Mobile payment and coupon exchange method and system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for carrying out offline payment by utilizing a third-party electronic mobile wallet, in particular to a method and a system for automatically and orderly completing coupon exchange and offline payment by utilizing a third-party electronic wallet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for offline payment using a third-party electronic mobile wallet, and more particularly to a method and system for automatically and orderly completing coupon redemption and offline payment using a third-party electronic wallet. Background Art

[0002] Coupons have been used for years in both paper and electronic formats. Typically, restaurants and supermarkets handle coupon redemption and payment separately at the checkout counter, which impacts checkout efficiency.

[0003] Mobile electronic wallet applications such as Google Pay and Apple Wallet are becoming increasingly popular, but they are unable to complete payment and coupon redemption in offline physical stores at the same time.

[0004] Even though some popular mobile apps have the potential to become mobile wallets, adopting NFC technology, like Google Pay and Apple Wallet, is a relatively high barrier to entry. For apps that want to become mobile wallets, using QR codes containing payment tokens (different from payment tokens) is a good option. Payment tokens allow payment account information (such as credit and debit card details) to be submitted and transmitted securely.

[0005] Popular mobile coupon apps, such as RetailMeNot, are used to display coupons on mobile phones to in-store cashiers. However, with current payment technology and infrastructure, these apps cannot function as mobile wallets. Customers must use different methods to pay the remaining balance after the discount. Another issue with these coupon apps is that the app's backend cannot obtain coupon redemption confirmation from the merchant.

[0006] Payment gateways were once a merchant service provided by e-commerce application service providers to e-commerce and online retailers, authorizing the processing of credit or debit card payments. However, brick-and-mortar merchants can now use payment gateways to accept payments for their offline businesses after their point-of-sale (POS) cash register systems are connected to the internet. Payment service companies such as Square and Clover are now enabling in-store payments through their payment gateways. While payment gateways typically facilitate payment transactions by transmitting information between a payment portal (such as a website or POS system) and a front-end payment processor or acquiring bank, payment account information (including credit or debit card information) is the only information that can be transmitted from the payment portal to the payment gateway. If a third-party mobile wallet (unaffiliated with the merchant and payment gateway) wants to use a payment token to represent credit card information, the payment gateway will be unable to verify the payment token due to its lack of access to the mobile wallet system.

[0007] In addition, for security reasons, merchants' POS systems are usually not allowed to connect with other third-party systems except payment gateways.

[0008] In short, even if third-party mobile wallets find a way to transmit payment tokens and coupon information to the merchant's POS system, they cannot obtain payment token verification requests from the payment gateway or coupon redemption confirmation from the merchant's POS system. The current payment gateway infrastructure limits the development and application of third-party mobile wallets.

[0009] Therefore, some new systems and methods are needed that can simultaneously perform in-store mobile payment and coupon redemption.

[0010] Third-party mobile wallets also require some new infrastructure to be adopted. Accordingly, payment gateways should also add some new architecture (features and functions) to help automatically and orderly complete coupon redemption and payment. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The problems mentioned in the background art are solved by utilizing the present invention.

[0012] By scanning a multi-element QR code displayed on a customer's phone, the POS system can simultaneously obtain payment tokens, coupon information, and even gift card (shopping card or voucher card) information. Coupon redemption and payment are automatically and orderly executed.

[0013] In summary, the present invention can also bring the following benefits to merchants, consumers and owners of some mobile applications: 1. Coupon redemption is automated by the system. 2. The system and method can be used in grocery stores (supermarkets) and restaurants. Coupons can be manufacturer coupons, restaurant discount coupons, or merchant-issued gift cards. 3. Any mobile app with a payment account can be used as a mobile wallet. This means that apps from Amazon, Walmart, Chase, Citigroup, and others can be used to make payments at any merchant using the method and system, regardless of whether a coupon is redeemed. 4. The merchant's POS system and sales accounting management server remain securely isolated from external information systems. Information exchanged with external servers is strictly restricted, ensuring that transaction information is as secure as the POS system itself.

