storage medium 5 by a predetermined method of short-range wireless communication. Therefore, each of the user ID 2111, facial feature information 2112, and age proof information 2113 is information equivalent to each of the user ID 1111, facial feature information 1112, and age proof information 1113 described above. The program 212 is a computer program (payment program) in which payment processing and the like according to the second embodiment are implemented.

Note that the storage unit 210 only needs to store at least the program 212. Therefore, the user information 211 may be stored in an external storage device or memory 220 connected to the self-checkout terminal 200.

The memory 220 is a volatile storage device such as a RAM, and is a storage area for temporarily holding information when the control unit 240 operates. The communication unit 230 is a wireless communication interface with the communication network described above. Further, the communication unit 230 may be connected to a communication network by wired or wireless communication.

Furthermore, the communication unit 230 is capable of wireless communication using a predetermined method of short-range wireless communication. Specifically, the communication unit 230 includes short-range

wireless communication IFs

231 and 232. The short-range wireless communication IF 231 establishes a connection using short-range wireless communication method X with an IF of another device using the same method within a predetermined range, and performs communication. Method X is the same method as the short-range wireless communication IF 131 described above. The short-range wireless communication IF 232 establishes a connection using short-range wireless communication method Y with an IF of another device using the same method within a predetermined range, and performs communication. The short-range wireless communication IF 232 may be realized by an antenna, an interface circuit, or the like. For example, the method Y may correspond to standards and methods such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification), but is not limited thereto.

The display unit 250 is a screen such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 250 displays information instructed by the control unit 240. The camera 260 is one or more photographing devices, and according to instructions from the control unit 240, photographs the face of the user U who is the payer, etc., and outputs the photographed image to the control unit 240. Further, the display unit 250 may display a photographed facial image or the like. Further, the self-checkout terminal 200 may include a human sensor (not shown) that detects a person within a predetermined range. In that case, the camera 260 photographs the face of the user U in response to the detection of a person by the human sensor 270, outputs the photographed image to the control unit 240, and causes the display unit 250 to display the image. Good too.

The reading unit 280 outputs the product code 30 read by a handy scanner (not shown) connected to the self-checkout terminal 200 to the acquisition unit 241. Alternatively, the reading unit 280 may be a handy scanner itself.

Note that when a contactless IC card, which is an example of a storage medium, is held over, the reading unit 280 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the contactless IC card and reads data from the contactless IC card. , the read data may be output to the acquisition unit 241. In other words, the reading unit 280 may have the function of a transmitter/receiver unit for wireless communication via the short-range wireless communication IF 132 using the short-range wireless communication method Y.

The control unit 240 is a processor that controls each configuration of the edge terminal 200, that is, a control device. The control unit 240 loads the program 212 from the storage unit 210 into the memory 220 and executes the program 212. Thereby, the control unit 240 realizes the functions of the acquisition unit 241, the storage unit 242, the authentication unit 243, the determination unit 244, the payment unit 245, and the output unit 246.

The acquisition unit 241 is an example of the acquisition unit 11 described above. The acquisition unit 241 acquires the facial feature information 1112 and the age proof information 1113 read from the storage medium 5 and transmitted by the user terminal 100 in response to the user terminal 100 reading the first information code. Here, the first information code is an information code displayed on the display unit 250 for transmitting master biometric information and age proof information to the payment terminal. In particular, the acquisition unit 241 acquires master biometric information and age proof information transmitted from the user terminal 100 via near field communication in response to the user terminal 100 reading the first information code. Here, the first information code includes connection information such as identification information and address of the self-checkout terminal 200 to which the short-range wireless communication is connected. The acquisition unit 241 then establishes a connection with the user terminal 100 using the connection information read by the user terminal 100, thereby acquiring master biometric information and age proof information via near field communication. That is, the acquisition unit 241 acquires the user ID, master biometric information, and age proof information from the storage medium 5 carried by the user U using a predetermined method of short-range wireless communication.

Note that the acquisition unit 241 may stand by and enable acquisition using each of the predetermined methods of short-range wireless communication. Therefore, for example, when the user terminal 100 with method X enabled enters the communication range of the short-range wireless communication IF 231, the acquisition unit 241 acquires the user ID 1111, facial feature information 1112, and age proof information 1113 from the storage medium 5 using method X. is acquired via the short-range wireless communication IF 231. Alternatively, when the contactless IC card enters the communication range of the short-range wireless communication IF 232, the acquisition unit 241 acquires the user ID 1111, facial feature information 1112, and age proof from the storage medium 5 in the contactless IC card using method Y. The information 1113 may be acquired via the short-range wireless communication IF 232. In other words, the acquisition unit 241 may acquire master biometric information, age proof information, etc. by short-range wireless communication using method Y with a non-contact IC card. Alternatively, as described above, the acquisition unit 241 may acquire master biometric information, age proof information, etc. from the storage medium 5 in the non-contact IC card via the short-range wireless communication IF 232 and the reading unit 280. .

Additionally, the acquisition unit 241 may acquire the product code 30 read by the reading unit 280, analyze the product code 30, and obtain it as payment target product information. At this time, the acquisition unit 241 searches the product database using the identification information of the product 3 obtained by analyzing the product code 30 as a search key, and acquires the product information of the searched product 3 as the payment target product information. You may. Further, the acquisition unit 241 may sequentially add product information corresponding to each product code 30 to the payment target product information each time a plurality of product codes 30 are obtained. Note that the acquisition unit 241 preferably stores payment target product information, that is, a list of payment target product information in the storage unit 210 or the memory 220.

The storage unit 242 stores the user ID 2111, facial feature information 2112, and age proof information 2113 acquired by the acquisition unit 241 in association with each other as user information 211 in the storage unit 210 or the memory 220. Note that the storage unit 242 may delete the user information 211 after a certain period of time has passed after storing the user information 211. That is, the storage unit 242 may temporarily store the user information 211 in the storage unit 210. Note that although user information 211 is sequentially stored and deleted in the storage unit 210, a plurality of pieces of user information 211, that is, two or more pieces of facial feature information 2112 may be temporarily stored. .

The authentication unit 243 is an example of the authentication unit 12 described above. The authentication unit 243 controls the camera 260 to collect the query biometric information (facial feature information B) extracted from the image of the user U and the master biometric information (facial feature information) stored in the user information 211 of the storage unit 210. A. Facial feature information 2112) is used to perform face authentication. Specifically, the authentication section 243 includes a face detection section 2431, a feature information extraction section 2432, and an authentication processing section 2433.

The face detection unit 2431 detects a face area from the image of the user U taken by the camera 260, and outputs a face image corresponding to the detected face area to the feature information extraction unit 2432. The feature information extraction unit 2432 extracts a plurality of feature points indicating features of a person's face from the face area (face image) detected by the face detection unit 2431, and calculates the distance between each of the extracted feature points. A feature vector, which is a set of feature values, is calculated. In other words, it can be said that the feature information extraction unit 2432 extracts the feature vector calculated from the facial image as facial feature information. Then, the feature information extraction unit 2432 outputs the extracted facial feature information to the authentication processing unit 2433. The authentication processing unit 2433 compares the facial feature information (query biometric information) extracted by the feature information extraction unit 2432 with each of the one or more facial feature information 2112 (master biometric information) in the user information 211, and determines the degree of matching. Calculate. Then, the authentication processing unit 2433 determines that face authentication has been successful when the degree of matching is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and determines that face authentication has failed when the degree of matching is less than the threshold value.

