Payment methods and payment devices

Abstract

We provide technology that streamlines the payment process for hometown tax donations at stores based in local governments, thereby increasing hometown tax donations and revitalizing local communities. [Solution] A cashless payment method is used for hometown tax donations, which include donations from customers to local governments and the provision of return gifts from local stores to customers, by a payment service provider using a payment device. The method involves calculating the total expenses obtained by multiplying the customer's donation amount by a predetermined total expense rate, depositing the amount obtained by subtracting the total expenses from the donation amount to the local government, calculating the value of the return gifts obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined return rate, depositing the value of the return gifts from the total expenses to the store after the provision of return gifts from the store to the customer is completed, and depositing a kickback amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined back rate from the payment expenses, which are the amount obtained by subtracting the value of the return gifts from the total expenses, to the person who introduced the store to the payment service provider.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement method and a settlement device.

Background Art

[0002] Hometown tax payment is a system in which, among the donation amounts made by customers who donate to their hometowns or local governments they wish to support, the portion exceeding a certain amount is deducted (refunded / reduced) from income tax and inhabitant tax. In some cases, customers can receive return gifts from local governments within a certain return gift rate range of the donation amount, and the use of this system is spreading. It is possible to use not only goods but also services as return gifts, and it is expected to activate the local economy by using the services provided by stores (such as restaurants and experiential spots) based in local governments as return gifts.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2025-121357 discloses a technology related to a settlement device used for hometown tax payment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, there were challenges in improving the convenience of payments for hometown tax donations. Given the widespread use of cashless payment methods such as credit cards and electronic money, there is a growing demand from customers who use local businesses in municipalities through hometown tax donations to use cashless payment methods. However, when using such cashless payment methods, businesses need to pay a fee (usually a few percent of the sales amount) to payment service providers such as credit card companies. Independent businesses such as restaurants do not have the resources to allocate to complicated matters such as contracts and distribution of fees, which has resulted in a delay in the introduction of cashless payments and has been a reason why hometown tax donations have not spread widely.

[0006] Furthermore, when a store introduces cashless payment, there are cases where a referrer is involved to connect the store with the payment service provider. In this case, a portion of the commission is kicked back from the payment service provider to the referrer, and this portion of the commission is used to cover the costs. Thus, cashless payment involves payments based on sales amount among stakeholders such as stores, payment service providers, and referrers, and this burden can sometimes put pressure on profits. Small, locally-based stores in municipalities often hesitate to introduce cashless payment due to the complexity of commission contracts and distribution, as well as the high commission rates, which has been an obstacle to promoting the use of the Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) system in stores. As a result, the overall use of Furusato Nozei has not grown, hindering the increase in the amount of donations to municipalities.

[0007] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that will increase hometown tax donations and revitalize local communities by streamlining the payment process for hometown tax donations at stores based in local governments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the present invention employs the following configuration. That is, A cashless payment method for the Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) system, which includes a payment device of a payment service provider that is communicably connected to customer terminals and store terminals, and which includes a donation from a customer to a local government and the provision of return gifts from a store located in the local government to the customer, The aforementioned payment device The steps include receiving at least transaction identification information that identifies the donation, the donation amount, and the value of the return gift from at least one of the customer terminal and the store terminal, and setting the status of the donation to the transaction start state, The steps include: calculating a total expense amount, with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined total expense rate, and storing it in association with the transaction identification information; The steps include: calculating a procurement amount with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined return rate, and storing it in association with the transaction identification information; The steps include: calculating the settlement expense amount, which is the amount obtained by subtracting the procurement amount from the total expense amount, and storing it in association with the transaction identification information; The steps include: calculating a reward amount for the referrer who introduced the store to the payment service provider, which is the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined return rate, and storing this amount in association with the transaction identification information; The steps include receiving completion information from the store terminal indicating the completion of providing the gift to the customer at the store, The steps include: confirming that the donation amount included in the completion information received from the store terminal matches the donation amount stored in association with the transaction identification information, and that the value of the return gift included in the completion information does not exceed the procurement amount stored in association with the transaction identification information, and then updating the donation status to a completed status; The steps include generating donation payment instruction data for depositing the amount obtained by subtracting the total expenses from the donation amount to the local government, and transmitting it to a financial institution in association with the transaction identification information, The steps include generating store deposit instruction data for depositing the amount of the return gift from the total expenses into the store, associating it with the transaction identification information, and transmitting it to the financial institution; The steps include generating a reward payment instruction data from the settlement expense amount to deposit the reward amount into the referrer, associating it with the transaction identification information, and transmitting it to the financial institution; After sending payment instructions to the aforementioned local government, the aforementioned store, and the aforementioned referrer, the step of updating the status of the donation to a completed transaction status, This is a payment method characterized by having [a certain feature].

