Settlement system for combined settlement of community currency and legal currency

Abstract

The invention provides a settlement system for stimulating economic activities in a community. The settlement system comprises a settlement terminal, a settlement server and a settlement authentication server, and is characterized in that the settlement server is further connected with a community currency management server, and the community currency management server is provided with a member information storage device, a member account transaction history recording device and a zero sum confirmation device. The settlement terminal is provided with: a settlement permission query device that transmits, to a settlement server, an amount paid by using a legal currency, a consumption tax amount corresponding to the amount, a transaction amount of a community currency, and authentication information; a settlement execution device; and a settlement execution result notification device, the settlement server computer having: an authentication request device that queries the settlement authentication server computer for the transaction amount of the legal currency and queries the community currency management server computer for the transaction of the community currency; a settlement permission / non-settlement answering device; and a transaction result processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer system capable of combining community currency and legal tender in a single transaction for settlement. The community currency is a currency used within a closed community, and the legal tender is a currency issued by a country's central bank, such as the Japanese yen. Background Art

[0002] To date, currencies used within closed communities, also known as "community currencies," have been used in various forms. To stimulate community activities and volunteer activities, community currencies are sometimes distributed to those who participate in volunteer activities. Recipients of community currencies can dine at restaurants and shops within the community. While community currencies are sometimes issued only to residents of designated local governments, they can also be used to expand the community without address restrictions. Therefore, they are referred to as "community currencies" in this document.

[0003] In particular, LETS (Local Exchange Trading System) currencies, which are not managed by a central bank or government, are used to provide money or services within a region. They can help regulate the supply and demand of goods and services and promote regional economic development. The exchange of LETS currencies is exempt from consumption tax.

[0004] On the other hand, there are also so-called point systems. In various industries, such as credit card companies, drugstore chains, and restaurant chains, points are awarded based on customer spending to attract more customers (to ensure repeat business). Accumulated points can be redeemed for prizes or cash equivalents (for discounts). Since points are used to boost sales and provide discounts for private businesses, the concept of separating point-based spending from consumption tax calculations has been lost, and point-based spending is not treated separately from consumption tax.

[0005] The above-mentioned patent document 1 discloses an electronic safe in an electronic currency system, characterized in that the electronic currency system stores multiple recording units containing electronic currency, and accesses electronic currency between recording units outside the safe, and the main body of the electronic safe contains a control circuit, a power supply, and a card reader / writer for the recording unit.

[0006] Patent Document 1 above discloses an electronic safe in the electronic money system, wherein the recording unit is an IC card.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic safe in the electronic money system, wherein internal devices including a control circuit, a power supply, and a large number of card readers / writers housed in the main body can be pulled out toward the front surface by a pull-out mechanism.

[0008] The above-mentioned patent document 1 discloses an electronic safe in the electronic currency system, which is characterized in that the electronic currency system stores multiple IC cards containing electronic currency, and deposits and withdraws electronic currency between IC cards outside the safe. The electronic safe has at least a main body and a front door, and a control circuit, a power supply, and multiple IC card readers are stored inside the main body. The internal device including the control circuit, power supply, and multiple IC card readers stored inside the main body can be pulled toward the front surface side by a pulling mechanism, and the insertion ports of the IC card reader are arranged on the two side faces or the upper surface of the pulling part.

[0009] The above-mentioned patent document 1 discloses an electronic safe in the electronic money system, characterized in that it has a display unit that counts the number of accesses to each of the multiple IC cards and displays the count when it reaches a predetermined number or approaches the number.

[0010] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic safe in the electronic money system, characterized in that a centralized display unit for displaying the operating status of the plurality of IC cards is provided on one surface of the electronic safe.

[0011] The above-mentioned patent document 1 discloses an electronic safe in the electronic money system, characterized in that the electronic safe is provided with a main body shell, a main body storage part, and a door, and a centralized display part displaying the working status of the multiple IC cards is provided in the main body storage part.

[0012] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic safe in the electronic money system, wherein the control circuit controls access to the IC cards so as to average the number of accesses to each of the plurality of IC cards.

[0013] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic safe in the electronic money system, wherein the electronic safe includes a display for displaying a message urging maintenance or inspection of the electronic safe.

[0014] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic safe in the electronic money system, characterized in that the electronic safes have a mechanism for automatically connecting to each other when the electronic safes are stacked or arranged horizontally for use, and have an interface for connection inside.

[0015] Furthermore, paragraph 0029 states the following: As previously described, the case of paying for goods in a distribution system comprising multiple POS terminals and an electronic safe in which multiple IC cards are stored in a central unit 24 is described. However, in a system such as a private store having only one cash register, the cash register is provided with an IC card reader / writer for a customer's IC card. Furthermore, by storing the store's IC card within the cash register, electronic money payments can be made between the store's IC card and the customer's IC card connected via the IC card reader / writer. Furthermore, as previously described, the electronic money in the store's IC card can be deposited into a bank account or exchanged for cash at a bank counter.