[0014] The system of the present invention primarily comprises three components: 1. The payment account system, comprising a mobile terminal and a payment account management server (PAMS). The PAMS can be owned and managed by financial institutions and merchants, such as Citibank, Chase, Amazon, and Walmart; 2. The merchant sales account system, comprising a point-of-sale (POS) system and a sales account management server (SIMS), owned and managed by the merchant; and 3. The payment gateway system, managed by the online payment service provider. The innovative payment gateway system incorporates a payment token module and a coupon redemption information management module. These three components can be owned and managed by different entities, each of which can be further divided into several subsystems, all working together through corresponding software.

[0015] Before using this solution, consumers need to save a registered payment account in a payment account management server PAMS. More specifically, they need to have a mobile application related to PAMS to initiate payment and coupon redemption.

[0016] To initiate payment, consumers use a mobile app to generate a QR code. This code may contain only a payment token (session ID) or a combination of a payment token and coupon information. The QR code is scanned into the POS system and the sales accounting server (SIMS) at checkout. This scanning doesn't necessarily occur after the purchased items are entered into the POS system.

[0017] This QR code is actually a graphical data packet, which can also be transmitted from the payment account system to the merchant's sales account system via wireless signals such as NFC (near field communication).

[0018] When a purchase is entered into the POS system, the transaction details (including the item ID and price tag) are sent to the merchant's Sales Account Management Server (SIMS), where the information is recorded and stored. In some cases, the item ID may be a UPC (Universal Product Code) or SKU (Stock Keeping Unit Number).

[0019] After redeeming at least one coupon (if any) and finalizing the balance, the SIMS sends the payment token, redemption information, and final balance to the payment gateway system. The payment gateway system uses the payment token to identify the Payment Account Management Server (PAMS) that issued it. The payment token and coupon redemption results (if any) are then transmitted to the relevant PAMS.

[0020] Based on the unique payment token, PAMS matches and locates the initiating payment account, then sends detailed payment account information (e.g., credit card information) to the payment gateway system. In some cases, the credit card information may be replaced by another token authorized by a token service provider (TSP). This token is different from the payment token generated and authorized by PAMS. (Some also translate "Token Service Provider" as "token service provider." Similarly, the meaning of "token" in this article is different from the "payment token" in this article.) After obtaining the payment account information, the payment gateway processes the payment.

[0021] Finally, the payment gateway sends payment completion notification to SIMS and PAMS.

[0022] By utilizing the solutions of the present invention, consumers can use mobile apps, such as Chase, Citi, Amazon, and Walmart, to pay at any merchant register using the systems and methods of the present invention, regardless of whether a coupon is redeemed. Mobile coupon apps, such as RetailMeNot and Coupons.com, can also function as third-party mobile wallets, automatically facilitating payment and coupon redemption. The architecture of the present invention can be used for third-party mobile payments, regardless of whether a coupon is redeemed.

[0023] The foregoing summary contains simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail and is not intended to be a comprehensive description of the claimed subject matter, but rather to provide a brief description of some of the functionality associated therewith. Other systems, methods, functions, features, and advantages of the claimed subject matter will become apparent or apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed written description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The detailed description of the exemplary embodiments may be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0025] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as the construction and operation of the exemplary mechanisms provided by the present invention, may be more readily understood by reference to the exemplary (and therefore non-limiting) embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification and in which: FIG1 is a functional block diagram of a coupon redemption and payment system configured in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0026] FIG2 is a flow chart illustrating an integrated coupon redemption and payment process configured according to certain embodiments.

[0027] FIG3 is a functional block diagram of a payment gateway system configured according to certain embodiments.

[0028] Figure 4 The following is a flowchart of some examples of user mobile phone interfaces related to the embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The embodiments described should be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0030] In describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings, specific terms will be used for clarity. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific terms selected, and each specific term includes all technical counterparts that operate in a similar manner to achieve a similar purpose.

[0031] The system disclosed herein is used to implement methods for coupon redemption and payment transactions. The system can be part of an application environment or ecosystem and is designed to perform its intended functions by communicating and interacting with other units and components. The operation of the system is made possible by the integration of hardware, software, and electronic communications. A "unit," "module," or "component" is a device, tool, machine, or software program designed to perform a specific task or function.

