Patent Application
20230351389
An embodiment described here generally relates to a transaction processing system and a transaction processing method.
In a case where biometric authentication is performed for authentication of a payer of a transaction in a conventional transaction processing system, the payer needs to perform an operation for inputting his/her own biometric data. Moreover, in connection with such a transaction, a payer who wishes to apply an electronic receipt service needs to perform an operation of displaying a barcode indicating an identifier of a user of the electronic receipt service on an information terminal such as a smartphone and reading the barcode, for example. Therefore, in the conventional transaction processing system, the payer's operations are troublesome. In view of such circumstances, in a case where biometric authentication is used for authenticating the payer of the transaction who uses the electronic receipt service, it is desirable to reduce the time and effort of the payer.
In accordance with one embodiment, a transaction processing system provides a transaction processing service to a user. The transaction processing system includes a user terminal, an authentication server, a payment server, and a receipt server. The user terminal inputs biometric data of a user who performs payment of a transaction as a target of the transaction processing service. The authentication server authenticates the biometric data input by the user terminal, and acquires an identifier for identifying the user who performs the payment in a case where the authentication has succeeded, the identifier being associated with the biometric data. The payment server acquires payment data associated with the identifier acquired by the authentication server and pays for the transaction by using the acquired payment data. The receipt server manages receipt information regarding the transaction paid for by the payment server in association with the identifier acquired by the authentication server.
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the same reference signs in the figures will denote the same or similar portions.
The user terminal 1 is an information terminal used by a user who is a payer of a transaction to be processed in the transaction processing system 100. The user terminal 1 is typically dedicatedly used by an individual user. It should be noted that although it can be any transaction as long as it involves payment of a price, the transaction to be processed in the transaction processing system 100 is a commodity sale in this embodiment.
The sales server 2 is a server device that performs information processing for sales, such as registration of sold commodities and calculation of the price of the sold commodities. The sales server 2 is, for example, a point-of-sale (POS) server. The sales server 2 is managed by, for example, a merchandise seller or the like.
The agency server 3 is a server device that performs information processing for providing a payment agency service that enables a plurality of payment services provided by the plurality of payment servers 5 to be easily used. The agency server 3 is managed by, for example, a provider of the payment agency service.
The authentication server 4 is a server device that performs information processing for authenticating whether or not the payer has been registered as a user of a transaction processing service provided by the transaction processing system 100. The authentication server 4 is managed by, for example, a provider of an authentication service.
The payment server 5 is a server device that performs information processing for payment in response to a request from the agency server 3. The plurality of payment servers 5 included in the transaction processing system 100 includes payment servers using different payment methods to be applied. For example, one of the payment servers 5 performs credit payment. For example, another one of the payment servers 5 performs code payment. Moreover, the plurality of payment servers 5 included in the transaction processing system 100 includes payment servers using the same payment method to be applied but different suppliers, brands, and the like. For example, two of the payment servers 5 perform credit payment for credit cards of different brands. The agency server 3 is managed by, for example, the provider of the payment agency service. The payment server 5 is managed by, for example, a provider of a payment service.
The receipt server 6 is a server device that performs information processing for providing an electronic receipt service to a user who has already been registered for use. The receipt server 6 is managed by, for example, a provider of the electronic receipt service.
The reward server 7 is a server device that performs information processing for providing a reward giving service to the user who has already been registered for use. The reward giving service is a service that gives an arbitrary reward to the user. In this embodiment, the reward giving service is a point service. The reward server 7 is managed by, for example, a provider of the reward giving service. It should be noted that the merchandise seller and the providers of the various services are typically different from each other. However, some or all of the merchandise sellers and the providers of the various services may be the same suppliers, etc.
The user terminal 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a touch panel 14, an input device 15, a communication device 16, a transmission line 17, and the like. The processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the touch panel 14, the input device 15, and the communication device 16 can communicate with one another via the transmission line 17. By connecting the processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage device 13 through the transmission line 17, a computer that performs information processing for controlling the user terminal 1 is configured.
The processor 11 corresponds to a central portion of the computer. The processor 11 controls each unit to realize various functions as the user terminal 1 in accordance with an information processing program such as an operating system and an application program. The processor 11 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).
The main memory 12 corresponds to a main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores the operating system and the application program in the non-volatile memory area. Moreover, the main memory 12 sometimes stores data necessary for the processor 11 to perform the processing for controlling each unit in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The volatile memory area of the main memory 12 is used as a work area in which data is rewritten by the processor 11 as appropriate. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The volatile memory area is, for example, a random access memory (RAM).
The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to an auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, an electric erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). A hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or various other known storage devices may be used as the auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 to perform various types of processing and data generated by processing at the processor 11. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores the application program.