[0016] Patent document 2 discloses a POS terminal device for electronic currency, which is used to pay for shopping using an IC card storing electronic currency. It is characterized in that the POS terminal device for electronic currency has: an IC card insertion port for inserting a customer's IC card, an IC card reading and writing unit for the IC card, a control circuit for exchanging electronic currency with the customer's IC card, and a receipt delivery port.

[0017] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses that the electronic money POS terminal device further includes an IC card insertion port for inserting a store IC card and an IC card reading / writing unit for the IC card.

[0018] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses that the electronic money POS terminal device is characterized by having an integral display unit for displaying the purchase amount or an interface for connecting to an external display device.

[0019] Patent Document 2 discloses that the electronic money POS terminal device is characterized by having an interface for connecting to a barcode scanner, an existing POS terminal, or other equipment within the POS system.

[0020] The above-mentioned patent document 2 discloses that in the electronic money POS terminal device, the IC card insertion port for inserting the customer's IC card is arranged so as to be located on the customer side, and the receipt delivery port and the store IC card insertion port are arranged so as to be located on the clerk side.

[0021] The above-mentioned patent document 2 discloses a POS terminal device for electronic money as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, which is characterized in that it receives a signal of an electromagnetic wave from a small and lightweight password input remote control device, unlocks the customer's IC card, and enables the electronic money stored in the customer's IC card to be processed.

[0022] The above-mentioned patent document 2 discloses that in the POS terminal device for electronic money, the electronic money stored in the store IC card is transmitted to the IC card in the electronic safe of the central device or transferred to a bank account within a predetermined time or according to instructions from the information control system.

[0023] Furthermore, paragraph 0017 states that the personal computer 32 and IC card telephone device 34 in the end-user system 3 are equipped with two sets of card readers / writers for two IC cards, thereby enabling electronic money to be exchanged between the two IC cards. This allows, for example, electronic money in a husband's IC card to be transferred to a wife's IC card, similar to conventional cash transactions.

[0024] Patent document 3 discloses a vending machine, characterized in that it comprises: an electronic currency settlement control unit, which performs settlement processing of electronic currency settlement services; and a vending machine main control unit, which is connected to the electronic currency settlement control unit and controls the sale of goods in the machine when the settlement is completed through the electronic currency settlement control unit. The communication protocol between the electronic currency settlement control unit and the vending machine main control unit uses the brand identification number of each electronic currency settlement service below the specified number of brands to perform communication processing, wherein the electronic currency settlement control unit allows the use of brands of electronic currency settlement services exceeding the specified number of brands, classifies each brand into specified classification categories below the specified number of brands, and uses each group number of the classified group as a virtual brand identification number equivalent to the brand identification number to perform communication processing with the vending machine main control unit.

[0025] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses that, in the automatic vending machine, the group number is different from the brand identification number and has the same number of digits as the brand identification number.

[0026] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 disclosed above discloses that, in the automatic vending machine, the number of the groups is one or more.

[0027] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses that, in the automatic vending machine, the predetermined classification category is one of a discount price for each brand, a higher-level classification of the electronic money settlement service, and a settlement type of the electronic money settlement service.

[0028] Patent Document 4 discloses a virtual currency management method, characterized in that a computer system is provided with: a first storage unit that stores a virtual currency deposit amount for each user identifier; and a second storage unit that stores a pair of an identification number for each banknote and an identifier indicating whether the banknote data has been used.

[0029] The computer system performs the following steps:

[0030] When the user identifier and the identification number of the banknote are transmitted online, referring to the second storage unit to confirm whether the simulated currency corresponding to the identification number has been used; and

[0031] If it has not been used, the amount of simulated currency corresponding to the identification number is added to the savings amount of the user identifier stored in the first storage unit, and the identifier paired with the virtual banknote identification number of the second storage unit is processed as an identifier indicating that it has been used. When the virtual banknote identification number is sent from the store terminal, the following processing is performed: query whether the virtual banknote identification number stored in the second storage unit has been used, and send the query result to the store terminal.

[0032] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a virtual currency management method characterized in that a computer system is provided with: a first storage unit for storing a virtual currency deposit amount for each user identifier; and a second storage unit for storing a pair of an identification number for each banknote and an identifier indicating whether the banknote data has been used.