[0032] Figure 1The functional block diagram of a mobile payment system with coupon redemption is shown. The system of the present invention primarily comprises three components: 1. Payment Account System 102, comprising a mobile phone 112 and a Payment Account Management Server (PAMS) 114. PAMS 114 can be owned and managed by financial institutions and merchants, such as Citibank, Chase, Amazon, and Walmart. If a payer or customer purchases goods using Amazon or Walmart's website or mobile app, their payment account information (e.g., credit or debit card information) may already be stored in PAMS 114. Even if the payer or customer uses mobile phone 112 in the system, mobile phone 112 should also have a mobile application developed by the financial institution or merchant installed. The mobile application communicates with PAMS 114 via the Internet 130. 2. Merchant Sales Account System 104, comprising a POS system 116 and a Sales Account Management Server (SIMS) 118, is owned and managed by the merchant. POS system 116 is located within the store and prepares invoices for customers. SIMS 118 can be configured remotely. The POS system 116 can be connected to the SIMS 118 via the Internet 130. Transaction information is collected at the POS system 116 and stored and managed in the SIMS 118. 3. The payment gateway system 106 is managed by the online payment service provider. This innovative payment gateway system includes a payment token module and a coupon redemption information management module. These three components can be owned and managed by different entities. Each component can be divided into several subsystems. All components work together through corresponding software.

[0033] Figure 1 also shows that there is no direct internet connection between the payment account system 102 and the merchant sales accounting system 104. For security reasons, they limit information exchange with other systems. However, they both have an internet connection to the payment gateway system 106 and typically adhere to PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance. PCI compliance refers to the technical and operational standards that businesses follow to protect the credit card data provided by cardholders and transmitted through card processing transactions. PCI compliance standards are developed and managed by the PCI Security Standards Council.

[0034] Figure 1 also shows that the merchant's sales accounting system 104 can retrieve certain information from the payment account system 102 by scanning a QR code 120 displayed on a customer's phone 112. The barcode scanner 122 is connected to the POS system 116 and only allows information in a specific format to be scanned into the POS system. Therefore, data input from the barcode scanner 122 does not compromise the merchant's sales accounting system 104.

[0035] A QR code is essentially a graphical data packet. This packet may include a payment token, or a payment token and coupon information. It can also be transmitted from the payment account system to the merchant's sales account system via wireless signals (such as NFC (near-field communication)), as many mobile phones and POS systems have NFC capabilities.

[0036] Figure 2 shows an integrated flow chart that applies the system and method for executing mobile payment for coupon redemption. An integrated flow chart is similar to a system sequence diagram (SSD) in software engineering, which depicts the chronological order of interaction processes. Both describe the processes involved and the sequence of information exchanged between them required to perform a function.

[0037] This chart specifies and displays the following: 1. System Participants 2. Messages (methods) called by these participants 3. The return value associated with the previous message (if any) exist Figure 2 In the figure, the three system actors are shown at the top. The methods are also shown step by step along the parallel vertical dashed lines.

[0038] Before using the present invention, a consumer needs to have a registered payment account in the payment account system 102. More specifically, they need to have a mobile phone 112 and a mobile application associated with the payment account management server (PAMS) 114 to initiate payment and coupon redemption. If the customer is an Amazon member, his payment account information (such as credit card information) should be stored in Amazon's PAMS.

[0039] In step 202, the consumer must add the coupon information to their payment account before initiating mobile payment and redeeming the coupon. For manufacturer coupons, the coupon information may include the product's Uniform Product Code (UPC), the discount amount, and the expiration date. Alternatively, it may simply be a coupon code, which, based on prior arrangements, the merchant's POS system can recognize.

[0040] In step 204, the consumer uses the mobile application to generate a multi-element QR code containing a payment token (session ID) and the coupon information. The payment token referred to here is actually a session identifier, a piece of data used in network communications to identify a session and a series of related message exchanges. The QR code can also contain multiple coupon information for multiple products. The payment token and coupon information can be formatted into a specific order or pattern for reading by the merchant's sales accounting system 104.