One of the application programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 is an information processing program (hereinafter, referred to as client app) APA for using the transaction processing service provided by the transaction processing system 100. It should be noted that the client app APA is typically downloaded via the Internet and written in the auxiliary storage device 13 in accordance with an operation performed by the user of the user terminal 1. That is, the transfer of the user terminal 1 to the user of the user terminal 1 is performed in a state in which the client app APA is not stored in the auxiliary storage device 13. However, the user terminal 1 in a state in which the client app APA is stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 may be transferred to the user of the user terminal 1.
The touch panel 14 functions as an input device and a display device of the user terminal 1. The input device 15 inputs biometric data. The biometric data is information indicating a feature such as a fingerprint, veins, an iris, and a face. For example, information similar to information used in a well-known biometric authentication technology can be used as the biometric data. In a case where the feature of the fingerprint, for example, is used as the biometric data, an existing fingerprint sensor, for example, can be used as the input device 15. Moreover, in a case where the feature of the face is used as the biometric data, an existing camera, for example, can be used as the input device 15.
The communication device 16 performs communication processing for data communication via the communication network 200. A well-known communication device for performing data communication via the mobile communication network or the Internet, for example, can be used as the communication device 16. The transmission line 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like and sends data and control signals exchanged between the respective connected units.
The processor 21 corresponds to a central portion of the computer. The processor 21 performs information processing for realizing various functions as the sales server 2 in accordance with an information processing program such as an operating system and an application program. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU.
The main memory 22 corresponds to a main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 22 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 22 stores the information processing program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 22 sometimes stores data necessary for the processor 21 to perform information processing in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The volatile memory area of the main memory 22 is used as a work area in which data is rewritten by the processor 21 as appropriate. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.
The auxiliary storage device 23 corresponds to an auxiliary storage portion of the computer. A well-known storage device such as an EEPROM, an HDD, and an SSD can be used as the auxiliary storage device 23. The auxiliary storage device 23 stores data used by the processor 21 to perform various types of processing, data generated by processing at the processor 21, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 23 sometimes stores the information processing program.
The communication device 24 performs communication processing for data communication via the communication network 200. A well-known communication device for performing data communication via the mobile communication network or the Internet, for example, can be used as the communication device 24. The transmission line 25 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like and sends data and control signals exchanged between the respective connected units.
The auxiliary storage device 23 stores a sales app APB which is one of the information processing programs. The sales app APB is an application program and describes information processing for realizing the functions as the sales server 2.
It should be noted that the auxiliary storage device 33 stores an agency app APC instead of the sales app APB. The agency app APC is an application program and describes information processing for realizing the functions as the agency server 3. Moreover, a portion of the storage area of the auxiliary storage device 33 is used as a payment information database DBA.
It should be noted that the auxiliary storage device 43 stores an authentication app APD instead of the sales app APB. The authentication app APD is an application program and describes information processing for realizing the functions as the authentication server 4. Moreover, a portion of the storage area of the auxiliary storage device 43 is used as an authentication database DBB.
It should be noted that the auxiliary storage device 53 stores a payment app APE instead of the sales app APB. The payment app APE is an application program and describes information processing for realizing the functions as the payment server 5.
It should be noted that the auxiliary storage device 63 stores an electronic receipt app APF instead of the sales app APB. The electronic receipt app APF is an application program and describes information processing for realizing the functions as the receipt server 6. Moreover, a portion of the storage area of the auxiliary storage device 63 is used as a receipt database DBC.
It should be noted that the auxiliary storage device 73 stores a point service app APG instead of the sales app APB. The point service app APG is an application program and describes information processing for realizing the functions as the reward server 7. Moreover, a portion of the storage area of the auxiliary storage device 73 is used as a point database DBD.