[0033] The computer system performs the following steps:

[0034] When the virtual banknote identification number is sent from the store terminal, the following processing is performed: query whether the virtual banknote identification number stored in the second storage unit has been used, send the query result to the store terminal, and,

[0035] If it is not used, the following processing is performed: the amount of simulated currency corresponding to the identification number is added to the savings amount of the user identifier stored in the first storage unit, and the identifier paired with the virtual banknote identification number of the second storage unit is used as an identifier indicating that it has been used.

[0036] When the user identifier and the identification number of the banknote are sent online, the computer system refers to the second storage unit to confirm whether the simulated currency corresponding to the identification number has been used.

[0037] In the case where it has not been used, the following processing is performed: the amount of simulated currency corresponding to the identification number is added to the savings amount of the user identifier stored in the first storage unit, and the identifier paired with the virtual banknote identification number of the second storage unit is used as an identifier indicating that it has been used.

[0038] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses that in the virtual currency management method, there is provided a banknote image storage unit storing banknote images.

[0039] When a banknote issuance request including the number of banknotes to be issued is transmitted online, the computer system adds an identification number of each banknote of the requested issuance number to the second storage unit.

[0040] Patent Document 4 discloses a virtual currency management method according to Supplement 3, wherein the computer system includes a banknote image storage unit storing banknote images.

[0041] When adding the identification number of each banknote, the computer system generates banknote image information for printing based on the banknote image stored in the banknote image storage unit, and transmits the banknote image information to a request destination.

[0042] Furthermore, the aforementioned Patent Document 4 discloses a virtual currency management system, which is characterized in that it is provided with:

[0043] a first storage unit storing a virtual currency savings amount for each user identifier;

[0044] a second storage unit that stores the identification number of each banknote and an identifier indicating whether the banknote data has been used in pairs; and

[0045] A control unit, which, when sending a user identifier and a banknote identification number online, refers to a second storage unit to confirm whether the simulated currency corresponding to the identification number has been used; if it has not been used, performs the following processing: adds the amount of the simulated currency corresponding to the identification number to the savings amount of the user identifier stored in the first storage unit, and uses the identifier paired with the virtual banknote identification number of the second storage unit as an identifier indicating use; if the virtual banknote identification number is sent from a store terminal, performs the following processing: queries whether the virtual banknote identification number stored in the second storage unit has been used, and sends the query result to the store terminal.

[0046] Prior art literature

[0047] Patent Literature

[0048] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-158569;

[0049] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-161152;

[0050] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-026513;

[0051] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-258969.

[0052] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0053] As mentioned above, the concept of community currency exists, aiming to stimulate regional activities within local governments and elsewhere, and is currently being implemented in some areas across Japan. Meanwhile, point systems are gaining popularity, aiming to increase sales among private businesses. While transactions in LETS currency have the potential to stimulate the regional economy through repeated consumption tax-exempt transactions, the widespread use of point systems among private businesses could hinder the benefits of LETS currency and create a situation where "bad money drives out good."

[0054] The inventors of the present invention believe that:

[0055] First, increasing the number of scenarios where community currencies are used will involve stimulating regional activities.

[0056] Second, community currency can be used in commercial transactions where legal tender is used.

[0057] Third, abide by the rule of not exchanging with legal tender.

[0058] Fourth, it should be distinguished from the points system issued by enterprises.

[0059] By providing a "settlement system that combines community currency and legal tender" with such characteristics, we can expect activities mainly related to economic activities within the community to become more active. Summary of the Invention

[0060] The present invention provides a "settlement system for settling a combination of community currency and legal tender."

[0061] Solutions for solving problems

[0062] In view of the above-mentioned problems to be solved, the present inventors have conducted intensive research and have completed solutions shown in the following embodiments.

[0063] To list the key points, there will be no exchange of community currency for legal tender (cash, credit cards, prepaid cards, electronic currency, barcode settlement, points payment, bookkeeping, etc.). No cash top-ups, prepayments, or cash-outs will be permitted. Each community member's account can have a negative balance.

[0064] The community currency is used as a “discount entitlement” in commercial transactions where legal tender is used.

[0065] This discount is treated as a discount on the price excluding consumption tax (tax-exclusive price). Transactions using community currency are not subject to consumption tax.

[0066] Community currency can be exchanged between members of the community.

[0067] When the sum of the community currency held by all members of the community is calculated, it is always "zero".

[0068] When describing this settlement system in detail, it is as follows.

[0069] A settlement system capable of using legal tender to settle the price of goods or services, the settlement system comprising: a settlement terminal located in a store of a goods seller or service provider; a settlement server computer of a settlement service provider connected to the settlement terminal via a store-to-store settlement service provider communication unit; and a settlement authentication server computer of a financial institution connected to the settlement server computer via a settlement service provider-to-financial institution communication unit. The financial institution includes a credit card company, a debit card company, a prepaid card company, an electronic money company, a code settlement application management company, a points management company, and an accounting management company.