The determining unit 244 is an example of the determining unit 13 described above. The determination unit 244 determines whether the authentication unit 243 has successfully performed face authentication. When the face authentication is successful, the determination unit 244 refers to the storage unit 210 and specifies the user ID 2111 and age proof information 2113 associated with the facial feature information 2112. Further, the determination unit 244 determines whether the payment target product information acquired by the acquisition unit 241 includes a product to which an age condition is imposed. Note that the processing order in which the determination unit 244 determines the face authentication result and determines that a product to which an age condition is imposed is included does not matter. Then, if the face authentication is successful and the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, the determination unit 244 determines whether the specified age proof information 2113 satisfies the age condition.

The payment unit 245 and the output unit 246 are examples of the payment unit 14 described above. The payment unit 245 performs payment if there is no product with age conditions imposed on the product information for payment, or if the age proof information 2113 of user U who is the payer satisfies the age conditions imposed on each product. Perform payment processing for all products in the target product information. The payment unit 245 calculates the total amount of all products in the payment target product information, and outputs the breakdown of the price of each product, the applied discount amount, the total amount, etc. to the output unit 246. Further, the payment unit 245 performs payment processing in response to payments from the user U in cash and payments using various payment information. Alternatively, if the face authentication by the authentication unit 243 is successful, the payment unit 245 may perform payment processing using the payment information associated with the user ID 2111. On the other hand, if there is a product whose age proof information 2113 does not satisfy the age condition in the product information for payment, the payment unit 245 notifies the output unit 246 to that effect.

The output unit 246 causes the display unit 250 to display the breakdown of the amount of each product, the applied discount amount, the total amount, etc. output from the payment unit 245. Furthermore, after the payment processing by the payment unit 245 is completed, the output unit 246 causes the display unit 250 to display a message to that effect. Further, the output unit 246 may transmit a payment completion information code to the user terminal 100 after the payment. The payment completion information code is proof information that the payer U2 has made the payment within the store 700. When leaving the store 700, the payer U2 reads the payment completion information code displayed on the user terminal 100-2 into an authentication terminal (not shown) installed at the exit of the store 700, and completes the payment. After this is confirmed, you can leave the store.

The output unit 246 outputs a first information code for transmitting the master biometric information and age proof information to the self-checkout terminal 200 so as to be displayed on the display unit 250. In particular, the output unit 246 according to the present embodiment outputs the first information code to be displayed on the display unit 250 when the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the second embodiment. First, the payer U2 causes the reading section 280 of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 to read (scan) the product code 30 of the product 3 to be paid for. In response, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires the product information of the scanned product code 30 (S201). For example, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires product information for product 3 obtained by analyzing the product code 30 from the product database. The self-checkout terminal 200-1 adds the acquired product information to the payment target information and stores it. It is assumed that the settler U2 scans the product codes 30 for all the products 3 in the shopping cart 4. Therefore, the payment target product information includes all product information that the payer U2 desires to purchase.

Next, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether an age condition is imposed on the product information for payment (S202). Specifically, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether an age condition is included in the attributes of the product information. For example, if there is an age restriction on the purchase of a product such as alcoholic beverages or tobacco, and age verification is required at the time of purchase (payment), the product will be determined to have age requirements. . Alternatively, in the case of a product to which a discount for those under 10 years old or a silver discount can be applied, the age condition may be that the age is under 20 years old or that the age is 60 years old or older.

If it is determined in step S202 that an age condition is imposed on the product information, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays an age verification code on the screen (S206). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the age confirmation screen displayed on the payment terminal (self-checkout terminal 200-1) and the user terminal 100-2 according to the second embodiment. Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the positional relationship between the payer U2, the user terminal 100-2, and the payment terminal (self-checkout terminal 200-1) according to the second embodiment. The processing from steps S201 to S208 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

First, the payer U2 picks up the reading unit 280 (handy scanner) of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 and scans the product code 30-x of the product 3-x (alcoholic beverage) that he or she wishes to purchase (S201). . The self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines that an age condition is imposed on the product information corresponding to the product code 30-x (YES in S202), and displays confirmation messages M11 and M12 and an age verification code on the display unit 250. Display C1-1. The confirmation message M11 is an example of an operation support message to the payer U2, such as "Please operate without touching the screen." This makes it easier for the payer U2 to pay attention to making payments without contact, which can contribute to suppressing the spread of infectious diseases. The confirmation message M12 is an example of a message prompting the user terminal 100-2 to read the age confirmation code C1-1. The age confirmation code C1-1 is an example of the first information code. The age verification code C1-1 includes connection information for establishing a short-range wireless communication connection with the self-checkout terminal 200-1, and user information ((user ID, facial feature information, and age proof) through short-range wireless communication. information) to the self-checkout terminal 200-1.

The payer U2 photographs the age verification code C1-1 displayed on the display unit 250 using the camera 160 of the user terminal 100-2 that he or she carries (S204-0 in FIG. 8). In response, the user terminal 100-2 analyzes the age verification code C1-1 included in the photographed image and obtains the above-mentioned connection information and control command. Note that the user terminal 100-2 may display the photographed age verification code C1-2 on the display unit 150. The user terminal 100-2 then attempts to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the self-checkout terminal 200-1 using the connection information in accordance with the control command. That is, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the user terminal 100-2 (S207).

Then, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires facial feature information A, age proof information, etc. from the user terminal 100-2 via short-range wireless communication (S208). For example, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 may transmit a request to obtain facial feature information A, age proof information, etc. to the user terminal 100-2 via short-range wireless communication. In this case, when the user terminal 100-2 receives an acquisition request from the self-checkout terminal 200-1 via short-range wireless communication, the user terminal 100-2 reads the user information 111 from the storage unit 110 and sends it to the self-checkout terminal 200-2 via the short-range wireless communication. -1, the read user information 111 is transmitted. That is, user terminal 100-2 transmits user ID 1111, facial feature information 1112, and age proof information 1113 stored in storage unit 110 to self-checkout terminal 200-1. Note that instead of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 transmitting the acquisition request, the user terminal 100-2 acquires the user information 111 from the storage unit 110 in accordance with the control command acquired by analyzing the age verification code C1-1. It may be read out. Then, the user terminal 100-2 preferably transmits the read user information 111 to the self-checkout terminal 200-1 via short-range wireless communication, as described above.

Thereafter, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 stores the acquired user ID 2111, facial feature information A (2112), and age proof information 2113 as user information 211 in the storage unit 210 or memory 220.

Further, steps S203 to S205 are executed in parallel with, or before and after steps S206 to S208. That is, if the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines in step S202 that an age condition is imposed on the product information, it displays a face photographing message (S203). The self-checkout terminal 200-1 then photographs the user's face (S204). The self-checkout terminal 200-1 then extracts facial feature information B (query biometric information) from the facial image (S205).