[0041] In step 206 , the QR code is scanned into the merchant's sales accounting system 104 ; the QR code scanning action can occur at any time during the checkout process, and not necessarily after the purchased goods are entered into the POS system in step 203 as shown in the figure.

[0042] When the purchased items are entered into the POS system 116, the transaction details (including the item number and price tag) are sent to the merchant's sales account management server (SIMS) 118, where they are recorded and stored. In some cases, the item number may be a UPC (Universal Product Code) or a SKU (Stock Keeping Unit Number).

[0043] At step 208 , the merchant sales accounting system 104 matches the coupon information with the input merchandise, deducts the discount value from the label price accordingly, and ultimately determines the invoice balance.

[0044] After the coupon is redeemed and the remaining balance is determined, SIMS 118 sends a payment token, the offer redemption information, and the final balance to the payment gateway system 106 at step 210. The payment token identifies the payment account management system (PAMS) that issued it. The payment token may include an identification code to indicate the payment account system that issued it. Then, at step 212, the payment token and coupon redemption result are transmitted to the relevant payment account management server (PAMS) 114.

[0045] Based on the unique payment token, PAMS 114 matches and locates the payment account initiating the payment in step 214, and then sends detailed payment account information (e.g., credit card information) to payment gateway system 106 in step 216. In some cases, the credit card information may be replaced by another token authorized by a token service provider (TSP). This token is different from the payment token generated and authorized by PAMS 114. (Some also translate "Token Service Provider" as "token service provider." Similarly, this token has a different meaning from the "token" in the present invention.) After obtaining the payment account information, the payment gateway system 106 processes the payment in step 218. To process the payment, the payment gateway system 106 needs to forward the transaction information to the payment processor used by the merchant's acquiring bank in accordance with PCI compliance regulations and procedures, which are not detailed in the description of the preferred embodiment.

[0046] Finally, in step 220, the payment gateway system 106 sends payment completion notifications to the SIMS 118 and the PAMS 114. Thus, the transaction is completed by using the mobile payment and coupon redemption system and method of the present invention.

[0047] By utilizing the solutions of the present invention, consumers can use mobile apps, such as those from Chase, Citi, Amazon, and Walmart, to pay at any merchant register using the systems and methods of the present invention, regardless of whether or not they are redeeming coupons. Mobile coupon apps, such as RetailMeNot and Coupons.com, can also function as third-party mobile wallets, automatically and seamlessly completing payment and coupon redemption, provided they have established their own payment account systems.

[0048] In addition, we can Figure 2 As can be clearly seen in FIG, the coupon redemption occurs in the merchant sales accounting system 104. As we know, some closed-loop gift cards issued by merchants need to be redeemed on the merchant's POS system rather than in the payment processor's system. Therefore, the coupon information may include closed-loop gift card information.

[0049] Figure 3 A functional block diagram of a payment gateway system configured in accordance with certain embodiments is shown.

[0050] Typical payment gateway systems do not include coupon and payment token management modules. In order to implement mobile payment with coupon redemption, the present invention arranges to add a coupon redemption information management module 302 and a payment token management module 304 in the payment gateway system 106.

[0051] In step 3A, the merchant's sales accounting system 104 sends the coupon redemption information (if any), payment token, and invoice balance to the payment gateway system 106. The three types of information are filtered into corresponding modules: coupon redemption information management module 302, payment token management module 304, and bill management module 306. These three modules manage the three types of information respectively.

[0052] In the payment token management module 304 , the payment token is used to identify which payment account system 102 issued it. Then, in step 3B, the coupon redemption information (if any) and the payment token are transferred to the corresponding payment account system 102 .

[0053] The payment account system 102 matches and finds the payment account that initiated the payment based on the unique payment token, and then sends the detailed payment account information, such as credit card information, to the bill management module 306 in the payment gateway system 106 in step 3C.

[0054] After obtaining the payment account information, in step 3D, the billing management module 306 transmits the transaction information and payment account information to the payment processor or acquiring bank 308 to process the payment. In step 3E, the payment processor 308 sends the payment confirmation to the billing management module 306.