[0070] The settlement server computer is also connected to a community currency management server computer that manages community currency, which is a currency used within a closed community and not exchangeable with legal tender.

[0071] The community currency management server computer has:

[0072] a member information storage device for storing member information, wherein the member information can identify members belonging to the closed community and is information required for identity verification;

[0073] Member account transaction history recording means, which records the transaction amount and balance history of the community currency owned by each member; and

[0074] a zero-sum confirmation device that calculates the sum of the account balances recorded in the member account transaction history recording device and confirms that it is zero,

[0075] The settlement terminal has:

[0076] a settlement feasibility inquiry device, which, when the product seller or service provider and the customer belong to a community using the same community currency and have agreed to use the community currency to pay for a portion of the tax-exclusive price of the product or service that does not include consumption tax, transmits the amount of the tax-exclusive price paid in legal tender and the corresponding consumption tax, the transaction amount of the community currency paid using the community currency, and identity verification information required to confirm that the customer belongs to the community to the settlement server computer, inquiring whether settlement is possible;

[0077] a settlement execution device that executes settlement when receiving a response from the server computer indicating that settlement is possible; and

[0078] a settlement execution result notification device that sends a notification indicating that the settlement has been executed to the settlement server computer,

[0079] The settlement server computer has:

[0080] an authentication requesting device, which, upon being inquired by the settlement feasibility inquiry device of the settlement terminal as to whether transactions in legal tender and transactions in community currency can be combined for settlement, inquires the settlement authentication server computer about the transaction amount in legal tender and inquires the community currency management server computer about transactions in community currency;

[0081] settlement possible answering means for transmitting a settlement possible answer to the settlement terminal when both the settlement authentication server computer and the community money management server computer respond to the request of the authentication requesting means with a settlement possible answer, and transmitting a settlement impossible answer to the settlement terminal when either one responds with a settlement impossible answer; and

[0082] a transaction result processing device which, upon receiving a notification of the execution of the settlement from the settlement execution result notification device of the settlement terminal, transmits information including the amount of the transaction to the settlement authentication server computer and the community money management server computer;

[0083] The settlement system is capable of settling a transaction using a combination of community currency and legal tender.

[0084] This can stimulate the circulation of community currency as a currency independent of the circulation of legal tender.

[0085] In the settlement system, the community currency management server computer is characterized in that it further comprises: a transaction amount balance upper limit monitoring device, which monitors the upper limit of the transaction amount in a transaction, or the lower limit and upper limit of the balance in each account,

[0086] When the authentication request means of the settlement server computer inquires the community currency management server computer about transactions of the community currency, the community currency management server computer not only authenticates the customer but also checks whether the upper limit of the transaction amount or account balance has been reached and responds.

[0087] This can avoid placing a heavy burden on some members.

[0088] In the settlement system, the settlement terminal is a dedicated settlement terminal.

[0089] The settlement terminal also has a face authentication camera or an information embedded pattern reading camera,

[0090] The face authentication camera is used to read the customer's face, or the information embedded pattern reading camera is used to read the information embedded pattern for identifying the customer as identity authentication information, and the identity authentication information is sent to the settlement server computer.

[0091] This can prevent illegal use.

[0092] In the settlement system, the settlement terminal is a smartphone installed with an application capable of conducting transactions in both community currency and legal tender, and the smartphone is installed in a store of the product seller or service provider.

[0093] The camera built into the smartphone is used to read the customer's face or an information embedded pattern for identifying the customer as authentication information, and the authentication information is sent to the settlement server computer.

[0094] Therefore, even if a settlement terminal as a dedicated device is not prepared, the present settlement system can be used.

[0095] In the settlement system, the settlement terminal is a customer's smartphone installed with an application capable of both community currency transactions and legal tender transactions.

[0096] The camera built into the smartphone is used to read an information embedded pattern for identifying the store of the merchandise seller or service provider as authentication information, and the authentication information is sent to the settlement server computer.

[0097] Therefore, the present settlement system can be used even when there is no settlement terminal in the store.

[0098] The settlement system is characterized in that the settlement terminal is a customer's smartphone installed with an application capable of conducting transactions in community currency and an application capable of conducting transactions in legal tender.

[0099] The camera built into the smartphone is used to read an information embedded pattern for identifying the store of the merchandise seller or service provider as authentication information, and the authentication information is sent to the settlement server computer.

[0100] Therefore, even if the server side of the settlement service provider is the same as before, this settlement system can be used.

[0101] In the settlement system, it is characterized in that the zero-sum confirmation device of the community currency management server computer calculates the sum of the account balances at a fixed period and confirms that it is zero. In the event that it is not zero, the transaction that is the cause is detected, the settlement server computer related to the transaction is notified of this fact, and a correction is requested.