After steps S205 and S208, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs face authentication by comparing facial feature information A and B (S209). The self-checkout terminal 200-1 then determines whether face authentication has been successful (S210). If the face authentication is successful, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether the age proof information satisfies the age condition (S211). Note that if different age conditions are imposed on a plurality of products, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether the age certification information satisfies all of the age conditions. If (all) the age conditions imposed on each product are met, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs payment processing for the product information (S212). That is, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs payment processing for all payment target product information including products to which age conditions are imposed. Note that if it is determined in step S202 that no age condition is imposed on the product information, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs payment processing for all of the product information to be paid (S212).

After step S212, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 transmits the payment completion code to the user terminal 100-2 via short-range wireless communication (S213). In response, user terminal 100-2 receives the payment completion code from self-checkout terminal 200-1 via short-range wireless communication, and stores the payment completion code in storage unit 110. Then, the user terminal 100-2 can display the payment completion code on the display unit 150 in response to the operation by the payer U2.

On the other hand, if face authentication fails in step S210, or if the age condition is not satisfied in step S211, self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays a message that payment is not possible on display unit 250, and informs the clerk, etc. terminal) (S214).

In the above, a case has been described in which the settler U2 performs step S202 after scanning the product codes 30 for all the products 3 in the shopping cart 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 may execute step S202 each time one product code 30 is scanned (S201), and perform steps S203 to S211 each time an age condition is imposed on the product. good. In that case, if the age proof information of the payer U2 satisfies the age condition, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 adds the product to the payment target product information, performs steps S201 and S202 for the next product, and then updates all products. It is recommended to perform this repeatedly. That is, each time a product code is read, it is determined whether an age condition is imposed on the product (whether or not age verification is necessary), and age verification may be performed each time for products that require age verification. Or, when determining whether an age condition is imposed on the product each time a product code is read, it is determined that the age condition is the same as the age condition imposed on the previously read product, and the age condition is already met. If the age has been verified, it may be displayed that the age of the product has been verified, and the age verification (steps S203 to S211) may be omitted.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, the self-checkout terminal performs age verification at the time of payment for products for which age conditions have been imposed, and if the age conditions are met, the payer U2 can make the payment without notifying the store staff etc. Can be done. Therefore, at the time of payment, there is no need for the clerk to rush to the relevant self-checkout terminal to confirm the age of the payer U2, and there is no need to visually confirm the age of the payer U2 by checking his or her identification card. Therefore, the burden on store staff can be reduced.

Additionally, if age conditions are imposed on the product information, an age verification code and a face photo message will be displayed. Accordingly, the payer U2 can perform facial authentication, provide age proof information, and confirm age simply by photographing the age confirmation code with his or her user terminal 100 in accordance with the message. In other words, the settler U2 can save the trouble of taking out and presenting an identification card from a wallet or the like. On the other hand, if the product information for payment does not include products for which age conditions are imposed, payment processing can be performed as is, so that the convenience of payment when no age conditions are imposed is not impaired.

Furthermore, due to the installation angle of the display section 250 shown in FIG. 8, the display position of the age verification code C1-1 in FIG. 7, and the installation position of the camera 260, when the payer U2 photographs the age verification code C1, The position of the user terminal 100-2 becomes difficult to overlap the angle of view of the camera 260. Therefore, the accuracy of face authentication using the face image photographed by the camera 260 can be improved.

<Embodiment 3>
The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment described above. Specifically, each time a shopper selects a product, the shopper loads the product code into an information terminal provided by the store, and at the time of payment, the product information stored on the information terminal is transferred to the self-checkout terminal. Make payment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the payment system 1002 according to the third embodiment. The payment system 1002 has lending terminals 6-1, 6-2, . . . added to the payment system 1001 described above. Further, checkout codes C2-1 to C2-m are readably displayed, posted, or printed adjacent to each of the self-checkout terminals 200-1 to 200-m. In the following explanation, the lending terminal 6-1 etc. may be simply referred to as the "rental terminal 6", and the accounting code C2-1 etc. may be simply referred to as the "accounting code C2".

The lending terminal 6 is an information terminal that is lent to a shopper from the store 700 and is used to generate payment target product information. The lending terminal 6, like the user terminal 100, can communicate using one or more types of short-range wireless communication and other wireless communication. The rental terminal 6 has an application program (shopping application) for shopping at the store 700 installed therein. The shopping application is implemented with a process of generating payment target product information 62 and a process of transmitting payment target product information 62 using a predetermined communication method.

The accounting code C2 is an example of a second information code for causing the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200 to perform payment processing. Specifically, the checkout code C2 transmits connection information for establishing a short-range wireless communication connection with the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200 as the connection destination, and processing for transmitting product information for payment to the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200. and a control command to be executed by the lending terminal 6. The checkout code C2 is written on a bulletin board installed near the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200, printed on a paper pasted on the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200, or displayed on the screen of the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200. .

Shopping at the sales floor 71 according to the present embodiment is carried out, for example, as follows. First, the shopper U1 picks up the loaned terminal 6-1 along with the shopping cart 4-1 at the entrance of the store 700, loads the loaned terminal 6-1 into the shopping cart 4-1, and wishes to make a purchase at the sales floor 71. Select the products you want. The shopper U1 causes the rental terminal 6-1 to read the product code 30-1 of the selected product 3-1. For example, the shopper U1 photographs the product code 30-1 with the camera of the rental terminal 6-1. In response, the lending terminal 6-1 analyzes the photographed image and obtains the product code 30-1. The lending terminal 6-1 acquires the product information corresponding to the product code 30-1 from the product database, adds it to the payment target product information, and stores it internally. At this time, the lending terminal 6-1 may display the payment target product information, that is, the scanned product details, price, age condition, etc., on the screen.

Thereafter, the shopper U1 enters the checkout area 72, so he will be described hereafter as the payer U2. Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the third embodiment. Note that descriptions of the same processes as in FIG. 6 described above in FIG. 10 will be omitted as appropriate. Further, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the concept of payment processing according to the third embodiment.

First, the payer U2, while carrying the user terminal 100-2, moves in front of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 where payment is to be made. Then, the settler U2 uses the camera of the lending terminal 6-2 to photograph the accounting code C2-1 written on the bulletin board installed next to the self-checkout terminal 200-1 (S300 in FIG. 11). In response, the lending terminal 6-2 analyzes the accounting code C2-1 from the photographed image and obtains connection information and a control command. The lending terminal 6-2 attempts to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the self-checkout terminal 200-1 using the connection information in accordance with the control command. That is, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the lending terminal 6-2 (S301).

Then, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires payment target product information from the lending terminal 6-2 via short-range wireless communication (S302). For example, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 may transmit a request to obtain payment target product information to the lending terminal 6-2 via short-range wireless communication. In this case, when the lending terminal 6-2 receives an acquisition request from the self-checkout terminal 200-1 via short-range wireless communication, it reads out the internally stored payment target product information 62 and sends the request via short-range wireless communication. The read payment target product information 62 is transmitted to the self-checkout terminal 200-1. Incidentally, instead of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 transmitting the acquisition request, the rental terminal 6-2 may read out the payment target product information 62 in accordance with the control command acquired by analyzing the accounting code C2-1. good. Then, the lending terminal 6-2 preferably transmits the read payment target product information 62 to the self-checkout terminal 200-1 via short-range wireless communication, as described above.