For example, a general-purpose server device can be used as hardware of the sales server 2, the agency server 3, the authentication server 4, the payment server 5, the receipt server 6, and the reward server 7. The transfer of the sales server 2, the agency server 3, the authentication server 4, the payment server 5, the receipt server 6, or the reward server 7 is generally performed in a state in which the sales app APB, the agency app APC, the authentication app APD, the payment app APE, the electronic receipt app APF, or the point service app APG is respectively stored in the auxiliary storage devices 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, or 73 and the payment information database DBA, the authentication database DBB, the receipt database DBC, or the point database DBD is not stored. However, hardware in a state in which the sales app APB, the agency app APC, the authentication app APD, the payment app APE, the electronic receipt app APF, or the point service app APG is not stored in the auxiliary storage device 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, or 73 or hardware in a state in which an application program of the same type in a different version is stored in the auxiliary storage device 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, or 73, and the sales app APB, the agency app APC, the authentication app APD, the payment app APE, the electronic receipt app APF, or the point service app APG may be individually transferred. The sales server 2, the agency server 3, the authentication server 4, the payment server 5, the receipt server 6, and the reward server 7 may be configured by writing the sales app APB, the agency app APC, the authentication app APD, the payment app APE, the electronic receipt app APF, or the point service app APG in the auxiliary storage device 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63, or 73 in accordance with an arbitrary operation of an operator. The transfer of the sales app APB, the agency app APC, the authentication app APD, the payment app APE, the electronic receipt app APF, or the point service app APG can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium like a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disc, an optical disc, a semiconductor memory, or the like or by communication via a network. The payment information database DBA, the authentication database DBB, the receipt database DBC, or the point database DBD is configured in the auxiliary storage device 33, 43, 63, or 73 in such a manner that the processor 31, 41, 61, or 71 performs information processing.
Next, an operation of the transaction processing system 100 configured as described above will be described. It should be noted that the details of various processes to be described below are only an example, and it is, for example, possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add another process as appropriate. In the following description, in order to describe characteristic operations of this embodiment in an easy-to-understand manner, some processes associated with such characteristic operations will be described and descriptions of other processes will be omitted.
It should be noted that in the user terminal 1, the sales server 2, the agency server 3, the authentication server 4, the payment server 5, the receipt server 6, and the reward server 7, the processors 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, and 71 perform information processing for realizing sequences to be described below on the basis of the client app APA, the sales app APB, the agency app APC, the authentication app APD, the payment app APE, the electronic receipt app APF, and the point service app APG.
In ACTT of
Next, in ACT2, the processor 11 requests the agency server 3 to perform registration. For example, the processor 11 sends request data including identification information for identifying the user registration request and the biometric data and payment data input in ACTT to the communication network 200 from the communication device 16, the request data being addressed to the agency server 3.
When the request data is sent to the agency server 3 via the communication network 200 and received by the communication device 34 of the agency server 3, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT3. It should be noted that various requests to be described below are realized by sending and receiving request data including identification information for identifying the purpose of the request via the communication network 200 in a manner similar to that described above.
In ACT3 of
Next, in ACT4, the processor 31 updates the payment information database DBA. For example, the processor 31 adds a new data record DRA in which the user ID determined in ACT3 and the payment data included in the request data have been set in the fields FAA and FAB, respectively, to the payment information database DBA.
Next, in ACT5, the processor 31 requests the authentication server 4 to perform registration. For example, the processor 31 includes, in request data for the request here, the user ID determined in ACT3 and the biometric data included in the request data sent from the user terminal 1 in ACT2.
When the processor 41 of the authentication server 4 receives the registration request, the processor 41 of the authentication server 4 performs a process of ACT6. In ACT6, the processor 41 updates the authentication database DBB. For example, the processor 41 adds a new data record DRB in which the user ID and the biometric data included in the request data have been set in the fields FBA and FBB, respectively, to the authentication database DBB.
Next, in ACTT, the processor 41 notifies the agency server 3 of the registration completion. For example, the processor 41 sends notification data including identification information for identifying the registration completion notification and the user ID set in the field FBA of the new data record DRB to the communication network 200 from the communication device 44 of the authentication server 4, the identification information being addressed to the agency server 3. It should be noted that in a case where it is possible to determine to which registration request the registration completion notification corresponds by using a session ID or an ID for identifying an individual registration request, the user ID does not need to be included in the notification data.
When the notification data is sent to the agency server 3 by the communication network 200 and received by the communication device 34 of the agency server 3, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT8. At this time, the processor 31 checks whether or not the user ID included in the notification data matches the user ID determined in ACT3. The processor 31 of the agency server 3 may perform the process of ACT8 only in a case where the user ID included in the notification data matches the user ID determined in ACT3. It should be noted that various notifications to be described below are realized by sending and receiving notification data including identification information for identifying the purpose of the notification via the communication network 200, in a manner similar to that described above.
In ACT8, the processor 31 notifies the user terminal 1 of the registration completion. When the notification data is sent to the user terminal 1 through the communication network 200 and received by the communication device 16 of the user terminal 1, the processor 11 of the user terminal 1 terminates the processing related to the user registration.
In ACT21, the processor 21 of the sales server 2 requests biometric data from the user terminal 1. It should be noted that the processor 21 establishes communication with the user terminal 1 on the basis of connection information obtained by reading a barcode displayed on the touch panel 14 of the user terminal 1 with a scanner, for example, in a registration device such as a POS terminal.