[0102] In this way, the zero-sum nature of the community currency can be maintained.

[0103] The settlement system is characterized in that members belonging to the community can download and install an account application on their smartphones for confirming the balance and transaction history of the community currency they hold, and can use the application to transfer community currency between members.

[0104] This enables the exchange of community currency between individuals.

[0105] In the settlement system, it is characterized in that the community currency management server computer further comprises:

[0106] A community currency visualization device, which is used to monitor and visualize the flow of the community currency.

[0107] Through the visualization device, it is easy to see from which member the community currency often flows to which member.

[0108] This makes it possible to visualize the stimulation of the regional economy.

[0109] Effects of the Invention

[0110] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a settlement system that has the effect of making the circulation of community currency independent from the circulation of legal tender, thereby contributing to economic stimulation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0111] Figure 1 A diagram showing the structure of the settlement system of the present invention.

[0112] Figure 2 This figure shows an example of using a combination of legal tender (Japanese Yen) and community currency (DOMO Coin) to pay for the product "coffee".

[0113] Figure 3 This figure shows a transaction in which a customer's face is authenticated to drink coffee using a dedicated payment terminal (dedicated payment terminal) installed at a store.

[0114] Figure 4 This diagram shows a transaction in which a customer's face is authenticated using a store's smartphone with a payment application installed in order to drink coffee.

[0115] Figure 5 This diagram shows a transaction where a customer drinks coffee in a store that does not have a mobile terminal but has information embedded in the graphics, while carrying a smartphone installed with an application that allows for combined transactions between the community currency (DOMO Coin) and legal tender (Japanese Yen).

[0116] Figure 6 This diagram shows a transaction in which a customer drinks coffee in a store that does not have mobile terminals but has information embedded in graphics, while carrying a smartphone with a community currency app and an electronic currency app installed.

[0117] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the Vector Currency Demonstration System.

[0118] Figure 8 A diagram showing the process of processing in the demonstration system.

[0119] Figure 9 A diagram showing how to read a QR code.

[0120] Figure 10 This diagram shows registration at the beginning of use.

[0121] Figure 11 This figure shows how transactions are processed at a store. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0122] Hereinafter, the best mode for implementing the system of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0123] Figure 1 A diagram showing the structure of the settlement system of the present invention.

[0124] The settlement terminal 10 is a dedicated device, preferably installed in a store and equipped with a facial recognition camera or an information-embedded pattern reader. If a store does not have a dedicated settlement terminal, a settlement application can be installed on a smartphone owned by a store operator or staff member. Furthermore, if a store does not have either a settlement terminal or a smartphone, a customer can install the settlement application on their smartphone and use it to read a pattern embedded with the store's information for settlement.

[0125] The settlement terminal 10 is connected to the settlement server computer 20 via the store settlement service provider communication unit 2. The store settlement service provider communication unit 2 can use the Internet, for example.

[0126] The settlement terminal 10 comprises: a settlement inquiry device 11, which inquires the settlement server computer 20 whether a settlement can be made to establish a transaction between the store's customers and the store; a settlement execution device 13, which executes the settlement when receiving an answer that the settlement can be made; a face recognition camera 15 or an information embedded graphic reading camera 17, the face recognition camera 15 performs face recognition in order to determine the legitimacy of the customer's ability to use the community currency based on whether the customer belongs to the community, and the information embedded graphic reading camera 17 is used for personal identity authentication of the customer; and a settlement execution result notification device 19, which notifies the settlement server computer 20 of this intention when the settlement execution device 13 has executed the settlement.

[0127] The settlement server computer 20 is a server computer of the settlement service provider, acting as an intermediary for settlements to be executed by the settlement terminal with the settlement authentication server computer 40 of the financial institution. Financial institutions are companies that handle transactions such as credit cards, prepaid cards, electronic money, barcode settlement, point payment, and bookkeeping, and are the companies that manage and operate the settlement authentication server computer 40. Transactions using legal tender (Japanese yen) are cash transactions, which are conducted between the store and the customer using banknotes or coins. However, in the case of credit cards, prepaid cards, electronic money, barcode settlement, point payment, and bookkeeping, similar to the credit card authentication procedure, the customer's identity is verified, and a determination is made as to whether the amount to be settled is the amount authorized based on the credit information associated with the identity. The device that performs this determination is the settlement authentication server computer 40 of the financial institution. The settlement server computer 20 of the settlement service provider and the settlement authentication server computer 40 of the financial institution are connected using, for example, a dedicated cable.