Here, the explanation will be given assuming that it has been determined that an age condition is imposed on the product information for payment (YES in step S202). Subsequently, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays the confirmation message M12 and the age confirmation code C1-1 on the display unit 250 in the same manner as described above (S206). Note that the self-checkout terminal 200-1 may also display a confirmation message M11 in the same manner as described above. Then, similarly to the above, the user terminal 100-2 photographs the age verification code C1-1 with the camera 160 in response to the operation of the payer U2, and connects the code C1-1 obtained by analyzing the age verification code C1-1. Using the information, an attempt is made to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the self-checkout terminal 200-1. Therefore, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the user terminal 100-2 (S207), and receives facial feature information A and age proof information from the user terminal 100-2 via short-range wireless communication. etc. (S208).

If the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines in step S202 that an age condition is imposed on the product information, it displays a confirmation message M13 on the display unit 250 (S203, FIG. 11). It should be noted that the confirmation message M13 is an example of a message requesting that the user's face be photographed to confirm the user's identity. The self-checkout terminal 200-1 then photographs the user's face (S204) and extracts facial feature information B (query biometric information) from the facial image (S205).

After steps S205 and S208, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs face authentication by comparing the facial feature information A and B (S209), and if the face authentication is successful (YES in S210), the age proof information meets the age condition. It is determined whether the conditions are satisfied (S211). If the age condition is met, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs payment processing for the product information (S212).

As described above, this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the second embodiment described above. In addition, when the payer U2 puts the product 3 into the shopping cart 4 at the sales floor 71, by scanning the product code 30 using the rental terminal 6, the payer U2 can individually send the product to the self-checkout terminal 200 at the checkout area 72. The trouble of scanning the code 30 can be saved.

<Embodiment 4>
The fourth embodiment is a modification of the second and third embodiments described above. Specifically, instead of using the lending terminal 6 in the third embodiment, a user terminal 100b on which a shopping application is installed is used. In other words, the program installed on the user terminal 100b is an application program for members of the store 700 that integrates the functions of a shopping application program.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system 1003 according to the fourth embodiment. The payment system 1003 is obtained by replacing the user terminal 100 in the payment system 1002 described above with a user terminal 100b to which the functions of the lending terminal 6 are added. The user terminal 100b generates and stores payment target product information 113. Note that the other configurations of the payment system 1003 are the same as those described above, and therefore, redundant illustrations and explanations will be omitted as appropriate below.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal 100b according to the fourth embodiment. In the user terminal 100b, the program 112b, the registration section 141b, the acquisition section 142b, and the wireless communication section 143b are changed, and the payment target product information 113 is added, compared to the one in FIG. 4 described above. The program 112b is the program 112 described above to which the processing of the shopping application program described above is added. The payment target product information 113 is similar to the payment target product information 62 in the lending terminal 6-2 in FIG. 9 described above.

In addition to the process of the registration unit 141 described above, the registration unit 141b performs the process of generating payment target product information by the lending terminal 6 described above. That is, each time the product code 30 is read, the registration unit 141b acquires the product information corresponding to the product code 30 from the product database, adds it to the payment target product information 113, and stores it in the storage unit 110 or the memory 120. . At this time, the display control unit 144 may display the payment target product information 113, that is, the scanned product details, price, age condition, etc., on the screen.

In addition to the processing of the acquisition unit 142 described above, when the accounting code C2 is photographed by the camera 160 in response to the operation of the user U, the acquisition unit 142b analyzes the accounting code C2 from the photographed image and obtains connection information and Get control instructions. The acquisition unit 142b may output the acquired connection information to the wireless communication unit 143b.

The wireless communication unit 143b uses the connection information to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200 in accordance with the acquired control command, and to the self-checkout terminal 200 with which the connection has been established, Payment target product information 113 is transmitted by short-range wireless communication.

Returning to FIG. 12, the explanation will continue. The acquisition unit 241 of the self-checkout terminal 200 performs the following process in addition to the process of the acquisition unit 241 described above. That is, in response to the information terminal (for example, the user terminal 100b) reading the second information code (for example, accounting code C2) displayed for payment, the acquisition unit 241 acquires the payment information transmitted from the information terminal (for example, the user terminal 100b). Obtain target product information 113. Further, when the acquired payment target product information 113 includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, the acquisition unit 241 transmits the first information code (for example, the age confirmation code C1) to the information terminal (for example, the user terminal 100b). The master biometric information and age proof information transmitted from the information terminal in response to the reading are acquired.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the fourth embodiment. Steps S401 and S402 can be said to be the processing of steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 10 described above, performed by the user terminal 100b. Specifically, the shopper U1 scans the product code 30 at the sales floor 71 using the user terminal 100b instead of the rental terminal 6. Therefore, the product information 113 to be paid for is stored in the user terminal 100b-2 carried by the shopper U1 (payer U2) who has entered the cashier area 72. Then, the payer U2 moves in front of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 for making the payment while carrying the user terminal 100b-2. Then, the payer U2 uses the camera of the user terminal 100b-2 to photograph the checkout code C2-1 written on the bulletin board installed next to the self-checkout terminal 200-1. In response, the user terminal 100b-2 analyzes the accounting code C2-1 from the photographed image and obtains connection information and a control command. The user terminal 100b-2 attempts to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the self-checkout terminal 200-1 using the connection information in accordance with the control command. That is, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the user terminal 100b-2 (S401). Then, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires the payment target product information 113 from the user terminal 100b-2 via short-range wireless communication (S402). Thereafter, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs the processes from step S202 onward with the user terminal 100b-2 and the payer U2 in the same manner as in FIG. 10 described above.

As described above, this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the third embodiment described above. In addition, when the payer U2 puts the product 3 into the shopping cart 4 at the sales floor 71, the payer U2 scans the product code 30 using his or her user terminal 100b, and then individually sends the product to the self-checkout terminal 200 at the checkout area 72. The trouble of scanning the product code 30 can be saved. Therefore, convenience for shoppers can be improved. Further, the settler U2 can save the trouble of borrowing the lending terminal 6 at the entrance of the store 700 and returning it at the exit. Further, the store 700 side does not need to prepare, lend, and collect the lending terminal 6, and can save costs associated with these steps.

<Embodiment 5>
Embodiment 5 is a modification of

Embodiments

2, 3, and 4 described above. Specifically, in accordance with the reading of the accounting code C2 by the user terminal 100b in the fifth embodiment, if age verification is required, face authentication and age verification are performed. In other words, the role of the age verification code C1 of the fourth embodiment described above is integrated into the accounting code C2. Therefore, the age verification code C1 or the accounting code C2 according to the fifth embodiment is the above-mentioned first information code and is also the second information code. For example, the control command included in the age verification code C1 or the accounting code C2 sends the user information 111 ((user ID, facial feature information, and age proof information) and payment target product information 113 to a self-checkout terminal by short-range wireless communication. This is a command to be sent to 200-1. Further, in the user terminal 100b in the fifth embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, a program is installed in which the functions of the shopping application program (shopping application) are integrated with the application program for members of the store 700 (member application). has been done.