[0055] Finally, in step 3F, the bill management module 306 sends a payment confirmation notification to the merchant sales billing system 104 and the payment account system 102 respectively.

[0056] A typical payment gateway facilitates payment transactions by transmitting information between the payment portal (the merchant's sales accounting system) and the front-end payment processor or acquiring bank. Figure 3 , we can see that the payment gateway system 106 of the present invention is a medium for transmitting information between the payment account system 102, the merchant sales accounting system 104 and the payment processor 308, while these systems themselves cannot directly exchange information with each other.

[0057] This purposefully designed system architecture and process is designed to prevent fraud and ensure system security. Furthermore, the present invention's arrangement cleverly enables third-party mobile wallets to conveniently pay at any store that employs the present invention's methods and systems. For example, Amazon's mobile wallet (if available) can be used to pay for in-store purchases at Walmart. Without the present invention, customers would be forced to use the merchant's or payment processor's app, not a third-party mobile wallet app, to pay. For example, a customer could use their PayPal app to pay at a CVS store, as PayPal is their payment gateway service provider or payment processor. Using the present invention's infrastructure, a merchant's payment gateway system can directly exchange information with any third-party payment account system, such as Amazon or Walmart wallets (if available). The novel features and functionality of the payment gateway system enable third-party mobile payments, regardless of whether a coupon is redeemed.

[0058] Figure 4 Describes an image that can be presented on a device display to an operator of a mobile device (e.g. Figure 1 112) so that customers can conduct payment transactions and coupon redemptions using features of embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] This is a flow chart illustrating how a customer can use their mobile phone to simultaneously redeem a coupon and pay their bill at a McDonald's restaurant. Fast food restaurants are particularly concerned with checkout efficiency, especially for drive-through orders. Implementing this invention will significantly improve the checkout experience for both customers and cashiers.

[0060] In step 4A, the customer opens the mobile wallet application by tapping an icon on the display of their mobile phone 112. Step 4B displays some payment account information and a coupon folder icon. In this example, some coupons have already been added to the folder. After the customer taps the coupon folder icon, McDonald's coupon information is displayed in step 4C. The customer decides to use the coupon and taps the "Use and Pay" button. Subsequently, in step 4D, a QR code 120 appears on the mobile phone's display. (The QR code in the figure is just an example, not an actual transaction QR code.) This QR code 120 includes a payment token and coupon information in a pattern and format that can be read by the barcode scanner 122 of McDonald's POS system into its merchant sales accounting system. Finally, in step 4E, after the payment transaction is processed by the payment gateway system and the payment processor, a coupon redemption and payment confirmation notification is sent back and displayed on the mobile phone.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes, substitutions and alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

[0062] For example, the QR codes used in the present invention are one method for transmitting relevant information. Any pattern or image that can be read as data by a barcode scanner can replace a QR code. Furthermore, near-field communication (NFC) and other wireless signals can also transmit information for the systems and methods of the present invention. The replacement of QR codes for data transmission does not invalidate the novelty and inventiveness of the present invention.

[0063] The appended claims are intended to cover all such additions, modifications and rearrangements.

Claims

1. A method for operating a payment account system to perform mobile payment, which method requires the use of a payment gateway system and a merchant sales accounting system, characterized in that: The steps include: generating a data packet associated with the payment account, including a payment token; Transmitting a data packet including the payment token to the merchant sales accounting system; receiving information including the payment token from the payment gateway system; matching the payment account according to the payment token; transmitting information including the payment account information to the payment gateway system; and Information including a payment completion notification is received from the payment gateway system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data packet includes a payment token and at least one coupon information; Accordingly, the method comprises: Instead of receiving information including the payment token from the payment gateway system, information including the payment token and coupon redemption information is received from the payment gateway system.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data packet is displayed as a coded image including at least one of (a) a barcode, (b) a QR code, and (c) an image pattern, and the implicit information in the coded image including the payment token is transmitted to the merchant sales accounting system by scanning the coded image using a scanner connected to the merchant sales accounting system.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the merchant sales accounting system via a wireless signal.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the coupon information is closed-loop gift card information that is redeemed at the merchant sales accounting system.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the payment gateway system is divided into several subsystems, including a coupon redemption information management module, a payment token management module and a bill management module; thereby, the information is exchanged between the payment account system and the modules.