When the processor 11 of the user terminal 1 receives a request for biometric data from the sales server 2, the processor 11 of the user terminal 1 performs a process of ACT22. In ACT22, the processor 11 inputs biometric data. The processor 11 guides the user via the touch panel 14 to input the biometric data, for example. The user performs a task for inputting his/her own biometric data into the input device 15 in accordance with the guide. In this manner, the processor 11 obtains the biometric data in a manner similar to that described above. Thus, the processor 11 acquires the biometric data of the user who is the payer of the transaction. That is, by performing the information processing based on the client app APA by the processor 11, the computer having the processor 11 as the central portion functions as an acquisition means. The user terminal 1 corresponds to a first apparatus including the acquisition means. Next, in ACT23, the processor 11 notifies the sales server 2 of the biometric data. The processor 11 includes, in the notification data to be sent here, the biometric data input in ACT22.
In a case where the commodity registration and calculation of a payment amount have been completed in the registration device, the processing of the processor 21 of the sales server 2 proceeds to ACT24. In ACT24, the processor 21 requests payment from the agency server 3. The processor 21 includes, in the request data to be sent here, the payment amount calculated by the registration device and the biometric data notified in ACT23.
When the processor 31 of the agency server 3 receives the payment request, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT25. In ACT25, the processor 31 requests authentication from the authentication server 4. The processor 31 includes, in the request data to be sent here, the biometric data included in the request data sent from the sales server 2 in ACT24.
When the processor 41 of the authentication server 4 receives the authentication request, the processor 41 of the authentication server 4 performs a process of ACT26. In ACT26, the processor 41 performs query processing. That is, for example, the processor 41 checks whether or not the biometric data included in the request data sent from the agency server 3 in ACT25 matches any piece of the biometric data registered in the authentication database DBB. For example, the processor 41 determines that the authentication has succeeded in a case where the matching rate between the characteristics of the biometric data included in the request data sent from the agency server 3 in ACT25 and the biometric data registered in the authentication database DBB is equal to or higher than a predetermined rate, and otherwise determines that the authentication has failed. The processor 41 then selects, for example, the data record DRB including the field FBB in which the biometric data having the highest matching rate has been set, in a case where the authentication has succeeded. The processor 41 acquires, for example, the user ID set in the field FBA of the corresponding data record DRB. It should be noted that the above-mentioned query processing may be other well-known processing for the biometric authentication. The processor 41 thus determines the user ID as an identifier associated with the biometric data. That is, by performing the information processing based on the authentication app APD by the processor 41, the computer having the processor 41 as the central portion functions as a determination means. The authentication server 4 corresponds to a second apparatus including the determination means.
Next, in ACT27, the processor 41 notifies the agency server 3 of the outcome of the authorization. The processor 41 includes, in the notification data to be sent here, outcome information indicating whether or not the authentication has succeeded, and includes, in the notification data to be sent here, the user ID acquired in ACT26 in a case where the authentication has succeeded. It should be noted that the processes after ACT27 in
When the processor 31 of the agency server 3 receives the outcome notification indicating that the authentication has succeeded from the authentication server 4, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT28. In ACT28, the processor 31 determines the payment server 5 to be used for the payment according to the payment request (see ACT24) from the sales server 2. The processor 31, for example, searches the payment information database DBA for the data record DRA having the field FAA in which the user ID included in the notification data of the outcome notification has been set. The processor 31 determines the payment server 5 corresponding to the payment data set in the field FAB of the corresponding data record DRA as the payment server 5 to be used for the payment.
Next, in ACT29, the processor 31 requests payment from the payment server 5 determined in ACT28. The processor 31 includes, in the request data here, the payment amount included in the request data (see ACT24) sent from the sales server 2 and the payment data used for determining the payment server 5 in ACT28.
In a case where the payment request has been received, the processor 51 of the payment server 5 performs a process of ACT30. In ACT30, the processor 51 performs payment processing for paying the payment amount included in the request data by using the payment data. The processor 51 performs, for example, processing for withdrawing the payment amount from the account associated with the credit number included in the payment data. It should be noted that the payment processing performed by the processor 51 may be similar to processing performed by an existing payment server.
In this way, the processor 51 of the payment server 5 pays for the transaction by using the payment data notified from the agency server 3 in a case where the user ID associated with the biometric data has been determined. By performing information processing based on the payment app APE by the processor 51, the processor 51 functions as a payment means. The payment server 5 corresponds to a third apparatus including the payment means.