The wireless communication unit 143b of the user terminal 100b according to the fifth embodiment establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the corresponding self-checkout terminal 200 using the connection information in response to reading the checkout code C2. Then, to the self-checkout terminal 200 with which the connection has been established, the payment target product information 113 is transmitted together with the user information 111 by short-range wireless communication.

In response to the information terminal (for example, the user terminal 100b) reading the first information code, the acquisition unit 241 of the self-checkout terminal 200 according to the fifth embodiment acquires (user ID 1111,) facial feature information 1112 and age proof information. The payment target product information 113 sent together with 1113 is acquired. Here, the first information code may be a second information code displayed for payment, such as an accounting code C2. Further, the authentication unit 243 of the self-checkout terminal 200 according to the fifth embodiment performs biometric authentication when the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the fifth embodiment. Step S501 is similar to step S401 in FIG. 14 described above. However, the information code read by the user terminal 100b may be either the age verification code C1 or the accounting code C2. Furthermore, the age verification code C1 or the accounting code C2 may be written on a bulletin board installed next to the self-checkout terminal 200-1 or displayed in advance on the screen of the self-checkout terminal 200-1. .

Specifically, the payer U2 uses the camera of the user terminal 100b-2 to photograph the checkout code C2-1 written on the bulletin board installed next to the self-checkout terminal 200-1. In response, the user terminal 100b-2 analyzes the accounting code C2-1 from the photographed image and obtains connection information and a control command. The user terminal 100b-2 attempts to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the self-checkout terminal 200-1 using the connection information in accordance with the control command. That is, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the user terminal 100b-2 (S501). The self-checkout terminal 200-1 then acquires the user ID 1111, facial feature information 1112, age proof information 1113, and payment target product information 113 from the user terminal 100b-2 via short-range wireless communication (S502). Thereafter, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 stores the acquired user ID 2111, facial feature information A (2112), and age proof information 2113 as user information 211 in the storage unit 210 or memory 220. Furthermore, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 stores the acquired payment target product information in the storage unit 210 or the memory 220.

Thereafter, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs the processes from steps S202 to S205 with the user terminal 100b-2 and the payer U2 in the same way as in FIG. 10 described above. However, since the self-checkout terminal 200-1 has already acquired the payment target product information in step S502, the processes of steps S206 to S208 in FIG. 14 described above can be omitted. Then, after step S205, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs the processes from step S209 onward with the user terminal 100b-2 and the payer U2, as in FIG. 14 described above.

In the fourth embodiment described above, the payer U2 had to use the user terminal 100b-2 to take a picture of the accounting code C2, and then take a picture of the age verification code C1. In other words, the payer U2 had to perform the information code scanning operation twice using the user terminal 100b-2 at the time of payment. On the other hand, in the present embodiment 5, the payer U2 uses the user terminal 100b-2 to capture the information code for both accounting and age verification once, similar to the above-mentioned embodiment 4. It is possible to achieve the following effects. Therefore, convenience for shoppers can be further improved.

<Embodiment 6>
Embodiment 6 is an example different from Embodiments 2 to 5 described above. The sixth embodiment uses a non-contact IC card as a specific example of the storage medium according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system 1006 according to the sixth embodiment. In the payment system 1006, the user terminal 100 is replaced with a non-contact IC card 500, compared to the system shown in FIG. In addition, the self-checkout terminal 200 has been modified as appropriate in accordance with the payment processing according to the sixth embodiment, as will be described later, compared to the one described above.

The contactless IC card 500 corresponds to a digital identification card of the user U (shopper U1 or payer U2). In addition to the storage medium 5, the non-contact IC card 500 includes a short-range wireless communication IF, an RW (Reader-Writer) control unit, and the like as components not shown. The contactless IC card 500, including the storage medium 5, short-range wireless communication IF, and RW control unit, has a built-in so-called IC chip, and can be regarded as an IC tag that can communicate using a predetermined short-range wireless communication method. can. In the storage medium 5, a user ID 51, facial feature information 52, and age proof information 53 are recorded in association with each other. The user ID 51 is identification information of the user U, and may be the same as an ID (my number, etc.) in a digital identification card. However, the user ID 51 may be different from the ID in the digital identification card, and may be a member ID of the store 700, for example. Further, it is assumed that the user ID 51 is associated with at least facial feature information 52 and age proof information 53. The facial feature information 52 is the same as the facial feature information 1112 described above, and the age proof information 53 is the same as the age proof information 1113 described above. In the following description, the contactless IC cards 500-1, 500-2, etc. may be simply referred to as "contactless IC cards 500."

The short-range wireless communication IF included in the contactless IC card 500 establishes a connection and communicates with the IF of another device using the same method within a predetermined range by short-range wireless communication method Y. . The short-range wireless communication IF 1021 may be realized by an antenna, an interface circuit, or the like. For example, the method Y may correspond to standards and methods such as NFC and RFID, but is not limited to these.

The RW control unit included in the contactless IC card 500 performs wireless communication between the IC tag on the contactless IC card 500 and a reader/writer device capable of short-range wireless communication using method Y. Specifically, when the contactless IC card 500 enters the communication range of the reader/writer (reading unit 280) of method Y of the self-checkout terminal 200, the RW control unit performs short-range wireless communication with the self-checkout terminal 200. Communication is performed using method Y via the IF. That is, the RW control unit reads the user ID 51, facial feature information 52, and age proof information 53 from the storage medium 5, and sends the user ID 51, facial feature information 52, and age proof information to the self-checkout terminal 200 via the short-range wireless communication IF. Send 53.

Here, shopping at the sales floor 71 according to this embodiment is performed as follows. A shopper (user) U1 enters the store 700 carrying a non-contact IC card 500-1, and puts one or more desired products 3 into the shopping cart 4-1 at the sales floor 71. The shopper U1 then heads to the register area 72 and makes a payment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the sixth embodiment. It should be noted that the description of the processes in FIG. 17 that are similar to those in FIG. 6 described above will be omitted as appropriate. Further, FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the concept of payment processing according to the sixth embodiment.

First, the payer U2 moves in front of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 where payment is to be made while carrying the contactless IC card 500-2. The payer U2 then holds the contactless IC card 500-2 over the reading section 280-2 of the self-checkout terminal 200-1. Therefore, the reading unit 280-2 scans the non-contact IC card 500-2 (S600 in FIG. 18). In response, self-checkout terminal 200-1 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with contactless IC card 500-2 (S601).

Then, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires the user ID 51, facial feature information 52 (facial feature information A), and age proof information 53 from the contactless IC card 500-2 via near field communication (S602). . Thereafter, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 stores the acquired user ID 2111, facial feature information A (2112), and age proof information 2113 as user information 211 in the storage unit 210 or memory 220.