[0128] The settlement authentication server computer 40 includes an authentication device 43 that authenticates the transaction in response to an inquiry from the settlement server computer 20 and a post-processing device 45 that performs post-transaction processing.

[0129] The settlement server computer 20 comprises: an authentication request device 21, which executes an authentication request to the settlement authentication server computer 40 based on a request from the settlement terminal 10; a settlement feasibility answer device 23, which answers the settlement terminal 10 whether settlement is possible based on the answer from the settlement authentication server computer 40; and a transaction result processing device 25, which performs subsequent processing when the settlement terminal 10 executes settlement according to the answer and returns the intention to the settlement server computer 20.

[0130] If only legal tender is used for transactions, the above configuration is sufficient. However, if community currency is also used, the community currency management server computer 30 must be connected to the settlement server computer 20. This connection is established using, for example, a dedicated line.

[0131] The community currency management server computer 30 has: a member information storage device 31, which stores information of members belonging to the community, including information required for identity authentication; a member account transaction history recording device 33, which records the transaction history and balance history of each member's account; a zero-sum confirmation device 35, which confirms that the total balance of the member accounts of all members is zero when it is calculated; a transaction amount balance upper limit monitoring device 37, which monitors the size of each member's transaction amount and the size of the balance, and does not allow the upper limit to be exceeded if there is an upper limit in advance; and a community currency visualization device 39, which maps and visualizes how much community currency has moved from whom to whom.

[0132] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates an example of using a combination of legal tender and community currency to pay for the product "coffee." Here, the legal tender is the Japanese yen, and the community currency is named "DOMO," abbreviated as "d." In the diagram, "Bal" represents the balance, while "¥" and "d" represent the amount that changes due to the transaction. This diagram illustrates a transaction between retail store B and resident C.

[0133] In the initial state ( Figure 2 The retail store has a balance of 0 yen and a balance of 0 DOMO coins. Resident C has a balance of 1,000 yen and a balance of 0 DOMO coins.

[0134] In the second row, resident C does not yet belong to the community with community currency. Therefore, when buying 100 yen of coffee, the balance of yen decreases to 900 yen. In addition, Figure 2 Consumption tax is not taken into account.

[0135] In the third row, both the retail store and resident C belong to the community currency. A 100 yen coffee is sold to a community member for 80 yen and 20 DOMO coins. Therefore, in the third row, the retail store's yen balance increases by 80 yen, leaving it with a 180 yen yen balance. Its DOMO coin balance becomes 20. Resident C spends 80 yen and 20 DOMO coins, resulting in a decrease in yen balance by 80 yen and a decrease in DOMO coin balance by 20. In this diagram, ▲ indicates a negative number.

[0136] In the fourth row, a 100 yen coffee is sold for 90 yen in Japanese Yen and 10 DOMO coins. The community currency, DOMO coins, functions as discount rights, so the amount of discount rights exercised can vary with each transaction.

[0137] In the fifth row, the retail store sells a 100 yen coffee for 100 yen and returns 10 DOMO coins to the customer as a discount. At this time, Resident C's DOMO coin balance increases by 10 DOMO coins.

[0138] In row 6, the retail store sells a 100 yen cup of coffee for 90 yen and returns 5 DOMO coins to the customer. At this point, Resident C's DOMO coin balance increases by 5.

[0139] exist Figure 2 The significance of using fiat currency on the X-axis and community currency on the Y-axis as vector currencies is that community currency cannot be exchanged for fiat currency. Community currency can be used to purchase discounts on goods and services, but only on prices excluding consumption tax. It cannot be used to pay consumption tax. This is because consumption tax is paid in fiat currency. In this sense, it differs from the point system that is prevalent in society.

[0140] Figure 3 This diagram shows a transaction in which a customer's face is authenticated to drink coffee using a dedicated payment terminal installed at a store.

[0141] exist Figure 3 In the DOMO token, the token is the community token. Figure 3 In this example, even if a resident doesn't have a smartphone, they can use a combination of legal tender and community currency to pay for a 100 yen cup of coffee for 88 yen. In this case, they use DOMO Coin to discount the price by 20 yen, paying the tax-free price of 80 yen and the corresponding consumption tax of 8 yen.

[0142] Figure 4 This diagram shows a transaction in which a customer's face is authenticated using a store's smartphone with a payment application installed in order to drink coffee.

[0143] This is a payment method that uses smartphones owned by stores instead of dedicated payment terminals. Figure 3 An example of the same transaction.

[0144] Figure 5This diagram shows a transaction in which a customer drinks coffee in a store that does not have a mobile terminal but has information embedded in the store. The customer carries a smartphone installed with an application that allows for combined transactions of community currency and electronic currency in a linked manner.