Next, in ACT31, the processor 51 of the payment server 5 notifies the agency server 3 of the outcome of the payment processing. The processor 51 includes, in the notification data here, at least outcome information indicating whether or not the payment has been normally completed. In a case where there is information required to be notified in accordance with the payment method, such as a payment number, the processor 51 also includes the corresponding information in the notification data. It should be noted that the processes after ACT31 in
When the processor 31 of the agency server 3 receives the outcome notification indicating that the payment has been normally completed from the payment server 5, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT32. In ACT32, the processor 31 notifies the sales server 2 of the outcome of the payment processing. The processor 31 includes, in the notification data here, the outcome information included in the notification data received from the payment server 5 in ACT31 and the user ID included in the notification data received from the authentication server 4 in ACT27.
When the processor 21 of the sales server 2 receives the outcome notification indicating that the payment has been normally completed from the agency server 3, the processor 21 of the sales server 2 performs a process of ACT33. In ACT33, the processor 21 requests the receipt server 6 to register an electronic receipt. The processor 21 includes, in the request data here, the user ID included in the notification data received from the agency server 3 in ACT32 and the receipt information. The receipt information is information indicating the details of the transaction for which the payment amount notified to the agency server 3 by the processor 31 of the sales server 2 in ACT24 has been calculated. What kind of information the receipt information includes may be arbitrarily determined by, for example, a creator of the sales app APB. The receipt information includes, for example, information for managing the transaction such as the name of the store where the transaction was carried out, the date of transaction, and a receipt number, and information regarding a commodity code, points, and the unit price of each of commodities which have been the transaction targets, a total amount, and the like. That is, it is assumed that the receipt information includes various types of information found in a paper receipt. Moreover, the receipt information may include the payment number included in the notification data sent from the payment server 5 in ACT31. It should be noted that the receipt information may be generated by the registration device. In this case, the processor 21 includes the receipt information acquired from the registration device in the request data.
When the processor 61 of the receipt server 6 receives the registration request, the processor 61 of the receipt server 6 performs a process of ACT34. In ACT34, the processor 61 updates the receipt database DBC. For example, the processor 61 searches the receipt database DBC for the data record DRC having the field FCA the user ID included in the request data received from the sales server 2 in ACT33 has been set. In a case where the corresponding data record DRC is found, the processor 61 adds a new field after the last field of the data record DRC. The processor 61 then sets, in this new field, the receipt information included in the request data received from the sales server 2 in ACT33. In a case where the corresponding data record DRC is not found, the processor 61 adds to the receipt database DBC a new data record DRC having the fields FCA and FCB in which the user ID and the receipt information included in the request data received from the sales server 2 in ACT33 have been set.
Thus, the processor 61 uses the receipt database DBC to manage the receipt information in association with a user identifier associated with the payer's biometric data. Thus, by performing the information processing based on the electronic receipt app APF by the processor 61, the computer having the processor 61 as the central portion functions as a management means. The receipt server 6 corresponds to a fourth apparatus including a management means. Next, in ACT35, the processor 61 notifies the sales server 2 that the receipt registration has been completed.
When the processor 21 of the sales server 2 receives the completion notification indicating that the receipt registration has been completed, the processor 21 of the sales server 2 performs a process of ACT36. It should be noted that in accordance with the outcome notification received in ACT32, the processor 21 may perform the process of ACT36 before and after the registration request as ACT33 without waiting for the completion notification received in ACT35. In ACT36, the processor 21 requests the reward server 7 to perform processing related to the point service. The processor 21 includes, in the request data here, the user ID included in the notification data received from the agency server 3 in ACT32 and the point information.
When the processor 71 of the reward server 7 receives the processing request (see ACT36), the processor 71 of the reward server 7 performs a process of ACT37. In ACT37, the processor 71 updates the point database DBD. For example, the processor 71 searches the point database DBD for the data record DRD having the field FDA in which the user ID included in the request data received from the sales server 2 in ACT36 has been set. In a case where the corresponding data record DRD is found, the processor 71 rewrites the held points indicated by the point information set in the field FDB of the data record DRD to points obtained by adding the given points indicated by the point information included in the request data to the held points. Next, in ACT38, the processor 71 notifies the sales server 2 that the point processing has been completed.
As described above, the transaction processing system 100 according to the first embodiment determines the user ID of the payer by biometric authentication using the biometric data of the payer acquired by the user terminal 1, and pays for the transaction and manages the receipt information related to the transaction in association with the user ID in a case where the user ID can be determined. Accordingly, the authentication of the user of the electronic receipt service can also be completed by the biometric authentication of the payer, and the user does not need to additionally perform an operation for inputting the ID for the electronic receipt service. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the payer in a case where the biometric authentication is used for authenticating the payer of the transaction who uses the electronic receipt service.