[0009] The present invention also employs the following configuration: A payment device of a payment service provider that is connected to customer terminals and store terminals in a communicative manner, The aforementioned payment device is This system enables cashless payments for the Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) system, which includes donations from customers to local governments and the provision of return gifts from stores based in those local governments to those customers. A transaction information receiving unit receives at least transaction identification information that identifies the donation, the donation amount, and the value of the return gift from at least one of the customer terminal and the store terminal, and sets the status of the donation to the transaction start state. A total expense calculation unit calculates a total expense amount, with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined total expense rate, and stores this amount in association with the transaction identification information. A procurement amount calculation unit calculates a procurement amount with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the aforementioned donation amount by a predetermined return rate, and stores it in association with the aforementioned transaction identification information, A settlement expense calculation unit calculates a settlement expense amount, which is the amount obtained by subtracting the procurement amount from the total expense amount, and stores it in association with the transaction identification information, A reward amount calculation unit calculates a reward amount, which is the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined return rate, as a reward for the referrer who introduced the store to the payment service provider, and stores this amount in association with the transaction identification information. A provision completion information receiving unit receives provision completion information from the store terminal indicating the completion of the provision of the return gift to the customer at the store, After confirming that the donation amount included in the provided completion information received from the store terminal matches the donation amount held in association with the transaction identification information and that the gift return amount included in the provided completion information does not exceed the procurement amount held in association with the transaction identification information, an update unit that updates the status of the donation to the provided completion status; A local government deposit setting unit that generates donation deposit instruction data for depositing the amount obtained by subtracting the total expense amount from the donation amount to the local government and transmits it to a financial institution in association with the transaction identification information; A store deposit setting unit that generates store deposit instruction data for depositing the gift return amount from the total expense amount to the store and transmits it to the financial institution in association with the transaction identification information; A referrer payment setting unit that generates referral fee payment instruction data for depositing the gratitude amount from the settlement expense amount to the referrer and transmits it to the financial institution in association with the transaction identification information; A final update unit that updates the status of the donation to the transaction completion status after transmitting the deposit instructions to each of the local government, the store, and the referrer; A settlement device characterized by having the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology for increasing hometown tax payments and activating the region by smoothly settling hometown tax payments at stores based in local governments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the physical configuration of the entire system [Figure 2] A flowchart showing an overview of the processing of the comparative example [Figure 3] A flowchart showing an overview of the processing of the embodiment [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the settlement device [Figure 5] A flowchart for explaining an example of the processing of the embodiment.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent blocks described below and their relative arrangements, etc. should be appropriately changed according to various conditions of the system, apparatus, or method to which the invention is applied, and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to the following description. Various constituent elements in the embodiments of the present invention can be used in any combination as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0013] The present invention relates to a settlement system, a settlement apparatus, and a settlement method. In particular, when services or goods provided by a store based in the local area of a local government in hometown tax payment become return gifts, it relates to a technology for promoting the use of cashless settlement in the store and thus activating hometown tax payment in the local government. The present invention also relates to a program (software) for operating a settlement system and a settlement apparatus and executing a settlement method. The present invention also relates to a storage medium storing such a program. The storage medium may be a non-temporary storage medium readable by a computer.

[0014] (Physical Configuration) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the physical overall configuration of a settlement system 1 according to an embodiment. The settlement system 1 includes a settlement apparatus 100 as a server, a local government terminal 200, a customer terminal 300, and a store terminal 400 as clients.

[0015] The settlement apparatus 100 is an information processing apparatus used by a settlement business operator and functioning as a server The payment device 100 comprises a control unit 101 such as a CPU, a storage unit 102 such as ROM, RAM, or HDD, a communication unit 103 such as a communication adapter, a display unit 104 such as a display, and an operation unit 105 such as a mouse or keyboard. A PC or workstation can be used as the payment device 100. Alternatively, a cloud computing device that utilizes computing resources on the cloud may be used as the payment device 100.