Thereafter, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs the processes from steps S202 to S205 with the user terminal 100b-2 and the payer U2 in the same way as in FIG. 10 described above. After step S205, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs face authentication by comparing the facial feature information A and B (S209), and determines whether the face authentication is successful (S210). If face authentication is successful, self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays age confirmation message M14 on display unit 250 (S603, FIG. 18). The age confirmation message M14 is an example of a message requesting advance consent for age confirmation from the payer U2, such as "Do you agree to age confirmation at the time of product payment?". When the self-checkout terminal 200-1 receives the response from the payer U2 to the age confirmation message M14, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether or not the payer U2 has agreed to the age confirmation (S604). For example, when the payer U2 presses "Yes", it is determined that the payer U2 agrees to the age verification (YES in S604). Subsequently, the payer U2 causes the reading section 280-1 (handy scanner) of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 to read (scan) the product code 30-y of the product 3-y to be paid for. In response, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires the product information of the scanned product code 30 (S605). The self-checkout terminal 200-1 adds the acquired product information to the payment target information and stores it. Subsequently, the payer U2 causes the reading unit 280-1 to read the product code 30-z of the product 3-z for which payment is to be made. Then, it is assumed that the settler U2 scans the product codes 30 for all the products 3 in the shopping cart 4. Therefore, the payment target product information includes all product information that the payer U2 desires to purchase.

Then, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether an age condition is imposed on the product information for payment (S606). For example, if an age condition is not imposed on product 3-y and an age condition is imposed on product 3-z, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 will check whether the age condition is imposed on the product information for payment. In other words, it is determined that the payment target product information includes products to which age conditions are imposed (YES in S606). The self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether the age proof information satisfies the age condition (S211). Note that if different age conditions are imposed on a plurality of products, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether the age certification information satisfies all of the age conditions. If (all) the age conditions imposed on each product are met, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs payment processing for the product information (S212). Note that if it is determined in step S606 that no age condition is imposed on the product information, that is, the product information subject to payment does not include a product to which an age condition is imposed, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 Payment processing is performed for all target product information (S212). After step S212, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays the completion of payment on the display unit 250 (S607).

On the other hand, if face authentication fails in step S210, if consent is not given to age verification in step S604, or if the age condition is not met in step S211, self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays on display unit 250 that payment is not possible. The information is displayed and the clerk, etc. (terminal) is notified of this (S214).

In this way, this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above. Further, in the present embodiment, before scanning the product code, master biometric information and age proof information of the payer U2 have been acquired, and face authentication is performed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the deterrent effect of impersonation using someone else's non-contact IC card 500 when purchasing a product to which age conditions are imposed. In addition, the effectiveness of self-checkout terminals in deterring shoplifting can be enhanced. Further, when age verification is required after scanning the product code, there is no need to request the payer U2 who meets the age conditions to take any action to verify the age. Therefore, convenience for shoppers can be improved.

In addition, in the payment process of Embodiment 6, the contactless IC card is not scanned before the first product is loaded, but when the products are loaded and a product that requires age verification is loaded, the contactless IC card is scanned. You may also be guided to load the . In addition, if the contactless IC card is scanned once during the payment process and age proof information is obtained, scanning of the contactless IC card will be omitted when loading products that require age verification in the future. You can. Furthermore, if the age condition is the same as the age condition imposed on a previously scanned product and it has already been determined that the age condition is met, the product will also be displayed as age-confirmed and the age confirmation will be omitted again. You can.

<Embodiment 7>
The seventh embodiment is a modification of the sixth embodiment described above. Specifically, the shopper makes purchases and makes payments using the above-mentioned rental terminal and contactless IC card.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a payment system 1007 according to the seventh embodiment. The payment system 1007 is different from the payment system 1006 described above to which lending terminals 6-1, 6-2, . . . similar to those shown in FIG. 9 described above are added. Further, as in FIG. 9 described above, checkout codes C2-1 to C2-m are readably displayed, posted, printed, etc. adjacent to each of the self-checkout terminals 200-1 to 200-m. There is.

Note that shopping at the sales floor 71 according to this embodiment is the same as in the third embodiment described above, except that the shopper U1 carries a non-contact IC card 500-1.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of payment processing according to the seventh embodiment. Note that descriptions of the same processes as in FIG. 6 described above in FIG. 20 will be omitted as appropriate. Further, FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the concept of payment processing according to the seventh embodiment.

First, the payer U2 moves in front of the self-checkout terminal 200-1 for making payments while carrying the contactless IC card 500-2. Then, the settler U2 uses the camera of the lending terminal 6-2 to photograph the accounting code C2-1 written on the bulletin board installed next to the self-checkout terminal 200-1 (S700 in FIG. 21). In response, the lending terminal 6-2 analyzes the accounting code C2-1 from the photographed image and obtains connection information and a control command. The lending terminal 6-2 attempts to establish a short-range wireless communication connection with the self-checkout terminal 200-1 using the connection information in accordance with the control command. That is, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the lending terminal 6-2 (S701). Then, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires payment target product information from the lending terminal 6-2 via short-range wireless communication (S702).

If it is determined that an age condition is imposed on the product information for payment (YES in step S202), the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs steps S203 to S205 in the same manner as in FIG. 10 described above. Subsequently, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays an age confirmation message M14 on the display unit 250 (S703, FIG. 21). When the self-checkout terminal 200-1 receives the response from the payer U2 to the age confirmation message M14, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 determines whether or not the payer U2 has agreed to the age confirmation (S704). For example, if the payer U2 presses "Yes", it is determined that the payer U2 agrees to the age verification (YES in S704). In this case, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 may display a member confirmation message M15 on the display unit 250, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the payer U2 holds the contactless IC card 500-2 over the reading section 280-2 of the self-checkout terminal 200-1. Therefore, the reading unit 280-2 scans the non-contact IC card 500-2 (S705-0 in FIG. 21). In response, self-checkout terminal 200-1 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with contactless IC card 500-2 (S705). The self-checkout terminal 200-1 then acquires the user ID 51, facial feature information 52 (facial feature information A), and age proof information 53 from the contactless IC card 500-2 via near field communication (S706). .

After that, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs face authentication by comparing the facial feature information A and B (S209), and if the face authentication is successful (YES in S210), determines whether the age proof information satisfies the age condition. A determination is made (S211). If the age condition is met, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs payment processing for the product information (S212). After step S212, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays the completion of payment on the display unit 250 (S707).

On the other hand, if the user does not consent to the age verification in step S704, if the face authentication fails in step S210, or if the age condition is not met in step S211, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 displays on the display unit 250 that payment is not possible. The information is displayed and the clerk, etc. (terminal) is notified of this (S214).

In this way, this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above. In addition, when the payer U2 puts the product 3 into the shopping cart 4 at the sales floor 71, by scanning the product code 30 using the rental terminal 6, the payer U2 can individually send the product to the self-checkout terminal 200 at the checkout area 72. The trouble of scanning the code 30 can be saved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when purchasing a product to which an age condition is imposed, consent is obtained from the payer U2 to confirm the age. Therefore, it is possible to increase the deterrent effect of impersonation using someone else's non-contact IC card 500 when purchasing a product to which age conditions are imposed. In addition, the effectiveness of self-checkout terminals in deterring shoplifting can be enhanced.