Moreover, in accordance with the transaction processing system 100 of the first embodiment, the point information related to the point service is also managed in association with the user ID. Therefore, in a case where the biometric data is properly input, the user can use the point service in addition to the electronic receipt service, and the time and effort of the payer in a case where the biometric authentication is used for authenticating the payer of the transaction who uses the point service can be reduced.
Since the configuration of the transaction processing system 100 according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, illustration and description thereof will be omitted. Some of the structures of the various databases and the sequences of the second embodiment differs from those of the first embodiment.
In the second embodiment, the payment information database DBA is a set of data records DRE associated with the user of the transaction processing service. The data record DRE includes fields FEA, FEB, FEC, and FDD. An authentication ID, which is an identifier of the user of the transaction processing service, is set in the field FEA. Payment data reported in advance by the user is set in the field FEB. A receipt ID, which is an identifier of the user of the electronic receipt service, is set in the field FEC. A point ID, which is an identifier of the user of the point service, is set in the field FED. It should be noted that the data record DRE may include another field and arbitrary information may be set in the field.
Next, an operation of the transaction processing system 100 of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described. The authentication ID in the second embodiment is substantially the same as the user ID in the first embodiment. Therefore, the sequence related to the user registration of the transaction processing service is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment. It should be noted that in ACT4 in
Moreover, in the registration request in ACT5 and the completion notification in ACTT, the authentication ID is included in the request data and the notification data instead of the user ID. In ACT6, the processor 41 of the authentication server 4 adds a new data record DRF having the fields FFA and FFB in which the authentication ID included in the request data and the biometric data have been set, for example, to the authentication database DBB.
When the processor 61 of the receipt server 6 receives the registration request, the processor 61 of the receipt server 6 performs a process of ACT42. In ACT42, the processor 61 determines the receipt ID associated with the user such that the receipt ID is not coincident a receipt ID already associated with another user. For example, the processor 61 uses a character string determined in accordance with a predetermined algorithm as the receipt ID such that the character string can be determined with no duplicates. Alternatively, the processor 61 stores, for example, list data indicating a list of receipt IDs determined in the past in the auxiliary storage device 63 and determines a receipt ID not included in the list as a new receipt ID. Alternatively, the processor 61 may determine, for example, a receipt ID that is not set in the field FGA of the data record DRG included in the receipt database DBC as a new receipt ID and add a new data record DRG having the field FGA in which the receipt ID determined here has been set to the receipt database DBC. The processor 61 may determine the receipt ID by any other method.
Next, in ACT43, the processor 61 notifies the user terminal 1 of the registration completion. The processor 61 includes the determined receipt ID in the notification data at this time. When the processor 11 of the user terminal 1 receives the notification of registration completion, the processor 11 of the user terminal 1 stores, in the auxiliary storage device 13, the receipt ID included in the notification data.
When the processor 71 of the reward server 7 receives the registration request, the processor 71 of the reward server 7 performs a process of ACT52. In ACT52, the processor 71 determines the point ID associated with the user such that the point ID is not coincident with a point ID already associated with another user. For example, the processor 71 uses a character string determined in accordance with a predetermined algorithm as the point ID such that the character string can be determined with no duplicates. Alternatively, the processor 71 stores, for example, list data indicating a list of point IDs determined in the past in the auxiliary storage device 73 and determines a receipt ID not included in the list as a new receipt ID. Alternatively, the processor 71 determines, for example, a point ID that is not set in the field FHA of the data record DRH included in the point database DBD as a new point ID, and adds a new data record DRH having the field FHA in which the point ID determined here has been set to the receipt database DBC. The processor 71 may determine the point ID by any other method.
Next, in ACT53, the processor 71 notifies the user terminal 1 of the registration completion. The processor 71 includes the determined point ID in the notification data at this time. When the processor 11 of the user terminal 1 receives the notification of registration completion, the processor 11 of the user terminal 1 stores, in the auxiliary storage device 13, the point ID included in the notification data.
In ACT62, the processor 11 requests the agency server 3 to perform the association. The processor 11 includes, in the request data here, the receipt ID in a case where the receipt ID is stored in the auxiliary storage device 13. The processor 11 includes, in the request data here, the point ID in a case where the point ID is stored in the auxiliary storage device 13. Moreover, the processor 11 includes, in the request data here, the biometric data input in ACT61.
When the processor 31 of the agency server 3 receives the association request from the processor 11, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT64. In ACT64, the processor 31 requests the authentication server 4 to perform the authentication. The processor 31 includes, in the request data to be sent here, the biometric data included in the request data sent from the user terminal 1 in ACT62.