[0016] The municipal terminal 200 is an information processing device used by municipalities seeking to receive donations through the Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) system. Like the payment device 100, the municipal terminal 200 is equipped with a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a communication unit 203, a display unit 204, and an operation unit 205. The municipal terminal 200 is a client terminal that accesses and operates the payment device 100, which acts as a server.

[0017] The customer terminal 300 is an information processing device used by customers making hometown tax donations. The customer terminal 300 comprises a control unit 301 such as a CPU, a storage unit 302 such as ROM and RAM, a communication unit 303 such as a communication adapter, and a display / operation unit 304 such as a touch panel display. In this example, it is assumed that a smartphone capable of various information processing functions is used as the customer terminal 300, and that the customer either installs an app on the smartphone or accesses the payment device 100 via a browser. However, the customer terminal 300 is not limited to this.

[0018] The store terminal 400 is an information processing device used by stores that provide goods and services as return gifts for hometown tax donations. The store terminal 400 comprises a control unit 401 such as a CPU, a storage unit 402 such as ROM and RAM, a communication unit 403 such as a communication adapter, and a display and operation unit 404 such as a touch panel display. In this example, the store terminal 400 is assumed to be a tablet terminal that accesses the payment device 100 via an application or browser. However, the store terminal 400 is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated terminal for cashless payment methods such as a mobile or stationary terminal, or a multi-functional terminal such as one integrated with a cash register may be used. In addition, a store terminal 400 that supports multiple other payment services in addition to the hometown tax donation payment in this embodiment may be used.

[0019] The payment device 100 and the municipal terminal 200 are connected via the web, cellular network, wired network, etc. Similarly, the payment device 100 and the customer terminal 300 are connected via the web and the store terminal 400.

[0020] (Processing flow of the comparative example) Referring to Figure 2, the processing and cost flow in a store-type transaction using conventional cashless payment will be explained as a comparative example. The payment method will be a credit card, and the store will provide services such as meals, but will not be limited to these. In the comparative example, the payment service provider is a credit card company, while the payment service provider of the present invention, described later, is a platform operator that operates the payment system for hometown tax donations. When it is necessary to distinguish between the two, the payment service provider of the present invention will be referred to as the "first payment service provider," and the credit card company as the "second payment service provider."

[0021] In the comparative example, a stakeholder is the "referrer" who introduced the store to the credit card company. Generally, payment service providers using credit cards, electronic money, QR codes, debit cards, etc., earn revenue from fees paid as a predetermined percentage of sales at stores, and therefore need to increase the number of participating merchants. Credit card companies sometimes recruit stores themselves, but a lack of human resources and other factors limit the pace of increase. Therefore, a business practice has been established in which agents or sole proprietors act as referrers, recruit stores, and if they succeed in recruiting, they receive a portion of the fees that the credit card company receives from subsequent transactions as a kickback (also called a reward or incentive).

[0022] In step C1, the referrer persuades the store to subscribe to the payment system. If the persuasion is successful, in step C2, the store terminal 400 is installed in the store and communication with the payment device 100 is established, making it possible to receive payment services from the credit card company. At this stage, the preparation for cashless payment is complete.

[0023] In step C3, the customer purchases a service at the store (¥10,000). When the customer uses a credit card, the store terminal 400 communicates with the payment device 100, and once the transaction is approved, the payment is executed. In step C4, the store provides the customer with a service (worth ¥10,000). Note that the transaction may also be conducted using a physical credit card instead of a customer terminal 300 such as a smartphone.

[0024] In step C5, the credit card company deducts a fee (a rate of 5% of the sales amount) and then deposits the remaining amount (¥9,500) into the store's account. Meanwhile, the fee (¥500) becomes the payment service provider's income. Furthermore, in this example, there is a referrer, so a kickback (the kickback rate is 2% of the sales amount, so the reward is ¥200) is paid. Therefore, the credit card company's final income is the fee minus the kickback amount (¥300).