[0145] Figure 6 This diagram shows a transaction in which a customer drinks coffee in a store that does not have mobile terminals but has information embedded in graphics, while carrying a smartphone with a community currency app and an electronic currency app installed.

[0146] This figure shows an example where a resident installs a dedicated application for DOMO Coin linkage and uses a dedicated QR code for DOMO Coin linkage to conduct the same transaction as described above.

[0147] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the Vector Currency Demonstration System.

[0148] Two servers, the "LETS Settlement System (Community Currency Settlement System)" (Y-axis) and the "Legal Currency Settlement System" (X-axis), are deployed on the AWS cloud. These servers are connected to a dedicated settlement terminal (here, SATURN1000Lane) via the internet, shown in the center. Virtual town resident registration is performed through this dedicated settlement terminal. The diagram also shows an example of a 200 yen item being discounted by 45%, or 90 yen, for a total of 110 yen.

[0149] The community currency here is LETS, with a minimum account balance of -1,000 yen. Community currency is exchangeable for the value of goods or services within a specific community and cannot be exchanged for legal tender. Therefore, when using community currency to pay for goods, it functions as a discount on the price before consumption tax (price excluding tax).

[0150] In a legal tender settlement system, the minimum balance of an account is set to zero. In this case, the Japanese Yen is used.

[0151] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the process of processing in the demonstration system. Figures 8 to 11 In the specification, the symbols with numbers added in circles are used, but in this specification, the symbols are replaced with numbers added in brackets.

[0152] Figure 8 For the general Figure 9 、 Figure 10 、 Figure 11 An overview diagram summarizing all the procedures described in .

[0153] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing how to read a QR code. Figure 9In the CCW and CCWallet, the part is a system that combines a smartphone and a server to perform legal tender settlement. The user first registers for CCW (1). Figure 9 As shown in the upper right corner of , registration can be performed by having the camera read the QR code (registered trademark) and scan it.

[0154] Furthermore, the user reads a QR code (registered trademark) (2) in order to register the community currency (here, "Bantai Coin").

[0155] Thus, the Bandi registration code is associated with the mobile phone Value code.

[0156] Figure 10 This diagram shows the registration process for starting use. The ID card (My Number Card) (5) is scanned and read using a camera. When community currency is used for people living in a specific area, residents are registered as "Real Town Residents" and non-residents are registered as "Virtual Town Residents" (6).

[0157] Figure 11 This figure shows how a store transaction is processed. The Bandai Coin recharge QR code (registered trademark) (7) is read.

[0158] As a result of the code conversion, the transaction is settled in a state where the proxy Do and Value codes of the Bandi code are associated (9).

[0159] After reading the product, the discount rate, which may differ depending on whether the user is a real town resident or a virtual town resident, is read. The code, price, and discount rate are displayed on the user's smartphone (or payment terminal) (12), allowing the user to choose whether to use the discount coupon and make the payment. The result is reflected in the account management (13) and balance display (14).

[0160] The settlement system of the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A person skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the structure and function of the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0161] Industrial applicability

[0162] The system of the present invention can be widely used as community currency used in local governments such as prefectures, cities, towns, and villages, as well as community currency used in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, organizations of people with national or civilian qualifications, fan organizations of artists, hobby organizations, and academic groups.

[0163] Description of Reference Numerals

[0164] 2: Communication unit between store settlement service providers;

[0165] 10: Settlement terminal;

[0166] 11: Whether the settlement query device can be used;

[0167] 13: Settlement execution device;

[0168] 15: Face authentication camera;

[0169] 17: Information embedded in graphics reading camera;

[0170] 19: Settlement execution result notification device;

[0171] 20: Settlement server computer;

[0172] 21: authentication request device;

[0173] 23: Can settlement answer device?

[0174] 25: transaction result processing device;

[0175] 30: Community currency management server computer;

[0176] 31: Member information storage device;

[0177] 33: Member account transaction history recording device;

[0178] 35: Zero and confirmation device;

[0179] 37: Transaction balance upper limit monitoring device;

[0180] 39: Community currency visualization device;

[0181] 40: settlement authentication server computer;

[0182] 41: Communication unit between settlement service providers and financial institutions;

[0183] 43: Authentication device;

[0184] 45: Post-processing device.