When the processor 41 of the authentication server 4 receives the authentication request from the agency server 3, the processor 41 of the authentication server 4 performs a process of ACT65. In ACT65, the processor 41 performs query processing. That is, for example, the processor 41 checks whether or not the biometric data included in the request data sent from the agency server 3 in ACT64 matches any piece of the biometric data registered in the authentication database DBB. For example, the processor 41 determines that the authentication has succeeded in a case where the matching rate between the characteristics of the biometric data included in the request data sent from the agency server 3 in ACT64 and any piece of the biometric data registered in the authentication database DBB is equal to or higher than a predetermined rate, and otherwise determines that the authentication has failed. The processor 41 then selects, for example, the data record DRF including the field FFB in which the biometric data having the highest matching rate has been set, in a case where the authentication has succeeded. The processor 41 acquires, for example, the authentication ID set in the field FFA of the corresponding data record DRF.
Next, in ACT66, the processor 41 notifies the agency server 3 of the outcome of the authorization. The processor 41 includes, in the notification data to be sent here, outcome information indicating whether or not the authentication has succeeded, and includes, in the notification data to be sent here, the authentication ID acquired in ACT65 in a case where the authentication has succeeded. It should be noted that the processes after ACT66 in
When the processor 31 of the agency server 3 receives the outcome notification indicating that the authentication has succeeded from the authentication server 4, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT67. In ACT67, the processor 31 updates the payment information database DBA. For example, the processor 31 searches the payment information database DBA for the data record DRE having the field FEA in which the authentication ID included in the notification data sent from the authentication server 4 in ACT67 has been set. In a case where the request data sent from the user terminal 1 in ACT62 includes a receipt ID, the processor 31 sets the receipt ID in the field FEC of the corresponding data record DRE. Moreover, in a case where the request data sent from the user terminal 1 in ACT62 includes a point ID, the processor 31 sets the point ID in the field FED of the corresponding data record DRE. Next, in ACT68, the processor 31 notifies the user terminal 1 of the association completion.
Next, in ACT71, the processor 41 notifies the agency server 3 of the outcome of the authorization. The processor 41 includes, in the notification data to be sent here, outcome information indicating whether or not the authentication has succeeded, and includes, in the notification data to be sent here, the authentication ID acquired in ACT26 in a case where the authentication has succeeded. It should be noted that the processes after ACT71 in
When the processor 31 of the agency server 3 receives the outcome notification indicating that the authentication has succeeded from the authentication server 4, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT72. In ACT72, the processor 31 determines the payment server 5 for payment according to the payment request (see ACT24) from the sales server 2. For example, the processor 31 searches the payment information database DBA for a data record DRE having the field FEA in which the authentication ID included in the notification data of the outcome notification has been set. The processor 31 determines the payment server 5 corresponding to the payment data set in the field FEB of the corresponding data record DRE as the payment server 5 to be used for the payment.
The subsequent processes ACT29, ACT30, and ACT31 are similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in a case where the authentication ID associated with the biometric data is determined, the processor 51 pays for the transaction by using the payment data notified from the agency server 3. That is, by performing information processing based on the payment app APE by the processor 51, the processor 51 functions as a payment means.
When the processor 31 of the agency server 3 receives the outcome notification indicating that the payment has been normally completed from the payment server 5, the processor 31 of the agency server 3 performs a process of ACT73. In ACT73, the processor 31 performs ID conversion on the authentication ID included in the notification data sent from the authentication server 4. For example, in a case where the receipt ID has been set in the field FEC of the data record DRE found in ACT72, the processor 31 sets the receipt ID as the converted ID. Moreover, for example, in a case where the point ID has been set in the field FED of the data record DRE found in ACT72, the processor 31 sets the point ID as the converted ID. Thus, the processor 31 converts the authentication ID as the first identifier into a receipt ID as a second identifier. That is, by performing information processing based on the agency app APC by the processor 31, the computer having the processor 31 as the central portion functions as a conversion means. The agency server 3 corresponds to a fifth apparatus including the conversion means.
In ACT74, the processor 31 notifies the sales server 2 of the outcome of the payment processing. The processor 31 includes, in the notification data here, the outcome information included in the notification data received from the payment server 5 in ACT31 and the ID after ID conversion in ACT73. That is, the processor 31 includes the receipt ID in the notification data in a case where the receipt ID is obtained as the converted ID in ACT73. Moreover, the processor 31 includes the point ID in the notification data in a case where the point ID is obtained as the converted ID in ACT73. Although the notification data in ACT74 is shown including the receipt ID and the point ID in
The processor 21 of the sales server 2 receives the outcome notification indicating that the payment has been normally completed from the agency server 3 and performs a process of ACT75 in a case where the notification data includes the receipt ID. In ACT75, the processor 21 requests the receipt server 6 to register an electronic receipt. The processor 21 includes, in the request data here, the receipt ID included in the notification data received from the agency server 3 in ACT74 and the receipt information.