[0025] As described above, in transactions using credit cards, stores pay fees, including kickbacks, to credit card companies in exchange for receiving payment services. Therefore, if a store's gross profit is, for example, ¥5,000, a significant portion of that will be in fees. This system remains the same even when the transaction is related to hometown tax donations. This payment method reduced the inconvenience for both customers and stores when handling cash. Stores also benefited from increased usage by customers seeking convenience. However, on the other hand, stores also suffered from the disadvantage of fees reducing their profits, which was a reason why they hesitated to adopt cashless payment systems.

[0026] (Processing flow of this embodiment) Next, referring to Figure 3, we will explain the processing and cost flow for hometown tax donations using cashless payment in this embodiment. We will omit explanations for parts that are common with Figure 2. The payment service provider here (the first payment service provider) is a platform operator that operates the payment system for hometown tax donations. Normally, the first payment service provider is a separate legal entity from the second payment service provider (such as a credit card company), but the first payment service provider may also act as the second payment service provider.

[0027] In Step E1, the referrer persuades the store to subscribe to the payment system. If the persuasion is successful, in Step E2, the store terminal 400 is installed in the store and communication with the payment device 100 is established, making it possible to receive payment services from the payment provider. At this stage, the preparation for cashless payment is complete.

[0028] In step E3, the customer makes a hometown tax donation at the store (donation amount: ¥10,000). The store terminal 400 communicates with the payment device 100, and once the transaction is approved, the payment is executed. In step E4, the store provides the customer with a service as a return gift (assuming a return rate of 30%, this is equivalent to ¥3,000. Note that ¥3,000 is the upper limit for the value of the return gift, and the actual amount paid to the store can be set within the limits not exceeding this limit). In other words, "return gift value" refers to the market price or usual price of the return gift received by the customer, and "procurement amount" refers to the upper limit of the payment amount paid by the payment service provider to the store. The return gift can be a product or service that the store normally offers, or a product or service specifically for the hometown tax donation system. If the store uses a product or service that it normally offers as a return gift, the return gift value is the amount of that return gift. The usual price at that store is fine.

[0029] In step E5, the payment service provider deposits the full amount of the service fee (¥3,000) into the store as the return gift amount. In step E6, the payment service provider deposits the hometown tax donation into the local government. Here, the hometown tax donation system has a provision that the total expenses, which include the value of the return gift and administrative costs, must be kept below a certain percentage of the donation amount (for example, a total expense ratio of 50% or less). In this case, the total expenses are set at ¥5,000, and the remaining ¥5,000 is deposited into the local government's account. Note that the return gift amount must not exceed the procurement amount, which is the donation amount multiplied by a predetermined return rate.

[0030] After deducting the reward amount from the total expenses, the payment service provider is left with ¥2,000 as payment expenses. The payment service provider uses this amount to cover various expenses such as system operation costs, personnel costs, and advertising costs. In this example, since there is a referrer, in step E7, the payment service provider pays a kickback to the referrer (assuming a kickback rate of 2% of the sales amount, ¥200). Therefore, the payment service provider's final income is the total expenses minus the reward amount, and then the kickback amount (¥1,800). This kickback payment will continue as long as donations are made through the payment service provider at the store.

[0031] Furthermore, when customers use cashless payment methods such as credit cards, a fee based on the sales amount must be paid to the credit card company, as mentioned above. Here, the payment service provider operating the Furusato Nozei system will be referred to as the first payment service provider, and the credit card company or other payment service provider will be referred to as the second payment service provider. In this case, the fee paid to the credit card company (second payment service provider) (500 yen if the rate is 5%) will be paid from the final revenue (1,800 yen) of the Furusato Nozei payment service provider (first payment service provider).

[0032] (effect) The payment method described in this embodiment offers benefits to all stakeholders involved in the hometown tax donation system. First, for customers, if they find a product or service that interests them in a municipality they visit, they can make a donation on the spot and receive that product or service as a return gift. Therefore, the use of the system is promoted, and connections with municipalities are strengthened. In particular, the smooth transactions made possible by using payment devices eliminate the complexities and psychological barriers associated with payments, thus having a significant effect on regional revitalization.

[0033] Furthermore, payment service providers will play an escrow role in ensuring the security of transactions at each stage of the payment process, including the execution of donations, the provision of return gifts, and the payment to local governments, stores, referrers, and credit card companies. This will ensure the psychological safety of stakeholders and revitalize the hometown tax donation system.