Claims

1. A settlement system, characterized in that: It can use legal tender to settle the price of goods or services. The settlement system comprises: a settlement terminal, which is set up in the store of a goods seller or service provider; a settlement server computer of a settlement service provider, which is connected to the settlement terminal via a store settlement service provider communication unit; and a settlement authentication server computer of a financial institution, which is connected to the settlement server computer via a settlement service provider financial institution communication unit. The financial institutions include credit card companies, debit card companies, prepaid card companies, electronic money companies, code settlement application management companies, points management companies, and accounting management companies. The settlement server computer is also connected to a community currency management server computer that manages account-based community currency. The account-based community currency is a currency used within a closed community and is not exchangeable with legal tender. The account-based community currency is not used to pay consumption tax. The community currency management server computer has: a member information storage device for storing member information, wherein the member information can identify members belonging to the closed community and is information required for identity verification; A member account transaction history recording device that records the transaction amount and balance history of the community currency owned by each member; as well as a zero-sum confirmation device that calculates the sum of the account balances recorded in the member account transaction history recording device and confirms that it is zero, The settlement terminal has: a settlement feasibility inquiry device, which, when the product seller or service provider and the customer belong to a community using the same community currency and have agreed to use the community currency to pay for a portion of the tax-exclusive price of the product or service that does not include consumption tax, transmits the amount of the tax-exclusive price paid in legal tender and the corresponding consumption tax, the transaction amount of the community currency paid using the community currency, and identity verification information required to confirm that the customer belongs to the community to the settlement server computer, inquiring whether settlement is possible; a settlement execution device for executing settlement when receiving a response from the server computer indicating that settlement is possible; as well as a settlement execution result notification device that sends a notification indicating that the settlement has been executed to the settlement server computer, The settlement server computer has: an authentication requesting device, which, upon being inquired by the settlement feasibility inquiry device of the settlement terminal as to whether transactions in legal tender and transactions in community currency can be combined for settlement, inquires the settlement authentication server computer about the transaction amount in legal tender and inquires the community currency management server computer about transactions in community currency; settlement availability answering means for transmitting a settlement availability answer to the settlement terminal if both the settlement authentication server computer and the community money management server computer respond to the request of the authentication requesting means with a settlement availability answer, and for transmitting a settlement non-acceptance answer to the settlement terminal if either responds with a settlement non-acceptance answer; as well as a transaction result processing device which, upon receiving a notification of the execution of the settlement from the settlement execution result notification device of the settlement terminal, transmits information including the amount of the transaction to the settlement authentication server computer and the community money management server computer; The settlement system is capable of settling a transaction using a combination of community currency and legal tender.

2. The settlement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transaction amount of the account-based community currency in a transaction or the balance in each account can become negative. The community currency management server computer further comprises: a transaction amount balance upper limit monitoring device, which monitors the upper limit of the transaction amount in a transaction, or the lower limit and upper limit of the balance in each account, When the authentication request means of the settlement server computer inquires the community currency management server computer about transactions of the community currency, the community currency management server computer not only authenticates the customer but also checks whether the upper limit of the transaction amount or account balance has been reached and responds.

3. The settlement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The settlement terminal is a dedicated settlement terminal. The settlement terminal also has a face authentication camera or an information embedded pattern reading camera, The face authentication camera is used to read the customer's face, or the information embedded pattern reading camera is used to read the information embedded pattern for identifying the customer as identity authentication information, and the identity authentication information is sent to the settlement server computer.

4. The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein: The settlement terminal is a smartphone installed with an application capable of both community currency and legal tender transactions, and the smartphone is installed in the store of the product seller or service provider. The camera built into the smartphone is used to read the customer's face or an information embedded pattern for identifying the customer as authentication information, and the authentication information is sent to the settlement server computer.

5. The settlement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The settlement terminal is a customer's smartphone installed with an application that enables both community currency transactions and legal tender transactions. The camera built into the smartphone is used to read an information embedded pattern for identifying the store of the merchandise seller or service provider as authentication information, and the authentication information is sent to the settlement server computer.

6. The settlement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The settlement terminal is a customer's smartphone installed with an application capable of performing transactions in community currency and an application capable of performing transactions in legal tender. The camera built into the smartphone is used to read an information embedded pattern for identifying the store of the merchandise seller or service provider as authentication information, and the authentication information is sent to the settlement server computer.

7. The settlement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The zero-sum confirmation device of the community currency management server computer calculates the sum of the account balances at a fixed period and confirms that it is zero. If it is not zero, it detects the transaction that caused it, notifies the settlement server computer related to the transaction of this fact, and requests correction.

8. The settlement system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Members of the community can download and install an account application on their smartphones to check their balance and transaction history of community currency, and use the application to transfer community currency between members.

9. The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein: The community currency management server computer further comprises: a community currency visualization device for grasping and visualizing the flow of the community currency; Through the visualization device, it is easy to see from which member the community currency often flows to which member.

10. The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein: The community currency functions as discount entitlement.

11. The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein: The community currency can be exchanged between members belonging to the community.

12. The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein: The account balance of the community currency can be negative.

13. The settlement system according to claim 1, wherein: The sum of the account balances of the community currency in the community is zero.

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