When the processor 61 of the receipt server 6 receives the registration request from the sales server 2, the processor 61 of the receipt server 6 performs a process of ACT76. In ACT76, the processor 61 updates the receipt database DBC. For example, the processor 61 searches the receipt database DBC for a data record DRG having the field FGA in which the receipt ID included in the request data received from the sales server 2 in ACT75 has been set. In a case where the corresponding data record DRG is found, the processor 61 adds a new field after the last field of the data record DRG. The processor 61 then sets, in this new field, the receipt information included in the request data received from the sales server 2 in ACT75. In a case where the corresponding data record DRG is not found, the processor 61 adds to the receipt database DBC a new data record DRG having the fields FGA and FGB in which the receipt ID and the receipt information included in the request data received from the sales server 2 in ACT75 have been set.
Thus, the processor 61 uses the receipt database DBC to manage the receipt information in association with a receipt identifier associated with the payer's biometric data. Thus, by performing the information processing based on the electronic receipt app APF by the processor 61, the computer having the processor 61 as the central portion functions as a management means. Next, in ACT77, the processor 61 notifies the sales server 2 that the receipt registration has been completed.
The processor 21 of the sales server 2 receives the above-mentioned outcome notification (see ACT74) indicating that the payment has been normally completed from the agency server 3, and performs a process of ACT78 in a case where the point ID is included in the notification data. In ACT78, the processor 21 requests the reward server 7 to perform processing related to the point service. The processor 21 includes, in the request data here, the point ID included in the notification data received from the agency server 3 in ACT74 and the point information.
When the processor 71 of the reward server 7 receives the processing request from the sales server 2, the processor 71 of the reward server 7 performs a process of ACT79. In ACT79, the processor 71 updates the point database DBD. For example, the processor 71 searches the point database DBD for a data record DRH having the field FHA in which the point ID included in the request data received from the sales server 2 in ACT78 has been set. In a case where the corresponding data record DRH is found, the processor 71 rewrites the held points indicated by the point information set in the field FHB of the data record DRH to points obtained by adding the given points indicated by the point information included in the request data to the held points. Accordingly, a reward is given to the user identified by the user ID in the form of giving points depending on the transaction. Thus, by performing the information processing based on the point service app APG by the processor 71, the computer having the processor 71 as the central portion functions as a giving means. Next, in ACT80, the processor 71 notifies the sales server 2 that the point processing has been completed.
It should be noted that
As described above, the transaction processing system 100 of the second embodiment determines the authentication ID of the payer by biometric authentication using the biometric data of the payer acquired by the user terminal 1, and pays for the transaction and manages the receipt information related to the transaction in association with the receipt ID associated with the authentication ID in a case where the authentication ID can be determined. Therefore, the authentication of the user of the electronic receipt service can be completed by the biometric authentication of the payer and the user does not need to additionally perform an operation for inputting the ID for the electronic receipt service. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the payer in a case where the biometric authentication is used for authenticating the payer of the transaction who uses the electronic receipt service.
Moreover, the transaction processing system 100 according to the second embodiment manages the point information related to the point service in association with the point ID associated with the authentication ID. Therefore, in a case where the biometric data is properly input, the user can use the point service in addition to the electronic receipt service, and the time and effort of the payer in a case where the biometric authentication is used for authenticating the payer of the transaction who uses the point service can be reduced.
Various modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments can be made as follows. The determination of the user ID or the authentication ID associated with the biometric data may be performed by the agency server 3. Moreover, the determination of the user ID or the authentication ID associated with the biometric data may be performed by the payment server by directly requesting the payment from the sales server 2 to the payment server 5. Alternatively, the receipt server 6 or the reward server 7 has a function as a determination means and may be substituted as the authentication server 4.
A server other than the server included in the receipt server 6 or the reward server 7 or the transaction processing system 100 may function as a conversion means and the other server may be used as the authentication server 4.
The transaction processing system 100 does not need to perform the sequence shown in
The transaction processing system 100 does not need to perform the sequence shown in
The biometric data may be input using an input device built in or externally attached to a registration device such as a POS terminal connected to the sales server 2.
The transaction processing system 100 does not need to provide the point service.
Each function realized by the processor 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, or 71 in the information processing can be realized by hardware that performs information processing not based on a program, like a logic circuit or the like. Alternatively, each of the above-mentioned functions may be realized by combining software control with the hardware such as the logic circuit.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-149092 | Sep 2020 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/228,628, filed on Apr. 12, 2021, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-149092, filed on Sep. 4, 2020, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17228628 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Child | 18348076 | US |