[0034] For businesses, increased customer visits lead to increased activity and higher sales. For individual business owners and small businesses, especially those operating restaurants and other retail establishments, the complexities of contracts and distribution of fees and referrals to payment service providers and referrers are often a barrier. However, this invention allows for easy implementation because the payment service provider handles all procedures from start to finish. Furthermore, in this flow, the store receives the full amount of the service fee as procurement costs. That is, fees to payment service providers and, in the case of credit card payments, fees to credit card companies are paid from the payment service provider's remaining expenses, thus not burdening the store. Therefore, the psychological barrier to using the payment system is eliminated. As a result, customer visit rates, customer purchase rates, and the amount of money spent on goods and services all increase, leading to business stability.

[0035] For local governments, an increase in the participation rate of stores within their jurisdiction in the payment system will lead to an increase in the number of uses of the hometown tax donation system and an increase in the total amount of donations. In addition, since payment service providers will handle store recruitment and management, advertising and promotion of stores that accept donations within the local government, and various administrative procedures related to donations, it is expected that the human resources burden on local government staff will be reduced and costs will be lowered.

[0036] For payment service providers, increased participation in the payment system leads to higher fee revenue. Because much of the present invention's payment system is automated and digitized, marginal costs remain extremely low even as the number of participating stores and municipalities increases. Therefore, as revenue increases, more can be invested in improving operational quality, enabling stable and sustainable operation.

[0037] For referrers, the more frequently the service is used, the greater the total amount of kickbacks they receive. This creates a strong incentive for referrers to encourage stores and local governments to use the payment system, which is expected to revitalize the entire hometown tax donation system.

[0038] (Detailed configuration) Next, we will describe the details of the various components of the present invention, as well as additional configurations and functions for obtaining additional effects.

[0039] The Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) system may be subject to change in detail due to legal revisions or notifications. For example, in the above example, the return rate was set at 30% or less of the donation amount, and the total expense rate at 50% or less of the donation amount, but these figures may change. Therefore, when the control unit 101 of the payment device 100 performs various expense calculations, it is preferable to use variables for calculations rather than using fixed return rates and total expense rates, and to store the specific values ​​indicated by the variables in the storage unit 102. Similarly, the commission rates of payment service providers (platform operators, credit card companies, etc.) and referral rates should also be easily changeable using the user interface provided by the operation unit 105 of the payment device 100.

[0040] Furthermore, while there are limits on the return rate and total expense rate, it is not necessarily required to utilize these limits. Therefore, the control unit 101 of the payment device 100 may coordinate with the local government terminal 200 and the customer terminal 300 to adjust what percentage the total expense rate (return rate) should be set to, and how to distribute the amount to stakeholders within the range of the total expense rate (return rate).

[0041] (Functional block configuration) Figure 4 illustrates the schematic configuration of the functional blocks of the payment device 100. Each block is configured, for example, as a module included in a program deployed in the storage unit 102. Note that the functional block configuration is not limited to the illustrated example, and any format is acceptable as long as it can execute the processing flow described above.

[0042] The customer information acquisition unit 1001 acquires information about customers by reading information registered in the information storage unit 1007 or by communicating with the customer terminal 300. Examples include attribute information, donation amount, and payment method information. The store information acquisition unit 1002 acquires information about stores by reading information registered in the information storage unit 1007 or by communicating with the store terminal 400. Examples include location information, payment information, and payment methods. The local government information acquisition unit 1003 acquires information about local governments by reading information registered in the information storage unit 1007 or by communicating with the local government terminal 200. Examples include the use of donations and local government-specific regulations.

[0043] The referrer information acquisition unit 1004 acquires information about the referrer by methods such as reading the information registered in the information storage unit 1007. For example, this could include the kickback rate. The second payment service provider information acquisition unit 1005 acquires information about the second payment service provider, such as a credit card company, by reading the information registered in the information storage unit 1007. For example, this includes the fee rate. The hometown tax donation system information acquisition unit 1006 acquires information about the hometown tax donation system by reading the information registered in the information storage unit 1007. For example, this includes information about the latest system regulations. The information storage unit 1007 works in conjunction with the storage unit 102 to store the information acquired by each block and the calculated values ​​so that they can be referenced as needed.