<Other embodiments>
Note that in step S302 in FIG. 10 and S402 in FIG. good. In this case, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires all product information included in the payment target product information from the lending terminal 6-2, and performs subsequent processing. Note that the self-checkout terminal 200-1 may acquire product information included in the payment target product information one by one from the lending terminal 6-2, and perform steps S202 to S211 for each acquired product information. In other words, each time the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires product information, it determines whether an age condition is imposed on the product (whether or not age verification is required) (S202), and for products that require age verification, You may verify your age each time. Or, when determining whether an age condition is imposed on the product each time product information is obtained, it is determined that the age condition is the same as the age condition imposed on the previously read product and that the age condition has already been met. If the age has been verified, it may be displayed that the age of the product has been verified, and the age verification (steps S203 to S211) may be omitted.

Note that the non-contact IC card in the sixth and seventh embodiments described above may be replaced with a user terminal.

Note that it is also possible to further store the payment information described above in the storage medium 5 and transmit the payment information from the user terminal 100 to the self-checkout terminal 200 together with the facial feature information and age proof information in steps S208, S502, S602, and S706. good. The self-checkout terminal 200 may then perform payment processing using the received payment information. This makes it possible to make payments using facial recognition in addition to determining age conditions.

In addition, the acquisition unit of the self-checkout terminal further acquires identification information of the payer along with the master biometric information and age proof information, and if the biometric authentication is successful, the payment unit uses the payment information associated with the identification information. Payment may be made by For example, the contactless IC card 500 may also serve as a membership card for the store 700, and the member ID (user ID 51) may be registered in the management server or the like in association with the payment information of the payer U2. In this case, when the payer U2 holds the contactless IC card 500-2 over the reader 280-2 (S600, S705-0), payment using the membership card becomes possible. Specifically, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 acquires the user ID 51 from the non-contact IC card 500-2, and performs payment processing using the payment information associated with the user ID 51. Here, since face authentication of payer U2 has already been successful in step S210, it is possible to eliminate the need for personal authentication again.

Alternatively, the payer U2 carries a membership card (magnetic card, etc.) of the store 700 in addition to the contactless IC card 500, and the member ID recorded on the member card is managed in association with the payment information of the payer U2. It may be registered in a server or the like. In this case, in step S212, the payer U2 causes the magnetic card reader (reading section) of the self-checkout terminal 200 to read the member card, thereby making it possible to pay with the member card. Specifically, the self-checkout terminal 200-1 performs payment processing using payment information associated with the member ID read from the member card. Therefore, the payer U2 may read the membership card separately from the contactless IC card 500. Alternatively, if the user ID 51 recorded on the contactless IC card 500 (transferred to the payment terminal by short-range wireless communication, etc.) is associated with the member ID, reading the member card may be omitted. .

Furthermore, the payment terminal according to this embodiment may be a cash register terminal operated by a store clerk instead of a self-checkout register. In that case, when the store clerk reads the product code, if the product requires annual verification, the cash register terminal may automatically display the age verification code and a face photograph message on the screen.

Furthermore, in response to the information terminal reading the first information code, the acquisition unit of the payment terminal may acquire master biometric information and age proof information transmitted from the information terminal via the wireless communication network. good. In other words, the method of transmitting the master biometric information and age proof information stored in the storage medium is not limited to short-range wireless communication. In addition, if the information terminal does not support near field communication, or if near field communication is turned off, the information terminal will transmit master biometric information and age proof information to the payment terminal via the wireless communication network. You may.

Furthermore, the age condition imposed at the time of payment for a product may be a criterion for applicability of benefit information. In that case, the acquisition unit of the payment terminal further acquires benefit information applicable to the payment along with the master biometric information and age proof information, and if the determined result indicates that the age condition is met, the payment unit acquires the benefit information. It is recommended that you apply this to make the payment.

Furthermore, the age condition imposed at the time of payment for a product may be a criterion for determining whether or not a discount can be applied. In that case, the payment unit of the payment terminal may perform payment by applying a discount according to the age if the determined result indicates that the age condition is satisfied. Note that student certification information may be used instead of age certification information. In that case, student discounts can be applied.

In addition, the user terminal or rental terminal reads the master biometric information and age proof information from the contactless IC card by short-range wireless communication of method Y, and reads the master biometric information and age proof information by short-range wireless communication of method X. Information may also be sent to a payment terminal.

Note that in the above-described embodiment, personal authentication (identity verification authentication, person authentication, person identification processing, etc.) was described as facial authentication, but other biometric authentication using biometric information may be used. For biometric authentication and biometric information, other techniques that use captured images of people can be applied. For example, the biometric information may be data (feature amounts) calculated from physical characteristics unique to an individual, such as fingerprints, voiceprints, veins, retinas, iris of the eyes, and patterns on the palm of the hand. In addition, for biometric authentication, feature information indicating a person's physical characteristics is extracted from a photographed image of a part of the user's body, and the extracted feature information is compared with pre-registered feature information to determine the match. Authentication may be deemed to have been successful if the value is greater than or equal to a threshold value. For example, biometric authentication may be based on a person's external shape. In this case, the characteristic information is information regarding the external shape of the person, for example, information indicating characteristics such as body shape, height, clothing, etc. Furthermore, instead of biometric authentication, other personal authentication may be applied, and the biometric information may also be other personal authentication information. For example, personal authentication information includes a user ID, a combination of ID and password, information written on an identification card such as my number or driver's license (identification number, password, etc.), electronic certificate, code information, etc. , but not limited to. Note that the code information may be a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code (registered trademark).

In the examples above, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more of the functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable or tangible storage media may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD - Including ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disc storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable or communication media includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagating signals.

Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit. Further, the present disclosure may be implemented by appropriately combining the respective embodiments.