7. A payment account system for performing mobile payments, which system requires the use of a payment gateway system and a merchant sales accounting system, and the payment account system includes: cell phone; Payment account management server; and a software program, wherein the program is configured to be executed by a mobile phone and a payment account management server, the program comprising: instructions for generating a data packet associated with a payment account, the data packet including a payment token; instructions for transmitting the data packet including the payment token to the merchant sales accounting system; instructions for receiving information including the payment token from the payment gateway system; an instruction for matching the payment account according to the payment token; instructions for transmitting information including the payment account information to the payment gateway system; and Instructions for receiving information including a payment completion notification from the payment gateway system.

8. The payment account system of claim 7, wherein the data packet includes a payment token and at least one coupon information; Accordingly, the procedure includes: Instructions for receiving information including the payment token and coupon redemption information from the payment gateway system, rather than instructions for receiving information including the payment token from the payment gateway system.

9. The payment account system of claim 7, wherein the data packet is displayed as a coded image including at least one of (a) a barcode, (b) a QR code, and (c) an image pattern, and implicit information in the coded image including the payment token is transmitted to the merchant sales accounting system by scanning the coded image using a scanner connected to the merchant sales accounting system.

10. The payment account system of claim 7, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the merchant sales accounting system via a wireless signal.

11. The payment account system according to claim 8, wherein the coupon information is closed-loop gift card information, and the coupon information is redeemed at the merchant sales accounting system.

12. The payment account system according to claim 8, wherein the payment gateway system is divided into several subsystems, including a coupon redemption information management module, a payment token management module and a bill management module; thereby, the information is exchanged between the payment account system and the modules.

13. A method for operating a payment gateway system to perform mobile payment, the method requiring the use of a payment account system and a merchant sales accounting system, characterized in that: The steps include: receiving information including a payment token and an invoice balance from the merchant sales accounting system; identifying the payment account system based on the payment token; sending information including the payment token to the payment account system; receiving information including payment account information from the payment account system; processing payment based on information including the payment account information and the invoice balance; Information including a payment completion notification is transmitted to the payment account system and the merchant sales accounting system.

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising: receiving information including a payment token, coupon redemption information, and an invoice balance from the merchant sales accounting system, instead of receiving information including a payment token and an invoice balance from the merchant sales accounting system; Instead of sending information including the payment token to the payment account system, information including the payment token and the coupon redemption information is sent to the payment account system. The method of claim 14 , wherein the coupon redemption information is closed-loop gift card redemption information.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the payment account system is divided into several subsystems including a mobile phone and a payment account management server; thereby, the information is exchanged between the payment gateway system and the subsystems.

17. A payment gateway system for performing mobile payments, the system requiring the use of a merchant sales accounting system and a payment account system, the payment gateway system comprising: Communication ports; processor; Memory; and a software program, wherein the program is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the program comprising: instructions for receiving information including a payment token and an invoice balance from the merchant sales accounting system; instructions for identifying the payment account system based on the payment token; instructions for sending information including the payment token to the payment account system; instructions for receiving information including payment account information from the payment account system; instructions for processing payment based on information including the payment account information and the invoice balance; Instructions for transmitting information including a payment completion notification to the payment account system and the merchant sales accounting system.

18. The payment gateway system according to claim 17, wherein the program comprises: instructions for receiving information including a payment token, coupon redemption information, and an invoice balance from the merchant sales accounting system, instead of instructions for receiving information including a payment token and an invoice balance from the merchant sales accounting system; Instructions for sending information including the payment token and the coupon redemption information to the payment account system, rather than instructions for sending information including the payment token to the payment account system.

19. The payment gateway system according to claim 18, wherein the coupon redemption information is closed-loop gift card redemption information.

20. The payment gateway system according to claim 18, wherein the payment account system is divided into several subsystems including a mobile phone and a payment account management server; thereby, the information is exchanged between the payment gateway system and the subsystems.

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