[0044] The transaction information receiving unit 1011, the total expense calculation unit 1012, the procurement amount calculation unit 1013, the settlement expense amount calculation unit 1014, the reward amount calculation unit 1015, the service completion information receiving unit 1016, the update unit 1017, the local government payment setting unit 1018, the store payment setting unit 1019, the referrer payment setting unit 1020, the card company payment setting unit 1021, and the final update unit 1022 are each functional modules that perform specific functions in the processing flow using the payment device 100. The detailed roles of each of these blocks will be described in the flowchart below.

[0045] (Processing flow) Referring to the flowchart in Figure 5, an example of processing using the payment device 100 having the above-described functional configuration will be explained. Processing begins when a customer visiting the store operates the customer terminal 300 and applies for payment using the Furusato Nozei system via the store terminal 400. For example, the store's product and service menu may list both the price for a regular purchase and the donation amount when paying using Furusato Nozei, allowing the customer to choose their payment method. If the customer chooses to use Furusato Nozei, they select the donation amount and return gift, for example, by selecting the store and product from an app, or by scanning a barcode or QR code on the menu. The store terminal 400 then transmits to the payment device 100 that the donation flow has started and provides information about the transaction.

[0046] When a donation is initiated, in step S101, the transaction information receiving unit 1011 receives at least transaction identification information identifying the donation, the donation amount, and the return gift amount from at least one of the customer terminal 300 and the store terminal 400, and sets the donation status to the transaction start status. The transaction identification information is information that includes at least a unique identifier that can identify the donation. The donation status is a status variable managed in correspondence with the transaction identification information, and is held, for example, in the information holding unit 1007. The settlement device 100 may set an amount equivalent to the donation amount as the planned settlement amount at this point and implement an escrow function by proceeding with the settlement stage, such as issuing an actual payment instruction, in accordance with the change in the donation status. Alternatively, when the settlement device 100 confirms that the customer's donation has been executed by the settlement means, it may set the donation status to the donation completion status and notify the store terminal 400 that the return gift can be provided.

[0047] In step S102, the total expense calculation unit 1012 calculates a total expense amount, with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined total expense rate, and stores it in the information holding unit 1007 in association with the transaction identification information.

[0048] In step S103, the procurement amount calculation unit 1013 calculates a procurement amount, with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined return rate, and stores it in the information holding unit 1007 in association with the transaction identification information. At this stage, the procurement amount calculation unit 1013 may confirm that the value of the return gift received at the same time as the transaction identification information does not exceed this procurement amount. If it exceeds the procurement amount, an error may be displayed on the display unit 104 of the payment device 100, or error information may be sent to the customer terminal 300 or store terminal 400 via the communication line to notify the customer or store operator.

[0049] In step S104, the settlement expense calculation unit 1014 subtracts the procurement amount from the total expense amount. The settlement expense amount is calculated and stored in the information storage unit 1007 in association with the transaction identification information.

[0050] In step S105, the reward amount calculation unit 1015 calculates a reward amount for the referrer who introduced a store to the payment service provider. This reward amount is obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined commission rate, and stores it in the information storage unit 1007 in association with the transaction identification information. The reward amount calculation unit 1015 may also set different commission rates for each referrer by storing the commission rate in the information storage unit 1007 in association with the referrer's identification information. This allows for flexible incentive settings depending on the referral route, which can contribute to expanding the adoption of the payment system 1.

[0051] In step S106, the provision completion information receiving unit 1016 receives provision completion information from the store terminal 400, indicating the completion of the provision of the return gift to the customer at the store. The provision completion information is information that at least indicates that the provision has been completed. The provision completion information may include, for example, transaction identification information and the donation amount and return gift amount executed in the actual transaction (donation). The provision completion information is generated, for example, in response to the completion operation of the return gift provision process at the store terminal 400 and transmitted to the payment device 100.

[0052] In step S107, the update unit 1017 confirms that the donation amount included in the completion information received in step S106 matches the donation amount stored in association with the transaction identification information, and that the value of the return gift included in the completion information does not exceed the procurement amount stored in association with the transaction identification information, and then updates the donation status to the completion status. The update of the donation status is performed, for example, by rewriting the value of the status variable stored in the information storage unit 1007. After the completion status is set, the payment device 100 may enable payment instructions to the local government, store, and referrer as described later.