Part or all of the above embodiments may be described as in the following additional notes, but are not limited to the following.
(Appendix A1)
acquisition means for acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
an authentication means that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determining means for determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment means that performs payment according to the determined result;
A payment terminal equipped with
(Appendix A2)
The acquisition means is configured to acquire information in response to an information terminal carried by the payer reading a first information code displayed for transmitting the master biometric information and the age proof information to the payment terminal. The payment terminal according to appendix A1, which acquires the master biometric information and the age proof information read from the storage medium and transmitted by the information terminal.
(Appendix A3)
The acquisition means acquires the master biometric information and the age proof information transmitted from the information terminal via near field communication in response to the information terminal reading the first information code. Payment terminal described in A2.
(Appendix A4)
The first information code includes connection information for establishing a short-range wireless communication connection,
The acquisition means acquires the master biometric information and the age proof information via the near field wireless communication by establishing the connection with the information terminal using the connection information read by the information terminal. Payment terminal described in Appendix A3.
(Appendix A5)
The acquisition means acquires the master biometric information and the age proof information transmitted from the information terminal via a wireless communication network in response to the information terminal reading the first information code. Appendix A2 Payment terminal described in.
(Appendix A6)
The acquisition means acquires the payment target product information,
Further comprising display control means for displaying the first information code on a display device when the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed;
The payment terminal according to any one of Appendix A2 to Appendix A5.
(Appendix A7)
The acquisition means acquires the payment target product information transmitted together with the master biometric information and the age proof information in response to the information terminal reading the first information code;
The payment terminal according to any one of appendices A2 to A5, wherein the authentication means performs the biometric authentication when the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed.
(Appendix A8)
The acquisition means is
obtaining the payment target product information transmitted from the information terminal in response to the information terminal reading a second information code displayed for payment;
When the payment target product information includes a product to which age conditions are imposed, the master biometric information and the age proof transmitted from the information terminal in response to the information terminal reading the first information code; The payment terminal according to any one of Appendix A2 to Appendix A5 that acquires information.
(Appendix A9)
The payment terminal according to any one of appendices A2 to A8, wherein the payment means transmits a payment completion information code to the information terminal after the payment.
(Appendix A10)
The acquisition means further acquires identification information of the payer along with the master biometric information and the age proof information,
The payment terminal according to any one of appendices A1 to A9, wherein the payment means performs the payment using payment information associated with the identification information when the biometric authentication is successful.
(Appendix A11)
The acquisition means further acquires benefit information applicable to payment along with the master biometric information and the age proof information,
The payment terminal according to any one of appendices A1 to A10, wherein the payment means performs the payment by applying the benefit information when the determined result indicates that the age condition is satisfied.
(Appendix A12)
The payment terminal according to any one of appendices A1 to A11, wherein the payment means performs the payment by applying a discount according to the age when the determined result indicates that the age condition is satisfied.
(Appendix B1)
a storage medium carried by the payer and storing master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
Equipped with a payment terminal,
The payment terminal is
acquisition means for acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from the storage medium;
an authentication means that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determining means for determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment means that performs payment according to the determined result;
A payment system equipped with
(Appendix B2)
The acquisition means is configured to acquire information in response to an information terminal carried by the payer reading a first information code displayed for transmitting the master biometric information and the age proof information to the payment terminal. The payment system according to Appendix B1, wherein the master biometric information and the age proof information read from the storage medium and transmitted by an information terminal are acquired.
(Appendix C1)
The computer is
acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
Performing biometric authentication by comparing the query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information,
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition;
A payment method that performs payment according to the above-determined result.
(Appendix D1)
an acquisition process of acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
an authentication process that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determination process of determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment process that performs payment according to the determined result;
A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a payment program that causes a computer to execute a payment program.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments (and examples), the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments (and examples). The configuration and details of the present invention can be modified in various ways that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

1 Payment terminal 11 Acquisition unit 12 Authentication unit 13 Determination unit 14 Payment unit 1001-1007 Payment system U User U1 Shopper U2 Payer 100 User terminal 100b User terminal 110 Storage unit 111 User information 1111 User ID
1112 Facial feature information 1113 Age proof information 112 Program 112b Program 113 Payment target product information 120 Memory 130 Communication unit 131 Near field communication IF
140 Control unit 141 Registration unit 141b Registration unit 142 Acquisition unit 142b Acquisition unit 143 Wireless communication unit 143b Wireless communication unit 144 Display control unit 150 Display unit 160 Camera 200 Self-checkout terminal 210 Storage unit 211 User information 2111 User ID
2112 Facial feature information 2113 Age proof information 212 Program 220 Memory 230 Communication unit 231 Near field wireless communication IF
232 Near field wireless communication IF
240 Control section 241 Acquisition section 242 Storage section 243 Authentication section 2431 Face detection section 2432 Feature information extraction section 2433 Authentication processing section 244 Judgment section 245 Payment section 246 Output section 250 Display section 260 Camera 280 Reading section 3 Product 30 Product code 4 Shopping cart 500 Contactless IC card 5 Storage medium 51 User ID
52 Facial feature information 53 Age verification information 6 Rental terminal 62 Product information for payment 700 Store 71 Sales floor 72 Checkout area M11 Confirmation message M12 Confirmation message M13 Confirmation message M14 Age confirmation message M15 Membership confirmation message C1 Age confirmation code C2 Accounting code

Claims

acquisition means for acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
an authentication means that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determining means for determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment means that performs payment according to the determined result;
A payment terminal equipped with
The acquisition means is configured to acquire information in response to an information terminal carried by the payer reading a first information code displayed for transmitting the master biometric information and the age proof information to the payment terminal. The payment terminal according to claim 1, wherein the master biometric information and the age proof information read from the storage medium and transmitted by an information terminal are acquired.
The acquisition means acquires the master biometric information and the age proof information transmitted from the information terminal via near field communication in response to the information terminal reading the first information code. The payment terminal described in Section 2.
The first information code includes connection information for establishing a short-range wireless communication connection,
The acquisition means acquires the master biometric information and the age proof information via the near field wireless communication by establishing the connection with the information terminal using the connection information read by the information terminal. The payment terminal according to claim 3.
The acquisition means acquires the master biometric information and the age proof information transmitted from the information terminal via a wireless communication network in response to the information terminal reading the first information code. The payment terminal described in 2.
The acquisition means acquires the payment target product information,
Further comprising display control means for displaying the first information code on a display device when the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed;
The payment terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The acquisition means acquires the payment target product information transmitted together with the master biometric information and the age proof information in response to the information terminal reading the first information code;
The payment terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the authentication means performs the biometric authentication when the payment target product information includes a product to which an age condition is imposed.
The acquisition means is
obtaining the payment target product information transmitted from the information terminal in response to the information terminal reading a second information code displayed for payment;
When the payment target product information includes a product to which age conditions are imposed, the master biometric information and the age proof transmitted from the information terminal in response to the information terminal reading the first information code; The payment terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 5, which acquires information.
The payment terminal according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the payment means transmits a payment completion information code to the information terminal after the payment.
The acquisition means further acquires identification information of the payer along with the master biometric information and the age proof information,
The payment terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the payment means performs the payment using payment information associated with the identification information when the biometric authentication is successful.
The acquisition means further acquires benefit information applicable to payment along with the master biometric information and the age proof information,
The payment terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the payment means performs the payment by applying the benefit information when the determined result indicates that the age condition is satisfied.
The payment method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the payment means performs the payment by applying a discount according to the age when the determined result indicates that the age condition is satisfied. terminal.
a storage medium carried by the payer and storing master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
Equipped with a payment terminal,
The payment terminal is
acquisition means for acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from the storage medium;
an authentication means that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determining means for determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment means that performs payment according to the determined result;
A payment system equipped with
The acquisition means is configured to acquire information in response to an information terminal carried by the payer reading a first information code displayed for transmitting the master biometric information and the age proof information to the payment terminal. The payment system according to claim 13, wherein the master biometric information and the age proof information read from the storage medium and transmitted by an information terminal are acquired.
The computer is
acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
Performing biometric authentication by comparing the query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information,
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition;
A payment method that performs payment according to the determined result.
an acquisition process of acquiring the master biometric information and the age proof information from a storage medium carried by the payer and storing the master biometric information and age proof information of the payer;
an authentication process that performs biometric authentication by comparing query biometric information obtained from the payer at the time of payment with the obtained master biometric information;
If the biometric authentication is successful and the payment target product information of the payer includes a product to which an age condition is imposed, a determination process of determining whether the acquired age proof information satisfies the age condition. and,
a payment process that performs payment according to the determined result;
A non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores a payment program that causes a computer to execute a payment program.