[0053] In step S108, the local government deposit setting unit 1018 generates donation deposit instruction data to deposit the amount obtained by subtracting the total expenses from the donation amount into the local government, associates it with transaction identification information, and transmits it to a financial institution. The donation deposit instruction data includes, for example, the local government's deposit account information, the deposit amount, and transaction identification information. The financial institution is, for example, a bank or money transfer service provider that cooperates with a payment service provider.

[0054] In step S109, the store deposit setting unit 1019 generates store deposit instruction data for depositing the amount of the return gifts to the store from the total expense amount, associates it with transaction identification information, and transmits it to the financial institution. The store deposit instruction data includes, for example, the store's deposit destination account information, the deposit amount, and transaction identification information.

[0055] In step S110, the referrer payment setting unit 1020 generates a reward payment instruction data to deposit the reward amount to the referrer from the settlement expense amount, associates it with transaction identification information, and transmits it to the financial institution. The reward payment instruction data includes, for example, the referrer's deposit account information, the deposit amount, and transaction identification information. The reward to the referrer will be paid continuously as long as donations using the payment system 1 are made at the store.

[0056] In step S111, the card company payment setting unit 1021 generates fee payment instruction data from the settlement expense amount to pay the credit card usage fee to the card company, associates it with transaction identification information, and sends it to the financial institution. The fee payment instruction data includes, for example, the card company's deposit account information, the payment amount, and transaction identification information. Note that this flow describes the case where the customer uses a second payment service provider such as a card company, but this process is not necessary when the customer makes a cash payment.

[0057] In many stores, customers are offered multiple payment methods, and even within the same payment method, they can choose from multiple companies. The card company deposit settings unit 1021 may change the fee rate, processing flow, and expense allocation depending on the method and company used for cashless payment.

[0058] In step S112, the final update unit 1022 sends payment instructions to the local government, the store, and the referrer, and then updates the donation status to a transaction completion status. The donation status is updated, for example, by rewriting the value of a status variable held in the information holding unit 1007.

[0059] The various payments in the above flow may be made each time a donation is completed, or they may be made at predetermined intervals (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1: Payment system, 100: Payment device, 1011: Transaction information receiving unit, 1012: Total expense calculation unit, 1013: Procurement amount calculation unit, 1014: Payment expense amount calculation unit, 1015: Reward amount calculation unit, 1016: Service completion information receiving unit, 1017: Update unit, 1018: Local government payment setting unit, 1019: Store payment setting unit, 1020: Referrer payment setting unit, 1022: Final update unit

Claims

1. A cashless payment method for the Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) system, which includes a payment device of a payment service provider that is communicably connected to customer terminals and store terminals, and which includes a donation from a customer to a local government and the provision of return gifts from a store located in the local government to the customer, The aforementioned payment device The steps include receiving at least transaction identification information that identifies the donation, the donation amount, and the value of the return gift from at least one of the customer terminal and the store terminal, and setting the status of the donation to the transaction start state, The steps include: calculating a total expense amount, with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined total expense rate, and storing it in association with the transaction identification information; The steps include: calculating a procurement amount with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined return rate, and storing it in association with the transaction identification information; The steps include: calculating the settlement expense amount, which is the amount obtained by subtracting the procurement amount from the total expense amount, and storing it in association with the transaction identification information; The steps include: calculating a reward amount for the referrer who introduced the store to the payment service provider, which is the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined return rate, and storing this amount in association with the transaction identification information; The steps include receiving completion information from the store terminal indicating the completion of providing the gift to the customer at the store, The steps include: confirming that the donation amount included in the completion information received from the store terminal matches the donation amount stored in association with the transaction identification information, and that the value of the return gift included in the completion information does not exceed the procurement amount stored in association with the transaction identification information, and then updating the donation status to a completed status; The steps include generating donation payment instruction data for depositing the amount obtained by subtracting the total expenses from the donation amount to the local government, and transmitting it to a financial institution in association with the transaction identification information, The steps include generating store deposit instruction data for depositing the amount of the return gift from the total expenses into the store, associating it with the transaction identification information, and transmitting it to the financial institution; The steps include generating a reward payment instruction data from the settlement expense amount to deposit the reward amount into the referrer, associating it with the transaction identification information, and transmitting it to the financial institution; After sending payment instructions to the aforementioned local government, the aforementioned store, and the aforementioned referrer, the step of updating the status of the donation to a completed transaction status, A payment method characterized by having the following features.

2. The payment device will continuously deposit the referral fee into the referrer's account while the donation is being made at the store via the payment device. The payment method described in feature 1.

3. The payment device maintains a predetermined commission rate for each of the multiple referrers, and when a donation is made, it calculates the reward amount corresponding to the referrer. The payment method described in feature 2.

4. When the aforementioned cashless payment is made through a second payment service provider, The payment device calculates a fee obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined rate and stores it in association with the transaction identification information. The steps include generating fee payment instruction data for depositing the fee from the settlement expense amount to the second settlement business operator, associating it with the transaction identification information, and transmitting it to the financial institution; It further possesses The payment method according to feature 1 or 2.

5. The second payment service provider enables payments using at least one of the following: credit cards, electronic money, QR codes, and debit cards. The payment method described in feature 4.

6. The payment device further includes the step of providing the payment service provider with a user interface that allows them to change at least one of the total expense ratio, the return rate, and the cashback rate. The payment method according to feature 1 or 2.

7. The payment device further includes the step of providing the payment service provider with a user interface that allows the second payment service provider to change the fees. The payment method described in feature 4.

8. The payment device, after the donation status is set to the transaction start state, sets an amount equivalent to the donation amount as the planned payment amount, and proceeds with the stages of issuing payment instructions to the local government, the store, and the referrer, respectively, in accordance with the changes in the donation status. The payment method according to feature 1 or 2.

9. When the customer's donation is made via the payment method, the payment device sets the donation status to "donation completed" and notifies the store terminal that the return gift is available. The payment method described in feature 8.

10. The payment device enables the payment to be made to the local government, the store, and the referrer after the donation status has been completed. The payment method described in feature 8.

11. A payment device of a payment service provider that is connected to customer terminals and store terminals in a communicative manner, The aforementioned payment device is This system enables cashless payments for the Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) system, which includes donations from customers to local governments and the provision of return gifts from stores based in those local governments to those customers. A transaction information receiving unit receives at least transaction identification information that identifies the donation, the donation amount, and the value of the return gift from at least one of the customer terminal and the store terminal, and sets the status of the donation to the transaction start state. A total expense calculation unit calculates a total expense amount, with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined total expense rate, and stores this amount in association with the transaction identification information. A procurement amount calculation unit calculates a procurement amount with an upper limit of the amount obtained by multiplying the aforementioned donation amount by a predetermined return rate, and stores it in association with the aforementioned transaction identification information, A settlement expense calculation unit calculates a settlement expense amount, which is the amount obtained by subtracting the procurement amount from the total expense amount, and stores it in association with the transaction identification information, A reward amount calculation unit calculates a reward amount, which is the amount obtained by multiplying the donation amount by a predetermined return rate, as a reward for the referrer who introduced the store to the payment service provider, and stores this amount in association with the transaction identification information. A provision completion information receiving unit receives provision completion information from the store terminal indicating the completion of the provision of the return gift to the customer at the store, The donation amount included in the completion information received from the store terminal matches the donation amount stored in association with the transaction identification information, and the value of the return gift included in the completion information matches the previous amount. An update unit that, after confirming that the amount does not exceed the amount of the procurement held in association with the transaction identification information, updates the status of the donation to a completed state. A local government deposit setting unit generates donation deposit instruction data for depositing the amount obtained by subtracting the total expenses from the donation amount into the local government, associates it with the transaction identification information, and transmits it to a financial institution. A store deposit setting unit generates store deposit instruction data for depositing the amount of the return gift from the total expenses into the store, associates it with the transaction identification information, and transmits it to the financial institution. A referrer payment setting unit generates a referral payment instruction data for depositing the referral amount from the settlement expense amount, associates it with the transaction identification information, and transmits it to the financial institution. After sending payment instructions to the aforementioned local government, the aforementioned store, and the aforementioned referrer, the final update unit updates the status of the donation to a completed transaction status. A payment device characterized by having the following features.

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